Monday Empire Report

soaofny • July 19, 2021

The Empire Report - Monday, July 19, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) ROUGH ODDS didn't look like he was worth $5K after that start on 5/8 - he was purchased

by a man who has been a literal miracle worker lately, and proceeded to win his next 5 starts, earning about

$45K in about a month and a half - no real value betting on him here, but also pretty hard to pick against

him. (2) MACHIAVELLI was away for 5 months but wasn't bad in his return, and should benefit from that

start - might be ready to give the top one a tussle with that race under his belt. (6) MARINER SEELSTER

was a sharp winner last week while being claimed for the 4th straight week - bumps up in class but still

seems to fit with this bunch, and his new barn is going well right now - license to be a player tonight. (1)

MONTYS PLAY ships in sharp from Delaware but was facing lesser - drawing the pole will help, and he

could definitely pick up a piece of this. (7) CHRISTEN ME N was solid in his last 3 starts, but gets no luck

with the draw for his new connections - will need a bit of trip luck to be a player from out here. (4) GIVEN

UPDREAMING is 0 for 18 here this year and no factor last week off the barn change - really needs to up

his game if he hopes to be a serious player here. (5) MAGRITTE just hasn't been any good in a long time -

waiting for better signs. (8) FIREBALL hasn't been a threat in any of his recent starts and draws Post 8

(note that his regular trainer just began serving a 30 day suspension for a glaucine positive earlier this year -

the new listed trainer will probably be known to fans of California racing, although more for his driving

than for his training).


RACE 2 - (1) CHANGE STRIDE N has been sharp for a while, and just missed to ROUGH ODDS in his

last - bumps up a notch off the claim but the rail will help to offset that...solid chance tonight. (6) WEONA

SIZZLER A has been good since joining this barn off the layoff - was super beating cheaper here 2 back,

and very well meant when parked all the way in last - legitimate chance here if Bongiorno can work out the

right trip. (2) REAL LUCKY N landed on a dream trip last week and was able to pick up his first Yonkers

win in some time - looking at another good trip here, and could easily be part of the equation. (3) KASEY

JOHN A shows a couple of solid recent tries, and should fit well moving into this $30K claimer - definitely

one to include in exotics. (5) AWESOMENESS is pretty good right now, moves to a love barn off the claim

but just may need a little cheaper to strut his best stuff - we shall see. (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP is another

that may need to find a bit softer spot - consider for a minor share only. (7) IN SPADES has been racing

well vs. cheaper but the combination of the class hike and bad post may be too much for him to handle. (8)

LATISSIMUS HANOVER seems unlikely from Post 8 shipping in from Ohio but he does have speed, and

may at least make his presence felt early on.


RACE 3 - (2) MIKES Z TAM charged home from 8th last week to be right there 3rd vs. better - he's used

to facing (and holding his own) at much higher levels than this, and you can expect a very aggressive try

from him tonight - the one to beat. (4) IM SIR BLAKE was stuck first over to a sharp Ideal Jimmy in his

first local try, then was just too far back in last - drops in class, and he should be able to land a good piece

here. (5) PAT STANLEY N was well back to the final turn last week but was able to charge home through

the lane to rally by cheaper, running down his own stablemate in the process (#8) - should race well here

despite the step up, but not sure he's good enough to knock off the top one. (6) LETS HAVE ANOTHER

does his best on/near the lead but may have trouble getting there from this spot - willing to use underneath,

as long as the price is decent. (3) LA PLAYER A has been a disappointment since arriving in the U.S. -

faces a bit easier tonight, but it's hard to say if that will perk him up enough to be a player. (7) BELTANE A

has been decent in his last few, but may find himself too far back to do much damage tonight. (1) EPIC

ACE continues to draw well, but it seems that a class drop is what he really needs. (8) YAYAS HOT SPOT

N perked up with a better effort in last, coming up 2nd best to #5 - brutal spot tonight, though.


