Monday Empire Report

soaofny • June 14, 2021

The Empire Report - Monday, June 14, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - Tough opener: (1) P H KENNY has endured a series of tough posts (and trips) abut finally lands

himself a good starting spot - it's possible that he needs easier to do his best but at 9-1 ML, it's worth a shot

to find out. (4) BAKERSFIELD was no good at all in his first try off the claim but he's capable of much

better - may try to blast here, and he's always dangerous when he hits the front end. (6) CAPTAIN NASH is

definitely sharp right now and would have been the top pick had he drawn inside - hasn't shown any kind of

gate speed, though, and may need some trip luck to get in position from out here - would definitely use IF

the price is decent. (3) GUMPTION hit board for the first time in 4 local starts last week and was also

claimed for the 2nd straight start - he's a bit questionable up in class, and that 3-1 ML price also makes it

tougher to get excited about a wager. (2) TOWNLINE FLIGHT kept trying hard chasing the hot pace 2

back and was able to get the win after the leader finally weakened in the stretch - just didn't have as much

in the tank in his last (when 3rd), and definitely offers no value as the 5/2 ML favorite (but not impossible).

(5) FOX VALLEY INFERNO was empty for his new connections in last - eligible to be sharper tonight,

but still sticking with others. (8) BLUEBIRD RECON held gamely when 2nd after a front end try in last

but he steps up and draws Post 8 off the claim, and this just seems like a pretty tough spot. (7) FIREBALL

has only one this year and it was in the bottom class - hard to recommend from out here, against these.


RACE 2 - (4) MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was a game front end winner here 3 back, then had excuses in his

last pair at PcD (broke in slop, then parked the mile) - legit chance to just blast to the top and pick up

another local victory. (1) ROCK ON LINE was too far back (against better) to threaten the last couple of

starts (after a sick scratch) - drops into a much softer spot here, and will be tough if he shows up anything

close to his best game - but considering his recent form, don't take too a short price! (5) OFFICIAL

DELIGHT had no chance off the claim (8 hole) but was solid in his last, 2nd best after working out a two

hole trip - seems like a player here, but note that he's just 1 for 40 over the past 2 seasons. (7) CHANGE

STRIDE N was a solid 3rd off the claim 2 back, won his next, but was a little overmatched vs. 40s in his

last - drops back down to a better level, but the poor draw may limit him to a smaller share. (2)

KINGSTONS BAD BOY is sharp now and was a last-to-first winner last week - he moves to a barn with

just 1 win and 2 2nds in their last 76 YR starts, however, and that makes him hard to recommend at any

kind of short price. (3) MY DELIGHT ships in showing some good Tioga form but he may be a little

cheaper than these - willing to use underneath. (8) MAJOR CROCKER A has been decent since returning

from the layoff but may have to wait for a better draw to be a player again, (6) ART SCENE is just 1 for 26

here over the last 2 years, and could really use a much easier spot.


RACE 3 - (3) KINNDER JACKSON won his last start before leaving Pompano, raced very well for 3rd at

Pocono, then raced much better than it looks here at Yonkers (full of pace finishing from a no-chance spot)

- draws much better than he did for last week's canceled card (had Post 7), and should be a good value play

tonight. (5) BRONX SEELSTER drops again after disappointing in his last couple but his barn has finally

shown some sparks of life, going 9-3-2-2 since the meet re-started last week - the one to beat here? (1)

WEST ERN HILL moves up again despite a pair of losses and he's just 1 for 42 over the past 2 years - he is

sharp, however, and may be able to pick up a good piece with an easy enough trip (7) FUNKNWAFFLES

was an incredibly promising youngster but just wasn't able to maintain that consistent form as an older

horses - at age 7 he's now closing in on $1M in earnings - he'll get there soon, but probably will only grab a

smaller piece tonight from all the way out here. (2) LUCIANO N is feeling good these days and steps up

off a pair of victories - definitely sharp enough to contend for a piece of this if Holland can work out

another easy trip for him. (4) SILAS SEELSTER is just 1 for 14 this year, and benefited from a perfect trip

in that win - does drop a peg, and that gives him a chance for a small piece. (6) ABRAXAS BLUES A was

very good 2 back and built off that effort with a win last week - move up and Post 6 may slow him down a

bit, though. (8) FIZZING N hasn't won in a while but he's raced very well a bunch of times - brutal spot,

though.


