Friday Empire Report

soaofny • June 28, 2024

The Empire Report – Friday, June 28, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) DREAM DANCING has 5 wins this year and was holding her own vs. the $50K claimers not long

ago – she had a couple of weak tries, but her last start was a bit better than it may look (she had pace finishing) –

seems like a good spot to give her a shot. (6) STAY HAPPY is a tough call – she was an encouraging 3

rd on 5/24 (after 4 months off) but showed little in the 3 starts after that – she’s allowed to take a TRIPLE class drop tonight,

and that just may wake her right up...but she also figures to be overbet, while in questionable form. (1) SILKY STR

IDE was an okay 5th returning to Yonkers last week and is looking at a good trip tonight – may be next in line should

the top pair falter. (4) COMMANDER CATHY N lost her first 16 starts this year then lost 3 more, even after adding

Lasix – she’ll find a field she can beat eventually, but it’s hard to use her on top right now. (2) BEAUTY OF THE

SEA is on the cheaper side, but an easy trip could help her grab a minor share. (7) GAME OF SHADOWS had a

disastrous outing 2 back – she was better last week, though just an “ok” 2nd from an inside post – may have trouble

reaching from out here. (5) EILEENS WISH goes for a new barn tonight but seems a bit overmatched.


RACE 2– New York New York Mile:(2) TACTICAL LORIE was winless at 2 but did hit board 4X and raced well

in a couple of starts over the Freehold half miler – she REALLY improved at 3, however, and has stepped up her

game even more since a recent barn change...don’t think she’ll go off at that 10-1 ML price, but she should still

offer good value! (5) ELOISE had a solid 10-3-2-1 season at 2 and really started to click at 3 recently, winning her

last 2 starts (the most recent a blowout in PA where she paid $2.10!)– she’s another sharp filly that could offer a

decent price. (1) SHE SHAQ was 7-3-3-0 as a 2YO, the lone off-the-board finish in the PaSS Final– she started off

‘24 just as strong, but did make an uncharacteristic miscue in her last start...very dangerous here, but does figure to

be at least a bit overbet. (1A) SOUTHWIND BANSHEE is a talented barnmate to SHE SHAQ but may be a notch

below these, and gets a terrible draw (Post 7) for tonight. (4) KINESIOLOGY has ability for sure and did win 3

starts early in the season – her lone local try was a little disappointing, however, and she’ll need to be better to be a

threat tonight. (3) MEETMEATTHEBAR is another that has some talent, but hasn’t really shined in her local starts –

a good trip puts her in play for a piece. (6) FANNY LIPKOWITZ hasn’t really shown any gate speed, and will need

things to fall apart up front to have a chance to rally late – hard to endorse on top at that 2-1 ML price.


RACE 3 – (4) MORNING HAS BROKEN certainly seems to have lost a step (or two) this season, but has still hung

in there with much better than these – she gets a barn change for tonight and her new conditioner has a long history

of improving fresh stock, and usually very quickly...deserves top billing. (1) OURLITTLEMIRACLE recently

started to perk up vs. cheaper in the Midwest, and she has had some success here in the past – she does exit a VERY

high % barn, however, so that’s at least a bit of a concern. (2) ROCKNROLL ANNIE is 0 for 13 this year and was

just 2 for 32 last season – she does have some ok recent efforts, and her barn sends out more than their share of live

ones – playable underneath. (6) HALLELUJAH HANOVER was 0 for 16 this year coming into her last but was

hammered at the windows, and responded to the aggressive drive with an easy victory – she may have gained some

confidence with that win, but she also may have a much tougher trip tonight. (5) COWGIRL LILLY is still winless

in ’24 after going 31-8-9-10 here last year – ok for a small piece (at that 20-1 ML price). (8) BRI EXPRESS N was

unable to get in play from a similar spot last week, and may face that same fate tonight. (7) UNCONTROLLED will

probably look better when she can drop down one more level. (3) PURAMERI is 10-0-0-0 here in 2024.


