The Empire Report - Tuesday, September 28, 2021- Race Analysis
RACE 1 - "Pop Up Series" - (1) RAUKAPUKA RUKER N (who fits the condition by a mere $20!) is a
very tough customer on the front end and that's surely where he'll be tonight - was able to win as the
odds-on choice last week and will likely be favored to repeat....but NOT a cinch! (4) ROCKAPELO had
been invisible for weeks before turning in a MUCH improved effort last start - have to believe he'll be
leaving hard tonight looking to grab a pocket trip behind #1....and he'll have his chance to run him down if
that happens. (3) IMSTAYNALIVE generally grabs his wins vs. a bit easier but he can still finish well
against these too when given an easy trip - chance to kick home strong for a small piece. (5) ROCK THE
DEVIL is good right now, holding his form well since the recent barn change - draws outside a few main
rivals, and will need some trip luck to be able to do some late damage. (2) MELODIES MAJOR is just one
of many that have been thriving for this unlikely trainer-owner/trainer combination - in a little steep with
these, but will likely be sitting 3rd, hoping to hold that spot to the end. (6) ITALIAN DELIGHT isn't all
that sharp and draws outside - prefer others tonight
RACE 2 - "Pop Up Series" - (1) PYRO is a legit OPEN contender and was full of pace finishing from an
impossible spot in last - he's really supposed to handle these pretty comfortably...but note that he's prone to
bobbles/breaks early on at times before betting the rent money (at a very short price)! (5) BLACK CHEVR
ON N was sharp at both ends of the mile last week, just missing (off a sick scr.) in his first try for a new
barn - maybe he can complete the exacta tonight? (2) DANCIN DRAGON is much better on/near the lead
and this should be a good spot for Stratton to handle him aggressively - logical threat for a good piece. (6)
OUR MAX PHACTOR N disappointed 2 back but rebounded quickly with a pretty nice effort in his last -
not sure how Zeron can get him into the race from out here, but he's still worth including underneath at that
20-1 ML price. (4) FLAMING FLUTTER N used a good trip to rally nicely for 2nd last week after a 2nd
the week before off a tougher journey - no reason he can't race well again tonight to earn another good
piece. (3) ROCKATHON made a nice move to win his last (for a hot barn) but seems a bit below these
RACE 3 - "Pop Up Series" - (1) MACH DORO A just didn't function here on 9/6 after the barn change but
came back a week later with a vicious 1:49.4 qualifier at Chester - proved it was no fluke with last week's
effortless 1:51.2 score here and if he's anywhere close to that form tonight, he's going to be pretty tough to
knock off. (2) BILL HALEY N is sharp right now and figures to be sitting pretty close to the top choice -
probably has the best choice to knock off the favorite, but note that he's just 1 for 16 here this season. (3)
SANTAFES COACH picked up a 2nd behind the top one last week by sitting the cones and rallying late -
may be able to employ that strategy for a good piece tonight too. (6) PERFECTLY CLOSE is having a
solid 2021 campaign but gets no luck with the draw tonight - would still throw him in for 3rd, because he
always seems to try hard. (5) AFLAME HANOVER was able to just hang on over a NW15000 field last
week but this is a tougher spot - may not appreciate the more difficult trip he's likely looking at. (4)
VILLIAM is 0 for 13 at YR and when he does get that first win, it'll likely be vs. much easier than these
RACE 4 - "Pop Up Series" - tough race: (5) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH just toured the oval from Post 8 last
week but was 3rd in the Open the week before, after a 2nd in NW30000 prior to that - he's used to facing
tougher (overall) fields than this, and can be a big threat here with a good trip. (7) BUDDY HILL draws all
the way outside but he's another that has been keeping better company for some time - he'll be a good price
here, and is definitely worth considering. (4) BETTER MEMORIES, like barnmate ROCKAPELO, perked
up in a big way last week after several "no factor" starts - has more than enough back class to beat these,
but it would be hard to recommend him at that 6/5 ML price! (2) PRETTY HANDSOME looks cheaper on
paper BUT he debuts here for the Super Siblings...which we know can mean quick, massive improvement -
definitely could be overbet, though. (1) ODDS ON DELRAY was vicious in that win 2 back, even if vs.
cheaper - raced ok from an impossible spot in last, and we'll see if the good draw can make him a player
here. (6) TIN ROOF RAIDER is probably too far outside to be a serious threat against these - would give
him a longer look had he drawn inside. (3) SADIQ HANOVER has a few good recent starts (before last
week), but still is somewhat unproven against this type.
