The Empire Report – Thursday, July 11, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – NYSS, 2YO Filly Pace: (5) SEND IT DOWN SLIM had two strong preps, won her career debut at
Buffalo then was 3rd at Monti in a fast mile, behind a couple of nice fillies – deserves the edge, but hardly a “cinch”.
(4) THE LAST MARTINI prepped nicely in Canada and debuts tonight for a barn that excels as much with 2YOS as
they do with older raceway stock – could be a danger! (3) AMERICANBEACHDREAM was a solid 2
nd at Buffalo in her career debut but got hot at Monti coming to the half, had to be grabbed up and never really recovered – she
appears to have been purchased after that start, and could be an interesting one here. (2) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING
had 2 good qualifiers at PcD and actually was sent off favored at Buffalo against #5 (finished 2nd) but turned in a
dull one at Monti last start – we’ll see if she can bounce back tonight. (1) LONELY GHOST debuts off a pair of
“slow”, but effective qualifiers – wouldn’t shock, but prefer others right now.
RACE 2 – Excelsior A, 2YO Filly Pace: (5) BULVILHIGHONMAGGIE raced well in both of her preps, then
finished 2nd at Buffalo behind the talented ON CLOUD WINE – she didn’t have much chance after drawing Post 8
at Monti, but raced well just to be a fairly close 4th – not a bad week to give her a try. (3) CERVI had 2 solid preps,
didn’t embarrass herself in her career debut in a NYSS race then came up 2nd best (at 1/5) dropping down to this
Excelsior A level last week – very logical player. (1) MOMS POINT shipped down from Canada and landed on a
perfect trip at Monti, squeezing out the victory – possible here too, but won’t offer any value at that 9/5 ML price.
(6) CHASING CASH draws horribly but feels like she may be on the upswing, and gets Bartlett on board – good
bomb for underneath? (4) LOVE TROUBLE is tough to gauge off her big track baby races – maybe the board will
offer some clues? (2) BOBBY MCGEE was much better in that last qualifier – still leaning to others, though.
RACE 3 – (7) HILLEXOTIC has struggled in stakes races out of town this year but his love for Yonkers remains as
strong as ever (3 for 4, with an uncharacteristic miscue in the other) – the draw should make him a decent price here,
and he has to be worth a good look if that’s the case. (6) INCOMMUNICADO didn’t take long to sharpen this year
as he was a powerful winner in last week’s Open (his 2nd start of the year) – he also has a terrific local history, but he
can get a little lazy at times – seems more prone to landing on a “bad” trip than the top choice, but very dangerous if
he works out a smooth journey. (4) NOWS THE MOMENT may be a notch below the top pair but he’s heading right
for the top and he’s visited the winner’s circle here 20X in the past 3 years – always a possibility. (5) ONCE IN A
LIFETIME earned over $200K in each of his first 2 seasons and has already banked over $150K this year, thanks to
be a strong player in a series of (lucrative) KySS races – we’ll see how does trotting over the half, and vs. some class
older foes. (1) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS wasn’t at his best last week but had a long run of sharp miles just prior to
that – always a chance for a piece. (2) KEG STAND isn’t on his best game right now – prefer others. (3) TACHYON
made a miscue last week and probably prefers to be in a little easier, even when at his best
RACE 4 – Excelsior A, 2YO Filly Pace: (6) FASHION TERROR looked good in her 2nd baby race, finishing right
behind the talented BRONX MIXER – she blew out the field in her next prep, then rallied for 3rd in her last in a
quick mile (with a lesser pilot) – may be able to overcome the poor draw in this seemingly beatable field. (5) SEAF
OOD CC won a Stga. qualifier then was a close 3rd at Monti last week – should be a very live player tonight. (4) ID
YLLIC WALK showed gate speed in both preps, moves to a top barn and could land on a good trip in her debut. (1)
CLASSY PATRIOT hails from top shelf connections but failed to beat a horse in either baby race, finishing way
back in her last. Both (2) BULLVILLEVALENTINA and (3) SURREAL BELIEVER feel like works in progress
RACE 5 – (1) THE GRUFFALO has been staying trotting (for the most part) since adding hopples recently, and
he’s always strong at the end of his miles – if he’s close turning for home tonight (as he should be), he may be able
to pick up his first local victory of the season. (4) TOP ME OFF wasn’t at his best last week (3rd , when the top
choice was 2nd), but he won his prior pair – his best effort puts him right into the nix here. (5) WARRIOR ONE
