Friday Empire Report

soaofny • June 24, 2022

The Empire Report - Friday, June 24, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) CARRACCI HANOVER returned to his favorite barn last week and immediately found his

better form....although having to settle for 3rd after getting roughed up quite a bit from Post 7 - solid chance

to make amends tonight. (1) GYPSY LEATHER had no chance in his only recent local try (7 hole) but he's

been ok in several out of town efforts, and gets the rail (with Bartlett) for his local return - could grab a big

chunk here. (2) DRY RIDGE ACE was ignored in the wagering from Post 8 last week (91-1!) but almost

pulled off the HUGE upset when the race fell apart - his price will come way down now...but he has a solid

chance to land another good piece. (5) CHACHING HANOVER seemed to have forgotten how to win, but

he's been "ok" out of town and has a chance for some minor spoils. (8) ASTON HILL DAVE had been

going some decent efforts lately but wasn't at his best last week - horrible spot tonight, but may be worth

using for 3rd, at a big price. (4) MCARTER was no factor at all in his local debut but does get major class

relief for tonight - we'll see if he can do any better. (7) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN can usually be counted on

for a steady finish, but may find himself too far back to make any noise tonight. (6) CASHNCAM has been

struggling in most of his recent starts - not sure the class drop is going to perk him up.


RACE 2 - (8) LEVINE was a solid 3rd in his first start back (after 6 months off) - he seems ready to be a

player tonight IF Marohn is willing to take a shot from Post 8...especially when the three big favorites all

have some knocks against them. (3) CHANGE STRIDE N has remained unbelievably consistent for most

of the past 2 years, for a bunch of different barns - he gets major class relief here and would have been the

top choice had he not looked a little uncharacteristically weak finishing last start - may be vulnerable at a

short price (or MAY just bounce right back and beat these)! (1) GENIUS MAN hasn't been close to top

form in several starts, and his barn is just 2 for 50 over the past month or so - another that may or may not

come to life with the class relief. (2) AINTNOBETTOR A generally does his best when he can "relax and

rally", and he may get that opportunity tonight - definitely possible if things go his way. (5) MARLBANK

ROAD has been fairly inconsistent so far in 2022 - if he shows up on his best game tonight, he'll have a

shot to be a player...at a nice price. (4) JET ACE has been even at best since the recent claim - needs to find

a better effort if he hopes to be a player. (6) WAR DAN DELIGHT N can grab pieces at this level, but he's

just 1 for 50 over the past years and draws poorly - tough spot. (7) TIGER BARON was 2nd vs. cheaper 2

back, then landed on a tough trip last week - might have considered him a bit more if not for Post 7.


RACE 3 - (3) ARMAGEDDON SEELSTER just wasn't up for the first over trip vs. the 75s last week but

he has a strong local history, and this class should be right in his wheelhouse - should be a fair price here,

and definitely worth using. (1) BELIEVER is a strong 10-3-1-3 here at Yonkers and seems to like racing

almost anyplace except Tioga - brings a 2 race win streak into tonight, and is a legitimate threat to extend

that to 3. (8) COLONIAL AS IT finished full of trot last week upon arrival from NJ, and might have been

the top pick here if not for the terrible draw - would still consider using on top if the price was long enough.

(7) SWANSEA finished a bit better in his last couple but was helped by doing little racing early on - he'll

need to be used at the start to get himself into play tonight, so we'll see if he can still finish well if that

happens. (5) LEVITATION is feeling good again (in PA), but will be facing a bit tougher here - hard to say

if he'll be able to do as well against these. (2) MAGICAL JOURNEY picked up a couple of wins vs.

cheaper at PcD, but has been unable to hold that form back up at the higher levels - capable of better, but

not sure we'll see that tonight. (6) MADHATTER BLUECHIP shipped in sharp from Monti but was unable

to keep it going on the lead last week after going down the road - he may just need easier at this point. (4)

ZIG ZAG has been totally inconsistent....but even his best may not be enough against these.


RACE 4 - (3) RISKY MILLION was a close 2nd as the favorite at this level at Chester 2 back, and gets

reunited with Siegelman for his Yonkers return (the pair have gotten along well in the past) - catches a very

beatable group of 20s, and is worth a play here. (1) CAROLINA MAGIC has been struggling for some time

but gets reunited tonight with connections for whom he's done some good in the past - draws best, and may

get a wake up call. (4) GOTHIC ROCK is the sharpest of these right now, but he goes for a new barn

tonight, and is also listed as the ML favorite with a young pilot still seeking his first Yonkers win- possible,

but better value with others (on top). (2) MISTER HAT used easy trips to pick up small pieces the last 2

starts - worth including underneath. (5) SPORTS BETTOR showed his best life in a while when 2nd last

week - can the veteran build off that, or was it just a "one shot wake up"? (7) DAVIDS COMING HOME

will attract some $$ of the barn change but he's tends to be a bit sluggish, and may not land on the greatest

of trips from out here. (6) VINOVIO probably needs a much better post to contend for a piece at this level.

