The Empire Report - Monday, August 15, 2022 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (1) WESTERN JOE went over the $1M mark this year and he surely earned that milestone - the
classy veteran has probably slipped a couple of notches from his best days but he's certainly sharp right
now, and the draw should allow him to control the action in his Hilltop return - gets the narrow edge. (4)
BETTERROCK actually finished ahead of the top pick at PcD two back (he was 2nd while the top choice
was 3rd), and he looked very good 3 back when he was a front end winner here at Yonkers - could be the
main danger. (5) PRETTY HANDSOME paced a fiery :27 third panel last week but was still outbrushed by
FORTIFY...then hung in well the rest of the way to be a close 3rd - the right trip could make him a real
threat. (2) SON OF A TIGER N steps up a notch but has been sharp for several weeks, and will probably
just tow along closely from this spot - chance for a small share. (8) DINA BOLT N always seems to be a
good price despite racing well week after week - very tough assignment from out here, but still a good
bomb to throw in for 3rd. (3) CAN B PERFECT has been away for nearly 4 weeks since his last start, and
is also moving up in class - prefer others here. (6) IMSTAYNALIVE has been pretty good lately but he
draws poorly while moving up in class, and his only win here this year was down in NW7500 - wait for a
better spot. (7) MANKAT hails from a deadly trainer/driver duo but he draws poorly for the first time in a
long time, and that figures to hurt his chances significantly
RACE 2 - (5) SKY CASTLES shipped in sharp and remained that way, delivering a pair of very nice wins
before landing in the Open (and looking overmatched) - drops in for the $75K tag tonight, and this field
should be more to his liking - definitely one to consider. (1) LOOK IN MY EYES has also been doing good
work for a long time, and should find this field easier than the one he faced last week - legitimate threat
from this spot. (3) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN hadn't been finishing well enough in many recent starts
bit loved last week's pocket trip, and trotted right on by #4 to win it - a similar effort would give him a
chance to take another. (4) IN MY DREAMS was racing very well before getting claimed by our leading
barn two back - couldn't quite hold on after cutting the mile last week, but he's still one to fear tonight. (6)
HOMER HALL raced as well as he could from Post 8 last week, and his overall recent form is excellent -
gets a bit of post relief, and isn't a bad bomb to at least consider. (2) BIZET hit a rough patch recently but
seems to be back on a better trajectory - maybe can pick up a small piece? (7) ALTUS HANOVER has
been doing good work for a while, including that victory here 2 back - will need plenty of luck to reach
from out here, though. (8) P L OSCAR will be hard pressed to be a threat from out here
RACE 3 - (1) GLACIS just continues to race well week after week....and has raced MUCH better than his
1 for 21 record this year would suggest - he's beyond overdue for things to go his way...and we'll list him on
top tonight, trying to get him over that hump. (4) ALEX TYE just toured the oval from Post 8 last week but
a much more aggressive try can be expected tonight - he fits very well with these, and his barn has been
sending out some very lives ones lately - solid threat. (3) SAULSBROOK HERO wasn't far off 3rd despite
a tough first over trip last week, and was a good rallying 2nd behind FORTIFY the week before that - a live
trip makes him a legit player here. (5) BRONX SEELSTER was able to hang on to prevail against cheaper
last week, and can beat these too if in the right mood - just seems to be better value with others tonight. (7)
PERFECTLY CLOSE has gone a few big miles recently - not sure if he'll be able to reach from out here,
but he's definitely a good one for longshot fans to consider. (6) CRUNCH HANOVER finished full of pace
2 back, and had pace in traffic last week - maybe can show up late for a minor share? (2) CANTSTOPLYI
NG probably does his best work vs. a bit easier, and is also off 3 weeks. (8) TYGA HANOVER seems to
need easier these days - Post 8 just makes it harder to make a case for him
RACE 4 - (2) FOR A DREAMER picked up a 3rd and a 2nd vs. better in his 2 starts since the claim, and
now drops back in for a tag in this modest field - the one to beat. (4) BLUEBIRD JESSE gets post relief
