Friday Empire Report

soaofny • October 29, 2021

The Empire Report - October 29, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) IN ROCK WE TRUST isn't the smoothest horse (especially on turns) but he's sharp right

now, his barn has heated back up, and he's in line for a good trip with another inside draw - he gets top

billing here, but wouldn't bet the rent money on him at a very short price. (4) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN is

good right now and drops back to 12.5s after grabbing a 3rd in 15s - thought of picking him on top, but that

0 for 32 record this year makes him hard to play in the win slot...especially at a shortish price. (2) OHOKA

JOHNNY N could be one to watch - was rigged to keep quiet last week (after the long layoff) and that's

exactly what he did - moves inside with a start under his belt, so keep an eye out for equipment changes,

and some tote action. (1) UNION STATION tired after cutting the mile for his new trainer last week but is

eligible to be sharper the 2nd time around - certainly ok to include in exotics. (5) NIHILATED TRUTH felt

like he was tailing a bit for a couple of starts but raced much better in his last - may be able to rally for a

piece of this. (6) PIRATES ALLEY was an ok 4th off the barn change last week - had no luck in a few

starts here earlier this year, but we'll see if he does any better for new connections. (7) JUNIORS DEW has

definitely improved since joining his current high % barn, but still seems unlikely to contend for more than

just a smaller piece from out here. (8) CHICKEN NUGGET really wasn't bad in his local debut but he

draws Post 8 again, and will likely have to wait for a better spot before showing his best.


RACE 2 - (5) DUCHESSPEDIA is a 3YO filly taking on older (male) NW15000 opponents...that would

normally NOT be a recipe for success, but this filly has elevated her game drastically since joining the

Dynamic Duo (no real surprise there), and looks more than up to the task - shoots for 3 in a row, and has a

good chance to get it. (2) KINDA LUCKY LINDY has probably disappointed more often than he's

delivered lately, but he lands in an overall soft spot for tonight, and should be able to take home a big chunk

of this. (6) DRAZZMATAZZ does his best work with a bit easier, but that can be said about a bunch of

these - has a chance to add some value to the exotics. (4) JULA MUSCLE PACK is also a 3yo (colt) and

definitely has ability - made a HUGE recovery to win his last after breaking to the half, and a clean mile

would put him in the hunt for at least a piece of this....may be a bit overbet, though. (8) YANKS DUGOUT

is the "x factor" tonight - had a strong 3YO season in Ohio and has continued to race well at 4 - moves to a

top barn for his YR debut but he draws Post 8 and shows breaks in 2 of his last 3 starts - very hard to gauge

(1) SUMATRA has done his best work with considerably easily for most of this year - he has back class

and the rail, but that may not be enough. (3) CON AIR HALL is probably pushing his limits up at this level

- will look a lot more appealing with a class drop (or two). (7) OOH RAH almost pulled off the upset last

week but that was with a pocket trip, vs. easier - much tougher spot tonight


RACE 3 - (2) IN THE HUDDLE is the reluctant selection here - he's 0 for 16 on the year, and hasn't won

here at Yonkers in at least 4 years....but he improved by leaps and bounds after joining this incredible barn

last week (2nd by a head), and if anybody can get this guy to the winner's circle, it's his new (43%) trainer!

(4) FURIOUS BEACH drops down to a much more suitable level after being a bit overmatched for a few

starts in the 3&4YO $30K claimer - he's the main danger, but he's 0 for 14 at Yonkers and has missed 3

weeks. (3) MACHING TIME has three 2nds from his last 5 starts and gets a good draw - been away for 3

weeks, but still would seem to have a good chance at a piece tonight. (1) ELRAMA N only seems to show

up once in a while lately - maybe the rail draw can keep him close throughout, with a chance to stick

around for a share. (6) ARCANE SEELSTER just seemed to stop trying last week after having to back off

at the start - takes a very suspicious double drop here, and we'll see if his connections are just looking for

an easier spot, or if he blew a tire in that last mile. (7) THEREISAPACEFORUS has been 1st/2nd ten times

this year, but often gets lost at the back when he draws outside - would consider for exotics IF the price is

juicy enough...but would likely pass if he gets overbet. (8) WE THINK ALIKE was charging last week for

2nd in a race that sort of fell apart - not sure he can have that same impact tonight. (5) MACH TIME N has

been struggling in many of his starts - sticking with others.


RACE 4 - (1) BRANSON HANOVER rallied nicely from well back in both local starts - moves all the

way inside for a new barn tonight, and we'll see if he's able to capitalize. (5) PLAY THE FIELD scored the

major upset 2 back, then was 2nd best to the form reversing runaway winner in his last - has quietly put

together an excellent 2021 season, and can be a player again this week with any half-decent trip. (2)

RANSOM DEMAND has remained sharp at this level for some time - another good draw puts him in

contention for another good piece. (3) MCNULTY Z TAM got looped and parked in his first try for new

connections last week - if he can find a more manageable trip for tonight, he's sharp enough to do some

damage. (4) MISTER HAT took advantage of a terrific trip to score the upset vs. the 15s last week - may

find these a little too tough, but may still be sharp enough to grab a piece with another fortuitous journey.

