The Empire Report - Monday, August 16, 2021 - Race Analysis
RACE 1 - Tough opener...on a tough card! (5) DAVIDS COMING HOME finished strong in his last pair,
rallying to beat the 15s, and then the 20s (bringing his local record to 3 for 5) - steps up another notch
tonight but several of these are unproven at this level as well - if the pace gets a little testy up front (which
it might), he may be able to make that late kick work once again. (7) MACHIAVELLI was very good 2
back and it took a massive form reversal from the (40-1) winner to beat him - made amends in last with an
odds-on blowout victory, and he'll be very tough tonight if he works out a manageable trip...but that may or
may not happen from Post 7. (1) WESTERN HILL should be a good fit with these 25s and he actually won
a race 2 back - way too camera shy to pick on top (at a short price), but definitely a chance for a good piece.
(4) MARINER SEELSTER was in the same barn for about 7 years...so it must be awfully confusing to him
to have been claimed for 6 straight weeks - definitely a chance to beat these if on his best game for his new
barn. (6) BRACKLEY BEACH was a game 2nd after the first over trip last week for his new barn - draws
outside here, and hard to say if he can work out a winning trip from this spot. (3) DISMISSAL SLIP was a
jogburger winner for a new trainer last start, but that was vs. much lesser - this is a big step up, and he may
find these a little too tough. (8) ALOTBETTOR N backed up unexpectedly from a pocket trip last week
and now lands Post 8 - incredibly hot barn rarely sends out a "non contender", but it's tough to get excited
about this guy's chances tonight. (2) MAGRITTE just hasn't had a good effort in ages.
RACE 2 - (4) HASH TAG SWAG never clicked in 3 starts for his last barn but was claimed last week and
debuts tonight for the "Super Siblings"...and sometimes you just have to stick with what has been a winning
angle for the last couple of years! (5) ROUGH ODDS is hard to fault, showing 5 straight wins followed by
a pair of 2nds since changing barns on 5/26 - major threat each and every week. (3) KASEY JOHN A had
no shot from Post 8 in his first try off the claim but this is a much more realistic spot - worth including in
exotics at that 20-1 ML price. (2) TONY TOO TALL hasn't been bad in 40s and may have been the choice
dropping down to 30s....except for his barn being 36-0-2-1 at YR so far in 2021 - hard to take a short price
until they at least send out a winner or two! (7) TIME OUT IM TIRED draws horribly but he's very solid at
this level, and definitely a good one to include in exotics at that 20-1 ML price. (1) MY DELIGHT raced
evenly in his first start off the claim - draws best, and definitely has a chance at a piece...but may need to be
in a little easier for a shot at the top prizes. (6) PEPPER GUY is still trying to race himself back into shape
after the layoff - doesn't seem there yet. (8) JOJOS PLACE draws Post 8 off the claim and seems buried
RACE 3 - (5) PACING MAJOR N was making his first start in 8 months on 8/2 and was right there on the
final turn...when he made a very costly miscue - came back to beat the classy Ostro Hanover in his qualifier
and is definitely worth a play tonight...although some value will be sucked out of him thanks to the absurd
2-1 ML price (he was 61-1 last week and broke)! (6) REAL LUCKY N has really clicked for his current
team and is a player every week - definitely belongs on your tickets. (4) BETTER NOTBITTER A ships in
razor sharp but vs. cheaper - hard to say if he'll be able to do the same damage against these but as long as
he's a decent price, he's usable. (7) SPORTSKEEPER threw a dud 3 back but has otherwise been good
every week - not sure how he can get involved from out here, but he's sharp enough for a piece if some trip
luck comes his way. (3) TREASURE MACH has been settling for minor pieces most weeks - moves inside
a bit. and we'll see if that leads to a better piece. (2) GINGER TREE PETE is very good right now, but will
be facing much tougher off last week's vs. the 25s - guess we'll find out if he can thrive at this level too. (8)
TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN is definitely good vs. 30s, but now he draws Post 8 vs. 40s - seems like a pretty
tough assignment. (1) SOUTHWIND ONYX was no factor in his 2 local tries - draws best tonight, but still
needs to be better for a chance to be any kind of player.