(8) LORD OF MISRULE will get our attention when he draws better...and Jordan is back in the bike.


RACE 5 - (3) SEAFARER had been razor sharp for a long time but tired in his last couple after being used

much harder (on the front end ) than he's used to - could be tailing (and his barn has definitely cooled off

considerably since early May), but may also be able to bounce right back with an easier trip tonight - giving

him the lukewarm nod. (5) MARINER SEELSTER threw a rare dud last week after ripping off 3 in a row

prior to that - the 13YO is another that could easily rebound with a winning effort tonight. (2) BEACH

BOOGIE was in impossible spots in his last 2 local starts and generally does good work here at Yonkers -

his barn has been sending out very live ones lately, but this guy has missed 3 weeks (off a sick scratch) and

has to be seen as "iffy" for tonight. (7) BAMSKI was a solid 3rd last week after finding room to pace in the

lane - terrible draw, but still a good value horse to include underneath. (4) HEAVENLY SOUND rarely

wins here at YR so it was pretty surprising to see him win TWICE in his last 4 starts - likely looking at only

a smaller piece against these, however. (1) ODDS ON DELRAY caved on the front end at the bottom level

the last time he was here, and it's certainly puzzling as to why he's listed at 5/2 ML facing the 40s tonight -

no value here. (6) MISSILE SEELSTER has been picking up smaller piece at this level - chance he could

do the same tonight, with an easy enough trip.


RACE 6 - (2) STREET GOSSIP just wasn't at his best when 3rd last week against better - he's a proven

Open winner, and really is supposed to be able to handle this assignment. (6) NEXTROUNDSONME got a

bit lucky to find a pocket trip for 2nd two back, but was legitimately sharp when he rallied nicely for a

close 3rd last week - one of several with a chance to complete this exacta. (5) ARABELLAS CADET came

into her last razor sharp so it was no real surprise to see her rally for 2nd...although the 32-1 price was a bit

shocking -- chance to land somewhere on the ticket once more. (1) NEW HEAVEN will probably be well

supported from this spot but he's been inconsistent all year, and his lone win came vs. softer - not a lot of

value, but certainly can be close if he brings his best. (8) B NICKING is undeniably sharp, but will need

some trip luck to overcome Post 8 tonight - if he's a decent price, don't hesitate to include him in exotics.

(7) KINDA LUCKY LINDY upset this class back on 5/6, and has picked up pieces on other occasions as

well - not sure Kakaley can usher him into the hunt from out here, though. (3) LIFETIME ROYALTY has a

few good recent starts but comes off a break in last, and really does prefer to be in a bit easier. (4) P L

OSCAR is one of several form this barn that has gone sour lately (barn just 2 for 50 since mid-May) - wait

for some better signs.


RACE 7 - Messenger Stakes Elimination - Top Four Advance to Final: (3) GULF SHORES was 10-6-3-0

as a 2YO, banking $493K (which included a blowout win in the OhSS Final, and a tough nose loss in the

Breeder's Crown) - he's sharpened beautifully with a couple of Ohio starts, and is the one to beat tonight.

(4) LAYTON HANOVER showed some potential at 2, but has really matured for his new barn at 3, looking

very good (so far) in his PA stakes races - Kakaley knows him well, and should get a good mile from him

tonight. (2) NAUTICAL HANOVER was only 1 for 13 at 2 but he faced top stock all summer, and even

beat the top choice at Lexington - was a winner adding Lasix last week, and he should be able to be a big

part of this tonight, as well. (1) CAPTAIN COWBOY was 5 for 9 as a 2YO, even if facing a bit softer - he's

looked good so far in his 3 starts this year, and the rail draw gives him a decent chance to advance to next

week's Final. (6) PJ LOU crossed the finish line first in both local starts this year, but was disqualified the

second time for racing inside the pylons - the talent is there for sure, but the half miler MAY not be his best

surface...and the outside draw may see him handled a bit more conservatively, just trying to earn a spot in

the Final. (5) BOSTON seems a little below some of these, but we'll learn more tonight - can never count

out the Dynamic Duo!


