The Empire Report – Thursday, January 25, 2024 – Race Analysis
Plenty of layoff horses racing on what figures to be a pretty soggy track – play accordingly!
RACE 1 – (1) NICALO HANOVER (a recent addition for the Dynamic Duo) crushed the 25s at Chester 2 starts
back – while he’s technically “stepping up” to this $40K claimer, the reality is that most of these are really no more
than 20-25s...could be tough tonight if ready off the bad date. (3) VEGAS TICKET was very sharp with a bit
cheaper out of town before facing better in a couple of local starts – could definitely benefit from that qualifier at
Monti, and could have a big say with this bunch. (4) QUIKSILVR BLUECHIP was just “ok” in his 6 local starts last
year – he does fit with these, but the time off makes him a question mark for tonight. (6) TURBOCHARGEDPETE
may be on the cheaper side but the last time he was handled by a catch driver (11/3 at Freehold with Marohn) he
raced very well – deserves at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (5) SHEENA SOLDIER did well vs. the 50s for a
few starts before tailing in his last few – hard to say if he’ll be tight enough off 5 weeks. (2) INFINITY STONE
seems to need easier to show his best stuff. (7) NEWSBOY found some life at the bottom level but lands all the way
outside off a bad date and may be one just to watch, for now
RACE 2 – (3) CREDIT CON is a bit more comfortable one level down but he’s beaten these on occasion, has the
benefit of that start (win) at The Meadows and draws inside a couple of main foes – may prove best tonight. (1)
ROYALTY BEER shocked at 85-1 in his local debut then proved it was no fluke with a couple more sharp tries –
that last start in NJ should help his cause tonight as does the pole – possibility. (4) NOWS THE MOMENT hasn’t
raced since winning here on 12/21 so his conditioning is a question mark– he’s won 13 of his last 31 starts, however,
and that makes him hard to ever dismiss. (5) WARRIOR ONE hit the skids for a while but came on strong through
the last 2 months of the season – the bad date and outside draw MAY leave him a bit vulnerable tonight, though. (2)
HAT TRICK MARLEAU seems like a “field filler” with these – pass for tonight
RACE 3 – (4) ABRUZZO had a bit of an “all or nothing” year but could throw some big efforts when on his game –
he ended ’23 with a victory, and his barn has been off to a hot start to the new meet...giving him top billing, but
would be careful about accepting too short a price. (3) P L OSCAR’s barn is also off to a good start in ’24, and
having that last start in NJ could benefit him – possibility. (5) EPOS OSTERVANG DK was right there every week
for seemingly the entire year, regardless of post or trip – our leading trainer’s horses have been “ok” so far, but not
yet breathing their usual fire...possible for sure, but don’t fall in love if the price is too short. (2) FOR A
DREAMER had a solid 2023 season, and always thrives off an easy trip – if he shows up 100% off the winter break,
he can make some late noise. (1) KILIMANJARO N is somewhat unproven against this type as he makes his 3
rd
start for a new barn – leaning more towards others
RACE 4 – (4) AS ALWAYS has been racing (well) recently in NJ and that could give him a big edge tonight – not
sure why he only made one local appearance last year but assuming he has no trouble getting around the track, he
could be very tough tonight. (2) WORLD FOR TWO did good work here last year after arriving from Batavia – barn
has sent out a few solid performers so far, and this could be a legitimate threat if ready for his best. (1) MERITO HA
NOVER showed little in his 4 local tries last year but he could have a conditioning edge on many of these, and he
also makes his 2
nd start for a new barn – license to improve. (3) JK STANDINGOVATION went some good miles
last year but also threw way more than his share of clunkers – prefer to stick with the more reliable players. (5) JIM
BLUE would sometimes look ready to deliver a big one but when the year ended, he was still winless in 33 starts –
hard to endorse on top! (6) YS DO IT RIGHT had a win and a 2
nd here last season but came up empty in most of his
other attempts – tough post off a bad date
RACE 5 – (6) HELPOFTHESEASON shipped in from Indiana to our leading barn and won this race twice to close
out 2023 – she’s been idle since 12/21, but probably is still the one to knock off. (1) CLEOPATRA AS has been
facing easier in Ohio but has been racing very well– she may be a good fit in this watered down “FM Open”. (2) NO
TURNING BACK was an even 3
rd in this class to close out 2023 and has been idle ever since – she seems a little
cheap but she does hail from top connections, and may be worth a look IF the price is good enough. (5) QUEEN OF
ALL had a terrific 2022 season but had trouble getting into a good groove in a shortened 2023 campaign – hard to