RACE 5 - (3) AMRCANBOOTSCOOTAA just took back to 7th last week after brutal trips in his prior
pair - moves inside and would seem to be in a spot where Dube can handle him aggressively - becomes
very dangerous here if he can find his way to the top. (1) JUNIORS DEW has some pretty nondescript
Monti form but he debuts tonight for a barn that has a win % that rivals the Super Siblings - has to be
respected from this spot. (4) DANCIN DOUG ships in for a live barn showing a mixed bag of tries out of
town - guessing he'll be a good fit here...and definitely one to include on your tickets with Brennan on
board. (6) LANAS DESIRE can be terrible for weeks and then show up with a big effort - sometimes the
tote board offers some clues with this guy. (2) WINNING LINC is capable of big efforts from time to time
but is as unreliable as they come - at 2-1 ML, it's pretty tough to use him on top! (7) NOBLES FINESSE
suddenly upped his game in his last couple at Fhd. but he draws poorly upon arrival, and it would be nice to
see a solid effort locally before jumping on his team. (5) GRAND PRIORITY is 0 for 25 this year, and 1
for 41 over the last 2 - prefer others. (8) WE THINK ALIKE was a completely opportunistic winner in his
last start, ending an 0 for 27 2 year local drought - was surprisingly claimed that night, and now lands all
the way outside for his new connections - sticking with others
RACE 6 - Interesting race with 6 of the 8 horses shipping in from elsewhere, and the other 2 having limited
local experience: (6) SAULSBROOK HERO shows solid Canadian form and the last horse to be purchased
from this barn (Ucanttouchthis) won his local debut here last week by 10 lengths....perhaps some deja vu?
(5) BETWEEN I N U also shows some promising form in Canada and lands in the same barn that produced
that win with Ucantouchthis - very dangerous looking player. (4) BET ON BLAKE was sent off as the odds
on choice in his local debut but was no match late for the tripsitter - adds Lasix for tonight, and that might
make a big difference - would be no surprise at all. (2) A SHORE LEGACY seems to be improving quickly
in his last couple at Chester - won over the (Fhd.) half in his career debut, so he should be able to get over
the track here as well. (3) PURPLE SKY has 3 recent wins at Ocean Downs and debuts for a new barn
tonight - may be a good fit. (1) REMEMBERING SHORTY is yet another coming down from up North
and making his debut tonight for a new barn - draws best, & would hardly be a shock. (8) OUTRAGEOUS
STORY was up the track (in NJ) shipping in from The Maritimes - outside draw won't help his cause
tonight. (8) PATRIOT LINE finished with some life last week but figures to struggle here from the outside
RACE 7 - (3) UCANTTOUCHTHIS as mentioned earlier, shipped in from Canada and buried the field in
his first local try - wouldn't say that makes him a cinch here (there are a couple of other sharp horses), but it
surely makes him the one to beat. (6) MARLBANK ROAD was a 6 length winner himself last week, and
also crushed a field by 3 lengths a couple of starts before that - can race on or off the pace, and figures to be
a very live player again tonight. (2) JIM BLUE has won 2 of 4 local starts and was actually very good last
week, involved for that entire :26.3 opening panel and still finishing well after shaking free in the stretch -
could easily land on the ticket somewhere. (7) ALMANAC is hard to gauge off his big track lines but he
hails from a top barn, and is worth including in exotics at what figures to be a decent price. (1) STOP
STARING finished well last week to pick up a (distant) 2nd behind the top choice - can be a lot closer
tonight from the pole. (4) STELLAR YANKEE really kicked home strong through the lane last week to win
his local debut from a tough spot - not sure he's all that handy, though, and that could hurt his chances
tonight. (5) BOLT POWER just came up no good last week despite some sharp form coming in - we'll see
if he can rebound here. (8) AIR GUITAR just missed last week but that was from the pole - moving out to
Post 8 figures to really slow him down a bit
RACE 8 - (2) NORTHERN BACCARAT is sharp right now, putting in a nice rally to just miss 2nd here
last week after an easy win at Chester the week before - solid chance with the good draw. (1) KEYSTONE
NOLAN hasn't won in some time, seemingly enjoying his (LONG) stay in this NW4 class - seems in line
for a good piece from the pole tonight. (3) A B COLLINS rallied well for 3rd 2 back, then safely held 2nd
to the standout winner after chasing from the pocket last week - no reason he can't pick up another good
