Friday Empire Report

soaofny • August 12, 2022

The Empire Report - Friday, August 12, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) QUALITY BUD was a big "go" off the class drop last week but he was parked to a quarter in

a fiery :26 (before finding a hole on turn two) and can be excused for having nothing left at the end - this is

an even easier spot, and he almost has to get a MUCH easier trip -- the one to beat in the Friday opener. (8)

LEVINE was handled aggressively at this bottom level last week and was a solid 3rd - if he leaves hard

again (and can find a good spot), he can land on the ticket here too. (5) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN seems to

be on the upswing now, and ready to start improving on this year's 12-0-0-2 local slate - use him in exotics.

(6) SETTLEMOIR delivered a massive form reversal when 2nd off the barn change 2 back, then just had

no chance from Post 8 last week - not the greatest spot tonight, but certainly playable underneath at that

20-1 ML price. (7) HES ELECTRIC has been good so it wasn't a surprise to see him handled aggressively

last week - things didn't work out. however, and that'll probably result in him coming off the gate

tonight...with a lot of work to do from the back of the pack. (2) EPIC ACE has just one win and one 2nd

from his 17 local starts this year, but most have been against better - prefer others, but wouldn't be shocked

to see him pick up a small piece. (4) AINTONOBETTOR A has regressed since the recent barn change -

wait for better signs before hopping on board (although this trainer/driver team did team up for a 120-1

winner last week). (1) REMEMBER THE BEACH never got it going for our leading barn, and now his

owner tries him with another one of his trainers - will keep an eye for any improvement.


RACE 2 - (7) MISSISSIPPI STORM hasn't been nearly as reliable this year but it would be hard to pick

against him down at this level, even from Post 7 - not one to bet the rent money on at too short a price,

though. (3) THE LAST CHAPTER is back on the upswing and the barn sent out a sharp winner on Tues.

night - look for a good effort tonight. (5) TESLA SEELSTER would seem to be on the cheaper side but she

likes to win races, and gets a big barn change (while also adding Lasix) for tonight- willing to use in exotics

at that 20-1 ML price. (6) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN is another that just has been reliable this year, and

just had to re-qualify after being scratched lame - his last start with Brennan was a blowout win, however,

so we'll see if the pair can find that magic again for tonight. (4) ZIG ZAG has been an "in and outer" this

year, but was clearly "in" when he rallied nicely to beat softer last week - a similar effort could yield

another good piece tonight. (1) ARABELLAS CADET drops in class and draws the pole - while that's

usually a potent combination, she just may not be sharp enough right now to really take advantage. (2) ALL

RISE has sharp form in NJ and PA but vs. much cheaper - has to prove he can go with this type.


RACE 3 - (1) ST LADS BEAT IT hasn't been his best self lately, but it's not like he's been racing "poorly" -

gets significant class relief here, draws the pole, and also goes with Lasix for the first time - lots to like! (2)

MACHEASY A was a sharp winner off the class drop last week but he was racing well at this level prior to

that - definitely can land somewhere on this ticket. (5) TELL THEM LOU faced much tougher in that $75K

claimer, and surely needed that start after the time off - might be ready for a much better effort at this more

comfortable level. (4) ALTA ENGEN A's starts have been quite mixed since arriving in the U.S. - if he

brings one of his better efforts tonight, he has a chance to grab a board spot. (3) CINNABAR DRAG ON

really hasn't been "sharp" in some time, but he MAY be starting to come around since the recent claim -

mixed feelings about his chances tonight. (6) SO MANY ROADS has been solid one level down but he

steps up a notch, lands outside, and has missed 3 weeks - maybe he can rally late for a minor piece? (7)

GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was unable to get it done in 4 tries at the bottom level, and now draws outside

while moving up in class - prefer others. (8) TIDAL SHARK hasn't really stepped it up since the June barn

change....and draws Post 8.


