Monday Empire Report

soaofny • June 5, 2023

The Empire Report - Monday, June 5, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (1) MARLBANK ROAD has just one win from 16 starts this year but he's raced very well (vs.

better) in a bunch of those losses - feels like a spot where Holland can be very aggressive, and we'll see if

he's able to handle it. (3) LONG WEEKEND A has been inconsistent at best but he gets both post and class

relief, and this may be a spot for a wake up call - worth a look if the price is decent. (5) ARDEN MESSI N

was caught behind a quitter last week and gets a pass for that mile - he can go with much better than these,

but that 7/5 ML price means that he won't be offering any kind of value here - possible, for sure. (2) VIVA

LAS VEGAS N jogged at the bottom level 2 back then had pace finishing in a NW7500 field last week -

steps up another peg, but he's sharp enough for a chance at a piece. (4) ROCKIN JUKEBOX perked up

with a much better effort when 2nd last week - he seems a bit below the main players in here, but may be

able to pick up a minor share. (7) B LIKE CRUISER took advantage of the class drop to register the sharp

victory last week - tough draw (while up in class) tonight, and that's going to hurt his chances. (6) STRAIG

HT UP COOL should appreciate the drop, but not the draw - wait for NW7500 next week.


RACE 2 - (3) GINGER TREE PETE goes back to the barn where he won the last 3X he raced for them -

Bartlett always drives him perfectly, and he can take this either on top, or from the pocket. (1) POINTOMY

GRANSON saw his 3 race winning streak broken last week but he was still 2nd best to the razor sharp

winner- goes for new connections tonight, draws best and looms the main danger from this spot. (5) JOJOS

PLACE had no prayer for his new connections last week (Post 8) but still finished with interest - a live

cover trip here could allow him to rally for a nice piece of this. (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR will be a lot

closer to the pace this week - an easy trip could help him grab a decent share. (4) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE

rallied nicely off ground saving trips the last 2 starts - another easy journey could help him land a share.


RACE 3 - (2) BETTER B SWIFT had gone a LONG time without winning a race here but he's now taken

2 of his last 3 starts, with an excellent 2nd in the loss - there's a few sharp ones in this short field, but this

guy deserves the edge right now. (4) CONBOYVILLE has been very sharp for months but somehow is still

just 1 for 36 here over the last 2 seasons - he just missed in first try for our highest % barn last week, and

we'll see if he can get over the hump tonight. (3) DA GHETTO WIZARD was trapped behind a wall of

horses last week with no chance to pace - his current overall form is solid, and this trainer and driver must

always be respected when paired up together. (5) KEYSTONE DASH was a winner 3 back, 2nd in his next,

and 3rd last week (when hurt by poor cover) - he's another in this short field that becomes dangerous with

the right trip. (1) BRACKLEY BEACH had the winning trip last week but ended up a close 3rd - he's more

than capable on his best, but will need to be a little sharper tonight for a chance at the top prize.


RACE 4 - (4) JACKS LEGEND N was starting to look like he was never going to get back to his top form

- but his last couple of starts (at PcD) suggest that the classy 9YO may finally be starting to hit on all

cylinders again - certainly not a "cinch" here, but we'll give him top billing off that last PA blowout! (1)

SHINE A LIGHT has been very sharp, and figures to be looking at a pocket trip behind the top choice -

would be no surprise at all to see come out on top. (2) WALKINSHAW N is forced to make a double jump

tonight, but seems more than capable of handling it in his current form - should be able to be right there

behind the top two as they turn for home. (3) EUPHORIA N saw his 3 race winning streak snapped last

week but still raced well from a tough spot - eligible to grab a small share. (6) WICHITA LINEMAN was

left with no prayer from Post 8 last week but did finish well from that hopeless spot - tonight's spot is just

marginally better, but he may still be able to squeeze out a minor piece. (5) PEDRO HANOVER finished

2nd in his last 5 starts after winning the previous three - he faces a much tougher crew tonight, and may not

have that same success. (7) BURNHAM BOY N was a no threat 2nd from the pocket last week and now

lands all the way outside - he may have some trouble getting in play tonight.


RACE 5 - 1/2 MILE - one of four "CAN YOU GO THE DISTANCE" sprints tonight...and as we saw with

the last similar series, these races can be quite unpredictable! (6) ROCK DIAMONDS N has won 4 in a

row for the Dynamic Duo, and technically 5 straight (the "win" on 4/25 was declared "NO CONTEST") -

he's earned $32250 in his last 5 starts but is allowed to race in here thanks to the way the conditions are

written - may be sharp enough to overcome the draw and win, even with a tough trip. (1) SAN DOMINO A

is not the high level pacer he once was but he's still a good fit with these - as long as he gets away to a

quick start, he can be a threat here. (3) BILL HALEY N is winless in 10 starts this year but is pretty good

right now - if he's a decent price, he may be worth considering. (5) BLANK STARE is a good fit with these

but he's one of many facing an unpredictable trip - insist on a good price if using on top. (2) C BET HANO

VER steps up very sharp, but it's hard to know what kind of trip he's looking at - maybe use underneath?

