Friday Empire Report

August 5, 2022

The Empire Report - Friday, August 5, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - Italian/American Friendship Trot: (1) CREWS HILLTOPPER rallied steadily for 4th last week

behind the runaway winner - he draws best, and pilot Robert Krivelin has driven him in the past - a good

getaway would give him a solid chance to win this one for the Americans. (2) HOOLIE N HECTOR has

been holding his own vs. better, and certainly fits nicely with these - may end up with a nice trip here, and

his Italian pilot Roberto Giannoni has won plenty of races during his career. (4) WINNERESS is a very

solid performer in these Amateur events, and sports a strong 6-1-3-2 Yonkers record this year - his pilot

(the beloved Maurizio Biasuzzi) is a familiar name in the U.S., and he's won nearly 1,000 races- possibility!

(3) HOBBS held well for 2nd last week in his first try for a new barn, and Italian driver Daniele Orsini has

done well in previous U.S. excursions - good one to include underneath, as he's generally pretty camera

shy. (5) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE has veteran U.S. amateur Alan Schwartz on board, but he's been off his

best game for some time - may be a bit vulnerable as the ML favorite. (6) GRAFENBERG is just 1 for 41

over the past 2 seasons, but does have a very familiar pilot in Joe Faraldo - maybe he can rally for a small

piece? (8) NATURAL KEMP probably fits very well with these, but Francesco Caruso will have to figure a

way to get him into the race from Post 8 - won't be easy! (7) MISS YOU KELLY has looked a little better

in her last couple, but the affable Peter Kleinhans will need plenty of racing luck to get her involved from

this spot.


RACE 2 - Short, but SHARP 6 horse field! (2) VINNY DE VIE always hinted at more talent than he was

able to show but he really busted loose in his last couple, dominating a couple of lesser fields - he won't get

to just hit the top and outrun this crew, but he just may be sharp enough right now to beat them. (4) I DA

PRINCESS shipped in sharp from Canada and has continued to thrive for her current connections, despite

taking on MUCH tougher - major threat as she returns from NJ. (5) QUEEN OF ALL started hitting on all

cylinders out of town recently and that fine form held in her Hilltop return, as she kicked home with plenty

of trot for 3rd from a tough spot - a live trip could put her right there tonight. (3) LOOK IN MY EYES has

been sharp for a very long time, through different barns, and often at good prices - never a bad one to

include in exotics. (6) SECRET BRO picked up back to back wins here off a freshening that clearly did him

some good - he fits perfectly, and the only knock is drawing outside several equally sharp rivals - the right

trip could make him a late player. (1) LEAN HANOVER is not the commodity he once was, and is not all

that reliable at the moment - wouldn't shock, but he offers no value as the 5/2 ML choice.


RACE 3 - (4) DEETZY hasn't won at Yonkers in a long time, but really hasn't made that many starts here

over the past few years - he ships in pretty sharp from PcD, and catches a field with shaky favorites, and the

possibility of a hotly contested pace - worth a stab in a race that just may fall apart. (7) HES ELECTRIC

made a nice brush 2 back but just couldn't sustain it late -- he followed that up with a legitimately sharp

mile last week, and he's definitely feeling pretty good right now - bad post and he doesn't win here very

often, but he still may be worth a flyer at what figures to be a very juicy price. (1) LUC ROCKS has made

4 starts for the Dynamic Duo but really hasn't shown the typical improvement we expect from that barn -

obviously a big threat from this spot, but he also figures to be significantly overbet. (2) VIRGIN STORM is

another that will attract plenty of attention from this spot, but he's winless here in 9 starts this year, and was

only 2 for 23 in 2021....may be vulnerable at a short price too. (8) SETTLEMOIR hadn't even functioned at

Yonkers for most of the last 3 years (21-0-0-2), but he was literally a new horse last week after just one

week in his new barn - draws horribly once more, but still worth using if the price is decent. (6) MOHAWK

WARRIOR took NO $$ off the class drop last week and didn't lift a hoof - inclined to pass off that mile, but

also wouldn't be shocked if a better version showed up tonight. (5) IM JAY BEE N is just 20-1-1-3 this

year, but does throw a good one here and there - would only consider if the price was pretty juicy. (3)

CLASSIFIED MATERIAL hasn't clicked at all (in PA ) since the claim on 6/4.


RACE 4 - (4) MY MIND IS MADEUP had a tough trip last week and had license to flatten a bit near the

end - he would look better in for $30K, but he can beat these too, with the right trip - decent value horse to

consider on top. (3) BLUEBIRD RECON took a couple of starts to get rolling for our leading trainer/driver

team but he's been terrific for the past several starts - major threat here, but with a very short price looming.

