The Empire Report - Friday, August 6, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (1) NIHILATED TRUTH just missed 3 back to the suddenly red hot Ginger Tree Pete, jogged in
his next, then just missed to a sharp tripsitter in last (in a 2-horse battle) - assuming he's as good for his new
barn tonight, he's clearly the one to beat. (2) ROLL WITH FRED was no factor at all in his local debut last
week but he was claimed by a rising young star in the business, and she's perked up several of her new
additions this year - looking for improvement tonight. (5) DEERFIELD BEACH has been much better in
his last couple - a similar effort would put him right in the hunt here, but consistency is NOT his strong
point! (7) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A has improved quite a bit out of town since a barn change 3 back -
has never been a good "Yonkers horse", but he'll be a big price here and not a bad one to include in exotics.
(4) GENERAL JOY was claimed for $20K on 5/31 but just never worked out - drops in for $12.5 here, and
there's no guarantee he'll be a threat with these either. (6) RAKSMACH N raced well dropping in for $10K
at Pocono last week but he's 8-0-0-1 at Yonkers, and can really only be considered for a minor piece. (3)
WILD WEST has shown little since the last claim - gets post relief, but we'll stick with others. (8) ARI
ALLSTAR draws Post 8 while already in poor form - remains a pass.
RACE 2 - Tough race: (2) OFFICIAL DELIGHT usually is NOT our top selection as his aversion to
photographers has been well documented - he's held his own with much better, however, and drops here
into a field full of question marks - maybe this a spot for him to make a rare trip to the winner's circle? (7)
ART HISTORY was a total jogburger off the claim 2 back, to the surprise of nobody - wasn't quite as
effective vs. the 20s in his next, but was still a respectable 3rd...drops down to the 15s and has a solid
chance here, but will need some trip luck from Post 7 - don't take too short a price if using on top. (1)
ZOEEZ BOY HENRY wasn't all that sharp in his last couple but he draws the pole tonight and may perk up
if handled more aggressively early on - not impossible. (8) IDEAL SON is obviously razor sharp, having
taken his last 3 - goes for a new barn now, draws outside, and we'll see if he can find a way to keep the
streak going. (4) SHOREVIEW wasn't any good in either start since returning to YR, but perhaps can find a
better effort making his 2nd start in a new barn. (6) WAVES OF FIRE A picked up a rare victory last week,
outrunning the 12/5s on the front end - not sure the class hike is really merited, but we'll find out tonight.
(5) CARTERS CAPER is just a "piece getter" in 12/5s so the move to 15s seems ambitious - maybe his
new connections can coax more out of him? (3) THUNDER SOME WHERE drops in class but doesn't
seem sharp enough to really capitalize.
RACE 3 - (5) MACHING TIME is not on his "best" game but he's hit board in 3 straight including a good
2nd last week (dropping to this level) - maybe he can find the front end tonight and get brave enough to win
(2) THEREISAPACEFORUS landed on nice trips the past 2 weeks and was able to cash in with a 2nd and
a win - legitimate threat to take another tonight, but also will be overbet. (6) ARCANE SEELSTER was
handled aggressively off the claim last week and wilted late to 3rd - hurts drawing outside #5, but may still
be able to leave for good position - ok for exotics. (8) ROCKIN RAMBARAN was a good rallying 3rd two
back shipping in from NJ - tried to race aggressively in last but had no gate speed, and lost all chance when
weakly parked - lands in a brutal spot for his new connections, but is still a good bomb to throw in on the
bottom of exotics. (1) BUSH MAN N is obviously better than his last and may rebound tonight - hard to
use in top, though, as he's winless in 39 starts over the last 2 years, and just 4 for 81 for his career! (4) BIG
SWEEP OSBORNE has yet to impress in 4 local starts - needs to be sharper. (7) COACH CAL would get a
look from an inside post, but doesn't figure to have much say from out here. (3) D GS SHALLWEDANCE
showed nothing for his new barn in his YR debut and just may need to be in cheaper
