The Empire Report – Thursday, June 6, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (1) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has 2 wins and 3 close 2nds from his last 5 starts and goes back to the
barn that got the sharpest mile of all from him– not a “cinch”, but clearly the road to the winner’s circle goes
through him (3) ON DAYBOO traded victories with the top choice in his last pair and has been doing good work
since the recent barn change – could be the main danger once again. (2) HES SPECIAL is having a tough year but
he gets the potent combination of post and class relief tonight, and that may help him produce a better effort – use in
exotics. (8) WATCH YOUR SIX was an even 4th in his local debut, racing off 3 weeks after joining our leading barn
– he may really appreciate this softer spot, but will also need to find a way to overcome Post 8. (7) URIEL BLUE
CHIP turned in his best effort in some time last week but also changed hands after that start – hard to know if we’ll
see that same kind of effort tonight. (4) DEMPSEY HANOVER paced evenly at the back from a bad spot last week
but his local efforts have been less than stellar – suppose he could find a better effort with the better draw. (5) WOR
LD FOR TWO returns to YR off a miscue and weak try out of town – leaning towards others. (6) HURRIKANE
CHUCK is 10-0-0-1 this year and hard to consider right now
RACE 2 – (1) CRUNCH TIME A is getting top billing...but reluctantly – he was 5-0-0-0 in 2023 and is just 1 for
11 this year, but this just feels like a spot where he can control the action against a shaky field and come out on top –
but he’ll likely be overbet! (4) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is a much better horse when he gets involved early and he
should be able to do that tonight – his 1 for 32 local record makes it hard to ever love his chances on top, however.
(5) ANOTHERSTATEMENT A was racing well here back in March but he hasn’t been the same since being
scratched lame on 3/25 – maybe this could be a wake up spot? (2) SPORTS FAN missed a month (scr. lame) but did
qualify back nicely at Monti and adds Lasix for tonight – possible for sure, but 8/5 ML? (6) SWEET TROY has two
recent wins and one was vs. the 40s – not sure why Holland opted for #4, but that makes us a little less optimistic
about this one’s chances here. (3) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP is winless on the year and 1 for 42 over the last 2
seasons – sticking with others. (7) ARTIST BEST gets his first bad draw in ages and that figures to hurt
RACE 3 – (4) MY ULTIMATE STAR A has been hangin’ in there with the likes of CADILLAC BAYAMA,
KINGSVILLE, GREG THE LEG, etc., and should really appreciate tonight’s class drop – a good trip gives him a
decent chance at the mild upset. (6) GINGRAS BEACH battled hard last week and definitely earned that victory –
he steps up a notch, but he has a shot to beat these too...with the right trip. (5) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE got a
great drive last week and almost got there late (vs. #6) – he’s still looking for his first local win of the season, but
he’s definitely been knocking on the door...maybe tonight? (1) FIZZING N is still banging heads every week at age
10 and ships in sharp from Fhd. – could definitely land somewhere on the ticket, but probably no value (on top) as
the ML favorite. (7) PURPLE POET races well more often than not but tonight’s draw may leave him having to
settle for only a minor share. Both (2) ROSE RUN X CON and (3) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N probably need to be
in a bit cheaper to be any kind of serious players
RACE 4 – (1) YOROKOBI N has been pretty solid all year, especially when on/near the lead (as he figures to be
tonight) – he steps up a bit off last week’s pocket victory, but he has a solid chance to handle this crew too. (6) LEVI
NE has hit board in 8 of 12 starts this year but is still looking to get his picture taken for the first time – he does have
the speed to blast from out here (if Zeron chooses to), and he could definitely be in the hunt if that happens. (2) SOU
THWIND PETYR had an amazing 2023 campaign (9 wins, 9 seconds, over $200K) but he’s still looking for that 1st
victory of 2024 – he’d hardly be a surprise in here, but he also figures to be overbet. (3) HIMSELF N actually rallied
by the incredible DESPERATE MAN in that 5/15 qualifier but was unable to hang on in his 2 starts since then,
coming up 2nd best after cutting the miles – he’s still winless in the U.S., and seems better used underneath, than on
top. (5) BLANK STARE could only manage a 3rd after a first over trip last week (vs. #1 and #3) and could be
looking at another tough journey tonight – small piece? (4) CAPTAIN BATBOY is struggling to find his 4YO form
RACE 5 – (3) STEUBEN HANOVER made an uncharacteristic early miscue before the start last week but did put