RACE 4 - (6) TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY was hammered down to even money last week off the class
drop and was a "never in doubt" front end blowout winner - steps up a notch tonight but he's beaten better
than these, and definitely has a chance to repeat - solid field, though! (3) WARDAN EXPRESS A was
sharp in his last couple, and may be able to work out a good trip here - definitely a live player. (7) THE
DOWNTOWN BUS may not be the Levy player we saw in 2019 but he's certainly sharp right now at these
levels - the right trip would give him a chance to beat these. (8) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP has been
knocking on the door in his last few and fits very nicely at this level - not sure if Dube will be able to find
him a manageable trip from Post 8, though. (1) EPIC ACE does his best work with easier, but he did grab a
pocket 2nd two back - playable for the bottom of tris and Supers. (5) WAIMAC ATTACK N is 1 for 29 at
Yonkers but he's really not bad at the moment, and he's a possibility for 3rd/4th. (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP
was claimed from his last 2 starts, squandering pocket trips each time - will need to be sharper if he hopes
to be a player. (2) ALEPPO HANOVER is just 1 for 45 over the last 2 years and prefers to be in cheaper
RACE 5 - (2) BLACK CHEVRON N was starting to really sharpen before pulling up with some issue on
7/12 - qualified back well, and was only a couple of lengths back in a pretty good field last week - may trip
out tonight, with a chance to pull off a mini upset. (1) SOHO LEVIATHAN A is hard to fault, with a win,
three 2nds and a 3rd in his last 5 starts (at this level) - will be on top (or in the pocket), and clearly a major
threat to come out on top. (6) FOREVER FAV is another that's right there every week in this class, and
everything is going right for the barn these days (winning at an insane 40% clip since the beginning of July)
- leave him out at your own risk! (4) WEONA SIZZLER A steps up a level after hitting board in his last 3 -
hails from an incredibly potent owner (trainer)/trainer combination, and is worth including in exotics. (7)
ROBBIE BURNS N is 2 for 2 since shipping in from PcD, for 2 different barns - goes for yet another barn
tonight, moves up in class, and also gets stuck outside from Post 7...may have to settle for a smaller piece
this week. (5) HIGHLAND TARTAN got parked the mile moving up to this level last week and the guess is
that a more conservative try will be coming tonight - prefer others. (8) UPTOWN FUNK seems to have
tailed a bit after a very long form spree - Post 8 certainly won't help him turn things around
RACE 6 - (1) OUR MAX PHACTOR N has been right there in 3 of his last 4 starts and draws the pole
tonight - he's hardly a cinch, but he does deserve top billing. (2) AIR FORCE HANOVER has struggled to
find any wins lately, but is frequently right in the hunt - gets a barn change tonight, and we'll see if that
changes his luck at all. (5) PERFECTLY CLOSE is a solid player in this class - the right trip could put him
close at the finish. (7) IM SOME GRADUATE wasn't on his game in recent local starts but did grab a win
shipping down to Chester - tough spot for YR return, but we'll see if the classy 8 year old adds some
confidence with that victory. (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER A has been away nearly 4 weeks off a sick scratch,
but did win his last start - he's also owned by the trainer of the top choice (who actually owns a piece of that
horse as well) so unless there's been an unreported ownership change, that would be an obvious conflict of
interest (and one of them would have to be scratched). (6) DANCIN DRAGON was able to reverse form
and grab a win off the class drop last week - moves up, lands in Post 6, and we're leaning to others tonight.
(8) FLYINEVENBETTOR N was an easy trip 2nd last week in his local debut - moves up and lands Post 8,
and that may be a tough combination to overcome. (4) GENIUS MAN has been away for a month off a pair
of sub par efforts - will just observe for tonight.