RACE 4 - (2) PACING MAJOR N continues to race well every week....although for the past 3 weeks, one

rival has raced a bit better -- feels like a spot where he may be able to get over his "seconditis" and get to

the winner's circle. (4) AWESOMENESS moved to the sharpest barn on the planet 2 back and has won

both starts since then (after going 1 for 38 locally over the last 2 years) - he'll be very tough once again...but

he does lose Bartlett tonight, so perhaps that'll hurt just a bit. (3) SUNSETBOOZECRUISE appreciated the

drop to 20s last week, racing better to pick up 3rd - we'll see if he can continue to thrive at this level. (1)

DAVIDS COMING HOME was sent off at 94-1 from Post 7 last week and raced to his odds - moves all the

way inside now, and we may see him much more involved - include underneath. (5) MARTY MONKHOU

SER A may not be a 20 right now, but his quick starts often lead to good trips...and that would give him a

shot to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) BET THE LIMIT raced well in all 3 starts since arriving at YR,

but steps up from the 15s tonight and lands a terrible post - not sure he can get involved (6) MISTER SPOT

A has been racing pretty well but draws another poor post (for a new barn) - tough spot. (8) KENRICK N

raced well at Monti in his last pair, but lands in a brutal spot for his Hilltop return.


RACE 5 - (1) SHERIFF N has 4 recent wins, all on the lead with three of them from the pole (the other

from Post 2) - he'll be the heavy choice to pick up another one tonight. (6) SEAFARER completed the

exacta behind the top choice the past 2 weeks, once from the pocket and one time first over - tougher spot

tonight but he's been sharp all year, and may still be able to be a major player....even from out here. (4)

DESIRES CAPTAIN has been in good form for a while, despite mostly terrible posts - draws a bit better

now, and that could be enough to land him a spot on this ticket. (3) I GET THAT has been trying to get

back to the form that saw him win 3 in a row in June (and 3 other starts earlier this year) - willing to use

him underneath, as long as the price is decent. (2) BEACH BOOGIE can be frustratingly inconsistent, but

does come up with some sharp miles - picked up a 3rd last week and draws well for tonight...but would

have rather seen him back in for $30K! (7) BLACK CHEVRON N was ok two back then put it all together

last week with that gutsy front end win - not sure he can be as big a player from out here, though. (8) BETT

ER UP has been sharp in general, and just missed in this class last week....that was with a pocket trip from

the rail, however, and he may be hard pressed to work out such a good journey from behind the 8 ball. (5)

WHAT THE LUCK has a 2nd and 3rd in this class, but it still seems like he'd be better off in a bit easier -

he has a license to do better than this rating with an easy enough trip.


RACE 6 - (4) ON HIGHER GROUND made an untimely miscue off the class drop 2 back but was

outstanding last week, retreating to 7th after a leave attempt but still able to fly home late to be 2nd - he'll

be mighty tough here if he avoids any mistakes. (3) TOCCOA FALLS beat this class 2 back but was

blocked at the back last week and had no chance to ever stretch his legs - look for a much better effort

tonight. (1) FANATIC was a bit dull last week but drops back down to the level where he was able to chase

2nd best two starts back - may be able to do the same tonight. (8) GEMOLOGIST has gone plenty of solid

tries since arriving here this spring, and does have the speed to take a shot at leaving for position - decent

bomb to try to get onto the ticket. (2) MEMO wasn't at his best last week, but he was certainly much

improved from his prior couple of starts - could have a say here if he improved even more. (5) SWANSEA

landed on a pretty good trip last week but still flattened badly after moving wide to the final turn - just too

many poor finishes this year to ever back with confidence. (6) BEERTHIRTY K put in a decent move last

week but was unable to sustain it - would look better here with a better post. (7) AFTER ALL PAUL is still

trying to get tight after missing a lot of time - will keep watching for the future.


RACE 7 - (8) GINGRAS BEACH was parked out by (eventual winner) BRONX SEELSTER last week but

somehow was still living to 3/4s, dropped in 2nd and chased gamely right to the wire- he's in much easier

here, and can overcome Post 8 with just a bit of trip luck. (2) MISSILE SEELSTER will be a nice price

here, despite going back from Cory to Jordan - has a chance to land somewhere on the ticket with the right

trip. (6) REIGNING DEO was off 25 days to his last and likely needed the race - he drops down here to the

level he beat back in May, and is another viable longshot to consider. (4) SHANWAY N was very well

backed off the class drop last week but he was also very hard used...and paid a price for it late in the mile -

can be better here with an easier trip. (1) BETTER BE OSCAR A has really struggled since being claimed

for $40K back in June - we'll see if a class drop and the pole are enough to perk him up a bit. (3) SANTAF

ES COACH would no doubt be more comfortable in a bit cheaper, but he's sharp enough now for a chance

at a piece...if things go his way. (7) BELTANE A easily handled cheaper last week, but he can hold his own

with this type as well....maybe not from Post 7, however. (5) PRINCE MCARDLE N is struggling right

now - sticking with others.