in a BIG recovery before understandably weakening – he moves back to a barn for whom he raced well for in April,
and who wins at a very high rate every year – probably the one to beat. (1) NO TURNING BACK needed that last
start after a couple of scratches and qualifier – she’s done some good work in this class before, and could add some
value to the ticket. (5) MAX is a solid weekly player, always trotting well at the end – if the trip goes his way, he can
be a legitimate late threat. (2) GRINDER dropped in for a tag last week, was very well backed and delivered the
front end score – goes for a new barn tonight, and we’ll see if that form holds up. (7) INN AT RODANTHE seemed
ready to rally last week when he took a bad step in the lane, and had to be steadied (losing all his momentum) –
awful spot here, but still a good one for longshot fans. (8) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND has been solid all year and a
great fit in this class – it’s the draw that causes concern for tonight. (4) MACMORRIS HANOVER is a solid trotter
but does seem to do his best work vs. a bit easier – would need a pretty big price to consider on top. (6) INFINITY
STONE could make some noise if Gingras can blast off the car but he still seems unlikely to be around at the end
RACE 6 – (3) AIRMANS JACKPOT didn’t take long to improve her game dramatically after joining her current
barn – she just missed 2nd in last week’s (fast) FM Open (behind TIPSY MONI), and she won 3 of 4 just prior to
that, with a miscue in that lone loss – the 4YO mare takes on some very good boys tonight, but just may be sharp
enough to handle the assignment. (1) RESOLVE TO WIN was a solid player all through the Brennan Trotting Series
(won 2 legs) and picked up a couple of close 4ths after it ended – gets a class drop and the pole, and can have a big
say tonight. (4) DWS POINT MAN is one of several from the barn racing very well right now – he’s been even
better since recently adding Lasix, can handle any trip, and absolutely belongs in your exotics. (2) OPTRIX started
to go south during the Brennan Series but has bounced back in his last couple – a live trip could see him rally late
for a nice chunk of this. (5) TACHYON was in career form not too long ago but does seem to have leveled off quite
a bit in his last few – maybe he can find that “A game” tonight, but we’re still leaning more towards others. (8) TEX
SONG SOPRANO was handled very conservatively last week (after a miscue the start before) but still finished full
of trot – he fits beautifully with these, but another terrible draw may see him waiting for a better spot before being
given an aggressive try. (7) STORMONT DIVIDE was off almost a month to his last start but was able to use a
perfect trip to win by a nose over cheaper – he’s now been away for another 5 weeks, and draws outside facing much
tougher – prefer others. (6) HOOLIE N HECTOR is still looking for his first win of ’24 after starting off 0 for 13
RACE 7 – NAADA Summer Series: (6) BULLY BOY has won 4 of 10 starts this year and as you can see from that
mile on 5/15, he’s capable of some BIG efforts (broke before the start from Post 8, recovered, and circled the field to
win!) – hard to resist at that 8-1 ML price. (1) ALLINDOTIME’s form is a little hard to gauge at the moment but
he’s already won a few Amateur events this year, and moves all the way inside for tonight – would consider if the
price is decent. (7) KASHAS BOY picked up a 2nd from Post 7 here on 4/25 and his owner/trainer/driver has been
having a very good year, so far – willing to include him on some tickets at that 20-1 ML price. (3) VOYAGE TO PA
RIS has been pretty solid lately and now tries his hand in an amateur event – he should be a good fit, but note that
he’s 0 for 11 at Yonkers this year before hopping on board at a short price (8/5 ML). (5) MR CONTESTANT has
some mixed recent form but was a winner at Stga. not long ago and he does have plenty of back class – wouldn’t
shock. (2) CELLULAR disappointed in his last and his overall form has been in and out – would need a pretty good
price to consider here. (8) LOOK IN MY EYES has found some good recent form at Tioga but faces a daunting task
starting from Post 8. (4) DROP THE MIC seems off form at the moment – sticking with others
RACE 8 – (7) TAKE ALL COMERS is a very classy trotter, and he certainly was ready for his first start back in
2024 (jogged here on 5/16) – not sure why he tired so badly in the Maxie Lee last week, but we’ll hop right back on
board against this more modest field...hopefully at a fair price. (2) UNEVERGINNAGETHIS is finally hitting on
all cylinders after a slowish start to 2024 – he jumps up to the Open after last week’s victory, but may be good
enough right now to still be in the hunt. (6) NOWS THE MOMENT wasn’t at his best last week after wining his
