Wednesday Empire Report

soaofny • January 18, 2023

The Empire Report - Wednesday, January 18, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (4) POSH ONTHE BEACH A hasn't won in a while but finished 2022 steadily, hitting board in

4 of his last 5 - if he can sit fairly close to the pace here, he may be able to pick up the pieces late in

tonight's tough opener. (5) CHANGE STRIDE N has been a bust since being claimed for $40K on 10/31

but the time off and drop to 25s may help him find a better effort - barn sent out a couple live ones on Mon.

night. (1) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN found a soft field on 12/16 and was able to easily take them wire to

wire - he'll look to do the same here, but this is a tougher crew, and the price will probably be pretty short.

(3) MY MIND IS MADEUP struggled for some time but did show SOME improvement right before the

break - we'll see if he can build on that to start off the new year. (7) SULLIVAN really appreciated the drop

to 25s, ending the year with a solid 3rd and then a win - possible here, but obviously would have liked his

chances a lot more with a better post! (2) FOX VALLEY INFERNO throws a good one here and there and

may land on a nice trip tonight- prefer others, but he really wouldn't be a shock. (6) SWAGASAURUSREX

figures to be coming from too far back to do any real damage here. (8) SHOREVIEW lands all the way

outside and figures to be a spectator from this brutal spot.


RACE 2 - (3) ALL CHAMPY became the first (and only!) horse to exit our former leading barn and win a

race for another trainer when he crushed the competition on 12/21 - if he comes back from the hiatus as

sharp as he left, he'll have a chance to pick up another victory. (6) IN MY DREAMS was cooked by a

tough trip in his last start of '22 but was very sharp prior to that - tough draw tonight, but still deserves

plenty of respect (4) PC FREE WHEELING closed out the year with a trip of 3rd place finishes, and should

be able to land on a good trip tonight - worth considering if the price is fair. (1) BAZILLIONAIRE was

winless all through 2022 before finally getting his picture taken in his final start of the season - seems like

an unlikely repeater, but the draw does make him a candidate for a piece. (5) LINDSEYS PRIDE was just 1

for 24 here last year but was hurt by a lot of tough posts/spots - he often outraces his odds, and is always a

decent bomb to throw in underneath. (8) GEMOLOGIST won way too many races at this level to ever just

dismiss, but this is definitely a spot where he figures to have trouble getting involved. (2) AFTER ALL

PAUL really wasn't clicking to close out the season - waiting for better signs before hopping back on his

team. (7) CHIEF JUSTICE is now in the care of the Dynamic Duo...but lands a brutal spot for his debut.


RACE 3 - (7) MINGO JOEL has looked good since being claimed 12/2 despite not finding the winner's

circle just yet - this is a tough spot (and that 5/2 ML is unappealing), but he still figures to have a very good

chance against this pretty shaky field. (2) MISTER DAYTONAA scored off the claim (in PA) on 12/4, but

faltered in his next couple before being scratched sick - IF he shows up on his game tonight, he can be a

threat from this spot. (4) LOVE THE BLUES N delivered a couple of very nice efforts here in Nov. after

dropping down to the 15s - he's been away for 40 days and tries the 20s in his return....perhaps the tote

board can offer some clues? (3) SWEET N FAST struggled for much of the last few months of '22 but did

come up with a game victory on 12/9 (over #5) - hard to know how he'll be returning from the winter break.

(5) JOJOS PLACE just missed to #3 in his last start of the year but was struggling before that, and has been

away for nearly 6 weeks. (6) ROCK N TONY was able to capitalize on a pocket trip (in an easier field) to

go out a winner in 2022 - lands a tough spot for his seasonal debut, but his barn did send out some live ones

on Mon. - mixed feelings. (1) CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL draws best, but just hasn't clicked at all since

being claimed for $25K back in November.


RACE 4 - (2) CAPTAINS STAR was "good" winning her debut for her new connections to close out 2022

but seems capable of better - worth a play here, hoping we see that from her tonight. (1) FRANTASY HAN

OVER has shown plenty of ability (and stamina!) in her 2 wins since the barn change, but has also been

horribly gaited both times - she'll be a very short price again, and that sloppy gait MAY catch up with her a

bit tonight. (3) DOCS DELIGHT wasn't her best in her last 2 local starts of '22, but did look good in NJ last

week - Buter takes her over the top pick, and she's worth considering if the price is decent. (4) JACANA

used a perfect inside trip to just miss on 12/21 but has otherwise been a major disappointment for her

current connections - will need to be better for a chance at a top prize. (7) CLEAR THE WAY was worn

down by #1 in her final start of the season but was very consistent prior to that - hard to say how serious

she'll be from this tough spot, though. (5) BETTER TINA was no factor in her last pair, at big prices -

maybe she can pick up a minor share with an easy trip? (6) VIRTUAL SUCCESS ships down from Maine

showing solid form but will have to prove that she can be as successful against the locals (8) PURE SILKY

broke in her local debut in Sept. and just qualified back last week - will probably just observe, for now.


