The Empire Report - Friday, March 5, 2021- Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (6) CONTROL TOWER dropped to this level on 2/9 and was a 3/5 jogburger winner - stuck
with Post 8 in last, but moves in a couple of spots here and Brennan will be able to handle him more
aggressively now - catches a very modest bunch tonight, and looms the one to beat. (1) GIAS BOY raced
here in this class back on 12/7 (also from the pole) and was a close 4th, after cutting the mile - should be
able to be a player tonight, and take home a decent piece. (3) ROCK ON PRECIOUS appeared to reverse
form in a big way with last week's 42-1 upset, but he MAY have just been in the right place, at the right
time - suppose we'll find out here if he's actually that sharp, or if the last was more of a fluke. (2) WAVES
OF FIRE A looked a bit more competitive in his last couple - not a bad time to include him underneath in
exotics. (4) THEREISAPACEFORUS has been "ok" in his last few - draws well enough for a chance at
another small piece. (7) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY finally picked up a long overdue victory 2 back but then
just came up terrible in last, after an early move to the lead - was claimed that night, and draws poorly here
for his new barn...will need some trip luck to grab a piece from out here (8) WAR DADDY was uninvolved
from a similar spot 2 back, and a bit disappointing from the rail in last - wait for a better scenario. (5)
REASONABLE FORCE hasn't been 1st/2nd in his last 20 local tries - prefer others
RACE 2 - (2) SWANSEA gave it all he had last week but came up 2nd best to legit Open player Broadway
Athena after a long stretch battle - definitely not at "peak" form right now, but still the one to beat from this
spot. (6) MELADYS MONET really hasn't lost much off his fastball even at age 12, and remains a threat
every week, from any post, in any class - he does spot the top choice an early tactical advantage, though,
and he'll need some trip luck to overcome it. (4) MAGICAL JOURNEY continues to improve since joining
this impressive newcomer's barn, and his last effort was outstanding (and easily the best mile he's ever gone
here) - not sure if he's ready to make the jump to contending with the top two, but we'll find out soon. (4)
KINDA LUCKY LINDY is very solid right now, but may need to be in a little easier to be a serious threat -
ok for a smaller piece. (1) LIFETIME ROYALTY has been very reliable lately, but remains unproven at
this level - rail helps, but still may be a notch below. (5) FASHION CREDITOR definitely wasn't on his
best game last week, even though able to hang on for 2nd (behind #4) - will likely be coming from last, and
that's going to hurt his chance, for sure
RACE 3 - (2) MATT MAJOR seems to be coming back to his top form with a pair of 2nds (to sharp
winners) in his last 2 starts - should be looking at an up close, fairly easy trip tonight, and that may allow
him to cash in for an always hot trainer/driver combo. (5) P H KENNY provides mixed feelings - while his
lines aren't "bad", he doesn't seem as sharp as he was not that long ago...then factor in that barn is dropping
him quickly below the level of the claim...although that worked for them with Record Year, a few weeks
back - just seems a little risky to accept a short price. (1) OHOKA JOHNNY N certainly loves racing at
Monti, but he hasn't come close to replicating that form in his recent local starts - this is definitely an easier
spot, though, and he'll be using his speed from the rail...but at 9/5 ML, there's not much value to be had
here. (4) TWIN B IMPRESSIVE is probably in a spot where he can use one late move to pick up a small
share - maybe can add some value to the exotics? (7) HIGHVIEW CONNAL N gets a pass for his last (bad
shuffle) but his overall recent form is just "ok" - will need to find more for a chance at any meaningful
piece from out here. (6) WILD WEST just never seems to thrive when he ships in to YR...and last week
was no exception. (3) WE THINK ALIKE has been struggling for a long time. (8) CINNABAR DRAGON
has been well off his best form, and Post 8 isn't going to help his cause tonight.
