Monday Empire Report

soaofny • November 28, 2022

The Empire Report - Monday, November 28, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (2) ILL DRINK TO THAT found a nice soft spot last week and was able to hit the top and

dominate the field - he should have built some confidence from that easy win, and he's capable of handling

tougher when on his game....gets the narrow edge to repeat. (3) THE REGULATOR is also looking to make

it 2 in a row as he comes off a very sharp front end score (2nd time Lasix) - very real chance to repeat for a

high % barn (that appears to have taken over a bunch of the horses from our former leading trainer, and will

gradually be rolling them out over the next couple of weeks). (4) SO MANY ROADS gets a drop in class

after coming up 2nd best last week - he's hit board in 7 of his last 8 starts, but it's his 2 for 30 record this

year that makes it hard to use him on top, at a short price. (1) WALKINSHAW N hasn't won in a while but

he does often race well - definitely a chance to take home a decent piece from this spot. (5) MACH N

CHEESE only has one recent win, but he's been racing well (overall) for some time - in line to take home a

decent piece here IF he can land on the right trip. (6) MULLINAX has disappointed way too often against

lesser to consider here, especially with the tough draw. (8) REAGAN BLUE CHIP couldn't overcome a

tough trip last start but has raced well in his 4 starts since arriving at YR - would have liked his chances a

lot better if not for Post 8. (7) L DEES JACK LOPEZ got very good recently, but had difficulty with a

tough trip last week - figures to be handles conservatively with tonight's terrible draw.


RACE 2 - (2) OZONE BLUE CHIP just missed in a tough beat 3 back then was a razor sharp front end

winner in his next two- solid chance to make it 3 in a row in his current raging form. (6) B LIKE CRUISER

has finished 2nd in 4 of his last 5 starts, and was right behind the top choice in his last pair - moves outside,

but sharp enough to still be a player if Boyd can find him a manageable trip. (7) DON DOMINGO N has

been sharp for a long time, oscillating between a pair of our leading barns - he'll need some trip luck to land

on the ticket here, but that 12-1 ML price certainly makes him worth including in exotics. (3) BRAEVIEW

BONDI A has enjoyed success at this level, though his last 2nd place finish was just "ok" - he'll need to

bring his best effort if he hopes to pick up a good piece tonight. (1) OSTRO HANOVER has always been a

talented horse but he was well short last week (first start since April) and it's hard to recommend him at that

low 5/2 ML price (even from the pole). (4) FEELIN WESTERN was in good form but then missed 5 weeks

and it's hard to really gauge that last effort at Pocono - perhaps the tote board can offer some clues? (8)

SMOKIN BY N has been holding form for some time but another poor draw figures to limit his production

once again. (5) QUALITY BUD had to re-qualify after a miscue (and gallop around the infield) last start -

we'll just observe tonight.


RACE 3 - Tough race! (6) WICHITA LINEMAN has been hitting on all cylinders for several weeks now,

and his ability to handle different trips could come in handy from tonight's tough post - we'll give him a

very narrow edge in a field where several have a legitimate chance to win (2) BALLERAT BOOMERANG

rattled off 4 wins and 3 seconds in his last 7 starts for a barn that had been clicking at 35-40% for a long

time - he was away for 6 weeks then qualified back very sharply for his new (high %) barn, and may be

able to just pick up where he left off - hard to take too short a price, though. (8) SAILBOAT HANOVER

has stats much like #2 after being claimed on 8/20 (an incredible 8-5-2-1) and still has to be considered

dangerous even from Post 8 - hard to leave off your tickets. (4) GENTLEMANJIM II IE hit board in 5 of 6

local starts this year but has no wins, and is 0 for 17 here at YR - seems better suited for the bottom of the

ticket, but a big price makes him worth considering on top too. (3) MISTER SPOT A has been climbing the

class ladder beautifully although he did weaken after cutting the mile in his first try at this $50K level -

leaning towards others, but this guy still does have a shot. (5) AIR FORCE HANOVER has some decent

tries lately but hasn't won in a while & does seem a notch below the main players. (1) BLUEBIRD RECON

had a great 2022 campaign but right now he looks like he could use a class drop, some time off....or both.

(7) HUGHIE JUNIOR N has thrown more lesser efforts here at Yonkers than good ones - prefer others.


