Monday Empire Report

soaofny • December 9, 2024

The Empire Report – Monday, December 9, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) TWO FACED is rock solid at this level and was re-claimed last week by the barn for whom he was a

jogburger winner two back – he meets some sharp rivals in here, but should be a fair enough price to be worth a play

(2) J B GRAM was a little short vs. the 50s two back but a drop back to this $30K level last week saw him deliver a

VERY sharp front end score– the one to beat, but figures to be somewhat overbet (especially with the 9/5 ML price).

(4) SIP OF BOURBON hasn’t won yet in 5 local tries but he’s hit board in all of those starts, all at good prices –

remains a good one to include underneath. (1) TO THE HUNT has put together a strong local season (14-4-2-5) and

certainly is a good fit with these– he’s also missed some time, and that has us leaning a bit more to a couple of others

(5) BAD BOY TOO came up a little short off a good trip last week and will need to find a bit better effort tonight if

he hopes to battle for one of the bigger pieces. (6) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH was “sneaky ok” from a tough spot last

week but unfortunately, tonight’s spot looks at least as tough. (8) HARD TO CATCH was a well bet, blowout winner

vs. easier last week, but will have to deal with both the class jump AND 8 hole tonight. (7) DONTTELLMEKNOW

wasn’t a bad 3rd in his local debut but made a break last week, and draws horribly in a sharp field tonight.


RACE 2 – (4) WINDSUN RICKY is notorious for form reversals when he finds himself in the right spot and this

feels like one of those scenarios – look for an aggressive try tonight, against a field that’s definitely within his

comfort zone. (2) YOROKOBI N probably prefers to be in a little easier but he does fit with this bunch and a live

trip could make him a dangerous late player. (1) CAVIART SARGENT is just 2 for 37 this year (and often

unreliable from week to week) but he also has more than his share of big efforts, at nice prices – certainly ok for

exotics...and perhaps even on top, if the price is good enough. (7) TRANSPARENCY was sent off over 40-1 in his

first 2 local tries but was hammered down to 8/5 last week (moving inside) and was a game 2nd best (after a first over

trip) – bad draw here, but worth at least a look if the odds creep way up. (6) ITALIAN LAD N picked up an overdue

victory last week with a solid first over score – moves up here (and draws poorly), but can still grab a good piece if

the trip goes his way. (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF was just “ok” when 2nd two back then disappointed last week – he’s

capable of better, but hard to say if we’ll see it tonight. (3) KIMBLE A hasn’t been sharp – maybe minor spoils. (7)

VIVA LAS VEGAS N is racing “well”, but his 27-1-1-7 local record this year makes him hard to consider from out

here.


RACE 3 – MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series, Leg #3 1 1/16th miles: (3) ITS A ME MARIO finished 4th and 5th in his

2 Series efforts but finished with good pace both times– he’s won twice since then (in overnights) but seems more

than sharp enough to grab a victory here too (in what feels like the “easiest” of tonight’s 3 divisions). (1) TYPHOO

N BANNER N was a close 4th in his first series try then just missed after cutting the mile in his next – rallied nicely

for 3rd in a solid Invitational on 11/25, and looms a major danger in this short field tonight. (4) BLUE HUNT

continues to be a bit “lazy” in his miles, leaving him with too much to do once they turn for home – tonight’s short

field could help, but only if Nap can keep him more motivated early on. (5) COVERED BRIDGE can never be

counted out but the mega-classy 8YO hasn’t won since that victory in the Gold Cup and Saucer (8/17) and has

underperformed in many of the starts since then. (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A won his last pair, but on the front

end vs. much easier – faces a tougher assignment against these.


RACE 4 - MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series, Leg #3 1 1/16th miles: (2) SEVEN COLORS raced well (despite a tough

trip) in the first leg to pick up a 2nd in hot mile behind COACHES CORNER – he was right there 3rd in Leg #2

(despite another tough trip) and those efforts are sandwiched between a near miss in the Breeders Crown Final, and a

3rd in last week’s $325K Fan Duel (in NJ) – he’s really due for a winning effort! (3) ADAM TWELVE brushed by

the battling leaders last week but was then no match himself for the even fresher closers – he’s generally a tougher

horse on the lead, and that’s probably where Gingras will have him tonight – his 33-12-13-2 local slate makes him

hard to ever take lightly. (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A wasn’t at his sharpest in last week’s Invitational but he did

race well in both of his series legs and has enjoyed his fair share of good moments even at these top levels – chance

to contend for a good piece. (4) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR finished ok in both Series starts and stayed sharp with

a win and close 2nd in a pair of overnights since then – may be able to rally for a decent piece. (6) CHASE H HANO

VER should have no trouble overcoming the bad draw with his early speed, especially at the 1 1/16th mile distance –

he did come up a little light in both Series tries, so we’ll see if he can stay a bit stronger this time. (5) NANDOLO N

will likely be trying to rally from last...and that’s not a recipe for success here.


