Monday Empire Report

soaofny • March 11, 2024

The Empire Report – Monday, March 11, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) GINGER TREE PETE picked up 3 wins and a pair of 2nds before being left in a hopeless spot from

Post 8 last week (but still racing well just to grab a check) – moves all the way inside, and he’s just tough as nails

when close turning for home – gets the edge for tonight. (5) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR (surprisingly) dropped in

for a tag last week, got no takers but had no trouble wiring the field as the odds on favorite looms the main danger

for tonight. (3) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER stacked 4 wide on the final turn last week before offering some mild

stretch pace from a tough spot – grabbed a pair of 3rds prior to that, and may be looking at a similar result tonight.

(4) JUST ENUFF STUFF hung a bit in the lane off last week’s pocket trip but it’s hard to say if a broken headpole

had anything to do with that – either way, playable underneath. (8) WAR DAN DELIGHT is pretty good right now

but gets stuck with his 2nd consecutive 8 hole – not a terrible bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) PRETTY HANDSOME was a

game 2nd last week but generally needs an inside draw to be a serious player. (2) SAULSBROOK HERO draws well

for his YR return but it’s hard to say if he’s up for these off his recent form. (6) EMINEM HANOVER draws poorly

after being scratched injured from his last.


RACE 2 – (4) CAPTIVATE HANOVER had a useful tightener on 2/26 (after 4 months off) then went a big mile in

his next, enduring a very tough trip before just losing out to the perfect trip winner – he had his picture taken here

10X last year, and may be ready for his fist winner’s circle visit of ’24 tonight. (1) BRAEVIEW BONDI A was off a

bad date to his last but turned in a big first over try, losing only to the razor sharp winner – looms a very dangerous

foe from this spot. (2) LEVINE has been using his speed to grab beautiful trips, but keeps coming up a little short at

the end – another small piece? (3) WINDSUN RICKY would normally be a big threat dropping to this level but the

class did come up particularly good tonight – would need a good price to consider on top. (5) JUDDY DOUGLAS A

returns from PcD and has raced well here many times in the past – he was just 3 for 33 locally in ’23, though, and

drawing outside a few sharp foes won’t help his chances tonight. (6) MIGHTY SANTANA N lands in a very tough

spot but note that he does have 3 recent big price 2nds before eliminating too quickly.


RACE 3 – Excellent race! (2) TAKE A GAMBLE returned from a 7 month hiatus with an excellent tightener,

finishing full of pace behind some sharp foes – he won 9 of 17 starts here in 2022-23, and this may be a good week

to give him a shot (assuming the price is fair). (5) ADAM TWELVE has been sensational since joining our leading

barn, compiling an outstanding 12-7-5-0 local slate– he showed last week that he can be just as effective racing from

OFF the pace, and deserves plenty of respect...as always. (1) ROCKING JUKEBOX made his first start in nearly 3

months last week and finished full of pace – a live trip from this spot could make him a very serious player here. (6)

BOILING OAR draws poorly in a very good field but he’s been razor sharp, and could offer some good value if the

trip happens to go his way. (3) POINTOMYGRANSON found his form at the end of 2023 and it carried over into

the new year, through several barns and class jumps – he’s been a player every start, and certainly can’t be counted

out tonight. (7) MOONSHINE KISSES got roughed up way too much 2 back and gets a pass for tiring – landed on

an easy pocket trip in his last, and was a solid 2nd best – terrible spot, but he’s too classy to not at least give a look if

the price is juicy enough. (4) MACH N CHEESE has been a new horse since the recent barn change – he’s only

listed this far down because of the strength of this very sharp field.


RACE 4 – (2) JUSTASEC N was very well backed from Post 8 last week and was able to deliver a very hard fought

victory – he shouldn’t have any trouble handling tonight’s modest class bump, and remains the one to knock off. (4)

ON ACCIDENT was handled aggressively from Post 8 two back (at 38-1!) and was an excellent 2nd – paced home

steadily from a tough spot in his last, gets a class drop, and could be a dangerous player. (6) IM NO OUTLAW N

was unable to get in play from Post 8 upon arrival from Stga. but had very good pace finishing from a better spot

last week – he definitely fits with these, and it may boil down to what kind of trip Beckwith can find for him from

Post 6. (1) BEREAVED HANOVER has been in and out since arriving from PA – has the rail and Bartlett with

another class drop, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in the mix. (3) GENIUS MAN raced very well from a

terrible spot last week, but he lands in a solid field and may need to wait for an easier spot. (5) SWEET TROY isn’t

bad right now, but is another that may need to get in with easier to have a serious say.


