Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (1) ENOLA has raced well overall since being claimed on 8/29, mostly vs. better than these – she gets a

drop in class, a move all the way inside, and goes with Lasix for the 2nd time...we’ll give her the edge to go out a

winner in 2024. (5) CRAZYLAND came into his last with breaks in 2 of his 3 previous starts but he was able to stay

trotting, and used a perfect trip behind the classy winner to be a strong 2nd best – looms the main danger tonight (as

long as he continues to avoid any miscues)! (2) CREATIVE VENTURE hit board in his last 3 starts, but came up a

little short each time– he moves up a bit, but a good trip puts him in play for a good chunk here too. (3) B NICKING

never found his top form after returning from the last layoff, and his last pair were fairly discouraging – still, this is a

spot where he can at least contend for a piece. (6) SOUTHWIND ARTURO is just 1 for 21 here this year and gets a

tough draw for tonight – probably looking at only some minor spoils. (4) BULLY BOY HILL was good for a while

but seems to be on the downslope heading into the end of 2024. (7) BARRY BLACK has just 2 wins this year, and

tonight’s draw figures to really put him out of the mix.

RACE 2 – (8) BEE OKAY A has elevated her game dramatically since recently moving to our leading trainer,

winning her first 2 starts before coming up 2nd best to a very sharp winner last week – she’s obviously at a big

disadvantage starting from Post 8...but she may be sharp enough right now to pull it off. (3) TWO PISTOL ANNIE

threw a rare “no factor” try from Post 7 two back but was right back on her game last week, doing all the heavy

lifting before losing to the perfect trip winner – remains a very dangerous player. (2) LUCKY ARTIST A ended up

with a horrific trip last week (behind #4) and deserves a complete pass – she never goes too long without finding a

big effort, and a big price tonight makes her worth a look. (4) REC TIME reverted to bad habits last week, leaving

weakly (and needing a hole from LUCKY ARTIST A in 5th), then pulling at the half while still gapping, and

clogging the rim after that – hard to say which version we’ll see tonight. (1) FAVORITE BEACH has enjoyed a

good year overall, but has gone in the wrong direction since changing barns recently – we’ll see if the rail draw

perks her up a bit. (6) LADYCORONA was handled aggressively to work out a good trip last week, but then tired in

the lane – guessing she’ll be handled more conservatively tonight. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N still looks short

after recently returning from a long layoff. (7) IDEAL COVER is forced to move up in class after a tiring effort vs.

cheaper last week – and draws Post 7!

RACE 3 – (3) FADE OUT has 10 wins from her 30 local starts over the past 2 years, and mostly vs. much better

than these – she hasn’t won in a while (out of town), but shows a bunch of sharp miles that would make her very

tough against these. (1) AWESOME HILL landed in our leading barn upon arrival from Canada last week, was

wildly overbet (1/5) and her :30 second final quarter left her a nose shy on the wire – she could definitely be tighter

tonight, but she’ll need to improve quite a bit to knock off the top choice. (5) SUGAR BRITCHES was 7-5-1-1 here

in 2023 but just 1 for 14 in ’24 – she recently changed barns (after a sick scratch and time off) and has yet to find her

top form out of town...maybe she perks up tonight? (6) MACHS LEGACY A has some mixed recent form but does

look better than a bunch of the others. (2) HALLELUJAH HANOVER got good for a while but has been struggling

badly in her last several starts – sticking with others. (4) BULLVILLEKARLA wasn’t horrible in her 2 local tries

but likely needs to be in a (much) easier field to be a serious player. (7) UTE BLUE CHIP shows PA lines that

suggest she may be a bit overmatched here. (8) DELTA THREE N lands Post 8 after a sick scratch, and 8th place

finish.

RACE 4 – (4) PERRON won 9 races and $118K last year so obviously he’s had a very disappointing season (1 win,

$48K)– that being said, he gets a rare good post in a pretty soft field, and maybe he can go out a winner in 2024? (6)

RODEO HILL is winless in 10 local starts this year but he’s held his own with better, and comes into tonight with

3rds in his last pair – very logical threat, even from Post 6. (2) FANATIC got “good” for a while but he’s still just 1

for 27 this year, after going 0 for 21 last year...he’s a legitimate threat for sure, but hard to take at a pretty short

price with that anemic win %. (5) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE would normally be a big threat in a field like this but his

last few haven’t been all that encouraging – would consider on top only if the price drifts high enough. (7) TOWN

VICTOR seems up against it from out here but at least he’s 2 for 7 at Yonkers this year – maybe a good bomb for

exotics? (1) BAZILLIONAIRE raced 31X this year without finishing 1st or 2nd...that probably isn’t going to change

tonight. (3) BAR COINS hit the skids a while back and shows no real signs of turning things around. (8) HOBBS

lands Post 8, of a couple of sick scratches, and his trainer will be at the lines tonight.

