Friday Empire Report

soaofny • November 22, 2024

The Empire Report – Friday, November 22, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) ATRACHEROUS A was a big “go” vs. much better off the barn change last week but got really

roughed up trying for the lead and tired badly – in MUCH easier now, looking at a much kinder trip, and deserves a

chance to redeem herself. (1) GAME OF SHADOWS qualified nicely after a couple of months off but landed on a

no chance trip in her first start back – could have a nigger impact tonight with the trail draw. (2) LADY NEWTON

got sharp for a few starts not too long ago but is harder to read right now – may be able to rally for a share with an

easy trip. (4) MACHS LEGACY A was hurt a bit by poor cover last week but never passed that poor cover in the

lane – she was off a bad date that night, so we’ll see if she’s a little sharper this time around. (5) SUNBURNT has

been stuck on minor pieces since returning from the layoff – may be looking at a similar result for tonight. (8) MILL

WOOD BONNIE N wasn’t any good 2 back, and really was no good last week, even though 3rd – would need to be

a lot better for any chance from out here. Both (3) FANSBABY and (7) BROOKVIEW EASY look overmatched.


RACE 2 – Tough race! (7) IDEAL COVER has enjoyed a terrific year but did start to tail a bit for a few starts – she

perked back up with a better effort 2 back, then built off that with an easy win at The Swamp last week – as long as

the price is decent she may be worth a look, even from out here. (4) MC ANGEL was scary for a long stretch this

year then really unraveled – she shipped over to Pocono last week and despite racing off over a month, she was able

to beat (cheaper) -maybe it was a sign that she’s ready to turn things around again? (3) WOODMERE HARRIET

was one of the barn’s many winners since last week and like several of her stablemates, just seemed to sprout wings

last start – normally wouldn’t get a look against these but a repeat of last weeks (outstanding) effort could make her

a threat here too. (1) CALLMEQUEENBEE A went a sharp try last week but was simply no match for #3’s stretch

explosion – no reason she can’t be back in the mix tonight. (8) VILLAGE JADE has some good miles against better

than these but she gets a horrible draw and may struggle to get involved – demand a big price if considering on top.

(2) UNITY was caught in a shuffle last week then finished ok after shaking loose – maybe a minor share? (6) HALL

ELUJAH HANOVER is more than capable with these but took no $$ last week and had no offer – maybe a check of

the tote board is in order? (5) FORTUNADA doesn’t have the greatest YR record – leaning towards others.


RACE 3 – (3) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE had hit a bit of a rough patch but added Lasix for her last and came up with

a BIG first over victory (another of the barn’s successes last week) – faces a bit better field tonight, but can handle

these too if as good as last week. (4) RAPTORS WON was sharp from tough spots in her first 2 starts after arriving

from Canada – she was heavily backed last week, handled aggressively (as expected), but simply worn into

submission by #3 – the price will be much better tonight if you want to stick with her. (5) TWIN B SUNKISSED

was sent off favored last week, quarter moved to command but fell apart before they turned for home – she’s capable

of much better, and is another that will be a much better price for those inclined to give her another chance. (6)

TRUE BLUE HANOVER had definitely tailed off a bit recently but did perk up to win last week, when handled

aggressively – would have liked her chances here a bit more if not for the tough draw (up in class). (1) PARADISE

ROCK L enjoyed a live trip last week (following #3) and might have been 2nd had she not drifted a bit to the wire –

chance for a piece here too, with another good trip. (2) LOOKOVERYOUR landed in a bad spot last week and

deserves a pass...but she may need to be in a little easier, regardless. (7) CELCIUS is always good for some late

pace but may be coming from too far back tonight to make much of a dent. (8) FAVORITE BEACH trailed all the

way from a similar spot last week.


RACE 4 – (2) VIBRANCE was in an impossible spot last week but was still full of pace when she came through the

wire – she’s gone some big miles this year (against some pretty good mares) and may be able to pull off the mild

upset here. (1) SWEET GAL is a 3YO filly taking on some older foes but she has no shortage of ability, and was an

easier winner last week than her line might suggest – the rail draw is a big help, and she figures to be a strong player

from start to finish. (3) TWO PISTOL ANNIE has raced well in all six starts since shipping in from Minnesota, and

should land on a decent trip tonight – very playable in exotics. (8) PASTA DELIGHT finished right behind #1 last

week after winning her first 2 local starts – she’s another 3YO filly in here, and it’s hard to know how aggressive

she’ll be after drawing all the way outside – perhaps the tote board will offer some clues? (4) BLOOD MOON A

never got into the hunt last week but she’s raced well here a bunch of times – another good one to use underneath.

