Friday Empire Report

soaofny • October 22, 2021

The Empire Report - Friday, October 22, 2021 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) OPUS BLUE CHIP is a little hard to gauge class-wise off his out of town lines, but it's hard

to believe that he's not a good fit with this batch of locals - draws well (with Stratton) for his YR debut, and

we'll give him a shot in the opener. (4) FAST ON THE DRAW moved up from 15s to 20s off the claim and

finished 3rd after cutting the mile (as the 1/3 favorite) - dropped back down to 15s the next week, was

favored again, but really folded badly...now drops BELOW the level of that claim, and it's anybody's guess

as to how he'll race tonight (will it be "drop and pop", or "drop and flop")! (1) TALENT SOUP has

struggled most of the year (16-0-0-3) but did qualify decently off the layoff, and was good enough to be 3rd

in his first start back - not impossible in this field, from this spot. (7) COACH CAL is actually good right

now, and might have been the top choice had he not drawn so far outside - willing to use on top ONLY if a

pretty good price. (2) TASTE OF HISTORY has been racing "ok" - probably wouldn't use him on top, but

definitely ok underneath, for a piece. (6) CHACHING HANOVER is 1 for 41 over the last 2 years, draws

outside, and would need to be a lot better to have any chance in here. (8) CHICKEN NUGGET ships in

with uninspiring recent form, and draws Post 8 - prefer to just watch, for now. (5) HAGGARD added Lasix

last week and was no better - waiting for better signs.


RACE 2 - (3) NEW HEAVEN has been "sneaky sharp" for some time, facing much better from mostly

terrible posts - drops in class, moves inside, and should be ready for a strong, aggressive effort tonight - the

one to beat. (5) ANGEL NATION had a solid 3YO season and has continued to do good things at 4, as well

- earned his way all the way up to the Open in NJ 4 back, and would seem to be a perfect fit against these -

could be the main danger, assuming he gets around the half okay. (1) LINDYS BIG MAN took a while to

get in gear last week but once he did, had no problem going by the leader and delivering another ship in

score for his sharp PA connections - seems like he can handle tonight's class hike, and should definitely be

included in exotics. (4) SEVENTIER has won 3 of his last 4, the lone loss being when 2nd in the NJSDF

Final against a recent Super Siblings purchase (Camden Hills) - no doubt the talent is here but he's a 3YO

facing good older foes, and just isn't very attractive at that 2-1 ML price. (2) FULL RIGHTS hasn't been

"bad", but he just hasn't been able to get back to top form since returning from the layoff - maybe a small

piece? (6) DELTASUN N ships in showing good form in NJ and PA, but really didn't look great the few

times he raced here in the past - prefer to see a good local start before hopping on his team. (7) KASHA V

is good right now, but likely coming from too far back here to make any real noise. (8) BIZET could really

use class relief....and a much better post.


RACE 3 - Tough race: (5) CINNABAR DRAGON hadn't really been clicking so it was a surprise to see his

former connections immediately re-claim him 2 back...sure enough, he went out last week and delivered his

best mile in ages, crushing the field by 5 lengths - he was claimed again from that race, and now moves up

a notch for another hot barn...if he can bring that same effort from last week, he may be able to beat these

too. (2) IN THE HUDDLE hasn't won here in at least 3 years (probably more), and comes into this off a

mile where he backed through the field - wouldn't normally get even a look, BUT he debuts tonight for the

hottest barn on the planet right now, and that means he can't be tossed all that easily! (8) BANK SEA will

need plenty of luck from Post 8 but he's gone lots of big miles here, and this level is right in his wheelhouse

- willing to include if the price is right. (4) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN does his best work one level down and

is currently 0 for 31 on the year - on the flip side, he's pretty sharp right now, and could be the one if the top

choices fail to deliver. (3) EFFRONTE went on an amazing run when his barn was sending out winner after

winner for a while - has clearly gone in the wrong direction now, and drops another notch trying to find a

level where he can perk up...tough call. (6) MACH TIME N just hasn't been sharp in some time - did grab a

3rd dropping to 15s last week, so we'll see if he can build off that. (7) OHOKA JOHNNY N has been away

since May - qualified nicely, but prefer to just watch, for now. (1) AMERICAN SONIC tired for his new

barn last week off a pocket trip - draws best, but still prefer others.