RACE 4 - (1) TIME OUT IM TIRED has been sharp for weeks and while he can handle any trip, it's safe

to assume he'll be handled aggressively from this spot - major threat tonight. (7) SUGARTOWN only made

2 starts last year but is off to an excellent start in '21 - ships in very sharp from PA, and he'll be a legit

player here IF Buter can work out a manageable trip from Post 7. (3) BIG SIR raced "ok" in a pair of local

starts - moves to a new barn that has been known to improve them off the claim/purchase, so at least

consider using in exotics. (2) MY DELIGHT used good trips to pick up a pair of 2nds in his last 2 starts

(vs. easier) - another good trip may land him a good piece again, even vs. these better ones. (5) HASH TAG

SWAG is hard to gauge - showed nothing off the claim last week, but he had Post 8 up in class - drops,

draws much better, and may perk up with a much better showing tonight. (8) RECORD YEAR is very good

right now but usually struggles from spots like this - maybe use for 3rd/4th if the price is juicy. (6)

TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN used a ground saving trip to pick up 4th last week (at 66-1) - perhaps he can do it

again? (4) GUMPTION drops in class, but just hasn't been sharp - we'll see if he perks up a bit tonight.


RACE 5 - (1) EFFRONTE A is another that benefited tremendously by moving to this miracle working

barn, despite being trained previously by a world-class conditioner (who actually STILL owns him!) - came

up 2nd best to a razor sharp Barbados last week after winning his previous pair, and he'll be heavily favored

to get back to the winner's circle tonight. (2) HIGHLAND TARTAN moves into a claimer this week and

should fit perfectly with these - if he sits an easy trip (pocket or 3 hole), he'll have a chance to pull off the

mini upset. (4) TONY TOO TALL put in a big rally to beat the 20s 2 back, then made an eye-catching

last-to-first sweep vs. the 25s last start, only to get just a little tired late and end up 2nd best - clearly he's

razor sharp right now, but he takes a double jump in class and that may slow him down just a bit - worth a

look if the price is long enough. (3) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN gave UFC Champ Charles Oliveira a

victory over Tim Tetrick in last week's exciting exhibition - not sure he can replicate that tonight, but he

certainly can take home a decent piece. (6) OHIO VINTAGE appears to be much sharper than when he

raced here in May, and his barn has come to life recently - may be able to grab a small piece, with an easy

trip. (7) TULLOW N is good right now but will be facing much tougher tonight...and the outside draw isn't

going to help his case. (8) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A does his best work when he can leave the gate but

this may not be a spot for it - wait for a better scenario. (5) CAVIART STETSON weakened twice off

beautiful pocket trips but was an extremely game winner (on the lead) in a race sandwiched between those -

may be in too tough here, even if he decides to bring the "good" version this week.


RACE 6 - (3) FOREVER FAV was parked out through vicious fractions last week and still lasted to the

final turn before eventually tiring - he's been sharp for weeks, and may be able to make amends with

tonight's good draw. (4) PICARD A got a little steppy near 3/4s last week while under pressure and that

may have cost him a chance at the victory - barn has turned back the clock to their big meets of a few years

ago, and has to be respected with anything they send out these days. (7) JUST PLAIN LOCO is in career

form, rallied from last to 2nd moving up to this class last week - hard to imagine how he can get involved

tonight, but he's way too sharp to leave off your tickets...IF the price remains juicy. (1) REVELRY is a bit

iffy after missing 3 weeks (sick scratch) but he did beat these 2 starts back - tough call. (5) WHITE HAIR

ROCKS shows some good looking lines vs. a bit cheaper in PA - he also shows being just 1 for 51 over the

past 2 years, so it's hard to consider him for the top spot. (6) AIR FORCE HANOVER hasn't been bad, but

he's been coming up a bit short week after week - draws outside, and seems destined for a smaller piece

once again. (8) DELIGHTFUL TERROR finishes well every start, but figures to be coming from too far

back to seriously threaten tonight (unless the race just falls apart). (2) YANKEE OSBORNE was claimed

by a barn that has really struggled here over the years, and struggled to keep up last week - prefer others.


