The Empire Report - Monday, September 11, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Tough opener on an overall tough card! (7) BALLERAT BOOMERANG has a win and 5 (good)
2nds from his last 7 starts and moves to one of the most successful "off the claim" barns we've ever seen
here - he's Kakaley's choice (despite Post 7), and he's definitely one you'll want to use. (6) REAL PEACE
sent up all kinds of red flags with last week's drop in to 25s (after being scratched lame) but he was a total
jogburger, and his connections bump him up TWO classes this week - guessing he'll be very good here too.
(5) JUDDY DOUGLAS A was dullish in his last couple but drops in for a tag and is definitely used to
facing stronger fields - it's a concern that Kakaley isn't driving tonight, however. (3) ARRHYTHMIC SUR
GE got a trip he likes last week and was right there 3rd - playable in exotics here too. (2) ONTO EL DORA
DO N had a tough trip last week and really wasn't bad for his new barn - moves inside, and is another
candidate to include underneath (too camera shy to endorse on top) (4) STATEMENT MADE A isn't "bad"
by any means, but he also isn't as sharp as he was a while back - ok for a smaller piece. (1) TYGA HANOV
ER draw inside but may not be sharp enough to really take advantage. (8) CHIEFS BEACH seems to need
cheaper to be a serious player
RACE 2 - (3) HES SPECIAL has been on a career form spree for the last 3 months, the only recent "blip"
being when he drew too far outside 2 starts back - he was just reclaimed (off a win) by our leading trainer,
and that barn has won 13 of 39 starts over the last 2 weeks - gets the narrow call tonight. (5) STRIKING IM
PACT isn't the handiest horse on the planet but he tries very hard every week, and is always strong at the
end - if he's close turning for home, he'll be a major threat. (2) KING JAMES EXPRESS took off almost a
month, re-qualified with Lasix then raced very well in his first start back - a good trip makes him a live
player. (4) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER is usually in the mix every week but his only recent WIN was off a
dream trip - leaning towards others a bit more for the top slot. (6) TOPVILLE SOMROCKET was a good
2nd three back, an excellent winner in his next, but a little disappointing when 3rd (from the pocket) last
week - tough draw tonight. (1) KOOTENAY SANTANNA draws the pole for the 4th straight week but his
last couple suggest he may be tailing right now
RACE 3 - Sharp field: (4) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N drops back down from the Open to a level where he's
had plenty of success (2nd two back to last week's Open winner, AMERICAN MERCURY) - may end up
with a good trip from this spot, and he's one of several with a legitimate chance in here. (2) SONNY WEA
VER N was sharper 2 back than his line might look, then was 2nd best to a classy, front end winner last
week - another who becomes very dangerous if the trip goes his way. (1) FORTIFY has been sharp every
week lately, and his barn (which had already been clicking recently) had a BIG afternoon on Saturday -
deserves plenty of respect from the pole. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW draws outside of several sharp foes
but he does have 8 wins this year, and shouldn't be discounted. (3) JUSTASEC N has held his form
beautifully even after climbing all the way up to this level - leaning to others for the top prize, but a good
piece is well within reach. (6) QUALITY BUD is enjoying a terrific year, but lands in a brutal spot tonight
RACE 4 - (1) DECOY hasn't had the same incredible, instant success as HP XANADU for this new,
formidable owner/trainer tandem but he does drop back down to 30s after a pair of tough first over trips
against the 40s - Bongiorno will surely have him revved up for a big try from the pole! (5) FLOW WITH
JOE avoided another awkward start last week and went right to the top, putting in a sharp try for his new
connections - he's always a threat at this level with any decent trip. (4) GOTHIC ROCK has been facing
better, and is a legitimate threat at the $30K level - if things get testy up front, he has a chance to roar home
for the upset. (2) HUDSON PHIL was in a tough spot arriving from Stga. and really wasn't bad - he lands a
much better spot for tonight, and this trainer/driver duo has enjoyed success together - possibility. (6) WON
