Friday Empire Report

soaofny • April 8, 2022

The Empire Report - Friday, April 8, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (7) HUNTING AS has been VERY good since returning for his 2022 season, and even his 2 off

the board finishes were fairly close, against Open-type trotters -- will need some major trip luck from out

here but he'll also be a nice price...and that makes him worth a look n tonight's opener. (1) MAGICAL JOU

RNEY added hopples when forced to re-qualify (after 2 breaks) and behaved nicely - worked out a pocket

trip for his last start but ended up backing through the field, just like he did in a similar spot on 2/25 - when

it happened last time, he came right back to win the very next week...deja vu? (4) KASHA V doesn't "bring

it" every week, but he can be a pretty dangerous horse with this type when on his game - definitely consider

if the price is decent. (5) BARRY BLACK is another that was forced to recently qualify after a pair of

(uncharacteristic) miscues - he came back and was able to beat cheaper in his next start, but he can go with

these too when things go his way - potential threat. (6) KINDA LUCKY LINDY was a decent 2nd here on

3/11, then did very good work in his next 3 starts at PcD - bit tougher spot for his YR return, but may be

sharp enough to grab a good piece here. (2) IM THE MUSCLE really does his best with cheaper but his

barn has been coming to life, and he MAY end up with a nice trip if the rail horse just looks to airmail

inside of him - not impossible. (3) BANK BOX TREASURE is off 3 weeks and does feel a bit cheaper than

a bunch of these - leaning to others.


RACE 2 - (5) DAAMERICANSKY went a truly unbelievable mile on 3/8 (even for THIS barn!) - figured

to be a cinch in his next start, but unfortunately reverted to the fumbly, hard to steer version we've seen at

times in the past - drops down to 15s for tonight, and we'll guess that his connections will have him ready

for a smoother effort. (2) NIALL HANOVER could add some value to the exotics - hard to like off his

current form but his trainer has been sending out some very live horses lately, and maybe this guy will perk

up as well. (4) KINGSTONS BAD BOY is a tough call - was pretty good in his first start off the layoff but

then was no good in his next -- takes a class drop, and it's pretty hard to know if that's a red flag, or just

realistic classification. (6) BLUEBERRY HEAVEN hails from a barn that's clicking right now, and may be

able to rally late for a piece of this. (3) P H KENNY was empty in his first try off the layoff and returns

tonight at a lower level, after missing a month - feels like some red flags here. (1) POCKET WATCH N

generally hasn't been a threat in his local starts this year- maybe the rail can help (7) RANSOM DEMAND

has been doing his best work with cheaper, and draws all the way outside - tough spot.


RACE 3 - (5) MIGHTY SANTANA N was a pretty consistent $50K claimer and might have picked up a

recent win had his current connections not bumped him up to 75s after the 2/21 claim (he still raced pretty

well for a couple of starts at that higher level) - catches a very beatable field off the class drop tonight, and

this could be a spot for him to grab his first win of the season. (2) EHRMANTROUT hasn't really been able

to get into a good groove since returning from the layoff this winter, but he returns from PcD off a solid try,

and may be able to grab a trip and be a part of this. (6) ALOTBETTOR N is having a tough 2022 so far but

he moves to a new barn for tonight and perhaps they'll have better luck at helping him find his better form -

decent value horse for exotics. (1) EPIC ACE landed on a perfect trip last week and was able to pick up the

win - he may have built some confidence with that mile, and that could be enough to help him grab a good

piece here too. (4) SO MANY ROADS has been pretty invisible lately, but it's only a matter of time before

he shows up with one of his late rallies - throw him in for 3rd. (3) HES ELECTRIC landed on a ground

saving dream trip last week but still couldn't collar the winner - moves up a notch, and seems destined for

only a minor share tonight. (7) KEYSTONE DASH could have left right into the 3 hole last week but

Bartlett aborted to last and wasn't heard from after that - inconsistent 5YO can pop off a good one at any

time -- but that just hasn't happened much lately. (8) REAL LUCKY N just hasn't been very good in the

vast majority of his starts this year...and now lands Post 8.


RACE 4 - Tough race: (2) BEANTOWN MADNESS was a bit of a surprise last week when he finished

strong to be a close 3rd behind a pair of classy rivals - he's stepping up in class tonight, but a few of the

main players in here are on the risky side - not a bad one to consider. (1) NEXTROUNDSONME has hit

board in 5 of his 6 starts here this year but the problem is that none of those were WINS - he's in a great

spot and is clearly a big threat...just don't take too short a price on top. (7) SWANSEA is not the same Open

trotter that thrived here not too long ago, but he's still a threat down at these levels - didn't "love" his last 2

efforts (a win and close 2nd with cheaper), but he still remains a threat to be part of equation, even up a

notch in class. (4) EYE OF A TIGER AS looked like a winner last week when he blew up on the final turn

-- and 3 starts back, he blew up in 2nd at that same spot....there's a nice win sandwiched in between those 2

miles, but it's hard to be on his team with too much confidence right now. (8) ETHAN T HANOVER made

a costly early break last start, and now draws Post 8 after missing 3 weeks - figures to be handled pretty

conservatively from this spot, but he still may be able to rally for at least a piece. (3) BUXTON returned

from a 16 month layoff with a useful mile for 4th last week - should certainly be a bit tighter for tonight,

but the guess is that he'll still need a start or two before we see his best. (5) LIFETIME ROYALTY rallied

for 2nd at a huge price last week, but that was largely a function of the race just falling apart - not

convinced (yet) that he's ready to beat these. (6) COCKTAILS N DREAMS raced well in both starts since

returning to YR, but vs. lesser - may not fare quite as well with this tougher crew.