RACE 4 - (4) MACHIAVELLI raced decently vs. 25s in a couple of starts off the layoff - dropped down to
20s last week, was sent off favored, but was run down late by a horse that simply turned in a massive form
reversal....deserves another chance to beat these. (3) FOREVERNALWAYS turned in an unexpectedly
sharp try in last, off a few weak efforts and a sick scratch - if he can build off that a bit, he can be a
legitimate threat here. (5) I GET THAT has been very solid in almost all of his recent out of town starts -
should fit well here, and definitely can land somewhere on the ticket. (6) ITSGOODTOBEDAKING
showed little in his YR debut but he moves to a new barn tonight, shows winning 15 races over the last 2
years, and could come alive here - worth including if the price is decent. (1) TODDLER TANTRUM
crushed the 12.5s on 6/11 but has only picked up minor pieces since moving up to this level - expect more
of the same tonight. (2) TOLLY HO has plenty of sharp out of town lines vs. cheaper, but is much more
questionable at this level - will probably just watch, for tonight. (7) MASTERSON was no factor from a
similar spot in last, and would look a lot better with a class drop and better post. (8) PANTHEON
HANOVER is another that will probably perk up quickly some post and class relief
RACE 5 - Total mixed bag of horses for tonight's 3-4YO $30K claimer! (8) KEYSTONE DASH ships in
razor sharp from Delaware, winning 4 of his last 5 starts - stayed sharp with that 7/20 qualifier (the winner
just won here on Thurs. night), and he has the right pilot to find a way into the hunt from Post 8 -- has to be
a fair price to be worth a play from this spot, though. (1) AQUAMAN HANOVER was a sharp front end
winner in a NW2 race here on 6/15 then stuck outside in his next pair - that last PcD start looks good,
though, and we can expect a very aggressive try from the pole...we'll find out if he's up for it! (7) MY
WISH CAME TRUE has been facing some decent stock at Hoosier, hails from a currently hot barn, and is
listed at 20-1 ML - can't blame anybody looking to take a stab with him. (3) LL MYSTRO was an "ok" 3rd
rallying from the back in his YR debut - the jury is still out on him, but he moves inside and should at least
be able to grab another piece. (5) WELL DONE SON got REALLY good for a bunch of starts but didn't
look as good in his last couple - hard to say which direction he'll go tonight. (4) SAILBOAT HANOVER
has more than enough ABILITY to beat these but he's made breaks in his last 3 local tries, and is listed as
the 2-1 ML choice - the value would seem to be playing against him tonight. (2) RIFLEMAN draws well
for a sharp barn but just doesn't seem all that sharp out of town right now. (6) BOLT OF LUCK has been
sharp at Monti but is 3-0-0-0 here this year - sticking with others.
RACE 6 - Another tough race - (3) RUTHLESS DUDE wasn't sharp in his last (new barn) but just missed
4 back, and was a winner 2 back - his speed should help him grab a good trip here, and he has a shot to beat
these if he reverts to his better form for another new barn. (4) COOL BLUES MAN has been a favorite of
ours for a while so it was no real surprise to see him sweep the field at 20-1 last week - may very well do it
again...but at 5/2 ML, the value has been sucked right out of him! (5) PLAY THE FIELD has used his good
gate speed to be a player week after week...and there's no reason he can't do it again tonight - possibility.
(2) DAVIDS COMING HOME charged past a tightly packed bunch in the stretch last week to score upon
arrival from NJ - he's now won 2 of 4 local starts, with a chance to come out on top again tonight if the trip
goes his way. (1) WESTERN REDHOT looked sharp shipping in last week, was sent off at 4/5 but gave
Bartlett fits, locked on a line and seemingly on and off the bit (but somehow still finishing 2nd) - goes for
new connections tonight, and it's anybody's guess which direction he'll go...could be some value playing
against him this time. (6) MAJOR BUCKS hung a bit last week but really wasn't bad - tough spot, but a
chance to rally for a piece if it's a "closer's ticket". (7) HAPPY TRIO actually raced pretty well last time in
a mile more adventurous than it looks on paper - would like his chances much better from an inside slot,
however. (8) ELRAMA N figures to be too far back to threaten.
