Friday Empire Report

soaofny • July 1, 2022

The Empire Report - Friday, July 1, 2022 - Race Analysis

The Empire Report - Friday, July 1, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) IMSTAYNALIVE was very sharp in his last couple, despite starting from Post 8 - gets some

major post relief here, and figures to be the better price of the two main players....we'll make him the top

choice. (6) GENIUS MAN responded to the class drop last week and went a strong mile to be 2nd best to a

classy rival - drops all the way to the bottom now, and figures to be very good once again....but his barn has

been struggling to win races the past 6 weeks (2 for 66), so that's why we're giving the narrow edge to #3.

(5) MCCLINCHIE N was a game 3rd (from Post 8) the last time he dropped down to this level - figures to

be a good price here, and he's not a bad one to use underneath in exotics. (2) ROCK N TONY has been

struggling for some time but did perk up with a 3rd after dropping to this bottom level 2 back - never got

close from Post 7 last week, but the move inside could put him right in the hunt for a share. (4) HES ELEC

TRIC has always been camera shy at YR but does have a couple of wins here this year - his current form is

questionable, however, so we'll see if he can perk up and grab a small piece. (7) KNOCKING AROUND

wasn't bad in his last pair, picking up 3rds - will need some trip luck to make that happen from out here,

though. (1) SPORTSKEEPER has been struggling for most of 2022 - draws best, but that may not be

enough to make him a serious player. (8) MARLBANK ROAD gave way and tired after an aggressive try

last week - draws Post 8 now, and may be handled very conservatively

RACE 2 - (4) CARRACCI HANOVER was sent off at 1/5 last week but made a very costly break early on

- he caught the pack, made a big move up into 2nd on the final turn but unfortunately made another break

before they turned for home - he'll be a better price tonight (for a new barn), and it may not be a bad idea to

stick with him one more time. (5) ASTON HILL DAVE was 1 for 51 over the last 2 years (and winless

since 2020 here at Yonkers) but he was able to blast right to the top from Post 8 last week, benefited

tremendously by the miscues made by #4, and was able to register the 80-1 shocker....he'll obviously be a

lot shorter price this week, but he DOES have a legitimate chance to repeat...especially if the top choice

misbehaves for his new connections. (8) PACING MAJOR N was handled aggressively off the layoff but

wasn't up for the tough trip - could be tighter now, and he drops from 20s to 15s - possibility, even from out

here. (3) WAVES OF FIRE A is just 17-1-0-0 this year and that win came in an amateur event - that being

said, he has enjoyed success here in the past, and isn't a bad one for longshot fans to consider. (2) GYPSY

LEATHER sat pocketed behind #5 last week but failed to go by in the lane, despite the perfect trip - will

consider using underneath only. (7) BOURBONS COURAGE seems to have really hit the skids lately -

he'd need a total form reversal to be a threat tonight, but the price will be juicy if you think that may be

coming. (1) CASHNCAM draws best but just hasn't looked good at all lately - not sure the rail will be

enough to make him a player. (6) MACARTER was empty in his first local try and a dul l4th last week -

not ready to hop on his team just yet

RACE 3 - (5) BENJIS BEST won 8 races and $113K in a fine 2021 season - he was battling $50-75K

claimers in NJ this winter but was scratched on 2/1 and didn't show back up until June 7th - looked ok in a

couple of tighteners at The Meadows, and now returns to his favorite barn, at a reduced level - clearly some

issues here, but we'll have faith that he's still good enough to beat these. (4) SPORTS BETTOR took some

$$ two back and delivered a much improved effort for 2nd - was sent off favored last week, and came up a

solid 2nd best once again....definitely getting closer to his first win of the season. (1) HERE COMES SWIF

TY was very sharp beating cheaper 2 and 3 back - had no chance from Post 8 last week (off the claim), but

he just may be a very live player with the move to the rail tonight. (2) DAVIDS COMING HOME was a

steady 3rd off the claim last week, helped by a live flow - he always seems to get bet and always "figures",

but he's also a bit of a "sluggo" that seems more likely to take home a smaller prize, rather than the top one.

