The Empire Report – Thursday, February 8, 2024 – Race Analysis
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 8, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (1) INDICTABLE HANOVER beat a NW7500 field on 11/29 and was an excellent 2nd at that level last
week – drops, draws the pole, and gets to control his own fate...the one to knock off. (2) BLUEBIRD RECON was a
big “go” last week but ran into a bit of an unlucky trip – a better journey tonight could land him on the ticket. (7)
SPORTS FAN seems a little cheap off his Canadian lines but he ships down off a solid try over the half at Fld., and
does seem to have speed – maybe he can add some value to the exotics? (5) HES SPECIAL is the “x factor” here -
just trailed from Post 8 off the layoff, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a lot more serious tonight (2nd start, better
post, Brennan driving) – check the tote board for clues. (3) BUCHANNON HANOVER has a poor local win profile,
but has picked up his share of smaller pieces – never a bad one for 3rd/4th. (4) NOWHERE CREEK A hasn’t been
showing much lately – maybe Gingras can perk him up? (6) AINT HE SPECIAL has been an “autotoss” for ages
RACE 2 – (2) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL had sneaky pace finishing 2 back and was actually charging home last
week – he’s a bit risky on top (he’s 0 for 17 here at Yonkers) but he does seem to be in top form and perhaps this is
the spot where he can get over the hump (5) ODDS ON PICK SIX was handled aggressively off the layoff and came
up 2 nd best to a winner currently in raging form – clearly the road to the winner’s circle tonight goes through him. (1)
JIM BLUE was 0 for 33 last year (24 losses here at Yonkers) but it’s not like he doesn’t show up at all – chance to
tow along for a piece from this good spot. (4) YS DO IT RIGHT raced ok in his last couple, but does seem a bit
below the top pair. (3) GDS THUNDER GB does super at Monti but has struggled here at Yonkers
RACE 3 – (7) FOR A DREAMER gets the worst of the draw but he finished close vs. MUCH better in his 2 starts
this year, and can probably find a way to beat this bunch with any half-decent trip. (3) DOO WOP KID has been
sharpening upstate and did win here last year – catches a blank enough field that he can probably make some noise,
especially with Gingras driving. (1) ABBEY D has ability but just hasn’t been sharp in a while – gets a much better
draw for her 2nd start off the winter break and maybe can find one of her better efforts. (6) WILLY WALTON hasn’t
been finishing well enough lately but he does have speed, and that 10-1 ML price makes him worth at least a look
(especially for exotics). (5) MUFASA AS doesn’t figure to get a great trip from this spot but he may be able to rally
past a few if things unravel a bit. (4) SAID N DONE AS was no factor in his first start of the year, but was also in a
bad spot – he’s done some good work here in the past, but generally vs. lesser...suppose a minor share is possible.
(2) LOOK IN MY EYES was just 14-1-1-1 here last year and generally does his best vs. softer
RACE 4 – (3) ROYALTY BEER finishes full of trot every week, but usually Lachance waits too long to move and
he comes up just short – maybe he finally gets the job done tonight? (4) YANKS DUGOUT steps up after beating a
bit easier the last 2 weeks, but he did beat this class here last summer – absolutely respect his chances, but that 9/5
ML price will make it hard to get any “fair value” tonight. (2) CREDIT CON is a player week after week and will
likely be right in the mix once more – the barn hasn’t been quite as reliable this week, however. (1) P L OSCAR has
speed from the pole for a barn that’s been hot but he’s likely a notch below the top trio, and does come off a miscue
last week. (5) B NICKING could probably use some class relief – the good news is that wins come off the bottom of
his card each of the next three starts
RACE 5 – (1) STEUBEN HANOVER caved badly on the lead in his first start back off the winter break – was
taken off the gate in his next and raced much better, though no match for the ship-in winner – he remains the one to
beat from this spot, but note that he did go down as the odds-on choice in his last 2 starts. (4) DRACO S hit a rough
patch towards the end of 2023 but does seem to have come back around – he just missed in his last and while he
faces better tonight, he still deserves respect. (2) IN MY DREAMS will go for a new barn in his 2nd start of the year
and the classy 9YO has won more than his share of local starts over the years – could be a dangerous player for his
new crew. (5) VEGAS TICKET was an “ok” 4th in both local starts this year – definitely playable underneath for a
barn off to a “sneaky good” start. (3) PIVOTAL comes off a victory last week but he used all of a perfect trip to beat
an easier field – not saying he CAN’T repeat, but he does figure to be overbet. (6) CHAPOLIER was no threat in his
first pair this year but his trainer has started to warm up a bit, and he may do a bit better tonight – tough spot, though
(7) BELLA CAVALLA is racing well up North but draws horribly and struggled a bit in 3 starts here last year
RACE 6 – (1) NEWSBOY hit an extended rough patch in the latter part of 2023 but has looked much better lately –
