Monday Empire Report

soaofny • August 28, 2023

The Empire Report - Monday, August 28, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) STRIKING IMPACT was unable to rally from 3rd last week but to be fair, he paced his final

half in :54 flat (into the teeth of a hot 1:51 mile) - he should be a fair price tonight (even with the 9/5 ML

listing), and he should be able to have a bigger impact. (2) JMS FINAL TREASURE has three recent 2nds

at this level and is very reliable when he draws inside - comes off a nice first over try last week, and should

be a solid player tonight. (1) CERTIFIABLE will likely be the favorite (class drop & the rail) but he hasn't

won a race since May, and has been a little in and out recently - deserves respect, but won't offer much

value here. (4) SOHO LENNON A sat the cones and was no factor last start but he gets a better draw now,

and a good trip may help him land a share (5) WALKINSHAW N will likely have to race off the pace here,

and that leaves him at the mercy of his trip- probably looking at only a smaller slice tonight (7) THE REAL

ONE isn't overly sharp at the moment, and will be coming from last - will give him a look next week, when

he drops in class. (6) SETH HANOVER really seems to need easier these days to be a serious player.


RACE 2 - Tough race! (4) BB LUCKY BOY is having a tough 4YO campaign after showing a ton of

promise at 3 (he was 4 for 4 here at Yonkers) - he returns from Hoosier in solid form, and his owner (who

has had a knack for finding yet "unknown" successful trainers) sends him to a young, fairly inexperienced

conditioner - guessing that he'll be ready for a good effort tonight. (6) SHAKESPEARE looked to save

ground last week but was hurt badly when trapped inside for too long behind a stopper - he finished well

once free, and he's a threat in this class any week he can find a trip. (1) TJS INDY PACER wasn't bad upon

arrival from Ohio - he was facing easier, but his trainer is usually pretty good at putting horses where they

can thrive - could be a player from this spot. (7) HES SPECIAL found his best form this summer and has

held it ever since, for two different barns - tough draw for tonight, however, as he debuts for another new

crew. (3) IMMA BE can never be counted out completely but he does seem to be tailing after a long form

spree - leaning towards others. (5) PINEBUSH LIFESAVER and (2) TOPVILLE SOMROCKET finished

1-2 last week but both benefited from a "fall apart" race - they may not be as opportunistic tonight.


RACE 3 - (1) KINGSVILLE moves up a notch after last week's snappy 1:51.3 wire to wire score, but this

group is still within his comfort zone - remains the one to catch, and beat. (4) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N

drops, moves inside, and goes from his owner in the bike back to Bongiorno - lots of positives, but note that

he's just 1 for 23 on the year before falling too much in love at a relatively short price. (2) OSTRO HANO

VER returned to YR last and was able to cling to victory for his new barn - steps up a notch but has more

than enough back class to handle it IF the trip falls his way. (6) CAVIART SARGENT lands in a tough spot

but he's outraced his odds multiple times in the past, and is a good one to use for 3rd/4th. (5) SHINE A

LIGHT may wake up with the class relief but he's thrown too many dullish efforts lately to get excited

about his chances for tonight. (3) SO MANY ROADS looked like he was going to go by #2 last week but

hung badly in the latter stages (reminding us why he's just 3 for 59 over the last 2 years) - smaller piece

only. (7) AIR FORCE HANOVER draws poorly once more - wait for a better spot (& class drop) before

considering.


RACE 4 - (2) DEETZY was sharp before the recent claim and probably even sharper since - he gets to pick

his trip from this spot (top, or pocket) and will be very tough either way. (4) ROCKIN JUKEBOX lost his

first 14 local starts, usually going off around 50-1...but he's just a different animal since being claimed by

the Dynamic Duo, winning both starts for his new barn while going off at short prices each time- legitimate

chance to make it 3 for 3. (3) SHERIFF N is back doing good work again, and has hit board in 4 of his last

5 starts (7 hole in the other) - solid chance to land somewhere on the ticket once more. (1) MICKY GEE N

finally got in the 2023 win column 2 back, but was empty (off a bad trip) dropping in for a tag last week -

the right trip could make him a late player, but he does tend to get overbet most weeks. (5) POINTOMYGR

ANSON was sharp for endless weeks to start the year but does seem to finally be tailing a bit - leaning to

others, but would never be surprised to see him go a big mile. (6) SAILBOAT HANOVER has been

claimed for 5 straight weeks and it seems more of a reflection of a battle between 2 barns rather than

because of his current form - can never count him out, but this does feel like a tough spot. (7) IMSTAYNA

LIVE has been finishing well almost every week but will be coming from last tonight - tough assignment.