RACE 4 - (4) DARK ENERGY N kept digging through the lane 2 back and was a very determined winner

in this class - his rally came up a just a little short last week (DH for 2nd) but he did pace a very hot :26.3

third panel just prior to that - sharp enough for a chance to come out on top against these (1) JACKAMINO

beat the 30s 5 starts back but has only been able to pick up smaller pieces in 40s since then - he gets major

post relief for tonight, ends up with Bartlett on board and could be a serious threat. (5) SOHO CHELSEAA

looked good beating lesser in back to back starts early in October - was in a tough spot trying this level last

week but really wasn't bad, and lands in a kinder spot for tonight - possibility. (2) CHANGE STRIDE N

tired after cutting the mile in his first try for the Dynamic Duo then was stuck with Post 8 last week - may

be a much bigger player tonight with the move inside. (7) FLOW WITH JOE steps up to 40s after a sharp

front end score one level down last week - not sure he'll be able to overcome the draw, but wouldn't be

shocked if he was able to grab a piece. (3) GINGER TREE PETE is more than capable with these on his

best effort, but he seemed to be tailing a bit in his last couple - we'll see if he can bounce back with a better

one tonight. (6) VIRGIN STORM is winless in 20 local starts this year and this certainly doesn't feel like a

spot where he can get into the win column. (8) TELL THEM LOU may be a decent enough fit with these

but he's stuck behind the 8 ball for tonight.


RACE 5 - (3) ELWELL had missed a couple of months prior to his last start but he had a lot more pace

finishing than his line might suggest - could be ready for a big effort here, and this is a good week to use

him. (5) WINDSUN RICKY can be frustratingly inconsistent, but his "best efforts" would make him very

dangerous here - definitely one to consider. (2) BILL HALEY N is having a hard time getting into any kind

of groove so far in 2022, and his recent form is spotty, at best - he does drop into a spot where he CAN be a

threat, though, and is worth considering if the price is decent. (1) BIG SIR could have used a little more

stretch pop last week (finished 3rd) but he was full of late pace when he just missed the week before - gets

along nicely with Boyd, and could have a big say with the right trip. (4) CHANTEE has looked good since

arriving from Canada recently but he'll be facing much tougher tonight- maybe he can rally late for a piece?

(7) EHRMANTROUT has been solid for some time but he's just 1 for 20 locally this year, and draws Post 7

- chance to rally for a minor share. (6) ALTA BLUES A found some form against cheaper recently (pair of

wins) but remains unproven at this level and comes off a break in his last. (8) SAULSBROOK HERO was

able to pick up a 4th last week but never really looked smooth throughout the mile - moves all the way

outside here, and a conservative approach seems most likely.


RACE 6 - (4) NANDOLO N beat this class on 10/31 and also beat them on 9/26 - he drops down off a pair

of excellent 3rds in the Open, gets Bartlett to jump off a main client (#2) to stick with him, and deserves top

billing tonight. (5) PRICELESS BEACH is the main danger - he had plenty of pace finishing 2 back (off

the layoff) and gets to stay in the same class after quarter moving to an easy win last week - he's beaten

better in the past, and is a very capable foe. (2) ALWAYS AND AGAIN has been sharp for almost all of

2022, and just missed in 2 of his last 3 - won't be hurt by Yannick subbing for Bartlett, and he seems next in

line should the top pair falter. (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is feeling good right now, and comes into

this off a win and 7 hole 2nd - he does seem a little cheap, but the inside draw may be enough to help him

take home a small piece. (7) DRAGON SAID probably qualified back better than it looks since he paced

home in :26.2 behind some good ones - still, a tough post especially after being away for 2 months. (3)

SETH HANOVER has been in career form for some time, but this field is tougher than he's used to - we'll

see how he holds up against them. (6) FAMILY RECIPE does his best work vs. a bit easier, and has no luck

with the draw - may be able to save ground and bring home a minor award. (8) ULTIMAROCA followed

up a solid 3YO campaign with a good one at 4 this year, but his better work has come away from Yonkers -

very tough spot returning from PA.


RACE 7 - (1) THRASHER shipped in sharp from Stga. and raced very well in his local debut, finding

room in the stretch after a mild shuffle and kicking home nicely to be a close 3rd - was claimed by a hot

barn, and draws best tonight for his new connections - major threat, for sure. (4) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP

was a dominant winner in his Hilltop return, even if facing cheaper- tries a double-jump tonight, but may be

sharp enough to pull it off. (3) POSH ONTHE BEACH A may prefer to race in 25s but he can hold his own

vs. these too - gets a rare inside draw, and that could make him a very live player. (2) REAL LUCKY N

hasn't been a threat for a few starts but he moves inside, and he does have 7 wins this year - good value

horse to consider. (5) ASTON HILL DAVE drops down to 30s and he did beat this class back on 9/17 - one

to use if you're spreading a bit. (7) LATE MAIL N is just 2 for 37 here over the past 2 years, and draws

poorly- may be able to rally for a minor share. (6) AINTNOBETTOR A is 1 for 29 here this year and

probably needs to be in a softer spot. (8) KEYSTONE DASH hasn't earned a check in his last 5 starts after

a very strong run came to a halt after a win on 9/16.