RACE 4 - (8) SOHO LEVIATHAN A is worth a stab in here - had a couple of "off" weeks but was back
on his game in last, rallying nicely for 3rd in a fast mile, behind the 1/10 winner - never easy from Post 8,
but a better price usually goes along with that! (4) DARK ENERGY N has been showing much more life
lately and that last line comes with an excuse (bad shuffle) - very logical player here. (1) SUNKEN
TREASURE just never lifted a hoof last week but he's reversed form of similarly weak-looking efforts in
the past - gets more than his share of YR wins, and would be no surprise at all starting from the pole. (7)
IDEAL WHEEL isn't "razor sharp", but he's racing pretty well (for a very hot barn), and has shown that
he's not afraid to leave from the outside - at 20-1 ML, he's definitely one to throw in underneath. (3)
LONDON SEELSTER is still struggling to find any kind of decent form - did have a bad trip in last so
maybe he can do better here with an easier journey? (5) KILLER MARTINI doesn't throw that many good
ones any more, and comes into this off a sick scratch - prefer others. (6) OURLITTLEGENERAL A was
sent off favored off the class drop in last and was no good at all - should certainly race better tonight, but
he'll still be a relatively short price and just doesn't offer any value. (2) BRIARS DESIRE was able to use
all of an easy trip to pick up a 3rd last week - overall form has been lacking, though
RACE 5 - (7) IM BENICIO A is finally worth a play - the classy import has struggled to get untracked
since arriving in the U.S. but has finally put together a good qualifier AND good subsequent start, and
perhaps that's an indication that he's ready to start showing his best stuff - a catch driver is listed once again
and he's worth a play...even from Post 7. (3) ABERDEEN HANOVER was backed up horribly in last so
just ignore that last line - drops to a level where he's always very dangerous, draws inside, and his barn has
been sending out lots of live ones lately - logical player. (6) ALTA LEROY N was actually outstanding
last week and would have been an open-length winner...except for getting blown away late by the "new
version" of Dragon Said, who looked liked Pegasus through the lane debuting for his new barn - can't fault
anybody looking to use him again tonight. (1) ALEPPO HANOVER was used leaving then put in a good
bid to the final turn before tiring in last - an easier trip could land him a chunk of this. (5) MR HASANI N
had been way off form for some time before flashing a hint of late life in last - maybe throw in for 3rd? (8)
TAP TAP TAP has bounced around among the owner's assortment of trainers, and now goes back to the
one that probably had the most success with this erratic 5YO - wouldn't be shocked to see him improve, but
hard to even consider for a play at 5/2 ML from Post 8! (2) SETTLEMOIR is 41-0-2-2 locally over the past
3 years - pass. (4) COOL BLUES MAN hasn't raced well since being sent on a wild speed mission a few
months ago.
RACE 6 - (1) SANTFES COACH beat this class here as the odds on choice 2 back, then was in a no
chance spot across the river - rail draw makes him the one to beat...but don't bet the rent money on him at a
very short price. (3) MACINTOSH N wasn't bad at all from a no prayer spot in last, and now drops down to
a level he thrives at - very legit player, and should be a major threat from start to finish. (6) BLATANTLY
BEST beat cheaper from Post 8 in last, and finished right behind the top choice in that ones victory on 2/12
- not sure he can beat these from out here, but that 15-1 ML certainly makes him worth at least considering.
(2) BETTING EXCHANGE definitely fits with these, draws inside, but does tend to get overbet in a lot of
his starts (without the win % to go along with it) - have to include in exotics. (4) RAPTORS FLIGHT N
had disappointed several times before reversing for with the 33-1 upset 2 back....then went to Pocono and
tired off a pocket trip -- total guessing game with him! (5) THEFREEDOFIGHTERN has grabbed pieces
here in the past but he's 0 for 15 locally, and not really sharp right now - maybe a minor award? (7)
LUCIANO N wasn't bad last week, but that 4th place finish bumped him out of the easier NW5000 class by
$5 -- drawing Post 7 only makes his task even harder. (8) AWESOMENESS isn't the smoothest getting
around Yonkers, so we'll pass from Post 8 in his Hilltop return.