(7) CHARMING VIXEN was taking a big step up last week but still finished full of pace to be a close 3rd – maybe a

good bomb for 3rd/4th? (6) WASTED ON YOU gets a pass for her local debut (parked from Post 8) but really had

only mild pace last week after shaking free of a shuffle – tough draw tonight. (5) AMBUSHED has a couple of

recent PcD wins over lesser, but may need to be in a little easier over here.


RACE 5 – (1) AQUARIUS FACE S toured the oval (in NJ) from Post 10 in his U.S. debut – was well backed here

for his next start, but after finally going wide around terrible cover on the final turn, he made a costly break as he

was starting to rally – catches a pretty blank field tonight, and we’ll give him another chance. (4) MUSICAL RIDE

is hard to gauge off his Canadian form but he’s listed at 20-1 ML for a barn that always seems to do well with these

types – worth a look? (5) SOUTHWIND ARTURO had a great 2023 season but not too many bright spots in ’24 –

he does seem to have sharpened in his last couple at PcD, and this is certainly a field where he would be very

comfortable...hard to take a short price on top, though. (3) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM looked good winning from

Post 7 in an amateur race 2 back but then never really fired in the lane last week off a very nice trip– small piece. (6)

FIX A DRINK folded badly upon arrival from Stga. then broke in his next – he was much better last week, though,

leaving to grab a trip then holding 3rd to the end – we’ll see if he can build off that improved try. (2) P L OSCAR

adds hopples tonight after making a break trying for the lead last week – would need a pretty good price to try him

on top right now. (8) THE LAST CHAPTER was able to hang on for the win last week despite trotting a final qtr. in

:30.3 – he’ll need to be a lot better (especially from Post 8!) to be a big threat tonight. (7) BAR COINS has been

struggling for a long time – waiting for some better signs before considering.


RACE 6 – (2) RODEO HILL had an awful trip last week but was still full of trot coming through the wire – he gets

major post relief, Bartlett stays on board, and he could be in a spot to pick up his first local victory. (4) KEYSTONE

APACHE ships in sharp from PA and NJ, and last week’s victory gave rising star Justin Irvine his first Meadowlands

win – he was facing better when here last, and should be a legitimate player tonight. (3) LEGACY JAILBREAK

ships in showing less than stellar lines out of town but as mentioned often this week, her barn is currently en fuego –

at that 20-1 ML price, it’s probably worth including him on some tickets. (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE wasn’t too

far back last week and he was racing off a month – drops right back in the box, gets a class drop along with the rail

and Gingras – definitely some things to like. (6) MOHATU AS looked well short in his first start off the layoff but

blasted to the top at 25-1 last week, ended up with the two hole trip then was a pocket rocket winner – this is a

tougher spot, but he may at least be able to grab a piece. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER was a little better last week but

this doesn’t feel like a spot where we’ll see his best – he drops a win off the bottom of his car after tonight, and will

start to have more appeal as he drops in class. (8) FULL RIGHTS needs some class relief and a better draw – no

spot tonight. (7) LIVINGONTHERAIL is 29-0-0-1 here over the last 2 seasons.


RACE 7 – (1) DIAMANTE TRIO IT is showing the effects of a LONG, hard season and being forced to take on

MGM Grand Prix rivals certainly wasn’t going to help her cause – she gets some major class relief for tonight, and

we’ll look for her to perk up in this (much) easier spot. (6) ALL STAR SWAN took a while to find her groove but

she’s certainly hitting on all cylinders right now – tough draw and up in class, but too sharp not to be respected – can

find a way to be part of the equation, even with a tougher trip. (2) ROYALTY BEER held together much better last

week, digging in to the wire and losing to a classy tripsitter – he’ll probably have to chase tonight, but that may not

be the worst thing in the world for him – ok for a piece. (3) STREET GOSSIP has been a solid weekly performer all

season...but last week’s stretch hang was a reminder as to why he’s just 2 for 34 this year – underneath only. (5) B

NICKING still isn’t at “peak form” but he’s still hit board in 4 straight and may find a way to land somewhere on

the ticket tonight, as well. (8) NO TURNING BACK has remained pretty consistent lately, but tonight’s draw figures

to hurt her chances significantly. (4) BARRY BLACK is having a tough year, and his best success has come vs.

easier. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR lands outside after a dull try last week – just 2 for 30 this year.