RACE 5 – (3) THRASHER left well enough to assume he’d make the lead last week but failed to take into account

that Holland is one of the only guys willing to actually park people...and that’s what happened to him (quarter in

:26.3!) – he obviously gets a pass for that, and his recent form has been rock solid – chance to make amends. (7) OZ

ONE BLUE CHIP found a good spot and wired the field 3 back and seemed to gain confidence from that mile,

racing well ever since – chance to be a threat tonight (even from out here) if he can find a manageable trip. (1) RJ

SPORTS IMAGE can run and hide from these ANY week he’s at 100%....but his last few haven’t been up to par,

and it's impossible to know when he’ll be ready to turn things back around – remains risky at short prices. (4) OST

RO HANOVER can be good for a late rally at times and tonight’s decent draw gives him a shot at picking up a

piece. (6) GOTHIC ROCK picked up smaller pieces in his last pair and tonight’s tough draw may leave him looking

at a similar scenario. (2) URBAN RENEWAL has found his form recently in PA and will attempt to bring it over to

YR – may be a bit ambitious dropping in for $40K, however. (5) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N fits NW5000 and will

get a look when his connections drop him in the proper class. (8) WORLD FOR TWO turned in a competitive effort

last week after finishing up the track in first 2 tries off the claim – tough spot tonight, however.


RACE 6 – (1) STONEBRIDGE REX was a 24-1 winner racing off the winter hiatus and has maintained that

excellent form ever since – his last start was even sharper than it may look on paper, and he’s worth a good look

tonight at that 8-1 ML price. (3) STRIKING IMPACT went sour for a few starts but showed some life 2 back, and

was a crisp 2nd last week – a live trip may put him over the top. (2) FULSOME has hit board in all 5 local starts this

year, including a pair of wins – dangerous every time he goes behind the gate. (5) AS ALWAYS had excuses 2 and 3

back and was able to rebound last start with the “pocket rocket” victory – another live player in this very solid field.

(6) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK is as sharp as any of these right now, and the only knock is the draw – at 15-1 ML,

he deserves consideration, especially if you’re spreading at all. (4) SHAKESPEARE has been unpredictable this

year but showed 2 back that he can still get it done when in the right mood– would need a pretty good price to use

on top, though. (8) AUSSIE HANOVER has 2 wins and a sharp 2nd since returning in 2024 but all from inside posts

– may find it a lot tougher to be the same kind of threat from out here. (7) KING JAMES EXPRESS may need a

class drop.


RACE 7 – (1) SPEED MAN N would probably like to be facing a bit easier but he’s looking at a nice trip from this

spot, and should still be a pretty decent price (with a few live players in here) – could be a decent value play. (5) RO

CKNROLL RUNA A is a multiple Open winner here so this is definitely a level he should appreciate as he returns

from Stga. – not sure he’s on his “best” game right now, but hard to imagine him not being a big player in here. (4)

GREG THE LEG got to cut the mile the last 2 weeks but was outmuscled home both times, finishing 2nd – would be

no surprise to see him get over the hump tonight. (6) DEETZY was dead game last week as he was able to outkick

#4 for the top prize – faces a tougher trip from Post 6, but a good price makes him worth considering. (2) FEARFUL

INTENT tired on 2/19 then was scratched sick from his next – guessing we won’t see his best tonight, but keep a

close eye for next time. (3) SAMHARA N seems to do his best vs. a bit easier – maybe he can tow along for a minor

share? (7) MICKY GEE N looked better than he has in ages last week, winning off the claim – he’ll have a long way

to come tonight, however. (8) LOUS THE ATTITUDE draws Post 8 after making just 1 start in 6 weeks.


RACE 8 – (1) ORLANDO BLUE A gets the benefit of both post and class relief for tonight and did beat this level

back in late Nov. – barn popped a sharp, good-priced winner last Monday, and perhaps can pull it off with this guy

too. (4) SPORTY M THREE had a great run that carried him to the highest levels late in 2023 but then ran into an

extended rough patch – he’s been regaining his form lately (at lower levels), and may be ready to find the winner’s

circle again – very live player. (5) LOUS BEACH had been coming up short at the end in a few starts but left no

doubt with last week’s powerful first over score – we’ll see if that helps build enough confidence for him to win at

this higher lever too. (2) ALWAYS ROCKIN had a dreadful 2023 campaign but has found form in ’24 and is racing

well right now – drops, draws inside, and is a threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (3) LITTLE WILLY shows

lines at Stga. that suggest he should be a decent fit here – playable underneath. (7) ALEX TYE raced well in both

starts since the recent claim but this is a MUCH tougher spot. (6) UP THE CREEK doesn’t feel sharp enough right

now to be a serious player. (8) WESTERN JOE likely needs a much better post, in an easier field.


