Monday Empire Report

soaofny • December 12, 2022

The Empire Report - Monday, December 12, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (1) PEACE OUT POSSE had plenty of pace finishing for 4th last week, even if helped by an

inside trip - he's right at home in this class, draws best, and the Super Siblings seem to finally be heating

back up at Yonkers (after a fairly long quiet spell) - the one to beat in the opener. (5) MACINTOSH N was

a close 3rd dropping to this level last week, even if benefiting from a nice two hole trip - the 13YO still has

some life in his legs, and Yannick is never afraid to give one a chance. (6) CAN BE PERFECT had plenty

of pace last week after being handled conservatively (broke the week before) - he drops in class, absolutely

fits, and the only real issue is the draw - good value horse to consider. (3) IMSTAYNALIVE is right at

home at this level, although he does tend to pick up more PIECES, rather than wins -- good one to include

underneath. (7) VELOCITY KOMODO crushed cheaper as the odds on choice last week and this level is

still well within his comfort zone - his trip is pretty unpredictable from this spot, however, so make sure to

get a good price if trying him on top. (4) FULLBACK went his best mile in years on 10/11 (for our former

leading trainer) but was idle for 6 weeks before re-qualifying for his new barn - his first start back was very

good, however, so definitely consider him for the bottom of exotics. (8) SAVE ME A DANCE easily

handled this class back on 10/31 but that was followed up with a pair of clunkers out of town - lands Post 8

returning to YR, and seems pretty risky at the moment. (2) ALEX TYE picked up a couple of wins vs.

cheaper but didn't fare too well moving back up last week - faces even tougher now.


RACE 2 - (4) UPTOWN FUNK put on quite a performance for his new barn last week, rattling off FFA

fractions and never letting up, stopping the teletimer in 1:51.4 with Boyd strictly a passenger - can't

imagine that moving up one level is going to make much difference (the barn is now 18-7-6-1 since the

beginning of last month)! (1) FLOW WITH JOE has drawn poorly in both tries at this level but gets to

move all the way inside for tonight - looking at a good trip, and a solid chance to grab a big piece. (2) THR

ASHER has picked up a win, 2nd, and a 3rd in his 3 local starts, racing for a different barn each time -

another looking at an up close trip...and a chance for a nice chunk. (3) GOTHIC ROCK has been on his

best game for some time but comes into tonight having missed 3 weeks (thanks to a sick scratch) - could be

a bit risky this week. (6) DARK ENERGY N had been doing excellent work at this level before coming up

a little flat last week - eligible to bounce right back, but the outside draw could make that a little more

difficult. (5) GINGER TREE PETE really hasn't been on his best game and faces a pretty sharp bunch -

tough spot. (7) TOWLINE ALL GOOD is always pacing well late, but may find himself too far back here.


RACE 3 - (7) SOUTHWIND ONYX stuck pretty close behind the vicious 1:23 clip last, only weakening

once into the lane (but still easily holding 2nd) - his overall recent form has been strong, and he may have a

chance to overcome the draw IF Brennan can leave fast enough to get him a good trip. (4) SECRECY is

testimony to just how hot his barn is right now - he's just 3 for 55 at Yonkers over the past 2 years, but two

of those wins have come in the last 3 weeks -- he's sharper than he's been in ages, and looms a major threat,

even at this $30K level. (3) ASTON HILL DAVE is having an excellent season, but lately he's been

inconsistent, at best - he did deliver a win 3 starts back, and he has a chance tonight IF he brings his best

effort. (5) ROLL WITH TIME may prefer to be in a little cheaper but he does land in a pretty modest $30K

claimer - looks pretty appealing at that 9-1 ML price. (8) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP found last week's fiery

clip a little too hot for his tastes, but his overall form has been solid - draws worst for his new barn tonight,

and may have some trouble overcoming this tough spot. (2) VIRGIN STORM has been the "black sheep"

of his powerful barn, still winless here this year after 21 starts - minor share only. (1) REAL LUCKY N has

7 wins here this year, but his current form has tailed off significantly - waiting for some better signs. (6)

LATE MAIL N will race well at times, but he's just 2 for 28 at YR (last 2 years) and hard to like on top.