RACE 4 - (4) TEXAS TERROR N has shown that there's still life in his 13YO legs and that prompted the

highest % trainer in the game to have yet another new owner claim him from his last - steps up a notch, but

the ol' boy is feeling good right now, and just may be up for it. (3) RUTHLESS DUDE tired chasing a very

hot clip last week but was right there in 4 of his 5 prior starts - should appreciate the class drop, and could

be right back in the hunt tonight. (2) CAPTAIN HILL went a pretty big try here 2 back (after winning the

week before in PA) and just never could get into the race from Post 8 last week - would rather see him in

for $12.5K, but still willing to give him a look tonight IF the price is juicy enough. (1) BETTOR CAT was

stuck with excess cover last week but he also didn't fire his best shot late - draws best for another new barn

tonight, and may bounce right back with a much better effort. (5) ER VEGAS had been knocking on the

door before finally grabbing the win last week - steps up and faces tougher here, so a smaller piece might

be in the cards. (7) BUSH MAN N didn't fire from the back last week and drops below the claim price after

just one start - could be a red flag. (6) CARRACCI HANOVER got used too hard last week and had

nothing left late - moves to a hot barn for tonight but has some speed to his inside, and that could hurt his

chances. (8) WINDSONG JACK draws Post 8 for a new barn off a bad date - pass for now.


RACE 5 - (1) BEVANS CULLEN N looked like he was going to get away 4th or 5th last week but

somehow accelerated into the first turn and found a way to end up on the lead (after retaking command),

just extended his lead to the final turn and simply obliterated the field....setting a new lifetime mark (at age

9!), and ending a two year, 0 for 38 streak -- for whatever reason, horses like this DO repeat fairly often. (3)

BETTOREVER has struggled to find the winner's circle this year (1 for 26) but he ships in sharp from Del.

and lands in a barn that often has success with these classy old horses - main rival? (2) LETTUCERIPRITA

A doesn't have a lot of starts over the last 2 years but his current Fhd. form suggests he's sharp enough to be

a player here - use in exotics. (6) TODDLER TANTRUM took no $$ from Post 8 in his first start off the

claim and never got involved - maybe can have a bigger say tonight with a little bit of post relief? (8)

WESTERN REDHOT rebounded from a clunker 2 back to go a good mile for 2nd last week for another

new barn - not sure he can find a way into the mix from out here, though. (4) IN SPADES in just 1 for 26

this year, but does pick up a lot of smaller pieces - maybe throw in for 3rd? (5) ROCK N BLUE was a

winner off the claim but tired in his last and the guess is that he'll continue to head in the wrong direction -

we shall see. (7) INFORCE has been struggling for a while and lands outside - sticking with others.


RACE 6 - (4) EGOMANIA is 0 for 5 since the claim and if not for him, the barn would currently be

winning at an unfathomable 50% clip (as it is, they're at 42%!) - gets some post relief, catches a very

modest $20K claiming crew and nay finally be in a spot to pick up a victory. (3) STARK HANOVER was

2nd for $25K after being claimed for $15K, then just missed by a nose dropping to 20s last week - logical

threat. (6) RISKY MILLION has been on a nice form spree for several barns, and may have found the 25s

just a little too tough last time - drops back down to 20s, but will need some trip luck from out here - not

impossible though . (7) KINGSTONS BAD BOY has been just "ok" in his last few - drop to 20s will surely

help, but drawing Post 7 will not....maybe a small piece? (2) KEPT UNDER WRAPS A has a few recent

excuses but also a few recent duds- needs to find his better form if he hopes to be a player tonight. (1)

GOTHIC ROCK just hasn't been able to thrive in 20s - rail can't hurt, but it feels like what he really needs

is a drop. (8) WAY TO CLOSE has a few good recent tries out of town but he draws Post 8 and sports a

7-0-0-0 local record. (5) SWAGASAURUSREX will get a look when he drops back down to 15s.