wasn’t at his best last week but he always seems to rebound pretty quickly (probably why he’s banked of 3/4s of a
million in his career) – can never be counted out, but does tend to get overbet. (3) HAND DOVER DAN shipped in
very sharp from PA and was an excellent 2nd in his Hilltop return – he seemed poised to be launching a big move last
week when he made an untimely miscue, but he’s eligible to be a threat tonight...at a nice price. (2) B NICKING is
a streaky sort that doesn’t seem to be clicking right now – could reverse form at any time, but does feel a bit risky at
the moment. (6) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO came into his last riding a 3 race winning streak and did race well,
especially considering a tough trip and amateur pilot – good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (8) PASSIONATE PROMISE has been 1
st or 2nd in seemingly a zillion straight starts but that streak will be put to the test tonight, starting
from Post 8 – at least her price will go way up! (7) P C FREE WHEELING is a had knocker but this a brutal spot
RACE 6 – Excelsior A, 2YO Filly Pace: (2) MOONSHINE EXPRESS won both of her VD preps – she finally
shook free from 6th at Monti last week but took a bad step turning for home, gathered herself back up and was full of
pace finishing – could be tough here if she avoids any similar mishaps. (3) COURTLY MAIDEN was 2
nd at Buffalo behind a pair of nice fillies, then got up to beat heavily favored CERVI at Monti last week – very logical, but hard to
get excited about a wager with that 6/5 ML listing. (1) THE PERFUME also won a pair of VD preps but was just an
“ok” 3rd at Monti in her career debut – certainly eligible to be sharper in her 2nd start. (6) HANKY PANKY tired in
the lane last week but was hot in 3rd for much of the mile and that could have cost her – absolutely worth a look at
that 20-1 ML price. (7) BABY BEAR was a nice winner in her last Stga, baby race but may be hurt badly by the
awful draw. (4) COURTSIDE KAREN feels like she may be a notch below a couple of the main players, but a small
piece is still within reach. (5) BACKDOOR COVER gets a drop from NYSS – we’ll see how much that helps.
RACE 7 – NYSS, 2YO Filly Pacers: (5) SHES A STREAKER impressed in both Gaitway preps then raced super in
her career debut at The Swamp (in the Kindergarten), used a bit early just to improve a couple of spots, then
finishing full of pace for 2nd (after maneuvering free into the lane) behind a filly that came right back to jog in a 1:51
mile – we’ll give her the edge in her first NYSS attempt. (1) COWGIRL HANOVER won both Pocono baby races
then took both of her NYSS starts– hails from a very sharp barn, and deserves plenty of respect tonight. (4) BRONX
MIXER won her debut in an Excelsior A race then handled the jump to NYSS beautifully, finishing a sharp 2
nd best to #1 – could be a player here too. (3) BLIND DATE HANOVER was strong in both PcD preps then jogged in her
Excelsior A debut – she tries the NYSS tonight but if her sharp connections feel she’s up for it, then she probably is.
(2) MARTINI STAR prepped very nicely for her career debut and was 3rd in a NYSS race – she skipped her start at
Monti, however, making her at least a bit questionable for tonight
RACE 8 - Excelsior A, 2YO Filly Pace: (5) ON CLOUD WINE had a couple of solid preps then won her career
debut at Buffalo, finished 2nd at Monti to BLIND DATE HANOVER (who has moved up to the NYSS ranks since
then), then won a Landmark division at Goshen – meets a couple of other nice fillies in here, but she deserves top
billing. (6) BULVILLKINDUNOTEDNA had a win and a 2nd in her 2 baby races, finished 2nd at Buffalo to BRONX MIXER
(who was 2nd in a NYSS in her next), then recovered from an early miscue to just miss in her last at Monti –
a clean mile puts her right into the mix tonight. (7) CALAMITY HOUR is a tough call – she won both of her baby
races and was sent off at 7/5 in a NYSS in her first career start – she was a little green at the start that night but was
putting in a nice recovery when she made a nasty break on the final turn – has been idle since then, and her
connections opt for an easier Excelsior A assignment for tonight – mixed feelings! (2) BESTA BRYNN has shown
some ability but is the only filly in here without a catch driver, and that could hurt her chances considerably. (3) HIN
T OF SPRING was an even 4th in her career debut, and will need to do a bit better to be a player tonight. Both (1)
GOLD LEAF and (4) BEAN TOWN GIRL seem a bit behind the main players right now.
