Friday Empire Report

soaofny • July 21, 2023

The Empire Report - Friday, July 21, 2023 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (1) DECOY has been in solid form for a low % outfit and moves tonight to a very successful

barn - gets to pick his trip (after drawing the pole) and we'll give him the narrow nod in a competitive

opener. (4) GOTHIC ROCK was used harder than he'd like trying for the lead last week and it hurt his

chances - he's sharp enough for a chance to win this IF the trip goes his way (and at a decent price). (5)

ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR is the "x factor" in here - his form improved dramatically upon arriving from

Canada (and joining this miracle-working barn), but he takes a quick drop from 40s to 25s after one dull

effort last week - suppose he could go either way tonight. (3) BETTER UP looked hopeless to the top of the

lane last week but found a seam late in the mile and surged through to pick up the victory - still leaning to

others, but definitely will consider underneath. (6) PICARD A was a pocket winner 2 back but didn't have

quite that same punch last week - steps up to 25s off the claim, draws poorly, and may need to wait for an

easier spot. (2) BETTER B SWIFT drops down a notch while seemingly well off form - prefer to wait for

better signs before hopping back on his team. (7) QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP wall backed and went a big

mile last week before getting nipped by #3 in a bad beat - brutal spot tonight, though.


RACE 2 - (6) BEACH BOOGIE beat the 40s here on 9/16 then didn't race again until TEN months later...

and was a winner that day too (in KY) - followed that up with another good start & now seems realistically

placed for his YR return - could be a good value play. (1) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE left (needlessly) from a

hopeless spot last week, and lost any chance when forced to grab up hard and retreat to last - this is a much

better spot for him, and a good steer would make him a legitimate threat. (3) STATEMENT MADE A has

taken 3 in a row since being claimed, exhibiting major gameness along the way - hard to leave him off your

tickets tonight, though he will be a pretty short price. (4) DIVISION BELL feels like he may be tailing a bit

but his barn did win all five starts on Mon/Tues (with some eye-popping performances) - leaning to others,

but he'd surely be no surprise. (5) MINGO JOEL is another who left from a bad spot last week, only to

retreat and lose all chance - he's otherwise been sharp, but faces an uncertain journey tonight. (2) DEETZY

is just 1 for 21 this year, and his barn has been ice cold for the past 7 weeks.


RACE 3 - (7) LOORRIM LAKE A was the choice here last week and he raced well for 3rd (rallying from

well back) against much tougher - no luck with the draw tonight but he drops to the bottom level, and gets

reunited with his favorite pilot - let's try this once more. (8) BALLERAT BOOMERANG seems a bit off

form and it doesn't help that the top choice will likely be leaving hard to inside - that being said, it's hard to

not use him in exotics down at this bottom level (2) GLACIS raced well vs. better in his first start off a long

layoff but failed to get a check in his next 3 starts - we'll see if the drop to the basement helps him perk up a

bit, and land a piece. (5) GO DANCING A was a no threat 4th in his first start for a new barn - eligible to

be tighter tonight, and contend for a better share. (1) THOR AND DR JONES toured the oval from Post 8

in his YR return - moves all the way inside, and could be a much bigger part of the action here. (4) DONT

JUDGE A BOOK wasn't terrible (at 62-1) in his YR debut - ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (3) STATE SENATOR is

just one of many from this barn that has hit the skids for weeks - hard to predict when we'll start seeing

some wake up calls. (6) PERSIMMON A would be a surprise, especially from this bad post.


RACE 4 - (1) LYONS NIGHT HAWK toured the oval at the back in his first start in from Canada but was

much better last week, finishing a solid 3rd - has plenty of back class, and catches an uninspiring field here.

(3) CAVIART VAL is a lazy type but with more ability than most of these - can be close if Brennan can

keep him motivated throughout. (4) SMILEANDSAYCHEESE wasn't far back from Post 8 last week and

draws much better tonight - can be part of this if the trip is decent. (2) BARRYWHITE HANOVER is just

1 for 26 here at YR over the last 2 years, but has picked up lots of pieces - chance for the same tonight. (8)

COLD CREEK FELIPE hasn't been on his best game and certainly gets no luck at the draw for his new

connections - Marohn needs to leave hard, and hope something good happens for him. (6) ROYHILL sat

the pocket at 50-1 last week and wasn't too bad - maybe he can leave and last for a small piece tonight? (7)

MAJESTIC KIWI N draws poorly and has been struggling for a barn that's ice cold - tough spot to like his

chances. (5) BORN UNORDINARY makes his YR debut showing a 3 for 55 career slate - pass for now.