RACE 8 – (8) GRACE HILL is now 2 for 2 at Yonkers after last week’s sharp first over score – she’s stuck all the

way outside tonight, but has the right pilot to find her a manageable trip...gets the call, despite the draw. (4) TALK

CURDY TO ME has done good work since moving to this barn during the summer, and that includes a 6-1-2-2 local

slate – she can race on or off the pace, and her barn sent out a very sharp winner on Thursday night. (7) COACHEL

LABOUND N grabbed herself the two hole trip last week but just didn’t have the 2nd move she needed after shaking

free in the lane – she drops right back in the box, and could easily rebound with one of her top efforts – possibility.

(5) EASY TO PLEASE has found her best form in 2 years, and rallied nicely for 3rd after earning her way back to

the Invitational level last week – ok for a piece again. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N is having an excellent year, and the

rail assignment may help her to at least take home a small piece of this. (6) LIT DE ROSE sat back all the way last

week, and her late kick was only enough for 4th – may find herself too far back to any serious damage this week, as

well (3) CHERYLS SHADOW has been in excellent form, but the month off figures to really hurt against this strong

bunch. (2) MCMARKLE SPARKLE was a jogburger last week, but this is a major class jump!


RACE 9 – (3) LLOYDS LOVES gave the mega-classy GRACE HILL a run for her money last week and now gets a

significant class for tonight – she’s won 9 of 17 starts here this year, and this feels like a spot for her to pick up #10.

(1) UPTOWN HANOVER brings a nice 3 race winning streak into this, draws the pole, and may very well complete

a very short exacta. (2) FRONT PAGE STORY may prefer to be in a little cheaper but she’s in line for an easy trip

from this spot, and that should result in a nice chunk. (6) CRUISE ALERT gets a tough draw but she kicked home

solidly for 3rd last week, and could be a good one to slot for 3rd/4th tonight, at a nice price. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A,

like many of her barnmates, has been tough to gauge from start to start lately – the “good” version would be in play

for a decent piece here...but is that the version we’ll see? (4) TALENT TO SPARE A gets some class relief but may

need some more – leaning towards others. (8) BOUT DAMN TIME A ships in riding a 5 race Stga. winning streak

but draws Post 8 while appearing to be moving way up in class – prefer to just observe, for now. (7) ULTIMATE

SPEED threw a rare disappointing effort 2 back then followed that up with a miscue last week – feels like she’s

tailing, after a very strong season.


RACE 10 – (5) NO DRAMA PLEASE is used to facing (and even beating) much tougher than these – Stratton

should be able to get aggressive here, and that would give him a big chance in the finale. (1) FOR A DREAMER has

been picking up minor pieces every week but this is a spot where he can contend for a bigger share – logical threat

from the pole, but he hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in some time! (2) BLACK TIE BASH didn’t even pretend to

be interested after drawing Post 8 for his Hilltop return but the move inside should help him produce a much better

effort – very playable in exotics. (7) THE AMERICAN EAGLE was caught wide a long way last week and only

flattened late – if Bartlett can hustle him away to a decent start, he may be able to contend for a board spot. (4) STR

ONGERWITHLINDY actually wasn’t bad last week after losing all chance with an early miscue – for some reason

he just hasn’t been clicking at all at Yonkers lately, but a wake up call is probably coming one of these nights. (6)

CREATIVE VENTURE was sent off at 1/5 last week (class drop, and 8 hole to the rail) but he hung badly for the

length of the stretch and failed to go by into a :30.3 final quarter – obviously he’ll need to be better for a chance at

one of the top prizes tonight. (3) DROP THE MIC looks a bit overmatched...like many of the others this barn ships

in. (8) PERRON never looked right last week, and now has to deal with Post 8 too.

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