Tuesday Empire Report

soaofny • November 28, 2023

The Empire Report - Tuesday, November 28, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - Tough opener: (7) BETTERROCK finally picked up his first local win of the season last week,

even if benefiting from a perfect trip - he has more than enough ability to handle the slight class jump, and

Stratton can probably leave enough to improve position - would consider as long as he's a fair price. (4) VI

VA LAS VEGAS N drops in class and beat better not too long ago - could be a late threat if things get a bit

heated up front. (6) KING JAMES EXPRESS threw a dud 2 back but has otherwise been 3rd in 3 of his last

4 starts - he's another that can be a legitimate threat if able to leave well enough to grab himself a trip. (2)

ORLANDO BLUE A was a good looking winner here 2 back vs. a bit easier - was overdriven into the first

turn and made a break last week but a smoother journey tonight could make him a player. (3) REAL WILL

EY was no good in his first local start but has turned in some solid efforts since then - add him to the list of

possibilities (with the right trip). (5) MY ULTIMATE STAR A doesn't win too often but an easy trip might

allow him to rally for some minor spoils. (1) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER hasn't been a threat since he

arrived from Canada 4 starts back - needs to find more. (8) GINGRAS BEACH really wasn't bad despite a

terrible trip last week but unfortunately he lands all the way outside again.


RACE 2 - (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A had a couple of rough outings but was back on his game last

week, delivering an impressive first over score - he's a legitimate Open player when "right", and doesn't

figure to be the favorite tonight...worth a play. (1) SEMI TOUGH was 2nd to ROCKNROLL RUNA A 2

back and was very well meant in his last, but he was eventually worn down by the "good" version of LOUS

SWEETREVENGE - remains ever dangerous from the pole, and the one to knock off. (3) ROCK DIAMO

NDS N was hard used in his last but more than up for it, handily beating a bit easier - he should still be in

the mix tonight, but drawing outside the top pair figures to hurt his chances a bit. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N

seems to outrace his odds week after week, never getting the respect he deserves - he's in a very tough spot

tonight, however, and may need a conservative steer just for a small slice. (5) SPLASH BROTHER does

his best work vs. softer these days - likely looking at only minor spoils here. (6) KINGSVILLE pounced on

a perfect trip to edge out softer last week - much tougher task tonight. (7) HEAVEN ON HIGH has ability

but is stuck with his 5th straight horrible post - will look much better in NW15000 next week!


RACE 3 - (5) STATESIDE DEUCE GB arrives from the UK and his high-profile owners suggest that he

probably has plenty of ability - he qualified sharply right behind the classy SAILBOAT HANOVER and

while he meets a couple of other newcomers in here, we'll guess that he's up for the task - don't count on

him being sent off at that 6-1 price, however. (6) TRAIN STATION gets a pretty major barn and driver

switch for tonight, and also gets Bartlett to take him over #5 - he's always hinted at some ability, but he

managed just 1 win and 1 second from 20 starts for his former connections (and wasn't particularly

impressive in a pair of local efforts) - have to believe he'll show significant improvement tonight. (8) FUN

MUNKY is just 1 for 21 this year but does have 7 seconds - Yannick will almost certainly look to leave,

and a good start could put him right in the hunt - use in exotics. (4) ODDS ON KICKOFF hasn't been

"decent" in a handful of PA starts to begin his career - hails from top connections, and should be able to

hold his own in his YR debut. (1) MIDNIGHT THUNDER showed a little ability in a few starts last spring/

summer but would usually be too shaky to really drive - been freshened up, qualified ok, and we'll see if

he's matured at all. (2) HURRIKANE J found a softer spot at Chester last week but still weakened - leaning

towards others. (7) GDS THUNDER GB is another UK import but he draws poorly and we'll just observe,

for now. (3) TOMMY THREE STICKS broke in 3 of his last 4 starts - prefer to see a clean line first.


