Monday Empire Report

soaofny • October 2, 2023

The Empire Report - Monday, October 2, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (1) FULSOME brought his good PA form here to Yonkers and was a solid pocket 2nd to favored

CERTIFIABLE last week - we'll see if he can reverse that decision with this week's significant post edge.

(8) CERTIFIABLE was sent off as the favorite from Post 7 last week, made the top fairly easily and was a

sharp winner - he's rock solid at this level and remains the one to knock off, even starting from all the way

out here. (2) HES SPECIAL wasn't at his best when 3rd last week (behind the top pair) - he does have 3

recent wins at this level, however, and could easily bounce back with a sharper try - belongs in exotics. (5)

STATE SENATOR is another that just wasn't on his best game last week - he'd been sharp prior to that, and

does look like an attractive one to include underneath at that 15-1 ML price. (7) TJS INDY PACER is 0 for

10 at YR but does have a few good recent tries and does leave the gate at times - not a bad stab for the

longshot fans. (3) CANTSTOPLYING got sharp vs. cheaper but was no factor trying this higher level last

week - needs to find more. (4) TWIG was all out to just hold off an 81-1 rival last week - moves to a new

barn tonight, loses Brennan, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (6) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER has enjoyed a

fine 2023 season but his last couple do suggest that he may be tailing a bit.


RACE 2 - (4) WON LAST FEELING came to life with a BIG effort to beat the 30s two back - he followed

that up with another big try (against the 40s) last week, and feels sharp enough to beat these if a little racing

luck comes his way. (1) ONTO EL DORADO N did okay just to pick up checks from impossible spots the

last 2 weeks - this is his first realistic chance since the 8/21 claim. and he'll probably be cranked up for a

big effort...note that he's just 1 for 28 this year before taking any short price on top! (8) BALLERAT BOO

MERANG has been sharp for a while and comes off a win against these last week - tough draw for tonight,

however, and it's hard to say how he'll perform for a new barn - make sure to get a good price is using on

top (2) CENTURY ENDEAVOR got sharp after being claimed at Stga for $25K by his current connections

- his lines suggest he'll be a good fit here, but he also figures to be overbet. (6) GLACIS is another that

doesn't win very often but he's sharp right now, and may respond to a new pilot - that 20-1 ML price makes

him worth at least a look. (3) GINGRAS BEACH is having a tough year but his barn seems to be coming to

life recently, and this guy returns off a near miss at PcD - piece? (5) TYGA HANOVER is winless here in

'23 and doesn't seem all that sharp at the moment - leaning towards others. (7) HEART ON MY SLEEVE

continues to draw horribly!


RACE 3 - (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was winless at Yonkers this year until being claimed on 7/24 by the

Dynamic Duo....and then proceeded to go out and win his next 2 starts - was a solid 7 hole 4th in his next

start (after being scratched injured), then raced as well as possible from an impossible spot last week - look

for a big try from the pole tonight. (4) B LIKE CRUISER also was in an impossible spot last week, but

lands a favorable post for tonight - he's been a little light in the win column this year, but still feels like a

threat here. (5) MICKY GEE N generally races well most weeks, but has just 1 victory from 18 starts this

season - if things get testy up front, his chances go way up. (2) PRETTY HANDSOME had a confidence

building win 3 back, stepped up a notch and won his next, then was a good 8 hole 4th last week (trying to

double move vs. stickout THIS IS THE PLAN) - could easily outrace his odds in his current form. (6) PE

DRO HANOVER had a great run here earlier this year then tailed off considerably - returns off a super win

at Monti, and deserves respect....but hard to endorse at that 5/2 ML price. (7) WICHITA LINEMAN is

good right now but was stuck with Post 8 last week and tonight's draw isn't much better. (3) THRASHER

picked up a long overdue victory last week but on the lead, vs. easier - this is a much tougher assignment.

(8) KINGS CRUISER was no factor in his local debut and now gets stuck behind the 8 ball.