RACE 4 - (1) LACHIE MAGUIRE N suddenly found his form beating a basement field on 4/16 and just

kept getting better every start after that - his blowout win here 3 back was ultra-impressive, and there's no

shame in getting beat by the classy SOME WARATAH A in his last couple upstate - this inaugural $50-75K

claiming handicap has a few sharp players, but this guy deserves the narrow edge. (3) PICARD A is a

perfect 3 for 3 since the claim, pacing powerfully through the wire each time - hard to imagine him not

getting a good trip in here, and he's surely a very dangerous threat. (3) REVELRY was claimed in both

local starts and raced well each time - should fit nicely with these in his current form, and he figures to be

pacing well at the end - not sure why his owner isn't training the horse himself, but we've seen this a few

times in the past. (5) LA PLAYER A drops in for a tag after a no-factor effort in his first U.S.start - prefer

to just watch in his local debut (maybe check the tote board for some clues?) (6) KEYSTONE PHOENIX

failed to beat a horse in his last pair and draws all the way outside here - short field may allow him to at

least pick up a minor share tonight. (4) DREAMFAIR CHARRO was no factor in his try here 3 back even

before the miscue - just seems a bit overmatched with these.


RACE 5 - Very competitive field! (1) RECORD YEAR has yet to beat the 30s but he's won 6 of 16 starts

this year, and has raced well in his losses at this level - maybe the rail draw can put him over the top? (3)

ROCK THE NITE A has finished 2nd in three straight, and in 5 of his last 7 (with 8 holes in the other two!)

- will no doubt get his picture taken one of these nights...maybe tonight? (6) CAROLINA MAGIC hails

from a hot barn, and had excellent pace in his last pair (after shaking free too late) - sharp enough for a

chance at the upset IF he can somehow find a good trip here. MARTY MONKHOUSER A received an

excellent drive last week (Bongiorno used a parked rival as a "blocker"), and scored easily moving into this

very high % barn - quite capable of making it 2 in a row, even in this tough field. (3) TWIN B SPEEDO

was a prolific winner in 2020 (and at the start of 2021) but hasn't been victorious in some time - still a

threat, but not much value at that 7/2 ML price. (7) GIVENUPDREAMING looked good out of town in his

last couple but he draws terribly for his YR return and he's 0 for 15 here this year (and 2 for last 35) - prefer

others tonight. (5) TALK SHOW is obviously sharp, but he'll be facing much tougher tonight with an

uncertain trip on the horizon - not impossible, but definitely prefer others. (8) BARBADOS will be coming

from way back, and will need things to fall apart up front to contend even for a small piece.


RACE 6 - (1) IMSTAYNALIVE steps up for the 4th straight week...but that's because he's WON his last 3

starts 9and all in impressive fashion) - razor sharp 6YO remains the one to beat, even at this elevated level.

(4) LEVINE appeared to be heading easily to the top last week but somehow had to back off and ended up

sitting 3rd - stayed trapped for too long before finding stretch room, or would have probably been right

there - he 's shown he can go with these older rivals, and has a legitimate chance tonight. (5) MACHEASY

went some big miles in a few of those recent Stga. wins, beating Moonshine Kisses a couple of times - his

only local wins have come at lower levels, though, so we'll see if he can beat this class, in his current form.

(2) WARDAN EXPRESS A probably needs to be in easier for a chance to win, but the good draw (and

probable good trip) does put him in contention for a smaller piece. (6) WALKINSHAW N disappointed as

the odds on choice when able to cut the mile in this class 2 back - stuck outside here, but maybe can rally

late for a minor share. (7) MOHAWK WARRIOR sat all the way in last but the trip worked out perfectly as

he had the freshest legs once cut loose at the top of the lane - in a bit tougher now and draws outside...and

that figures to limit him to just a minor piece. (3) TIGER BARON is sharp now but he bumps up to a lever

that's usually too tough for him - prefer others tonight. (8) ELWELL looked like a very live player last

week when he drew much better for the canceled Monday card - stuck with Post 8 now, and will need all

kinds of trip luck to make any real noise from this spot.


