Monday Empire Report

January 24, 2022

The Empire Report - Monday, January 24, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) TONY TOO TALL drops down to his preferred level, moves inside, and figures to be a

decent price (with a couple of very sharp rivals in here) - may prove to be a good value play if he shows up

on his best game (and gets some racing luck). (4) REGAL SON looks to make it 3 in a row since joining a

barn that has won an incredible 45% of their starts since the beginning of December - obviously a major

threat to extend his streak. (2) MAGRITTE is riding an impressive 5 race win streak but moves to another

new barn, steps up in class, and faces a couple of very tough foes - will really need to earn it tonight. (7)

AMERICAN WIGGLE has become a very steady player in this class but faces an uphill battle from Post 7

tonight - willing to use for a small piece. (8) ROCK N TONY was a very sharp front end winner last week

but that was vs. 30s, from the pole - the class jump AND move to Post 8 figure to limit him a bit tonight.

(1) HEAVENLY SOUND seems a bit overmatched but at least he draws inside - maybe can squeeze out a

small check? (5) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN is in need of some class relief...and a spot where he can blast

to the top - will wait for a better scenario. (6) PROVEN DESIRE was dull from the pole off the bad date,

and now lands Post 6 - will just observe, for now.


RACE 2 - (3) BAMSKI had no prayer in his first 2 starts of the year (8 holes) but moves inside for tonight,

hails from a barn off to a good start in 2022, and does have speed (if Zeron opts to use it) - worth a look at

that 15-1 ML price. (4) FOX VALLEY INFERNO seemed to battling some physical issues at the end of

2021 but the time off seems to have helped, and he's been a solid 2nd best in both starts of the new year -

very logical threat, but hard to get excited at that 6/5 ML price. (5) BEVANS CULLEN N came to life at

the end of last year, and seems to have returned sharp as well - dangerous late player if the trip goes his

way. (1) MARINER SEELSTER landed on a horrible trip last week and probably deserves a pass - it's also

possible that he was just no good off the barn change, so it's a little tough to predict what we'll see from him

tonight - clearly can be very dangerous from this spot if he's anything close to top form. (2) KASEY JOHN

N was nowhere to be found from outside posts in his first 2 starts of the year - we may see a much better

effort tonight, but still not prepared to use him for more than a small piece. (7) DESIRES CAPTAIN was

unable to get involved from Post 7 last week and may face that same dilemma tonight - prefer others. (6)

HAPPY TRIO seems to be in need of a class drop, and better post. (8) CHANGE STRIDE N seems to have

tailed a bit after a long, successful 2021 season - watching for better signs before endorsing again.


RACE 3 - (5) RED RIGHT HAND is stepping up to face tough, older foes tonight but his current (raging)

form suggests he could be up to the task- he won't offer any value (6/5 ML), but he does deserve top billing

(1) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N had no prayer in his last 3 starts (outside posts vs. better) but he has license

to come alive in a big way with the class drop, and move to the pole - have a feeling we'll see a much better

effort from him tonight. (3) HERRICKROOSEVELT N has been very good since returning this summer

from a layoff but he did revert to bad habits when he misbehaved in his first start of the new year - hard to

know what we'll get from him tonight. (2) MACINTOSH N had to work very hard in the pocket to keep up

into the hot 3rd panel last week (off the bad date) and can be forgiven for getting a little tired at the end -

should be tighter now, and seems a good one to include in exotics. (4) SANTAFES COACH came up dead

empty off a two hole trip after the winter hiatus - maybe can improve enough to grab a minor piece here,

but definitely prefer others right now. (8) BENHOPE RULZ N gave it a big go off the bad date last week,

just missing to the sharp winner - gets the worst of the draw tonight, though, and that figures to hurt his

chances significantly. (6) ONE OFF DELIGHT A seems overmatched against these, especially from Post 6.

(7) GENIUS MAN has been away since 11/29, and the guess is that he'll be handled conservatively here.


RACE 4 - Wide open race, with plenty of sharp, logical players: (3) VELOCITY KOMODO throws his

share of clunkers (see 2 back), but often bounces right back from them (see his last) - likes to just sit back

and rally late so IF a few of the contenders in here end up mixing things up a bit, HE may be the one that

benefits most...and the price should definitely be good. (4) HEISMAN PLAYER still hasn't beaten the 50s,

but he was solid in both starts of 2022, and may finally land on the winning journey - another that should

offer some decent value. (5) KINNDER JACKSON went out a winner last week for his previous crew, and

tonight marks his debut for currently the hottest barn in town - have to respect his chances to make it 2 in a

row, (2) ITSMYCHECK GB saw his 3 race win streak end 2 back, then was a close up 3rd in this class last

week - another eligible to take this with the right trip. (6) MIGHTY SANTANA N is another joining a new

barn for tonight, and he probably fits well with these - tough draw, however, and he was only 1 for 14 here

last year -- might be more likely to pick up a smaller piece, than a bigger one. (1) ALOTBETTOR N ended

2021 with a couple of horrible efforts - hasn't been "good" so far in 2022, but at least he's been "better" -

we'll see if the rail draw is enough to elevate him to a legitimate player. (7) AMERICAN BOY N has a

bunch of sharp efforts on his card but Bongiorno will need to find a way to get him into the hunt from Post

7 - suppose he's playable IF the price is juicy enough. (8) WATERWAY could use class and post relief.


