The Empire Report – Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (6) THUNDRA shipped in sharp from Pocono and was a fast closing 2 nd the night she was claimed here
(9/10) – she rallied from too far back in her next, and may have been hurt last week when jammed up for a long way
behind a struggling frontrunner (but still just missed) – he poor draw may help her price considerably. (3) ROCKNR
OLL ANNIE perked up with a much better effort last week, sitting the pocket off the class drop – a similar mile puts
her right back in the hunt. (1) TERACITA will take plenty of $$ off the class drop and rail but she was awful in her
last, and it had nothing to do with racing in 25s (as opposed to 20s) – could certainly rebound and be a big player,
but hard to take a very short price right now. (2) MIKILOB ULTRA just missed 2 nd last week (behind a 1/10 winner)
even after coming first over – she was an upset winner here 4 back, and could land in the exotics tonight. (4) TUAP
EKA JESSIE N has been better lately, though still no better than 3 rd – playable for the bottom of tris and supers. (7)
IRON MISTRESS was a nice pocket rocket winner 2 back, but weakened a bit last week after being used harder on
the lead – Post 7 could slow her down a bit tonight. (5) WHATINEEDISAMAN has 5 wins this year but they came
much earlier in the season – her overall recent form hasn’t been great, last week’s 2 nd place finish notwithstanding.
(8) PROVE EM WRONG continues to draw poorly...and hasn’t shown she can overcome it
RACE 2 – (4) TOBAGO TIME was a well backed, dominant winner 2 back then came up big again last week,
blasting from the outside to end up with a two hole trip, then just missing (despite dealing with a hanging headpole)
– new barn tonight, but we’ll look for her to stay sharp. (1) ALWAYS BE CITY can be “quirky” at times and just
didn’t function last week off the claim – she can do a LOT of damage when on her game, though, and she may just
need a minor adjustment – willing to use her if the price is right. (2) UNITY may prefer it down in 20s but she can
hold her own with the 25s with a decent trip...and she could get one tonight with the good draw. (6) FEETMADEF
ORDANCIN has been “ok” since arriving from Hoosier and now drops in for a tag – a live trip may help her grab a
piece of this. (5) NITE TIME DEAL can be a little inconsistent but she CAN hang with these if she brings her best –
one of several possibilities in this pretty wide open affair. (7) LAZIN ON THE BEACH wasn’t bad at all upon
arrival from “The Aces” and would have been listed higher if not for the terrible draw – still, not a bad bomb for
exotics. (3) LARJON LEAH has the ability to be a player here but she’s missed time off a sick scratch and that
makes her a bit iffy. (8) CHARMING VIXEN is good in this class but lacks speed & will be coming from way back
RACE 3 – (5) TYRA MAKES BANK was used from Post 7 for a seat last week then was back out first over into a
solid 3/4s – she actually held pretty well to the end, and should be looking at an easier trip tonight – we’ll give her
the narrow edge over (3) HARPER SEELSTER. The latter blasted to the top and cut the mile last week, holding
almost the whole way before getting nailed late – the main danger. (1) SOUTHWIND MINA was no factor in her 2
local starts but returns off a win in Delaware, draws the pole, and may be a bigger player tonight. (2) BROOKDALE
JESSIE disappointed last start but was racing off 3 weeks – drops right back in the box now, and may be able to tow
along for a decent share. (8) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL has more than enough ability to beat these, but she took off a
couple of months after being scratched lame on 7/16, and lands all the way outside for her return – keep an eye for
next time. (4) PRINCESS ARONA hasn’t been sharp in some time – minor spoils only. (6) ANNE BONNEY N
shipped in sharp from Fhd. but folded trying to cut the mile here at Yonkers (where she’s 1 for 40 over the last 3
years) – leaning towards others. (7) PHELGON figures to be coming from too far back to seriously threaten
RACE 4 – (6) KAIRAKICONFIDNTL N won her first 3 U.S. starts before getting roughed up a bit in her 4
th and tiring in the lane – she gets Bartlett on board tonight, should have a clear path to the lead and may be able to get
right back on track. (1) MYBITCOIN is 6-1-3-2 since arriving from Canada and right in the mix every start – the