RACE 7 - (7) KANDY SWEET is very good right now, hitting board in 3 straight at this level - Stratton
takes her over #5 (who he just won with), so have to believe he's confident enough in her to be aggressive
here - gets the narrow edge in a tough race. (6) NEXTROUNDSONME has been very good in PA recently,
climbing the class ladder with a strong of good efforts - not sure if he'll get a manageable trip here, but he
can do some damage if he does. (3) BIG BOX HANOVER disappointed as the favorite in his first local try
(for a new barn) - drops tonight, so we'll see if he can find a better effort the 2nd time around. (8) THE
LAST CHAPTER is well off his best game but does drop a notch, and has the speed to at least improve at
the start from Post 8 - not willing to use on top, but will consider underneath. (2) LIFETIME ROYALTY
has a win, 2nd, and 3rd in his last 3 starts here before last week's miscue at Pocono - those were vs. lesser,
though, and we'll see if he can hold his own with these too. (5) MUFASAAS basically stole one last week,
hitting the top and wiring 'em in a race marred by breakers - moves from one owner/trainer to another this
week -- and it's further confusing because they both seem to train for each other (in an arrangement that's
been successful, at times) - at any rate, prefer others this week. (1) CASINO CUTIE IT comes off a break
last week and does seem a little cheap for these regardless. (4) HOBBS just hasn't been able to click at all
in 2021, and he's now 8 starts into his 4YO campaign.
RACE 8 - (2) ODDS ON DELRAY has several good recent starts in Ohio and should fit well with this
group - raced here many times in the past, and may have found a winning spot for his return. (1) AWESOM
ENESS lands in his first realistic spot since the recent claim - has never been the smoothest Yonkers horse
but as long as Bongiorno gets him away comfortably from this spot, he can land on a decent trip...with a
chance at a good piece. (3) TULLOW N is hard to pick on top (0 for 17 here last 3 years) but he's good
enough right now to take home a decent chunk from this spot. (8) BELTANE A is sneaky sharp right now
and drops a notch - will likely be coming from too far back to threaten for a top prize, but he's a good bomb
for a small share. (5) LA PLAYER A has been a major disappointment since arriving in the U.S., yet to
really impress in 5 local starts - he did show SOME improvement cutting the mile last week (before giving
way), so we'll see if he can build on that tonight. (4) HUDSEN A showed potential here last year but has
never really lived up to it - gets a big driver switch tonight, but that doesn't always matter with this barn -
mixed feelings. (6) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING doesn't look terrible on paper, but he's 0 for 15 this year, and
0 for 23 at YR (last 2 years) - wait for better spot. (7) MARCO BEACH just isn't clicking right now, even
though his barn has been red hot.
RACE 9 - (4) SECRET BRO raced well for 2nd in his first try off the big barn change last week, unable to
run down a classy leader that was over the half in :59.1 - stick with him one more week. (3) MISS MCKEE
was a winner in her local debut 2 back, then stuck in the back and unable to get involved in last - seems like
a good spot to get aggressive again, and that should make her a live player tonight. (1) TAD KRAZY HAN
OVER can be a little in and out, but she's capable of being right there with these if she delivers one of her
better efforts - consider if the price is right. (5) WARRIOR ONE was just "ok" in that win 2 back, but
actually raced better when 2nd in his last - he's won too many times here to not respect in this spot. (6)
AFTER ALL PAUL is a good fit at this level but may not land on the greatest of trips from this spot -
should be rallying late...but it may be too late for a top slot. (7) HOMER HALL drops, but the outside draw
may have him waiting for a better spot before strutting his best stuff. (2) HUNTING AS made a pretty
decent recovery last week after an early miscue killed his chances - may be in a little too tough here, even
with the inside draw. (8) LADY EAGLE moves way up in class while drawing Post 8 - figures to be just a
spectator tonight.