RACE 5 - Another race full of live players! (5) GINGER TREE PETE came up a little short after being

used to make the lead from Post 8 last week but it was hardly a "bad" effort - his best races seem to come

from racing off the pace, and that's a likely scenario for tonight - one of several that could get their picture

taken in here. (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP raced in 4 different barns the last 4 starts and was sharp for each of

them - moves to yet another (red hot) barn for tonight, and comes off a very impressive win last week - the

right trip makes him a very dangerous threat. (1) EDDARD HANOVER picked up a live trip for his new

barn last week and rallied nicely for 2nd to the sharp (repeat) winner - figures to be handled aggressively

from the pole tonight, and will be a force to reckon with. (3) WESTERN HILL toured the oval from Post 8

two back, but that mile is sandwiched between a pair of victories - would be no surprise to see him right on

the wire once more. (2) CINNAMACK was dull last week, but outraced his odds for several weeks prior to

that - not a bad bomb to include underneath in exotics. (4) ER VEGAS may be a notch below some of the

main players but he did rally for a 3rd two back - maybe another small piece, with an easy enough trip? (7)

RECORD YEAR can hold his own at this level, but figures to struggle to get involved from out here. (8)

HEART ON MY SLEEVE is the outsider...literally and figuratively.


RACE 6 - (2) PRINCE MCARDLE N doesn't look as "flashy" on paper as a couple of the other main

players in here but he's a very solid performer at this level, and may end up with a pretty nice trip - worth a

stab since he'll definitely be a nice price. (4) ELWELL has been razor sharp since the beginning of Nov.,

and that includes a couple of jogburger victories to start off the new year - he'll be facing a bit tougher here,

but there's no reason to think he's not sharp enough to handle it - major threat!(1) SWEET N FAST N has

been on a tear since being claimed for $23K (at PcD) back on 10/9 - he beat this class off the winter break

last week, and obviously has a good chance to make it 2 in a row tonight. (3) FLYING FINN N steps up

from 50s to 75s off the claim, and does seem a bit below the main players...ok for a piece from this spot,

though. (6) MAJOR CROCKER returns to YR after spending time facing the top levels at Fhd. and Dover -

he was last seen here facing a bit easier, and tonight's draw does him no favors - maybe can squeeze out a

small slice? (5) GLACIS probably needs to be in easier- will hope to save ground, and rally well enough

for a small check. (7) IM SOME GRADUATE parlayed an opportunistic trip to victory last week, but

doesn't figure to be as fortunate from all the way out here - prefer others. (8) MACH DORO A draws Post 8

after being idle since 12/13.


RACE 7 - (1) IN SPADES was a little short last week but the time off could have hurt - was a winner at

this level in his last start before the winter break, and the rail draw makes him the one to knock off tonight.

(3) LETTUCERIPRITAA was a bit of a surprise claim for $25K last week, because he could have been

taken for $20K any number of times - he's hit board in 7 straight (3 wins), but all at levels lower than this

one - still a major threat, though. (6) THISJETSABOOKIN is another that seemed a little short off the bad

date last week - on his best, he's a legitimate threat against these. (8) ZIGGY SKY definitely fits with these,

but would have looked a lot more appealing if not for Post 8 - if you think Zeron can get him into the hunt,

the price will certainly be right. (4) ROCK THE NITE was a pocket winner over much softer last time, but

may have gained some confidence with that victory - we'll see if he can step up and contend with these too.

(5) SAILBOAT HANOVER is back behaving and functioning now, but does seem a bit below the main

players in here. (2) AVATAR J is winless here in 9 starts over the past 2 years, and that's facing cheaper -

inside draw is his best asset right now. (7) BANK SEA has solid form across the river vs. cheaper, but may

be too ambitiously placed for his YR return.


