The Empire Report – Friday, October 4, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (4) PURAMERI may not look all that great on paper but she usually finishes with some pace, and has
definitely been facing better – chance for the upset in tonight’s opener if some trip luck comes her way. (2) CELIA B
MONEY was used hard the last 2 weeks (brushing 2 back, then working for the lead in her last) and hit board both
times – legitimate threat if she’s as sharp tonight. (5) DEVILISH DREAMS has really improved since the recent
barn change and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the public (who actually sent her off favored last week, despite being 0
for 28 on the year – she raced super before coming up 2 nd best, and it really feels like she will grab that first victory
of the season some time soon. (1) HOW SWEET IS THAT is often good for some late pace when she sits an easy
trip – ok for exotics. (3) WHASSUP HANOVER has more than enough ability to go with these but has been off her
best lately – needs a wake up call. (7) BEE OKAY A seems to disappoint more often than she delivers – Post 7 isn’t
going to help. (6) COWGIRL LILLY went a big one last week to pick up her first win of the year but facing much
easier – not sure she can replicate that effort vs. these. (8) FORTUNADA is up in class from Post 8
RACE 2 – Tough race: (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY has been an even 4 th in 3 straight starts but vs. tougher – gets a
good draw, a hot pilot, and is one of several with a chance to take this. (4) SHEENA SOLDIER has raced well here
at times in the past, and returns showing some good PcD and Tioga form – chance to race better than her 12-1 ML
suggests. (8) BROOKVIEW DARIUS has been ok vs. better since arriving from Hoosier – if Stratton is willing to
leave for a spot, he may have a chance to be right there at the end. (1) MISSION VOYAGE hasn’t been a player
lately but he’s another that’s getting class relief tonight – he also draws the pole, and we’ll see if that’s enough to at
least put him into the hunt. (5) HOOLIE N HECTOR would be hard to endorse on top (1 for 24 this year) but he’s
good enough for a piece, with the right trip. (6) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM was driven poorly last week and
backed through the field as a result – maybe he can rally for a share tonight with a much more patient steer? (2) PER
RON feels like he may be on the upswing, but he may prefer to be in a little cheaper. (7) MR KNOWITALL is
another that would be more comfortable in an easier class
RACE 3 – (2) TALENT TO SPARE A had to requalify after a pair of sick scratches but returned sharp on 9/13 to be
right there 3 rd , then was a solid 4th from well back in her last – deserves the nod here with move inside. (3) BLOOD
MOON A just missed 2 back to a mare who came right back to win from Post 8, then finished behind a couple of
pretty solid mares last week – she’s been good for a while and a very logical player tonight. (8) FAVORITE BEACH
just toured the oval from Post 8 last week (after missing time off a sick scratch) but may be more aggressive tonight,
especially with Bartlett in the bike – could add some value to the ticket. (4) STAY HAPPY is a tough call – she came
to life 3 back to just miss at 36-1, won her next (though all out as the 1/10 choice) then never got in play from Post 7
in her last – she’s certainly good enough to be in the mix with one of her better efforts. (1) SUPER GIRL is an even
tougher call – she has plenty of hard charging efforts here but just Backed up badly last week – which version will
we see tonight? (6) HUNTING LINDY does fit with these but may need a better post to be a serious player. (5)
HALLELUJAH HANOVER will probably look better with a class drop next week – she CAN hang at this level, but
is more effective with a bit easier. (7) MACHS LEGACY A had some mild pace in her last pair but no spot for
tonight
RACE 4 – (8) FRONT PAGE STORY has done excellent work here at Yonkers, compiling a 9-3-3-2 record (and
was brutalized in her lone off-the-board start – Brennan sticks with her over #5 (despite the draw), and we’re
inclined to go along with his judgment. (5) OKINAWA BEACH A was well meant last week but came up 2
nd best to
a mare that has now won 3 in a row – she figures to be a very live player again tonight, and possibly the main
danger. (3) PAIGE PERFECT doesn’t have the resume of some of these but the 4YO has been on the upswing in PA,
holding form well as she’s climbed the class ladder recently – may be a good bomb for exotics in her YR debut. (2)