RACE 4 – (4) TEXSONG SOPRANO was on a very nice form spree from mid-March but had a few tough weeks

recently, starting with a miscue on 5/23 followed by a pair of impossible posts – he bounced back strong last week,

however, cutting the mile before coming up 2nd best to a sharp winner (from a hot barn) – gets a good draw, Bartlett,

and looms the one to catch and beat. (1) MAX wasn’t serious in his first start off the claim (sat back with an amateur

driver) but he was all business last week, launching a BIG early rush for the lead and then staying strong right to the

wire – figures to be right there from start to finish once more. (2) SEVENSHADESOFGREY can beat better when

he lands on the right trip and has to be taken very seriously from this spot – if he’s close turning for home, he can be

a big late threat. (3) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND has rebounded from the occasional miscue this year and may do so

again tonight – use for 3rd/4th. (5) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM is just 1 for 15 this year and forced to move up

without the benefit of a victory – minor share only. (8) MANCLANE has left from outside posts before but seems

destined for a rough trip if he tries it tonight – wait for a better spot. Both (6) CAL MILES N SHELL and (7) IN

MY DREAMS seem unlikely to be able to have any impact from bad posts, against sharp inside foes.


RACE 5 – Good race: (6) LUCKY ARTIST A had good pace finishing 3 back (off a sick scratch) then was a sharp

front end winner in her last pair – she steps up another notch, but she’s a legitimate Open mare when on her game –

that 6-1 ML price makes her worth using on top. (2) MC ANGEL is the “x factor” – she’s enjoyed an incredible year

(started the season 10-7-2-0!), but has shown some wear and tear lately – she gets class relief here, goes with Lasix

for the 2nd time and may be primed for a big effort tonight...OR she may just be off her game now - we shall see! (1)

FAVORITE BEACH has done great work at Yonkers, compiling a 17-4-6-3 local slate – she won her last start (at

this same level), and goes from one outstanding barn to another tonight – remains a very real threat. (3) PURE

SILKY has been sharp for weeks, and was a winner off the claim in her last – definitely facing tougher now, but still

deserves plenty of respect. (4) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY hasn’t quite been at her best lately, and was just an “ok”2

nd in her last – still a threat, but there may be better value with others. (8) RACY ROXY A did good work here

earlier in the year but lands in a brutal spot returning from Saratoga. (7) EASY TO PLEASE has missed 3 weeks and

has her trainer listed to drive – probably not all that serious here. (5) HONEY LOVE has been regressing.


RACE 6 – (4) SUPER GIRL was just “ok” when she beat a NW5000 field here on 5/10 but her last two local starts

have been excellent, charging home for 2nd both weeks, from very tough spots – she catches a couple of shaky

favorites tonight, and may be in a spot to pick up a victory. (3) MIGHTHAVTIME N compiled a strong 46-9-5-11

slate Down Under, and looked solid in her U.S. qualifier– would be no surprise at all in her stateside debut (1) MISS

DOTTIE MAE was having a good year but wasn’t sharp at all in her last pair (after being scratched sick on 5/25) –

she’d be tough here if she shows up on her best game...but that’s a BIG “if”. (2) JIVE DANCING A won the

Matchmaker Consolation just a couple of months ago but started to go the other way soon after that – she’s another

desperately in need of a wake up call. (8) VIBRANCE took a couple of months off, won her PcD qualifier and then

her first start back as well – brutal spot for her local return, though! (7) ELISES DELIGHT has been pretty solid

lately but faces a tough road starting from Post 7. (5) SPORTS FLIX has been doing good work vs. lesser at Hoosier

recently – she was just 1 for 25 here last year, however, and that has us leaning towards others. (6) NITE TIME

DAL is good right now, but likely needs a better draw to contend at this higher level.


RACE 7 – MGM Grand Messenger Final, $225,000: (1) ARMADA HANOVER is winless in his 6 starts this year

but seems to end up right on the wire each time...including last week’s elimination – he doesn’t usually show speed

but Tetrick was able to hustle him away quickly at Chester 3 back, and should be able to get a good start tonight, as

well – chance to pull off the mild upset. (6) JANELLE GRANNY had no prayer from Post 10 in the NA Cup but

bounced back with a sharp mile in his Yonkers debut last week, used hard from Post 7 but still able to win his elim.