RACE 5 – (6) LEONIDAS A has obviously had a pretty tough season and has certainly slipped a few notches – his

last couple are sharper than they look on paper, however, and he does get a class drop tonight...may not be a bad

week to give the classy import a longer look. (3) BURNHAM BOY N had a useful tightener 2 back (off a significant

layoff) and his last start was encouraging as well – may be ready for his best effort tonight, and he does have a post

edge over a couple of the other main players. (8) NIGHT HAWK was a well backed front end winner from Post 7

last week and although he’s moving up in class here, he’s more than held his own with even better this year – he’ll

need some trip luck for sure, but he’s worth including on your tickets IF the price is decent. (2) CYRUS N rallied

crisply for 2nd behind the impressive AARDIES FLASH N 2 back, then charged home from 3rd over to beat a bit

easier last week – a live trip puts him into the mix for another big piece tonight. Both (1) TWIN B RISENSHINE

and (4) TWIN B POWERBALL have been picking up their fair shares of good pieces, while struggling to find the

winner’s circle – either/both could have a say tonight, though a few others do look more likely for the top spots. (5)

HUNTING ZONE finished alertly last week racing off the layoff – he’ll look more appealing with some class relief

next week. (7) SPLASH BROTHER could use a better post in an easier field to be at his best these days.


RACE 6 – Tough race: (6) TUFFENUFFTOWEARPINK just missed 2 and 3 back then finished just behind the

leaders in his last – definitely not an ideal post for tonight but he does have 9 wins this year, and figures to be a nice

price in a pretty wide open affair...maybe he can land on a winning trip? (3) CENTURY ENDEAVOR has a win and

3 very close 2nds from his last 4 starts – he’s usually a fair price, and one of several with a legitimate chance in here.

(1) MIND HUNTER went on an incredible tear after moving to this barn in early August, then finally started to tail

a bit for a couple of starts – he rebounded with a much better try in his last, and gets a class drop to 40s for tonight –

have to respect his chances, but also figure that he’s going to be overbet. (5) MACH N CHEESE perked up with a

much better effort when 3rd (at 14-1) two back, then built off that with last week’s wire to wire score – has to be

worth a look in his current form. (2) KARLOO BRADELY N was sent off at 8/5 last week (dropping down from

50s) but disappointed – feels a bit iffy off that mile, but he’ll also be a much better price for anybody looking to stay

on his team. (7) MUSIC HALL only has 12 starts this year but he’s continued to sharpen in NJ even as he’s been

ascending the class ladder – can’t knock his form, but he’ll be facing better, and asked to do so from Post 7 in his

first local try since 2022. (8) YNOTTHISHOS has taken 4 straight at Fhd. but vs. MUCH easier.


RACE 7 – (1) HUMBLE A beat the 3-5YO Open field as easily last week as he was beating the NW2-4PM fields

after arriving from Australia – he’s now 6 for 6 in the U.S. and his upside still unknown...very hard to make a case

against him right now! (5) BINGE ON YANKEE was a solid front end winner 2 back then rallied for 2nd behind the

top choice last week – may be the one with the best chance to complete the exacta again tonight. (2) SHAZAM BLU

E CHIP never got involved across the river last week but returns to Yonkers where his form has been outstanding –

another with a legitimate chance at runner-up honors in here. (6) SEMI TOUGH was able to get the front vs. easier 2

back and picked up his first victory in a while – his chances for a big piece tonight go way up if he’s the only outside

leaver, but the guess is that BINGE ON YANKEE will be leaving right to his inside. (3) ODDS ON CAPITALISM

is probably more comfortable facing softer, but an easy trip could result in a small piece. (7) WATTSUP SUNSHINE

A did well to get 2nd to the top choice 2 back, then was pacing well late from an impossible spot last week– tonight’s

draw may make it tough for him to have any real impact, though. (4) SAMHARA N has missed 3 weeks after being

scratched sick – he’s also racing a bit higher than he’s probably comfortable with.