RACE 5 – (4) TALENT TO SPARE A picked up a couple of wins in October (vs. better) that landed her in over

head for a few starts – she’s been coming back around (with the recent class drops), and drops another notch tonight

– maybe she can pull off the upset? (1) TONYS MOM had a VERY long form spree (at the top levels!) before

crashing badly earlier this year – she took a couple of months off, but that freshening still hasn’t helped her get back

on track – she’ll be controlling the action here and likely the VERY heavy favorite...but maybe she’s vulnerable

right now? (3) OKINAWA BEACH A landed in a very soft field last week and had no problem hitting the top and

handling them easily – we’ll see if she built up enough confidence from that win to be a serious threat here too. (2)

PARISIAN BLUE CHIP was no threat last week but towed along for 4th– maybe she can go a similar effort tonight?

(8) JENDEN STRIKE A wasn’t too sharp 2 and 3 back but did finish much more alertly last week – she may be

done in by tonight’s draw, however. (7) MISS CHANTILLY N raced ok last week and hails from a barn that has

really heated up recently – not sure how much impact she can have from out here, though. (6) COWGIRL LILLY

raced well in her last pair but gets a tough post while up in class, and that figures to slow her down tonight. (5) PUR

AMERI drops a notch, but may not be sharp enough right now to capitalize.

RACE 6 – (1) CRUISE ALERT drops below the level she beat on 10/25, and moves all the way inside (after racing

ok from Post 8 last week) – we’ll give her the edge thanks to the expected good trip. (6) ATREACHEROUS A is

one of many that was able to turn her fortunes around after moving to our leading barn recently – major threat, even

with another tough draw. (2) PROBERT was scratched lame back in July and only requalified on 12/7– the ability is

there for sure, and her current barn is on a roll...check the tote board for clues. (4) VILLAGE JADE tends to be

unpredictable but anything resembling her best effort would make her a late threat for a good piece. (5) PARADISE

ROCK L hasn’t won in a while but she’s picked up a ton of smaller pieces, and remains a good one to consider

underneath. (8) FIGHTING EVIL ships in pretty sharp from the Meadows and her 11 for 33 record this year is in

stark contrast to the 1 for 20 she registered here in 2022-23 – not sure she can reach from this spot, regardless. (3)

ROCKNROLL ANNIE shocked at 24-1 last week and may have followed that up with another nice try last week if

not for an equipment issue off turn one after hitting the lead – still would have a hard time using her against this

much tougher bunch. (7) ALTA MADEIRA N was a nice 2nd last week (at a BIG price) but tonight’s draw figures to

really hurt her chances.

RACE 7 – (4) PASS AND STOW has been perfect since arriving from Canada, winning all 4 starts and looking

very good along the way – she faces a few very sharp rivals in here, but clearly has earned top billing as she looks to

extend her streak to 5. (6) SWEET GAL saw her 3 race winning streak snapped by the top choice 2 back, coming up

a neck shy after cutting the mile – she got beat again last week, but actually was an excellent 3rd despite a terrible

trip – deserves consideration on top if the price is good enough. (5) FRONT PAGE STORY had a good history here

for her previous barn, but seems to have upped her game a bit more in the two starts since the recent trainer change –

she was a very sharp winner last week, and figures to make her presence felt here as well. (3) CHIA PANECAS was

a no threat 2nd to the top choice last week but raced very well – she’s probably destined for a smaller slice tonight,

but she could certainly outperform that 10-1 ML price. (1) RACEY RACH N landed on a perfect trip in her Hilltop

return and got up late for the win– faces a much tougher field tonight, and seems destined for a smaller piece. (7)

FACTORY GIRL has really come back sharp (in NJ) after a long layoff, and that was after making just 5 starts in

2023 – hard to say if there’s any way she can get into the hunt against these, however. (2) WASTED ON YOU

couldn’t keep it going on the front end last week, and her overall form since arriving here has really been just

“meh”. (8) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE faces an uphill battle trying to make a dent from this spot.