RACE 5 - (4) BEERTHIRTY K came up just a little short at the end when a close 3rd vs. better last start -

this is an easier spot, and he looms the one to beat...as long as he returns sharp off the winter break. (5) MA

RION GONDOLIER has been struggling a bit lately but vs. much tougher - drops down to a level where he

can be much more effective - logical player. (3) TITANS HOPE had a solid 2022 campaign, helped by her

ability to leave the gate, and usually stay trotting - she did make a (rare) miscue in her season finale at Fhd.,

however, and has also been away for nearly 6 weeks - leaning more on the top two. (6) HUNTING AS

shows some mixed recent form (out of town) and draws poorly tonight...he also has a solid YR history, and

is worth including in exotics, assuming the price is fair. (1) MY BOY CHRISTIAN can be inconsistent and

definitely doesn't win very often....the good draw does give him a chance at a small share, though. (7) SEC

RET OR NOT had been struggling but did race a bit better in his last start of '22 - would have rated him

higher tonight had he not drawn so poorly. (2) MUSCLE STAR used a perfect trip (in a soft field) to pick

up a rare win in his last start of the year - faces tougher now, and likely looking at a minor piece at best. (8)

PRIMO PADRE draws Post 8 arriving from Monti and does seem somewhat overmatched.


RACE 6 - (1) STATE SENATOR was very sharp in a pair of $25K starts after arriving from PRc - moved

to the 3-4YO 40s after being claimed, and defeated those handily as well...draws best for his seasonal debut

and looms the one to beat from this spot - but does face a few pretty impressive foes. (3) HURRIKANE GE

ORGIE made an uncharacteristic break in his last start of the year but that doesn't take anything away from

his outstanding 27-11-9-2 season - assuming he shrugs off that last miscue, he can be a serious threat here.

(4) ROSE RUN X CON certainly took to Yonkers, compiling a 7-2-2-2 record after arriving - remains a

threat with the good draw. (2) JIM BLUE was hurt by a pair of tough trips after shipping in from PcD then

was scratched lame on 12/21 - he's been idle for 6 weeks, and it's anybody's guess as to what we'll get from

him tonight. (6) COLD CREEK FELIPE got VERY sharp for 4 starts (2 wins, 2 seconds) but ended the

year with a clunker - another that will look for redemption in his first start of the year (but from a difficult

spot). (5) STELLAR YANKEE easily wired an easier bunch (in a "weird" race) to close out 2022 - draws

outside 4 major rivals, and may have to settle for a smaller slice tonight. (8) CAPTAIN T HANOVER was

much better gaited in his last pair (after a barn change) and almost pulled off the upset in his last - may

have to wait for an easier spot to strut his best stuff, however. (7) AINT HE SPECIAL is an in-and-outer,

and doesn't seem to be clicking at the moment.


RACE 7 - (5) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL was "sneaky good" in that start 3 back, right there behind

FRANTASY HANOVER in her next, then charged home to just miss in her last - if that form held during

the winter break, she figures to be pretty tough tonight. (4) CATIE FAYE HANOVER ended the year with

a dud but she can probably be forgiven for that (moved way too early) - her prior form was very solid, and

a return to one of those efforts would make her a player tonight. (2) ARTEMIDA doesn't look all that

appealing on paper, but she does make her first start for a trainer/driver team that has done good things

together - perhaps we'll see some improvement? (7) ICARUS FALLS N tends to be her own worst enemy,

getting too hot at times - decent bomb to consider, hoping she's more relaxed this week. (8) RAISE THE

ANTE fits well with this bunch but draws worst off the winter break - may have to wait for a more realistic

spot. (6) DIFFERENTFORGIRLS shows Ohio lines that would make her a good fit with the locals but she

was scratched sick from her last after breaking the start before - leaning to others right now. (3) BETTOR B

SAWYER hasn't hit board in 6 local starts and needs to find some better efforts. (1) ROLL WITH SHOR

TY draws the pole but her 1 for 42 record is hard to ignore.