RACE 5 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4: (1) MAN DONTFORGET ME was full of pace from impossible

spots the first 2 legs - was given a shot to move a little earlier by Dunn last week and she was an excellent

2nd to the currently raging RACINE BELL - draws best tonight, should be looking at a good trip, and is

sharp enough for a chance at the top prize this time. (6) EASY TO PLEASE had the luxury of taking last

week off after coming up with victories in the first two legs - draws outside, but should still be able to work

out a decent trip in this short field - the main danger. (4) LIT DE ROSE threw a rare dud in leg #2, then

took off last week - since she returns on Lasix tonight, it's logical to assume that she bled in that last start -

look for her to bounce back with her usual sharp effort here. (2) LUCKY ARTIST A was an okay 3rd in her

first series try, then really wasn't bad last week, even though 5th (she wasn't far off 3rd) - chance to tow

along for a minor share. (3) MACHNHOPE is having trouble finding her top form, and she's looking like a

longshot (right now) to be able to defend last year's series title - she put in a couple of bad steps 2 back, and

nearly broke on the final turn last week - she's a little too risky right now. (5) COMMANDER CATHY N

hasn't been "bad", but really looks like her time will come when she gets out of this series, and into some

somewhat easier fields.


RACE 6 - (5) MAJOR BEAN was a very sharp winner here 3 back - gave it a go from Post 7 the following

week but ended up parked, actually hanging in all the way to the sizzling 1:22.4 three quarters before

finally weakening - too far back at The Swamp last week to have any prayer, but this is a spot where he

should fit nicely. (1) ROLLING WITH SAM doesn't look too appealing on paper but he'll surely get

hammered at the windows, as he's moving to a barn that routinely turns formless horses into beasts - this

guy could easily be their next success story, but there just won't be any value using him on top (and he's just

2 for 35 at Yonkers). (4) BETTER UP drew poorly in 3 of 5 recent local starts but finished 2nd the 2X he

did draw well - figures to be handled aggressively tonight, and could definitely grab a piece of this. (8)

TURBO HILL was scratched lame on 3/1 but came back to be a sharp 2nd to the top choice in his next

start, then was a sold 3rd behind 2 very sharp rivals last week - Post 8 is a major issue, but would still use

him underneath. (3) SAILBOAT HANOVER raced much better last week, and he's just one of many from

this barn to show up with better efforts over the last couple of weeks - maybe he can rally for a piece

tonight as well? (6) CIGAR SMOKING TONY ships in from PA and has a solid local history - he's been a

little slow to find his form in 2022, though, and we'll just keep an eye on him for now. (2) PARTY WHIP

seems to need cheaper to do his damage - prefer others. (7) LIFEONTHEBEACH A disappointed after a

good start 2 back, then trailed all the way in his last - wait for a better spot.


RACE 7 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4: (5) DRAMAACT was a sharp front end winner in the first leg,

got a little hot racing from off the pace the following week but still rallied to be a close 3rd, then showed all

kinds of determination last week when she was able to prevail, despite battling first over a long way with

(favored) MISS YOU N - remains the one to beat tonight. (1) BEST HEAD WEST came into this series

very sharp and the 4YO has continued to thrive, hitting board in all three legs - she has some "weird"

tendencies that cost her sometimes (she'll just stall before 3/4s then suddenly come flying at the end), but

it's hard to imagine her not being right there at the finish with the inside draw. (3) MYSTICAL CARRIE

had the luxury of taking off last week after scoring (narrow!) victories in the first 2 legs - she figures to race

very well again tonight, but may not be overly aggressive from this spot - use underneath (6) MCMARKLE

SPARKLE looked terrific heading into this series, rattling off 3 straight wins after arriving from Ohio - was

scratched sick from the first leg, however, and did return until Leg #3....when she was stuck in the back,

racing off a month - wasn't bad, though, and may be able to rally for a piece. Both (2) MYSTIFYING and

(4) THE BETHINATOR are nice mares, but do look a notch below the main players in here.


