The Empire Report – Monday, June 24, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (5) SURFSIDE BEACH has been good all year but he’s especially sharp right now, coming off a first
over win 2 back, followed by a dead-game, brutal nose loss from Post 8 last week – he goes for another new barn
tonight, but still deserves the edge. (7) TWO FACED debuted for a new barn last week and improved dramatically,
edging out the top choice on the wire despite being hard-used himself – gets the worst of the draw, but does have a
pilot quite capable of finding him a manageable trip. (4) LAZ has been consistent all year but does seem like he may
be just a bit off his best form – leaning elsewhere for the top slot, but he can certainly find his way onto the ticket
with a late rally. (6) HES HALF NAKED shipped in sharp from out of town and raced super in his local debut,
charging home for 3rd from a tough spot – he moves up and draws poorly, but does have appeal at that 10-1 ML
price. (1) ON DAYBOO always makes his presence felt and surely will tonight (from the pole) – he also figures to
be somewhat overbet, and others in here may just be a bit sharper right now (use underneath). (3) AIRY SHADOW
just hasn’t been as sharp lately as he was after first arriving from Monti. (2) FREE TO DREAM looks a bit cheap off
his out of town lines and Bartlett taking #7 instead suggests that he feels the same way
RACE 2 – (1) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK won his last 2 starts in 40s before bumping up to 60s after being
claimed – he struggled for weeks at that (much tougher) level but has since delivered a close 2nd and pair of wins
after dropping back down to the $40K level– he tries 50s tonight (for another new barn), but still feels like the one to
beat (3) JIMMY CONNOR B couldn’t deliver as the heavy chalk last week but still finished 2nd after being stuck
first over into the very hot :27 third panel – legitimate chance here if the trip goes his way. (4) HOPNROLL
HEAVEN was stuck with no real chance for several weeks chasing hot miles behinds the likes of JUST ENUFF
STUFF and POUND FOR POUND – he was a much closer 3rd in a more reasonable field last week, and certainly
fits with these too – live player. (2) C BET HANOVER was one of many from the barn that struggled for a long
period but he turned things around with a win (in NJ) 4 starts back and has been good ever since – he should get a
decent trip, and isn’t a bad “value horse” to at least consider. (5) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was a “good” 2
nd in his local debut (with the barn change) then just had no prayer last week – leaning towards others, but he can certainly
outperform that 20-1 ML price. (6) CENTURY ENDEAVOR has done good work since arriving from Stga. but
faces a tough task getting in play from Post 6. (7) SHAKESPEARE has been inconsistent at best this year – hard to
see a way into the hunt for him tonight, even if sharp
RACE 3 – (5) OZONE BLUE CHIP had been knocking on the door for a few weeks so it was no surprise to see him
come up huge last week, and get over the hump – he faces a sharp, well-matched field here but we’ll still give him
the edge as he looks to make it 2 in a row. (7) PAT STANLEY N was the choice here last week and he went a BIG
mile (returning to a previous trainer) only to get nipped on the wire by #5 – he’ll need plenty of trip luck to get it
done from Post 7, but a juicy price makes him worth considering. (2) SMOKIN BY N bumped up to 30s last week
and tried to cut the mile, but was no match for the top pair – he may just need to be in a little easier, but the right trip
could put him right there from this spot. (1) GENIUS MAN has been good since being claimed in May, and even
more consistent than usual – definitely leaning to others for the top slot, but it’s not like it would be any big surprise
to see him beat these. (6) MAJOR DESIRE handled the top choice for back to back wins in his last pair but tonight’s
draw MAY slow him down just a bit – make sure to get a decent price if you think he can make it 3 in a row. (3) YS
DO IT RIGHT has been limited to minor spoils lately and looking at more of the same tonight. (4) KOUNT BLAST
ER had an excuse last week (shuffled) but even his best would likely come up short against this bunch
RACE 4 – (2) PLEASELETMEKNOW was sharpening 2 and 3 starts back so it was no surprise to see him cash in
when things fell apart up front last week – I would expect Kakaley to be aggressive from this spot, but clearly he can
succeed even if forced to come from off the pace again...slight edge to repeat. (4) VENTURESOME ARDEN N
went his typically big mile last week but even his :27 final quarter wasn’t quite enough to get by a dead-game HEM
SWORTH N, who kept his nose up at the wire – he loses Bartlett, but Stratton is more than capable of getting him
home, with a good trip. (5) ALL CLASS was hammered at the windows last start but failed on the front end – he’s
quite capable of bouncing back and Bartlett does stay on board...just insist on a much better price if using on top.