(4) SHADOW CAT was Bartlett's choice over a few others and prior to last week, seemed to finally be

getting his act together this year - he does tend to be overbet most weeks. (8) MAJOR SHOW is pretty

good right now, but faces a monumental task from out here. (7) MISTER DONALD A has sharpened out of

town vs. cheaper but seems up against it from this spot tonight.


RACE 6 - 1/2 mile: (2) GAMBLINGTERROR hasn't been a threat in his last few but had a pair of 2nds

and a win just prior to that - he MAY be able to step out quickly from this spot and that would at least give

him a shot at a big upset (in a very tough race to predict). (3) LOUS BEACH wasn't as sharp on 5/22 off the

barn change but he still wasn't far back in a 1:51.4 mile - he's won here 3X this year, and is another that

could benefit from a fast start. (8) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N was competing in the Borgata not long ago

and more than capable of beating these even from Post 8....he's also off a sick scratch, and this race is only

1/2 mile...makes it tough to really get excited about a wager when he's listed as the ML favorite. (6) BOILI

NG OAR was a little disappointing when 3rd last week but he's still a perfect fit with this group - would

need a decent price to try him from Post 6, though. (1) IGNATIUS A has failed as the chalk here in 3

straight and is now 0 for 12 at Yonkers - another that's tough to take on top at a short price. (4) WAR DAN

DELIGHT N broke a VERY long local losing streak last week and it's hard to imagine him winning TWO

in a row - ok underneath, though. (5) FOREVER FAV seems a bit more comfortable with a little cheaper.

(7) STRIKING IMPACT flopped in his first start off the claim but rebounded quickly to win his next pair -

hard to see a way into the race for him from out here, though.


RACE 7 - 1/2 mile: (3) MULLINAX has been good overall lately and was full of pace with no room in his

last - maybe he can find a way to pull off the mild upset tonight? (5) WINDSUN RICKY took advantage of

the class drop to score easily last time - tonight's class drop isn't a concern nearly as much as figuring out

the trip he'll land on - solid chance if it's a good one. (1) PYRO gives all kinds of mixed feelings here - he

recently beat the OPEN, but he was also non-functional in his last - Dube sticks with him over #5 but even

if last week was just an "ignore" line, this guy has been known to have some issues when gunned too hard

from the pole - truly clueless as to what we'll see from him tonight! (2) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD has raced

well in virtually all his starts this year, but did throw a dud last week - very possible IF he bounces back to

top form here. (4) MR DS ROCK seems to want to be in a little easier these days but he's picked up 2nds in

3 straight starts, has plenty of back class and gets a pilot that's not shy about being aggressive - possibility.

(7) PEACE OUT POSSE would be a "use" for sure at a mile distance, but he's a lot harder to predict in

tonight's sprint - would still consider at a big price, hoping for one of Bongiorno's all out, heavy urge starts.

(6) LOVE YOUR WORK A arrives from NJ and draws a tough spot for 1/2 mile sprint. (8) SAMHARA N

draws Post 8 after disappointing last week.


RACE 8 - (3) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A endured back to back brutal trips in the Wizard Invitational and

then in the Camluck but still didn't finish far back in either - returns to a much kinder spot here at Yonkers

and we'll look for him to add the to the 8 wins he already has this year. (1) CAPTIVATE HANOVER raced

super in back to back wins 2 and 3 starts back but his big :26.3 brush wasn't enough to clear the winner last

week and he did weaken a bit in the lane - too sharp to ignore from the pole. (5) FUNATTHEBEACH N

failed to get involved from the back in the Camluck (won by his razor sharp stablemate COVERED BRID

GE) - his local success is well documented, and a live trip could put him right there. (4) AMERICAN

DEALER N is actually pretty good right now, after struggling to find his mojo earlier in the year - could

land on the ticket with a bit of trip luck. (2) SPEED MAN N lacked stretch room in his last pair or he might

have been closer either time - the classy 9YO could add some value to this ticket with some better luck. (7)

PRICELESS BEACH is a proven player with these but will have his work cut out for him from Post 7. (6)

FAMILY RECIPE could use a class drop, and better post. (8) NONE BETTOR A was able to wire the field

in back to back to back starts before struggling in last week's 1:46.2 sizzler at Chester - faces a long haul

from Post 8.