RACE 9 – (5) JULIA SISU S has done excellent work since arriving here from Sweden, finishing in her local debut,
winning her next (with the driver switch to Dube), and the an excellent, tough trip, close up 3rd last week – willing to
give her a shot at the mild upset tonight (7) TIPSY MONI needs little introduction as she’s won in this class virtually
every time she’s raced in it – she’ll be very tough once more, but maybe she’ll finally land on a trip that’s just a little
too much for her to handle. (4) PERFECT VIXEN turned in her best effort in a while last week, only a neck behind
#7 at the wire – she started the year losing in the bottom classes at Stga., but she’s already banked $100K and has
been a solid Open mare for some time! (3) DIAMANTE TRIO IT is another that has climbed the classes beautifully
this year – her last wasn’t her best, but she may be able to bounce back and be right back in the hunt tonight. (6) P L
NOTSONICE never throws a bad one, but often is coming from a little too far back at the end – could end up in a
similar spot tonight. (2) QUEEN OF ALL just requalified after a pair of sick scratches – prefer to just watch tonight.
(1) PARISO hasn’t been quite sharp enough lately – leaning towards others
RACE 10 – (6) WESTERN NOB could be worth a stab tonight – he sat last (8 hole) in his local debut but did finish
alertly - he won 5 of 18 out of town before shipping in, and perhaps can find a way to be a bigger player in this very
beatable field. (3) KID FROM THE BRONX just got too hot to hold early on last week, resulting in him getting
parked – he’s actually raced ok when he’s drawn well this year, and is another possible upsetter. (5) ON DAYBOO
has been chasing better fields and always grabbing a piece – he’s a very good fit here, but that 7/5 ML price is a turn
off, especially when he’s just 1 for 11 at Yonkers. (1) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is just 1 for 37 locally but almost
managed to pull off a 34-1 upset last week – he’ll be in the hunt for sure, but he’s a tough one to use on top. (2)
EURO STEP was a winner for us last week at 15-1 (overlay!) price – chance to repeat, but leaning more towards
others this time. (4) SURFRIDER was a wake up call winner last week, helped tremendously when the heavy
favorite broke before the start – he COULD repeat, but it’ll be much tougher against these. (7) HUNTED HOUSE
was an ok 4th last time, but the move outside does figure to really hurt
RACE 11 – (2) BAD BOY TOO was sent off at 1/10 last week, had things all his own way but just couldn’t finish
the job, weakening late – moves to a new barn, will be a better price, and may be worth another chance. (4) CHIEF
CORLEONE just missed in the same race as the top choice last week and could be looking at another good trip –
would be worth using as long as the price remains decent. (5) CELLMATE perked up at a big price last week to
finish right there with the top two choices (3rd) – could easily land somewhere on the ticket if he’s as sharp tonight.
(7) HES HALF NAKED beat the top three last week but benefited from his two hole trip – he’ll likely face more
adversity from this spot, so insist on a good price if looking for him to repeat. (1) CENTURY IGLESIAS had a few
“lag and rally” starts upon arrival but has mostly just been “lag” lately – needs to find that better form. (6) FADE TO
LIGHT picked up 2nd in a bit of a fall apart race 2 back but has otherwise struggled in most of his recent starts. (3)
FOUT hasn’t been a threat in any of his 3 starts since shipping down from Canada
RACE 12 – Good finale! (1) MAX was super in that win 2 back and put in a very nice recovery after an early
miscue last week – he figures to be a decent price in this well matched field, and may be able to get it done...IF he
can avoid any early troubles! (4) CANTKEEPMIASECRET just missed to a streaking LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO
2 back, then was a well backed, sharp winner in her last – she’s done outstanding work since joining this barn in
May, is Brennan’s choice, and can’t really be faulted...other than the expected short price. (6) ROGER RABBIT is
4-1-3-0 since arriving from Ohio and was an excellent 2nd to #4 last week – can’t blame anybody looking to use him
again tonight. (2) INFINITY STONE is one of a few from this barn that can throw an insane mile from time to time
– leaning towards other (more consistent) players, but it would never be a shock to see this one come out on top. (3)
SHEENA SOLDIER would really appreciate being in a bit easier – minor spoils only. (7) THE BALLYKEEL
DEAL hails from a barn that has taken over the top spot in the standings as of this week...but this is just a very
tough spot. (5) INN AT RODANTHE hasn’t been good in weeks. (8) J S HOPSCOTCH lands all the way outside
after an unexpected clunker last week.