Monday Empire Report

soaofny • December 2, 2024

The Empire Report – Monday, December 2, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Tonight’s opener is packed with sharp horses! (2) FLIP MY CHIP has won 3 straight, after losing by a

nose 4 starts down – he’s as sharp as any in here, and may actually go off at a decent price – one of many possible

winners in a very tough race! (1) J B GRAM picked up a win and a 2nd vs. the 40s before coming up short vs. the 50s

last week – elects to drop all the way back down to 30s tonight, and he’s certainly had his share of success at this

level – major threat, but also figures to be very heavily backed. (4) TWO FACED was reclaimed from last week’s

very easy win by a barn for whom he raced very well 2 starts back (despite a brutal trip) – could be a decent value

option here (4) BAD BOY TOO was a winner the last 2X he raced at this level and drops down off a trip of 2nd place

finished vs. 40s – would be no surprise at all. (5) SIP OF BOURBON hit board in all 4 local starts – a good trip may

help him extend that streak to 5. (7) FINAL CHEESERECIPE will probably be rallying late, but faces a daunting

task coming from way back. (8) DONTTELLMEKNOW was a decent 3rd in his local debut but tonight’s draw may

really hurt his chances. (6) WARRIOR FOR PEACE is really the only “unproven” horse in this strong field.


RACE 2 – (1) SADDLE UP was a sharp winner 2 back and a scary-sharp winner last week – moves to a new barn,

but the guess is that he’ll hold form and be very tough from this spot (but at a pretty short price). (5) TWIG was a

solid 2nd best to the top choice two back, then brutally parked when sent off at 4/5 last week – couldn’t blame

anybody looking to give him a shot tonight, with that 12-1 ML price. (4) KEYSTONE DASH was handled ultra-

aggressively last week (moving up to 30s), parking out #5 and fighting off others as well before finally getting run

down in the lane by a fresh #2 – could have a say here with an easier journey. (6) THEFLYINGROCK was roughed

up into submission last week but has otherwise been very sharp – if things get hot up front, he can make some late

noise, at a good price. (2) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N only has 2 wins this year but one came last week (helped by a

beautiful trip), and both came with Brennan...who stays on board tonight, over #1 – can certainly be part of the

exotics. (3) SMOKIN BY N was used a bit early on last week and left short at the end – leaning towards others, but

he could easily grab himself a share. (8) SAN DOMINO A doesn’t seem nearly sharp enough to overcome the draw.

(7) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, and needs a better draw just for a piece.


RACE 3 – (1) TRANSPARENCY raced ok from very tough spots in his first 2 local tries and we can look for a

much more aggressive try from the pole tonight – should offer good value with that 8-1 ML price. (4) CYRUS N

rallied for 2nd behind a standout winner last week and gets a class drop for tonight (along with Bartlett in the bike) –

a live trip makes him a serious player. (2) CAVIART SARGENT has raced well at big prices many times this year,

and could end up with a pretty nice trip tonight – very playable in exotics. (7) SPORTY M THREE raced pretty well

despite a tough trip last week – possible, but would have liked his chances a lit more with a better draw. (5) VIVA

LAS VEGAS N has struggled to win races this year, or even finish 2nd – he’s racing ok right now, though, and ok to

include underneath (3) BUGABOO LOU would be a legitimate threat here on his best game but he’s been struggling

since changing hands 4 starts back – hard to endorse right now. (6) KIMBLE A probably needs a better draw in an

easier field to threaten for a top prize. (8) YOROKOBI N tends to struggle from tough spots like this one.


RACE 4 – (2) LYRICAL GENIUS A finally picked up his first Yonkers win 2 back (after a bunch of nice tries, in

losing efforts), then was a close 3rd taking on 50s last week – he drops back down to 40s, and should have a big

chance in here. (5) KARLOO BRADLEY N had pace from an impossible spot last week after a close 3rd the start

before – he drops back down to 40s now, and was 1st and 2nd in his last 2 tries at this level...logical threat. (3) MAXI

MUS RED A has 3 wins from his last 7 starts and his already red hot barn just had a 4-bagger at The Swamp on Fri.

night – deserves plenty of respect, but may end up a bit overbet. (1) MACH N CHEESE was aggressive at 14-1 last

week and finished a close 3rd – license for another good chunk starting from the pole tonight. (6) AROUND MIDNI

GHT was never close from Post 8 last week and finds himself in another tough spot tonight – he does fit with these,

but would need to be a good price to consider on top. (7) BILL HALEY N is just 2 for 22 here this year and 3 for 39

over the past 2 seasons...yet he seems to go off favored in a high % of his starts, while failing to deliver– at least his

odds will be much better, for those looking to stay on board. (4) MOVIN ON UP seems off form for a cold barn.