RACE 9 – (4) SEMI TOUGH is on a roll, taking 3 in a row (one on the lead, one from the pocket, and rallying from

2nd over in the other) – he’s been a fair/good price in each of those wins, and may be worth sticking with if the price

is fair again tonight. (5) NANDOLO N beat a bit easier in back to back starts to begin 2024 then raced well in last

week’s Invitational, a game 3rd after being stuck first over against COVERED BRIDGE – would be no surprise at all

(1) HEMSWORTH N is not the most reliable horse but he does come up with some big efforts, especially when the

trip goes his way – would hardly be a shock. (3) PLEASELETMEKNOW has won 9 of his 19 Yonkers starts but

he’s also a bit of an “all or nothing” type – may not be fully cranked for his 2024 debut, especially with the Borgata

Series starting next week. (2) SONNY WEAVER N has been a rock solid Yonkers performer for the last 3 seasons,

but usually does his winning vs. just a bit easier – leaning towards others, but he really wouldn’t be a shock.


RACE 10 – (7) GENTLEMANJIM II IE was a close 2nd in this class in his last local attempt (12/18) and has been

doing good things out of town ever since – the draw (and his young pilot) isn’t nearly as big a concern as his 0 for

17 local record (though he’s raced very well in a bunch of those starts) – assuming he’s a good price, he could be

worth a stab. (3) IM A POWERPLAY A has yet to win in 4 starts at this level but he did hit board in 3 of those – his

speed (and drawing inside a few main rivals) may give him a shot to come out on top. (6) PAT STANLEY N was

very well backed last week and did race well, though rallying a bit too late for a chance at the win – possible tonight

with a little better trip. (4) ODDS ON PICK SIX got away last from Post 7 last week and never had a prayer – he hit

board in most of his OTHER recent starts, however, and the better draw could easily put him right back into the mix

tonight. (1) AMERICAN ZEST A ships down off a pair of Stga. wins but still looks a bit on the cheaper side – see

how the barn does with a couple of their starters earlier in the card and adjust accordingly. (5) BIG SIR won 4 and 5

starts back but vs. easier – still a bit of a question mark vs. the 30s. (2) STATEMENT MADE A just hasn’t been

good in a very long time – a major wake up call is needed.


RACE 11 – (5) BOOZER was racing well up in Canada for his previous barn and has continued to thrive for his

new connections, winning his last 2 Stga. starts before a solid 3rd in NJ last week – may be able to handle the locals

in his YR debut. (3) ARTIST BEST went an improved effort last week, even if helped by the easy trips – he draws

inside a few of his main rivals, and that may help him be a big player here. (7) TIN ROOF RAIDER A gets stuck

outside but he’s board in 4 straight, and 5 of his last 6 – he’ll be a good price, and is a good one to include in exotics.

(6) FLOW WITH JOE was a very encouraging 2nd in his first start back in 2024 but not quite as sharp when 4

th last week – he’ll go for a new barn now, and the bad draw could hurt his chances a bit. (4) LUCIANO N rarely wins but

he usually brings a competitive effort – consider underneath. (2) MAXIMUS RED A used an easy trip to score last

week’s mild upset– may be a notch below a few of the main players here, however. (1) BALLERAT BOOMERANG

hasn’t been sharp, and now drops a peg after an unexpected miscue last week – rather stick with others, for now.


RACE 12 – (3) AMERICAN DEALER N seemed to appreciate the time off and has returned sharp (in NJ) to start

off 2024 – he can beat better than these when sharp, and has to get the vote in tonight’s finale. (2) GREAT SOMEW

HERE failed on the lead at 2/5 two back but redeemed himself with last week’s sharp first over score – the class

hike really shouldn’t deter him much, and he’s a very viable player from another inside slot. (1) OCEAN RIDGE N

loves to win races (17 last year!) and should appreciate the class drop – can be right there from start to finish. (8)

SHINE A LIGHT had Post 8 off a month last time and did look good finishing – unfortunately lands all the way

outside once more, but it is a rare opportunity to get a big price on our leading trainer/driver tandem...good one for

longshot fands. (5) PURPLE POET has been solid for weeks, and was sharper last start than the line might suggest –

good one for the bottom of exotics. (7) SPLASH BROTHER kicked home full of pace 2 back, so last week’s wire to

wire score (from Post 7) came as no big surprise – may have a much tougher time against THIS bunch, however. (4)

QUALITY BUD double jumps off last week’s 2nd place finish – may be looking at only minor spoils tonight. (6)

SHADOW CAT would look a lot better from an inside post against these – tough spot tonight.

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