RACE 8 - (3) MISSISSIPPI STORM was a winner 2 back and there's a good chance he would have won

again last week, if not trapped in traffic for much of the stretch - gets a big break "winning" the 3 through 8

draw, and that may give him the edge he needs to come out on top. (4) STREET GOSSIP was a winner in

his last 2 Open tries, even if helped by beautiful trips - figures to get another nice journey tonight, and that

makes him a dangerous player once more. (6) EUROBOND is 5 for 7 this year, and made breaks in the 2

losses - as long as he's a decent price, he deserves a spot somewhere on your tickets. (2) SECRET BRO

looked very good beating up on softer last start - he still hasn't won here at this top level, but he's more than

capable of contending for a big piece of this. (5) CHAPTIAMA has plenty of ability, but has disappointed

at this top level (often at short prices) more often than he's delivered - prefer others for the top slots. (8)

WARRIOR ONE has been on what seems like an eternal form spree, often overcoming brutal spots like this

along the way - this DOES seem like a pretty tall task, but we'll see if Brennan can somehow find him a

manageable trip. (7) STORMY KROMER seems likely to be too far back to threaten tonight, but he's won

way too many races to just automatically dismiss - always worth at least a look at a big price. (1) MOSTIN

TERESTINGMAN hasn't won yet in 2022 but the classy veteran will surely grab his share of victories

before the year is done - give him a more serious look when he drops a class or two.


RACE 9 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4 -- good race! (3) GIAS SURREAL qualified sharply on 3/11 but

was scratched sick from the first leg and was racing last week having missed 21 days (and over four months

since her last start!) - still put in a big effort for 3rd, and could easily be that much tighter tonight - doesn't

have too much of a chance to make it to the Final now, but still think she can do some damage here. (4)

BLUE IVY disappointed in the first leg but was more like her good self the last 2 weeks - she definitely

needs points if she hopes to make it to the Final, so look for another big effort from her tonight. (6) MISS

YOU N flew home to just miss in the first week of the series, was a solid front end winner in her next, then

battled all she could last week before coming up a nose shy to DRAMA QUEEN - figures to race from off

the pace tonight, but can still be right there if the trip goes her way. (5) KARMA SEELSTER got beat with

no real excuse the first leg, lacked the kick she needed the next week but brought her full "A Game" in her

last, wiring the field sharply in 1:52 - hard to say which version we'll get tonight, but that 9/5 ML price has

us looking at others for better value. (1) KEEP ROCKIN A flew home to just miss in week #1 but

disappointed in her last pair - definitely leaning to others (side note - her driver Tim Tetrick, one of the best

on the planet, is off to an 0 for 33 start at Yonkers this year...with just two 2nds!) (2) NO WIN NO FEED A

hasn't embarrassed herself in a pair of series starts, but really looks like she wants to be in a bit easier. (7)

LA BELLA VITA (racing for purse money only) seems too far out to threaten.


RACE 10 - (6) DA GHETTO WIZARD takes on older foes tonight but those age restricted NW6PM fields

he's been in recently have come up very strong - should be an excellent fit here, and hopefully Buter will

handle him aggressively - good value play. (1) SPOILERONTHBEACH carved it out on the front end

dropping to this level last week and held the lead all the way until the last step - big threat to make amends

tonight, but a short price is looming. (7) PADUKA N's efforts have been all over the place lately, regardless

of what class he's in - if he brings his best he'll have a chance even from out here....but insist on a decent

price if using him on top. (4) PLAY THE FIELD showed life 3 back and was legitimately good last week -

good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (3) SWEET TRUTH is just 1 for 28 at Yonkers, but sometimes has at

least a little brush in him- another with a chance for 3rd/4th. (2) IM J BEE N hasn't necessarily been "good"

in his last pair, but at least he's been better - we'll see if he continues to go in the right direction. (8) CAPO

ZZO rarely gets down to this level, but he'll need a much better spot before he can make any serious noise.

(5) MACINTOSH N just isn't clicking right now - waiting to see some better signs before considering.


RACE 11 - (4) SEAFARER has been 2nd in all 4 starts so far this year - makes his first try for the Dynamic

Duo this week, and we'll give him the narrow nod...and hope that Bartlett can get him away to an alert start!

(5) PACING MAJOR N won his first 2 starts after dropping to this level then was 2nd in his last to IN

SPADES (dropping that night from 40s to 20s) - could be the main danger. (7) CAROLINA MAGIC used a

ground saving trip to pick up 2nd last week but was still very good - barn is just really clicking right now,

so consider this one for exotics. (3) SILENT SPLENDOR got a little weak late after chasing the dominant

winner last week and lost 2nd (to #7) - may be able to last a little better tonight. (6) KIMANI N was an ok

4th last week after being hurt by poor cover - tough draw tonight, but maybe can still grab a small share. (1)

VERGEOFGREATNESS N draws his first good post in a while, and has shown that he can at least follow

decently from these spots - chance for 3rd/4th. (8) BAKERSFIELD has been "meh" since returning from

the layoff, and now gets stuck all the way outside - wait for a better spot. (2) BEVANS CULLEN N was up

the track when claimed for $30K last week and drops suspiciously in for $20K tonight - major red flag!

By soaofny February 21, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 21, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 20, 2025
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 20, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 19, 2025
The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 19, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 18, 2025
The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 14, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 14, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 13, 2025
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 12, 2025
The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 11, 2025
The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 10, 2025
The Empire Report – Monday, February 10, 2025 – Race Analysis
By soaofny February 7, 2025
The Empire Report – Friday, February 7, 2025 – Race Analysis
Show More
Share by: