Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, October 10, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW was off a year and dropping significantly for his last start – he was still

sent off favored, and went a big mile before coming up a close 2 nd best to a currently very sharp winner – deserves a

chance to get over the hump tonight, after that promising effort last week. (3) GINGER TREE PETE hasn’t been

close to top form in some time but he does get a class drop here, and Holland may try to be more aggressive– a wake

up call is possible. (4) UCANTTOUCHTHIS was claimed for $40K on 8/26 but failed to thrive in his 4 starts since

then – takes a double drop to 25s tonight, and he’s another eligible for a wake up call. (6) MAJOR DESIRE steps up

to 25s after thrashing the 20s last week, but he beat the 30s not long ago – worth at least a look at that 15-1 ML price

(1) LYONS PEGASUS is just 1 for 29 this year but his last effort was much improved, and his barn is thriving right

now – license to take home a piece. (2) MIGHTY SANATANA N was quickly re-claimed last week, but he prefers

20s and hasn’t exactly been a winning machine the past couple of years. (8) MICKY GEE N took a double drop to

25s last week and was still no threat – Post 8 won’t help his cause. (7) HEISMAN PLAYER has struggled for the

better part of the last 2 years, making last week’s claim a puzzling one – we’ll see how he does for a new barn

RACE 2 – (6) HERODOTUS rallied for 3rd from an impossible spot 2 back, and definitely had more trot in the lane

last week than he was able to show (no room) – he’s had a disappointing year, but may be able to pull off the upset

here with some better trip luck. (5) BELLISSIMO FACE S has now taken 5 in a row on the front end (the charted

line from 9/20 is incorrect), and has proven to be quite a find for her connections – faces a tougher field and may

also face a tougher trip...but she’s hard to ignore in her current (raging) form. (4) I GET IT improved off the class

drop when 3 rd two back, then was a front end winner last week – remains dangerous, even moving back up a notch.

(1) ENOLA was off a month to her last (off the claim) but was a rock solid 2 nd best behind #4 – has to be respected

after landing the pole tonight. (3) NO DRAMA PLEASE does his best work vs. easier but an easy trip could help

him at least take home a small piece here. (2) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE may have been entered thinking this was an

Amateur race (since Adamczyk is listed to drive) but even if there’s a late switch, he still seems to be in a little

tougher than he’d like. (7) PURPLE LORD is having a solid 4YO campaign and raced ok in his local debut – he

may need a better post (in an easier field) to be a more serious threat, however. (8) PASSIONATE PROMISE broke

2 back and was no factor last week – draws Post 8 tonight, and we’ll wait for a better scenario

RACE 3 – (1) WILLY WALTON had been knocking on the door for weeks before finally getting his picture taken

last week – solid chance to do it again after drawing the pole tonight. (3) STICK WITH ME KID tired a bit after

cutting the mile last week but he’s otherwise been rock solid since making the jump up to this $40K level – remains

a serious threat. (7) ROGER RABBIT always figures, usually races very well, but has just one recent victory (with a

bunch of 2nds) – may have to settle for a smaller piece again. (6) MORNING EDITION is 0 for 8 locally but has

generally raced well in most of those starts – playable for the bottom of exotics. (2) UP HELLY AA has raced ok

since joining his current barn but does seem a notch below the top players – probably looking at minor spoils. (8)

ALL STAR SWAN was well backed in all 3 local tries and hasn’t come close to delivering – brutal draw for tonight,

but the price will go way up if you want to stay on board. (4) NO TURNING BACK was plagued by inconsistency

all year, and her recent out of town starts were more of the same – even her best effort may leave her with only a

smaller piece in here, though. (5) MASSIVE MATTER seems a bit overmatched making his local debut

RACE 4 – (1) J B GRAM took a while to come around but he’s been a very reliable performer for the last 2-3

months – he gets to call the shots here, and looms the one to beat...though at a pretty short price. (3) ALABAMAJA

MMA has been racing well since the recent barn change, and that last effort is better than it looks (he was stuck first

over into a :26.4 third quarter and had every right to tire) – drops back in for a tag, and does have a chance to pull off

a mild upset. (2) TO THE HUNT is a strong 8-3-2-1 locally, and was just re-claimed by a barn that recently won

twice with him – another very logical player. (8) TARGET AQUIRED does fit well here but lands Post 8 yet again –

Kakaley will need to leave the gate and hope for something good to happen, because trying to rally from last isn’t

going to work. (4) LAZ has been struggling for some time – maybe an easy trip with a fresh pair of hands can help

him squeeze out a small piece? (7) KINGSTON PANIC is pretty good right now but doesn’t seem handy enough to

overcome tonight’s poor draw. (5) OVER THE HORIZON moves to a new barn after beating cheaper out of town

last week – hard to say how he’ll fit with the locals. (6) VICTOR CRUISE has managed just a pair of 3rds from his

12 local starts, and lands a poor draw for tonight

RACE 5 – (1) JERSEY BEACH dropped in for a tag last week, was sent off favored, made a couple of moves and

was a very easy winner – will be heavily backed to make it 2 in a row. (2) PORTERS MAN went off 2

nd choice to the top one last start and came up 2 nd best – could be a case of deja-vu tonight. (3) COLD CREEK FELIPE had been

struggling for most of his recent starts before a solid speed try last week – if he brings his best tonight, he can be a

player with these too. (6) URIEL BLUE CHIP has the ABILITY to beat these, but is usually his own worst enemy in

the majority of his local stars – if you think he can come up with a “smooth” mile tonight, the price will certainly be

juicy enough. (4) ON DAYBOO was a well backed winner in this class 3 back but broke in his next and tired in his

last – tough call for tonight. (7) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was hanging badly in through the lane last week before

finally sticking his nose out at the wire – may have trouble replicating that effort starting from Post 7, however. (5)

