The Empire Report – Wednesday, June 26, 2024 – Race Analysis
Lots of driver switches with Brennan, Bartlett, Kakaley, and MacDonald all not here tonight!
RACE 1 – (4) UNITY has been first or 2nd in half of her local starts this year and moves to a barn that has started to
heat up, and claim horses again – faces a couple of tough foes tonight, but we’ll give her the narrow edge. (6) JUST
ROSAS LUCK has been loving life at this $20K level, picking up a pair of wins and a close 3rd since dropping down
in class – draws outside a couple of main rivals, but still a very serious threat. (1) SHOTGUN PERSUASION was
sent off at 40-1 two back but responded to the barn and driver change, delivering the massive upset in impressive
fashion – she was a dead game 2nd after getting roughed up last week, and remains a very dangerous player with the
rail draw. (2) LYONS MIKI turned in a much better effort last start, even if helped by the easy trip – playable for
3rd/4th . (3) WHATINEEDISAMAN gets a pass for last week (weakly parked) but does feel like she’s in a bit of a
tailspin – leaning towards others. (5) THATS A HUGE BEACH was a no-threat 4th in her local debut – maybe minor
spoils? (7) TERACITA continues to struggle and now gets stuck outside again
RACE 2 – (1) ROCK THIS WAY looked like he was starting to really fall apart but quickly turned things around
two back, delivering the 15-1 upset – he followed that up with an excellent 2nd last week (behind standout ITALIAN
DELIGHT N), and has to be accorded the edge from the pole tonight. (6) IMABEACHBOY backed off the start last
week and really had no chance after that – he moves to another new barn for tonight, and should be able to be driven
a lot more aggressively here...he’s already enjoying a fine season, finishing 1-2 in half of his 14 local tries. (4) VIC
TOR HIC raced well for pieces in his 2 local tries– not sure he can beat the top pair, but he could be next line, if they
falter. (3) JUST A WRANGLER was no factor in his only local start this year and his overall form has been lacking
as well – maybe he can handle the others? (2) SOMEBEACH BARON ships in off an easy win in PA but that was
vs. much easier– likely looking at only minor spoils against these. (5) HURRIKANE GEORGIE has been struggling
for a long time – waiting for some sort of better signs before considering
RACE 3 – (3) DANDYS SHOWTIME came up 2nd best to sharp winners in her last pair, and visited the winner’s
circle herself 4 starts back – she’ll either be cutting this mile or sitting the pocket, and she has a chance to win with
either trip – lukewarm vote. (1) LARJON LEAH was a winner when claimed for $20K 3 back – she moved up to
25s in her next and simply crushed ‘em, but disappointed in her last, off the two hole trip – deserves major respect
dropping back down to 20s tonight, but she also figures to be somewhat overbet. (2) SUNSET SOPH paid big prices
in her first two local wins this year but has earned some public trust since then, paying only 5/2 in her victory last
week – an alternative to the top two, if the price is right. (4) ROLL WITH SHORTY is a solid player in this class but
she was scratched sick from her last, and draws outside her main rivals tonight. (5) PRINCESS ARONA gave it a
try from Post 7 last week but ended up parked – guessing she’ll be handled conservatively now, and will need some
trip luck to have any shot at a decent piece. (6) AINTNOHOLLABACKGRL has been stuck on minor spoils most of
‘24
RACE 4 – Good race: (3) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP was racing well week after week but unable to crack the winner’s
circle – he finally got the job done in his last, and sometimes that can lead to a little streak – one of several with a
chance to come out on top here. (4) SEMI TOUGH couldn’t quite get to #6 two back (despite pacing home in :27)
then was just in a no chance spot last week – Bongiorno is a good pilot for him (as he does tend to get lazy, at times)
and he should be able to have a big say from this spot. (6) KOMODO BEACH is having a good year, and was dead
game in beating #4 two back – he finished right behind good ones in recent starts (VENTURESOME ARDEN N, KI
NGSVILLE, etc.), and he is a viable longshot tonight. (7) CAPTIVATE HANOVER won 10 races last year and has
already picked up 5 wins in 2024 – he did come up a little flat at the end of his last pair, however, and has to deal