RACE 8 - (1) BET ON BLAKE just stopped functioning for a few starts but his Meadows qualifier was

much better, and his Yonkers return last week produced a very strong 2nd - seems ready to be handled

aggressively again, and that would give him a solid chance from this pot. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON is just

one of many "winning machines" for this barn, and he's taken 4 of his last 5 starts - big threat to get his

picture taken once more. (2) MY MIND IS MADEUP continues to race well despite less than stellar trips -

would absolutely consider him on top if the price was right. (4) ALOTBETTOR N should appreciate both

the drop to 40s, as well as the improved post - good one to use underneath. (8) NOWHERE CREEK A is

really good right now, but gets no luck at all with the draw for his new connections - figures to be looking

at only a smaller piece from out here. (6) ITSMYCHECK GB has gone some big efforts here but his

current form has been off, for the most part - the outside draw makes it even hard to recommend him. (7)

MONTY MONO can be forgiven for last week's clunker but he still likely needs a better post (and class

drop?) before we see his best. (5) FAST N FIRST was off a year to his last start and needed that mile for

sure - the question is how many more might he need!


RACE 9 - (3) VINNY DE VIE rattled off a pair of very sharp front end scores in July and was looking

better than ever - seemed ready to come after the winner on the final turn last week when he made an

untimely miscue, but it's good to see him right back in the box - reunites with Stratton, and we'll see if that

results in another visit to the winner's circle. (6) DELAYED THUNDER was a big earner at 3 ($257K) and

has been keeping top company out of town so far as a 4YO - seems like a perfect with these, and the barn

has always enjoyed their best success here when Dube in on board - hard to say how he'll handle the half

mile track, so don't take too a short a price if using on top. (4) NEXTROUNDSONME has been a solid YR

performer the past 2 seasons, and returns from Tioga in good form - young pilot Braxten Boyd had quite a

night here last Friday! (1) KINDA LUCKY LINDY has been solid for weeks, and draws best tonight - one

to include in exotics. (2) NEW HEAVEN hasn't been all that reliable in 2022, but still has a couple of wins

and almost $60K in the bank - needs to bring his best to have any say. (7) WARRIOR ONE was hammered

a the windows last week and delivered an easy front end score....but it's hard to really say how "good" he

was that night - would want a pretty good price to use him from out here. (5) IM THE MUSCLE loves the

front end (see last week!), but he doesn't figure to get there very easily tonight - sticking with others.

BARRY BLACK remains capable of big miles, but he's just too inconsistent to use from out here.


RACE 10 - (5) REAL LUCKY N rattled off 3 in a row but just looked completely unmotivated from Post 8

last week - drops a notch, draws better, and we'll hope he can find a rebound effort tonight. (1) ASTON

HILL DAVE was 0 for 26 here over the last 2 years before winning at 79-1 5 starts back - finished 2nd

three times in a row after that, then lit up the tote board again last week, a huge overlay 27-1 winner -

bumps up in class, but more than sharp enough to be a serious threat here. (2) SPORTS BETTOR hit board

in 5 straight before last week's dud - another hoping for a quick bounce back tonight. (3) BETTORS

DREAM is 10-0-0-1 here this year but may have picked up some confidence with last week's win up at

Monti - willing to use underneath. (6) ARTMAGIC is another that was doing well that just laid an egg last

week - may be in a tough spot, even if he bounces right back to a more typically good effort. (4) OHIO

VINTAGE might have gotten more consideration shipping in from NJ had he not gone 8-0-0-0 here last

year - would like to see a decent local effort before hopping on his team. (7) MISTER HAT does his best

work with cheaper, from much better posts. (8) WON LAST FEELING dropped from 40s to 25s and was

claimed - his previous connections took him back for $30K the next week (somewhat puzzling) but even

MORE puzzling, have now DROPPED him to 25s again - it's almost like they're trying to give $$ away!

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