HES HALF NAKED was pretty well backed last week (returning from PA) but blew up early on – wouldn’t shock,

but definitely leaning towards others. (8) CAHOOTS had a trio of good starts here recently but seems to have

leveled off...and is also stuck with Post 8

RACE 6 – (4) KENOBI may have an upset chance in here – he was actually very good upon arrival from Batavia

last week, finishing with excellent trot after finding himself way back at the half – he’ll be shorter than the 35-1

from last week, but the price should still be juicy enough to make him worth a look. (5) BRAVE BY DESIGN is

clicking right now, with a pair of wins and a close 3 rd from his last 3 starts – remains a serious threat. (1) AUSTRAL

HANOVER didn’t get his 4YO campaign started until August but he’s been solid in his 5 starts and should like the

move to claimers...legitimate player. (3) RODEO HILL gave it a shot upon arrival from Ohio but ended up parked –

he was unable to get in play from Post 8 last week, but may be able to have a lot more to say tonight. (2) BEACON

BEACH improved monumentally upon joining this red hot barn 4 starts back, having only one win on the year

before delivering back to back 1:55.4 scores – he struggled in his last, however, and MAY need a bit easier to strut

his best stuff – we’ll learn more tonight. (7) WOWERESS wasn’t bad last week (debuting for a new barn) but the

3YO may need a little easier spot to be a more serious threat. (8) BAR COINS didn’t click in either start since the

claim and now has to deal with Post 8. (6) HOBBS still seems a bit overmatched at this level

RACE 7 – Good race: (3) LAVA FIELD shipped in sharp last week and finished full of trot once free in the lane –

he’s one of several that would appear to have a legitimate chance in here, and the price should be decent enough. (5)

CRISTAL TRIO IT is winless in 7 local tries but has taken on males in the Invitational and been right there – very

live player with these, especially after a confidence building blowout at VD. (4) DONATO PATRIOT K broke on

8/23 and broke again last week...but rattled off 3 wins in between – he can have a say here if he can stay trotting. (8)

UNEVERGONNAGETHIS benefited from trips the last 2 weeks (one in the pocket, one off the pace) and was able

to pick up 2nds at 45-1 and 82-1 – he lands outside for the 3 rd straight week...can he make something happen again?

(7) CHAKE shipped in sharp from PA, sat an easy trip then finished full of trot at the end – she definitely fits well

here, but can Bartlett find her a way into the hunt? (1) TEXSONG SOPRANO certainly fits with these but he’s been

away for 3 months and may need a start – check the tote board? (2) DWS POINT MAN is having an excellent year,

draws inside, but may prefer to be in a little bit softer. (6) INFINITY STONE can throw some big miles but this

doesn’t feel like his kind of spot.

RACE 8 – (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR reunites with Bartlett and the pair went a big one here from Post 7 two back,

just missing to a currently very sharp LUCKBEWITHALEX – feels like a winning spot. (6) SAMHARA N had a

few weak starts, was scratched sick, but bounced back with a good one in his last, finishing full of pace from an

impossible spot – could be the main danger, even with the bad draw. (2) VIVA LAS VEGAS N has just one win on

the year and may even be on the cheaper side but he’s racing well right now, and the good draw puts him in the mix

for a good piece. (3) HECANDANCENCRUISE missed much of 2024 but he picked up his first victory of the year

last week and may continue to race well for his very hot barn. (5) I DRAINTHESWAMP A faced all kinds of traffic

into the lane last week and may have had more than pace than he was able to show – willing to include him

underneath. (4) KIMBLE A was empty last week racing off the sick scratch, but does drop right back into the box –

maybe he can bring a better effort tonight? (7) RAYRAY often looks like he’s ready to elevate his game and become

a more consistent player but then seems to quickly fall flat – not sure there’s a way for him to get into the hunt

tonight. (8) PAT STANLEY N figures to be well back much of the way – hard to see him making much of a dent.

RACE 9 – Tough Finale: (4) FULL SUPPORT’s last local start resulted in a victory...but that was back on March 4

th – just re-qualified last week, and it’s hard to get a good read as to where he’s at off that prep (tired after cutting

the mile, but behind some classy rivals) – willing to roll the dice that he’s ready for action...but only if the price is

fair. (8) I AINT NO MACK has 2 recent wins (along with a nose loss 2 nd) and will surely appreciate the class drop –

he’s also stuck with Post 8, and hasn’t really shown any early speed – another that’s playable IF the price is fair. (3)

OH COFFEE BEAN is on the cheaper side but does like to win races (and ships in off a victory last week at Fhd., in

his 2 nd start for a new barn) – gets a hot pilot, and would hardly be a shock. (5) CELLMATE won easily at 4/5 2

back but was nipped by a nose at 3/5 last week – remains a very legitimate threat. (2) MONACO HANOVER

moved too early last week and that left him a well beaten 4 th at the end – chance for a minor share with an easier

journey. (1) SWISS COTTON tired badly in his local debut but it’s too soon to write him off completely – definitely

leaning to others right now, though. (6) BETTER OFF SINGLE is having a rough local year (18-0-1-2) and even

Bartlett opts off – prefer others. (7) AIRY SHADOW often uses his speed to grab close up trips but his finishes are

the problem – tonight’s draw only figures to make things even tougher.