more importantly, he debuts tonight for a barn that’s dong lots of good things lately, and just sent POINTOMYGRA
NSON into orbit on Monday night (off the claim) – the fact that Bartlett takes the drive here says a lot. (5) ICEBREAKERS K just missed to a sharp one 2 back, then caught a hot mile (on an off track) last week – may come upwith a big effort here, at a nice price. (3) BRAVE BY DESIGN also moves to a new barn after stopping on a dime last start – we’ll see if it was just a minor blip, and he’s back to his typical self tonight. (4) CRESCENT BEAUTYcould be a little inconsistent last year but came up with plenty of big efforts – she begins her ’24 campaign on Lasix,and we’ll see if she’s ready to fire right off the bench. (2) SHEENA SOLDIER just missed in a solid try last week,
but that was a much softer field – hard to say if he can be as successful with these. (7) PERRON was a big “go”
dropping in for $40K last week but blew up early on the lead – he’ll probably get a conservative steer tonight,
especially with the bad draw. (6) INN AT RODANTHE loses Bartlett, and really seems to prefer a bit easier
RACE 7 – Good race: (3) EMOTIONS RICHES is a streak sort and he just turned things around immediately upon
returning from The Meadows, banging out a pair of very impressive victories – this is a much tougher assignment,
but he may be up for it in his current form. (2) IMMANUEL K S came up 2nd best to the top choice the last 2 weeks
but now moves inside and may have a better crack at him – his barn has been 1st or 2nd in an unfathomable 38 of 67
starts to start off the new year (after dominating the trainer standings LAST year). (7) ABRUZZO was only beaten
by 3 lengths despite being out every step of the mile 2 back, then was a game first over 3rd last week – he’s capable
of BIG miles on any given night. (6) PAPA DOC cost himself 2nd when he broke in the lane 2 back then had good
trot finishing for 3rd last week – he can be a pretty nice horse when he shows up in the right mood. (8) HIGHLAND
MOWGLI was a very easy winner over cheaper last time – he can go with these too, but could be looking at a rough
trip starting from Post 8 (insist on a good price if trying him on top). (5) HAT TRICK MARLEAU gets important
class relief but this is hardly an easy spot, and he also loses Brennan – maybe consider for a small piece? (4) STREE
T GOSSIP is better than he’s shown in his last couple, but this is a tough spot to look for any major improvement.
(1) HOOLIE N HECTOR makes his 2024 debut, goes for a new barn. And figures to need a start
RACE 8 – (3) NO MAS DRAMA qualified effectively after a 3 month break and has done plenty of damage in the
FM Open in the past – the guess here is that she’ll be ready to roll...and that confidence level will go up even more
if her barnmate (Race 6) also does well tonight. (4) TIPSY MONI was starting to hit her stride for our leading
trainer before back to back miscues put her on the qualifying list – she behaved at Freehold (same qualifier as #3),
and can be very dangerous tonight if she avoids any mishaps. (4) QUEEN OF ALL looked a lot smoother and
sharper in her 2nd start off the layoff – the talent is there (when she’s on her game), and she’s not a bad one to
consider at the right price. (2) NO TURNING BACK was a winner in this class last week in a race that really fell
apart – her connections always deserve the utmost respect, but there may be better value with a couple of others in
here. (8) DESWANSLIT TLELORIE finished nicely off the layoff 2 back but was needlessly overdriven in her next
start and paid for it – she’ll be a zillion to one from out here, and not a bad bomb to throw in for 3rd/4th . (1) LADY
JETER is a bit below the top ones but may be able to use the draw to grab some minor spoils. Both (6)
CLEOPATRA AS and (7) X O X O seem to need cheaper, and the bad draws just make things even tougher
RACE 9 – (2) ITALIAN DELIGHT N has won 7 of his last 8 starts and was beaten a head in the lone loss – his barn
is hot, and it would be hard to make a logical case against him right now. (4) CHIEFS BEACH benefited from an
easy trip last week but did kick home with plenty of pace to finish behind the top choice – maybe he can complete
the exacta once more? (1) SULLIVAN got parked by #1 last week and gets a pass for expiring – he’ll get a much
easier trip tonight, but he’ll also be overbet and he’ll need to show up sharp if he wants to stick around and land in
the exotics. (7) MOVIN ON UP held well 2 back after a brutal parked-the-mile trip then raced terrific for 3rd in his last, after another rough journey – he draws poorly again (AND loses Kakaley), but that 20-1 ML price makes him
attractive to include underneath. (6) GLACIS finished alertly last time from a no chance spot – he’s looking at
another difficult trip tonight, but he may add some value to the exotics if he gets some racing luck. (5) IN A
POWER PLAY A has been a much better horse since the recent barn change but lands in a solid field here, and may
have to settle for a minor award. (3) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP seems up against it in this field – could probably use
some class relief. (8) MISSILE SEELSTER figures to have a hard time reaching from this brutal spot – pass for now