– he’ll surely be blasting again here, and looms a very dangerous player for the same connections that sent DUNKIN

our way. (4) HOWLENTHEHILLS was a perfect 5 for 5 this year coming into last week and was able to keep that

streak intact, despite some serious interference early on – he’d surely be no surprise here, especially since his barn

recently won this race with two OTHER sons of American Ideal (American Courage, and Pleaseletmeknow)! (5)

SWEET BEACH LIFE is a barnmate to #4 and just missed in his elim. last week to #6 – he may not be as handy as a

couple of the others in here, but a live trip puts him right in the mix. (3) LOUS WORLD finished crisply after

shaking free last week and may be able to rally for a piece here too, with some trip luck. (8) MISTER THREE O FI

VE held well for 3rd after being repelled last week but faces a tall task starting from all the way outside. (2) ESCAPE

TO AMERICA couldn’t sustain his bid last week and may be a notch below the top ones. (7) WISH YOU WELL

will really need things to fall apart up front to be able to make any noise from out here.


RACE 8 – MGM Yonkers Trot Final, $300,000: (1) SECURITY PROTECTED knocked heads with the best in the

division last year and banged out a strong 11-4-2-3 $354K season – he’s already 3 for 3 to begin his 3YO campaign,

and Tetrick knows him perfectly – faces some quality rivals, but still the one to beat. (3) BARGAIN made a break in

his seasonal debut but was all business in last week’s elimination, a dead game front end winner – he’s done good

work at Yonkers, gets a good draw, and certainly worth a look (with Gingras) at that 10-1 ML price. (2) SIR PINOC

CHIO showed potential in his 7 starts at 2 and has come back super at 3, finishing 1st or 2nd in all 6 of his starts – he

gets a great draw with our leading driver on board, and it would be nice to see this homebred find the winner’s circle

for long-time Yonkers supporters, the Athertons. (5) FLYING KRONOS S was making his first start of the year last

week and was a steady 4th in his elim. – should be tighter now, gets Dunn this week, and feels like a good one for

exotics. (8) SITUATIONSHIP had a bunch of good starts at 2, and has registered blowout wins in both 2024 starts –

he also gets stuck with the worst post, and did make a miscue here last year...would want a good price to use on top

from out here. (6) IM OUT has done good work all year and was a steady 3rd in last week’s elim. – will need some

trip luck to get it done from this spot, but is another that’s easy to root for with ownership’s strong ties to Yonkers.

(7) FLY BY was terrific in last week’s heartbreaking loss to #3 but tonight’s draw is brutal. (4) DUKE OF WALNER

seems a bit overmatched, though he does hail from top connections.


RACE 9 – (5) P L OSCAR has been tiring a bit lately but that’s vs. MUCH better than these – this certainly feels

like a field that he should be able to handle, and the only real concern is that he’s listed as racing without hopples

tonight (could just be a program error...watch for any changes). (1) BRAVE BY DESIGN was well backed here on

6/7 (returning to his favorite barn) but lost all chance with an early miscue – he made amends with last week’s front

end score (over a rival that won the next week), and looms the main danger, if #5 fails to deliver. (6) KASHA V was

better last week than his line looks, going from a “full leave” to a “full retreat”, but still finishing well at the end –

he’s listed at 20-1 ML, and a good one for longshot fans. (2) THE AMERICAN EAGLE returns off a win vs. easier

in NJ, and he’s had some success here in the past – may be a little cheap, but hails from connections that can never

be taken lightly. (8) PAPA DOC beat (much) easier in his last pair in PA, and has enjoyed success here in the past,

“when right” – not sure he can overcome the draw, though, even if on his game tonight. (3) STREET GOSSIP just

hasn’t been a threat since winning at the bottom level on 5/3 – minor share only. (7) THE LAST CHAPTER drops to

a very comfortable level but the draw may offset his best asset (speed), and he’s just not as good racing from off the

pace. (4) FULL RIGHTS moves up in class after failing multiple times vs. cheaper – just not sharp enough lately.


