Monday Empire Report

soaofny • October 23, 2023

The Empire Report - Monday, October 23, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (4) MY MIKI BEACH has found his better form again and drops back in for a tag off a pair of

narrow losses - he has speed inside and outside of him so his trip is a bit unpredictable...but he does figure

to offer some value in tonight's opener. (7) CERTIFIABLE has hit the lead in 4 of his last 5 starts and

reported home a winner each time - he would be hard to leave off your tickets here, but he does have more

speed to his inside than usual, so be careful about taking too short a price. (3) TWIG has hit board in 6

straight starts and goes back to Brennan tonight (for whom he's won twice) - if things get a bit heated up

front, he may be able to reel 'em in late. (5) SHAKESPEARE has been finding himself trying to rally from

tough spots in most of his recent tries - he's another that would benefit greatly if things get hot and heavy in

front of him (2) FULSOME has a win and 2 seconds (behind #7) since arriving at YR- he can be right there

with another good trip but the rail horse may get away fast, and there will be outside leavers as well - will

all come down to trip! (8) STRIKING IMPACT elects to drop in for $75K and that figures to leave him

trying to rally from last - will need some major battling to reach tonight. (6) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER just

looks like the long, hard campaign has worn him down a bit - he'll also be coming from well back, making

things all that more difficult. (1) GENTLE GIANT perked up vs. much cheaper in PA in his last pair - hard

to say if he's ready to step up and content with these much better ones now.


RACE 2 - (6) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER was used very hard 2 back and still just missed in his first try at

this level - he came back to jog in his next, and looms the one to beat tonight even from Post 6. (5) FISHER

MANS SON had an outstanding 9-6-1-1 season at 2 (in the Maritimes) but hasn't been quite as successful

at 3 (so far) - he does show a couple of wins since adding Lasix recently and more importantly, makes his

local debut tonight for a barn that's been on fire all month...could have a big say here. (2) LAZ had been

doing some good work so last week's "meh" 3rd was a little disappointing - if he bounces back to his best

effort, he could be a big player. (3) CANT SWAY ME seems a bit below the main players but still may be

able to grab himself a decent piece. (4) SILK ROAD has been away for 3 weeks after finishing well back in

his last pair - even on his best effort, he may be a bit below these. (1) WILD BLUE WONDER is off 3

weeks after a pair of distanced lines, and a filly facing the boys - wait for a better scenario.


RACE 3 - (4) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was a big player in 5 straight Opens, gets some class relief, and

gets Jordan back in the bike - there are other tough horses in here, but that 6-1 ML price makes him worth

listing on top. (1) SPORTY M THREE has been on a long form spree, and has 2 recent wins at this level

(including last week) - hard to not have him on your tickets from the pole. (3) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR

was well off his best form for a while but has definitely upped his game lately - sharp enough to be a big

threat here if he continues to bring his "A Game". (5) BURNHAM BOY N has appreciated the recent barn

change, winning back to back starts for his new connections - he definitely faces tougher here, and draws

outside a few main foes...may have to settle for a smaller slice tonight. (6) MOONLIGHT SHADOW has 9

wins this year and should never be taken lightly - he'll need some major trip luck to win from this spot,

however. (2) BLANK STARE was a strong 2nd off the layoff but did benefit from an easy two hole trip -

may not be as fortunate this time. (7) TYPHOON BANNER N is probably quite a bit better than his lines

suggest but he lands yet another brutal post - on the upside, almost all the money on his card drops off after

tonight. (8) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N is in career form, but figures to be significantly hampered by Post 8.


RACE 4 - (6) SETH HANOVER has been a little camera shy this year but he's generally been facing

tougher fields than these, and definitely gets a complete pass for last week (caught behind a quitter) - a live

trip should make him a very legitimate player in here (2) TOPVILLE SOMROCKET has a bunch of efforts

that would be good enough to beat these, but his last couple suggest he MAY be tailing a bit - hard to leave

him off your tickets, but also hard to rely on him completely right now. (8) TUGGIN ON MY HEART, like

to many before him, instantly perked up upon joining the Dynamic Duo - drops in for a tag, lands in a soft

division, and does have a chance to beat these...even from Post 8. (1) TWO FACED is inconsistent and also

a bit of a question mark at this level - he does start from the pole, and he does figure to get a much better

trip that last week - not impossible. (3) IMMA BE was brought back to life by a trainer that has specialize

(among other things) in rehabilitation projects - he started to tail immediately upon being claimed on 8/7,

and he did tire in the lane last week, racing off the short layoff - seems vulnerable as the 2-1 ML choice. (7)

BETTER OPTION is racing weel out of town and gets Bartlett for his local debut...he's also unproven vs.

these types, draws terribly, and is the only 3YO in the field. (4) HES SPECIAL was on a good roll for a

while but feels like he's gone in the opposite direction recently - in need of a wake up call. (5) EMINEM

HANOVER was better in his last, even if trip-aided - faces much better now, however.