RACE 7 - Good race! (7) JACKS LEGEND N has won 5 of his 9 starts this year (1 for 1 at Yonkers) and

he's shown here in the past that he doesn't need the lead to win - gets a tough post assignment, but that also

should bring a pretty decent price - worth a play, hoping that Bartlett can find him a good trip. (4) ROLLW

ITHPAPAJOE qualified sharply off the short layoff and he's really matured as a racehorse this year - he's

another that doesn't need the lead to win races, and should be a threat tonight with the decent draw. (5)

ALLUNEEDISFAITH N has been 1st or 2nd in 8 straight starts, and that includes a 2nd in his last Open try

- legitimate chance tonight, if the trip goes his way. (1) PYRO has won at this level in the past and gets to

start from the rail - not sure he's on his best game right now, but wouldn't want him to beat me, at a square

price. (3) FINE DIAMOND was able to upset this class 4 starts back...and with the right scenario it's

POSSIBLE that he could do it again. (2) ROCKAPELO didn't qualify all that well, and hasn't looked good

in either of his last 2 starts - he'll wake up with a big mile sooner or later, but not all that interested in trying

him tonight as the 5/2 ML choice. (6) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH has picked up a couple of pieces at this

level but this just doesn't seem like the spot for it - sticking with others. (8) CASUAL COOL gets a brutal

post after getting roughed up from a similar spot in last - seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he

doesn't -- tough spot either way.


RACE 8 - (4) SEMI TOUGH paced his back half in :53.4 last week but it was only good enough for 4th in

a fast mile - gets some significant post relief tonight, and he figures to be handled much more aggressively -

he's 6 for 16 here at Yonkers, and this is a good spot for him to add to that win total. (2) ITALIAN DELI

GHT N just missed to the good Bettor Memories 2 back, then paced home alertly from an impossible spot

in last - drops, moves inside, and should be a live player. (3) TULHURTSANTANNAA saw his form

improve significantly recently when dropping in class from tough spots in NJ (and PA) - should fit well

here, and could easily be a significant player in his local debut. (1) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N beat this

class on 5/17, then was 3rd two starts back - should be close up throughout, and should be included on the

bottom of exotics. (5) GINGRAS BEACH has done his best work with a bit easier - maybe can work out an

easy enough trip for a minor piece? (6) JUSTASEC N was sent off at 4/5 vs. better in his only local try

(5/10) but never lifted a hoof - would prefer to just observe, for now. (7) KEYSTONE PHOENIX held on

vs. cheaper last week but this is a much better field - not sure he can have anywhere near the impact with

these. (8) HEAVENS GAIT lands all the way outside off a sick scratch - we'll just watch this week.


RACE 9 - Another tough race: (4) TOWNLINE ALL GOOD finished well from too far back in his last

pair - he beat this class on 5/18, and may even look to use his speed this week - decent value play in a tough

to decipher affair. (2) WINDSUN RICKY made a huge recovery after an early miscue 3 back - was a game

first over winner in his next, and gave it another good first over try in his last, although disqualified from

3rd for causing interference when he came out - definitely sharp enough for a chance to take this. (1) AINT

NOBETTOR A beat cheaper 3 back, had an 8 hole in his next, then was cut off by #2 last week - may be a

little cheap but he draws best, hails from a sharp Canadian outfit, and can't be dismissed too quickly. (3)

ROCKIN SPEED shows a mixed bag of recent tries - on his best, he can be a player here. (7) IMSTAYNA

LIVE has been very good for some time and gets some class relief tonight - he's also stuck with Post 7, and

likely to race conservatively from the back - not impossible, but insist on a good price if using on top. (6)

EHRMANTROUT is in a tough spot, but certainly fits with these - willing to include underneath. (5) SKIP

TO MY LOU has been racing well, but does seem to need a bit easier to be effective. (8) ANTHEM N

doesn't figure to get involved in the action from out here.