RACE 7 - (1) RAUKAPUKA RULER N has two wire to wire wins at this level from his last 4 starts (7 and

8 holes the other 2 times) - didn't have much chance in last week's canceled card (Post 8) but ends up with

the pole tonight...and the road to the winner's circle goes through him. (2) SOME WARATAH A has proven

to be an astute purchase, as the import has compiled a 10-7-2-0 record since arriving stateside (and is

4-3-0-0 here at Yonkers) - clearly a threat any time he goes behind the gate, and may land on a beautiful trip

here - goes for 5 in a row tonight, and has a legitimate chance to get it done. (5) GALANTE A has raced

well in ALL 10 local starts, and has proven that he can go at this top level - if the trip goes his way, he has a

chance to pull off a minor upset - could at least spice up the exotics a bit. (3) FINE DIAMOND was in a

terrible spot last Monday (canceled, from Post 7) but the better draw gives him a chance to pick up a decent

piece - he's gone a few big miles recently, even if vs. cheaper. (6) SPEED MAN N had a better post in an

easier field last Monday, and was our top choice - don't like him nearly as much from this much tougher

spot, but would still throw him on a couple of tickets (as he'll be a very big price here). (4) SHADOW CAT

has done some outstanding work here this year but will be class tested tonight - may be able to hang with

these too, but he'll have to prove it. (7) OSTRO HANOVER fits very well here but the outside draw figures

to limit his chances considerably. (8) CAVIART LUCA seems unlikely to ever get close to contention.


RACE 8 - (2) LYONS WILLIAM came into his last riding a 3 race win streak and if not for a horrendous

trip, probably would have made it 4 in a row (still raced super for 3rd) - draws inside, and looms the one to

beat. (4) ROCK LIGHTS has gone some BIG efforts here, so it's pretty surprising to see that he paid almost

9-1 in that last win across the river - definitely a big threat to win here too, but note that he's somehow 0 for

22 here (past 2 years) before accepting a short price. (1) UPTOWN FUNK has raced well in all 5 local

starts but still hasn't found the winner's circle - definitely a chance tonight, though, as he's looking at a good

trip from this spot...may even be a decent price. (3) TREASURE MACH has a couple of legitimate excuses

recently - fits well enough to take home a decent piece...if the trip is easy enough. (5) SPORTSKEEPER

has been cheaper than these most of the year but has really sharpened in his last few - good one to include

for 3rd/4th. (6) SOHO LEVIATHAN A has a few good recent starts but vs. much softer - seems up against

this against these, especially from Post 6. (8) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN does his damage on the front end

but that seems like an unlikely scenario from Post 8. (7) GHOST DANCE does his best work with easier.


RACE 9 - (4) FLYING FINN N beat the bottom class on 3/16 and has been sharp ever since, climbing his

way back up the class ladder - that last mile wasn't bad at all (vs. better, off a bad date, from an impossible

spot), and he should be offering some good value in this fairly wide open affair. (3) EHRMANTROUT was

an easy winner here the last time he was in this cheap (3/29), and beat this class on 3/15 as well - major

threat, even though Zeron opts for #1. (2) CAN B PERFECT always "figures", almost always races well....

but has had trouble getting over the hump and back into the winner's circle - maybe he can get it done

tonight? (1) DON DOMINGO N has been racing well enough but comes into this having missed 5 weeks,

and is also just 1 for 14 on the year - prefer others for the top slots. (7) ALTA LEROY N is one of many

from this barn hitting on all cylinders right now - usually does his best work vs. a little easier (and the post

won't help either), but he just may be sharp enough to still land a small piece. (5) RETOUR AU JEU picked

up a win and a 2nd vs. older rivals 2 and 3 back, but at lower levels - probably looking at a lesser piece, at

best. (8) CAVIART MAX only raced 4X in 2020 and took a long time to make it back for his 2021

campaign - he's certainly doing fine work so far, but he draws poorly upon arrival from Chester and we'll

wait for him to land in a better spot. (6) BILBO HANOVER was no factor moving up to this level in last.