and with Bartlett on board, that probably means a more aggressive try - can be a player tonight. (3) CRAZY
CAT didn't fire last week but he is capable of better - maybe he'll bring a better version here? (5) NIGHT
FLYER K was ok for 3rd in his local debut, just missing 2nd - he may be better the 2nd time over the track,
and that would make him a threat to take home another good chunk. (7) OUR WHITE KNIGHT is very
tough to predict from week to week, and may have a hard time reaching from out here even if he brings his
best - willing to include for 3rd/4th. (6) SEVENTIER just hasn't been clicking for some time - a big wake
up call is needed. (1) MY BOY CHRISTIAN hasn't been good lately, but does have some excuses - prefer
others tonight, but also wouldn't be shocked to see him race a bit better. (8) ABSOLUT UNCERTENTY
lands all the way outside after missing 3 weeks - will just observe for now
RACE 5 - (3) SPLASH BROTHER figured to have a big chance dropping out of the Open last week but
just didn't fire his best shot - should be a fair price off that disappointing try, and he probably deserves a
chance to make amends. (4) IGNATIUS charged home for 2nd in the Open in his local debut but was a
little disappointing out of the two hole when dropping a bit last week - another with a license to rebound
with a victory. (2) THE WILD CARD takes a big jump up in class but he's hitting on all cylinders right
now and may be up for it - possibility. (1) MACH N CHEESE has thrived since the recent barn change, and
moves all the way inside after racing from Post 8 last week - he also moves well up in class, and that's why
he wasn't picked higher up. (7) BUDDY HILL finished with good pace last week even though only for 5th
(almost 3rd) - terrible draw, but he'll be a big price and does reunite with Kakaley - not the worst bomb you
could come up with. (6) ILL DRINK TO THAT almost broke before the start last week and was fortunate
to get away in 4th - he then got lucky to be able to slip out on the final turn, but did explode home in the
lane to blow by and win handily in the end - hard to say what kind of trip he'll get from this spot, however.
(5) VELOCITY KOMODO won 2 of his last 3 and got parked in the lone loss - he'll face much better here,
and that might limit his output. (8) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH was no factor at all from similar spots in his
last couple - he gets a drop next week...and hopefully a much better post
RACE 6 - (5) MUSCLE JACK jogged in his first 3 starts after the claim so it seemed like a possible red
flag when he missed some time and dropped from 75s to 50s - turned out to be no issue at all, as he jogged
that night too -- remains the one to beat. (1) PLUMB was claimed for $50K two back and tried it against
the 75s last week - was no threat from Post 7 but now she drops back to 50s and draws the pole - the main
danger. (4) BIG BAD SWAN was full of trot inside last week but never found room and ended up 6th -
good value horse to include in the exotics tonight. (8) LINDSEYS PRIDE is very sharp right now and
clearly fits this class perfectly - the obvious concern is Post 8, and we'll see if Stratton can find him a
manageable trip from out here. (6) STEUBEN HANOVER perked up with a much better effort last week,
rallying late to pick up 2nd - maybe he can rally for another small piece tonight? (3) PREACHER MAN
has been pretty good lately, but vs. lesser - he'll get his chance tonight to show whether he can hang with
this type too. (2) GREY was able to cash in on the perfect trip win 2 back but her other efforts have been
nearly as good lately - needs to be sharper to contend for a piece here. (7) MUSKINGUM hasn't been bad,
but does look like he would prefer to be in a bit easier
RACE 7 - (3) BARBADOS has gone some big miles here in the past when on his game, but he's definitely
in career form right now - looks like the one to beat in the return of the $100K claimer! (2) JOESSTAR OF
MIAA missed some time but was right there 2nd in his first start back - he's been a force at this level in the
past, and figures to be a serious threat tonight. (1) TRACEUR HANOVER came up a little short when 4th
last week but that was facing "Open types" - he's been very sharp for some time, and should be a major
player with the rail draw. (6) PEACE OUT POSSE was involved early last week, still ended up 1st over
and was dead game right to the end - chance to be a serious player if he's as sharp tonight. (4) AIR FORCE
