Tuesday Empire Report

soaofny • October 5, 2021

The Empire Report - Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (2) ALL HANDS ON DECK has undergone a transformation similar to the one DRAGON

SAID experienced after joining this high powered barn, instantly going from bottom level afterthought to a

total beast - took 4 in a row before finishing 3rd last time, but that effort was as good, or even better than

the wins - catches a couple of pretty tough foes in here, but he still deserves top billing. (1) BETTERTHAN

THEBEACH was simply outstanding 4 starts back - disappointed a bit when 3rd the next start but was back

on his "A Game" last week when 2nd best to Tito Rocks, despite being very hard used from Post 7 - seems

like the main danger from this spot. (7) BEE TWO BEE has looked terrific since the barn change 3 back,

and that includes last week's excellent 2nd to Splash Brother - spots the top pair a major post advantage,

though (5) GAMBLINGTERROR has been enjoying a terrific 2021 season, and comes off a win in his last

- not sure he's quite as good as the top three, but we'll find out tonight. (3) IDEAL ARTILLERY has been

picking up smaller pieces lately, and likely looking at only a smaller share tonight. (6) CAPTAIN SLEAZE

leaves the gate very quickly...but it's the latter stages that figure to give him some trouble against these. (4)

ISAAC seemed overmatched last week, and this field is even tougher.


RACE 2 - "Pop Up Series"- (7) ROCK THE DEVIL flew off the car last week, ended up in the pocket,

shook free in the stretch and just couldn't outkick the winner, who had the jump on him - if Stratton sends

him out tonight, there's a shot he could trip out and post a mild upset here. (1) CODY HANOVER looked

good in his first try for the Dynamic Duo, and even better in his last - will take on some tough older foes

here, but seems sharp enough for a chance to beat them. (6) PYRO had things all his own way as the 1/10

favorite last week and failed to get the job done - moves from rail to 6 hole but on the flip side, the price

will be MUCH better tonight - can't blame anybody looking to give him another shot. (3) SEMI TOUGH

always did super here at Yonkers but hasn't been nearly as effective in his most recent local tries - still

respect his chances, but that 3/2 ML does make him somewhat unattractive. (2) TIN ROOF RAIDER A

hasn't quite hit his stride for his current connections - not impossible, but definitely prefer others. (4)

ESCAPETOTHEBEACH was very good for a while but just not as reliable lately - wouldn't shock, but

would want a pretty good price to bet on him here. (5) NVESTMENT BLUECHIP had a good run, but just

seems to be looking for a softer spot right now.


RACE 3 - "Pop Up Series" - (1) BUDDY HILL had been stuck too far back fir a few starts so he took a

shot leaving from Post 7 last week - ended up just missing 2nd after working out a nice trip, and that should

have him on his toes for a big effort from the pole tonight. (6) BETTOR MEMORIES perked up with a

much better effort 2 back, then built off that with last week's very impressive victory (paced his 3rd quarter

in :26.4 while first over, and still prevailed gamely) - legit chance to repeat, even from Post 6. (2) SAN

DOMINO A worked out the live trip from Post 7 last week and converted it into the 18-1 upset - has the

back class to step up and win again, but does face a couple of pretty sharp rivals here. (4) AFLAME HANO

VER was all out to beat cheaper 2 back but went a sharp mile for 2nd vs. better in his last - could easily be

a player here too, but wouldn't be willing to take a short price on top. (7) MAJOR BETTS hasn't visited the

winner's circle in a while but has still raced well almost every week - would definitely have picked him

higher if not for the outside draw. (5) MARK WITHA K probably needs a bit easier to be a serious threat -

look for him dropping next time. (3) ROCKATHON is another looking for a softer spot.


RACE 4 - "Pop Up Series" - (1) ROCKAPELO was lifeless for several starts, but started to come back

around in his last couple - can use the rail to his advantage here, and this feels like a good spot to hop back

on his team. (2) PRETTY HANDSOME went a big try here last week debuting for the Super Siblings,

battled very gamely before coming up 2nd best to BETTOR MEMORIES - might be even sharper the 2nd

time around. (5) LYONS STEEL is having a terrific year, banking nearly $175K already, and even doing

some damage here in the Borgata (Levy) Series - he can be a little unreliable, however, so don't take too

short a price if he's your top choice. (3) IMSTAYNALIVE probably went the best mile of his career last

week, moving first over from 5th and still collaring the odds-on leader to score the big upset - certainly

earned a spot in the exotics here with that performance. (4) BILL HALEY N was also very sharp last time,

winning one of the divisions in Leg 1 off the nice pocket trip - may have a little tougher trip tonight...and

that may mean a smaller piece this time. (6) RAUKAPUKA RULER N was worn down on the front end

last week (by #3) with no excuses - draws outside now, and this figures to be a tough spot for him. (7)

DANCIN DRAGON used a pocket trip to knock off the 1/10 favorite last time - lands all the way outside

tonight, and that's going to hurt his chance considerably.


