The Empire Report - Thursday, November 9, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (7) GRINDER got really burned last week when IM THE MUSCLE kept him wide off the first
turn, resulting in getting parked every step of the way -- he still was able to be right there at the end, barely
missing 2nd and just a little over a length behind the winner - a better trip may help him get it done tonight,
even from out here. (5) QUIKSILVR BLUECHIP is a classy 7YO making his debut for new connections
upon arrival from Delaware- he stays trotting, can leave the gate, and is one worth considering. (2) IM THE
MUSCLE wisely didn't stay in the two hole off the first turn last week and was able to both get the lead,
and really hurt the top choice- he completed the wire to wire score and MAY be able to do the same tonight
- but that 6/5 ML price makes him worth taking a shot against. (8) FOR A DREAMER elected to come out
of the pocket to 3/4s last week to take on the leader but that plan backfired when the frontrunner was able
to turn him back - he's been good lately, and could add some value to the ticket starting from Post 8. (6) PI
VOTAL seems to be in a very tough spot again but a good trip may give him a chance to grab a small piece
(1) MEADOWBRANCH RICKY has some ok tries out of town recently but vs. cheaper - may be a notch
below these. (4) INFINITY STONE really does his best work in softer spots. (3) RED OVERBACH is a
solid $20K claimer but takes on the 50s tonight with his trainer on board.
RACE 2 - (5) INCOMMUNICADO missed 26 days to his last start (and had only one start in almost 7
weeks) so his 3rd place finish really wasn't bad - he can sometimes take a little while to get in gear so
tonight's short field could really benefit him - gets the slight nod. (4) H L REVADON can throw some big
miles when on his game and we saw one of them last week - very legitimate chance to repeat. (2) CREDIT
CON should have built back some confidence with a pair of wins over a bit cheaper and he's shown that he
can trot with these too when on his game - hard to NOT give a look to anything this very high % barn sends
out. (3) NOWS THE MOMENT tried to leave hard from the far outside last week (off a bad date) and lost
all chance with an early miscue - he's beaten these too many times to ever be taken lightly, but others do
seem more appealing at the moment. (1) EUROBOND is a classy performer and gets Bartlett on board this
week - still seems more likely to grab a smaller share, rather than the top prize
RACE 3 - (6) EPOS OSTERVANG DK has hit board a zillion straight weeks, handles any trip, and is
usually a fair price (despite his success) - we'll give him the narrow edge. (4) BRAVE BY DESIGN, like
virtually all of his barnmates, has been particularly sharp lately - he wired this class 2 back then just missed
last week (to the perfect trip winner) after being used very hard from Post 7- should be the main danger. (1)
BURN NOTICE has been sharp at a variety of tracks and should be able to hold his own with the locals,
especially starting from the pole - include in exotics. (3) DRACO S threw a rare dud last week but he could
easily rebound with one of his more typically sharp miles tonight - losing Marohn could hurt, though. (2)
MUFASA AS probably needs to be in easier to be a threat to WIN, but a good trip from this inside post
may help him at least grab himself a piece. (7) ABBEY D has been good in all her recent local tries but she
draws poorly tonight (off a bad date), with plenty of speed to her inside - doesn't feel like a very good spot
for her. (5) YES shows a couple of recent wins out of town but facing much easier - he'll have to prove that
he can hang with these types before getting an endorsement. (8) WILLY WALTON doesn't seem sharp
enough right now to be a serious threat against these from all the way out here
RACE 4 - (3) HIGHLAND MOWGLI always seems to find his best efforts for Brennan and the pair gave
it a big go from Post 8 last week - he's won 9 of 19 local starts, and we'll see if he can pick up #10 tonight,
hopefully at a decent price. (5) WHAT SHOULD I GOO comes off a total demolition of the FM Open
(despite a month off) so while one can understand the need to "fill races", it does seem pretty absurd that a
condition was created just to let HER into this field, rather than just go with the 5 horses that actually fit the
class - she would have been a heavy odds on choice with Bongiorno on board, but perhaps she'll be a bit
vulnerable with Smith filling in. (2) VALI HANOVER would like to be in a little easier spot but he's tough
as nails, and always trotting strong at the end - maybe he can use his good rally for a piece of this. (4) TAC
HYON looked super in that win 2 back, and could have been a bigger threat last week if he found his gear
just a bit sooner - legitimate player in his current sharp form. (1) BRIDGE TO VICTORY picked up wins
over cheaper in his last pair but may find these a bit tougher - prefer to just watch for now, to see if he can
hang with these. (6) SOUTHWIND ARTURO has been a solid trotter all year but lands the worst post, and
will look better with class drops over the next couple of weeks
RACE 5 - (4) BRUSHING UP drew Post 8 upon arrival from Ohio, sat last most of the way but did charge
home with plenty of pace in the lane for 4th - catches a soft field here and really feels like the one to beat...