RACE 4 - (1) JUDDY DOUGLAS A was running out a bit in the lane last week but he was also pacing out

of his skin, so it didn't matter - his barn isn't known for their consistency but IF this guy is anywhere as

sharp this week, he'll be a tough customer even with the step up in class (2) BILL HALEY N is surprisingly

winless on the year but his last effort off the layoff (charging for 3rd after sitting last!) suggests that a win

could be on the horizon - consider if the price is decent. (4) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY is feeling pretty good

right now, and is a legitimate threat to make it 2 in a row, despite the class jump - his barn has been doing

some good things lately. (3) WINDSUN RICKY came up 2nd best to #4 last time but the classy 7YO is

capable of better, and would hardly be a surprise in here. (7) SANTANA HANOVER hit board in all 3

starts since joining the Dynamic Duo - he takes on older tonight and while that shouldn't be a big problem,

the outside draw IS a legitimate concern. (6) ALEX TYE can be tough to predict from start to start but a

good trip tonight could help him take home a small share. (8) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is another from

this barn that has been hurt by some bad draws- drops, but may struggle to reach tonight. (5) STATEMENT

MADE A drops, but just feels a little "raced out" after a long season.


RACE 5 - (4) FLIP THE SCRIPT was a game winner in this class 2 back and can be forgiven for tiring a

bit last week after being used a bit harder to make the top from Post 8 - much better draw tonight, and could

be a very tough player. (2) SPORTS FLIX never really clicked for the Super Siblings and really hasn't been

all that great since the recent barn change - she may be looking at a good trip tonight, though, and may be

able to have a bigger say. (8) AINTNOHOLLABACKGRL has definitely upped her game since changing

barns 5 starts back and that includes last week's sharp victory - plenty of trip luck will be required to repeat

from Post 8, but that 12-1 ML price does make her worth considering. (1) WILDCAT ANTONIA was

really struggling in her first few starts off the claim but the last 2 weeks have produced much better results -

can't be counted out in her current form. (3) JOSSIE JAMES A was barely functional in her starts here late

summer but she's found better form at Fhd. recently, even picking up 4 victories - suppose we'll see if she

can be successful here too, as she tries Yonkers once more. (5) HARMONY OF NOTES beat this class 4

back but then struggled in her next pair- not impossible, though leaning elsewhere (6) CASIES BELIEVER

faced better when last seen here but she returns off a trip of dull NJ tries, draws poorly, and her driver is 1

for 50 here in 2023. (7) AZARIYA hails from always live connections but struggled badly in her only local

start - hard to hop on board right now.


RACE 6 - (3) WICHITA LINEMAN is sharp right now and his barn is really clicking - his last mile may

not look too "fast", but the track condition continues to worsen from the steady rains that night - may be

able to step up and take another. (6) ADAM TWELVE just missed to the talented BLUE HUNT in his first

try for our leading barn, won easier than the line might suggest in his next, then turned the tables on BLUE

HUNT last week - steps up to face older foes tonight, but should be able to still be a big threat...even with

the bad draw. (2) THE REAL ONE still seems to enjoy his work at age 13, and gets a class drop after just

missing last week - the right pace scenario could make him a late threat. (1) STRAIGHT UP COOL has

held form very nicely in his current climb up the class ladder - an easy trip here could help him land a good

piece once more...though his pilot is definitely prone to overdriving, at times. (5) YOROKOBI N has been

a bit unpredictable lately but he's very comfortable at this level and that 15-1 ML price makes him worth at

least a look for exotics. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM probably needs to be in easier to be a win threat, but he

can still grab pieces at this level with the right journey. (7) WALKINSHAW N tends to get lost in the back

when he draws poorly. (8) GAMBLINTERROR is sharp, but faces both a class hike and Post 8 - tough spot.


RACE 7 - (5) VICI is the most accomplished of these, already banking $124K this year (including a 3rd in

the NJ Classic behind Voukefalas) - he also was all out to hang on at 5 cents on the dollar at Chester last

week so while he still deserves top billing, he may not be one to bet the rent money on. (6) OAKWOOD

PADDY IR has looked good since a recent barn change, winning here from Post 8 (vs. easier), then picking

up a win and a 3rd in PA - wouldn't hesitate to use him if the price is decent. (4) VICTOR CRUISE was

well backed for his local debut (despite 4 weeks off) and he gave it a good try on the front end before

weakening a bit to 3rd - eligible to be tighter this time. (3) LAZ has been a steady player at this level, gets

post relief and could find his way onto the ticket if the trip goes his way. (7) BIG DREAM FELLA is hard

to like on paper but he joins top shelf connections for tonight, goes with Lasix for the 2nd time and is listed

at 20-1 on the ML - there are worse bombs you could come up with! (8) JOHNNY SACK never got

involved last week but his overall recent form hasn't been bad - maybe can add some value to the bottom of

exotics? (1) PINE BUSH ITALIANO is 10-0-0-0 here at Yonkers but does seem a little better lately - still

not ready to hop on his team, though. (2) FENDI HANOVER has just one 3rd from 7 local starts.