piece tonight. (4) SOLID ALIBI got way too hot on the lead last week and really compromised his chances
- if he can relax a bit more, his chances for a good piece go way up. (5) BRAZEN BRAZILIAN used a
quick start to grab a good trip, and a good piece in last - not sure if he can replicate that here, but even a
nice ground saving journey may help him earn a minor share. (6) DANCING JOE had a long run of good
trips before drawing Post 8 last week - may be looking at another tough spot here, as well. (8) SARANAC
BLUE CHIP draws all the way outside and will likely have to wait for a better spot before having a chance
to contend. (7) MACPHEUS continues to struggle in his local starts
RACE 9 - Good race: (2) MAJOR BEAN landed on a pretty tough trip from Post 7 last week and held very
gamely for 3rd - figures to be the best price of the three inside (main) contenders, and that makes him worth
picking on top. (1) HIPPESTCATINTOWN withstood pressure from the top choice last week, and was a
safe winner after putting him away into the stretch - legitimate threat to pick up another win tonight. (3)
EXPLOIT beat a NW6 field here on 6/15 after making the top from Post 7 - has chased stakes rivals much
of the year, but his current form does look a little iffy - willing to take a shot against at the expected short
price. (5) CAPTIVATE HANOVER didn't love that first over trip 2 back but was able to rebound quickly,
scoring the upset off an easier cover trip in last - can be around late again if the trip goes his way. (6) LINN
YCALLEDFRANKIE has had some consistency issues this year but is looking pretty good lately - decent
bomb to include for 3rd/4th. (8) LARRY LINCOLN N jogged as the favorite the last 2 weeks so that 20-1
ML price does look pretty tempting - he may just take off the gate and race from the back of the pack, so
make sure to get a good price if looking to try him here. (4) L DEES JACK LOPEZ just hasn't been the
same since bumping up from NW4. (7) CAPTAIN SLEAZE tired badly from the pocket last week and now
draws Post 7 in a very solid field - pass for now
RACE 10 - (1) DIAMONDBEACH perked up with a much better effort 2 back - went a "weird" effort in
his last getting a bit too hot early on, then getting outbrushed by #4 to 3/4s only to hang in well, losing the
whole race by a little over a length - Brennan may fit this guy nicely, and the barn has several recent wins -
just not a fan of the silly 2-1 ML price. (4) GAMBLINGTERROR has been solid all year, and particularly
sharp right now - major threat. (5) IDEAL ARTILLERY has been in fine form for some time, and was full
of pace in the pocket (with no room) in his last - the right trip puts him right there once again. (7) CODY
HANOVER shipped in sharp from Ohio and went a big mile in his Dynamic Duo debut - clearly a perfect
fit with these, but may have some trouble working out a winning trip from Post 7. (3) LATISSIMUS HAN
OVER shows efforts that are all over the place - on his best, he can threaten these...but we'll stick with a
few of the more reliable types this week. (2) TREVORS ACE is 0 for 16 at Yonkers and his barn just 1 for
66 here on the year - small piece only. (6) ISAAC is in fine form but probably against a bit easier - he has
just 1 start in 39 days, draws outside, and seems up against it tonight
RACE 11 - (6) HEAVENS GAIT was sneaky sharp 2 back, and a very powerful winner in his last, even if
vs, cheaper - on his best he's capable of beating much better than these - stick with him one more time. (2)
PEPPER GUY is sharper than his lines might suggest - draws well here, and should be able to have a say in
the outcome. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N just didn't function last time but it's encouraging to see him right
back in the box - anything close to his best effort would put him right in the hunt here. (4) FIZZING N has
been picking up minor pieces vs. better lately - gets some class relief, and a better effort could be coming.
(7) SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN won off the barn change 2 back, then paced evenly in a quick PcD mile
last week - tough draw, but a good bomb to use for 3rd/4th. (3) YAYAS HOT SPOT N finally picked up his
first win of the year last week in start #25 - he faces much tougher tonight, and likely looking at only a
minor piece. (5) MOTIVE HANOVER seems to do a bit better work away from Yonkers - just too many
other live horses in here to look his way. (8) ZIGGY SKY is steady right now, but moves up in class while
also drawing Post 8 - tough combination to overcome