(7) MAJOR BUCKS threw a rare dud last week - goes to his 5th new barn in 6 weeks and while he may be

able to rebound, the outside draw may prove to be a major obstacle. (8) RYCROFT N did beat this class 2

back but still seems better suited to 15s - drawing out here won't make his task any easier. (6) P H KENNY

only has one decent, recent effort - waiting for better signs before hopping back on his team.


RACE 5 - (6) BOLT OF LUCK just missed a couple of times in this class in early Sept. and finally got the

job done with a sharp front end score last week - catches mostly newcomers tonight, and we'll give him a

shot to repeat. (3) MICKEYMAKSOMESPEED gets what would seem to be a significant barn change for

tonight, and that may help him find some that of that better form he showed up in Canada - worth a look at

that 20-1 ML price. (2) MOONLIGHT SHADOW has put in some decent bids in recent races but was

unable to sustain them - maybe he can do better with the move to this claiming class? (7) CONFIDENCE

MAN went off at 52-1 trying this class for the first time last week and was able to use a ground saving trip

to pick up 3rd - not sure he can have that same kind of good fortune tonight, though. (1) ELS DISCO JOH

NNY was no factor adding Lasix last week but wasn't terrible either- draws best, has flashed some ability at

times, and he's a logical one to include underneath. (4) REMEMBERING SHORTY was a trip 3rd in his

local debut and then no factor in his next 2 starts - needs to find more if he hopes to be a player. (5) HURRI

KANEKINGCARLO is 0 for 19 and shows little - barn does seem to be perking up a bit, so we'll see if he

can race a bit better as well. (8) ROLL WITH JR just isn't clicking right now, and draws Post 8.


RACE 6 - (2) MACHIATTO A has been holding his own vs. much better at Stga., rejoins the Super

Siblings for his YR return, and has to be seen at the one to beat down at this NW5000 level. (7) PRINCE

MCARDLE N was racing much better in Indiana when facing comparable to these - solid chance to land

somewhere on the ticket in his YR debut, even from Post 7. (5) LETTUCERIPRITAA tired badly after a

first over try last week but he was claimed by a very hot outfit, and could race much better tonight - use in

exotics. (4) WAGON MASTER has been overmatched against the 30s but may have a bit better luck with

these - throw in underneath. (6) MAGRITTE has shown some improvement in his last 2 (since being

claimed) - another with a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (1) NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP normally

wouldn't get a look here but his trainer made quite an impression in her first ever starts at Yonkers on Wed.,

with a winner, a nose loss 2nd at 20-1, and a parked the mile 3rd....from her first 3 starters! Looks like she

just bought this one herself, so we'll see if she can work some of that magic with this guy as well. (3)

GOTHIC ROCK catches a tough NW5000 spot dropping out of claimers...may need an easier bunch to do

any real damage. .(8) BETTER UP lands Post 8 after missing 24 days - will just watch, for now.


RACE 7 - Very tough race! (7) CHAPTIAMA has been well bet in his Open appearances but has tended to

disappoint - that last blowout (vs. easier) may give him a confidence boost, and the poor draw (while also

losing Brennan) could also help his price - one of several possibilities here. (8) MELADYS MONET never

seems to go too long without getting back to top form and we saw that again last week - this a pretty tough

spot, but as long as he's a fair price, he'll be on our tickets. (4) BIG BOX HANOVER took a while to get

going after shipping east but he's been improving every week and has earned his way up to the Open -

would love to see Marohn give him a chance tonight, because he may be sharp enough to be a player. (1)

MOSTINTERESTINGMAN generally needs to be a class or two down to grab his wins but he lands the

rail, his barn is hot right now, and this race can go a lot of different ways - not impossible. (6) NO MAS

DRAMA just missed last week (to #4) and is having an excellent 2021 season - poor draw may leave her

looking at a smaller piece tonight, though. (5) ROCK OF CASHEL almost pulled off a win last start but

he's really better suited down a peg or two - possible, but prefer others. (3) TAD KRAZY HANOVER

comes into this off a break, and drops $15,000 off the bottom of her card after tonight - maybe we'll wait

until next time before giving her a look. (2) WARRIOR ONE lands a good post, but does seem a bit below

these - another slated for a some class relief after tonight.


RACE 8 - (3) AMERICAN REBEL perked up in the Pocono slop last week, delivering a sharp win at a big

price - he won 2 of 4 starts here at 2, and the forecast does suggest another wet track for tonight - worth a

stab? (2) ROLLIN IN NEW YORK also ships in from Pocono and while he does show a couple of recent

miscues, he generally goes a big effort whenever he behaves - owner/trainer/driver combination has been

excelling with their shippers here for weeks. (1) MR KELLY never races quite the same but when on his

game, he can be a very solid player with these...especially from the pole. (4) ENVIRONS HANOVER's last

line looks very good, but he actually hung pretty badly in the stretch - moves to an (easier) age restricted

claimer for tonight, and should be a live player at the very least. (6) KEYSTONE DASH can do damage

when things go just to his liking...but he seems to struggle with far more trips than he succeeds with -

would consider IF the price was right. (5) SARANAC BLUE CHIP seems a bit below these but he did go a

good effort for 2nd two back, so couldn't blame anybody looking to include him IF the price was juicy

enough. (8) LL MYSTRO draws Post 8 after finishing poorly the last 2 weeks - pass (and watch) for now.