RACE 8 - (5) ENERGETIC HANOVER earned nearly $200K at 3 but like so many others, fell victim to

the "4YO Blues" - he's been pretty sharp lately in PA, however, and gets a big driver upgrade for his YR

debut - could be worth a shot tonight. (1) LUCKBEWITHALEX can be a bit inconsistent but when he

brings his best, he can be a pretty nice horse - hard to leave him off your tickets from this spot. (2) BIRTH

DAY won here 3 back but he was all out to hang on, and he failed to pick up a check in the two starts prior

to, and two starts after that - has to be respected here, but he may also be a bit vulnerable. (3) STELLAR

YANKEE moves up in class but also gets important post relief - not sure he can threaten for the top slot, but

he's not a bad value horse for the bottom of exotics. (6) JACKS LEGEND N got it done as the 1/10 favorite

but it definitely wasn't pretty - faces tough here (from a bad post), and will need to be sharper if he hopes to

contend for a good piece. (8) BLUE HUNT has talent, but he's also a bit lazy...may have trouble getting

himself in play from out here. (4) GREAT SOMEWHERE has enjoyed an outstanding year but does seem

to be showing some wear and tear lately - we'll see if some class relief helps. (7) THE REGULATOR is

comfortable at this level (and Bartlett sticks), but this may not be a spot he can handle.


RACE 9 - (2) LOOKATMYART has been very good since being claimed for $20K on 9/26 and was a very

sharp winner last week dropping in for the $50K tag - her price will surely come down tonight (18-1 last

time), but she should still offer some decent value. (1) MC ANGEL has been a solid player for several

weeks and was absolutely loaded in the lane (with no real room) last week - could be a threat here with the

right trip. (7) SUGAR BRITCHES has been hitting on all cylinders since returning from KY and adding

Lasix - legitimate threat, even from out here. (6) PURE SILKY cut the mile last week dropping in for $50K

and tired a bit in the stretch - she may have been hurt a bit by the off going, and may be worth another

chance IF the price is right. (4) SHOTGUN PERSUASION has been a steady performer vs. the 20s lately

and will now try her luck vs. the 50s for a new barn- hard to say if she'll be up for it. (5) MIKI ROSE hasn't

been the same since being claimed away from our leading barn but she does have a few decent efforts -

would consider for 3rd/4th. (3) MAGICAL MISTRESS has been good since the 9/26 claim but would

probably appreciate some class relief. (8) GOLDEN QUEST N doesn't seem to be on her best game right

now and will also have to deal with Post 8.


RACE 10 - It's hard to say (1) SEZANA N was "good" last time, but at least she was better - what she does

have going for her tonight is that she'll probably get first crack and what figures to be a tiring leader at the

top of the lane...and that may give her a shot to pick up her first win in some time. (5) FEELIN RED HOT

pretty much needed Bongiorno to carry her across the wire last week, just hanging on despite her :31.1 final

quarter - maybe she'll just outrun this soft bunch too, but she'll be way too heavily backed to get any kind of

ringing endorsement. (7) DREAM DANCING would normally be a good thought in here taking the plunge

from 50s to 20s....but since it comes off last week's terrible effort, it's possible that a wheel has fallen off -

willing to use as long as the price is fair. (4) ALWAYS B ROYALTY is a decent fit with this bunch but

she's missed 25 days after a sick scratch and that makes her suspect, as best. (8) CARBON CIDER was

overdriven in her only local start and tired - she now has Post 8 (with a driver that's 1 for 50 here this year)

but at least she'll be a big price, for anybody looking for a last race "get out". (3) SHELLIE DE VIE is still

winless on the year and hard to consider for the top slot - maybe a minor share? (2) PLZDONTLIETOME

N just hasn't clicked since returning to her favorite barn. (6) PRAY THE ROSARY is now 0 for 29 this

year, and 1 for 37 locally over the past 2 seasons.

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