know if the 5 weeks off will help her cause, or leave her short for tonight. (3) LADY JETER has been overmatched
in most of these FM Opens but has picked up pieces here and there when the race falls apart – suppose that could
happen tonight. (4) DESWANSLITTLELORIE just requalified after being away since August – pass for tonight
RACE 6 – (3) EUROBOND finds himself in a field that should be well within his comfort zone and that tightener at
The Swamp last week should really benefit him – feels like the road to the winner’s circle goes through him. (1) B
NICKING probably hated to see the meet end as he was riding a powerful 4 race winning streak to close out 2023 –
his barn has been live to start off the new year, and we’ll see if he can carry that stellar form forward with him. (4)
STREET GOSSIP was racing well to close out the year and his barn already sent out a winner this week – good one
to include in exotics. (6) YANKS DUGOUT is the “x factor” tonight – he just re-qualified (slowly?) after over 3
months off but he has plenty of back class and was an Open winner here last year – perhaps the tote board will offer
some clues? (2) DONATO PATRIOT K may be just a bit on the cheaper side and it’s also a question as to why his
connections didn’t make any local starts with him last year – might be a good week to just watch how he goes. (5)
PERRON was racing ok at the end of ’23 but faces tougher here, and the time off is a concern as well
RACE 7 – (4) HURRIKANE GEORGIE suddenly found his form in early October and remained sharp for the rest
of the year – he went out a sharp winner on 12/21 and IF he’s anywhere as good tonight, he’ll be a very tough player
(2) ODDS ON PICK SIX throws a dud here and there but was pretty consistent overall through the end of 2023 – he
can make a lot of noise here if ready to roll off the winter break. (1) FULL SUPPORT figures to be heavily backed
from the pole but despite his 4-2-0-2 local record, he does tend to get tired at the end of his miles – he just may be a
bit vulnerable at a short price here. (5) ONE CRAZY GUY went on the shelf after a close loss on 11/13 but should
benefit from last week’s qualifier upstate – willing to include underneath. (3) DA GHETTO WIZARD is an in and
out sort that has been on the shelf for 7 weeks – guessing he may need a start. (6) COLD CREEK FELIPE picked up
a win 5 starts back but his overall form hasn’t been great – tough draw off the hiatus
RACE 8 – (3) STEUBEN HANOVER got sharp around November and maintained that form right to the end of the
year – hard to say if he’ll be as sharp off the bad date, but he’ll be very tough if so. (2) WILLY WALTON tired after
making the lead from Post 7 in his final start of ’23 but also had a few good tries before that – chance to be a player
if ready. (7) IMMANUEL K S has been inconsistent at best since joining our leading barn – he drops in for a tag
tonight, and also lands all the way outside off the layoff– insist on a good price if trying him on top. (4) EMOTIONS
RICHES folded badly in his last local start of 2023 and his 2 PA starts since then aren’t all that encouraging – he can
throw big miles when in the right mood, so consider him if the price is fair. (1) CHAPOLIER was no factor in his
only Yonkers start last year – he’s probably capable of better, but hard to say if we’ll see it tonight. (5) MUFASA AS
shows up every now and then and may be feeling good about himself after last week’s win at Monti (vs. cheaper) –
maybe a piece? (6) BIG BAD SWAN was dull here on 12/14 after several qualifiers and that last qua. at Monti
doesn’t inspire much confidence!
RACE 9 – (1) ITALIAN DELIGHT N was razor sharp for weeks heading into the winter break – his barn has been
sending them out live to start of 2024, so we’ll look for a big one from this guy too. (2) STATE SENATOR had a
pair of excellent December starts for a lower % barn then was claimed by our leading trainer – he was brutally
parked across the river in his first try but should be looking at a much easier trip tonight – the main danger! (7)
MOVIN ON UP is a little hard to gauge off his current Dover form but he lands in a barn that usually picks up their
fresh stock and this guy could end up in the hunt, even from Post 7. (6) JOJOS PALCE usually runs either very hot
or ice cold – he actually seems sort of in the middle right now, and may be able to rally for a small slice. (4) CHIEFS
BEACH never got in play vs. the 40s in NJ but may be able to rally for a slice against the local 30s. (5) SULLIVAN
has been away since 12/18 and his barnmates have looked a little sluggish so far – leaning towards others tonight.
(3) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP tends to end up with only minor pieces and probably is looking at no more than that
tonight. (8) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL will look more appealing with a class drop and (much) better post