RACE 10 - (1) JJ FLYNN did some good work in the Levy Series here in 2019 - didn't race here in '20 but

he's making his 2021 local debut showing fine out of town form, while drawing the rail with Bartlett -

meets a few tough ones tonight, but we'll give him a narrow edge. (3) PEACE OUT POSSE has had to

contend with three 7 or 8 holes in the past 4 starts, but has held his fine form nevertheless - he fits perfectly

here, and is absolutely one to include on your tickets (at 6-1 ML). (4) BUDDY HILL can no longer be seen

as "overachieving", as his weekly sharp efforts are now standard, and expected - way too sharp to not be

included on your tickets. (6) SHADOW CAT is a tough call - has he tailed a bit, or simply been in a little

too tough to show his best stuff - can't blame anybody looking to use him here, at a decent price. (5) BETT

OR MEMORIES gave it a big speed try last week but was overtaken by a pair of even sharper rivals - he's

too inconsistent to ever "love", and that 2-1 ML price is a turnoff as well -- not impossible, though (2)

NVESTMENT BLUECHIP is legitimately sharp right now, but may find this bunch a little too tough, even

in his current form - willing to consider for a minor piece. (7) LISBURN has been in good form for a long

time, but faces an uphill battle from Post 7 tonight. (8) CARLISIMO has a good local history (for a

different barn), but seems up against it from Post 8 in his Hilltop return.



RACE 11 - Another excellent race: (4) GALANTE A has raced well in virtually every local start, handles

any trip, and certainly shouldn't be listed at 15-1 ML - could be the best price of the contenders, and is

worth using in here. (5) LYONS KING N shipped in razor sharp and didn't disappoint as the favorite - faces

a bit better now, but seems quite capable of being a serious player with these too. (3) GARDYS LEGACY

A caught the incredible Dragon Said in his first 2 local starts (and Splash Brother too!) and had to settle for

a 2nd and a 3rd - avoided those killers last week and scored as the 2/5 choice, and has a chance to beat

these older foes tonight, as well. (2) BRONX SEELSTER has been disappointing for a while but came up

with his best mile in a long time in last week's victory - may provide him with the confidence he needs to

be a player with these too. (1) FUNKNWAFFLES came up a little short when sent off as the odds on choice

in last - may be able to make amends tonight, but seems more likely to pick up a smaller piece, than a

bigger one. (8) ON THE CARDS N is razor sharp and might have been considered for the top slot had he

drawn inside- will need a LOT of luck to win from out here, though. (7) BILL HALEY N is sharp right

now, but doesn't seem likely to get much of a sniff from out here. (6) TIGER BARON is another that will

be hard pressed to get into the hunt from this spot.


RACE 12 - (2) NANDOLO N had a "weird" local debut, causing confusion when he didn't seem to want to

be on the lead - showed what he was capable of in that 1:51.1 win on 6/28, then finished up strong from an

impossible spot in last (though no idea how on earth he was 7/5 from Post 7) - move inside should give him

a big chance, even in this solid field. (1) LUCIANO N just continues to deliver sharp miles, even as he's

climbed to these much higher levels - another inside draw puts him in play for another good chunk. (3)

KEEP ON ROCKING A was doing excellent work before he left here in April and made his Hilltop return

a winning one...even if vs. easier - anything close to his best makes him a player here (4) CAVIART LUCA

went to the top last week and almost was able to come up with the win - not sure if he can make the top

tonight but IF he does, his chances go up considerably. (8) MICKY GEE N is starting to look like his old

self lately - if you think they may really battle tonight, make sure to include him on your tickets (but he'll

definitely need some trip luck to be a threat from out here). (5) MARK WITHA K has held his form

beautifully but this is just a very tough spot for him - maybe can save ground for a small share? (7)

SIMPLE KINDA MAN has really gotten sharp at Stga. but it's hard to imagine him replicating that form

against these, especially from Post 7. (6) GENIUS MAN lands in another tough spot - we'll wait for a better

scenario before considering.


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