The Empire Report - Tuesday, September 12, 2023 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - (2) TRIZZLE TRAZZLE wasn't close to her best last week (off the claim) but returns tonight to
the barn that just won 3 in a row with her, and we'll look for her to be right back on her game. (5) FEELIN
RED HOT takes a predictable drop down to 20s as she tries to find the level where she can win (in her
current, tailing form) - this MAY be it, but hard to take her at short prices right now. (1) PLEASURE SEE
KER faced better overall fields in her first 2 local tries - moves into claimers, draws the pole, and may be
able to grab a piece of this. (3) MC KELLA likes to race on/near the lead and obviously gets a pass for her
first local try (when she got parked, leaving outside a couple of others) - hard to predict if she can work out
a trip here, but she's eligible to grab a piece if she does. (6) TUGGINGONCREDIT was no good at all in
her first start off the claim but a drop to 20s produced a win in her 2nd try...even if helped by the leaders
caving into the stretch - could be vulnerable coming from the back here. (4) SHORTYS GIRL rallied for
2nd (behind #6) last week - an easy trip may help her pick up a minor share against these. (8) LITTLEBEA
RCAT has been invisible for weeks and draws Post 8 - would have been an "autotoss" if not for the barn
change to a very successful trainer - keep an eye for next time. (7) PRAY THE ROSARY doesn't figure to
ever be anywhere near the action from out here
RACE 2 - (3) SALE EL SOL has been inconsistent for sure, but she was HUGE in her last....making up
about 10 lengths in the final 3/8ths of a mile to be right there 3rd on the wire - absolutely worth using here.
(2) MIKI THE CLOWN turned in a BIG mile of her own in that victory 2 back, but lost all chance with a
miscue before the start last week - can be a big threat here if she can bounce right back. (1) MC ANGEL
raced very hard in her last pair to take home a 4th and a 2nd - moves all the way inside, has plenty of speed,
and can be a legitimate threat if things go her way. (6) CHUPPAH ON always "figures", usually races very
well, but definitely is at a disadvantage tonight starting well outside 3 very live foes - may have to settle for
another smaller slice. (5) SHECANDANCE N is listed as the ML favorite but her current "ok" form really
doesn't justify that - her barn is hotter than usual, but still leaning towards others. (7) SPORTS FLIX was ok
from a no chance spot last week but may be in another one tonight - keep an eye on her for next time. (4)
HARMONY OF NOTES is a zillion to one every week and rarely a player...making that insane 3/5 front
end victory 2 back one of the biggest head scratchers we've seen in a long time
RACE 3 - Tough race: (5) DRAGONONTHEBEACH raced well in a couple of strong PcD fields before
taking almost 3 months off - his qualifier looks excellent (2nd place finisher MADRID A won very
impressively in PA on 9/8), and there's a good chance he'll be ready for a strong effort right off the bench.
(4) ROLLINGWITHSAM is pretty good right now but seems to keep landing on tough trips - an easier
journey would make him very dangerous here. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N wasn't as effective in last week's
very quick mile, but most of his other recent starts would make him a legitimate threat from this spot. (7)
PAT STANLEY N was recently acquired by one of our leading owners and after a few starts in Ohio,
returns to YR and lands with one of the owner's VERY high % trainers - hard to NOT consider him for
your tickets at that 20-1 ML price...especially since the 9YO does have a good local history. (3) DP REAL
ORDEAL has the ABILITY to beat these, but has struggled in his recent YR starts - playable, but only if
the price is decent. (2) TJS INDY PACER fits okay, but probably looking at only a minor share tonight. (6)
IDEAL FUNDING A could use a better post, in an easier field
RACE 4 - (2) HP XANADU is just the latest horse to instantly improve dramatically upon landing in the
barn of this rising star - since the claim she's gone 3 for 3, attaining a new lifetime mark while doubling in
value from the original claim price - will be heavily favored to make it 4 for 4. (3) BELLADONNA GIRL
drops in for a tag off a win and a 3rd and catches a pretty soft field...except for the top choice - probably the
main danger. (5) HEAVENISSOFARAWAY usually needs to be near the lead to be a player - if Brennan
can hustle her away to a good start, she may be able to take home a small piece. (1) DREAM DANCING
throws a good late rally from time to time - an easy trip would help her chances for a minor share. (6) ACE
FOURTYFOURALEX may not be on her best game right now and lands a tough draw here - minor spoils