RACE 5 - (5) BALLERAT BOOMERANG has been very solid lately, finishing 2nd in 4 of his last 5 starts

- he can race from on or off the pace, and really is overdue for a victory - maybe tonight? (3) DECOY

becomes the second horse that his high profile owner has claimed for this young conditioner...and the first

one (HP XANADU) is already 2 for 2-- no reason to think that success won't continue...use on your tickets.

(2) STATEMENT MADE A has 3 solid tries since seeing his 5 race winning streak come to an end - moves

inside, and should be able to have a big say here (4) MOTIVE HANOVER has been a little tough to predict

from week to week- chance to be a big player here if he brings his best effort (1) COALITION HANOVER

has been relegated to minor pieces lately but he drops, draws the pole, and may be able to have a bigger say

tonight - ok to include underneath. (8) WON LAST FEELING has been in the best form of his YR career

and was just reclaimed by his previous trainer - may have a pretty tough time overcoming the draw, though.

(6) GINGER TREE PETE lands in a tough spot - not sure he'll be able to get involved. (7) ALOTBETTOR

N wins a lot of races, but is MUCH tougher one level down, and from a much better post.


RACE 6 - (2) FLOW WITH JOE was hurt by slow starts the last 2 weeks but did actually race very well in

his last, despite significant interference to 3/4s - he drops here to a more comfortable level, and should have

a big chance with any decent trip. (3) NEVER SAY NEVER N struggled vs. 40s and 50s but he did beat a

NW7500 field 2 back and the 30s should be within his comfort zone - legitimate player here. (7) ISLANDS

PECIALMAJOR looked like he may be starting to unravel but he's been very good in his 3 starts since the

claim, and the only knock here is the draw - still worth using if the price is decent. (6) HIGH ON ROCKNR

OLL raced well in 3 starts since arriving but vs. cheaper - he moves up to 30s after being claimed last

week, and also draws poorly for tonight - decent one for longshot fans. (4) JK STANDINGOVATION was

an "ok" 3rd off the claim last week and now drops back to his preferred $30K level - eligible to be part of

this, with the right trip. (1) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD hasn't been "bad", but he also hasn't been "good" -

perhaps the drop and good draw can help him land a share? (8) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE lacked pop last

week and now lands Post 8 - probably needs a better spot. (5) MISTER SPOT A may need a class drop.


RACE 7 - (1) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N was off a bad date to his last and had license to weaken a bit at

the end of the mile - drops right back in the box, gets to control the action against an easier group and that

stamps him as the one to beat. (5) SAVE ME A DANCE has been in solid form for a long time, and is rock

solid at this NW30000 level - a good trip makes him a very live player. (4) MR PERFECT N has been

terrific in his local starts - had no chance in his first try at this level last week, but still finished with belated

pace - could add some value to the exotics tonight. (6) JUSTASEC is a bit of a wild card moving over from

the 50s but he's been so good (and has such quick early speed), that he may be able to be a player with

these as well- we'll find out tonight. (3) OZONE BLUE CHIP has settled into a good groove lately, though

he hasn't been able to win in a while - seems headed for another smaller share tonight. (7) IGNATIUS A

finished with good pace from an impossible spot last week but is looking at another difficult trip tonight -

has a chance for a piece, but much trip luck will be needed. (2) LEVINE took 3 months off after his last

start - nice return qualifier, but does land in a tough spot for his return.


RACE 8 - (5) FORTIFY had an excellent series of starts here earlier this summer that carried him right up

to the Open level - he returned from PA last week having missed time after a weak effort, but was able to

charge home full of pace once Brennan found some room into the stretch - we'll give him the slight edge

tonight. (1) QUALITY BUD has managed to stay sharp for pretty much the entire year, and comes into

tonight off a win and a pair of 2nds - very dangerous player from the pole. (6) CAPTIVATE HANOVER

can be a little tough to predict from week to week but he obviously brought his "good" self for last week's

very easy front end score - his trip is a little more iffy tonight, so think twice before taking too short a price.