RACE 4 - (4) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A got a big class drop, the rail, and the front end and had no trouble

perking up to score his 14th victory of the year...but it was the EASE with which he did it that suggests he

can come right back and do it again, especially after getting to stay in this class. (3) AMERICAN DEALER

N came up 2nd best to a very sharp winner last week and there's a good chance he can sit the pocket and

once again complete a very short exacta- likely the biggest threat to the top choice. (2) JUSTASEC N could

use a class drop but he does continue to pick up small pieces at this level and the good draw gives him a

chance to do it again. (1) SPEED MAN N likely needs a start after being away for a couple of months but

he's looking at an up close trip, and may be able to last for a small share. (6) FORTIFY was killed by poor

cover last week and deserves a pass for that effort - tough spot tonight, but a minor share may be within

reach. (5) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK was able to pick up a win with the class drop last week but he can

hold his own at this higher level too - drawing outside a couple of likely leavers does figure to hurt his

chances, though. (7) TYPHOON BANNER N toured the oval from a tough spot in his U.S. debut - gave it a

good try for 3rd at Chester the next week, but draws horribly for his YR return - may need to wait for an

easier spot before we see his best. (8) JACKS LEGEND N wasn't sharp in his last pair and now Post 8.


RACE 5 - Tough race: (4) GREAT SOMEWHERE was a front end winner three back, a little disappointing

when 2nd to #3 the following week then an ok 4th from an impossible spot in his last - he can be a little

tough to predict from start to start but he's been 1st or 2nd in 16 starts this year, and should offer decent

value in a hard race to decipher. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW was a sharp winner 2 back but then threw a

dud last week (he'll do that sometimes) - gets Bartlett back, and he's won 9 races here this year - just not a

fan of the 5/2 ML price. (7) CAPTIVATE HANOVER is yet another that can be unpredictable at times, but

he already has TEN local wins this year - if you think Dube will find a way to put him in play, he'll

certainly be a good price. (3) DELIGHTFUL DUDE did beat the top choice 2 back, and was right there 3rd

last week - he's sharp enough right now to be a player even at this high level. (8) GROOVY JOE held his

own in the Open not long ago, and is currently marching back up the class ladder - the draw is horrible, but

he's also a very sharp horse that'll be a big price (1)ROCK DIAMONDS N has enjoyed outstanding success

since joining this barn a few months ago, and comes into this off a pocket win vs. easier - may find a few of

these a little tough, even starting from the pole. (2) SPLASH BROTHER is one of several from the barn

that has really leveled off after a strong summer - wouldn't shock, but leaning towards others. (6) BRONX

SEELSTER was no good in either start since returning to YR - in need of a wake up call.


RACE 6 - Another tough one: (2) NOB HILL FLASH was a game first over winner in his local debut vs. a

weaker bunch of 25s- raced well for 2nd at PcD after that (in 30s), and lands in a good spot returning to YR

- one of several with a chance in here, with the right trip. (6) ROAN COLOR was backed heavily for his

local debut but broke before the start - came back to win his next first over, then was a very game 2nd last

week (staying on beautifully after getting oubrushed to 3/4s by #8) - a live trip puts him right in this. (3)

ARRHYTHMIC SURGE is getting the easy trips he likes and racing well every week - he's also 0 for 18

here this year (1 for 31 overall), so make sure to get a good price if using him on top (7) FLOW WITH JOE

tends to be a bit unreliable, and is prone to slow starts and even miscues - he's also a solid player at this

level, and deserves a look if the price is juicy enough. (4) LUCIANO N returns off a win over lesser at PcD

but he's struggled to win races here over the past couple of years, and seems more likely to land a smaller

piece, than a bigger one. (1) SULLIVAN is good right now but bumps up to 30s after failing to beat the 25s

(last 4 starts) - maybe underneath? (8) GOTHIC ROCK was our top choice last week and he delivered a

very good looking 12-1 score...not as enthusiastic about his chances from Post 8, however. (5) JK STANDI

NGOVATION just has more weaker tries than good ones lately - needs to be better.


RACE 7 - (5) LEONIDAS A raced almost exclusively off the pace when he first arrived in the U.S. - he

started leaving the gate more and for some time, used his early speed more often than not - lately he's gone

back to his off-the-pace style and while not picking up as many wins as he's used to, he's actually been very

sharp for a while - seems overdue to grab a victory. (8) COVERED BRIDGE seemed to be in a somewhat

iffy spot last week but he was bet like he'd be making an easy lead, and that's exactly what happened - he

had plenty left to hold off #5 to the wire, but he MAY be looking at a much tougher trip in this 8 horse field

- don't accept too short a price. (2) SONNY WEAVER N has been very sharp, even if settling for smaller

pieces (vs. easier) in his last few starts - a good trip may help him add some value to the exotics here. (4)

WHATS STANLEY GOT A has established himself as a legitimate Open pacer and was very good last

week despite racing off a bad date - no reason he can't land somewhere on the ticket with the good draw. (1)

SPORTY M THREE has been climbing the class ladder with one sharp mile after another and now finds

himself at the top level - may be good enough for a piece, with an easy enough trip. (7) ANOTHRMA

STRPIECE N is very sharp but moves up from NW30000 and lands a terrible post - will need a lot to go his

way for a chance at a good piece. (6) AMERICAN MERCURY surprisingly came off the gate last week

(really helping #8, who was able to make an easy lead as a result), and never rallied from the back - he had

been on a scary run prior to that, and that makes it very tough to predict what we'll see from him tonight.

