Monday Empire Report

soaofny • August 1, 2022

The Empire Report - Monday, August 1, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (5) VELOCITY KOMODO was in tough spots vs. better for a bunch of starts but took full

advantage of the class drop last week - steps up a peg tonight, but draws well enough to be a threat to make

it 2 in a row. (6) CARLISIMO has been right there with much better recently, and has plenty of late pace

when dropping to this level in last - a live trip puts him in the hunt for the top slot. (2) LONG WEEKEND

shipped in off a pair of out of town clunkers but rebounded very nicely, finishing crisply for 3rd - he's hit

board in 7 of 9 local starts, and has a chance for another good chunk tonight. (3) MULLINAX couldn't have

asked for a better trip last week and really should have been able to win that night (finished a close 2nd) -

he's possible here, but will offer no value at that 8/5 ML price. (1) EHRMANTROUT found his form at

Chester, albeit vs. much easier - gets a total pass for his YR return last week (bad shuffle), and could easily

grab a piece of this with a better journey. (4) BETTORBUCKLEUP has hit board in 6 of 7 local starts,

including his last pair- he does seem to want to be in a little cheaper, though. (7) ALEX TYE was a

dominant winner last week, benefiting from the class drop and the lead - draws poorly while moving up

now, and that could slow him down a bit. (8) MACH N CHEESE has been terrific since the recent barn

change, but racing on the lead vs. lesser - not ready to endorse him from a spot like this.


RACE 2 - (2) JUSTLIKEHIM was away 6 weeks (sick scratch) then qualified nicely vs. a classy rival -

worth a shot tonight in a field full of iffy contenders, and cheaper contestants. (7) MUSCLE JACK makes

this a very difficult race - he's 3 for 3 since being claimed on 6/6, yet drops from 75s (a class he just beat

TWICE, as the favorite) down to 50s - this screams "RED FLAG!", but it also seems hard to just toss him -

makes for a very tough race! (3) GREY finally didn't miss time between starts and was able to turn a pocket

trip into a victory last week - no reason she can't be in the hunt once more. (1) FASHION FOREVER hasn't

been "sharp", but he continues to take home minor awards week after week - no reason he can't grab a share

tonight. (4) MY BOY CHRISTIAN can generally hold his own when drawn inside - one of several with a

chance at a small share. (8) MUSKINGUM fits well enough with these, but faces an uphill battle from Post

7. (5) ARMAGEDDON SEELSTER normally loves Yonkers, but just isn't clicking right now - minor piece

only. (6) TORKIL picked up a close 2nd (vs. cheaper) 2 back but will need to up his game here as well for a

chance to be a player.


RACE 3 - (1) BENJIS BEST has now beaten the 20s, 40s, and 50s twice -- he's been our pick each time,

and we'll stay on his team as he looks to make it 5 in a row, this time against the 75s. (2) DELIGHTFUL

TERROR draws inside and that should keep him close enough to the action to be a serious threat - could be

the right one if the top choice finally throws a lesser effort. (6) BARBADOS has been very good for some

time, and certainly sharp enough now to be a player at the $75K level - the big question here is whether he

can find a manageable trip from this spot...legitimate threat if he does. (7) KEYSTONE PHOENIX came

up a little short at the end in his last couple, though still a close 2nd both times - faces an uncertain trip

from this spot, and could be a little vulnerable tonight. (3) RAUKAPUKA RULER N has hit board in 4

straight starts but has also come up a little short at the end each time, resulting in smaller pieces - may be

looking at a similar outcome for tonight. (4) MAJOR BETTS was an ok 4th last week from Post 8, off 3

weeks - better draw tonight, and eligible to take home a small share. (5) AMERICAN BOY N seems better

suited to be in with cheaper, and Jordan apparently agrees (he takes #2 instead) - prefer others. (8_

PATRIOT NATION draws Post 8 after missing 3 weeks - prefer others tonight.