(5) NOWHERE CREEK A was a solid 2nd best to the classy MACH N CHEESE 2 back, then raced much

better last week than his line might suggest - good bomb to include in exotics. (2) GIVENUPDREAMING

has been very consistent since the recent barn change, hitting board in 4 straight - would be hard to not

include him in your exotics. (1) BETTER UP has been racing very well for a hot barn, and draws the pole

with an aggressive pilot - he's unproven (right now) at this level, but it would be no surprise to see him

stick around close from start to finish. (8) MACRO BEACH moves up another class after almost delivering

the 38-1 upset from well off the pace - he's undeniably sharp right now, but could face many obstacles from

all the way out here. (6) WHAT THE LUCK picked up a 2nd and a 3rd since arriving from NJ - he's proven

that he fits, but he gets his first outside post and that may very well slow him down a bit. (7) MONTY

MONO is probably better in 30s, and may need a much better draw to be a threat at the $40K level.


RACE 5 - (3) FOR A DREAMER rallied for 3rd the night he was claimed for $50K, then was a steady 3rd

(in a hot mile) in his first try for new connections - this feels like a bunch that he fits well with, and that 8-1

ML is definitely appealing. (2) MISSION VOYAGE was sharp (vs. cheaper) at The Meadows, then jogged

at PcD in his first start for the Super Siblings, despite being away for nearly a month - moving up a bit in

class here, but still looks like a very dangerous player. (1) IM THE MUSCLE does his best work on the

lead, vs. a bit easier - not sure if he'll be able to cut this mile, but he'll certainly be sitting very close up...

worth considering. (5) MEMO would be a major threat against these on his best effort, but his last couple

have been sub-par -- if you think he can rebound to his "A Game" tonight, he's worth using on your tickets.

(8) JULA MUSCLE PACK always had ability but the 4YO tends to be a bit inconsistent, and is winless in

his 5 local starts this year - has a chance, but isn't too appealing from Post 8, at that 2-1 ML price. (4) P L

OSCAR really disappointed after popping out of the two hole last week, and his overall form still seems

below his best - will need to be sharper if he hopes to be a serious player tonight. (6) SWANSEA has

definitely lost some pop on his fastball, and really needs to be in easier to be at his best - maybe can rally

late for a small share, with the right trip. (7) MADHATTER BLUECHIP has been doing better work in his

last few starts, but still seems off his best - not sure he's sharp enough to overcome tonight's tough draw.


RACE 6 - (5) WARRIOR ONE had a useful tightener 2 back but was just totally disinterested last week -

lands in a much better spot, and the guess is that we'll see a much different effort tonight....perhaps the tote

board will offer some clues too. (1) MELADYS MONET hasn't been on his best form, and definitely

looked like a very vulnerable favorite last week (he tired in the lane to 4th) - it would be hard to really love

his chances tonight, but the ultra-classy double millionaire is looking at a much easier trip from this spot,

and his trainer has coaxed him back to form many times over the past few seasons - look for a rebound mile

tonight. (8) ON HIGHER GROUND got very sharp not long ago but that also left him stuck in the Open for

a few starts - got some class relief last week, but made a very costly miscue before the start - he CAN be a

threat with these on his best game, so at least give him a look (even from out here) if the price is juicy

enough. (2) FANATIC had a little life from Post 8 2 back, then was 2nd best in a fast mile last week -

should be able to pick up a good chunk from this spot, as well. (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY got some class

relief 3 back and turned in 3 solid performances - no reason he can't pick up another good piece tonight,

with a good trip. (6) TOCCOA FALLS was able to score as the odds on choice last week, but used every

inch of his perfect trip to do so - wouldn't say he CAN'T win again, but it'll be a lot tougher from this spot.

(4) ARABELLAS CADET was dull off a bad date in her last - prefer to just watch her tonight, and consider

next week...when she'll likely be dropping in class. (7) BARRY BLACK was able to make it to the top last

week and prevailed against cheaper - tonight's class bump and poor draw will hurt quite a bit, though.