RACE 8 - Yonkers Trot Elimination - Top Four Advance to Final: (5) JOVIALITY S hinted at greatness

when she was 12-9-2-0 as a 2YO, earning nearly $900K - she didn't miss a beat since returning at 3,

registering blowouts in all 3 starts, including an eye-opening 1:53.2 demolition right here at Yonkers -

looks to beat the boys now....and will be the odds-on choice to do so. (2) POUR MEA DOUBLE may be

overlooked here against some higher profile rivals but he's raced very well on several occasions, gets

around the half, and will be a decent price - maybe can add some value to the exacta? (4) DOVER IN

MOTION won 8 of 9 as a 2YO, with lone loss coming in a $790K race in Canada - bit of a question mark

over the half (and against some tougher foes), but wouldn't be surprised to see him do very well, especially

with Stratton hopping on board. (6) SLAY flashed some legitimate ability at 2, and has looked good so far

since returning at 3 - the concern here is the draw, but a good trip would put her right in the mix for a good

piece (incredibly, Tetrick is 1 for 44 here this year...despite being one of the best drivers on the planet)! (1)

KOSHER MAHONEY was a solid 6-2-2-1 at 2 ($113K) and has started off his 3YO campaign just as well,

switching barns after his first 2 starts - draws the pole with Gingras, and has to be respected. (3) BRAVE

BY DESIGN picked the worst time to bleed (in the $240K NJSS Final), but did win the Dexter Cup a

couple of starts before that, then was a winner again last week at Chester, after adding Lasix - we'll see how

well he fits with these, (7) QUINCY MARKET moves to a new barn and adds Lasix...but still seems like

the outsider against these.


RACE 9 - Messenger Stakes Elimination - Top Four Advance to Final: (3) HAMMERIN HANK was an

excellent 2YO and finished his campaign strong, beaten only a length and a half in the Breeder's Crown,

winning the Kindergarten Final, then just missing as the prohibitive choice in the Governors Cup - prepped

sharply for this with an excellent 3rd in a PASS event, and looms the one to beat. (1) SIX FEET APART

wasn't as accomplished as stablemate GULF SHORES, but he did win a Breeder's Crown elim. along with

4 other starts at 2 - been knocking on the door so far in his 3YO starts, and could easily be a player from the

pole tonight. (4) PLEASELETMEKNOW may have the home court advantage here, sporting a 6-3-1-1

local slate - expect a sharp effort from him tonight. (5) MARKET BASED has ability for sure, but he's still

working on his consistency - he's also made a couple of breaks, so he may be a little risky as the 5/2 second

choice. (2) ATLAS HANOVER was 0 for 14 at 2 (hit board 7X) but he's 3 for 4 (with a close 3rd) to start

off his sophomore campaign - gets a new pilot for tonight, and we'll see how they get along. (6) HUNTAN

OVER is the outsider...both literally and figuratively.


RACE 10 - Yonkers Trot Elimination - Top Four Advance to Final: (3) DOUBLE DECEIVER was 1st/2nd

in 8 of 11 starts at 2, earning $244K (may have been a lot more if not for a tough trip over a sloppy track in

the Breeder's Crown) - looking good so far at 3, and we'll give him the narrow edge tonight. (4) JUSTICE

started his career with 3 straight wins but faltered badly (as the 3/5 choice) in the NYSS Final - went on the

shelf after that but has come back solid, finishing 2nd in Dexter Cup before winning his last pair - solid

threat. (1) ROBERTSIN went a big mile last week in his YR debut, winning from Post 8 despite being out a

very long way - that was vs. lesser, but he has held his own with better in the past. (5) MAJESTIC J is

5-1-1-2 this year, with a break in that other start - would be no surprise to see him hold his own here. (6)

SAVERIO HANOVER comes into tonight off back to back wins at Chester (over softer) - can go with these

on his best, but the draw isn't going to help. (2) MIDDLEMAN was 3 for 3 vs. much softer at 2 - he's doing

well so far at 3, but tonight will be a real test for him.


RACE 11 - (1) GIVENUPDREAMING perked up with a nice 3rd off the barn change last week, pacing a

strong final half - drops, draws the pole, and the road to the winner's circle runs through him. (4) POSH ON

THE BEACH was out into a very hot 3rd panel last week in his first start off the claim - drops tonight, and

a better trip could land him a spot in the exotics. (6) REMEMBER THE BEACH seems headed back in the

right direction since the recent barn change - chance for a piece with an easy trip. (8) MY CARBON COPY

N raced better last week than the line might suggest, and gets a subtle, but significant driver change - not a

bad bomb to throw in underneath. (2) DING DING DINGER has never really clicked since arriving at

Yonkers, but he's drawn well enough for a chance at a small piece...with an easy enough trip. (7) ROCK N

TONY has struggled for some time, but at least was able to cut the mile and pick up a 3rd dropping top this

bottom level last week - tough spot tonight, though. (3) EPIC ACE just missed on 4/26 but hasn't really

done much since then - a quick wake up call is needed. (5) UNCONTROLLABLE has been really

struggling, and seems unlikely right now.

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