but that 3/2 ML price does figure to really kill his price. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL can be a little
inconsistent but anything even close to his best would give him a big chance to land somewhere on the
ticket in this field. (2) COLD CREEK FELIPE hasn't been on his best game recently but he still looks a lot
better that many of these - have to include in exotics. (6)FUGLEMAN had some decent pace finishing for
4th last week in his Hilltop return - the tough draw may limit him to just a smaller share tonight, however.
(7) COALITION HANOVER was having a terrific season up until mid-summer, then started to just fall
apart completely - draws a bad post off a bad date, and is in desperate need of a wake up call. (5) SHARED
BY ME just graduated from NW2 at Stga. last week and may be ambitiously placed here. (1) PINE BUSH
MONSTAH seems seriously overmatched shipping in from upstate...even from the pole. (8) STATE SENA
TOR has really hit the skids recently - need to see a decent effort before considering again
RACE 6 - Tough race: (5) PERFECT TITAN cut the mile and just missed in this class 3 back - broke in
his next, then really not bad from a hopeless 8 hole spot last week - one of several with a chance in here,
and should offer a fair price. (3) IN MY DREAMS got hit with the deck last week, and was able to get up
late after a dream trip - he's a solid player at this level and always has a chance...but he's a bit unappealing
at that 6/5 ML price! (4) DOO WOP KID got the big driver change 2 back and delivered the well backed
victory - he landed in a no chance spot last week, but could be a player again tonight with a decent trip. (7)
PAPA DOC made a break last week but has otherwise gone a bunch of very good recent efforts - has to be
worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (2) JACKED has yet to hit board in 5 local tries but he also
hasn't been "bad" - could have a bigger say tonight with the right trip. (8) DC ANNA returns to YR off a
win, and near miss 2nd at Pocono - those were against softer, however, and she gets no luck with the draw
tonight - she does have a decent Yonkers history, so she's not a terrible bomb if looking for a late night
longshot. (6) SHEENA SOLDIER handled the big class jump much better than expected last week when
2nd, but he also benefited from an easy pocket trip - we'll see how he fares from this tougher spot. (1) LA
MAGIC draws the pole, but may just be in a bit too tough for his local debut
RACE 7 - NAADA Amateur Fall Series Final: (2) CALL ME THE FIREMAN made an uncharacteristic
miscue before the start last week then made a huge recovery, actually taking home a 5th place check while
only beaten by less than 5 lengths - his trainer will handle the driving tonight and the pair have won 2 of
their last 3 starts together - should get a good trip, and be a big threat. (7) LIONHEAD never fired in his
last start here but that mile is sandwiched between a pair of victories - tough draw, but a good price makes
him worth a look. (5) TURBOCHARGEDPETE is always a threat to make a break but he's been going
good miles lately when he behaves - definitely possible, but that 9/5 ML price makes him somewhat
unattractive from a wagering standpoint. (1) BY A HOFF HANOVER broke his 30 race 2023 losing streak
with a victory at Monti 4 back, then broke his 25 race Yonkers losing streak 2 weeks later - his new pilot
will surely be looking to take these down the road, but the he may have some trouble holding him together
in the latter stages. (3) JUDGE KEN picked up a 2nd here in his last start, helped by an easy pocket trip -
may be looking at a tougher journey tonight...and smaller slice. (4) ALL RISE picked up a win here on 8/24
but his last few starts haven't been as sharp - needs to find his better game if he hopes to be a serious player
tonight. (8) STRAVINSKY just missed here 3 back and might have been much closer in his next if he didn't
run over the top of a rival before the quarter (resulting in a costly miscue) - he does fit nicely, but will need
plenty of trip luck to threaten from out here. (6) FAIR GLIDER has a few solid recent efforts but another
tough draw figures to compromise his chances for tonight