RACE 10 – Park MGM Filly Pace: (2) PEACE TALKS only won 2 starts as a 2YO but they were both here at YR,

including the NYSS Final (from Post 8) – she’s off to a terrific start at 3 so far, and looms the one to beat with the

good draw. (4) PONYNAMEDWILDFIRE had 2 excellent baby races last July but then went on the shelf until this

spring – she started her career off strong, including a close 2nd to the top choice in her first NYSS attempt – hard to

say if she’s leveled off or if there are valid excuses for her last couple of starts, and this may not be a bad week to

use her in exotics, at a nice price. (5) CAMERICAN had a strong $269K season as a 2YO, but she’s only been “ok”

so far at 3 – logical player with these, but may end up a bit overbet. (1) LEANNES CHOICE won 3 of 5 at 2, and

has so far picked up a trio of 2nds from her first 5 starts this year – she was 2nd to the top choice at Buffalo, and is a

logical one to include in exotics tonight. (3) FRESH LEGS was just 8-0-0-2 at 2 but has picked up three 2nds in 4

starts since returning at 3 – she may be a little cheaper than a few others, but still can contend for a piece from this

spot. (6) HUNTING HULA has been a steady NYSS filly but does figure to be hurt by the draw. (7) A FEW CHOIC

E WORDS rattled off 3 straight vs. easier but will have to prove she can hang with these better ones too.


RACE 11 – New York New York Mile, Division 2: (1) R MELINA made an untimely break in last year’s NYSS

Final but otherwise had an outstanding year, beating some of the best in her division – she took her first 3 starts to

start off her 2024 campaign, before losing by a neck at VD last week – the one to beat, but a very short price looms.

(4) DATE NIGHT HANOVER changed tactics last week and went to the top, let the top choice go past the half and

was right there in the hunt until the last few strides – might be next in line if #1 falters. (3) MISS I LA earned $100K

at 2 and has gotten off to a strong start so far at 3 – she won her local debut here last week, but was really just “ok” –

could be primed for a bigger effort tonight. (5) DRAW THE LINE earned six figures as a freshman and has picked

up a pair of wins from 5 starts to begin her 3YO season – may be a notch below a couple of the top ones, but a good

piece is still within reach. (2) IHAVEDREAM DE VIE had some good starts at 2 and has had mixed results so far at

3 – leaning towards others. Both (6) PISCO SOUR & (7) COCKTAILWITHAKICK hail from one of the top trotting

barns in the game, but are stepping up in class tonight while stuck with bad draws – tough assignments.


RACE 12 – (2) THE GRUFFALO was starting to click (after adding hopples) before a miscue 2 back – he trotted

home well from a no chance spot last week, and Dube takes him here over a couple of others – gets narrow nod in

the finale. (6) CRAZYLAND ended his 3YO campaign strong then came back even sharper as a 4YO (5 months

later),winning his first 2 starts before finishing just behind some classy rivals in his last pair – major threat here. (5)

TOP ME OFF comes in “two” versions and we’re certainly seeing the “good” one right now – he’s sharp enough to

handle the class jump right now, but may not get as good a trip as the top pair – consider if the price is right. (1) SWI

SS HOUSE ONFIRE may need to be in cheaper to contend for the top spot but the rail draw definitely puts him in

play for a decent piece. (4) BLACK TIE BASH is usually good for some late trot, and isn’t a bad choice for 3rd/4th in

exotics. (3) CREATIVE VENTURE has just been “ok” lately, and likely looking at only minor spoils against these.

(7) BONTONI DEGATO S is pretty good right now but figures to have a hard time getting in play from out here –

keep an eye for next week, when he may be getting some more class relief. (8) VALI HANOVER moves up in class

after failing to close from a similar spot last week.

By soaofny February 21, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 21, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 20, 2025
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 20, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 19, 2025
The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 19, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 18, 2025
The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 14, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 14, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 13, 2025
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 12, 2025
The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 11, 2025
The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 10, 2025
The Empire Report – Monday, February 10, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 7, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 7, 2025 – Race Analysis
Show More
Share by: