Friday Empire Report

soaofny • January 31, 2025

The Empire Report – Friday, January 31, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) FREQUENT IMAGE just becomes a different horse when he arrives locally to his favorite barn and

while his current Dover form doesn’t seem all that appealing, we’ll still look for him to come up with a big one in

his Hilltop return. (3) KINGSVILLE is used to battling at much higher levels – his qualifier suggests he’ll be ready

for action, and he looms a very dangerous player. (2) LYONS SURFING was reunited with his favorite barn 2 back

and delivered an excellent (form reversing) try across the river – he was pacing well late for 4th here last week, and

he can have a say tonight as well – no value at that 9/5 ML price, though. (5) JET ROCK seemed content to tour the

oval from Post 8 last week, after 6 weeks on the shelf – he’s right at home at this level, and a good one to use in your

exotics (at that enticing 20-1 ML price). (7) SAN DOMINO A can probably do some damage at this lower level but

he lands in a tough field (from Post 7) tonight, and may need to wait for an easier spot. (6) HUGH HESTON is now

0 for 14 at 3 and 4, and draws poorly taking on some good older foes – leaning elsewhere. (8) THRASHER has been

struggling for a while...coming from last won’t be the remedy. (1) ROCKME ROLLME seems a bit cheap for this

field, even starting from the pole.


RACE 2 – (3) ELEGANT A sat in the back with no chance last week but did finish very alertly at the end – she may

be in a spot where Kakaley can race her much more aggressively tonight, and she may be sharp enough to come out

on top. (1) TRICK OF THE LIGHT drew Post 8 off the layoff last week and can be forgiven for failing to get into

contention– she moves all the way inside now, and figures to be an up close player...possibly from start to finish. (4)

ULTIMATE SPEED had a very strong 4YO campaign, finishing 1st or 2nd in 20 of her 36 local starts – a couple of

months off could have done her some good, and she may be ready to fire a good one right off the bench. (7) EASY

TO PLEASE was probably a little short off the bad date last week, and just missed 2nd and 3rd – she fits beautifully

here, but may have some trouble overcoming the awful draw. (6) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY would be very tough

at this level with anything close to her best effort but she’s been away for 7 weeks, and also draws poorly – maybe

check the tote board? (2) LUCKY ARTIST A was able to wire much easier last week, but it’s hard to say if she’s

sharp enough to be as successful with these better ones. (5) TWO PISTOL ANNIE was 0 for 10 here last year but

did finish 2nd 5X – guessing she’ll need a start off the winter break.


RACE 3 – (3) DIAMANTE TRIO IT comes off an outstanding 2024 season where she earned just shy of $200K –

she seemed to be tailing a bit at the end of the year, so the 2 months off may actually help her...willing to give her a

try tonight, especially since she likely will be a fair price. (6) TEXSONG SOPRANO steps up in class again as he

seeks his 4th straight victory – he should be full of confidence at the moment, and will be the deserving favorite. (4)

QUEEN OF ALL wasn’t as consistent as the top choice last year, but she still turned in enough top efforts to take

home $157K – she qualified right with #3, and could be a big threat here too. (1) ENOLA did good work from the

time she landed in this barn last summer – solid qualifier last week, and no reason she can’t be part of the action

from the pole. (5) SEVENSHADESOFGREY was 3rd as the odds-on choice last week but never looked all that

“strong” – will need to be better for a chance at the top prize tonight. (7) DEJERATE HANOVER picked up a 2nd in

his local debut last week but a lot went his way to make that happen – may not be as fortunate tonight. (2) CREATI

VE VENTURE will look better as he starts to get some class relief. (8) SAINT K draws Post 8 after a miscue in last.


RACE 4 – (3) ROLL WITH THE FLOW last few Yonkers starts were vs. much better, from terrible posts – he was

sharp in his last pair at The Swamp, and returns to the local scene in a spot that should be well within his comfort

zone. (1) EUPHORIA N went an even try from Post 8 last week, after missing 4 weeks – should be that much tighter

now, and a very logical player with the move all the way inside. (5) MOVIN ON UP raced evenly from the back last

week making his first start in 5 weeks – could definitely add some value to the exotics here. (7) REAL PEACE hit

board in 3 of his last 4 across the river, and has plenty of back class – could make some noise tonight, even with the

bad draw. (6) MASK ON MASK OFF seems up against it with the tough draw, but may be able to squeeze out a

minor share if the trip goes his way (8) C BET HANOVER is probably better than a bunch of these, but also figures

to be limited after drawing out here. (2) SWEET SHUNEY gets post relief but may not be good enough right now to

make it matter. (4) COTTON ON N never got going in a short 2024 season, and his ’25 return wasn’t sharp either.