only. (7) EDGE OF ETERNITY could be a player for a piece on her best effort, but may be hard pressed to
get in play from out here. (4) SEZANA N would need a big wake up call after those last couple of starts
RACE 5 - (6) FREQUENT IMAGE folded badly in his first local try (7/26) but was much better in his
next, then rattled off 3 straight wins (with each start even sharper than the last) - he'll face a bit tougher
now, but sometimes you just stick with the hot hand. (3) PEACE OUT POSSE was handled conservatively
off a sick scratch and qualifier, but did finish up decently - he'll be much more serious now, and is more
than capable of winning at this level whenever even close to his best. (1) MR PERFECT N drops, lands the
rail and was going big miles here not long ago - it's possible that he's just gone a bit off form, but we'll find
out for sure from this good spot. (5) BETTORBUCKLEUP had Post 8 off a sick scratch last time and was
understandably not a player - he was pretty good right before that, however, an could easily come up with a
much better effort tonight - include in exotics. (7) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE is very good right now, but
faces the tough task of getting involved from way back in a race that figures to be dominated by front end
speed. (8) WALKINSHAW is another that figures to be severely compromised by the post disadvantage. (4)
BELMONT MAJOR N is just 9-0-0-1 locally over the past 2 years, and just seems to do a lot better in his
starts out of town. (2) MISTER DONALD A ships back off a pair of PA victories but may find this level a
little steeper than he'd prefer.
RACE 6 - (4) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK dropped out of the Open last week and gave it a big try on the
front end, clinging to the place DH after getting worn down by the tripsitting NANDOLO N - chance to get
his picture taken tonight (with another class drop), either on top from the pocket. (1) GREAT SOMEWHE
RE responded to his own class drop last week, turning in a sharp wire to wire score - he'll likely either be in
the pocket or on top tonight, and he has a chance to repeat...even bumping back up one level. (2) DELIGH
TFUL DUDE N was a no-match 2nd from the pocket last week (behind #8) - he fits well here too, and an
easy trip could land him another nice chunk. (7) FEELIN WESTERN went over $100k on the year with last
week's 5th place finish - he's sharper than he might look, and has a shot to add some value to the exotics IF
some trip luck comes his way. (8) VENIER HANOVER is capable of just swelling up and crushing fields
when on the front end and that's exactly what we saw last week - might have given him a longer look here
had he not drawn so poorly. (5) SAVE ME A DANCE threw his first dud in a while last week - we'll see if
he bounces back, or if he's heading in the wrong direction. (6) BUDDY HILL was off 3 weeks to his last
and failed to fire - could be sharper tonight, but this is a tough spot, regardless. (3) RHODENA ROAD
finally put together a nice little form spree, but that has also left him at a higher level than he'd like
RACE 7 - (3) JMS FINAL TREASURE has been stuck first over the last 3 weeks, turning in sharp efforts
for 2nd each time - he lands in a well matched field here, but perhaps can get over the top tonight with an
easier trip? (4) SPLASH BROTHER doesn't feel quite as sharp as he did earlier this summer, but he moves
in from Post 8 and has to be respected as a serious threat - just don't take a short price. (2) WINDSUN RIC
KY raced ok off conservative trips in his last pair after a wire to wire score 3 back - he's capable of landing
on the ticket (at a good price) if some trip luck comes his way. (5) HAMMERING HANK didn't win in his
first start for the Dynamic Duo but he did give it a good front end try for 2nd - eligible to be even sharper
the 2nd time around. (6) LAYTON HANOVER was a little disappointing from the pocket last week but the
winner is a pretty classy horse - would have liked his chance a lot better had he not drawn Post 6. (7) CERT
IFIABLE easily handled easier on the front end last week but this is a much tougher spot - have to respect
his connections, but it may be hard to get involved this week. (1) SAMHARA N came up a little dull off an
easy trip in his last - needs to be sharper if he hopes to take advantage of the inside assignment
RACE 8 - (1) BOLT OF BEAUTY was facing better in her recent local starts - she returns (after picking up
a win) at Tioga, and may appreciate this somewhat easier field - chance for a mild upset. (5) MIKI ROSE
has won 7 of her last 9 starts, and hails from our top barn - clearly the one to beat, but she's due for a
tougher trip, and that could make her a bit vulnerable. (2) CALLMEQUEENBEE A immediately improved
upon joining the Super Siblings (7/15) but MAY be showing some cracks in her last couple - certainly can't
