The Empire Report – Thursday, May 30, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (2) ALL CHAMPY took a couple of starts to get going (after missing 7 months) but has 2 wins and three
seconds in his last 5 starts since then – he avoids the mare that beat him the last 2 weeks, and feels like the one to
knock off for his new connections. (3) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND has been rock solid at this level all year but does
go for a new barn tonight after an unexpected miscue last week – on his best, he could certainly give the top one a
tussle. (4) MANCLANE has been a solid player in this class but he exits a pair of top trainers to join a lower profile
barn tonight – he should still be able to have a good say in this field. (6) INFINITY STONE hasn’t quite been able to
replicate that eye-popping win (4 starts back) but he’s been “ok”, and did just miss in last week’s “fall apart” race –
the outside draw does figure to hurt his chances, however. (1) MUFASA AS seems overmatched with these but he
does have the rail with Gingras – we’ll see if that’s enough to keep him in the hunt. (5) NO TURNING BACK was
starting to come around but just had to re-qualify after a couple of scratches earlier this month
RACE 2 – (5) TIPSY MONI has been virtually unbeatable in this FM Invitational, the lone blemish this year being
when she broke from Post 8 – hard to make any good case against her in this 5 horse field (but you WILL get paid if
you play against her, and she does get beat). (1) AIRMANS JACKPOT earned her move up to this class with 3 wins
in her last 4 starts (all at nice prices) vs. males – no reason to think she can’t hold her own with these too. (2) QUEE
N OF ALL rallied a bit for pieces after conservative trips in her last pair – may be able to do the same tonight. (4) P
L NOTSONICE has really taken to Yonkers, winning 3 of her last 4 starts (and 4 of her last 6) – she’s listed as the
ML favorite OVER #5, but she was soundly beaten by that one the last 2X they met. (3) PERFECT VIXEN is listed
on the bottom only because somebody has to be – would be no surprise to see her grab a nice piece
RACE 3 – Amateur Race: (3) DOO WOP KID comes into this off back-to-back wins and his 79 year old pilot is
currently on fire at Yonkers, sporting a 15-7-2-2 record...sometimes you just stick with the hot hand! (4) CAL MILE
S N SHELL cut the mile 2 back (as the odds-on favorite) but couldn’t hold off the top choice in the lane – he never
got involved last week, but a more aggressive try could put him right back in the hunt tonight. (1) BONTONI DEGA
TO S has gone some big miles this year but he made an early miscue in an amateur race 3 back, then proved no
match in the lane for the top choice on 5/16 – hard to endorse him on top at that “even money” ML price. (2) SKYW
AY PROFESSOR hasn’t been quite as sharp since a recent claim, and he’s been away 3 weeks since his last start –
leaning towards others. (5) ALLINDOTIME does have 4 wins this year but he doesn’t seem as sharp lately, and will
need some trip luck starting from the outside
RACE 4 – Tough race: (4) P C FREE WHEELING worked hard first over last week, did eventually put away the
leader but was no match for the sharp, perfect-trip CREDIT CON in the latter stages – she’s held form nicely as
she’s climbed back up the class ladder, and could be a good value option in a wide open field. (6) SEVENSHADES
OFGREY rebounded from the miscue 2 back with a crisp rallying 3rd last week – if there’s some action up front
tonight, he may be able to make some late noise. (1) VINNY DE VIE toured the oval from the back last week,
possibly knowing that tonight’s class drop was coming – moves all the way inside, and figures to be handled
aggressively from this spot. (2) JULA MUSCLE PACK finally got sharp and had a good bunch of starts before
seeming to tail a bit in his last couple – we’ll see if tonight’s class drop can perk him back up a bit. (5) OPTRIX won
his first local start (Brennan Trotting Series), was an ok 3rd in his next, but then started to unravel a bit – requalified,
and did find some late life for 3rd last week – will probably boil down to trip. (3) HOOLIE N HECTOR has raced
well a few times but is still winless on the year and has to move up in class – leaning towards others
RACE 5 – (4) INN AT RODANTHE just missed off the claim 2 back but got roughed up going for the top last week
and gave way to 3/4s – his barn has been sending out some major rocket ships lately, and that 12-1 ML price makes
this guy worth a good look. (3) J S HOPSCOTCH went through a rough patch but was much improved 2 back, then
found himself too far back to threaten last week – worth considering if the price is right. (2) FLIP THE SWITCH is
another that recently went through a tough stretch – he perked up with that win 2 back (over #3), but did make a
break in the pocket last week (but on a night where several horses also made miscues) – mixed feelings. (1) GRIND
ER tends to be a bit in and out – he drops in for a tag, and a very aggressive try is expected from the pole – he does
