The Empire Report – Friday, May 24, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (4) SUGAR BRITCHES was mega-distanced in her NJ qualifier on 4/13 then distanced here as well,
pacing her mile in 1:59.1 – her last 2 starts were much better, however, even if unable to get in play from outside
posts – gets post and class relief, and this mare did win 5 of 7 local starts last year – may finally be “go time”. (5)
TALENT TO SPARE was off over 5 weeks to her last PcD start but only lost by a couple of lengths – drops right
back in the box, and she’s used to facing much tougher than this – dangerous player! (1) GAME OF SHADOWS
gets major post relief as she drops to the level she beat on 4/5 – look for a much better effort tonight. (3) HALLELU
JAH HANOVER was dull last week but raced ok in several just before that – gets a drop, and a quick start would
also help her chances to land on the ticket. (8) BETTER WATCH IT still hasn’t found last year’s top form but she IS
racing fairly well – she’s a good fit at this level, but the draw may limit her a bit. (6) GOLDIES ADELIGHT A
seems to need a bit easier to do her best work – the tough draw doesn’t help, either. (2) WOODMERE HARRIET
has trouble beating easier than these – minor scraps only. (7) IRON MISTRESS seems too far out to threaten
RACE 2 – (2) OZONE BLUE CHIP was caught in a hopeless spot off the claim last week and probably deserves a
complete pass – his prior form was outstanding, and he’ll get every chance to make things right with tonight’s inside
draw. (7) GENIUS MAN was scratched lame off the claim but last week’s qualifier was impressive, to say the least
(with his trainer at the lines) – spots the top choice a major post edge, but we’ll see if he can overcome it (note – the
top 2 choices BOTH raced for the other one’s trainer prior to their last start)! (1) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE was a
very good 3rd off the layoff on 4/25 but no factor in his last pair – he should be in line for a good trip tonight, and
we’ll see if he can do anything with it (6) WON LAST FEELING flashed some unexpected speed last week, holding
on for 3rd after getting worn down to the top of the lane – another quick start could help him grab a piece here too.
Both (4) BALLERAT BOOMERANG and (5) HEART ON MY SLEEVE have yet to finish 1st or 2nd this year, and
need to pick up their games to be serious players. (3) ALL ATTITUDE seems too far off form to consider right now
RACE 3 – Wide open! (5) LISA LANE shipped in off 3 straight wins at The Swamp and was absolutely flying late
to be right there 3rd – there could be some action up front in this very well matched field, and that may help her use
that late kick to her advantage. (6) FADE OUT was 6 for 16 here last year but struggling to find anything close to
that form to start off 2024 – she perked up here with a win on 3/29, then raced well in 3 straight across the river –
another who could benefit from a live trip tonight. (3) HELLO YES HI has taken 2 of her last 3 with a sharp front
end 3rd in the other – should have a big say if the trip goes her way. (2) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE joined the Super
Siblings for 2024 and has compiled an excellent 8-4-1-1 slate so far – she’s a player every week, and figures to be
one here, as well. (1) ULTIMATE SPEED sometimes takes a little while to get rolling, but is usually sharp on the
end – maybe Holland can get ger more interested earlier on? (7) CHERYLS SHADOW hails from a barn currently
enjoying an unconscious streak and she’s won 2 in a row herself – the class jump and Post 7 MAY finally slow her
down a bit, however. (4) FAVORITE BEACH has been a player nearly every week one level down...but vs. very
similar to these – she’s listed here on the bottom, only because SOMEBODY had to be (has a legitimate chance)
RACE 4 – (7) COWGIRL LILLY can be forgiven for tiring a bit last week but she only lost 2nd late in the mile after
trying to chase the sizzling pace to 3/4s – she’s been facing light years better for some time, and this really feels like
a great spot for her to pick up her first win of the year. (2) COALFORDSNSHINE GB is off to a terrible start in ’24
but she lands in a VERY soft (overall) and should be able to have a bigger impact here. (5) ROCKNROLL ANNIE
gave it a good try on the front end last week, only getting leg weary late and letting it slip away – a similar effort
could land her another good piece. (3) WESTBEACH is off to a slow start this year but she’s had some success here
in the past, and may be able to perk up enough against these to land somewhere on the ticket. (1) CATIE FAYE HA
NOVER is as camera shy locally as they come, but she does grab some minor spoils at times – the rail can’t hurt. (6)
CHILLIN BYTHE POOL wasn’t into last week’s first over trip at all, but maybe staying glued to the pylons can
help her grab a small check. (4) KATHYS MOMENT hails from a barn that’s clicking right now but she’s struggled
locally in far too many starts to consider here. (8) LYONS MIKI ships in off a couple of good Fhd. tries but those
were from inside posts, in soft fields
RACE 5 – Tough race! (8) DULY RESOLVED went some big miles as a youngster, banking about $650K – he had
trouble getting much going at 4, however, and was sold late in the season – it SEEMS like he may be finally starting
to find his best form now, and may be worth a stab tonight even up in class from Post 8. (5) B NICKING had a great
run but started to unravel this spring – his last qualifier is encouraging, and he could be very dangerous here if even
close to his best. (1) WARRIOR ONE seemed completely off form before coming up with that front end win 2 back
– his last start was just “ok”, however, and he may be a bit vulnerable at a pretty short price. (7) TORRONE crushed
cheaper last start but he certainly did so impressively – he’s more than capable at this level when sharp, and may be
worth considering even from out here. (4) HAT TRICK MARLEAU kicked home full of trot for 3rd last week – he
drops a notch, and could add some value to the ticket. (2) DIAMANTE TRIO IT is on the cheaper side but good
right now – small piece? (3) BLUEBIRD BISHOP was no match for #2 last week as 1/5 – faces a much tougher
bunch tonight. (6) TOP ME OFF seems too far off his game to consider right now.