(4) BUDDY HILL steps up again off a series of sharp efforts but the 3 weeks off is a real concern - would

still consider as long as the price is fair. (3) ROCK DIAMONDS N was a little disappointing last week,

even if a solid 2nd behind the sharp winner - not impossible here, but leaning to others for the top spot. (2)

SAMHARA N has been very solid recently but he's missed 3 weeks off a sick scratch, and lands in a pretty

tough field. (7) VIVA LAS VEGAS N has outraced his odds a number of times, but will need a lot to go his

way to reach from all the way out here (chance for a small piece, if the race goes his way).


RACE 9 - (5) BACKSTREET SHADOW was brutalized for the lead last week (used hard through the

whole :26 opener to get there), got pressured hard to 3/4s but somehow was still a safe winner at the end -

he's been good for a while, and deserves top billing in tonight's Open. (6) LEONIDAS A has banked $274K

this year but has only found the winner's circle 3X - his last effort at Pocono is very encouraging (rallying

4th, off a month), and he should be able to work out a manageable trip despite Post 6 - has to be given

serious consideration at that 7-1 ML price, in this pretty modest Open field. (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT

A has been able to show what he's capable of ever since Jordan took over the driving - he was a solid 2nd in

last week's Open, and the rail draw makes him a legitimate player again. (3) LOUS SWEETREVENGE

earned his way back up to this top level last week and rallied crisply for 3rd - no reason he can't pick up

another decent piece tonight. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK feels like he might be tailing just a bit, and

the same holds true for a couple of others in the barn - leaning towards others right now. (4) NANDOLO N

has burned plenty of $$ in lower classes this year but couldn't miss with the perfect trip he landed on last

week - not ready to endorse him up at the Open level yet, however. (7) EUPHORIA N is razor sharp, but

that may still not be enough to get him in play from Post 7, up in class.


RACE 10 - (1) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N threw a bit of a dud last start but has otherwise been rock solid

since returning from Canada - he may be able to trip out from this spot, and we'll give him a narrow edge in

a very competitive affair. (3) AMERICAN MERCURY obviously gets a pass for last week (no chance 8

hole in the Open), but he recorded 4 straight blowouts just prior to that (and immediately upon joining the

Super Siblings) - could easily return to winning form with the drop, and move back inside. (2) GREAT SO

MEWHERE couldn't sustain his first over bid in last week's Open but has been rock solid in almost all of

his 2023 starts - gets class relief, and could bounce right back with a big mile. (4) FEELIN WESTERN has

14 wins over the past seasons, and shown that he can pounce when a good trip comes his way - good vale

horse to consider. (6) MOONLIGHT SHADOW already has 8 wins this year, and 3 (at this level) in the last

2 months - gets the worst of the draw, but worth considering if the price drifts high enough. (5) SONNY

WEAVER N really thrives at YR, and was able to "steal" one on the front end last week - this really is a

much tougher spot, however, and he may have a tough time replicating that last performance. (7) CARLISI

MO is actually very sharp right now, and only being listed on the bottom because of the draw.


RACE 11 - Tough finale: (7) DELIGHTFUL DUDE made a costly miscue before the start but rebounded

with a big mile last week, finishing right behind the $2.10 winner in a 1:51 mile - horrible draw and may

never get in play....but IF Marihn can get him into the mix, he has at least a chance for the upset. (4) WIND

SUN RICKY isn't always the most predictable player but he already has 7 wins this year, including a sharp

one last week - he remains in the same class (as a win dropped off the bottom of his card), and he has a real

chance to repeat. And on a similar note, (3) THE REGULATOR also gets to stay in NW15000 after

winning easily on the front end last week - another very dangerous player. (5) HAMMERING HANK

banked almost $300K as a 2YO but was winless in his 4 starts as a 3YO, and only picked up his first win at

4 in his last start, at Pocono - he exits one of the best barns ever, BUT he lands with a team that has been

able to improve horses (often dramatically) regardless of where they get them from - has to be respected!

(1) BENHOPE RULZ N was non functional for months but has come back around lately and has become a

reliable weekly player again - chance for a piece of this. (2) C BET HANOVER was sharp for weeks but

didn't race as well in his last couple, then was scratched sick from his last - prefer others right now. (6)

CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE is feeling pretty good right now as he steps up once more after a pair of solid

victories - tough draw in a tough field tonight, however.

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