TWIN B ALLURE somehow held on 2 back after it looked like the field was going to devour her in the lane, then
came back to race well again last week, rallying late for 3 rd after having a tough opening quarter – ok for a piece. (1)
CAMERICAN was a strong earner at 2 at 3 but she’s been idle since tiring to 4 th in the NYSS Final here (9/7) and
looks to take on older mares tonight – tough assignment! (4) EXTREME Z TAM was a steady, no threat 4th tackling
older mares last week – she goes 3 rd time Lasix here, and is eligible to rally for a small slice. (6) JM BETONSIX
shipped down from Canada for a barn that’s been ultra live and ALMOST pulled off a 48-1 shocker – that was a race
that fell apart, though, and she moves up 2 classes tonight. (7) LADY NEWTON is really good right now, but the
class hike AND poor draw do figure to slow her down a bit
RACE 5 – (3) ROYALTY BEER returns from Canada in fine form and at a level far easier than he’s used to – hard
to go past tonight. (1) DC ANNA took a couple of months off after a weak try in Ohio then just qualified usefully at
Freehold – she catches a field with some suspect players, and may be able to make some noise right off the shelf. (6)
DRACO S is just 1 for 27 this year but he hit board in 12 of those losses and usually faces better – could add some
value to the ticket tonight. (2) SWEET SOUL DAVID was able to hang on last week but crawled home in :30
seconds and was fortunate that the tripsitter had no room in the lane – could be vulnerable tonight. (4) ENERGYSO
URCE runs hot and cold and remains very tough to predict – his better efforts would put him in play for a piece here
– but will we see one? (5) P L OSCAR is still off his best game but he’s been good enough to pick up 2nds in his last
pair, with a chance for a small slice tonight. (7) FOR A DREAMER has a couple of ok recent tries but is another that
just hasn’t been in top form lately, and now has to contend with Post 7. (8) STARLIT RAMBO had a good overall
season in 2023...but had just one win (and no 2nds) locally – brutal spot arriving from PA tonight
RACE 6 – (3) STORMONT DIVIDE has gone some big miles here this year and returns from Chester off a pair of
excellent efforts – he figures to be the better price of the 2 “main players”, and we’ll go with him on top for that
reason. (4) EUROBOND has won 7 of his 29 local starts over the past 3 years, often vs. better than these – he’s also
disappointed (at short prices) on several occasions, so be careful about taking too short a price if he’s your play. (1)
STREET GOSSIP hasn’t won in a while but he’s been delivering solid efforts (for good pieces) most every week –
belongs in exotics. (2) CREATIVE VENTURE moves inside and will look to tow along closely and take home a
decent chunk. (7) DIRE STRAITS is a good one for longshot fans – he was absolutely home free here on 8/16 when
he just blew up on the final turn, as the 2/5 favorite – he remains risky, but the ability IS there and the price will be
pretty juicy. (5) B NICKING was dull in his first start off the qualifier – watch for better signs. (6) HAT TRICK MA
RLEAU drops, but doesn’t seem sharp enough to take advantage. (8) CANTKEEPMIASECRET is another getting
some class relief, but seemingly not in a position to capitalize in her current form (and from Post 8)!
RACE 7 – Good race: (2) EASY TO PLEASE has certainly lacked any real consistency over the past 2 seasons but
she finished crisply from a tough spot 2 back, then charged home to outgame a couple of others in last week’s
victory – maybe she can benefit from a contested pace tonight and make it 2 in a row? (5) LUCKY ARTIST A threw
a dull one 2 back but shook it right off and returned to win last week, at a nice price – she loses Bartlett, but Smith
means a better price, and he did win with her 4 starts back...possibility. (1) VIBRANCE has gone more than her
share of sharp miles this year, and her chances for a good trip went up as soon as she drew the pole – another very
logical threat. (4) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY is in a spot where Bartlett can look to use her speed, and that often
results in a good effort from her – add her to the list of possibles. (7) ULTIMATE SPEED may be a notch below the
top 4 but even if not, she’s at an extreme disadvantage because of tonight’s draw. (8) LAURIE LEE returns in fine
form from Stga. but at a high level and from Post 8. And it’s likely that both (3) JK MY GIRL (returning from The
Aces) and (6) PARSIAN BLUE CHIP are both somewhat overmatched in here.