RACE 7 - (3) NO MAS DRAMA has an excellent record here the past 2 years (17-5-7-2) and that includes

some very sharp recent efforts at this level (and even higher) - figures to be a fair price (with #1 in the race)

and is worth a play. (1) LEAN HANOVER hadn't been at his best after missing 3 months recently but

landed on a perfect trip last week and converted it into a victory - would be no surprise if he builds off that

win and comes up even sharper tonight, but he also figures to be overbet, and the top choice is a pretty

worthy rival. (2) ALL CHAMPY was well back last week but was racing off a month and caught a VERY

fast mile - can definitely bounce back with a much better effort tonight, and is definitely one to include in

exotics. (4) BIG BOX HANOVER may be sharper than he looks, and he'll get a chance to prove it with the

post relief he's getting - could add some value to the ticket. (5) IT AINT THE WHISKEY hasn't been able

to win yet for the Dynamic Duo, but his overall form has been solid - probably looking at only another

smaller piece tonight. (8) GREY went the mile of her life (by far!) 4 back and while she hasn't been able to

replicate that effort, she has remained pretty sharp in some tough fields - not sure that she can overcome the

draw tonight, however. (6) VOYAGE TO PARIS and (7) WHAT CHAPTER both do their best work with

cheaper, and both figure to be hurt by their outside draws tonight.


RACE 8 - Tough race: (3) R MADDY BLUE CHIP wasn't bad in his first try for a new barn at PcD last

start, and that was off a bad date - barn had a winner in the last race Thurs. night, and this is a very shaky

field - could offer some value here. (2) LINEMAKER added Lasix last week and rebounded with a much

better effort - seems a little cheap on paper but his barn has been going well, he'll be a big price, and he just

may be able to be around at the end. (1) SAILBOAT HANOVER was claimed from a top outfit last week

and he's prone to miscues - may just crush these for his new connections but he's almost certain to be

overbet, and he's definitely risky. (6) WELL DONE SON is an in-and-out type for sure, but he's one of the

few "proven" players at this level in here - just not a fan if he's a short price (another that's too risky). (4)

WHAT THE LUCK is a little hard to gauge off his PA/Ohio lines and he's missed over 3 weeks - would

hardly be a shock, and he's worth a look if the price is decent. (5) CAVIART SKIPPER has some good tries

out of town but may be on the cheaper side - we'll learn more about how well he fits after tonight. (7)

HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was a good earner at 2 and 3 but has yet to get anything going as a 4YO - wait

for signs of life before hopping on board. (8) MACPHEUS is 6-0-0-0 here at Yonkers.


RACE 9 - (1) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N figured to be a big "go" last week, was used pretty hard and

finally weakened into the stretch - should be even tighter now, moves all the way inside and he deserves a

chance to get the job done this week....just won't be much of a price. (2) LUCIANO N stayed sharp for a

long time this summer (at pretty high levels) but has seen his form drop off over the past couple of months

and is all the way back down to the bottom level now - he's also been away for 3 weeks, and may be a bit

vulnerable right now even against these. (8) WATERWAY is solid right now and probably ready to win in

this class....but he spots his main rivals a major post disadvantage tonight, and that may leave him looking

at a smaller piece this week. (3) CECIL CASANOVA is hard to predict from week to week but he gets post

relief here and that may be enough to land him somewhere on the ticket. (5) SECRECY usually does his

best work when he gets down to this bottom level - playable underneath in exotics. (7) LA PLAYER A has

been a complete bust since arriving in the U.S. - another bad post is certainly not what the doctor ordered!