RACE 7 - (7) DRAGON SAID finally saw his unbelievable 8 race winning streak snapped with a pair of
(excellent) 2nds, but got back to the winner's circle in style last week, crushing the field by 5 lengths and
stopping the teletimer in 1:50 - lands outside here but as long as Bongiorno can improve at the start without
using him too hard, he may just prove too tough for these once again. (6) NANDOLO N was a razor sharp
winner here 3 back, just missed to a raging Jacks Legend N in his next, then came up a slight nose shy at
The Swamp last week in a 1:47.1 mile - he has endless stamina, and may have the best shot to upend the
top one tonight. (4) ROCKAPELO was invisible from Posts 7 and 8 the last 2 weeks but that doesn't mean
we won't see the "good" version tonight with the move inside - not a bad week to include him in exotics. (8)
SHOOBEE DOO A has taken both Yonkers starts and is some kind of sharp - Post 8 may keep him out of
the winner's circle, but he can still pick up a good piece in his current raging form. (5) SIMPLE KINDA
MAN is in career form and has proven that he can hold his own locally at the top level - willing to throw
him in for 3rd. (3) PYRO has beaten this class in the past but his best efforts come vs. a little softer these
days - just seems a notch below a few of the top ones. (2) NONE BETTOR A was hampered by Post 7 in
last after a pair of very sharp wins - the move inside helps, but he'll be facing a lot tougher tonight...and
may be a bit below a few of them. (1) KINNDER JACKSON really seems buried here - even from the rail
RACE 8 - (3) IM BENICIO A reversed form on a dime back on July 2, grabbing the (well bet) win in his
first start for a very young trainer making a big splash in just her first full year running a barn - she's
currently finishing off a suspension, but this 9YO has continued to race well for the former California
reinsman currently running the barn...not a bad night to hop on his team. (6) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK
missed his entire 4YO season (after earning over $600K at 2 and 3) but has come back strong in 2021,
doing good work against some pretty tough competition - definitely a legit threat as he makes his first YR
start since 2019. (1) FUNKNWAFFLES was totally blocked in the stretch last week after picking up a pair
of 2nds in recent starts at tonight's level - expect him to be an up close player from start to finish. (4)
GALANTE A just missed to the classy Caviart Luca last week, and has been a rock solid player here for
months - a good trip puts him right in the mix. (2) BENHOPE RULZ N is racing well right now, but likely
pushing it up at this level - looking at only a minor piece here. (5) BEACH BOOGIE got roughed up when
handled aggressively last week and wilted to 5th - guessing he'll be looking at a more conservative steer
tonight. (7) CAN B PERFECT and (8) LUCIANO N are both quite capable at this level but figure to be
severely hampered by the outside draws.
RACE 9 - (2) SPLASH BROTHER "disappointed" last week in that he lost as the 2/5 choice but it's not
like he raced "bad" (2nd from Post 8) - very good chance he'll make amends tonight...and probably at an
even SHORTER price! (5) OSTRO HANOVER has been disappointing this year with only one win in 18
starts (but hit board 7 other times, and has banked $75K) - gets a fresh set of hands tonight, and maybe
that'll perk him up a bit more. (3) IM SIR BLAKE A drew Post 8 for his new barn last week and failed to
get involved - major class relief now, and could be a factor with any of his better efforts. (6) FINE DIAMO
ND drops again and could perk up quickly at this level - it's not that long ago that he beat the Open, so
consider him for an underneath slot tonight. (1) LISBURN wasn't on his game last week but may just be
able to tow along closely from this spot and take home a good chunk. (4) AINTNOBETTOR A did grab a
2nd at this level 3 back but really seems to need a bit easier to be effective - prefer others. (8) GLOBALDO
MINATION N is pretty good right now but will be coming from way out of it - not sure he'll be able to get
into the hunt. (7) OAKWOODNITOWINIT IR has been away for about a month after being scratched from
his last - goes for a new barn tonight, and will probably take it easy off the bad date.