RACE 8 – (6) COACHELLABOUND N went from full leave to full retreat last week, yet still was able to rally for
4 th at the end – she should have no trouble using her speed for an up close trip tonight, and we’ll give her the narrow
edge. (4) SILK CLOUD A just got too hot on the lead last week and paid for it – she’s had a terrific year, and could
easily bounce back tonight, especially with the good draw. (2) ELEKTRA A has been on her game for some time,
handling each class jump pretty effortlessly – she comes off a pair of excellent tries at this Invitational level, and
there’s no reason she can’t be a big player again tonight. (3) LIT DE ROSE has been struggling to beat a little easier
lately, though it’s not like she’s been “bad” – probably asking too much for her to beat this field right now, but she’s
also far too classy to just dismiss that possibility. (5) DOUGS BABE A got her kind of trip last week and charged on
by for the victory – doesn’t feel as likely to go as well for her tonight, but a big enough price makes her worth at
least a look. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N was game last week but probably needs to be in easier to threaten right now.
(7) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON does fit nicely with these and was sharper in her 2 nd off the layoff – not sure she can
have a big impact starting from Post 7, however. One has to wonder what the connections of (8) IDEAL COVER did
to annoy the race office so much that she was forced to draw for posts 2-8, when the $50K claimer surely should
have been assigned the rail! Ouch!
RACE 9 – (3) OH BOY was no threat in his last couple but he drops, moves inside, and this is a logical spot to look
for a wake up call – giving him top billing, but would still be hesitant to accept too short a price on top! (6) FULL
RIGHTS was a big go 2 back but he was very hard to steer much of the mile, and it definitely cost him a chance at
the victory– he looked much better last week, but couldn’t find room up the rail into the stretch and remained
hopelessly trapped behind the winner, possibly costing him the top spot – worth a look tonight if close to that 6-1
ML price. (8) BARRY BLACK is hard to like off his recent form, especially since he’s just 1 for 25 this year and
starts from Post 8 – he also rarely (if ever) gets in this cheap, and has the right pilot if looking for someone to send
him out of there, hoping to create a trip for himself – wouldn’t shock! (5) MAKE IT EASY is winless in 26 starts
this year but did hit board 10X – playable underneath. (4) BAZILLIONAIRE still hasn’t been 1
st or 2 nd this year but some of recent starts have been at least a little better – maybe 3 rd/4
th? (2) FANCY NANCY LOPEZ broke in her first 2 local tries – she did behave in her last pair, but without a lot of success.
(1) EMPEREURTHEBEST FR showed little before his dramatic, form-reversing 57-1 win on 8/16...and has offered little since! (7) BIG CHARLIE
MORAN does grab wins out of town but he’s 1 for 30 locally over the past 2 years, and 3 for 59 over the past 3
seasons – hard to like from out here.
RACE 10 – (1) MISS DOTTIE MAE hasn’t been near her top form in some time but she lands in an incredibly soft
spot tonight and would be hard to against...even at what figures to be a miniscule price. If looking for a “last race
get out”, maybe (4) SWEETSOUTHRNLASS N is worth a try – she HAS legitimate ability, but she’s misbehaved
virtually every time she’s gone behind the gate in the U.S. – maybe if the price is huge? (3) UNCONTROLLED may
have had more than she could show last week when stuck in some stretch traffic – as good as any to use underneath.
(8) ITTY BITTY has had a dreadful season (17-1-1-2) but perhaps the 3 months off will help her - certainly not a
terrible qualifier behind some familiar names. (5) PALADIO has 2 local wins, but in very cheap fields – has been a
disappointment for her top shelf connections, but this could be a spot where she can at least contend for a piece. (6)
AT THE HOP just lacked any real pop last week off a very easy trip – gets a poor post for tonight, and will need to
improve to be a player. (2) BEHEST hasn’t been able to get anything going as a 3YO – waiting for any kind of
better signs. (7) TESLA POWER was a dull 3 rd shipping in 2 back and no factor at all last week – now Post 7