RACE 9 - 1/2 mile: (2) SECOND BRUISER raced well in all 3 starts since the recent barn change - if he

gets away to a quick start, he seems sharp enough to beat these....but it's hard to take too short a price in

these unpredictable sprints! (1) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N fits very nicely and is sharp enough to win - it'll

all boil down to how quickly he can get away from the car tonight! (5) KINGSVILLE looked like he may

be tailing a bit but rebounded with a sharp try in his last - one to consider if the price is right. (6) FORTIFY

hadn't been having the greatest year but he's one of several from the barn that brought their best last week -

looks like he must have been eligible to this mini-series at the time of entry, but this is a less than ideal

starting spot for tonight. (4) FEELIN WESTERN has a mixed bag of recent tries but his better efforts could

make him a player tonight....assuming he can also land on a decent trip. (7) QUALITY BUD is a BIG threat

at this level....at the mile distance -- hard to say if he'll even be able to get in play in this sprint race. (3)

THRASHER takes a while to get his motor running - this distance doesn't seem to play to his strengths. (8)

TWIN B HEART THROB is having an excellent year....but this is a terrible spot!


RACE 10 - (4) NIGHT HAWK banged out $352K in a terrific 3YO season and will be campaigning for the

Super Siblings as a 4YO - his first start back (at Chester) was disappointing (weakened at 2/5) but he raced

HUGE here last week, even though he came up 2nd best to the classy WALKINSHAW N after a very long

battle - he should be able to find the winner's circle tonight! (2) ODDS ON CAPITALISM also had a big

3YO season but he hasn't hit his stride yet at 4 (after 4 starts) - almost has to be a player with this group,

however. (7) ROCK THE DEVIL finished well for 4th last week making just his 2nd start of the year -

draws poorly for tonight, but is still worth using in exotics. (6) LUCIANO N remains winless on the year

but he's hit board in 10 of 15 local tries - always a good one to include underneath. (1) IMSTANALI VE is

winless so far in 8 starts this year (vs. cheaper), but is still eligible to take home a minor piece tonight (5)

CHIEFS BEACH is just 1 for 19 locally and has lost regularly to cheaper than these - leaning towards

others. (3) CAPTAINS PLACE has missed 3 weeks and moves to a barn that's been struggling at YR.


RACE 11- (3) SPLASH BROTHER had to grab up and abort his leave attempt last week and never seemed

to find his game after that - the week before he just missed to CAPTIVATE HANOVER and LEONIDAS

A, and either of them would be prohibitive favorites in here....guessing he'll be heading the front tonight,

and a much better effort is expected. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP may be worth a stab - he just toured the oval

last week (8 hole off a freshening and qualifier) but he did finish with plenty of pace - he MAY just take a

similar approach tonight but the winning machine may look to at least take a peek out of there - couldn't

blame anybody looking to use him at a big price. (2) THE REAL ONE seemed to be coming to top form

but last week's 3rd was just "ok" - always a threat to rally late for a piece. (6) CAN BE PERFECT really

seemed to enjoy racing at The Swamp, grabbing a win, a 2nd and 3rd recently - he does plenty of damage

here too, and could offer some value in the exotics. (7) NANDOLO N gets Bartlett to stay loyal as he

returns to YR in a tough spot- just hasn't been sharp enough for much of this year to see him rallying by 'em

all from this far out. (1) JUDDY DOUGLAS A would like to be in a bit cheaper but he has speed from the

rail and that may help him stick around for a piece. (5) JAHAN HANOVER used easy trips to finish strong

the last 2 weeks - we'll see if he can grab a share with that strategy tonight. (4) AIR FORCE HANO VER

found his form after rejoining his current barn but may be up at a level now where he's going to struggle.


RACE 12 - (5) COALITION HANOVER threw an unexpected dud last start but has otherwise enjoyed an

outstanding 2023 season- was reclaimed by the barn that just picked up a win and a 2nd with him, and we'll

look for him to rebound quickly. (3) TRE CRUZ was no factor in either local try but gets class relief for

tonight and may perk up with a much better effort (1) KING JAMES EXPRESS was another from this barn

that delivered a front end "wake up call" win last week - you'll be getting a short price if you're looking for

him to make it 2 in a row (a possibility). (4) SILENT SPLENDOR was ok from an impossible spot 2 back

and actually pretty good from another one last week - not a bad value horse to consider with the post relief.

(2) MAKE MY DEO rarely wins but grabs a lot of pieces- chance for more of the same tonight (6) LYONS

PRIDE made headlines in both of his last 2 NJ starts, each for different reasons - it's undeniable that he's

undergone eye-opening improvement since joining his current conditioner 3 back, but he's also off a sick

scratch and racing from a bad post with an inexperienced pilot - at least that 20-1 ML price makes him

worth a look for longshot fans. (7) THEFLYINGROCK has done some good work in this class but the draw

does figure to limit his production for tonight. (8) MASTER MIKI returns from Fhd. in fine form but may

need to wait for a (much) better draw before he can be a serious player.

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