(6) POUND FOR POUND is SO sharp right now that he still only lost by about 3 lengths after being brutally parked
:26, :53.4 – he probably CAN beat these types, but may need a better draw to do so – would only use on top tonight
if the price creeps up. (1) DUVAL STREET earned respect when he pulled off that 14-1 upset 3 back but still seems
better used underneath, rather than on top. (3) KINGSVILLE has been on a very long form spree – he wouldn’t be a
shock here, but still leaning more towards others. (7) BIRTHDAY shipped in very sharp from Ohio and was a very
good 2nd in last week’s wild mile – not sure he can reach from out here, however
RACE 5 – (1) FAMILY RECIPE was freshened up for a month, qualified back sharply and probably would have
been even closer last week if not being trapped behind a quitter for a while – he only has one win so far this year, but
has a history of grabbing more than his share every season...look for an aggressive try here. (2) TWIN B DELUXE
gave it a good try on the front end last week only to weaken late, getting nipped by #3 – should be right back in the
hunt tonight, with a chance to come out on top with the right journey. (3) HAZEVILLE comes into tonight off back
to back victories, the last one a game uncovered score over #2 – he steps up in class, but does seem sharp enough to
still have a say. (5) VIVA LAS VEGAS N tripped out 2 back for his first victory of the season then was very sharp
again last week, finishing crisply from a difficult spot – steps up another level, but remains a good one for the
bottom of the ticket. (7) BILL HALEY N has been inconsistent for a long time, and a quick look at just his last 2
lines will reinforce that – he’s not a bad bomb to include underneath (at that 20-1 ML price), but besides being
inconsistent he’s also pretty camera shy (just 2 for 32 last 2 seasons). (4) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE is another that
could be rallying late for a piece, but he’s winless here in 10 starts this year, mostly vs. softer. (6) WINDSUN
RICKY has been dull in his last pair after a sick scratch on 6/3 – he’ll turn it around eventually, but maybe not
tonight (tough spot). (8) CYRUS N failed to get close from similar spots in his last pair – same fate tonight?
RACE 6 – (1) VICI has raced well virtually every start this year, regardless of bad posts, trips, etc. – he was full of
pace in the lane last week (for 3rd, in WHATS STANLEY GOT A’s hot 1:51.2 mile), and should end up with a pretty
nice trip here – one of a few with a chance to take this. (2) ROLLING WITH SAM was stuck first over after LEONI
DAS A crawled an easy half last week and was still right on the wire in 3rd – he’s been sharp in almost all of his
recent efforts, and looms a live player once again. (4) ALL ALONE is listed as the 8/5 ML choice and while he did
pick up a win 2 back, he was really just “ok” (vs. easier) – feels like there could be some better value with a few
others. (3) DEETZY had 11 wins last year but has only been able to get his picture taken twice (so far) in ‘24 – the
post relief should allow Holland to handle him a lot more aggressively tonight, and that would put him right into the
mix. (6) GINGRAS BEACH is listed at 20-1 ML but if he can find a way to replicate that inexplicable, career-best
1:51 ten length blowout mile from 2 back, he’d have a chance to register a big upset – consider, if spreading a bit.
(5) YOROKOBI N is having a solid season but his best work has come vs. easier – maybe some minor scraps? (7)
SARANAC BLUE CHIP scored the 18-1 form-reversing shocker last week, but this is a MUCH tougher spot
RACE 7 – Good race: (3) BACKSTREET SHADOW certainly looked super last week...until he didn’t (tiring in the
lane after rattling off a sizzling pace) – if nothing else that start should have him plenty tight for tonight, and perhaps
able to use his preferred brushing style...with a better result. (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N rallied belatedly to be a
close up 3rd in the race where the top one tired – he may end up with a live cover trip here, with a chance to reel ‘em
in late. (2) NONE BETTOR A has been a bit of enigma so far in 2024, racing a bit differently each start – we know
he can be very dangerous when he brings his best, so perhaps one to consider if the price is attractive enough. (5)
ROCKNROLL RUNA A got it done as the odds on choice last week but it wasn’t “pretty”, and he probably gets
beat if the tripsitter finds a clear inside path – he’s another that becomes VERY tough when at his best, but you’ll
want a “fair” price if looking for him to repeat tonight. (7) JUST BET IT ALL has hit board in 6 of 8 local starts and
was pacing well late in last week’s “fall apart” race – he’s probably looking at only some minor spoils tonight, from
this very tough spot. (1) HIMSELF N is finally starting to do better work in the U.S., but he’ll be taking on much