RACE 5 – (2) TACHYON can hold his own with Open types when sharp, but he really started to hit a rough patch

around October – he’s recently started to come back around, and Bartlett takes him here over a couple of others –

may have found a winning spot. (6) YANKS DUGOUT made an uncharacteristic early miscue last week and was

out of it– he drops right back in the box, and could make some noise here IF he can bounce right back. (7) DWS

POINT MAN toured the oval from 8th last week in a start that he probably needed– he may just take a conservative

approach tonight as well, but this field IS within his comfort zone if Lachance puts him in play– live bomb? (4) P

CHICO also lagged at the back last week but was trotting better at the wire- another who could add some value to

exotics. (3) FANATIC raced well in a bunch of starts last year so it’s a surprise to see that he was just 1 for 28 –

willing to include underneath. (1) RODEO HILL often “figures” usually races “well”, but he’s now 0 for 12 here at

Yonkers – smaller piece only. (5) SOUTHWIND ARTURO was terrific here in 2023 but just 1 for 22 last year –

minor spoils only. (8) CRAZYLAND wasn’t sharp at all last week and Bartlett bails to drive #2 – sticking with

others tonight.


RACE 6 – (6) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE comes off a strong 4YO Indiana campaign and her efforts suggest that she

can absolutely compete with these as well – she qualified sharply in NJ for her new trainer, and Bartlett takes her

over 3 others in her first start of the year – we’ll trust his judgment! (7) LLOYDS LOVES may find herself unable

to get into the mix from out here but she’s proven herself with these types, and she’s listed at 15-1 ML – worth at

least a look at a big price. (3) COACHELLABOUND N may or may not be in “top form” right now but she’s too

good a mare to overlook in a spot like this...and her price may even drift up a bit with Smith at the lines tonight. (2)

MADRID A may seem a little on the cheaper side but she’s certainly clicking these days, and definitely gets along

well with Tritton – may be able to land on the ticket somewhere. (5) CHERYLS SHADOW comes off back to back

solid years and her barn has been on fire to start off 2024...hard to say if she’ll be tight enough to threaten, however,

after being idle since 12/20. (1) BEE OKAY A turned things around completely after moving to our leading barn in

November – still has to prove that she can hang with these tougher mares, though. (4) GOLDEN QUEST N was a

bit streaky during 2024 – her best effort would make her a player here, but she may need a start off the qualifier.


RACE 7 – (6) TIPSY MONI has won 15 of her 24 Yonkers starts (mostly in the FM Open) and while she did seem

to be tailing off in September, the time off she received seems to have served her well (jogged in her qualifier, then

won her first start back in NJ) – short price, but the one to beat. (4) TUSCAN PRINCE lost action on the final turn

last week when forced to go around poor cover – he eventually smoothed out, and did kick home full of trot in his

first local start – may be able to add some value to the exotics here. (1) PURPLE LORD weakened in his last, but

has otherwise been pretty consistent in his NJ and PA recent starts – chance to grab a piece from the pole. (2) CHIN

ESE WHISPER N got brave with a couple of Monti blowouts then raced very well in his local debut, gobbling up

ground in the lane to be a close 2nd – he’s undeniably sharp for a barn that’s going very well, and the only question is

whether he can handle tonight’s class jump. (3) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE had a useful tightener last week, gets a

good draw and also gets Kakaley – chance for a piece. (7) DULY RESOLVED has been doing good work out of

town but did disappoint here last May in his only local try – wouldn’t shock, but leaning more to others. (5) MYCR

OWNMYKINGDOM qualified nicely, but probably could use a start. (8) WARRAWEE YANG really fell apart for a

while – seemed to be coming back around recently, but that last effort is definitely concerning.