RACE 4 - (4) GENTLEMANJIM II IE threw a clunker in 50s two back but rebounded with a nice effort in

40s last week - Gingras stays on board, and perhaps a more aggressive try could be coming tonight - one of

a few with a legitimate chance in here. (5) BRACKLEY BEACH saw his 4 race win streak snapped last

week but raced just as hard in defeat - his barn is probably the hottest around right now, and he may be able

to start a new streak tonight. (6) MISTER SPOT A dropped back down to 40s last week, battled a long way

with BRACKLEY BEACH and was still right there 3rd at the end - gets unlucky with the draw, but that

12-1 ML price makes him worth at least a look! (1) SHINE A LIGHT (like most of his barnmates), was

hitting on all cylinders for our former leading trainer before landing in his new barn a few weeks later - was

an "ok" 5th in his only start for that trainer, and now moves to a new (top) barn for tonight - looks to

become the first from his old stable to finally win a race for new a trainer, and has at least a chance from

this spot. (7) TIN ROOF RAIDER A drops back down to 40s after rallying nicely for 2nd in 50s last week -

the two knocks are the terrible draw, and the fact that he's 0 for 13 at Yonkers this year - ok to use

underneath. (8) BARON MICHAEL has 3 wins from his last 5 starts, including one last week - the move

all the way outside does figure to limit his chances, however. (2) BLACK CHEVRON N has surely been

doing good things out of town but his current trainer has just one win and one 2nd from 77 Yonkers starts

since 2017 - hard to consider for a top spot. (3) I GET THAT has been away for 2 months - just observing,

for now.


RACE 5 - Tough race! (7) PASS A GRILLEBEACH beat this class here on 10/25 then was 2nd in

NW15000 the next week - been racing in NJ since then and his form seems to be holding just fine - lands a

brutal post but Boyd has been driving fearlessly and confidently lately, and may throw caution to the wind

and just send this guy out of there....chance if that happens. (2) VIVA LAS VEGAS N is just 1 for 14 here

this year but he's a solid player in this class - if he lands on an opportunistic trip, there's a shot he could

make some late noise at a good price (1) ALWAYS ROCKIN came up 2nd best to classy dropdown winner

2 back (HEISMAN PLAYER) then followed that up with an easy win at Chester - he MAY be on the cheap

side but he may also be hitting his best stride right now - consider if the price is right. (5) AMERICANLIG

HTNINGN finished up the track here on 10/25 then was scratches sick from his next - was no threat in NJ

in his last start but that was off 5 weeks and on an off track- he CAN beat these on his best, but he's clearly

a question mark right now! (3) GINGRAS BEACH was no factor at all in his last pair but he gets post relief

for tonight, and a wake up call would hardly be a shock. (6) SOHO CHELSEAA has been dealing with

tough posts and tough competition - candidate for a wake up call tonight, but a better post would have been

appreciated. (4) AS ALWAYS goes for a new barn after disappointing in a few starts here not long ago -

wouldn't be shocked, but definitely leaning towards others. (8) THEFLYINGROCK wired lesser 2 back but

couldn't follow that up with another good effort last week - the draw may have sealed his fate for tonight.


RACE 6 - (1) BRAEVIEW BONDI A has been right there almost every week vs. strong competition - gets

a nice drop, has a big post advantage over his main rival, and that earns him top billing. (6) CARLISIMO

has been good for a while, and returns from Chester off a win and a 3rd - he's the main danger for sure, but

is also starting out with a draw disadvantage - we'll see if he can overcome it. (2) L DEES JACK LOPEZ

looked like he might be starting to tail a bit but his last effort was sharper than it may look on paper- should

get a pretty nice trip here, with a chance at a nice piece. (5) MACHEASY A may have shut off his air early

on 2 back which would explain the quick form reversal he used to take his last - sharp enough to pick up a

piece here, even up in class. (8) UNCLE JORD A will need all kinds of trip luck to get into play from out

here but he's definitely sharp, and a good bomb to use for 3rd/4th. (4) SARANAC BLUE CHIP has held up

nicely through a long, battle filled season - he'd look better one level down, but the right trip could see him

take home a piece even vs. these. (3) OUR CORELLI N was shuffled last week but didn't exactly look all

that loaded after shaking free - the feel is that he's struggling right now, and may continue to do so...but

we'll find out for sure later tonight. (7) SHAKERTOWN was scratched sick from his last and has now

missed a month since his last start - very tough spot for the 3YO, going for new connections tonight.


RACE 7 - (3) FEELIN WESTERN has been terrific the last 2 weeks but had the misfortune of coming up

2nd best to the streaking OZONE BLUE CHIP both times - avoids that rival tonight, so we'll see if that's

enough to get him to the winner's circle. (5) B LIKE CRUISER was handled conservatively last week after

getting stuck out the entire way the week before - he had more pace than his line might suggest, and he

registered a trio of 2nd place finishes just recently - could be a very live player here. (1) SETH HANOVER

finished just behind the top trio last week in his first foray into this $75K claiming class - looking at another

good trip tonight, but will need to find a little more to contend for the top slot. (2) THE REGULAT OR

didn't fire his best shot last week after a pair of sharp wins vs. a little easier - he might be able to beat these

with the right trip and would be worth considering (on top) if the price was right (4) WHITECOOKIE was

able to reverse form last week, helped by the class drop and a leader that just gave way on the back side -

was struggling against these prior to that, so we'll see if he built enough confidence to hang with these

again. (6) SMOKIN BY N weakened a bit off the easy trip last week and now draws outside for tonight -

leaning towards others this week. (7) QUALITY BUD wasn't bad last week after having to re- qualify but

he may find himself too far back to threaten tonight. (8) TAKE A GAMBLE has looked really good since

arriving from Canada recently, but moves way up in class while landing behind the 8 ball.