figure to be overbet, though. (6) MAX made an (uncharted) brief break at the start last week, and did recover pretty
well for 4th – he’s a solid player against these types, but will have to overcome the tough draw – chance to be around
late if they mix things up a bit. (7) WILLY WALTON made an uncharacteristic miscue at the start last week and
draws horribly for tonight – maybe 3rd/4th? (5) PERRON just isn’t on his game right now
RACE 6 – (2) CREDIT CON steps up another notch off a pair of sharp wins but when he’s good, he can be a player
even at the Open level – he faces a few other VERY sharp foes tonight, but we’ll give him the narrow nod. (4) YAN
KS DUGOUT is streaky in BOTH directions, and clearly hitting on all cylinders right now – he’s won 3 straight,
and is another that can hold his own vs. even better when sharp – major danger. (3) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS took
a while to get to peak form this year but he’s really been clicking in his last few – could easily land somewhere on
the ticket if things go his way. (5) DWS POINT MAN has been good all year, but has really elevated his game since
recently adding Lasix – he draws outside some very sharp foes, but can still land in the exotics if things shake out
his way. (1) RESOLVE TO WIN was well backed last week (despite the class jump) and out in a solid try for 4th –
the rail draw is a plus, but he does land in a VERY good field tonight. (6) TACHYON drops down from the Open
and has gone plenty of big miles this year – won’t be easy overcoming the draw, however. (7) TEXSONG SOPRAN
O lands all the way outside after an uncharacteristic \miscue last week – sticking with others tonight
RACE 7 – (2) YOROKOBI N was very well meant last Saturday but unfortunately for him, so was MACH N
CHEESE (who parked him ruthlessly and cost him any chance) – he drops back in quickly, and we’ll give him the
edge tonight over his main rival. (4) BLANK STARE failed twice as the odds-on choice at the NW5000 level (in
PA) but was able to deliver a sharp win here last week – he steps up a notch but has faced (and beaten) better in the
past, and may have built some confidence with that victory – dangerous rival! (1) HIMSELF N actually outkicked
the sensational DESPERATE MAN in that PcD qualifier...making it hard to believe how easily he was run down
here last week by MARLBANK ROAD – hard to leave out of the exotics, but also hard to use on top after last
week’s disappointing 2nd . (3) ROSE RUN X CON still hasn’t been 1 st or 2 nd this year (after 13 starts) but he may be
able to pick up a small slice tonight, with the good draw. (5) WICHITA LINEMAN just hasn’t been on his game
recently – minor share only. (7) CURBSIDE PICKUP lands all the way outside after a couple of “meh” 4ths – prefer
others. (6) HES SPECIAL is winless on the year, draws poorly, and currently struggling
RACE 8 – (1) SONNY WEAVER N may not be on his “best” game right now but he LOVES Yonkers (14 for 37,
last 3 years) and was racing in the Invitational the last time he was here – wouldn’t bet the rent money on him here,
but also wouldn’t be looking to play against him. (2) NINETEENTH MAN A would probably like to be in a little
easier but he’s been pretty good out of town lately, and did win here earlier this year – use in exotics. (3) LEVINE is
still winless on the year but he’s come close many times – another very logical one for exotics. (4) PURPLE POET’s
lone win here this year came vs. cheaper but he can hold his own against these types – use for 3
rd/4th . (7) THE REGULATOR landed on a perfect trip last week and knew what to do with it – steps up and draws poorly tonight, and
that could limit him to a smaller share. (6) CAPTAIN FANCY drops, but doesn’t seem sharp enough to overcome
the tough draw. (8) MARLBANK ROAD has taken 2 in a row but he moves up while also drawing Post 8...not a
recipe for success, usually. (5) CAPTAIN BATBOY won $179K last year but 75% of that came in his 2 starts at
Yonkers (won the Messenger elim. and Final) – his 4YO campaign seems to be quickly sputtering, and he needs to
show more before getting an endorsement.
RACE 9 – (1) ON DAYBOO was a steady 4 th in his first try for the Super Siblings then built off that last week,
securing a two hole trip for himself and pacing on by THAT DOG WILL HUNT to win it – we’ll give him the edge
over that same rival tonight. (2) THAT DOG WILL HUNT cut the mile last week but came up 2nd best to the top
choice- he’ll look to reverse that decision here for another new barn. (3) TWO FACED has solid overall recent form
including last week’s rallying 3rd – solid threat to land somewhere on the ticket tonight, too. (6) FADE TO LIGHT
was “ok” 2 back but not up for last week’s first over try – an easier trip may help him grab some minor spoils. (5)
HIGH ON ROCKNROLL rarely wins, but an easy trip puts him in play for a small share. (7) URIEL BLUE CHIP is
unreliable at best, and gets no favors with the draw – leaning towards others. (4) HURRIKANE CHUCK is 9-0-0-1
this year and simply needs to be better. (8) DEMPSEY HANOVER did function last week, but it would be hard to
make a case for him tonight, starting from all the way out here.