prior pair – he’s won 19 of his 42 local starts (over the last 3 years), and that 12-1 ML price has to make worth using
– even if on a few tickets. (4) SWAN IN MOTION has had some mixed efforts since arriving from Dover but was an
excellent (nose loss) 2nd last week, and a similar effort could put him in the hunt tonight (3) I GET IT took advantage
of the class to take his last pair in wire to wire fashion – steps back up to the Invitational here, and that may slow
him down a bit. (5) SEA CAN picked up a 3rd in his first try at this top level – would like to see another start before
evaluating how well he fits here. (1) JULIA SISU S did good work overseas but may not be at peak form just yet
RACE 9 – NAADA Summer Series: (1) RACEACE jogged from the rail here 4 back then went a big mile last start
from Post 8, out every step of the way but still not far back in 5th at the wire – as noted before, Schwartz is off to an
outstanding start in 2024, and he’s certainly worth a play from this spot. (6) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE is hard to fault, as
he comes into this with 3 wins from his last 4 starts (and a terrific 3rd in the lone loss) – we’ll see if he can overcome
the post edge that he spots to the top choice. (5) SKYWAY PROFESSOR ended up being placed 1st last week but did
go an excellent mile to be 2nd across the wire – he’s 5 for 15 this year, pretty consistent, and a logical horse to use in
exotics. (2) GRAFE NBERG made a break last week but had been behaving himself for some time – he’s thrown his
share of big miles in these amateur events, and is a good one to use underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (3) SWAN HI
LLUVA TIME is also listed at 20-1 but just picked up a pair of 2nds in recent starts – another worth considering for
the bottom of exotics. (7) PSALMFORTYSIXFIVE is a proven player with these types but the terrible draw could
really stymie his chances tonight. (4) DARK POOL doesn’t seem to be on his best game and lands in a field where
several of the others are clicking right now – leaning elsewhere. (8) ER NO MORE hasn’t gone a good mile locally
in a long time and draws Post 8 for his Hilltop return.
RACE 10 – (1) THE BALLYKEEL DEAL was a solid trotter at the Canadian “B” tracks before shipping in to
Yonkers, and quickly was able to duplicate that form vs. the MUCH tougher local stock – she won’t offer any value
here, but the rail draw does stamp her as the one to beat. (5) CANTKEEPMIASECRET was 1
st or 2nd in 11 of her 22 Yonkers starts but started off this year 3-0-0-0 (while 6-2-2-2 in her out of town starts) – she’s been doing very good work since a recent barn change, and overdue for a big local effort...maybe tonight? (2) BLUEBIRD BISHOP
looked very good in that win 3 back, came up 2 nd best in his next then made an equipment break last week – Gingras
takes him over #1, so perhaps we can look for another good one tonight? (6) MANCLANE was right there 4 th off the
claim last week, while facing some stretch traffic – he’s been a solid player in this class, but the tough draw may
leave him looking at a smaller slice tonight. (3) MUFASA AS seemed a bit ambitiously placed in 40s last week but
battled a long way to be a very close 3 rd – chance for a piece here too. (4) WILLY WALTON gave his fans a good
root at 57-1 last week before weakening a bit from the final turn – leaning towards others, but wouldn’t be shocked
if he grabbed a piece. (8) J S HOPSCOTCH has bounced back after a brief rough patch but tonight’s draw figures to
really hurt his chances. (7) PERRON hasn’t been sharp, and is stuck with Post 7
RACE 11 – (4) YO A J was off a month to his last, facing much better, and caught a bit of a shuffle – should be
tighter now, gets in much easier, and we’ll give him the nod in tonight’s finale. (2) OHOKA LE BRON N showed
speed/ability after arriving in the U.S. but is still winless and pretty much a work in progress – he’s going to put it
together and win one of these nights...maybe tonight? (5) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER is doing better since
dropping to this bottom level, picking up 3rds in his last pair – decent chance for another piece here. (6) WICHITA
LINEMAN is well off his best form, stuck on smaller pieces even in this bottom class – more of the same tonight?
(3) MODERN ROCK took no $$ and showed little in his first start of 2024 – inclined to just pass tonight, but will at
least take a glimpse at the tote board first. (1) BLUEBIRD RECON has been one of the black sheep in an otherwise
very successful (in 2024) barn – not sure the rail draw is enough to make him a player. (8) INTIMIDATION just
hasn’t finished well at all since the claim, even if he did hang on vs. a cheaper bunch in PA last week – hard to get
excited about his chances from Post 8. (7) MCCLINCHIE N was winless in 21 local starts in 2022-23 and draws
Post 7 returning from Fhd. – maybe will consider when he at least gets a decent draw.