(3) VINOVIO doesn't really look great on paper but he did pick up a 2nd when he drew inside - ok bomb

for the bottom of exotics. (6) IN SPADES didn't click in 2 starts off the claim and has missed almost a

month after a sick scratch - prefer others. (8) LORD OF MISRULE grabbed 4th last week but really only

beat tired and trapped rivals - faces another long haul from Post 8. (7) LINCOLN BOULEVARD is 0 for 15

this year and just 3 for 43 lifetime - not sure facing tough older claimers is the answer

RACE 4 - Tough race! (3) FOCUS POCUS was sharp before the recent purchase and even sharper since

the barn change - his last is sharper than it looks, and tonight's post relief can only help his chances - one of

several that can take this, depending on how the race plays out. (8) RICH AND MISERABLE has been a


solid performer his whole life, and it's no accident that the 7YO has $630K on his card - ships in very sharp

from Pocono, and has a legitimate chance (even from Post 8) if the right trip comes his way. (7) SORELLA

is the "x factor" in here - was content to just tour the oval in the FM Open last week in her first start off the

layoff, but may be ready for a more serious try tonight - the ability is certainly there so check the tote board

for some clues. (1) NEXTROUNDSONME landed on a dream trip last week and the consistent gelding was

able to rally late for the victory - remains in the same class, draws the pole, and is a threat to be right there

again with another kind journey. (2) FANATIC rebounded with a better effort when 2nd last start, after

going through a bit of a rough patch - remains a question mark for tonight, however, as he's been away for 3

weeks. (4) TOCCOA FALLS struggled through an 0 for 24 season in 2021 but his fortunes changed this

year after moving to a very high % barn, winning half of his 14 starts so far - he's shown that he can trot

with these and is yet another with a chance to be a significant player. (6) KINDA LUCKY LINDY finished

well for 5th last week just behind the top ones - the outside draw will likely hurt his chances for better,

though. (5) LADY JETER is off her game right now, and hard to endorse against these

RACE 5 - Another wide open race: (5) TIGER BARON just missed when 2nd 3 back, and has legitimate

excuses in his last couple - he's winless on the year and that 5/2 ML price is unappealing BUT this is a

pretty shaky field and he does get reunited with Bongiorno...who has coaxed some good efforts from him in

the past - tepid nod. (3) TOM ME GUN N was one of several horses that Dube ended up clogging the rim

with over the past couple of weeks but he was a solid 2nd in the start before - he generally holds his own

with better than these, and could be a live player here -- his trainer is off to a rough start in 2022 though (1

for 32). (7) BETTORS DREAM has been well backed and used hard his last 3 with little to show for it -

drops now, and maybe can land on an easier trip...worth a look if the price is decent. (4) MARTY MONKH

OUSER A perked up with a better effort last week, even if he tired to 4th after cutting the mile - definitely

a threat dropping to the bottom level, but also figures to be overbet. (8) SO MANY ROADS likes to sit

back and rally late - he'll need all kinds of luck to reach from this spot, but he's not a bad one for longshot

fans that believe the pace can get a little heated up front. (2) KIMANI N hasn't been bad this year, but he's

still just 1 for 17 (and 2 for 53 over the past 2 years) - tough one to endorse on top! (1) FLYING FINN N

draws the pole....but that hasn't helped him the last 3 weeks -- needs a wake up call to be a real player. (6)

DING DING DINGER was an ok 3rd last week, helped by an easy trip - hard to like his chances with the

move outside, though

RACE 6 - Park MGM Filly Pace Final - $104,790: (5) MADEIRA HANOVER started to improve at the

end of her 2YO season but has come back a much better filly at 3, winning 3 of her 4 starts so far (with a

2nd to the talented Captain Cowgirl in the other) - a couple of her main rivals in here have some question

marks, and she figures to be a decent price - worth a shot tonight. (7) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT has won 10

of 16 career starts including last year's NYSS Final, right here at Yonkers - she did throw a disappointing

effort at Monti 2 back, and also MAY land on a tough trip from Post 7 - very dangerous player, but don't

take too short a price. (3) WICKEDLY INNOCENT has been doing outstanding work so far at 3, almost

winning the Fan Hanover in Canada last start - she looks terrific on paper BUT she did make a few breaks

as a 2YO, and she's also getting a pretty surprising barn change -- may be a little risky at what figures to be

a pretty short price. (2) NADINA HANOVER is a bit on the cheaper side but she's hit board in 13 of 15

career starts, and has a 6-2-2-1 record here at Yonkers - good one to include underneath. (8) LEE LOU has

looked good so far at 3 in her qualifiers and 2 starts - faces a long haul from Post 8, however, and that may

limit her to a smaller piece of this. (1) WINE N DINE ME seems a notch below the main players but does

draw the pole with Tetrick on board - may be enough to help her grab a small piece. (4) FLY LIKE AN