tougher this week and the rail draw may not be enough to make him a serious player. (6) FORTIFY draws a bad post
in a good field and may need to wait for a better scenario
RACE 8 – (8) ENERGETIC HANOVER has just been on a tear since returning to Yonkers, picking up 4 wins and 3
seconds from his 7 starts – he’s shown that he can overcome outside spots as long as he can improve a bit at the
start, and he has the right guy in the bike to make that happen again tonight – he’s earned top billing, but make sure
he’s a “fair” price if using on top. (2) COVERED BRIDGE was able to hang on for the win in his first start back off
the brief freshening, then probably raced even better in his next start (charging home for 3rd after sitting last) – he’s
won a zillion races here over the last couple of years, and that 8-1 ML price sure is tempting! (3) HEMSWORTH N
got moving a little too late two back and just missed to #2, then was a dead game, pocket-pulling winner last week –
sharp enough to be a threat here too, with the right trip. (7) BOILING OAR is enjoying an outstanding season, and
has given the top choice all he can handle on a few occasions – another terrible draw, but easy to make a case for
him at that 10-1 ML price! (5) HELLABALOU has won back to back Borgata Finals and can never be taken lightly
– he MAY be off his “best” form, however, so make sure to get a decent price if he’s your play. (4) MOONSHINE
KISSES looked like his old self in a win here 3 back – was no factor in his next, but did a great job staying alive
while chasing BACKSTREET SHADOW last week, pouncing in the lane (when that one tired) and securing another
win – possible here, but leaning more to some others. (6) BIG GULP is now 8-4-1-2 since arriving on the scene and
holding his own at this top level – very tough spot tonight, however. (1) CADILLAC BAYAMA is enjoying a
terrific year, but still needs to prove that he can be a threat against these top pacers
RACE 9 – (5) SONNY WEAVER N tailed off for a while but has definitely come back to life recently – he
probably would have beaten the classy ROCKNROLL RUNA A last week (had he had just a bit more room at the
cones in the stretch), and he sports an outstanding 15 for 40 local slate – worth a long look tonight. (6) SAMHARA
N landed on a great trip 2 back but just exploded in the lane to jog at 9-1 – he was sent off at 32-1 in his last and was
charging late again, finishing 3rd and just behind #5 – he’ll need some trip luck for sure, but that 15-1 ML price is
very appealing! (2) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE was 2nd in the Borgata Consolation but hasn’t been at his best since
then – still, hard to not respect his chances with the class relief and good draw! (8) WHATS STANLEY GOT A may
have beaten easier last week but he was ultra impressive and WOULD have been the top choice tonight (even from
Post 8), had his trainer not listed himself to drive (after Bartlett opted for #1) – make sure to upgrade his chances IF
a late switch is announced. (1) JAHAN HANOVER can hold his own at this level when he lands on easy trips but he
usually needs to be in a bit easier to be a threat for the top slot. (7) TAKE A GAMBLE has too much back class not
give a mention, but he’s been off form and lands a terrible draw (which may offset the class drop) – would never
shock, but still leaning elsewhere. Both (4) NAUTICAL HANOVER and (3) AIR FORCE HANOVER have been
doing good things lately, but both may need to be in a bit easier to be serious players.
RACE 10 – (4) RACING RAMPAGE was an excellent Ohio 2YO, banking over $200K from his 8 starts – he was a
little more inconsistent at 3, but still picked up another $104K – he’s had 2 useful tighteners to start off his 4YO
campaign and now goes from his owner doing the training and driving to one of the sharpest barns on the planet,
with Kakaley at the lines – hard to go past in his Hilltop debut. (3) HUNTING ZONE would normally have looked
like a total stickout dropping to this bottom level but with #4 arriving on the scene, he may have to settle for
runner-up honors tonight. (1) KIMBLE A drops to the basement but lands in with a couple of nice horses – should
be able to at least pick up 3 rd/4th. (5) BIG SIR grabbed 3rds in his last pair and CAN win in this class...but probably
not tonight – ok for a minor share. (6) BETTER OFF SINGLE raced better in his last pair (2nd and 3rd), but facing
easier – not sure he can have that same success here, especially with the bad draw. (7) ROSE RUN X CON caught
‘em sleeping last week and was the only outside leaver (helping him grab a 3rd at a big price) – seems unlikely to be
able to do the same in THIS field, however. (2) BROOKDALE MIKI lands in a top barn for his local debut but he’s
0 for 17 in Canada this year and may need to be in softer. (8) MODERN ROCK is the outsider, both literally and
figuratively