Friday Empire Report

apatchworkdesign • February 10, 2023

The Empire Report - Friday, February 10, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (4) ODDS ON DELRAY has been notoriously camera shy at Yonkers but he certainly returned

ready for action off the layoff, crushing a field of 15s (while well backed at the windows) - he should have

gained enough confidence there to step up tonight with a decent chance to beat the 20s. (6) MARINER SEE

LSTER raced a bit better dropping to 25s last week and gets some additional class relief tonight - he's not

the same horse we saw go on that nearly 2 year form spree, but he does seem capable of making some noise

with these. (4) REYS N A RUCKUS moved up to 20s last week but had no chance from Post 8 - he's still a

bit of mystery at this level, but the post relief gives him a chance to land in the exotics...at a big price. (3)

JO JOS PLACE went through an extended dry spell but he's now strung together a trio of 2nd place finishes

- chance for another good share tonight. (1) MARTY MONKHOUSER A is still going strong at age 14 and

comes into tonight off a pair of victories - both were greatly aided by uncontested leads (and very slow first

halves), though, and he probably won't get that same luxury tonight. (2) DAVIDS COMING HOME has

been racing ok out of town, but he's a notorious "sluggo", and may not get the contested pace he needs to

make his late rally work. (7) SULLIVAN drops to 20s but hasn't looked sharp, and will be coming from

way back. (8) PONDERINGJACKSFAME draws Post 8 after tiring off a pocket trip from the rail last week.


RACE 2 - (4) DRAMAACT won a few times after, but really wasn't the same after taking last year's

Matchmaker Final - the time off might have helped, however, as that qualifier was particularly sharp (from

well off the pace) - taking a guess that she's ready to do some damage in an otherwise pretty competitive

race. (1) VIOLETS RAINBOW had Post 7 for last week's canceled card but moves all the way to the pole

tonight - drops from the Open, and may prove the main danger from this spot. (3) DISARONNO HILL has

proven herself at this level, and been an overall consistent mare since arriving at YR - could add some

value to the ticket at that 15-1 ML price. (2) MAN DONTFORGET ME comes off a win and a 2nd but her

trip tonight is a little more unpredictable - could go either way, depending on how things work out. (6)

ANDRA DAY added Lasix to start off 2023 and was a decent 3rd - no prayer from Post 8 last week and

while this still isn't a good draw, she at least has a chance to grab a piece with a live trip. (7) JIVE DANCI

NG A looked very good in her '23 return try but had the rail last Fri. (canceled) and now gets stuck outside

- may have trouble reaching, even if sharp. (5) DRAGON ROLL made an unexpected break last week and

just seems off form - sticking with others, for now. (8) MCMARKLE SPARKLE looked short in that return

try and now starts from the extreme outside - prefer to just watch, for now.


RACE 3 - (1) BETTOR SUN had no prayer last week after drawing Post 8 off the layoff (vs. better) -

moves all the way inside and drops to the basement tonight, and Bartlett gives him a vote of confidence by

choicing off a few others - we'll hop on board too. (7) CAN B PERFECT drew Post 8 off the winter break

and was handled conservatively, finishing up with good pace at the end - he can beat MUCH better than

these when at his best, and he looms a very dangerous foe tonight, even with the post disadvantage. (2) RA

NDOM HANOVER raced well in both local starts since arriving from Dover, lands inside again and could

easily grab a board spot. (4) EXOTIC SAND was forced to battle with the leader after that one grabbed a

:59.2 half and can be forgiven for weakening to 3rd after a BIG 3rd panel - a live trip puts him right in the

mix for a good piece tonight. (6) BECKHAMS Z TAM wasn't "good" last week, but was obviously a lot

better than the start before - we'll see if he can keep heading back in the right direction. (8) LYONS PEGA

SUS raced better in his last pair than the lines might suggest, but unfortunately is stuck way outside again -

hop on board when he lands a better spot. (3) BRUMBY just never clicked since arriving at YR - needs to

do a lot better. (5) ZACH MAGUIRE N returns for his 2023 season after going 14-0-0-0 last year.


