Friday Empire Report

soaofny • August 4, 2023

The Empire Report - Friday, August 4, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (4) SHESASHARPSHOOTER was winless at 2 and only raced 6X at 3....but she's really starting

to blossom now as a 4YO, and raced very well in 3 starts across the river (after shipping down from

Canada) - she does lose Dunn for her Yonkers debut, but Dube should be more than capable of getting

another big mile out of her - we'll try her in her first Hilltop attempt. (6) HUNTRESS is now 13-7-4-1 at

Yonkers after charging home for 3rd last week from well out of it - gets Bartlett back, and the pair have

won their last 3 starts together - remains ever dangerous, even with the worst of the draw. (1) KICKUPYA

HEELS N had some good starts here earlier this year, but vs. a bit easier - she broke blasting from Post 7 in

her last local try, but should really be helped by tonight's draw - legitimate threat. (2) SMOOTH DEBATE

N probably would like to be in a bit cheaper, but a good trip from this spot could still land her a piece of

this. (3) LAURIE LEE has done good work for her current connections but MAY be starting to tail a bit -

mixed feelings about her chances for tonight. (5) TUGGINGONCREDIT is just 1 for 20 at YR and will

likely be contending for only a smaller piece against these.


RACE 2 - (2) GET ANSWERS seemed well in control last week when it looked like she broke a hopple in

the lane and went offstride - deserves a chance to make amends. (1) SHOWMEMAGIC can be a little in

and out but she had good pace finishing last week and should be looking at a good trip tonight - eligible to

grab a nice chunk of this. (3) RHYDS ECLIPSE GB has only visited the winner's circle once since arriving

in the U.S. but she does continue to pick up solid pieces almost every week - look for more of the same

tonight. (5) EXTREME Z TAM, like virtually all of her barnmates, is handled very conservatively every

week - she's shown that she can rally well for good pieces when the trip goes her way...as it may tonight.

(4) MARATHON MARY hit board in her first 6 Yonkers starts before a bit of a dull one last week - she's

listed here on the bottom, but could easily bounce back with a better effort...especially getting Bartlett here.


RACE 3 - (2) COACHELLABOUND N made an unfortunate miscue in her U.S. debut but has 3 straight

jogburger victories since then - assuming she has no issues tonight, she'll once again be very hard to beat...

at 5 cents on the dollar. (5) BLUEBERRY SHAKE shipped back in off a career best 1:51.4 win in NJ and

just missed when 2nd last week - might be the one to complete the exacta. (1) DARLINGTON HANOVER

was always well out of it in her local debut - hard to say if she's just not much, or if we'll see a much better

effort with the move all the way inside - perhaps the tote board will offer some guidance? (4) ANNELIESE

HANOVER struggled in previous local starts but was able to hit the lead cleanly last week, and wire a soft

bunch - we'll see if she can build off that, or if she reverts to her lesser form. (3) FOX VALLEY CAHCET

was able to get away in the pocket last week and that led to an easy 2nd place finish behind the top choice -

may not be as fortunate tonight, however. (6) FRONDEUR was a good 2nd two back but a tiring 3rd last

week (off an easy trip) - needs to bring that better version for a chance to contend for any decent share.


RACE 4 - (1) TALLCHIEF HANOVER made her debut for our leading trainer a winning one, kicking

home strong to grab the victory - draws best, meets nothing scary in here, and may be able to make it 2 in a

row. (4) SEAFOOD BEAUTY was the choice here last week and she just never fired at all - she drops right

back in the box, and we'll see if she can rebound with a much better effort. (5) WILD BLUE WONDER

was a no threat 4th last week but was off a bad date (sick scratch) - eligible to be sharper tonight, and

perhaps take home a good piece of this. (6) COALFORDSNSHINE GB has more than enough ABILITY to

be a big player here but she's burned $$ in the past, and has now made breaks in 2 of her last 3 starts - insist

on a decent price if using on top. (3) LULU ROCKS saw her bid stall out last week, though hanging in at

the end for 3rd - prefer others for the top slots, but another smaller slice is certainly possible. (2) MIAMI

SEELSTER put in a weak effort in her YR debut - will need to be a lot better.