LAST FEELING hasn't been able to replicate those sharp early August miles in his last couple, but he's not
a bad bomb if you think he could get a wake up call. (3) SHARK PLAY finally turned in a couple of better
efforts after a long drought, but the move to 30s could slow him down a bit. (8) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR
goes for a new barn off a pair of wins and couldn't have drawn worse - may have some trouble getting a
manageable trip from out here. (7) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD could use a better post...in an easier field
RACE 5 - Another tough race! (2) CAPTIVATE HANOVER tends be an "all or nothing" type, but we saw
the "all" version in 2 of his last 3 starts (pair of sharp front end scores) - he's won 10 of 30 starts this year
and shows no real sign of slowing down...one of several with a real chance in here. (1) TYPHOON BANN
ER N didn't even pretend to be interested in his U.S. debut, sitting last and under a big hold through the
lane from a driver that's normally rockin' and whippin' 95% of the time - this is a MUCH more realistic spot
for the recent (classy) import, and he's very likely to get the chance to show us what he's got. (3) SPORTY
M THREE continues to hold his top form as the 4YO maintains his climb up the class ladder - it's unlikely
that hell get to just control the action tonight, but he's capable of winning off the pace as well. (6) EUPHOR
IA N has a win and 4 seconds from his last 6 starts, the other being Post 7 in the Open - he'll be a big price,
and CAN win with the right scenario. (4) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N stays at the same level after a nose
loss and a victory in his last pair - obviously still a big threat, but very likely to be overbet in what could be
a much tougher spot. (7) OZONE BLUE CHIP upset #4 two back and his overall form is rock solid - brutal
spot tonight, however. (5) THE REGULATOR does his best work vs. a bit easier than these.
RACE 6 - (4) MICKY GEE N had no room to pace last week so we'll give him a pass - he's struggled to
win races all year (just 1 for 16) but there's a chance that the pace will be hotly contested in here...and that
just may help set him up for one big rush in the lane. (5) DEETZY is on an insane form spree, with 5 wins
and 2 seconds from his last 7 starts - he remains the one to beat for a trainer that continues to put up
remarkable stats from her "boutique barn"....but he'll be a very short price (again) and may face a much
tougher trip - proceed with some caution. (2) POINTOMYGRANSON seemed to be leveling off a bit after
a very long run of top starts - he did look sharper in last week's 2nd place effort, however, and may have
another one in store for tonight. (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was winless in 14 local starts this year....but then
was claimed by the Dynamic Duo and is 2 for 2 since then - last week's "scratched injured" does make him
a bit of a question mark for tonight, though. (6) COALITION HANOVER had better life finishing in his
last pair - good bomb to include on the bottom of exotics, hoping for some trip luck. (1) ALOTBETTOR N
is 8 for 16 this year but is in untested waters tonight at the $50K level - we'll see how he does
RACE 7- This new class (3-5YO $30K Claimer) brings together a mixed bag of entrants: (5) TWO FAC
ED has been pretty good recently, chasing the raging FREQUENT IMAGE 2 and 3 back before a good
front end try last week (weakening late to be a close 3rd) - may have found a good spot here. (4) DA GHET
TO WIZARD has been fairly consistent since the recent barn change, faces an easier group tonight and gets
a switch to Kakaley - could be a legitimate threat to pick up a rare Hilltop victory. (1) CANTSTOP LYING
has been knocking on the door lately and gets major post relief for tonight - logical threat, but note that he's
0 for 15 this year before taking too short a price. (3) COLD CREEK FELIPE had been sharp in 15s then
held his own vs. the 25s last week for his new connections - should be able to have a big say here. (2)
BARRYWHITE HANOVER has benefited from close up trips in weaker fields in his last couple - we'll see
how he handles the step up for his new crew. (6) HURRIKANE GEORGIE failed to function for almost
this entire year - it wasn't really a shock that he turned in a massive form reversal upon joining our top barn