RACE 7 - (1) SHANWAY N is the semi-reluctant selection here - he looked like a strong play against

better last week, but just came up with a first over clunker - in even cheaper, figures to be controlling things

from the rail with Bartlett, and anything close to his best would likely beat these...but a very short price is

looming. (6) QUALITY BUD hasn't been a threat since returning from the layoff but those miles were

against much better - this is a logical spot for a wakeup call, and that 15-1 ML price is tempting. (2) MARL

BANK ROAD landed in a soft bunch last week and was able to deliver the upset - this is a tougher spot, but

he may land on an easy trip...and that could lead to a piece of this. (4) JESSE DUKE N will attract plenty of

$$ off the BIG drop, but he hasn't been any good at all since the last claim, and his barn is ice cold (1 for 48

since April 1st) - seems like the value lies in playing against him here. (5) IM BENICIO A is another that

has really been struggling - inclined to pass, but will at least check the tote board for any hints at a wake up

call. (3) MY CARBON COPY N shrugged off the clunker from 2 back and was able to rebound with a

victory last week - this is a much tougher spot, and losing Lachance won't help either. (8) BET ON BLAKE

turned in a better qualifier at The Meadows after struggling mightily in 3 straight starts - prefer to just

observe tonight, with the terrible draw. (7) WEONA SIZZLER A was no factor in his 2 starts at this level

since the claim.


RACE 8 - (3) PACING MAJOR N has been in a good groove lately and he's clearly the most reliable

player in here right now - he can race on or off the pace, and the good draw gives Siegelman plenty of

options. (4) LOVE THE BLUES N figured to be in a good spot last week but lost all chance after an early

miscue - he'll be a nice price here, and a clean effort could put him in the hunt for a good slice. (2) HAPPY

TRIO hasn't worked out all since the $25K claim on 6/9 - he drops in for $20K now, and we'll see if the

class relief helps him find a better effort. (7) ASTON HILL DAVE hasn't won since that 80-1 upset 4 starts

back but he's certainly continued to race well, finishing 2nd in his last 3 - has a few negatives tonight (up in

class from Post 7 after missing 3 weeks), but still deserves a measure of respect. (1) SUNSETBOOZECRU

ISE is 9-0-0-0 here over the last 3 years but drops in class, draws the pole and picks up Bartlett...maybe he

can at least pick up a piece this time? (8) MISTER SPOT A has been ok lately but will really need some

major trip luck to make any kind of noise from out here. (5) ABRAXAS BLUES A dropped down to 20s

last week but failed to show any real improvement. (6) MARTY MONKHOUSER A seems to need to be

on the lead vs. easier to be a threat these days.


RACE 9 - (5) MACHEASY A has been finishing with good pace from tough spots - gets a bit of post

relief, drops to the bottom level, and deserves top billing. (2) LUCIANO N also drops to the basement, and

that should really perk up the classy 11YO - look for a big effort from this spot. (6) LEVINE has been a

good earner for Zeron in the past, but has struggled to get his act together (so far) in 2022 - we'll see if

Bartlett could get some more out of him. (4) ON THE VIRG seems way overdue for a wake up call - use

him underneath. (1) KAUAI KING has a less than stellar 16-0-1-1 Yonkers record, but may be able to at

least squeeze out a small piece with the inside draw. Both (7) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN and (8) GOTHIC

ROCK raced well enough last week to at least consider for a minor piece tonight....though both will be hard

pressed to overcome their terrible draws. (3) ZACH MAGUIRE N managed just one 2nd from 34 starts

over the past 2 seasons - we'll just observe, as he returns from a recent layoff.


RACE 10 - (1) SWAGASAURUSREX just missed 3 back, was blocked full of pace in the stretch in his

next then finished steadily for 4th last week - more importantly, he debuts tonight for a small barn that can

improve one off the claim as well as any of the "big guys" -- chance to upset in the finale. (3) PROVOCAT

IVEPRINCEN loves to roll on the lead and was able to wire this class easily last week - he'll be the heavy

favorite to do the very same thing this week. (6) RISKY MILLION was hammered down to even money

off the claim last week, but could only pick up a 3rd after the first over trip - he'll be a much better price

now, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to include him in exotics. (2) NOAHS MILL picked up a 2nd in last

week's "fall apart" race and drops a peg off that effort - good draw puts him in play for a piece. (5) SOHO

WALLSTREET A was well meant last week but lost any chance for a good piece when he hooked wheels

off the final turn - drops a peg for tonight, and has a legitimate chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (4)

MAGRITTE is just one of several horses that have quickly deteriorated after being claimed by this crew -

we'll see if he can turn things around a bit tonight. (8) MISTER HAT was an upset winner from the pocket

last week but now moves up in class while drawing Post 8 - very tough spot. (7) JOJOS PLACE finally

showed some life 2 back but quickly was back to his lesser form last week - prefer others.

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