RACE 8 – (1) FRONT PAGE STORY was off 5 weeks to her last but came charging through the lane to just miss

2nd behind easy front end winner COACHELLABOUND N – she’ll be very tough if she brings that kind of effort

again tonight. (2) TALENT TO SPARE A finally shook free into the lane last week and was pacing very well

through the wire – she moves up a notch, but this bunch is within her comfort zone...live player. (3) INTOTHEMY

STICMOON struggled here in higher classes but recently started to find her better form vs. easier, in NJ – seems

ready to be a player here too. (6) TWIST LITTLE GIRL was no factor at all from Post 8 last week (off the layoff)

but may be able to have a little more impact tonight – minor share? (4) MCMARKLE SPARKLE throws some big

miles at times but she’s been away since 12/20 and the guess is that she won’t be fully cranked for tonight (though

others in her barn have certainly returned ready). (5) ALTA MADEIRA N was 2nd last week but with a good trip and

in a softer overall field – may struggle a bit here. (8) OKINAWA BEACH A rallied nicely for 2nd last week and her

barn in sending out live ones – brutal spot, though. (7) JULES HILL was very sluggish in her 2025 return – prefer

others right now.


RACE 9 – Very tough race! (5) CRUISE ALERT was dull in her ’25 return and wasn’t all that sharp to close out

2024...she does drop down to a very soft spot, however, and did beat much better than these not too long ago – we’ll

give her the edge, but certainly wouldn’t bet the rent money on her at a short price. (2) SHAKE ME LOOSE has

beaten cheaper a few times recently out of town but at least she has wins – that’s enough to at least consider her

against these. (3) MISS CHANTILLY N would be a threat here on her best game but she hasn’t raced since 12/20,

after being scratched injured on 12/27. (6) BADDITUDE trailed every step of the way in her seasonal return but is at

least capable of better – worth a look at the right price. (1) PURAMERI was just 1 for 24 here last year after going 2

for 26 the year before – she hasn’t raced since 12/20, and it would be pretty tough to endorse her as the 2-1 ML

favorite! (4) ANNELIESE HANOVER had some good tries here last year but was still 0 for 32 on the season (and

has been away since 11/9). (7) UNCONTROLLED gets a tough draw after a dull 4th last week – tough spot. (8)

COWGIRL LILLY lands all the way outside after backing up off a pocket trip last week.


RACE 10 – (6) AQUARIUS FACE S had a “that’s more like it” effort at The Swamp last start, and may be ready to

finally start doing some damage in the U.S. – the 7YO was a big earner overseas, gets Bartlett for tonight, and may

be worth a play. (1) WIN TOGETHER S came up surprisingly weak in the lane off a good trip last week – it seems

like a good sign that he drops right back in the box, and he’s certainly capable of better. (8) ENERGYSOURCE was

struggling at the end of 2024 but his return mile last week was very encouraging – good value horse to consider, at

least for exotics. (4) B NICKING hasn’t been at his best for some time, but hasn’t been “horrible” either – feels like

a spot where he can do some damage. (3) BRAVE BY DESIGN throws miles that would make him a player here but

he’s also pretty inconsistent – mixed feelings about his chances returning from PA. (2) BARRY BLACK turns 14

and begins his final season of racing – he’s normally a threat at this bottom level, but there happens to be a few

decent players in here – may have to wait for an easier spot. (5) FULL RIGHTS looked well short in his 2025 return

– waiting for better signs. (7) BAZILLIONAIRE would be a surprise, to say the least.


RACE 11 – (5) CELIA B MONEY added Lasix for her last in NJ and paced a solid final quarter – she raced very

well in several starts here last year, and may be able to make her Yonkers return a winning one. (7) TWIN B SUNKI

SSED tends to be pretty inconsistent but any of her better efforts could make her a threat here, even from Post 7 –

consider if the price is right. (4) LAURIE LEE can hang with these types (and even a bit better) when on her game –

but her current form is a little tough to read right now, making her a question mark for tonight. (2) WASTED ON

YOU gets a class drop but she failed badly on the lead as the favorite last week, and is listed at 3/2 ML for tonight –

could end up way overbet, and she really hasn’t thrived since arriving from the Midwest. (3) ROLLIN IN THE

SAND raced way better than expected in her local debut – she faces a much tougher overall tonight, but may still be

able to grab another small piece, at another big price. (1) WOODMERE HARRIET just missed last week but really

had no excuses – playable underneath from this spot, but looking elsewhere for the winner. (6) CALLMEQUEENB

EE A was a dull 5th in her seasonal return and may not be ready just yet to deliver her best effort. (1) IDEAL COVE R

wasn’t bad last week (after shaking free in the lane) but faces an uphill battle from out here.

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