(6) CARIBBEAN KING tired badly upon arrival from Ohio - prefer to see a better effort before even

thinking about using him. (4) SETTLEMOIR is 42-0-2-2 here over the past 3 seasons.


RACE 10 - (1) LOUS SWEETREVENGE has won 5 of 16 starts here this year, and has been sharp lately

from some tough spots - the move inside should allow him to be handled more aggressively here, and that

stamps him as the one to beat. (2) BET ON BLAKE seems to be improving every start, and should be

looking at a good trip from this spot - very logical player. (3) FOLLOW YOUR HEART beat the 30s off

the claim but got roughed up in this class last week and wilted - perhaps an easier trip would make him a lot

more competitive with these? (6) ALEX HAVING FUN was in a tough spot last week but did find enough

late life to rally for the show spot - chance for a small piece tonight too. (5) NEXT BIG THING can be

excused for finishing well back in last week's track record mile - his prior form was solid, and he should fit

well with these - chance for a minor share. (7) MY WISH CAME TRUE landed on a good trip last start and

was able to beat these -- not sure things will go as well for him from Post 7, however. (4) UNCONTRO

LLABLE has been a bit lazy in his local tries, and that would definitely hurt his chances against these. (8)

DELIGHTFUL TERROR fits ability wise and was 2nd last week - tends to be a bit sluggish much of the

way, though, and that could leave him with way too much to do when they turn for home.


RACE 11 - (5) HILLEXOTIC made a beautiful recovery to be 2nd after an early miscue last week, and that

was on the heels of an effortless win the start before - faces a few pretty solid rivals here, but he may be the

sharpest right now. (6) FANATIC was off a bad date for his local debut but still charged home full off trot

to be 2nd best - can be even tighter now, and is an attractive option at that 20-1 ML price. (1) STICK WITH

ME KID was claimed for $50K last week by connections that surely knew him well from his time at The

Meadows - very legit threat from the pole tonight. (8) NEXTROUNDSONME is another who finished 2nd

last start (behind runaway Chaptiama), and would have been listed even higher if not for Post 8 - still a

chance to make some late noise if somehow things fall apart a bit up front. (7) MAGICAL JOURNEY

appreciated the class relief, picking up a win and a 3rd the last 2 starts - may be used a little too hard early

from Post 7 to be battling at the end, though. (2) GLOBETROTTING tired badly the last 2 starts after

moving up to this level - will almost certainly switch tactics and race from off the pace tonight, and we'll

see if that helps her chances. (4) OUR WHITE KNIGHT seems to need easier to do his best work... and the

same can be said for (3) IM THE MUSCLE.


RACE 12 - (4) LIKE CLOCKWORK has 11 wins over the past 2 seasons including one at Chester, last

week - the favorites in here are all pretty shaky, so this guy may be worth a look in the finale. (6) WHATS

YOUR BEEF is the "x factor" in here - he was 10-6-2-2 $175K in a terrific 2YO campaign, but hasn't been

able to get going at 3 at all (in the midwest) - connections have sent him to the terrific training tandem

looking for some of their magic to rub off on this guy...and few would be surprised if that happened! (1)

LATISSIMUS HANOVER is very inconsistent, but does have some speed/ability - may look to wire these

and there's a chance he could take them a long way, if in the right mood. (3) BIG BAD BILL may

appreciate the drop from claimers but he's missed 3 weeks and isn't exactly clicking right now - dangerous

connections, though. (2) IWONODOTHATAGAIN steps up off a win at the bottom level - don't think he

can beat these, but he may be able to take home a piece. (5) SIX DAY WARS used a good trip to pick up

2nd in his local debut, but was unable to get involved last week (bumping up to this level) - at 20-1 ML, not

a bad one to include for 3rd/4th. (7) MAROMA BEACH draws poorly after not looking too good in 2 starts

since the claim. (8) FEELING CAM LUCKY returns to Yonkers showing pretty mediocre form, and lands

all the way outside - prefer to just watch for now.

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