RACE 5 - (6) SULLIVAN has actually been pretty good lately, but he also got beat last week to a horse

that was 2 for 106 prior to that race - he moves to a trainer that seems able to improve almost any horse

(even when coming from other high % barns), and we'll give him the call tonight...but will make sure he's a

fair price before jumping in. (3) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N won 7 starts back and has been knocking on

the door for six straight weeks since then - he's clearly the one to beat but he was scratched sick last week,

and listed as the even money ML favorite - hard to get excited about a wager under the circumstances. (1)

JK LUCKY CHARMS usually takes home only minor spoils but he was actually a pretty good 3rd last time

- legitimate chance for a good piece in this pretty shaky group. (2) SHOREVIEW is now 0 for 20 on the

year but he does grab small pieces when in the mood - ok for the bottom of exotics. (4) ZIGGY SKY is also

winless on the year (0 for 13) and comes into this off a weak 8 hole try - could rebound for a minor piece.

(5) HEARTLANDBANYSBRO has only beaten a total of 2 horses in his last 4 starts combined - waiting

for some better signs. (7) I GET THAT has a couple of recent Monti wins but not ready to hop on his team

just yet....especially from Post 7. (8) IDEAL LINER N missed 8 months, had one (weak) start then missed

4 more months - we'll keep an eye for future consideration.


RACE 6 - (3) DECOY was stuck first over in both starts for his current connections and wasn't bad either

time - catches a very modest field tonight, and may be able to take these wire to window. (7) BETTER UP

gets the worst of the draw but is definitely on his game...some trip luck puts him right in the thick of this.

(1) SOUTHWIND ONYX wasn't ready for last week's 1:50 mile at Chester (off 2 months) but was an "ok"

4th, and should be tighter tonight - may be able to take home a small piece of this. (4) ROCK LIGHTS

hasn't been a threat in some time but may be good enough to pick up a small piece here. (6) MINGO JOEL

has fallen well off his best form and draws poorly- would need some major improvement to grab more than

a minor share tonight. (2) BETTER B SWIFT just hasn't been competitive for several weeks - would need

to see some better signs before hopping back on his team. (8) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP draws horribly for

the 7th time in 8 start - he hasn't been able to overcome it so far. (5) HURRIKANE GEORGIE has been no

good at all for a very long time.


RACE 7 - (2) MISSILE SEELSTER has really come to life since the recent claim, going a pair of BIG 8

hole efforts (including last week's win) - moves up to 20s, but seems sharp enough to handle it - willing to

stay on his team here. (3) PICARD A (clearly one of track announcer Anthony Stabile's favorites!) was an

opportunistic winner last week, capitalizing on the favorite making an early miscue, and the pocket horse

backing up off turn three - he's a very solid 20, and looking at what figures to be another pretty good trip

tonight - logical player. (1) SHANWAY N has had only 2 good recent posts - one was a neck loss 2nd, and

the other was the victory 2 back - tonight's post relief stamps him as a very real threat. (4) SEAFARER

broke before the start last week, made additional miscues and just never looked comfortable at any point (as

the odds on choice) - perhaps he just had a bad week and can shrug that off tonight....but it may also be a

good opportunity to take a shot against him here. (6) SWAGASAURUSREX went his best mile in a long

time last week - he'll still be a big price tonight, and could be a good bomb for the bottom of exotics. Both

(7) CANTSTOPLYING and (8) DESIRES CAPTAIN are sharp enough to be players with these, but both

face very uncertain trips from the 2 outside posts - perhaps the tote board may provide some clues as to

their chances? (5) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL ships in sharp from Ohio, gets Bartlett, but MAY just be a

little too cheap for these - we shall see.