RACE 5 - "Pop Up Series" - tough race! (3) MACH DORO A was a 1:51.2 jogburger 2 back but just not

quite as sharp in last, and weakened to 3rd - willing to give him a chance to make amends, but only worth a

play if the price is much better than last time. (1) FLAMING FLUTTER N is a little inconsistent at this

point in his career but his barn sent out a couple of winner's on Monday night -- perhaps this classy 12YO

will be up for a big effort too. (7) OUR MAX PHACTOR N was a decent 3rd last time and this wouldn't be

a bad spot for Marohn to look to leave for position - decent bomb to use in exotics. (2) DIAMONDBEACH

steps up to face older here but he has a couple of good starts lately, and his barn has been doing well lately -

just not worth a short price on top. (4) TIGER BARON picked up a pair of even fourths in his last couple -

if things get testy up front, he may be able to make some noise at the end. (5) SANTAFES COACH is on

the cheaper side but he's currently racing well, and has a shot at a small piece IF the race goes his way. (6)

PERFECTLY CLOSE wasn't bad last time and has been pretty solid all year - not sure he can get into the

race, however.


RACE 6 - (2) TEXAS TERROR N used a sharp move to win at this level 3 back - steady rally for 4th from

well back in his next, then simply had no prayer in his last - moves inside, and catches a pretty iffy group

tonight - classy 13Y) may be able to take another. (7) QUICK ASA TRICK N just never clicked after

moving from low profile connections to this high % barn in August - draws poorly after missing nearly a

month but at 20-1 ML, this may not be a bad spot to take a shot with him. (1) WILD WEST looked good

for a couple of starts before last week's dud - draws the pole with Holland, and may be able to bounce back

with one of those better efforts tonight. (8) MILITARY MASTER A is certainly sharp enough, but will

have to find a way to overcome Post 8 - would consider if the price was long enough. (3) ER VEGAS

seems to get along nicely with Luke Hanners - good one to include underneath. (6) VILLAGE CHAMP has

4 wins this year and plenty of good tries at this level - ok for a piece. (5) OFFICIAL DELIGHT grabbed his

first win of the year three back but was unable to build off that victory - hard to gauge at the moment. (4)

NIHILATED TRUTH feels like he may be going in the wrong direction right now.


RACE 7 - (2) ZOES LUCKY GUY was handled very conservatively in his local debut but was pacing well

late and gets 3rd in one more step - may get overlooked here, but hails from a sharp outfit and should be

offering good value in his 2nd local try. (5) RJ SPORTS IMAGE was purchased after his 2nd career start at

Hoosier - he's shown decent promise, and came up 2nd best in last to barnmate NORTHERN NETWORK,

also debuting here tonight for new connections - may prove to be the better of the pair, but we shall see. (1)

NORTHERN NETWORK won the Indiana Fair Championship, then was a sharp winner in his last, over #5

- seems like a solid player in his YR debut, but may end up being overbet. (3) SAUVIGNON BLUECHIP

showed a ton of potential in a short 2YO season but had trouble all through his 3YO campaign, never really

getting things going - last couple at The Swamp seem a bit more promising, and we'll see if he can build off

those miles tonight. (4) EXOTIC SAND won his first start for a new barn at Fhd. last week, but facing a

pretty soft group - we'll see if he can continue to improve against this tougher bunch. (8) SPINNAKER

HANOVER figures to be coming from too far back to do much damage tonight. (7) CONFIDENCE MAN

was 2nd in a quick mile 3 back, but no factor in his last two...and now draws Post 7. (6) WHAT ABOUT

BOB has a couple of good KY lines but is 8-0-0-0 here at The Hilltop.


RACE 8 - (2) MUDVILLE won 7 of 17 starts this year including his last at Hawthorne (from Post 10) -

moves to a barn that has been winning with fresh stock again, and we'll give this guy a try in his local

debut. (1) MICKEYMAKSOMESPEED put in a decent bid in his local debut but then just folded from the

final turn - something had to have been off, and he's a much better horse than that - look for a better effort

tonight. (3) CARRYTHETORCHMAN has his board in 4 straight, and 5 of his last 6 - seems like a pretty

logical horse to include in exotics. (4) ELS DISCO JOHNNY just didn't function last week but was an 8

hole winner the start before - if he reverts back to one of his more typical efforts, he can pick up a nice

piece of this. (8) UNCONTROLLABLE was just "ok" in 4 local tries - picked up his first win for these

connections at Chester last week, but would be hard to endorse on top from Post 8 as the ML choice! (6)

STELLAR YANKEE rallied beautifully from the back to win here on 9/21, then was an ok 3rd in last - ok

for 3rd/4th tonight. (5) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN might have finally grabbed his first win of the year last

week if Chindano steered him a little better at the top of the lane - much tougher spot tonight, however. (7)

KAUAI KING lands outside for his YR return and may need an easier spot to show his best stuff.