RACE 8 – Tough race! (3) SAINT K won 2 of his 3 local starts this year (albeit vs. a bit easier) and finished well

from Post 8 in the other – he returns off a sharp win at Chester, and may end up the best price of the main contenders

– possibility. (7) BELLISSIMO FACE S rattled off 6 straight wins before that miscue on 10/31 – he hasn’t won

since then, but raced well for pieces against better in his last few starts out of town – legitimate threat, despite the

draw. (1) TACHYON tired badly after an aggressive try last week but his barn has produced form reversing winners

on many occasions in the past – wouldn’t count him out too quickly. (4) LAVA FIELD is 0 for 7 here this year but

gas raced well on several occasions, including a near-miss on 11/21– another legitimate player (2) P L NOTSONICE

has enjoyed a terrific 2024 season but her form has been spotty recently – wouldn’t count her out tonight, but also

not all that interested in her as the ML favorite. (5) BONTONI DEGATO S was terrific in that blowout over lesser 2

back but was a no threat 4th last week – leaning more towards others tonight. (6) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM is

good right now, but may be a bit overmatched here. (8) WARRIOR ONE has a ton of back class but is off his best

form and starts from the worst spot.

RACE 9 – (6) KOBES GIGI (who was always a terrific mare) moved to the leading barn in the nation and picked

up a strong 2nd in the Breeders Crown Final – she won a Yonkers Open after that, then scored again at The Swamp

last week – remains the one to beat. (5) COACHELLABOUND N gets a full pass for that mile 2 back (parked from

Post 7 off a sick scratch!) but rebounded quickly with a 3rd behind the top choice in NJ last week – may complete the

exacta tonight. (3) EASY TO PLEASE continues to hold her good form for a barn that’s doing excellent work at

multiple tracks right now – maybe she can add some value to the exotics? (4) CHERYLS SHADOW has been in

career form but just got roughed up a little too hard last week – could bounce back and grab a piece here with an

easier trip. (2) LLOYDS LOVES was also used harder earlier on last week than she’d prefer and that left her short in

the end – another who could do better tonight with a kinder journey. (1) MCMARKLE SPARKLE will look much

better with a class drop next week.

RACE 10 – (4) DONTBOTHERMENONE N won as the favorite here on Monday night and actually gets to DROP

in class for tonight (he was eligible at time of entry) – looms a very short priced winner. (3) MR DUNNIGANS went

a nice mile for 3rd in PA after a pair of sick scratches and some missed time – may complete a very short exacta. (2)

STRAIGHT UP COOL finished 3rd in both local starts this year – can he make it 3 for 3? (5) AUSSIE HANOVER

hasn’t been sharp lately...but may still be the best of the others. (7) HOUND ON THE BEACH has just one 2

nd from his 8 local starts this year and draws poorly tonight – minor spoils only. (1) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER draws the

pole but has little else going for him right now. (6) IMA HAPPY FELLA GB was good here in 2023 but hasn’t been

the same in ’24, and is currently struggling out of ton.

RACE 11 – (4) TEXSONG SOPRANO had fallen badly off form but suddenly perked up here last week and blew

out cheaper – he’s capable of handling much better when sharp, and we’ll gamble that he has another good mile in

him for tonight. (1) DWS POINT MAN was caught in a bad shuffle last week before re-rallying for 4

th – drops, draws the pole, and figures to be part of the equation from start to finish. (5) P L OSCAR had been struggling for a

while but raced much better in his last pair after adding hopples – chance for a piece here too. (3) HAND DOVER

DAN seemed to regain some confidence in his last couple of Pocono starts and was able to cash in with his Yonkers

return after landing on a good trip – chance to rally for another good piece tonight...if he continues to behave. (6)

WARRAWEE XALT certainly impressed at Chester last week upon arrival from Canada (and for a new barn) –

draws a tough spot for his Hilltop debut and while we’re leaning elsewhere, we can also see how he’d be attractive

to others. (2) DRACO S is 1 for 32 here this year after going 2 for 21 in 2023 – minor spoils only. (7) HOOLIE N

HECTOR just never found his groove this year, and gets stuck with a terrible post for his last local start of the

season. (8) FIREINSIDEMYVEINS has some good recent Stga. starts but lands in a brutal spot tonight.