(3) LOUS SWEETREVENGE is tough as nails, but prefers a bit cheaper and may get lost in here.


RACE 8 - (1) MR PERFECT N beat this class back on 7/10 and then beat better on 8/8 - he was good (for

3rds) vs. tougher in his last pair, and gets a good draw to go along with the class drop tonight....and Buter

has been pretty hot lately! (4) BURNHAM BOY N held well after a tough first over trip in his last local

start and has faced better in most of his local starts - have a feeling he's going to appreciate the barn change

tonight, and should be ready for a big effort - belongs on your tickets. (2) SAILBOAT HANOVER landed

on a good trip last week and cashed in off the class drop - this is a tougher spot, but the good draw should

allow him to be right in the mix here too. (3) BOILING OAR had a very encouraging try off the bad date 2

back, then just had no prayer in his last - look for a better effort tonight from this much better spot. (7) SHE

RIFF N lands another terrible post but did look okay coming through the wire last week - ok bomb for 3rd

or 4th. (5) AIR FORCE HANOVER got very brave outrunning bottom level foes 2 back but wasn't able to

match that last week - moves up another notch tonight. (6) MY ULTIMATE STAR A figures to be sitting

too far back to have any real impact tonight (8) FEELIN WESTERN draws Post 8 and gets Cory for Jordan.


RACE 9 - (2) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL was a little disappointing last week but his overall form since

arriving here in Aug. has been solid, and he deserves a chance to bounce back - one of several possibilities

in this competitive affair. (4) BATTLEFIELD got sharp vs. cheaper at Stga. then held that form for his new

barn in his first few starts at Chester - ships in off a lesser effort in his last, but still deserves a good look in

his YR debut (5) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER took 3 weeks off after struggling in a hot 1:52 mile (vs. better)

in his last - his prior lines suggest he should be a solid threat in this class, but that 9/5 ML price is a turn off

(8) KB MAC was no factor shipping in last week but he has several PA lines that could make him a player

here - if you think Kakaley can get him in the hunt, by all means use him on your tickets. (1) LYONS PRI

DE made headlines in back to back NJ starts in May, but has been almost invisible since then (except for a

win over a soft Chester field 4 starts back) - he was a dull 4th from the pole last week, and is now 7-0-0-0

here at Yonkers - we'll see if a driver switch to Brennan can perk him up at all. (6) JIM BLUE is winless in

23 Yonkers starts over the past 2 years (and 0 for 23 overall, in 2023) - he ships in off a couple of nice 2nds

vs. cheaper at PcD, but would be hard to consider for a top slot against these. (3) ONE CRAZY GUY had a

few good starts here earlier this year but vs. easier - sticking with others. (7) HES GONNA GETYA figures

to be well back when they turn for home.


RACE 10 - (7) SAVE ME A DANCE lacked room at the cones in the stretch last week, lost a ton of

momentum angling clear and had to settle for 3rd - definitely at a post disadvantage tonight but with some

racing luck at the start, he can find himself a good spot and give himself a chance to beat these. (1) CYRUS

N landed on beautiful trips 2 and 3 back and was able to cash in - much tougher trip in his last (as the top

pair sat 1-2 to a :59.1 half) but still paced home well for 3rd - chance to be right there late if things go his

way. (3) KARLOO BRADLEY N was trapped with no chance in his U.S. debut -- was hammered to 6/5

from Post 8 in his next and was able to deliver the victory - obviously no shame in coming up 2nd best to

THIS IS THE PLAN last week, and he should be a major threat tonight...but does figure to be overbet! (2)

HECANDANCENCRUISE has more "speed" than "class" but he's capable of some big miles when things

go to his liking - consider if the price is right. (5) LOUS BEACH is a proven player at this level and did

qualify back nicely behind his classy barnmate - the two months off figure to hurt, though. (6) DP REALO

RDEAL gave it a big speed try from the pole last week but tired in the lane - much tougher spot tonight. (4)

C BET HANOVER was no factor in his last off the qualifier - would like to see a good effort before

hopping back on his team. (8) MR IBIZA N was unable to overcome Post 8 last week, and it won't be any

easier tonight.

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