RACE 10 - (1) NANDOLO N was racing in Grade 1 events in NZ before shipping to the U.S. - qualified

sharply on 5/8 (in NJ) before pacing a :51.4 final half (from a hopeless spot) in his stateside debut - was

sent off as the 3/5 choice in his next and charged home powerfully to win in 1:48.4 - barn may have been

struggling here for the past 3 months, but has started off the new meet 9-3-2-2 - gets top billing in his local

debut, but won't say he's a "cinch". (5) SAN DOMINO A has had an inconsistent year, but still throws his

share of big efforts - should be headed right to the top at the start here, and he'll give the top choice trouble

if he shows up on his "A Game". (7) ROCKIN SPEED went a big mile debuting for his new connections

last week (at The Swamp) - moves up and draws horribly, but still has a shot to make some noise here. (2)

DENVER SEELSTER would like to be in a bit easier and is just 1 for 13 on the year.....but he's hit board in

10 of those 13 starts and will probably be sitting relatively close...chance to follow along for a small piece.

(3) MICKY GEE N is hard to gauge off his 5 starts this year, but it would be tough to not at least use the

classy veteran in exotics from this spot. (4) PERFECTLY CLOSE generally needs to be in a bit easier but

he may be able to land a small piece in his current sharp form. (6) NVESTMENT BLUECHIP picked up a

2nd from the pocket last week but the class hike and outside draw will likely slow him down tonight. (8)

RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N will look better dropping to NW15000 next start.


RACE 11 - (4) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH won his first 2 starts vs. lesser after shipping in from NJ, but then

held that form all the way up to the Open - gets some class relief, and figures to have another big say

tonight. (5) PEACE OUT POSSE did a nice job hanging on for 2nd to PYRO last start despite racing off a

bad date - draws outside his main rival tonight (#4), but still figures to be a serious threat. (3) TOWNLINE

ALL GOOD steps up after wiring cheaper - overall form is solid since the recent claim, and he has a chance

for another good piece, despite moving up in class. (1) GENIUS MAN is hard to fault off a long series of

excellent miles but he'll be stepping up to face tough older foes here, and we'll find out if he can be as

successful with these - the good draw certainly will help his cause/ (6) TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY has

compiled a very impressive 15-6-3-1 record here over the past 2 years - he'll be facing tougher than he's

used to but at 20-1 ML, he's still a decent one to throw in underneath. (7) WINDSUN RICKY fits with

these when on his game, but will have to find some way into the race from out here - won't be easy. (2)

DANCIN DRAGON just fell apart in the pocket on the final turn last week after moving up in class - faces

even tougher now, and would be hard to endorse. (8) SANTAFES COACH is in fine form, but the class

hike and 8 hole will likely slow him down considerably.


RACE 12 - Wide open finale: (1) CASUAL COOL won back to back starts here in April (vs. cheaper) and

now returns to YR after a pair of back to back win in PA - moves up in class but he's looking at a good trip,

and may be sharp enough to make it pay off. (4) LETS HAVE ANOTHER romped here upon arrival from

Delaware then just missed by a nose in his next to the classy SOME WARATAH A - has excuses for his

last couple, and Stratton does stick with him tonight - belongs on your tickets. (2) SKIP TO MY LOU

shipped up sharp from Florida and has raced well in all 3 starts since arriving - he's capable of handling the

class hike, and really would be no surprise here at all. (6) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A tends to be very

inconsistent, but can be a handful when "in the mood" - tough spot, but worth considering at the right price.

(3) MARK WITHA K was able to get up from the pocket to take his last, vs. easier - looking at a smaller

piece with these, though. (5) HIGHLAND TARTAN has held his form for some time, but is probably

pushing his luck up at these levels - maybe 3rd/4th? (7) OUR MAX PHACTOR N failed on the lead vs.

easier with no excuses in last - unlikely to be a serious threat from out here. (8) ONE OFF DELIGHT A

remains sharp, but this just isn't a very realistic spot for him.


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