RACE 5 - (1) CAN BE PERFECT disappointed on the lead last week but he paid a heavy price to get

there, and was also facing much tougher - drops, draws the pole, and gets Bartlett at the controls

tonight...and may be a very short priced winner. (7) SETH HANOVER never got involved in his first start

off the qua. but he carved out the fractions last week and was a solid 2nd best- chance to be a player again

tonight, even from Post 7. (6) JOJOS PLACE had been struggling but was an improved 2nd last week, and

now moves to a barn that won with him earlier this year - worth a look if the price is right. (4)

VANQUISHED N went a big mile to upset at 50-1 in NJ two back, but just wasn't as sharp when 3rd here

last week - would consider for exotics tonight (3) KEYSTONE DASH is just 1 for 18 this year and settling

for minor spoils most starts - seems headed for a similar fate in here. (8) MISTER SPOT A was a solid

pocket winner last week but faces much tougher here and starts from Post 8 - figures to have a tough time

getting in play. (5) ROCKATHON landed in a pretty weak field last week and was able to pull off the

victory - seems unlikely he can pull that off with these. (2) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN hasn't even earned a

check in over 2 months.


RACE 6 - (1) TOATSMYGOATS has been sharp at Stga. since the claim and now returns to YR, where he

compiled an 11-2-4-4 record this year - catches a pretty reasonable group of 15s, and may be able to wire

these...at a fair price. (2) MACH DORO A has found a home in 15s and will be the deserving favorite here

after winning his last pair - he wasn't overly dominant either week, however, so maybe he's at least a bit

vulnerable for tonight? (7) MY MIND IS MADEUP was 2nd to the streaking IMMA BE 3 back (who has

since beaten the 50s!!), got parked in his next (but still only lost by 5 lengths) then was a game 2nd best in

last - goes for another new barn tonight, and can be a legitimate threat if not used too hard early on. (3) SH

OREVIEW looked like a winner at the top of the lane last week but hung badly before holding on to 2nd -

ok for the bottom of exotics. (4) JK LUCKY CHARMS has only been able to grab minor pieces lately and

that may be his destiny tonight as well. (6) FARMERS TAN picked up a pair of 3rds off easy trips in his

last couple - draws poorly tonight, and will need to be better if he's hoping to be a player. (5) HEARTLAN

DBANYSBRO was on quite a roll but seems to be heading in the wrong direction now - leaning towards

others. (8) MISSILE SEELSTER was disappointing when claimed last week - lands Post 8 for new crew.


RACE 7 - 1 1/4 miles - Can You Go The Distance Final - good race! (6) JULA MUSCLE PACK took

advantage of a contested pace last week and was able to charge by late for the victory - may end up with a

similarly beneficial trip tonight, and gets Bartlett back for this Final - one of many possible winners;

depending on how the race goes. (1) MEMO was a nice winner at a mile 2 back and was ok last week too,

though unable to fully sustain his first over bid after being used early on - a good trip gives him a chance at

the upset. (5) GREY has been good at all three distances so far, and should be fine at this 1 1/4 miles too -

her trip is a bit unpredictable, however, with plenty of speed to her inside, and a "blaster" from Post 8 - may

not be the best "value play" at that 9/5 ML price. (3) P C FREE WHEELING was a 2nd in the first 2 legs

but REALLY roughed up last week and tired in the lane - she'll be a good price here, and is worth at least a

look (8) LINDSEYS PRIDE has been very good since the 6/22 claim but faces an uphill battle both leaving

from Post 8, and trying to stick around for the added distance...demand a good price if using on top! (4) WI

LLY WALTON went his best mile in a while last week, just missing to #5 - he's capable of big miles at

times, and it wouldn't be a shock to see him race well again tonight. (2) BARRY BLACK has been limited

to small pieces lately, and will need to be better if he hopes to improve on that. (7) CANTSTOP YANKEE

absolutely fits with these - he's listed here on the bottom, but a live trip increases his chances significantly.


RACE 8 - (5) MAN DONTFORGET ME has been sharp for some time, but her only recent win was when

she was paired with Brennan - the two team up again tonight, so maybe they can get it done one more time?

(2) MCMARKLE SPARKLE took a long time but has finally come back to her better form - should have

confidence after beating a little cheaper last week, and could be dangerous here with the right trip. (1) DEL

ITFULCATHERIN N took three weeks off after a pair of duds and raced much better last week than her

line might suggest - she has 20 Yonkers wins over the last 3 years, and could be ready for a top effort now.

(6) LIT DE ROSE is tough as nails, and has taken 4 of her last 6 starts - she MAY end up coming from too

far back tonight, however, and be forced to settle for a smaller slice. (3) JIVE DANCING A wasn't quite as

sharp last week, even though 2nd best - she exits her long time home after being claimed last week, and it's

hard to know how she'll react to her new barn. (4) VIOLETS RAINBOW is a very mice mare, but likely a

notch below these - prefer others for the better prizes tonight.