RACE 8 - (3) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS has been amazingly consistent this year, hitting board in an
incredible 22 of 23 starts - he has way more 2nd and 3rds than wins, and that has allowed him to stay
eligible to the "NW10 PM" condition of this lucrative class - feels like a good time for him to pick up win
#10 and finally graduate to the next level. (4) VINNY DE VIE got lost at the back last week but we've seen
him bounce back from those kind of efforts in the past - he's beaten this class the last 2X he was in it, and
that 10-1 L price makes him very playable in exotics. (6) KINDA LUCKY LINDY shipped in off a PcD
win and might have been 2nd last week if had more room in the lane - tough spot, but a good value horse to
try to get into the exotics. (1) KASHA V hasn't been up at this level in a while but he CAN hang with these
when sharp, and the good draw may help him grab a decent piece of this. (5) SWEET SOUL DAVID isn't
on his best game right now but he's not terrible either - an easy trip may give him a chance at a small share.
(2) SEVENSHADESOFGREY probably would like to be in a little easier - not impossible, but leaning to
others. (7) MON AMOUR has been solid in PA but vs. a bit easier- terrible draw for his Hilltop return
RACE 9 - (3) UP THE CREEK has 4 starts at this level - he won twice, would have won on 10/26 if not
for a really difficult trip, and missed by a nose from Post 8 in the other - remains the one to beat. (7) WHAT
ABOUT BOB is in a good groove right now, though no match for the top choice when 2nd last week -
remains a legitimate threat to land somewhere on the ticket despite another bad draw. (5) HURRIKANE
GEORGIE was forced to pull much earlier than he would have wanted to last week, resulting in a long
battle and a close 3rd place finish - he's definitely good right now, and a live trip puts him right into the
mix. (1) DA GHETTO WIZARD was the beneficiary of a contested pace and easy trip last week, allowing
him to show up late and pick up a rare Yonkers victory - he'll probably need another similarly fortuitous
journey to have the same success tonight, but that IS possible. (2) DONTLIKEITLEAVE has enjoyed a
solid 4YO campaign and should fit nicely with the locals - worth using in exotics. (4) YS DO IT RIGHT
didn't have the greatest form shipping in last week but he landed on a good trip in a soft field and was able
to charge on by for an easy victory - not sure he'll have the same success with these, however. (6) ODDS
ON PICK SIX was a solid level at the bottom class 2 back but was no match for #4 last week dropping in
for the tag - a tough post tonight may limit his opportunities a bit. (8) JIM BLUE may have been ready to
finally score his first victory of the year last week but he was forced to battle with #5 much earlier than
expected, and it left him vulnerable at the end - may need to wait for a better spot than this, however
RACE 10 - (4) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES picked up a long overdue victory 2 back and would have
probably come right back with another last week if not for being badly bothered on the first turn (he ended
up 2nd, by a nose) - remains the one to beat. (1) MISSILE SEELSTER was blocked through the stretch last
week and it's hard to know for sure what he had in the tank - would prefer to see him for $20K, but he can
be a player against these from a spot like this. (6) STOP STARING also moves up to 25s after a big try for
2nd against a repeat winner - a live trip could help him outperform his 10-1 ML price. (5) ROAN COLOR
always takes tote action but has been stuck settling for smaller pieces - may be looking at a similar scenario
tonight. (3) SWAGASAURUSREX has 3 recent wins but mostly duds in the other starts - he's become a
hard horse to guess with....could go either way. (2) ROCKATHON is 3 for 18 this year with no 2nds and
3rds - he's been an “all or nothing" type all year, with more of the latter, than the former - leaning
elsewhere. (7) ARTIST BEST is a total "in and outer", and his last 2 starts are a perfect example - even at
his best he'd have a tough time from out here, though. (8) LEAVE AND ROLL has been very sluggish
lately and figures to be sitting way out of it tonight.