Tuesday Empire Report

soaofny • December 10, 2024

The Empire Report – Tuesday, December 10, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N was well backed for his 2nd U.S, start and paced a strong final half to

rally for 3rd from a tough spot (he was caught too far back in his first stateside try as well) – maybe Stratton can get

him into the mix a bit earlier tonight, and be in position to pick up his first local victory. (4) AYR BALMORAL GB

races well almost every week in this class and that includes his last (still able to finish 4th despite being parked every

step) – he hasn’t won in a while, but definitely has a chance tonight. (5) D A MCDREAMY suddenly perked up to

charge on by at 14-1 two back but then quickly reverted to his lesser form last week – he can be tough here if he

brings his best, but it’s hard to endorse him on top as the ML favorite. (2) KID FROM THE BRONX does his best

racing when on/near the lead and he should be much closer to the action tonight – chance for a piece. (3) I B LOVIN

seems to be coming around in the Midwest and he lands in a very sharp barn tonight...he also exits a very high %

outfit, so it’s hard to predict how he’ll fare with these. (1) FALL IN LINE was a wire to wire winner in his YR debut

but has regressed since – not sure the rail draw is enough to turn him around. (7) SPECIAL DRAGON used an easy

trip to grab 2nd to a runaway winner last week, but seems unlikely to enjoy that kind of journey tonight. (8) SOUL

ROCKER arrives from Hoosier and lands all the way outside – prefer to just observe, for now.


RACE 2 – (6) LADY WISHES shipped in sharp from NJ and had no problem working out a pocket trip from Post

8, finishing 2nd to the favored pacesetter (PINK RUBY) – she’ll be tough tonight with a similar effort. (5) EBONY

LADY wasn’t terrible from an impossible spot 2 back (after changing barns), then finished with good pace from

well out of it last week – this may be a good spot for an aggressive try. (1) PLEASURE SEEKER hasn’t won in

some time and her last was definitely dull – still, a big chance to land somewhere on the ticket from this spot. (3)

MIKILOB ULTRA was trapped with no place to pace in a weird, slow mile last time – she’s raced well here a

couple of times, and isn’t a bad bomb for exotics. (2) DANDYS SHOWTIME hasn’t thrived all year and last week

was a perfect example – chance for some minor spoils, with the good draw. (4) GAME OF SHADOWS qualified

well enough but was no factor in his first start back then folded badly last week – in need of a major turnaround. (7)

BLANK CHEEK is now 0 for 17 at Yonkers and lands a terrible post for tonight (after hanging on vs. cheaper at

Fhd.). (8) JILLIAN JIGGS tried to leave and got parked last week – guessing she’ll be very conservative tonight.


RACE 3 – Tough race: (2) SONNY WEAVER N finished alertly last week despite racing from Post 8, vs, better –

he’s not as reliable this year as he’s been in the past, but this could be a spot where he could deliver a winning mile.

(1) SHAKESPEARE may have finished 8th last week but he had no room and probably had more pace than he was

able to show – he could trip out here, with a chance for a mild upset. (5) MISSED THE TRUTH appears to have

raced well in both of his U.S. starts at Plainridge, while well backed both times – he should be a good fit here, and

worth a look at the right price. (6) CUT N RUN N has 3 starts in this country and the two that were at this level

resulted in close 2nd place finishes – he hails from a very live barn, and it would be hard to not give him at least a

look with that 15-1 ML price. (4) GREG THE LEG isn’t having a “bad” year (he’s made $90K), but it certainly

doesn’t compare to the $260K he banked in 2023 – he’s been struggling lately, but we’ll see if Yannick can push his

buttons. (3) THE REAL ONE was stuck making a long first over move last week, re-rallied in the lane after

appearing to stall out and did well to be 2nd – maybe he can win one for old times sake as the 14YO approaches his

mandatory retirement at the end of the year. (7) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A was dull in NJ is his first start back off a

long layoff but was able to score here last week, helped by a live trip (following THE REAL ONE) – he can beat

MUCH better than these when 100%, but he just may not be up for that just yet (and does figure to get overbet here,

from a tough spot). (8) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N fits well in this class but rarely wins, and lands Post 8.