RACE 8 - (5) DRAGON SAID was loaded with pace finishing 2 back in his first start back off the layoff -

he almost pulled off the "last to first" rally last week, passing everybody except the winner...look for an

aggressive try tonight, with a solid chance to find the winner's circle. (6) BUDDY HILL has been solid in

the Open and now gets to drop down to the level he beat on 10/3 - he could be the main danger, but is at a

disadvantage after drawing outside the top choice. (3) NANDOLO N is far from "bad" right now, but he's

also not at his very best either - he gets a pass after hooking wheels last week, although it was surprising

that he couldn't put together a better bid after getting untangled - would never be a big surprise down at this

level but the top pair seem a little more appealing right now. (4) MAXIMUS RED A was racing off a bad

date for his new barn last week, had to chase the hot fractions but still seemed to have plenty left in the lane

-- though no room to really stretch his legs - ok for a piece tonight. (2) ULTIMAROCA is just 1 for 10 here

this year, usually losing in lower classes - good draw, but still leaning towards others. (7) FAMILY RECIPE

was both good AND opportunistic last week, overcoming a brutal trip but also benefiting from the tough

trips of others - may have a hard time replicating that performance from out here. (1) JUSTA LITTLE BIT

A finally gets to make his U.S. debut after being scratched on 11/7 then re-qualifying - we'll just watch him

for now. (8) MIKES Z TAM is solid right now, but unlikely to be able to get any decent trip from out here.


RACE 9 - (4) LYONS JOHNNYJNR has been very sharp lately, especially since dropping down to 30s (2

wins, and a hard charging 3rd) - he handles a variety of trips, and he gets the narrow edge tonight. (1)

MACHIAVELLI was expected to quickly turn things around returning to one of his favorite trainers on

11/11 but got parked that night and lost all chance - shifted over to Chester after that and took 3 straight,

returning to Yonkers now looking to make it 4 in a row...and has a very legitimate chance to do so. (2) DEE

TZY drops back down to 30s and his last 2 at this level produced a win and a 2nd - draws well, but MAY

end up stuck first over if he gets away 3rd, rather than 2nd - definitely ok for exotics, but insist on a good

price if trying him on top. (7) PLAY THE FIELD almost tripped out and won 2 back in his first start after

being claimed by the white-hot barn but never got involved from Post 8 last week - tonight's draw is terrible

once again, and Boyd will have to decide if he wants to gamble on blasting. (3) CHANGE STRIDE N

drops below the level of the claim seeking to turn things around - others just may be sharper right now. (6)

KINGSTONS BAD BOY was finishing just behind #1 and Chester the last couple of weeks but as noted

earlier, this barn has REALLY struggled here over the years - maybe see how BLACK CHEVRON N does

earlier tonight (same barn)? (5) AINTNOBETTOR A may need to be in a little easier.


RACE 10 - (2) BARBADOS served notice 2 back that he was ready to get his picture taken and did just

that last week - when he's good, he can be very good....the one to beat again tonight. (3) ARRHYTHMIC

SURGE had a very useful tightener last week - he could be ready for a much bigger effort now and as noted

in the past, this trainer seems to do best when Bongiorno hops on board - good value horse for exotics. (4)

CAVIART SARGENT had Post 8 off a bad date last week so just give him a pass - gets right back in the

box, moves inside, and figures to have a bigger say this time. (1) MARLBANK ROAD dropped in for a tag

last week and bested the 3&4YO 40s - takes on the older 50s tonight, and won't find things quite as easy -

still a chance for a good piece, though. (5) SHERIFF N landed in a new barn last week and threw his first

did in ages - pretty hard to know whether he'll bounce right back with one of his (usual) big efforts tonight,

or last week signaled a change in direction for him. (8) PURPLE POET seemed to be taken for a premium

when claimed for $50K 3 back - he's raced fine in the two tries since then, but does figure to have some

trouble getting into play from all the way out here - maybe throw in for 3rd/4th? (6) MIKEY CAMDEN

looked like he might be tailing a bit but did rebound with a better try last week - would like him better had

he not drawn so poorly tonight. (7) REDBANK BLAZE A won his last 2 starts and is only listed on the

bottom here because of tonight's class hike, and poor post - it would be no surprise to see him grab a small

piece, with some trip luck.

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