ANGEL is a barnmate to the top choice, but does seem a bit below that one - feels like a bit of an outsider

here. (6) LIGHTNING LEIA hails from top shelf connections, but may need to be in a bit easier

RACE 7 - New York New York Mile Final (3YO Filly Trotters) - $126,125: (6) JIGGY JOG S impressed

at 2, hitting board in 8 of 11 starts, including a 3rd (to JOVIALITY) in the Breeders Crown - has looked

very good so far in a trio of 3YO starts, and retains the services of Mr. Dunn for tonight - it's a concern that

she hasn't raced since 5/27, but the guess is that her sharp connections will have her tight for tonight. (1)

WHAT SHOULD I GOO did good work at 2 (6-3-1-2) but vs. lesser - served notice that she as ready for

her 3YO season with a blowout Chester win, then was 2nd in the Lady Suffolk to LITTLE PINK LIES -

was purchased after finishing 2nd to the talented Baptism last start, and now is under the care of the Super

Siblings....look for a big effort tonight. (5) LITTLE PINK LIES started the year winning the Lady Suffolk,


then finished 2nd and 3rd behind JOVIALITY in her last two - very legitimate player in here. (8) PEYTON

HANOVER grabbed a win and 2nd in a pair of NJSS legs but was no factor in the Final (where the top

choice was a close 2nd) - probably fits nicely with these, but the terrible draw figures to limit her output for

tonight. (2) CASH INFUSION made a break here on 5/16 but added hopples after that and has behaved

ever since - may be a notch below the top ones, but a chance for a minor share. (3) GETTINMYSTEPSIN

has speed and stays trotting, but may have trouble sticking around with some of these in the latter stages.

(4) HL REVINA has some ability but is still trying to find her best form since returning at 3 - tough spot.

(7) QUICK BET seems well below barnmate PEYTON HANOVER right now, and also draws terribly

RACE 8 - MGM Grand Messenger Stakes Final, $261,730: (4) GULF SHORES pretty much ended up on

the lead by default last week, and had no problem winning his division to qualify for tonight's Final - he

was the most accomplished of these at 2, and certainly appears to have come back hitting on all cylinders at

3 - he's probably even better from OFF the pace, so a few other hard leavers tonight may even benefit him.

(7) PLEASELETMEKNOW has always loved racing at Yonkers and last week was no exception, as he

jogged in his (1:52) division - barring any terrible trips, he can be a serious player even from Post 7. (1)

NAUTICAL HANOVER bled 3 back then was a winner at Chester the next week adding Lasix - paced

well to the end to be 3rd last week, and should land a good trip from the pole tonight - include in exotics.

(3) CAPTAIN COWBOY sat the pocket to the top choice last week and stuck with him right to the wire -

may have a little tougher trip tonight, but he's still a solid contender for a piece of this. (5) ATLAS HANO

VER sat pocketed to #7 last start but was outkicked home for the show spot - may be a notch below the top

players in here. (8) PJ LOU has plenty of ability but seems damned if he leaves, and will have a hard time

rallying from the back of the pack (especially since he struggles a bit on the turns here) - lots of trip luck

will be needed. (2) HUNTANOVER grabbed a 4th in his elimination but does seem a bit below several of

the others. (6) BOSTON was able to get into the Final when Hammering Hank didn't drop in the box - you

have to be in it to win it, but he certainly feels like an outsider against these