RACE 8 - MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series, Leg #3 1 1/16th miles: (1) VERDUN was outstanding through his entire

6 race winning streak and just didn’t look like his usual self when 3rd here on 11/4 – he was scratched sick from his

next start (which may explain that disappointing performance), but did return sharp last week, rallying solidly after a

conservative steer – if he’s 100% tonight, he’ll have a big chance to get back to the winner’s circle. (5) COACHES

CORNER has 3 wins and 2 seconds from his last 5 starts, with the losses coming to the outstanding DESPERATE

MAN – he’s in the midst of an outstanding season ($557K already), and is probably the one to knock off in here. (3)

EL REY has been excellent so far at Yonkers, winning a Series leg from Post 7 then finishing a close 3rd behind DES

PERATE MAN and COACHES CORNER – would be worth considering if he goes off at a good enough price. (6)

HIMSELF N was NOT “himself” on 11/4 – he was scratched sick the next week, but returned to be an excellent 2nd

last week – not sure he can overcome the tough draw, however. (2) ROCKNROLL RUNA A can still throw a big

one at any time but he’s not nearly as consistent as a few of the others in this stacked field. (4) AMERICAN DEALE

R N had a nice string of sharp tries but may not be quite good enough right now to deal with a few of these.


RACE 9 – (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX got extremely sharp for a while, then threw a couple of disappointing efforts –

he bounced back with a VERY sharp win 2 back, then finished just behind the very impressive AARDIES FLASH N

last week...solid chance tonight. (6) BACKSTREET SHADOW finished right behind the top choice last week

after coming first over against the talented winner – the classy 9YO may not be in “peak” form right now, but he’s

still very dangerous at this level. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A weakened on the lead in his first start for our leading

trainer but rallied nicely for victories in his last pair – steps up sharp, and could have a say against these better ones

too. (2) OUTLAW MAN N wasn’t at his “best” last week but still an ok 4th behind a few solid rivals – an easy trip

puts him in play for a good chunk here. (7) FUNATTHEBEACH N did little in the starts before that 74-1 shocker 3

back, then offered little in his last pair – may have to wait for a better spot after drawing Post 7 tonight. (5) LOUS

SWEETREVENGE feels like he may be on the downswing but he should at least be a bit closer to the action tonight

-we’ll see if that helps. (4) BRAKE AHEAD just seems overmatched right now.


RACE 10 – Wide open race: (2) AROUND MIDNIGHT was stuck with Post 8 vs. 50s two back, then killed by

terrible cover after dropping back down to 40s last week – he’s done good work at this level in several starts, and has

to be worth a look at that 10-1 ML price. (6) LYRICAL GENIUS A picked up a way overdue victory at this level 3

back, was a close 3rd vs. 50s in his next then 2nd best to the currently sharp MACH N CHEESE last week (back in

40s) – the post is an issue, but a good price makes him worth a look. (3) THE BIRD DANCE hasn’t been all that

sharp since arriving but he drops, moves inside, gets Kakaley to drive and at least has some interesting angles to

consider. (7) BILL HALEY N has a long history of being way overbet, despite a poor win % - he actually raced very

well last week (at 17-1), and should be a good price again tonight – will need some trip luck, however. (4) DP REAL

ORDEAL was close vs. better 2 back but with a very easy trip – he drop in for a tag last week and came up empty,

reverting to his inconsistent tendencies – his best effort would make him a threat here, but hard to get excited about a

wager at a short price. (5) OCEAN RIDGE N won 17 races last year but had only 2 victories in 2024 before beating

lesser in his last 2 starts at Chester – we’ll see if he built enough confidence to hold his own with these too. (8) I

DRAINTHESWAMP A draws Post 8 off a month after losing his last by 21 lengths – pass for now (new barn).


RACE 11 – (6) IM A POWERPLAY A was taken well back in 8th last week (after getting parked the week before)

but put in a big rally to be a close 3rd at the end – he’s won 7X this year, should be able to be more aggressive

tonight, and may end up the “best price” of the main players. (1) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N has a win and a 2nd

since the most recent re-claim, even if benefiting from good trips in both starts – another good trip looms from the

rail tonight, and he should be a very real threat once more. (2) MAXIMUS RED A races a bit differently from week

to week but he’s shown that he likes to win races when in the right mood – dropping to 30s can only help his cause,

but he does figure to be overbet. (3) HEISMAN PLAYER has been much better since recently moving to his current

barn but he’s still 0 for 26 at Yonkers this year – remains a good one to use underneath. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP

was struggling a bit here in 40s – he picked up a nice trip win at Stga, last week, but tonight’s drop to 30s may be

offset by the terrible draw. (7) REAL PEACE was short last week in NJ off the layoff and may need at least another

start. Both (4) JUDDY DOUGLAS A and (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW would be surprises, for sure.

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