last week but it WAS pretty stunning that the barn who had zero luck with him all year claimed him right
back! (7) HUNTSVILLE PLACE seems unlikely to be able to get in the mix from out here
RACE 8 - (5) MOONSHINE KISSES was his usual good self last week, though gradually worn down
before giving way late - he may be able to grab himself an easier time on the lead tonight...and that could
spell trouble for everybody hoping to reel him in (3) ROCKNROLL RUNA A not only proved he belonged
at this level, he recently won three straight - couldn't quite get there last week, but rallying from 6th (with a
:26.3 third panel) may have had something to do with that - very dangerous from this spot. (4) FUNATTHE
BEACH N doesn't "bring it" every week....but fortunately for him, when he DOES deliver his best he can
be a beast (and he does have a knack for showing up when the best $$ is on the line) - seems to be coming
back sharp from Canada, but would still want a decent price to use him on top. (6) WHATS STANLEY
GOT A has quickly established himself as a weekly Open threat...but the bad draw (and loss of Stratton)
may relegate him to a smaller share this week. (2) NANDOLO N showed last week that he can still throw a
good one when in a good spot, at the right level - he'll need to prove that he can still threaten these better
ones, however. (1) BRONX SEELSTER shows a couple of recent "Open" wins out of town, but facing
easier than he'll be tackling tonight - the rail helps, but still prefer others
RACE 9 - (5) FAMILY RECIPE was full of pace once he finally shook free last week and now drops down
to a level where he's always very tough- this happens to be a decent field, but we'll still give him top billing
(4) YOROKOBI N has been under-driven in almost every start this year so it was a surprise to see
Siegelman get aggressive last week, after missing almost a month (due to sickness) - he's a talented horse,
and is worth a good look tonight. (1) KOMODO BEACH is having a rough 4YO season (just 1 for 15) but
has also been right there with tougher several times - have to respect his chances, while recognizing that he
may be overbet from this spot. (2) MR IBIZA N had some gait issues in his first local start but was much
better in his last pair (a win and a 2nd) - steps up another notch, but seems sharp enough to still be a real
player. (3) CYRUS N went from 111-1 and 63-1 down to 8/5 last week and was able to use a good trip to
earn a narrow victory - will be much tougher against these, although getting Bartlett back can't hurt. (6)
JIMMY CONNOR B was very well meant last week and able to deliver the game front end score - this is a
much tougher spot, and he may be looking at a much smaller share now. Both (7) MAXIMUS RED A and
(8) MY ULTIMATE STAR A are good right now...but face daunting tasks (up in class, from bad posts)
RACE 10 - (2) SAUVIGNON BLUECHIP has thrived ever shipping down from Monti about 9 starts back
- he landed on tough trips the last 2 weeks, and seems overdue for things to go his way...a live trip could
help him find the winner's circle. (8) B LIKE CRUISER has been doing good things lately but gets no luck
at the draw for his new connections - he's still worth a good look at that 12-1 ML price. (5) WICHITA LIN
EMAN can be a little streaky (in both directions) and his crisp finish last week may hint at an even better
try tonight - legitimate player. (7) AMERICAN CLASSIC is a tough call - he absolutely crushed in his
local debut but he was also helped tremendously by virtually nobody else even showing up that night - he
moves up in class, lands outside, and it's hard to say what kind of impact he'll have tonight. (1) SO MANY
ROADS struggled to win races last year and that hasn't changed in 2023 - he IS sharp right now, and could
land somewhere on the ticket with an easy trip. (6) TUGGIN ON MY HEART was racing well in 40s at
PcD not long ago - he made a break on 7/8, suddenly dropped in for $20K the next start and was scratched
from that race - the red flags are flying high BUT he also moved to the Dynamic Duo after that, qualified
back nicely and if ANY barn can somehow cure what ails him, this would be it - check the board for clues!
(4) YO AJ was a game first over winner vs. cheaper last week but he faces tougher now, and also isn't
known for his consistency. (3) BOILING OAR has been away since 6/12 and that qualifier doesn't inspire a
lot of confidence.