with Post 7 tonight – leaning a little more towards others. (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A has been sharp for some
time and rallied by a tough horse to pass last week – the rail draw may help offset the class bump, and he certainly
should be considered for exotics. (2) CENTURY HEINEKEN disappointed in his local debut, was scratched sick
from his next then just requalified (2 months later) – sticking with others, for now. (5) SPLASH BROTHER has
leveled off since winning two straight over lesser
RACE 5 – (4) PLEASURE SEEKER has hit board in 6 of her last 7 starts, with a 4th in the other – she handles any
trip, and generally doesn’t get way overbet...we’ll try her on top. (2) TYRA MAKES BANK has enjoyed both the
barn change and move to Yonkers, picking up a win and two close 2nds since arriving on the scene – remains a
major threat. (3) BLUEBIRD GRAF is probably a little sharper than her lines might suggest, and does have 5 wins
here this year – if looking for a “value horse”, she’s not a bad one to consider. (1) WESTERN ROSIE is moving to a
barn that would have made her an automatic selection for some time...but that trainer is winless at Yonkers since
mid-May, and not just improving fresh stock as significantly as he was in the past – still have to respect, but make
sure to get a good price if using on top. (6) TUAPEKA JESSIE N hasn’t been a threat to win in a long time, and
tonight’s draw won’t make things any easier for her. (7) EVAS SPORTS CZECH was winless here for a long time
before picking up 4 victories in recent months – she has tailed off considerably in her last pair, however, and now
also has to contend with Post 7. (5) ITTY BITTY is another that hasn’t threatened in a long time, though the public
does show her a lot of respect in a bunch of her starts
RACE 6 – (3) SOHO LENNON A was late to the party for his farewell season but the 14YO qualified super at
Gaitway on 6/10 (beating a very sharp FAMILY RECIPE), then was a terrific 2nd in his seasonal debut here last
week – we’ll look for him to get his first win photo of the year tonight. (1) AFLAME HANOVER had been
sharpening vs. easier at PcD and did finish with pace in his first local start in a long time – figures to be handled
aggressively tonight, and that should lead to a nice chunk. (4) IGNATIUS A was well back in his YR return but did
finish full of pace through the lane – no reason he can’t rally for another good share tonight. (6) SLING SHOCK is
having a solid season and is a good fit at this level – the draw may leave him looking at a smaller slice, however. (5)
GAMBLINGTERROR raced much better than expected 3 back, giving the heavy favorite a run for his money – he
was no factor in his last pair, however, and it’s hard to know what we’ll see from him tonight – would throw him in
underneath, if the price is good. (7) SLIP THE HUNDY N likes to win races but his best work out of town has come
vs. easier – very tough spot for his Hilltop debut. (2) EMINEM HANOVER seems to have fallen off form lately –
along with several of his barnmates
RACE 7 – (2) PURPLE POET steps up a notch off last week’s blowout victory but faces nothing too sharp in here,
and remains the one to beat in this very modest NW7500 field. (3) CARABAO A hints at ability at times but the
import remains winless since arriving in the U.S., and did finish behind the top choice when the pair hooked up at
Plainridge, not long ago – he can be lazy in the lane at times, so it’ll be Stratton’s job to keep him motivated all the
way home. (6) SHADOW CAT is listed at 20-1 ML but he’s always a player down at this level, and absolutely one
to include in your exotics (even from the bad post). (4) GREAT SOMEWHERE seemed to be on the upswing before
a bit of a disappointing try last week – another candidate for the bottom of exotics. (1) MY CARBON COPY N gets
another great draw but just hasn’t been as sharp since his owner started filling in at the lines. (5) RAYRAY can
follow along for pieces at times – maybe 3rd/4th? (7) B COOL FOOL used a good trip to beat softer last week but
will have a tough time replicating that from Post 7, up in class
RACE 8 – (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY N reversed form with that 12-1 upset victory 2 back then went back to back