RACE 9 - The Yonkers Trot Final, $280,904: (7) JOVIALITY is a filly taking on the boys and she'll be

starting from a terrible post....she's also proven to be a very special horse, and she'll likely be the odds on

choice despite the obstacles that were mentioned....she's 16-13-2-0 with over $1M on her card already, and

remains the one to beat. (3) DOUBLE DECEIVER had a very successful 2YO season and has come back

just as sharp at 3 - was a solid pocket 2nd to JUSTICE last week, and should be able to land on another

good trip tonight - legitimate player. (4) SAVERIO HANOVER was caught well back into a sharp final half

last week but was still trotting strong through the wire to rally for 4th - good bomb to use underneath in

exotics tonight. (8) JUSTICE is 8-6-1-0 to start his career but unfortunately, one of those losses was when

he came up no good in last year's NYSS Final (here atr Yonkers) - looked super taking last week's

elimination, but a lot can go wrong from Post 8 - make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (5) POUR

MEA DOUBLE was our choice last week to finish behind JOVIALITY and he did just that, rallying

beautifully to complete a nice exacta - the only concern for tonight is that he may be coming from too far

back. (6) SLAY was a steady performer at 2 and has continued to do good things at 3 - the draw wasn't kind

to him, however, and he may have trouble working out a decent trip tonight. (2) ROBERTSIN's line from

last week looks good on paper but it's incorrect....as he actually tired in the stretch and lost by at least 6

lengths (not the 1 1/4 lengths shown in the early programs) - he'll need to be better to be a serious player

tonight. (1) BRAVE BY DESIGN only made it to the final because Dover In Motion made a late break, and

that good luck continued when he drew the pole for tonight - we'll see if he's able to capitalize, and earn a

good piece of this.

RACE 10 - Wide open: (5) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N continues to drop, hoping to find the level where

he can find his better form - he faces a field with several questionable entrants, and maybe this will be

where he gets that wake up call. (2) MACH DORO A was no good cutting the mile for a couple of starts,

then was unable to do any damage from off the pace in his last pair either - another hoping that tonight's

drop will perk him back up. (1) BLUEBIRD RECON may have built some confidence wiring cheaper last

week, and now draws the pole for the hottest trainer/driver tandem on the planet - will probably be overbet,

but does have a chance to make it 2 in a row. (4) POSH ONTHE BEACH A had a tough trip at this level 2

back but was able to get the job done off the class drop in last - might be able to be a factor tonight, despite

moving back up. (6) IM BENICIO A is a streaky sort that seemed to back in a good groove after that win

on 6/7 - got parked (and had to requalify) in his next, however, and it's hard to know what to expect from


him tonight. (7) LEVINE was very good 2 back off the layoff but was sent off at 53-1 the next week and

was never even in the hunt - perhaps the tote board can offer some clues? (8) THE REAL ONE looked like

he may be coming back into form....before a bit of a dud last week - gets stuck with Post 8 now, and figures

to be coming from too far out of it. (3) PRINCE MCARDLE N is being listed on the bottom due to his

current struggles....but he's another eligible to reverse form here and have a say

RACE 11 - (6) SKY CASTLES was purchased after that Scioto win on 6/1 - qualified nicely without

hopples then blew out a field on 6/24, establishing a new lifetime mark - the 5YO showed ability as a

youngster, and perhaps we'll start to really see it now - should be a decent value play in the finale. (1)

COLONIAL AS IT had plenty of late trot for 4th shipping in from NJ 2 back, then was a well bet 8 hole

winner in his last - moves all the way inside, stays in the same class, and is an obvious threat to take

another. (3) IM THE MUSCLE can be pretty inconsistent, but he does deliver some big efforts when he

gets to cut the mile - possibility if Dube can get him to the front end. (4) MADHATTER BLUECHIP was

allowed to just stay on the cones and trot evenly last week after tiring badly on the front end the week

before - might be able to grab a piece of this with a decent trip. (2) CASINO CUTIE IT wasn't able to put

together a good enough bid last week and weakened to 4th, but may be able to grab a piece here with a

close up, easy trip. (5) BARRY BLACK has been away for 3 weeks after making a break in his last (and

struggling a bit for a few starts before that - would really like to see a better effort before considering an

endorsement. (7) HL REVADON has battled tougher than these here when on his best game, but he does

seem to need easier right now to be a threat - Post 7 only makes things even tougher. (8) MAGICAL

JOURNEY reverted to bad habits and made a break last week - expect a conservative try from Post 8

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