RACE 5 - (5) MOONSHINE KISSES has enjoyed an outstanding 2023 season which includes success at

the top level - he recently seemed to be tailing off, but a short stay at his Stga, home base seems to have

gotten him back on track - willing to gamble that he's ready to bring a good one for his Hilltop return. (1)

ROCK DIAMONDS came up short in the lane last week but had a win and a pair of close 3rds just prior ro

that - could easily rebound tonight, and be right there with a good trip from the pole. (2) KINGSVILLE

struggled a bit in the 3-5YO Open but was able to deliver the front end score off last week's class drop - an

easy trip could land him another nice chunk tonight. (6) ITSALLABOUTFAITH N rallied nicely for 3rd in

his YR debut then followed that up with a front end jogburger - he tired after cutting the mile last week but

may be able to rebound with a live cover trip tonight. (3) OZONE BLUE CHIP hasn't been all that reliable

lately but he can never be counted out completely- the right trip could see him take home a piece of this. (7)

SPEED MAN N used an easy trip for a solid 3rd off the layoff 2 back, then elected NOT to lave from Post

7 last week (and was left with no chance) - if you think he may take a shot to improve a bit at the start, then

consider him for exotics. (4) YOROKOBI N has always acted like he may have more to give but he's failed

vs. lesser too many times to consider for more than a minor share tonight. (8) BIRTHDAY took a while but

is finally starting to really click as a 4YO - lands behind the 8 ball for his YR debut, however, and may

have to wait for a better spot to strut his best stuff.


RACE 6 - (2) REAL PEACE hasn't had any chance in his last 3 but did win 2 in a row prior to that - moves

back inside, and should be able to be a big player from this spot. (2) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE lost his first

18 starts here this year but has taken 2 of his last 3, with a 2nd in the other - if things get hot up front, he

could make his big late charge pay off once more. (7) ALOTBETTOR N has visited the winner's circle 9X

this year and is as sharp now as he's been all year - if Buter looks to his left he should see this as an

opportunity to leave the gate....and that would make him a live player, at a good price. (1) SHERIFF N is

another that has been left with no chance lately due to a series of terrible draws - he'll be closer to the action

tonight, and has a legitimate chance to be right there at the end. (6) GLACIS hit board in 4 of his last 5

starts, including 2 in this class - may have too much work to do when they turn for home to be a serious

threat tonight, though. (4) STATEMENT MADE A had his picture taken 9X this year, but none recently -

seems like more of a contender for a smaller prize, than a bigger one. (8) SULLIVAN is undeniably sharp

for a red hot barn but he's up in class from Post 8, and may need to wait for a friendlier spot. (5) TIN ROOF

RAIDER A feels a bit overmatched here.


RACE 7 - (4) JAHAN HANOVER has been knocking on the door the last few weeks, racing well on the

lead, from the pocket, then rallying from off the pace - not sure which trip he'll get tonight, but he's overdue

for a victory and may be able to grab one in this pretty wide open affair (3) JACKS LEGEND N will surely

attract plenty of attention based on both his reputation, and that last mile at PcD - he's not as reliable as he

used to be, so just be careful about falling in love at too short a price. (2) LUCKBEWITHALEX dug in to

hold off #4 two back then just had no prayer last week (8 hole) - if he brings his best effort, he'll be a major

threat here. (6) TWIN B HEART THROB had a useful tightener off the layoff 2 back then just missed last

week - he's at a major post disadvantage tonight, but still worth a look if the price is right. (1) CAVIART

SARGENT has disappointed many times vs. easier, but he was also very good last week from a difficult

spot - would at least consider if the price was juicy enough. (8) SOHO LENNON A just missed in this class

2 back (off a bad date) and the 13YO still has plenty of life in him - have to believe he'll be a better play

NEXT week, however, when he'll likely be dropping own to NW10000. (7) CYRUS N figures to be too far

back to have any real impact. (5) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY lands in a tough spot after missing 4 weeks.


RACE 8 - Tough race: (3) HAZEVILLE just missed to repeater RED RIGHT HAND two back (that one

got the jump on him into the stretch) then just missed last week to multiple Open winner ROCKNROLL

RUNA A, after cutting the mile - should offer good value for a horse as sharp right now as he is. (4) THIS

IS THE PLAN is a tough call - he's obviously not close to his best these days, but he did win 2 in a row

prior to a poor start in last week's 9/16ths dash - wouldn't take a short price if using on top. Both (7) LOUS

SWEETREVENGE and (8) NANDOLO N are capable of beating these IF either decides to leave, and is

able to improve a bit at the start - would consider using either as long as the prices are juicy enough. (2) KA

RLOO BRADLEY N's only U.S. win came down at the NW7500 level but a trio of 2nd place finishes has

seen him climb all the way to NW30000 since then - not sure how well he can hang with these, but we'll

find out! (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK didn't fire at all 2 back then offered only a weak first over bid in

his last - not impossible, but will need to bring a better game. (5) CHANTEE has held his form through all

of 2023 and is closing in on $100K - may need to be in a bit cheaper to threaten for a victory, however. (6)

JUSTASEC N dropped a class last week and was able to prevail on the front end (holding off #2) - likely

shooting for just minor spoils against these, however.


RACE 9 - (2) ROCKIN JUKEBOX couldn't win a race here at Yonkers this year for his previous

connections (0 for 14)....but after being claimed by the Dynamic Duo, he's now taken 4 of his last 6 starts -

shoots for 3 in a row tonight, and just may get it. (2) WICHITA LINEMAN was way overbet off the claim

last week (from a terrible spot) and raced ok to be 5th - lands in a much better spot tonight, and could be a

MUCH bigger player - worth including on your tickets. (7) DEETZY saw his 5 race winning streak halted

last week after finally succumbing to relentless pressure from the top choice - goes for a new barn tonight,

gets a bad draw BUT at least the price will be much higher on a horse that's beaten these LOTS of times.

(4) WON LAST FEELING was unable to get in play from a bad spot last week but has a bunch of very

sharp recent efforts - not a bad one to consider if looking for a last race "get out" horse. (8) THRASHER

had been struggling for a while but perked up to score victories in 2 of his last 3 starts - goes for new

connections tonight, and draws Post 8 up in class - tough assignment. (6) IMSTAYNALIVE is winless in

22 starts this year - seems like an unlikely spot for him to get off that schneid.

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