RACE 8 - (2) STARLIT RAMBO raced very well throughout his last stint here (10-3-1-3) then held that

form recently at Chester, even when driven by a somewhat inexperienced pilot in his last few starts - gets

Stratton on board for his Hilltop return, and a live trip could get him to the winner's circle. (8) MON AMO

UR always had ability and has certainly been solid since joining his current (top) barn 5 starts back - clearly

a major threat against these, but won't offer much value at 2-1 ML from Post 8. (3) LOOK IN MY EYES is

solid at this level with the right trip and he may be headed to a quick lead tonight - finished right behind the

top 2 choices in PA last start, and should be a player once again. (4) SWANSEA had tailed quite a bit the

last couple of years but did put together a nice string of starts from the end of Sept. to the end of Nov. - it

does look like he may be tailing again, however. (5) NEW HEAVEN earned nearly $100K last year but still

wasn't the same horse we'd become used to seeing - he still throws a big one at times, but not nearly enough

for our tastes - possible, but prefer others. (1) STONE IN LOVE draws best and has been racing well at

Stga. - she does seem a bit cheap, though, and the time off could hurt as well. (6) ARABELLAS CADET

can do well in this class when sharp, but does seem a bit off her game right now. (7) LADY JETER doesn't

seem good enough right now to overcome this difficult post.


RACE 9 - (1) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A actually looked to leave in NJ last week but took back at the start,

resulting in a hopeless 5th over trip - he still kicked home full of pace, and this feels like a good spot for the

recent import to be handled aggressively...and come out on top. (2) BIG BOSS HILL was just 1 for 30 last

year, but did finish 3rd in both Yonkers starts - could end up with a good trip here, with a chance for a

decent chunk. (4) MACS MARVEL has ability for sure, but his form has been spotty since the recent barn

change and his last local effort saw him race pretty erratically - could be iffy at a shortish price. (6) PERSI

MMON A fits well at this bottom level but the outside draw could leave him with a tough trip - still ok to

consider underneath. (3) EL JACKO N raced much better in his last couple at Fhd., even if facing cheaper -

he may have regained some confidence, and that would give him a chance at a small piece. (8) EXOTIC

SAND is as good (or better) than most of these, but will have to find a way to overcome Post 8 - maybe use

for 3rd/4th? (5) NOTA REPLICAA has some very mixed form but even his "good" efforts may leave him

short against several of these. (7) LYONS PEGASUS seems too far out to have any say in here.


RACE 10 - (3) EMOTIONS RICHES really hit a rough patch here in November - took 6 weeks off and it

seems to have worked, as he just missed at The Meadows on 1/5 off that layoff - major threat here with

anything close to his best. (6) THE LAST CHAPTER is hard to ever "love" as he tends to get shaky at the

end of most of his miles - that being said, that last speed try across the river does stamp as a serious threat

to beat these...especially if the top choice falters. (4) SWAN FINE LADY had a good year in New England

and ships in off a confidence building mile vs. easier (in Maine) - have a feeling she'll fit well here, and

give a good account of herself. (2) UPFRONT STONE almost pulled off a 43-1 upset vs. the 50s on 11/23

but has done little since then - in desperate need of a wake up call. (5) JIVE NINETY FIVE was 0 for 15

here last year but did hold his own vs. the 50s for a few starts - his last couple of starts suggest he may have

tailed, however, and he's been idle since 12/14. (8) SUMATRA was just 1 for 22 last year but did race well

in most of his starts at the end of the season - has the benefit of a start last week, but that may be offset by

the draw. (7) STICK WITH ME KID has done better since joining this barn a while back, but also faces an

uphill battle from out here. (1) NATURAL KEMP won a couple of starts here in '22 but just doesn't seem

sharp enough to threaten these right now.


RACE 11 - (2) KING ALPHONSO has a lot of back class but made only 6 starts last year - seems back on

a good course right now, and lands at the bottom level upon arrival at YR- really shouldn't have any trouble

handling this crew. (7) DOWN THE PIKE MIKE picked up a very game win here on 11/10 but has been

settling for smaller pieces out of town since then - an aggressive start here could land him a good trip...and

a good piece. (5) QUINCY MARKET raced pretty well 2 and 3 starts back after switching to an off-the-

pace strategy - may be able to rally for a decent piece using similar tactics tonight. (6) MANWILLING was

a decent 1st over 3rd to close out 2022 - at 20-1 ML, he's worth throwing in underneath. (3) TESLA SEEL

STER was struggling at the end of last year, like many of her barnmates - had a useful prep on 1/6, and

we'll see if that helps her grab a piece tonight. (4) FOXY TROTTING STICK is hard to gauge as he raced

in a lot of amateur races last year - would consider using for 3rd/4th tonight. (1) TORKIL had a good trip in

a bad field last start and still didn't fire - wouldn't be surprised if he grabbed a share from this spot, but

others figure to offer better value. (8) HAMMER CREEK lands Post 8 after going 5-0-0-0 here last year.

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