RACE 8 - (1) SOHO LENNON A was no factor last week but he has 2 recent wins at this level, always

seems to thrive in spots like this, & is listed at 9-1 ML - good week to give him a look. (4) SAN DOMINO

A has been solid lately in general, and was especially sharp in last week's victory - absolutely belongs on

your tickets. (2) TELLITSABB seems to have fallen a bit off his best form, but remains a threat to land

somewhere on the ticket from a spot like this. (3) WALKINSHAW N didn't fire his best shot last week but

was a game first over winner the week before - one of several proven commodities at this level, with a

chance to make some noise in here.(5) JESSE DUKE N is the "x factor" tonight - comes into this off 3

straight wins, but all were on the lead, vs. easier - will be class tested tonight, and he really could go either

way. (6) WHITECOOKIE was actually a bit sluggish for much of the mile last week, but kept on trying and

eventually did rally for 3rd - the outside draw has us leaning elsewhere, but don't be too surprised if he

finds a way to land somewhere on the ticket. (8) BIG SIR throws some big efforts (see last week), but will

need a lot of trip luck to be a serious player from out here. (7) ALEX TYE has been 1st or 2nd in 4 of his

last 5 starts, but was helped by a series of inside posts - moves out to Post 7 while also moving up in class

tonight, and that may compromise his chances considerably.


RACE 9 - (1) LEONIDAS A has been hampered by a series of sick scratches since October so hopefully

he's finally ready to come back and do some damage - we'll gamble that his talented conditioner will have

him ready to deliver right off the bench. (7) SPEED MAN N paced his 3rd quarter in :26.4 last week and

would have gone even faster if he had more room up the cones - he's been on his game for some time, and

has done damage at big prices in the past....not sure how Bartlett can get him in play from out here, but he's

still worth using on some tickets at a big price! (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N went plenty of big miles at this

level last year - seemed to be tailing a bit to close out 2021 but jogged off the winter break (vs. lesser), and

that might be a good sign that he's feeling good again. (5) SEMI TOUGH was a sluggish 6th two starts

back but looked like a different horse last week, delivering a very sharp first over win - include underneath.

(2) FOREVER FAV has been delivering sharp miles for months, but exits high priced claimers to try his

luck in the Open tonight and it's hard to know how that'll work out - may just land on an easy trip from this

spot, and that would enhance his chances of grabbing a good piece. (3) TITO ROCKS held his own in a

couple of Open tries and just qualified back nicely in NJ - may be able to pick up a piece with an easy trip.

(6) BRAEVIEW BONDI A was a sharp front end winner last week but he'll be facing tougher tonight, and

from a bad post - may have trouble replicating that effort.


RACE 10 - (1) DIAMONDBEACH had no prayer in the Open 2 back (Post 7) but wasn't bad, then rallied

nicely for 2nd off the class drop last week - tonight's conditions were expanded ("NW31675") to allow him

in, and we'll see if he can take full advantage from the pole. (5) JOESSTAROFMIAA rallied for 3rd off the

winter break then was pacing well through the wire from an impossible spot in his last - should fit nicely

with these, and a good trip makes him a legitimate threat. (2) TYGA HANOVER really wasn't bad last

week (off the missed time), and has held his own with this type in the past - a decent trip puts him right in

the hunt. (6) PRETTY HANDSOME was a very sharp winner to close out 2021 - was very well backed for

his seasonal debut and put in a big first over try to just miss to the classy Caviart Luca -- moves up and

lands outside, but is still worth including in exotics. (7) NO LOU ZING fits very well with these but will be

at a disadvantage starting from Post 7 - chance for a good piece, but some major trip luck will be required.

(4) MIKES Z TAM disappointed last week, but is capable of better- needs to be on his best game to be a

player with this solid bunch. (3) NVESTMENT BLUECHIP seems to need easier to do his best work.


RACE 11 - Tough finale: (5) ITSGOODTOBEDAKING is definitely risky (off since 12/15) but he hit

board in 4 of 5 to close out 2021 (8 hole in the other), and may even be a decent price because of the

inactivity - here's hoping that he shows up ready to start his new year. (4) LATE MAIL N will be handled

aggressively off the class drop and may be able to wire these...but his camera shyness makes him hard to

endorse on top at what figures to be a short price. (3) SWAGASAURUSREX finally landed on a good trip

last week and cashed in with the pocket rocket victory - steps up in class, but still feels like a good fit - use

in exotics. (1) ABRAXAS BLUES A throws some big miles and has won plenty of times here in the past -

deserves a look if allowed to go off at a big price from the pole. (6) VENIER HANOVER threw a dud last

week but was also 4 for 12 here last year - another worthy of consideration if the price is right. (2) SHORE

VIEW seems at his best vs. cheaper, but many of the others in here are probably in the same boat - small

piece? (7) JIMS PERFECT TEN tends to outrace his odds most weeks, but it won't be easy for him to do

much damage coming from out here. (8) HASH TAG SWAG tired badly in his first start of the year and

now lands Post 8 for his new connections - sticking with others.

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