RACE 8 - (1) MILLWOOD BONNIE N was handled conservatively last week when a bit overmatched in

the Open - she drops down tonight to a level right in her wheelhouse, and she'll get to call the shots - she

already has 10 wins this year, and is in a good spot to pick up #11. (4) SILK CLOUD A can be somewhat

inconsistent but is a tough mare at this level when she brings her best - could have a big say tonight. (6) UP

TOWN HANOVER had to redirect in the lane last week (after finding no room) or she could have been a

lot closer - she's a solid fit at this level, but the poor draw means she'll need some trip luck to be a serious

threat. (5) CASH ROLL is in her best form in a long time - she continues to climb the class ladder, but may

be sharp enough to still have a chance for a good piece of this. (8) TECHYS ANGEL A may not have too

many recent wins but she's certainly held her excellent form from some time - may not be able to ever get

in play from out here, but she's still a great bomb for the bottom of exotics. (7) LADY NEWTON took a

couple of starts to get going for her current connections, but she's improved rapidly in her last few outings -

another who may just be a victim of the draw tonight, however. (2) DRAGONS LADY LUCK was able to

pick up a win dropping to NW7500 two back but came up a little short in NW10000 last week - takes a

double jump tonight, and may find these a little too tough right now. (3) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS did

improve after the recent barn change but still must show that she can contend up at this level.


RACE 9 - (2) DRAMA ACT's last line may not look very appealing on paper, but she was actually full of

pace at the back heading to 3/4s, then lost lots of momentum trying to angle free in the lane - she's used to

taking on much tougher fields than this one, so look for an aggressive try tonight. (3) INCASEYOUDIDNT

KNOW moves to a new barn after last week's game first over score against a very classy rival - she raced

well here in several Matchmaker legs, and should be able to make her presence felt here tonight. (1) HOT

MESS EXPRESS is a fast, classy mare....but just doesn't seem to have the same success at Yonkers that she

does elsewhere - we'll see if this good spot can help her find a strong local effort. (4) OKINAWA BEACH

A has shown some signs of legitimate ability but the jury is still out on her ceiling - she'll have a chance to

rally tonight, and show us what she's got. (6) IN THE SPOTLIGHT N is 4-1-2-1 here at YR, including last

week's very game first over score - we'll see if Boyd can find a way into the race for her. (5) CHUPPAH

ON is hitting on all cylinders right now, but is also facing MUCH tougher than she's accustomed to.


RACE 10 - (2) ALOTBETTOR N has taken 4 of his last 5, 5 of his last 7 and 6 of his last 10 starts...with a

couple of 2nds sprinkled in - catches a pretty soft bunch of 30s, and looms a big threat to add to his win

total. (1) MISTER SPOT A was a solid winner on 7/15 then seemed to lose interest in last the next week -

hard to say if he's a "real $30K claimer", but the same could be said for a lot of these - chance to land

somewhere on the ticket. (5) ARTIST BEST was 0 for 18 this year when claimed on 7/14 but 1 for 19 after

one start in his new barn- moves up a notch, but can still contend for a nice piece here (6) CONBOYVILLE

has raced well in a majority of his starts this year but does seem to race much better when he's on/near the

lead - not sure if that's a possibility tonight. (3) SILAS SEELSTER enjoyed his time at Plainridge, picking

up a win and two 2nds - unfortunately he's 11-0-0-0 everyplace else this year! (4) LISBURN missed all of

2022 and is 12-0-2-0 to start off 2023 - hard to back right now. (7) MCNATURAL L marked the return of a

trainer who did very well a few years ago, but hadn't raced here in some time - he seemed overmatched last

week, and may be in the same boat tonight.


RACE 11 - (2) MY MIND IS MADEUP drew poorly off the claim and was handled conservatively from

Post 7....but did kick home full of pace in a very encouraging mile - moves inside, and you can count on

him being much more involved tonight - gets the narrow nod. (7) TOATSMYGOATS shipped in sharp

from Stga. and was a very sharp front end winner- threat to make it 2 in a row, even from Post 7. (3) THOR

AND DR JONES was sneaky ok in his last couple from impossible spots - he'll be a decent price with Cory

driving tonight, and a small piece is within reach. (5) OHIO VINTAGE had quite a few good starts here last

year - should appreciate getting Siegelman on board, and may be able to land somewhere on the ticket. (4)

RACING RENEGADE was no factor in his local debut but wasn't terrible, either - maybe he can tow along

for a minor share? (8) COLD CREEK FELIPE hit board in 3 of his last 4 starts but may be used too hard

from Post 8 to have the same success this week (1) LETTUCERIPRITA A would look super from this spot

if sharp, but he hasn't been close to top form in a long time - still waiting for any better signs. (6) BAR

RYWHITE HANOVER draws poorly and that will likely leave him looking at only some minor scraps.

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