main danger, especially starting from the pole. (2) DUCK INTO THE NITE was a close 3 rd last start but she would
have normally jogged off her trip that night IF sharp – she can be pretty unpredictable, but has a good chance for a
piece with any decent effort. (8) PEELER is the “x factor” in here – she was recently picked up by a red hot barn,
qualified ok in PA upon arrival from Canada but took a month off before qualifying again (a good 3 rd at PcD behind
a pair of very nice horses) – hard to say if she’ll be all that serious from Post 8 tonight, but perhaps the tote board
will offer some clues? (3) KNOCK TWICE has a solid YR record (7-2-1-2) and is certainly playable for 3 rd/4 th
. (5) ANNELIESE HANOVER has been surprisingly consistent lately, but has also been helped by some easy trips – may
not be as fortunate tonight. (4) STRAIGHT AND SASSY won 3 in a row in KY not too long ago but arrives at her
new barn off a quartet of less than stellar outings out of town – leaning elsewhere. (7) IDEAL ENTRY draws poorly
off a miscue last week – sticking with others
RACE 5 – (7) ITALIAN DELIGHT N is now an amazing 18-4-3-1 on the year, has won a zillion in a row (but never
gets claimed), and while he WILL eventually lose one of these nights, it’s hard to make the case that it’ll be tonight.
(5) LIBERTY N FREEDOM rallied for 2nd two back then was actually very good last week, trapped for too long
and then charging at the end – maybe he can add a bit of value to the exotics? (4) MAJOR MAKEOVER
disappointed in his first 3 starts off the claim but was much better in his last, sitting the pocket and finishing a solid
2 nd behind #7 – may be able to complete the exacta once more. (1) ATLANTIS didn’t have the best looking lines
shipping in last start but he did race very well for 2 nd – he draws the pole, and will get his chance to prove it wasn’t
just a fluke. (6) SNOUZE U LOUZE was a nice first over winner for his new barn last week, despite missing a
month – not a great draw here, and we’ll see if that hurts his chances a bit. (8) ROCK THIS WAY was used earlier
than usual last start and didn’t have that same late burst – he’ll be coming from way out of tonight, though, and isn’t
a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (2) ROSE RUN X CON is now 25-0-1-4 on the year and has been away for
almost 4 weeks. (3) LYONS JOHNNYJNR is 0 for 17 on the year – he does grab pieces, but often gets overbet
RACE 6 – (4) RECORD YEAR is feeling good right now with a pair of wins and a 7 hole 2 nd from his last 3 starts –
gets another good draw, can race on or off the pace, and we’ll give him a slight edge in a field with a few solid
players. (1) ALOTBETTOR N lives to win races, getting his picture taken 17X over the last 2 years – he was just
re-claimed by one of his favorite barns, and is an obvious threat from the pole. (2) B COOL FOOL was a solid 2
nd behind the top choice last week and gets a big switch to Bartlett – very logical player, but may end up overbet off the
drive change. (7) BIG SIR has one good brush in him and would have looked like an even bigger threat from a better
post – he may be able to win from out here, but you’d want a good price to use him on top. (8) FOREVER FAV is
just one of many from this barn that’s clicking right now, and is another that would have been listed higher if not for
the draw – insist on a good price if considering for the top slot. (6) HURRIKANE GEORGIE threw a decent one for 2
nd last start but gets a tough draw in a solid field, and may need an easier spot. (5) KB MAC drops again, but just
seems to be struggling too much right now. (3) HEART ON MY SLEEVE is having a tough year, currently 27-0-0-3
RACE 7 – (3) LUCKY MUM N makes her U.S. debut after having plenty of success Down Under, most recently 3 rd
in a $100K stakes race (sandwiched between a pair of victories) – she shows a solid qualifier (behind some nice
male PACERS), and probably won’t be close to that 8-1 ML price! (1) HERMOSO REY has only 8 career starts and
seems to be figuring things out lately – he moves to a new (solid) barn off wins in his last pair, and seems as good as
any of the others. (6) FLASHY SWAN may be on the cheaper side but she generally behaves, and shows some nice
recent efforts at PcD. (8) TEQUINI HANOVER has ability for sure but she’s a 3YO filly starting from Post 8 over