RACE 4 – (7) FORTUNADA was bothered badly early on last week, had to work hard just to finally drop in at the

quarter but still finished full of pace at the wire – could be a possible upsetter if Nap can work out a manageable trip

for her. (3) UNITY has 9 wins this year but it feels like they all came ages ago – she hasn’t been sharp lately, but it’s

not like she’s been terrible either – drops to 20s, gets a switch to Bartlett, and should be a big threat tonight. (2) RAI

SE THE ANTE was given a chance to utilize her best weapon last week (speed) and simply outran a weak field –

may not be as easy to do the same to these. (6) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL had a bunch of recent efforts that would

put her in the hunt here but also came up weak in her last couple – not a bad one for longshot fans (20-1 ML). (4)

EILEENS WISH was an ok 3rd arriving from NJ last week, but helped by an easy trip – probably looking more like

minor scraps tonight. (8) THATSMYTYPE has a few nice local tries but faces a tall task from Post 8. (5) BROOKD

ALE JESSIE seemed well off her best in her last couple – and is camera shy even when sharp. (1) SUNSET SOPH

goes for a new barn but is really struggling right now.


RACE 5 – (8) BUGABOO LOU really fell apart after changing hands in October but finally flashed encouraging

signs last week – if he can improve a bit off that last mile, he may be able to beat these...even from out here. (1)

ALADDIN was no threat upon arrival from Canada but also wasn’t far back, into a quick final quarter – 2nd time

Lasix tonight, draws the pole, and may be cranked up for a bigger effort. (2) JAHAN HANOVER often “figures”, is

often in the hunt, but has just two victories this year – legitimate player with these, but don’t accept too short a price

on top. (4) GINGRAS BEACH is a tough call – he held form nicely (at much higher levels) for a good stretch this

year, but recently hit the skids hard – he rebounded with a perfect trip jogburger at the bottom level recently, but was

dull in his last (off a sick scratch) – could go either way. (7) MY ULTIMATE STAR A has been finishing ok from

tough spots but lands in another bad scenario tonight – minor piece? (6) RAYRAY is one of the more camera shy

horses to race here, but he did hit board in his last pair and isn’t a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) QUALITY BUD was no

good for a long time – he threw a couple of good recent efforts, but was dull again last week off an easy trip – prefer

others. (3) GAMBLINGTERROR has his moments, but others just feel more appealing right now.


RACE 6 – (3) CHARMING VIXEN drops back down to 25s for the first time since she won at this level 4 starts

back – could trip out at a decent price (especially if there’s some battling up front). (2) PARADISE ROCK L

dropped in for this tag last week and rallied very nicely for 2nd, at a big price – her odds will come down now, but

she’ll still be a good enough price to merit consideration. (1) BEANTOWN BABE lone local win came at the $20K

level but it feels like she can win for $25K too, with the right trip – a good price makes her worth using. (5) TOBAG

O TIME was Bartlett’s choice in here and she’ll likely be well supported moving in from Post 8 – she had an

excellent recent form spree, but does feel like she might be tailing a bit...mixed feelings. (7) REAL LADY SADIE

seeks 3 in a row and has done some of her best work for this barn – she has an amazing 14 wins this year, and can

never be taken lightly...but insist on a fair price is using her from out here (with an uncertain trip on the horizon) (6)

MIKI THE CLOWN has a few nice efforts since returning from PA but may be coming from a little too far back this

week. (4) CHASE YOU re-qualified after missing time after the sick scratch – Bartlett opts off, and so will we. (8)

UNCONTROLLED probably needs a much better post to threaten at this level.


RACE 7 – (6) HEMSWORTH N is the type that often proves a better bet when he DOESN’T figure (as opposed to

when he looks “best”), but we’ll still give him top billing tonight – he can handle tougher than these when on his

game, and his overall current form is solid...Kakaley should be able to work out a manageable trip for him. (1) VICI

finished full of pace in his last pair (after racing very conservatively from the back) and will likely be handled much

more aggressively tonight with the move inside – should prove a very solid threat. (2) OPTICAL ILLUSION N

would be a major player here on anything close to his best effort, but it’s a little tougher to read his current form

after changing barns 2 back – possibility. (7) GEM QUALITY earned $438K from just 8 starts as a 2YO – he’s only

managed 2 wins (and $200K) at 3, but he’s been tackling the best in the division in most of his starts – feels like a

tough assignment asking the youngster to take on quality older foes, from Post 7, in his Yonkers debut...and that 5/2

ML price is definitely a turnoff. (4) STELLAR YANKEE shows some good recent miles across the river, but he’s

definitely struggled here at Yonkers this year (10-1-0-0) – leaning more towards others. (8) SPEED MAN N steps up

considerably after wiring easier in his last pair – not sure he’s up for this kind of task anymore, but wouldn’t be

shocked if he was. (3) JET ROCK seems better suited with cheaper. (5) ALTA CLASSIC A lands in a tough spot

shipping in from Plainridge...especially after missing a month.