RACE 10 - (5) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER doesn't used his speed as much as he used to but he's also
become more versatile, capable of good efforts on or off the pace - Lachance really should be thinking
about sending him tonight because he's sharp enough to be a big threat here with a good trip. (7) BETTOR
MEMORIES can be pretty unreliable, but still throws more than his share of good efforts - not a ton of real
speed inside of him, and he's another one that should think about being aggressive tonight. (1) ESCAPETO
THEBEACH probably wasn't at his best the last couple of weeks but he's gone plenty of big miles recently
- anything close to his best would make him a dangerous threat from this spot. (2) WINDSUN RICKY
probably does his best work vs. a bit easier but he's still pretty capable in a field like this - certainly worth
including in exotics. (4) YANKEE BOOTS has a mixed bag of tries since arriving here 4 starts back - he's
been claimed in 3 of those 4 races, and will go for another new barn tonight - his best effort makes him a
player for a piece. (6) WALKINSHAW N has been good lately, even if vs. cheaper - no shot in last, but
willing to include him for 3rd/4th tonight. (3) KEY ADVISOR has 3 recent wins but vs. softer fields - has
to prove he can hang with this type (8) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A takes a meaningful drop but also
lands in a spot that figures to slow him down a bit.
RACE 11 - Good race: (4) BRANQUINHO has rebounded from a disappointing 4YO season with a much
better 5YO campaign - has held his form beautifully rising up the class ladder, and is in a nice spot for an
aggressive try tonight - one of a few with a legit chance in here. (6) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N was right
there in a couple of recent Open attempts and gets an important drop tonight - very dangerous if the trip
works out. (3) SAN DOMINO A is in a good spot to leave hard and set himself up with a good trip here - a
couple seem a little sharper right now, but he may be able to pull off an upset with a kind enough journey.
(5) FUNATTHEBEACH N is just one of many from the Dynamic Duo that has been racing his eyeballs out
lately - he's handled every class hike beautifully, and can't be discounted tonight. (8) SEMI TOUGH seems
to be getting a bit sharper every week, and certainly fits perfectly in here - the obvious issue is Post 8, and
he'll need some major racing luck to overcome this very difficult spot. (1) BARBADOS exits a high % barn
while moving up in class and losing Kakaley - tough combo to overcome, but he IS scary sharp right now,
and it wouldn't be a shock to see him show up late for a piece. (2) JUST PLAIN LOCO has been
overachieving for so long it can't even be called "overachieving" any more - hasn't gone a bad one in ages,
but he'll be facing some tougher foes tonight - we'll see if he can keep it going. (7) MACS JACKPOT
finally got his first win of the season 3 back, in start #27 - draws outside for the first time in a while, and he
may struggle a bit tonight.
RACE 12 - (2) MACH N CHEESE should enjoy dropping out stakes races - he jogged in an Open here on
6/21, then was 2nd to DRAGON SAID on 7/12 - giving him the edge in what may come down to a 2 horse
affair. (3) LYONS STEEL (who won a Borgata leg here earlier this year), ships in off a sharp win at
Chester and looms the main danger - he's won 14 races the past 2 years, and could easily come out on top
tonight. (5) MICKY GEE N swept a tight pack 2 back but was unable to rally into last week's hot final half
- should be able to rally for a piece tonight. (4) PEACE OUT POSSE was 3rd in his last couple of local
starts but neither start was "great" - did win at Plainridge last week, and is a good candidate for the bottom
of the tri or Super tonight. (7) TITO ROCKS was handled aggressively last week and parlayed that into a
pocket victory over SPLASH BROTHER- much tougher assignment from Post 7, though. (1) CASUAL
COOL saw his nice form spree fall apart 4 starts back, and he's only beaten ONE rival in the last 4 weeks -
he'll turn it around eventually....but maybe not yet. (6) GRIFFON HANOVER and (8) MISTER DONALD
A land outside, look cheaper, and don't figure to have much say in tonight's outcome.