dismiss her chances here, but don't take too short a price either. (3) PURAMERI was on a nice little form
roll before landing in impossible spots the last 4 weeks - she still raced very well in her last, and gets major
post relief for tonight - could add some value to exotics. (4) SHECOULDBEGOOD N was a low level
claimer at Stga. until moving to a new trainer (much better known for his DRIVING skills!) and shot right
up the ladder (even beating our 50s) - she MAY be starting to tail a bit after a recent barn change, and we'll
see which direction she heads in tonight. (6) QUARREL ships in from "The Ridge" and probably fits ok
with the locals - may need a better spot, though. (7) OURLITTLEMIRACLE has some ok tries since the
recent claim, but will have a tough time showing her best from out here
RACE 9 - (4) ALWAYS B MIMI was 0 for 25 here this year but that didn't deter our leading trainer from
dropping in a claim...and then going out and winning her next 2 starts - solid chance to make it 3 for 3,
especially if she doesn't get roughed up. (3) WILDCAT ANTONIA was a game winner one level down 2
back, then got rolling a little too late in her last (when 4th) - IF they mix things up a bit tonight, she may be
able to mow 'em down late. (5) FLIP THE SCRIPT almost pulled off an 8 hole shocker 2 back, finished
right behind the top choice in her next, but wasn't up for the two move try last week - a fast start (and good
trip) increase her chances tremendously. (6) DANCE CLUB was a winner 3 back then finished right behind
the top choice in her last - only real knock here is the draw. (1) MCNATURAL L went an improved try
after dropping to this level last week but was still just an "ok" 4th - needs to find more if she hopes to
contend for a top prize. (2) SWEET SANDY LOU does have a win at this level but generally is stuck
taking home smaller pieces - likely more of the same tonight. (7) SHOTGUN PERSUASION raced much
better than expected last week. albeit vs. the 20s - not sure she can replicate that effort tonight
RACE 10 - Solid NW6 field: (4) LYONS SURFING is a bit light in the win column this year but largely
because he's been showing up for some big dances, and taking on top colts - he does have six 2nds, and that
win did come 2 back in a PaSS race - he draws inside another strong PA shipper, and we'll accord him the
edge. (6) ERVIN HANOVER banged out $206K as a 2YO and while he hasn't been as successful at 3, he
(like the top choice) just raced in the PaSS Final -he's won in 1:49.2 this year, but he'll need to work out a
trip starting from Post 6. (1) HUNTING ZONE faced a bunch of these last week, coming up 3rd best after a
tough trip - should be in line for a nice chunk from the pole. (7) STRENGTHANDHONOR N has been 2nd
in all 4 local starts, racing very well each time - he's obviously at a disadvantage starting from Post 7, but a
good price makes him worth considering for exotics. (2) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER has found things a bit
tougher since graduating from NW2, but it's not like he raced poorly in his last couple - a good trip could
still help him grab a piece. (5) ALL ALONE hasn't really clicked (overall) for his current barn, and returns
off a disappointing try in PA - leaning towards others tonight. (3) CENTURY INSPECTOR picked up his
first win of the year in game fashion last week (vs. a few of these), but will likely be relegated to a minor
share tonight. (8) JKS ON THE MOVE ships in sharp from Fhd....but lands the worst post - prefer others
RACE 11 - (4) TAKE A BREAK shipped in to Yonkers riding a 4 race winning streak and extended that to
5 with a pretty confident first over victory - meets basically the same bunch tonight, and will be the heavy
favorite to keep the streak alive. (6) LOUIE HANOVER came up a little short at the end of his last 2 starts,
picking up a 2nd and a 3rd - couldn't hold off the winner last week, but it wouldn't be a shock if he was able
to put up a bigger tussle tonight. (1) I B LOVIN is a 2YO but he hasn't been bad in his 3 starts, and gets
both post relief and a switch to Stratton - could grab a piece of this. (5) BROOKVIEW DICE disappointed
in his first local start, was a game 2nd in his next but disappointed again last week - needs to bring that
better version if he hopes to get a decent piece of this. (8) CLEVELAND B MIKI can be counted on for
some late pace but may be coming from too far back tonight to have much impact. (3) BOOM TOWN
BOY picked up a 3rd here 3 back but really needs to be sharper to be a serious player. (2) JUST CALL ME
ART has been no factor in his 2 local tries - needs to get away to a better start to have a chance to contend
for a piece. (7) ROCKINFORREAL has been inconsistent at best - lands a terrible post, and may need to
wait for a better spot to be a player.