HANOVER has been consistent lately, though his most recent wins did come vs. cheaper - chance for a
small piece. (5) OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR raced without Lasix 2 back and finished up the track - much
better at PRc last week, but still seems a bit risky for tonight - mixed feelings. (7) GARDYS LEGACY A
was a "meh" 4th last week and now lands outside - prefer others. (8) PAT STANLEY N may be off form
right now - drawing Post 8 isn't going to help his cause
RACE 8 - (3) JACKS LEGEND N had plenty of pace finishing from well back on 7/25 so it was no
surprise to see him heavily backed the next week....where he easily served up the wire to wire victory -
faces a few pretty tough rivals tonight, but he's one tough hombre himself....can take another. (4) FUNATT
HEBEACH N didn't even pretend to be interested last week but he figures to be a lot more serious from this
better post tonight - he's earned over $600K here over the past 2 years, and remains a danger any week that
he lands on a manageable trip. (2) AMERICAN COURAGE, like FUNATTHEBEACH N simply never got
involved last time - we've seen that on his best, he's more than capable of beating these. (5) AMERICAN
DEALER N has a few Open wins and always seems to race well for Bongiorno - could easily be part of this
equation. (1) BEE TWO BEE has high speed and can throw some big miles....but he also figures to come
up short at the end vs. a few of these toughies. (6) LOUS SWEETREVENGE is a hard hitter that loves to
finish strong - moving up to the Open has slowed him down in the past, however. (8) FAMILY RECIPE
feels like the outsider...both literally and figuratively. (7) NONE BETTOR A has been good for a while but
tonight he'll start from Post 7, with his owner on board - sticking with others
RACE 9 - Tough race: (4) AMERICAN BOY N drops to a much kinder level, gets Jordan back on board
and seems eligible for a good trip from this spot - gets a narrow nod in a field with several possible winners
(2) EL JACKO N hit board in his last 5, including a win 2 starts back - debuts tonight for a barn that wins
with an astonishing 42% of their fresh claims, and has to be heavily respected. (3) B LIKE CRUISER was
claimed by very capable connections but does exit our leading barn - if his form holds up, he'll be a legit
threat tonight. (7) MARINER SEELSTER continues to amaze at age 13, winning 3 straight before coming
up 2nd best last week to a horse in career form - terrible draw, but a good price does make him worth
considering,. (8) FOREVER FAV continues to claimed....and frequently by his current barn - brutal spot,
but does have a shot IF things fall apart among the other contenders - decent bomb for exotics. (5) MACH
DORO A has been doing his best with cheaper, but still picks up plenty of pieces against these - use
underneath. (1) ROLL WITH JR has 3 recent wins, but all of them came with our leading trainer - has to
show that he can win for others too. (6) WEONA SIZZLER A scored the shocking 120-1 upset last week -
guessing he won't be nearly as fortunate tonight -- and at a much shorter price
RACE 10 - (1) DON DOMINGO N has been holding his form very nicely, and had license to weaken last
week after the big move he made - might end with a golden trip from this spot - and he's definitely good
enough right now to cash in. (4) KEYSTONE PHOENIX delivers big miles week after week, and is now
11-6-2-1 locally on the year - he figures to be able to make the top fairly easily once more - and may be
able to take 'em wire to wire in the finale. (3) CHANGE STRIDE N hasn't beaten the 75s lately but he's
generally in the hunt - he won't be the 44-1 he was last week, but he should still be a good enough price to
consider for exotics. (5) DELIGHTFUL TERROR does his best with a live trip and it's hard to say if he'll
get one tonight - his chances go way up if the pace does end up contested in front of him. (6) SMOKIN BY
N has really thrives since the recent $40K claim - held his own in the Open last week, and now drops down
to a softer spot - tough post, though. (7) HEISMAN PLAYER returns to his favorite barn after throwing a
dud the one start he raced for another outfit - tough spot tonight , though, as he starts from Post 7 after
missing 3 weeks. (2) ROCKATHON will appreciate the class relief and may even land on a kind trip - ok
for 3rd/4th. (8) DARK ENERGY N is up in class, from Post 8, while losing Jordan