RACE 7 - (5) STORMY KROMER raced from off the pace last week and had to settle for 2nd....but still
went his typical big mile, trotting a back half in :55.2 - seems like a spot where Dube can put him on the
lead -- and that usually spells trouble for the others! (3) BROADWAY ATHENA really blossomed as a
6YO and is continuing that top-level form at 7 - she's usually right there every week, and tonight should be
no exception -- chance at the mild upset if the top one gets into any trouble. (6) LINDSEYS PRIDE has
been terrific since the barn change 3 back, including a win in last week's Open (over the top choice) - gets
the worst of the draw but may still leave the gate anyway...and he can be right there again if the trip luck
goes his way. (1) HOMER HALL has been a very consistent performer but he was scratched sick last week
so it's hard to know how close to 100% he'll be. (4) HILL OF A HORSE has been a little in and out lately,
but even his lesser efforts haven't been bad - may end up having to come from a little too far back tonight,
though. (2) LEAN HANOVER had excuses for a couple of weeks but just wasn't sharp in last - may be
tailing at the moment.
RACE 8 - (8) AIR FORCE HANOVER was an excellent performer at 2 & 3, banking nearly $340K -
struggled to get things going in a 10 start 4YO campaign, but has looked very good since resurfacing here
for his new barn off a 5 month layoff, including last week's effortless "brush and crush" win as the 1/10
choice - moves up and draws Post 8, but still can get it done with even a little racing luck. (5) MARK
WITHA K hit the skids hard after an extended form spree last year, but seems to be back on the upswing
now, and getting sharper with every start - should have a big say again tonight. (4) CAPTAIN CASH is
winless in 7 local tries but has raced very well in almost all of them - can land somewhere on the ticket
once again. (6) KJ LEO shipped in sharp and was very good last week, loaded with pace once finally free -
not a great draw for tonight, but still may be able to grab a decent piece if things go his way. (1) BETTORS
FIRE N gets the potent combination of a class drop and the rail, but it's hard to say if the 13YO will be up
to the aggressive steer that's likely to come his way. (2) SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN just hasn't looked
nearly as sharp since the recent barn change - needs to get back to his better form for any chance to be a
player. (3) JMS DELIGHT has been ok with cheaper lately, but steps up having failed to BEAT cheaper -
not sure how well he can hang with these. (7) AUDI HARE N was a game pocket winner in last (over #5)
but has to deal with both Post 7, and a class hike - may need to wait for a better spot.
RACE 9 - (1) ARABELLAS CADET steps up off a pair of sharp wins but when she's good, this level isn't
a problem for her - draws best, and her barn has been sending horses into orbit again...the one to beat! (4)
NEW HEAVEN has been "sneaky good" in his last three, even if the lines don't suggest that - have a
feeling he'll race very well from this spot. (2) THE LAST CHAPTER hadn't been at his best for a few starts
but last week's pocket trip was just what the doctor ordered - may have some confidence now, and should
be able to be an up close player from start to finish. (3) BLUE AND BOLD drops to a level where he can
rally late for a piece...if he gets along better with Siegelman this week (made a break early in the stretch
when they paired up last start). (5) CASINO CUTIE IT definitely needs to be in cheaper to do any real
damage, but may be able to just save ground here for a minor share. (7) HAMMER CREEK is good right
now, but draws outside again and doesn't figure to be able to get into the hunt...like last week. (6)
WINDSONG PIONEER seems to need the front end vs. softer to deliver his best efforts - not a great spot
here
RACE 10 - (6) IDEAL JIMMY disappointed last time but can be forgiven for bottoming out chasing the
winner's 1:23 pace - drops to a much easier spot now, and his best effort could beat these. (1) ROCK
DIAMONDS N didn't leave hard from the pole 2 back and that resulted in a first over trip that he couldn't
handle - he DID leave off the drop in his next, and just missed (after a pocket trip) to a very sharp rival -
drops again, draws best, and looms a very dangerous player tonight. (2) MAJOR OFFENSE hails from a
hot barn, draws inside off a pair of 2nds and should be able to grab another good piece, with a similar effort
(4) WARDAN EXPRESS A beat the bottom class from a pocket 3 back but was a very good first over 3rd
when double jumping next - not bad from a no-chance spot in last, and may be able to add some spice to
the gimmicks here. (5) ROCK LIGHTS often figures, usually races well, but just doesn't WIN often enough
- always ok to include underneath. (3) GAMBLING TERROR picked up a rare local win 2 back, then
wasn't bad after sitting 8th in last - good draw gives him a chance to save ground for a minor share. (7)
KASEY JOHN A drops down to the level of his win 3 back, but draws Post 7 in a tougher field - not sure
he can have much impact from out here. (8) MACHIATTO A wants a better post in a much easier field