strong miles from 8 holes in her next pair – gets a little easier starting spot for tonight, catches a soft bunch and
would seem the one to knock off. (1) JAVA has been decent in all her recent starts and should have a good chance at
a big piece tonight – her barn is having a tough year, though (38-0-2-4) so probably not one you’d want to consider
on top. (7) PINK RUBY likes to win races so it was no surprise to see her dig in determinedly through the lane to
take her last– the issue tonight is the draw, and she may end up with a pretty tough trip IF she doesn’t get some good
racing luck. (5) JILLIAN JIGGS was a winning machine in Canada this year, taking 7 of her 14 starts – those were
probably against (much?) easier, however, and we’ll see how she stacks up against the locals (and best of luck to her
trainer, making the jump from “owner” to “conditioner” as he sends out his first career starter with this one). (2) KA
THYS MOMENT has used easy trips to hit board a few times lately – she’ll need another easy trip for a chance at
another small share. (4) BETTORSHIGHLIGHT N has basically been “even” in her recent starts and will need to
find a bit more if she hopes to contend for a bigger piece. (3) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX doesn’t really embarrass
herself out there, but her 15-0-0-1 record this year makes it hard to consider her for more than minor spoils.
RACE 9 – (7) MELANION N debuts for a barn that has been having some success with imports, and it would be
hard to qualify any better than he did (last half in :55.1 at Monticello, :27.1 kicker with Chuck Poynton in the bike) –
we’ll bite in his first U.S. start...while also understanding that he’s not likely to be near that 12-1 ML price, if
“serious”. (3) BENHOPE RULZ N is very solid at this level and even with a bit better – he had pace at both ends of
the mile last week, and a good trip can help him have a say tonight. (2) LEVINE is still winless in 2024 but he races
well almost every start – remains a good choice for the bottom of exotics. (1) ARDEN MESSI N was no threat in his
last 2 local starts but he’s won 3 of his last 4 out of town, while impeded in the other – a good trip may pit him right
in the mix for a good chunk tonight. (5) FEARFUL INTENT got very brave on the lead last week and was able to
complete the wire to wire score, over a bit easier – would hardly be a shock if he was a big player tonight as well,
but that 2-1 ML price does suggest that there could be better value to be found elsewhere. (6) CASINO ACTION N
had a great trip in his lone U.S. victory, over cheaper – he may be able to be a player with these too, but the poor
draw has us leaning elsewhere. (4) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER seems to need easier to strut his best stuff
RACE 10 – (4) TWIN B HEART THROB was a sharp front end winner over a bit cheaper last week but he’s shown
that he can hold his own vs. these types as well – his barn is as sharp as ever, and this guy could offer some good
value in a tough finale. (1) GREG THE LEG hasn’t been the winning machine he was in 2023 but his game really
hasn’t fallen off that much – he picked up 2nds in his last pair, and maybe tonight he can get back over the hump. (6)
ANOTHRMASTRPIECE N is very tough at this level, and comes off an 8 hole 2nd (as the favorite!) in his last – if
not for the 23 days off, he might have been the top choice. (5) THIS IS THE PLAN is clearly well off his best and
hard to take at a short price these days – he’s also far too classy to ever just dismiss too quickly at this NW15000
level. (2) SAVE AMERICA was getting his 4YO campaign in gear with front end scores in his last pair – he was
sold after that his last, however, and seems a little iffy of tonight as the ML favorite (he can win, but probably better
value with a couple of others). (3) TRAIN STATION broke 5 starts back, came up with 3 straight sharp tries but then
broke again last week – another that’s CAPABLE, but risky at the same time. (7) ROCKIN JUKEBOX wasn’t close
to his best in his last pair and now lands Post 7 – if you think he can rebound with one of his better efforts tonight,
the price will surely be right. (8) HIGH VOLTAGE DEO wasn’t bad in his local debut but lands in an impossible
spot for tonight – keep an eye for NEXT week, when he’ll likely be getting some class relief.