RACE 8 - (2) BRACKLEY BEACH has taken 5 of his last 6 starts and is riding a 3 race winning streak -

he faces nothing all that scary in here, and has a solid chance to extend that streak to 4. (1) MACH DORO

A blasted off the car from Post 7 last week and earned a two hole trip....but wasn't at his best and had to

settle for 4th - lands the best post for tonight, and is always a dangerous commodity from a spot like this.

(4) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD goes for a new barn tonight after being a solid player at this level for some

time - he can be a late threat if his form holds up for his new connections. (7) LONG WEEKEND just

missed at this level in his last pair at short prices, making that 20-1 ML price hard to understand - this is

obviously a very tough spot, but he still deserves a look if the price ends up being very long. (5) TIN ROOF

RAIDER has been picking up a ton of smaller pieces, but the winner's circle has eluded him here all year -

goes for a new barn tonight, and he may be looking at a similar result. (3) DEETZY moves up to 40s this

week and that has slowed him down in the past - he's sharp, but has to prove that he can do it against these

tougher ones too. (8) MARCO BEACH has some good efforts at this level but will probably need a much

better draw before we see another one. (6) EL JACKO N was already tailing badly for a 40% trainer before

missing time and qualifying weakly - hard to like at this point.


RACE 9 - (6) JACKS LEGEND N has banged out over $400K over the past 2 years and is a legitimate

Open threat when anything close to his best - he was an "ugly" winner here on 10/17 but he took a month

off (and was sold during that period), qualifying back last week for a barn known to provide instant

dividends with fresh stock - we'll go with the classy 8YO on top, even though there is at least some

uncertainty at the moment. (1) PYRO was stuck outside the last 2 weeks but still raced well enough from

those spots - the move inside stamps him as a prime contender here. (5) GENIUS MAN flew to the top

from the extreme outside last week and was a sharp, dead game winner - double jumps in class here, but

can still be a player in his current form. (2) SOHO LENNON A is also double jumping off a sharp front end

score - this class MAY be a little high for him, but he's in top shape right now, and the inside draw puts him

in play for a good chunk. (3) ROCK CANDY is another "double jumper" and he's not even coming off a

win - looking at only a smaller piece here. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N hasn't been quite as sharp since moving

up to this level, but he hasn't been bad, either - chance for a piece with the right trip. (8) SEMI TOUGH has

more than enough class to go with these, but he's not particularly handy and may have trouble overcoming

the draw tonight. (7) CRUNCH HANOVER lands in a tough spot returning from PA - prefer to wait for a

class drop, and better post.


RACE 10 - (1) UPTOWN FUNK missed 9 months and was having trouble getting into a groove after

coming back...but he's finally starting to really come around, and heads into tonight seeking 3 in a row -

he's moving up in class, but feels sharp enough to handle it. (3) LYONS JOHNNYJNR has found a home at

this $30K level and was a winner last week- legitimate threat (6) MONGOLIAN HERO N is really thriving

in PA right now and gets a nice switch to Stratton upon arrival at YR - will need some trip luck from Post 6,

but can be a player here if he gets some. (5) SOUTHWIND ONYX has a win and 2 seconds from his last 3

starts (all at this level) and will try to keep that good form going for another new barn tonight - seems best

on the lead, however, and he may have trouble getting there against these - mixed feelings. (7) BETTO R

BE OSCAR A was a winner in his last start for our former leading trainer but he's struggled in two starts

since changing barns - should appreciate tonight's class drop, but the outside draw will likely have him

contending for a minor piece only. (2) GONNAHAVEONEMORE has been racing ok vs. similar in PA but

he's 12-0-0-2 here at Yonkers - leaning towards others. (4) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN gets some post

relief but does seem to be tailing off form - looking in other directions tonight. (8) PLAY THE FIELD gave

it a nice try on the front end in his YR return but that was from the pole - moves all the way outside, and

that figures to slow him down quite a bit.

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