(7) HOPNROLL HEAVEN has some decent lines but against what appears to be lesser - just watching here.


RACE 9 - (7) HILLEXOTIC was sent off at 2/5 last week and couldn't have been an easier winner - still

fits the "NW10PM" condition, and should be able to overcome Post 7 to take another (ignore that 12-ML

listing - seems like a program printing error as HE should be listed at 3/2...NOT #6)! (2) ANGEL NATION

shipped in sharp and raced huge in his local debut, looking like a winner (despite a tough trip) before

getting outmuscled late by the sharp, classy winner- very legitimate chance to get it done tonight. (1) A

FUNNY FACE beat this class on 7/23 then was 2nd at this level last week - will be next in line should the

top pair falter. (3) ALTUS HANOVER shipped in sharp from Stga. and looked good in both local starts -

steps up, but acts like he should be able to hold his own, even with these tougher ones. (5) PATRIARCH

HANOVER was razor sharp here for a while but has seen his form tail off lately - still a chance for a small

piece, though. (6) KASHA V certainly can't be 3/2 on the ML, as that has to be a program error - racing just

"ok"with these, and could really use some class relief (which will start coming, after tonight). (4) IM THE

MUSCLE definitely seems a notch or two below the main players here. (8) LEVITATION draws Post 8

after making a break leaving last week - guessing he'll be handled very conservatively tonight.


RACE 10 - (5) SIR PUGSLEY doesn't have the most inspiring lines from shipping in from Canada but he

DOES land in a barn that could probably put a race bike on an ostrich right now and get them to win -

pretty automatic selection, especially since this guy has plenty of Yonkers experience from a few years ago.

(1) BETTING EXCHANGE doesn't get his picture taken very often but he's pretty reliable to race well

from a spot like this - good chance he can land somewhere on the ticket. (7) FEELING CAM LUCKY may

be able to add some value to the exotics - his last was better than it looks, and his (very) young pilot got to

know him a bit better - throw in underneath. (4) ZIGGY SKY drops down to the basement tonight and that

could be enough to help him take home a small piece. (3) BIG BAD BILL popped out of the hole last week

- and the hole passed him -- he's capable of better, but wouldn't take a short price on him right now. (2)

CAPTAIN KEEN is on the cheaper side....his best asset would seem to be the draw, but that may not be

enough to help him that much tonight. (6) STELLAS PHELLA has been struggling here (and everywhere)

for much of his career - generally an automatic pass. (8) MAROMA BEACH hasn't looked good since the

recent claim AND is stuck all the way outside tonight.


RACE 11 - (5) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE has developed into a fine trotting mare, and the 4YO gets to drop

out of the Open tonight to face this somewhat easier crew - handles any trip, and deserves the nod tonight.

(1) LEAN HANOVER can be unreliable at times but his overall form is solid right now and the rail makes

it hard to leave him off your tickets. (2) FASHION CREDITOR hadn't won here in a while but does have 3

local wins on the season now, and his overall form has been rock solid for a while - another that would be

hard NOT to include in exotics. (3) HL REVADON has been very sharp as well, and his return to YR

yielded an excellent 2nd to #2 - worth including, as he'll likely be the best price of the contenders. (4)

MAGIC VACATION drops out of the Open but these are more his type anyway - chance for a piece with an

easy enough trip (7) EYE OF A TIGER AS just isn't on his game right now, and lands on yet another

outside post - waiting for some better signs from him. (8) NEW HEAVEN toughed out the win vs. cheaper

last time - tonight's class jump isn't as big a concern as Post 8, though.


RACE 12 - (6) HEISMAN PLAYER drops out of the 50s where he was in some stretch traffic last week -

more importantly, he becomes the latest addition to a barn that's been winning at such an amazing rate, it

was really only a matter of time before they started to attract some new, higher profile owners...we'll see

how well this young phenom can do as the barn starts to really expand! (3) ANTHEM N was well meant

last week but had to be pulled up early with an equipment issue - good week to use him on your tickets. (2)

FULLBACK doesn't win as often as he should, but he's very good at picking up pieces in spots like this -

use in exotics. (1) MISTER SPOT A faltered late in his last 2 after cutting the mile vs. cheaper - maybe he

can finish better sitting behind a horse (or two) tonight? (5) SOTHWIND ONYX has a few good recent

starts - probably a notch below the top players, but a smaller piece is within reach. (7) YANKEE ROLLER

A draws another outside post and that's not going to help him find his form - waiting for a better spot for

him. (4) JACKAMINO was no factor at all last week in a disappointing try - capable better, but hard to

know if we'll see it tonight. (8) WAR DAN DELIGHT N is 2 for 44 over the last 2 years, and seems

unlikely to have much impact from out here.

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