RACE 8 – (4) YS SENSATIONAL CITY is in a very good groove right now, her last 4 starts producing 2 wins, a

fast closing 2nd and a narrow loss 3rd, after cutting the mile– she handles any trip, and deserves the edge. (1) CRÈME

DELIGHT moves back inside and she was right in the hunt for 3 straight starts from similar spots– should be a close

up player from start to finish. (8) IDEALINFUN has pretty mixed form lately but she’s been 1st or 2nd 13X this year,

and has overcome some bad posts in the past – decent value horse to consider, with a pilot not afraid to put one in

play! (5) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N is very solid at this level, hails from a sharp barn, and can race on or off the pace,

depending on how the race shakes out – worth considering, at least for exotics. (6) NIKASA N continues to go off

double digit odds every week despite having been no worse than 4th in ages – never a bad one to include underneath.

(2) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP feels like she may be tailing off, but we’ll see if moving to a new trainer helps get her

going again. (3) BOUT DAMN TIME A brought her 5 race Stga. winning streak into The Swamp and failed to beat

a single mare that night – may just need easier? (7) SILKY STRIDE fits well, and was a winner this class 2 back –

she just may be coming from too far out of it to have any real impact.


RACE 9 – (1) CADILLAC BAYAMA just missed to CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR 2 back then was a solid 4th

behind 3 pretty classy rivals last week – has the speed to work out a winning trip from this spot. (5) TICKERTAPE

HANOVER gets a free ride in the same class he beat last week, and his overall recent form is very solid – logical

threat once more, but probably will end up overbet. (3) TIP TOP CAT hadn’t been winning here earlier in the year

but at least he was racing well, in good fields – his last couple leave a lot to be desired, but his sharp connections

drop him right back in the box and he gets some post relief here – we’ll see if this is a wake up spot. (6) TASTE OF

HONEY was pretty well backed last week (moving up, off the claim) but he was definitely sharp, rallying crisply for

3rd and not too far behind #5 – would definitely include him in exotics, at a good price. (2) SOUTHWIND PETYR

has struggled to WIN races this year, but he’s hit board with regularity – an easy trip (with the move inside) could

help him take home a decent share. (4) ULTIMAROCA grabbed a good trip from a better post last week and came

up 2nd best to #5 – he can be in the hunt again, if things go as smoothly tonight. (7) PURPLE POET has 2 wins from

his last 3 starts but faces a daunting task tonight, starting from out here. (8) ILIKEMEBETTOR A is very good right

now but he’s been facing easier, and from good posts – another with a very tough assignment tonight.


RACE 10 – (6) CASINO ACTION N is just 1 for 21 at YR this year but us used to facing much better – he was ok

in his last couple, and maybe the drop to the basement will help him light up the tote board in the finale. (7) ROLL

WITH THE FLOW is another that should appreciate tonight’s class drop, though a better draw would have been

helpful – another that’s more than capable of springing an upset. (1) ALL ALONE has a big edge starting from the

pole and will surely be given every chance to win by Bartlett – very logical, but also figures to be a very short price.

(3) GREAT SOMEWHERE was 34-10-7-2 here last year but struggling at just 2 for 29 in 2024 – still has to be seen

a very legitimate player against this crew. (8) ROCK THE BELLES disappointed here as the favorite in back to back

October starts – he did beat cheaper in PA 2 back, but that victory is sandwiched between two more duds – certainly

the draw does nothing to enhance his chances for tonight. (5) BEN SOLO won at Plainridge off the payoff but the

speedball started to immediately regress in his last pair – doesn’t feel like a field he can just outrun. (4) YS DO IT

RIGHT beat cheapies at Chester 2 back but has otherwise struggled in most of his recent starts. (2) RUSTY BEACH

will have to prove that he can hang with the locals.

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