RACE 9 - (6) IN THE SPOTLIGHT N was an excellent last week behind the always tough MILLWOOD

BONNIE N, and has now raced well in all 3 local tries - she's Brennan's choice tonight, and ours too. (7)

OUR LADY LARA A raced here only one time - it was in the Open, and she did a very nice job hanging in

there through the white-hot 1:22 three quarters - she's been a beast at Stga., and does have license to upset

these, at a nice price. (8) SILK CLOUD A has ability for sure, and is definitely good right now - if you

think Marohn will be able to put her in play from out here, by all means include her on your tickets. (4) CH

ERYLS SHADOW was up in class and stuck first over last week, but still went an excellent mile for 3rd -

she gets Bartlett tonight (Brennan opts for the top choice), and seems like a live player...but the 2-1 ML

price makes her tough to endorse on top. (1) SMOOTH DEBATE N was never involved last week but

drops down to the level where she was 2nd two back (at 42-1), and does have a chance at a piece once

again. (5) LAURIE LEE obviously gets a pass for last week, but she's also forced to move up in class, and

may be a bit less effective against these tougher mares. (3) REACHTHRUTHESKY AS has been better

since the barn change, but still seems a bit iffy against the better ones in here. (2) LADY NEWTON hasn't

really impressed in her 3 starts since arriving - a class drop may help her cause (next week).


RACE 10 - (5) TONYS MOM didn't get the best of drives last week (she passed up on an easy pocket trip)

but was still a sharp, close 3rd - she's been very good for a long time, gets her regular pilot back tonight and

looms a major threat off the class drop. (3) TECHYS ANGEL A has been sharp for a long time, but an

unexpected miscue took her out of it early last week - assuming she has no issues tonight, she should have a

big say in this. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED's local debut was delayed by a pair of scratches this spring - she

took some time off, re-qualified nicely, and was a big earner as a youngster - may be ready to do some

damage right off the shelf. (1) MISS CHANTILLY N threw a dud last week but she may have disliked the

off going (it started raining a while before her race) - she was very good prior to that, and could easily have

a bounce back mile tonight (4) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N has been steady every week recently, albeit with

cheaper - we'll see if she can continue to thrive against this better field. (8) MISS DOTIE MAE seems off

her game and draws Post 8 - sticking with others. (7) HUNTRESS' lone off the board finish in the last

TWO YEARS was when she was in a very similar spot 2 back - could happen again tonight. (6) BELLAD

ONNA GIRL A seems a bit overmatched right now.


RACE 11 - (1) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES is one of the few horses that did NOT immediately win after

being claimed by his current barn, but it's not like he's been racing poorly - drops to 20s, moves all the way

inside, and we'll give him top billing tonight. (2) SEAFARER exits one of the highest % barns in the land

only to land in another - he was a winner in this class 2 and 3 back, but just never looked right last week

(when he was claimed) - a little iffy right now? (7) OURRHYTHMNBLUES N has hit board in 7 of his last

8 starts but only one was a victory - he has enough speed to create a trip for himself (even from Post 7), and

still belongs in exotics. (4) DESIRES CAPTAIN is just 1 for 22 this year but does have some good recent

tries vs. the 25s - drops in for $20K tonight, and may be able to make some noise. (6) ZIGGY SKY is 0 for

12 on the year, and only been able to pick up smaller pieces in his 5 local tries - tonight's draw won't make

things any easier for him. (5) WILLIAM HANOVER has been struggling, and dropping in for $20K didn't

help at all last week. (3) EDDARD HANOVER is 0 for 22 on the year, and his barn has been invisible for

almost two months. (8) HOLY MOMENT ships in with an amazing 2 for 105 career slate, and draws Post 8.


RACE 12 - (1) HES GONNA GETYA was a good 2nd in this class 4 back, then did as well as he could

from impossible spots in his last 3 starts - moves all the way inside, and should be able to be a big player

tonight. (7) HEART OF DIXIE was too far back to be a serious threat in his YR return last week, but raced

well from the back to rally for 3rd (off 3 weeks) - a more aggressive try tonight puts him right in the hunt.

(8) MISTER DONALD A left from Post 7 last week and that led to a 2nd place finish, at 22-2 - it hurts that

he'll likely have a leaver(s) inside of him tonight, but can still make some noise if some trip luck comes his

way. (4) LUCIANO N was decent last week but he's 0 for 21 this year, his barn is 1 for 89 since June 1st,

and this guy is listed as the 8/5 ML choice - hard to take that kind of a price under the circumstances. (6)

VEL MR NICE GUY picked up a 2nd and a 3rd in his last 2 local starts (at this same level) - certainly

playable underneath in exotics. (3) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING has seen better days for sure, but may still be

able to squeeze out a minor piece. (2) GINGRAS BEACH is 1 for 20 this year and well back in his last pair

- needs to be a lot better. (5) OUR CORELLI N has really been struggling for some time.

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