RACE 5 – (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A steps up a notch off last week’s front end score but he’s used to battling

much better than these – still merits top billing. (3) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N remains the barn’s only winner this year

(1 for 78) but he hasn’t won since 10/1, and even the last couple of class drops haven’t been enough to get him over

the hump– remains a threat, but don’t take a short price on top. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF was a “good” 2

nd last week (off a very live trip) and his overall recent form is solid – could have a decent say here. (7) WINDSUN RICKY can

do damage against these types but it’s hard to say if he’ll be aggressive with the terrible draw – maybe check the tote

board for clues? (4) SPLASH BROTHER found some better form recently with cheaper, but will need to elevate his

game a bit more to be a big player against these. (6) HAMMERING HANK had some sneaky pace in traffic last

week but he moves up another class and draws poorly – minor share? (8) JET ROCK has been solid since arriving

from Canada but faces an uphill battle from out here. (5) HUNTING ZONE returns after 4 months on the shelf.


RACE 6 – (2) ORLANDO BLUE A had been knocking on the door for a few weeks before delivering the sharp first

over score in his last – clearly got along very nicely with A. Nap, and we’ll see if the pair can team up for another

one tonight. (1) PEACE OUT POSSE (well backed in his last) was one of several form-reversing winners the barn

sent out recently – very serious threat once more. (4) STONEBRIDGE REX finished alertly 2 back (returning from

the layoff) but wasn’t quite as sharp in his next – tough call for tonight, but he’s won 8 of his 22 Yonkers starts (last

2 years) and is worth considering if the price is right. (6) SURFSIDE BEACH gave the winner a free spot early on

last week, ended up following that one then coming up just a little short at the wire – his overall form is excellent,

and could definitely make some noise here at a nice price (3) SHINE A LIGHT rallied for 2nd last week after an alert

finish the week before – leaning a bit more to others on top, but could easily see him grabbing a good chunk. (5) DP

REALORDEAL was right there at a big price last week but was also helped by a very easy trip – may not be as

fortunate tonight. Both (7) DELESTON and (8) THE BIRD DANCE N can hold their own with these, but probably

not from all the way out here.


RACE 7 – (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was terrific for a good stretch, threw a trio of weak efforts but was yet another

of the barn’s form-reversing winners in his last, putting in an extended brush to pick off the leaders then win going

away– he faces some pretty tough foes in here, but has a chance to repeat if he stays on his best game. (8) AARDIES

FLASH N is 2 for 2 in the U.S. and acts like a horse with a big future – hard to say if he can overcome Post 8 to beat

this strong field, but a good price makes him worth a play. (2) BACKSTREET SHADOW is closing on a $200K

season even though he only has 3 wins in 2024 – came up a little short in his last (used hard off 3 weeks), but would

never be a surprise in a spot like this. (5) LEONIDAS A was handled aggressively last week but was hurt by stretch

traffic – it was an encouraging try (in the middle of a tough season), and he may offer some value in exotics here. (4)

CADILLAC BAYAMA sat a perfect trip last week and just missed to the very sharp winner – may be able to rally

late for another piece tonight. (7) HEMSWORTH N capitalized on a dream trip to win 2 back but failed to finish the

job on the lead last week – terrible draw, but never a bad one to consider if the price gets juicy enough. (3) DEETZY

is definitely good right now, but may need a little easier. (6) WALKINSHAW N could use some class relief.


RACE 8 – (1) CARABAO A came into his last off a pair of scratches (sick, and lame) but still raced super, charging

home for 2nd behind the classy ROCKNROLL RUNA A – he was having success at the Invitational level not long

ago, and figures to be a handful tonight. (2) FINVARRA A never got involved from Post 7 against better last week

but the class AND post relief should put him right back in the hunt tonight. (7) LOUS SWEETREVENGE failed to

get involved from outside slots the last 2 weeks and may end up in the same boat tonight...but he also figures to be a

big price, and MAY be able to rally late to add some value to the exotics. (6) BLUE LOU saw his 3 race winning

streak snapped last week when stuck first over off 3 weeks – he’s now missed time again, draws poorly, and is listed

as the ML favorite – feels at least a bit vulnerable. (3) OUTLAW MAN N was climbing the classes nicely before an

unexpected miscue at Pocono last start – not really sure what to expect from him tonight. (8) FUNATTHEBEACH N

shocked at 75-1 two back, but was unable to threaten in last week’s Invitational – gets a class drop, but that may be

offset by Post 8. Both (4) ODDS ON CAPITALISM and (5) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A are capable of grabbing

small pieces with easy enough trips.


RACE 9– (1) EUPHORIA N doesn’t have the best looking lines on paper but he won 3 straight not all that long ago,

adds Lasix for tonight and draws the pole – logical spot for a big wake up call. (4) ITALIAN DELIGHT N has held

solid form for a long time despite more than his share of bad posts and trips – moves inside, lands in a reasonable

spot, and could be a real threat here. (2) QUALITY BUD seems to be on the upswing, despite that costly miscue 2

back – use in exotics. (3) JAHAN HANOVER doesn’t feel like he should be the ML favorite but a class drop and

good draw could at least land him on the ticket. (7) GINGRAS BEACH was a perfect trip jogburger 2 back then

finished well from an impossible spot last week – a small piece is possible. (6) ALADDIN is hard to gauge off his

Canadian lines but he did ok in limited starts here last year, adds Lasix, and may be able to grab a minor share. (5)

RAYRAY never wins, but can rally for pieces when in the right mood. (8) CAPTAIN BATBOY doesn’t figure to

make too much noise from out here.


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