RACE 4 - (3) OZONE BLUE CHIP landed on an unlucky trip for his new barn last week but was still

pacing very well late - he's a proven player at this level, and we'll give him the narrow nod for tonight. (2)

MARINER SEELSTER must have grown tired of beating the 40s (3 straight) and will now try to keep it

going against the 50s - very legitimate threat to take yet another. (4) BECKHAMS Z TAM was ok at the

$75K level, but this is really where he's most dangerous - chance to come out on top with the right trip. (5)

FOREVER FAV was reclaimed by his current barn for the 2nd time last week - he was a winner 2 back, and

faced some traffic issues in his last - not impossible. (7) MIKEY CAMDEN was racing solidly every week

recently then was claimed for $40K from his last - steps and draws poorly tonight, and that may slow him

down a bit. (1) BETTOR BE OSCAR A has been plagued by a bunch of bad posts recently but he struggled

even from the pole 2 back - just needs to be (much) sharper. (6) KINNDER JACKSON seems to have

regressed since joining this barn three starts back - tough draw won't help his chances tonight. (8) FAST N

FIRST draws Post 8 after being away from the races for a year - will just watch, for now.


RACE 5 - Tough race: (1) ALTUS HANOVER has shown some ability here in the past, and returns from

PA showing solid form - draws best in a wide open race, and picks up Bartlett for the first time...and that's

been a very strong angle this year. (8) EMOTIONS RICHES was razor sharp beating the 50s off the claim 2

back - tougher trip in last vs. the 75s, but still right there 3rd - would probably have been the top choice if

not for Post 8. (2) TOP ME OFF showed some talent (at times) in the Brennan Trotting Series, and returns

to YR off a pair of PA wins - looks like he'll fit well in here. (7) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN is in the

hunt virtually every week, though usually comes up a little light right near the end - always worth

including underneath. (4) KANDY SWEET was no factor moving up to 75s off the claim but does get a

vote of confidence from her barn by dropping right back in that same class - maybe we'll see a more

aggressive effort tonight? (5) PUBLICITY SEEKER has done his best work at lower levels - not writing

him off just yet, but looking at other options for tonight. (3) STONEBRIDGE GAMBLE has hit the skids

the past couple of starts - will stick with others until he shows some better signs. (6) STRIKING GENSON

was an ok 2nd (DH) at this level 2 back, but threw a dud in his last - leaning towards others right now.


RACE 6 - (5) DEAN B HANOVER has developed into a very nice 4YO, and it's good to see he qualified

back fairly quickly after being scratched lame here on 6/27 - it's probably also a good sign that Jordan takes

him tonight over the classy PAT STANLEY N...if HE likes his chances, maybe we should too? (4) ALWA

YS AND AGAIN raced HUGE last week, possibly his best local effort to date - he still doesn't figure to

take a ton of action, and that makes him worth a look tonight. (3) FAMILY RECIPE charged home out of

the pocket to win his local debut, kicking home in a sizzling :26.4 to pick up the win - have a feeling he'll

be able to go with these, as well. (7) PYRO is a mega hard hitter, and picked up a pair of 2nds recently

before getting roughed into oblivion last week - tough post for sure, but still deserves at least some

consideration at that 15-1 ML price. (2) PAT STANLEY N looked like he may have been bothered on the

back side last start, losing momentum when a rival came out close underneath him (and then never looking

good after that) -- gets Cory tonight as bother Jordan opts for #5....maybe we should too? (6) MOVIN ON

UP appreciated last week's easy trip, and was able to rally late for 3rd - could land on a tougher trip here,

and that could mean a much smaller share. (1) MIKES Z TAM was used hard early last week and tired once

into the stretch -- we'll see if he's handled a little more patiently now, hoping for a softer trip. (8) PEACE

OUT POSSE was pretty good last week....but it'll be hard become a minor leaguer.


RACE 7 - (1) MANKAT dropped down to this level last week but saw his chances compromised when

caught behind a tiring leader - license to make amends with a cleaner trip tonight. (2) ROCK CANDY has

been struggling for sure, and losing Kakaley isn't going to help - that being said, he's in a very good spot

here IF the "good" version decided to show up. (6) IM A GIGOLO N was our selection last week and he

was a dead game winner at this same level - much tougher post tonight, but still deserves plenty of respect.