RACE 4 - (6) ROCK N PHILLY can be a bit streaky but she's a pretty nice mare when on her game - she

took off a few months then returned sharp in NJ, picking up a win and a 2nd in her first 2 starts of the year -

feels like the one to beat tonight, even from Post 6. (3) PURAMERI actually raced pretty well upon arrival

from NJ (well up in class), having to go around stopping cover then still pacing home for a solid 4th - drops

a notch tonight, draws well, and could be a big part of this. (2) SOUTHWIND JAVA has been struggling

lately but this is an easier field and she gets big time post relief - would be no surprise to see her pop up

with a much better mile here. (4) SHEIKH YABOOTY N picked up 4 wins (and 3 seconds) in 18 starts

here last year, and is quite capable against this type when on her game - hard to gauge off her current

NJ lines, but guessing she'll be ready for a good try tonight. (1) ODDS ON NUMBER ONE ships in with

some good looking lines in Ohio, but that was against easier competition - we'll see how she fares with

these, but she may be overbet. (7) TUGGINGONCREDIT was used hard in her local debut and can be

forgiven for weakening a bit - seems like a good fit here, but it won't be easy to overcome the draw. (5) ITZ

PAPALOTL had trouble finding and holding form last year...and just doesn't seem to be clicking at the

moment. (8) ROCKNROLL ANNIE draws all the way outside, and does feel like she's gone off form.


RACE 5 - (1) THEFLYINGROCK raced as well as he could from a couple of impossible spots and now

moves all the way inside for an incredible barn that's been winning 1/3 of their starts this year - he faces a

few legitimate foes, but the draw gives him a significant edge. (3) MACINTOSH N had some issue on 1/17

but that subsequent qualifier suggests it was nothing major - the classy 14YO is coming off a $116K season

and HIS trainer has been red hot as well - very legitimate player. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM's current form

is hard to gauge as he's had to deal with some tough posts and trips - look for a very aggressive try from

this spot, and we'll find out if he's up for it (but don't fall in love at too short a price). (8) ALEX TYE is a

good bomb to consider - his first start in '23 was better than it might look, and he followed that up with a

hard charging, near-miss 3rd last week - the post is the obvious knock, but that 20-1 ML price does make

him worth a look. (2) MY ULTIMATE STAR A has a couple of "ok" recent tries but overall, the import has

been a disappointment so far - looking at a minor share only. (7) BLUEBIRD RECON gave it a big try

when 2nd after the winter break, then was able to get his picture taken last week - this is a much tougher

assignment, and the poor draw really figures to compromise his chances. (6) KILOWATT KID N does his

best work with cheaper - leaning to others. (5) MISSILE SEELSTER is another who seems a bit

overmatched in this field.


RACE 6 - (4) ROLL WITH TIME had a tough outing trying to cut the mile from Post 7 off the winter

break but rebounded with a useful try in his last - draws well, and is one of several that could take this with

the right trip. (5) SHARK PLAY had no prayer last week but gets important post relief for tonight - he's a

proven 25, and could be a threat here if the trip goes his way. (8) STATEMENT MADE A struggled in NJ

is first start off the claim but was much better here last week - was claimed by a top barn that's particularly

hot right now, and has a chance to be part of the equation...even from Post 8. (1) POSH ONTHE BEACH N

has been good lately, but he exits a hot barn and lands in one that has struggled a bit so far in '23 - it also

doesn't help that he catches several sharp foes in here...can't dismiss his chances from the pole, but he does

figure to be overbet. (6) REAGAN BLUE CHIP raced "ok" in a couple of starts this year but he drops in for

a tag (even though he still fits the bottom class), and that MAY suggest that his connections would be

happy to lose him - feels a bit risky at that 2-1 ML price. (2) NORTHERN NETWORK has been well off

form for a while but did race a bit better last week - draws inside, and we'll see if he can build off that mile.

(3) MYMIND IS MADEUP has a few "ok" efforts recently but he'll need to be a lot better to threaten some

of the top ones in here. (8) SWAGASAURUSREX finished ok in his last couple but will be coming from

way out of it tonight - wait for a better spot.


RACE 7 - (6) AMERICAN WAY hasn't really been doing much lately but he debuts for a hot barn off the

claim, gets a fresh set of hands behind him and lands in a very shaky $20K field - probably worth a shot,

assuming he's not way overbet. (3) DILLINGER was 0 for 15 here the last 2 years but usually faced better,

and did race well a number of times - he goes from a fairly inexperienced pilot to our leading driver, and

should be able to have a decent say in the outcome. (2) SHOREVIEW is hard to ever list on top (he's quite

camera shy) but he did have some pace finishing off last week's class drop, and should be able to contend

for a decent piece tonight. (1) GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE has no wins and one 2nd from his 19 local starts

(last 2 years) but his overall recent form (in and out of town) has been "ok" - should be able to at least have

a chance at a piece with an easy enough trip. (5) FOX VALLEY INFERNO pops up with a good one from

time to time, but would be hard to endorse at that 5/2 ML price. (7) SWEET N FAST won a "fall apart"

race 4 back and done little since - Post 7 just makes it harder to like his chances. (8) AWESOMENESS was

pretty good in his first start of the year but struggled in his last pair - can't really see him getting into the

hunt from out here. (4) LITTLE POWER won 5 races to start off last year, was claimed, and hasn't

functioned ever since.