the half and may be one of the favorites – could be some better value elsewhere. (4) MIGHTY DEO has some recent
miscues but does have some ability – consider for exotics if the price is decent. (5) VANGUARD may be a little
cheap, and has missed 3 weeks (after picking up a 3 rd in an excursion Delaware on Jug Week) – did pick up one 3
rd from his 3 local tries. (2) WESTON SWAN had some success at the Indiana Fairs (and in NW1 at PcD) but is a
question mark against these, especially off the sick scratch. (7) WAVERLY HANOVER (2 nd time hopples) is 0 for 11
locally, and just 2 for 42 overall
RACE 8 – (3) KARLOO BRADLEY N got parked through vicious fractions last week and actually did very well to
only lose by 8 lengths – he won the week before, and his overall form has been very solid – may land on a MUCH
better trip tonight, with a chance to cash in. (6) BAD BOY TOO was re-claimed by one of his favorite barns 2 back
and shrugged off his weak effort from that night to jog from Post 8 last week – he steps up here, but seems more
than sharp enough to still be a big player. (2) TWIG has some good recent efforts, and a quick start could put him in
position to grab a piece of this. (4) BOSTON is a tough call – he exceeded expectations two back when he charged
home despite almost a year off, but he was unable to build off that effort last week – not really sure what to expect
from him tonight, though it seems a good sign that he remains in 40s. (5) OZONE BLUE CHIP hasn’t been on his
best game recently though he was a close 3rd last week – willing to include underneath. (8) TWO FACED has been
sharp for several barns, and was 2 nd to a beastly winner last week (off his most recent claim) – he’s as good as
anybody in here, but will be faced with overcoming Post 8...no easy task. (1) ROCKME ROLLME had one ok start
from his 3 local tries – not ready to hop on his team just yet. (7) MY ULTIMATE STAR A is struggling and lands
outside – wait for a better spot.
RACE 9 – (2) ELISES DELIGHT had been racing well in 25s so it was no surprise to see her hit the top in a pretty
soft $20K field last week and win as she pleased (as the prohibitive choice) – she’s facing a better bunch tonight, but
that also means her price will move up...willing to stick with her. (4) NUTTINBUTHEBEST has been knocking on
the door in her last couple and should have a big say tonight as well – very logical threat. (3) JUST ROSAS LUCK
drops to 20s after being unable to sustain her first over bid in 25s last week – she fits very well here, and figures to
make her presence felt. (1) PINK RUBY had no prayer from Post 8 last week but she was a good price winner 2
back, and has been 1 st or 2 nd 14X here this year – worth a look if the price is decent. (5) LAZARUS GIRL was “ok”
in her 2 starts since arriving from Fhd. – chance for 3rd/4 th with an easy inside trip. (6) MADDY N MAGGIE was
also “ok” in a couple of local outings, and is another looking at some minor spoils. Neither (7) DANDYS SHOWTI
ME nor (8) LYONS MIKI figure to be able to reach from their outside slots
RACE 10 – (1) VESPA N was a very good 3 rd vs. better 2 back – dropped in for a tag last week and rallied as best
he could after sitting last most of the way – was claimed that night by a barn that has really thrived with fresh stock,
and the move all the way inside makes him the one to beat here. (3) JOHNNY CHIP gave it a try on the front end in
his local debut but weakened in the lane – could do better tonight from just off the pace (6) MOTIVE HANOVER
had been racing well (chasing ITALIAN DELIGHT N a few times) but was definitely off his game when claimed
from his last – we’ll see if he can bounce right back for his new connections. (5) LYONS LIBERTY has some ok
Chester lines and gets the same barn change for tonight that produced a winner last week (PYRO) – his 0 for 30
record here in 2022-23 is concerning, though. (2) CENTURY IGLESIAS was slightly better in his last pair after a
series of terrible efforts – maybe 3 rd/4th? (8) VELOCITY KOMODO seems buried in this spot but his barn has
produced enough longshot wake up calls lately to at least consider him for a minor share. (4) KNOCKIN OUT is
having a tough year, currently 28-1-1-2 – sticking with others. (7) SWAGASAURUSREX never really clicked after
moving to his current barn earlier this year – he returns from 4 months off, draws poorly, and seems unlikely