(4) IMSTAYNALIVE almost had to win with the picture perfect trip 2 back, but may have been even

sharper last week, though from an impossible spot - sharp enough for a chance to add some value to

exotics...with some trip luck. (3) CRUNCH HANOVER fires some weeks, but is just dull other times - the

"good" version could do some damage here, but it's always just a guess as to which version will show up.

(7) ROCK LIGHTS picked up 4ths vs. better in his last pair - drops, but the outside draw still figures to

hurt his chances. (5) GAMBLINGTERROR is feeling pretty good again, but does move up yet another

level - chance for a minor piece. ((8) L DEES JACK LOPEZ lands Post 8 after being away for half a year -

going to just watch for tonight.


RACE 8 - Short, but sharp competitive Open field: (4) JACKS LEGEND N was just too far back to have

any real chance last week but still flew home for 3rd, pacing a final half in a super :53.3 - hard to say how

this race will play out, but this guy can be pretty tough if it goes his way. (1) PRICELESS BEACH went a

couple of sub par (for him) efforts here recently but might have been bleeding, as he added Lasix up at

Stga. last week - had no shot that night (way too far back to threaten in the Gerrity), but he still finished

well - could be very tough tonight with the rail draw. (3) ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N might have beaten

these 3 back if he had stretch room, then did come out on top in his following start - no prayer in last (8

hole) but could easily be right back in serious contention with the inside draw. (5) FUNATTHEBEACH N

was able to go to the top in an easy spot last week and it was pretty much all over once he got there -

remains a very dangerous player. (2) SEMI TOUGH was racing off a layoff last week and really not bad -

eligible to be sharper tonight, and perhaps take home a good piece. (6) NONE BETTOR A is sharp right

now, but lands the outside draw in a sharp field.


RACE 9 - (3) SPLASH BROTHER has been very sharp in all his recent starts, and gets some class relief

tonight - this is hardly an "easy" field, but it's definitely one that he can beat...with a decent trip. (2) AMER

ICAN DEALER N is a multiple Open winner that's also dropping from that top level - look for a big effort

from him, as well. (1) TRACEUR HANOVER is hitting on all cylinders these days, even as he's climbed

the class ladder - gets another excellent draw, and can make his presence felt. (5) IM SIR BLAKE A is

getting basically a free ride after beating this level last week (with a very sharp performance) - wouldn't be

any surprise to see him take another, although drawing outside a few very sharp foes does figure to hurt his

chances a bit. (7) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N has been doing fine work for the Super Siblings out of

town, but draws terribly for his local debut - would rather wait for a better spot, but can see why others will

want to hop on board tonight. (6) EXPLOIT is a head shy of a 3 race win streak as he debuts tonight for the

hottest trainer/driver combination on the planet - feels like a tough spot, but this amazing team can never be

counted out completely. (4) SMOKIN BY N has been outstanding since the claim 3 back but this is a much

better field he'll be facing tonight...and he'll have to prove that he can hang with them. (8) CHASE H

HANOVER gets a pass for last week (unlucky trip), but his chances figure to be severely compromised by

the draw - wait for a better scenario.


RACE 10 - (1) MACH DORO A gave heavily favored B LIKE CRUISER a good tussle last week before

settling for 2nd - may end with a good trip tonight, and the 11YO is racing well again - chance for the mild

upset. (4) B LIKE CRUISER had to work much harder than expected last week (at 1/5) after an absolutely

scary effort the week before - obviously a very real chance to take another, but maybe he's just a bit

vulnerable right now? (2) CONBOYVILLE just seemed disinterested from Post 8 last week but may bring

a much better effort with the move back inside - include in exotics. (3) ELWELL is the wild card in here -

gone a ton of miles that would put him right there, but he's missed 3 weeks (sick scratch) and it's hard to

say just how sharp he'll be for tonight. (6) WAR DAN DELIGHT N is beyond camera shy, but does eace

well at times and picks up pieces - ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) MOONLIGHT SHADOW has hung in ok with

75s. and is definitely a good fit vs. the 50s -- it's the horrible draw that could sink his chances for tonight.

(5) LL MYSTRO is a hard hitter, but seems likely to be pressing his luck up at this $50K level. (7) ALOTB

ETTOR N was dull off the claim last week, and draws outside tonight.

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