RACE 6 – (1) SALE EL SOL raced “ok” in both starts since dropping out of the Matchmaker Series, picking up a
pair of 3rds – she’s capable of better, and we’ll give her a try tonight (since she may be the best price of the 3 main
players). (4) DELITFULCATHERIN N had been well off her best form but was heavily backed off the class drop
last week and used an aggressive drive to pick up the win – probably the one to beat here too, but she also figures to
be a pretty short price. (3) TRUE BLUE HANOVER (who also raced in the Matchmaker) was no factor at all last
week after getting away in the back – have to believe she’ll be handled more aggressively here, with a chance to be
right in the hunt. (8) JENDEN STRIKE A was right there from Post 8 three back...even if the beneficiary of a “fall
apart” race – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th . (7) REC TIME has some good starts vs. better recently, but her tendency to
lag badly much of the way could be a big problem starting from Post 7. (6) A GIRL THAT TWIRLS has yet to win
since joining our leading barn but she does have 4 seconds from her 8 local tries – tough post tonight, and her last
wasn’t all that sharp. (2) PERFECT QUEEN acted like she might need a class drop after arriving from upstate but
she actually moves UP tonight. (5) STAY HAPPY has been away since 1/26 – figures to need a start or two
RACE 7 – (4) FULL RIGHTS was actually sent off favored from Post 7 last week (off the class drop) but just never
got involved – MacDonald can be much more aggressive here, and this feels like a good spot for a big mile. (1) DR
ACO S has been picking up a lot of minor pieces vs. better lately – he was right there on the wire last week (with the
big class drop), and should be able to have a big say tonight, as well (8) BEERTHIRTY K is a good one for longshot
fans – he hasn’t won here in some time but he has a lot of back class, and he may be able to start showing it for his
new barn – give him a pass for that miscue in last week’s amateur race, and consider if the price gets juicy enough.
(2) ALONG IN TIME was caught far back early in her local debut and probably deserves an excuse for that – she
was a steady 4th last week, and may have a chance to land somewhere on the ticket tonight. (3) IN MY DREAMS
was probably a little better last week but still feels way off his game – would need a pretty good price to consider
him on top. (6) YOU GOT IT has fallen off form and tonight’s tough post doesn’t help – he does go 2nd time Lasix,
so we’ll see if that helps him find a better effort. (5) FANATIC was well backed last start, worked out a good trip but
fell apart to 3/4s - and now misses 3 weeks since then. (7) BAZILLIONAIRE seems up against it from out here
RACE 8 – (1) LONG WEEKEND A had some horrendous lines prior to the barn change on 5/4...but he’s been a
new horse since moving to a white hot trainer, and that includes last week’s excellent 3rd here at Yonkers – could be
a winning spot. (6) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER got a big wake up call from Post 8 last week, finishing 3rd after
blasting to the lead – chance for a big piece here too. (3) ODDS ON PICK SIX is still winless on the year but the
move inside does put him in play for a piece of the exotics. (4) VIVA LAS VEGAS is a bit different from start to
start – the “good version” can land somewhere on the ticket. (5) GRATIAN HANOVER made breaks in 2 of his last
5 starts and has just one 3rd from his last 8 local attempts (last 2 years) – hard to see one of the great Yonkers war
horses struggling this way. (2) BLUEBIRD RECON is 12-0-0-1 this year – not sure the good draw is enough to help
(7) DIAMONDBEACH and (8) RULE OF LAW are both struggling, and land all the way outside – the latter figures
to come to life one of these weeks, but probably not tonight
RACE 9 – (2) BLACK TIE BASH was “sneaky good” last week, with a lot more trot in the tank than he was able to
show– there could be some battling tonight, and that could help set up his late kick nicely. (8) GAELIHILL hit board
vs. better in his last 3 starts, and does have the speed to blast from Post 8 – a good price makes him one to consider.
(3) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM comes out of the same race and #2 and he also had trot in traffic – his best effort
makes him a player here. (1) WILY WALLY is definitely racing better these days but it’s still hard to see him as the
ML favorite vs. a few of these – ok for underneath, though. (4) GLOBAL GIRL broke in her first local start but did
finish with interest last week – could add some value to the bottom of the ticket. (5) BIG CHARLIE MORAN was
an even 4th returning to YR last week – may need a drop before he can be a serious player, however. (6) WICKENB
URGH was terrific for a few starts after arriving here from Ohio but has definitely leveled off – the tough draw
won’t help his chances. (7) BONTONI DEGATO S feels like he’s gone in the wrong direction recently – he also
draws poorly for a barn that’s been winless for several weeks.