RACE 10 - (7) GENTLEMANJIM II IE raced super 2 back when he gave Tin Roof Raider all he could
handle, then was sharp again in last, rallying for 3rd behind Shadow Cat and Decision Day - not an ideal
post but he drops in class, and probably has only one horse to beat - feels like a spot for him to grab his first
Hilltop victory. (4) THE DOWNTOWN BUS has been ok since shipping down from Canada, picking up a
nice 2nd the one time he drew inside - former Levy performer should be ready for a big effort tonight, and
looms the main danger to the top choice. (1) VIRGIN STORM is still well off his best game but the rail
draw does put him in line to take home a decent piece of this. (6) ENVIRONS HANOVER is an interesting
shipper - crushed a cheaper Chester field off the barn change last week, and has hinted at better ability in
the best - he's also made 2 breaks in his last 4 starts, and has to be seen as "iffy" for his YR debut. (5)
WESTERN HILL just kept digging last week and picked up his first win in some time - steps up tonight,
but may still be able to rally for a small share. (3) VANQUISHED N has been picking up a steady diet of
smaller pieces - needs to be in easier for a chance at a bigger prize. (2) MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N draws
well but just seems a bit below these right now (8) WAR DAN DELIGHT A doesn't figure to have much
say from out here.
RACE 11 - (2) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN has been an earning machine here for what seems like an
eternity, and he actually took a lifetime mark 3 starts back in his 163rd career start - has continued to race
well since then, although tiring late after a tough trip in last - feels like a good spot for him tonight. (5) PAT
RIARCH HANOVER is a little off his best game right now, but still more than sharp enough to be a big
threat with these - the main danger. (4) BULLY BOY rebounded from a break 2 back to deliver a dead
game first over win last week - moves up to face considerably tougher here but he's won 13 of 32 starts
over the past 2 years, and is sharp enough to have a real say with these too. (8) SPOILED PRINCESS broke
at the start in her last and was quickly out of it - draws all the way outside tonight and the guess is that
she'll probably be handled pretty conservatively...and that would probably limit her to only a smaller piece.
(6) NEW HEAVEN got over the half in :59.1 last week and that led to a solid front end score - faces
tougher here, but has a chance to rally for a small piece. (1) IT AINT THE WHISKY gave way on the lead
after trying to cut the mile moving up in class - figures to yield and follow tonight, and that may allow him
to rebound with a better effort. (7) CHAMPAGNE ON ICE really benefited from breakers last week on her
way to a front end score over cheaper - draws outside vs. tougher now, and may be too far back to do any
real damage. (3) LIMERENCE really needs to be in easier to be a significant player.
RACE 12 - Wide open finale to close out what seems like a night full of tough races! (5) FURIOUS
BEACH raced ok in a couple of those NW4 races - no prayer 8 holes in his last 2 starts gets a new barn and
pilot tonight, and we'll see if that results in some quick improvement. (6) BIG BAD BILL moves to a barn
that must have some room...since they just sold two of their own horses to the owner/trainer of THIS horse
(it just gets more confusing every night!) - he throws a big one every now and then....maybe a bomb threat
tonight? (1) ODDS ON BOCA RATON does seem as appealing as his "odds on" barnmate from Race 8, but
if THAT guy comes up big, maybe we can look for a big effort from this guy too - hard to get excited at 3/2
ML, though! (4) ALL HANDS ON DECK looks like a 100-1 shot on paper....but the barn change at least
forces a look in his direction, as we've seen this outfit perform some incredible (rapid) turnarounds so many
times in the past! (7) ABERDEEN HANOVER won his last before missing time after a sick scratch - his
return qualifier was sharp, so perhaps check the tote board for some clues about tonight (8) TITANIUM N
never wins and draws Post 8 - he IS fairly sharp, though, so at least consider him for 3rd/4th at a huge
price. (2) SECRECY almost stole one in a blank field 2 back - suppose that's possible here, but it seems
pretty unlikely. (3) SWEET TRUTH disappoints far more often than he delivers - sticking with others.