RACE 9 - (3) BETWEEN I N U was lazy for much of his local debut but kicked it into gear through the

lane and was gobbling up ground late to just miss - should be a decent price in this pretty competitive affair

and the right trip might help him get his picture taken. (6) DA GHETTO WIZARD debuted for the terrific

training tandem at Pocono, was sent off favored and came up 2nd best despite missing almost a month -

barn's overnight horses generally race much better at Yonkers than anyplace else, and that makes this guy a

very dangerous player here. (8) SAMSON BLUE CHIP is hard to fault, jogging in both local starts after

changing barns - will need to find a way to overcome the draw, but he just may be sharp enough to do it. (4)

NEXT BIG THING was a brush and crush winner 2 back, then rallied for 2nd behind a runaway winner in

last - belongs in exotics. (1) MOONLIGHT SHADOW gave way after going on a speed mission in his last,

after a brutal, lone first over attempt the start before - perhaps an easier, more conservative steer from the

pole can work out better? (2) ALMANAC hails from a top barn and gets major post relief so it's logical to

assume he can improve here....not ready to hop on board at a short price, though. (5) REMEMBERING

SHORTY benefited from a pocket trip in his YR debut and ended up a close 3rd - hard to say how he'll do

with a tougher trip (which is what he can expect tonight). (7) AIR GUITAR seems unlikely to get involved.


RACE 10 - (1) GET LIT went a big mile dropping to this level 2 back, used early then battling with the

classy HEAVENS GAIT before finally weakening a bit in the stretch - rallied nicely for 3rd from off the

pace in last, and this feels like a spot where he can get the job done. (4) MISTER SPOT A was very good 2

back - worked out the pocket trip in last but just fell apart, likely due to some minor issue - drops right back

in the box, and his best effort puts him right in the mix. (5) RETOUR AU JEU just seemed to lose interest

at the back last week - gets some post relief, and may deliver a much more competitive effort tonight. (2)

CENTURY FURY isn't all that reliable, but he can be part of the action if he shows up in the right mood -

especially from Post 2. (3) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING is winless at Yonkers over the past 2 years, but fits

well enough here to be playable for 3rd/4th. (6) REVELRY hasn't been "sharp" for some time, yet was

claimed not once, but TWICE recently for $40K - needs to find more to be a player even at this bottom

level. (7) CLASS SIX has a few good out of town efforts to his credit, but would probably need a much

better post to be considered here. (8) AMERICAN INFLUENCE has enjoyed success here in the past but

returns to land in Post 8, and also seems a bit cheaper right now.


RACE 11 - Good race: (7) SOUTHWIND PETYR is a talented colt who was recently sent off at 8/5 in the

NYSS Final (where he broke at the start, but still grabbed a 4th) - just missed here in a 1:51.2 mile on 8/13

and has a chance to beat these even from Post 7...with the help of some racing luck. (5) LARRY LINCOLN

N conceded from Post 7 last week but looked fine hitting the wire - may look to be more aggressive here -

his chances go way up if that happens. (3) CAPTIVATE HANOVER has been turning in solid efforts for

weeks - loves to "relax and rally"...so if things go his way, look for him to be charging late. (6) LINNYCA

LLEDFRANKIE had pace from a hopeless spot in last after a nice 2nd the week before - will probably be a

decent price here, and probably worth including somewhere on your tickets. (4) MARLBANK ROAD has

raced well on a few occasions, but is a little hard to read from week to week - his best effort puts him in the

equation for a good piece. (8) EXPLOIT was a close 3rd last week but the version from earlier this year

would have won from that spot - now draws Post 8, and have to lean towards others. (1) ARTIST BEST has

won 3 of 6 local starts but is a little iffy against this type - rail certainly helps, but may still need to be in a

bit easier to show his best. (2) KEYSTONE NOLAN finally graduated from the NW4 ranks - we'll just pass

and watch for tonight as he bumps up to NW6.


RACE 12 - (4) CIGAR SMOKING TONY started the year off sharp and returns to Yonkers still in fine

form (and coming off a win, last week) - battled several times at Pocono with Belmont Major N...and that

one almost won the Open here 2 weeks ago...may be able to wire these. (1) FLYINGEVENBETTOR N

disappointed a bit last week but was used a bit harder early on that he might like - many of his efforts

would put him right in the thick of this, but note that he's 0 for 13 this year. (5) ABERDEEN HANOVER

was a winner in PA two back, and had pace in traffic here last week - include in exotics. (2) KNOCKING

AROUND routinely picks up smaller pieces in this class and the inside draw should allow him to go home

with a decent chunk tonight as well. (7) VIRGIN STORM raced better in his last couple and gets a class

drop for tonight - he also draws Post 7, however, and that may limit him a bit. (3) YAYAS HOT SPOT N

finally got in the win column for 2021 2 back but was no factor in last, and now moves up again - prefer

others. (6) ZACH MAGUIRE N has been racing well for weeks but takes a double jump tonight while also

drawing outside - tough spot. (8) MOHAWK WARRIOR was a game front end winner last week one level

down - moves up but more importantly draws Post 8...and he usually fails to get involved from spots like

this.

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