RACE 8 - Good race: (4) MORNING HAS BROKEN has done well with a variety of trips but her best

weapon is probably her one big brush...and she just may get to use it if the race sets up favorably - one of

several that could take this, depending on how the trip goes. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A tends to be overlooked

in the wagering most weeks despite racing well for some time - she's another that could end up in the right

place at the right time in what feels like a very competitive affair. (2) UPTOWN HANOVER has proven

herself even at the Open level, so this group is surely within her comfort zone - would be hard to leave her

off your tickets. (1) TRICK OF THE LIGHT was a classy youngster, earning about $400K at 2 and 3 - she

started off her 4YO season in a new barn and has looked really good across the river, beaten only 4 lengths

in her '23 return (after sitting 10th all the way), then beat older mares last week - she just may be able to

hold her own with these too. (5) VILLAGE JADE has 2 wins and 2 seconds from her 6 local starts but

moves up in class tonight (while drawing outside several tough foes) and that may leave her looking at only

a smaller share. (7) KARMA SEELSTER arrived from Canada and was able to just get up from Post 8 in

her first start back - just missed the next week and while she has way too much back class to ever be

counted out completely, she does figure to have a bit of a hard time from all the way out here. (6) TECHYS

ANGEL A is very sharp right now, trading victories with #7 the last 2 weeks - brutal spot tonight, though.


RACE 9 - (1) CHANGE STRIDE N didn't win after moving to a new barn last week, but he did improve

dramatically over his recent efforts - with just a bit more improvement, he could be ready to get back to the

winner's circle with these. (3) CRUNCH HANOVER has been dropping for weeks trying to find his form

and now finds himself at the basement level - he almost has to be a big threat against these, but still not one

to fall in love with at a short price. (5) AIR FORCE HANOVER hasn't found the winner's circle in a while

but did come close last week against a sharp rival - he figures to leave hard and land on a good trip here,

but he still seems better used underneath, rather than on top. (6) KEY ADVISOR raced better 2 and 3 back

than his limes suggest so it was no real surprise to see him finish a close 3rd (at a big price) in his last -

tough spot, but still a good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (4) NOTA REPLICAA seemed to be heading

in the right direction before throwing a dud last week - hard to know which version we'll see tonight. (8)

CAVIART SARGENT was good for a long time last year and took home $125K....his current form isn't

nearly as good, however, and Post 8 won't make things any easier. (2) VEL BITTER CHIP ships in from

Monti and will need to show that he can hang with these. (7) EDDARD HANOVER really disappointed

last start for his new barn and now is stuck with Post 7.


RACE 10 - (5) LETTUCERIPRITAA finished 1st or 2nd in 21 of his 41 local starts over the past 2 years,

and has already started off 2023 with a win, and a near-miss 3rd -- if he brings his typical effort tonight,

he's the one to beat. (2) HUDSEN A dropped in for $15K last and raced big, charging home to just miss

(and actually nosing out the top choice for 2nd) - if he's a decent price, he's worth considering for your

tickets. (3) MUDVILLE rallied nicely 2 back at a big price but was unable to get the job done on the front

end when well backed last week - an easier trip might allow him to rally for another good chunk tonight.

(1) BUNGALOW BILL N weakened after a two hole trip last start but he was racing off a bad date (and

might have been a little short) - willing to include underneath in exotics. (6) KIMANI N has been hurt by a

few tough trips and may be better than his lines suggest - unfortunately, the outside draw may hurt his

chances for tonight. (5) CASHNCAM had a bunch of good efforts last year but just doesn't seem to be on

his game right now. (7) OHOKA JOHNNY N has speed and a driver not afraid to use it - can't really see

him sticking around late from this spot, however. (8) ARTMAGIC has struggled ever since being claimed

for $25K back in September.

By soaofny February 21, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 21, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 20, 2025
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 20, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 19, 2025
The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 19, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 18, 2025
The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 14, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 14, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 13, 2025
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 12, 2025
The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 11, 2025
The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 10, 2025
The Empire Report – Monday, February 10, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 7, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 7, 2025 – Race Analysis
Show More
Share by: