Monday Empire Report

soaofny • November 25, 2024

The Empire Report – Monday, November 25, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) CHANTEE generally holds his own with (much) better than these, and was a winner in NW15000

not long ago – he isn’t always the handiest horse on the planet, but he should be able to find a way to beat these. (7)

SPEED MAN N was caught in the back after drawing Post 8 two starts ago, then did finish ok last week after a bad

shuffle – it’s hard to get a good read as to where he really is form-wide right now, but always willing to give the

classy 10YO a shot in this class when the price is decent. (1) POINTOMYGRANSON is nowhere near “top” form

right now but he’s at least showing better signs – he’ll be a close up player all the way here, and we’ll see if he’s

strong enough late to be a serious threat. (2) BRAEVIEW BONDI A is camera shy at Yonkers but the good draw at

least puts him in play for a piece. (4) UP THE CREEK backed through the field badly here on 11/1 but like so many

of his barnmates over the last couple of weeks, was a form-reversing winner in his last at Pocono – in tougher now,

but hard to ignore ANYTHING the barn sends out now...at multiple tracks! (6) FIZZING N is generally on the

cheaper side but he’s racing decently now, and has a chance for a minor share. (3) BIG SIR is racing well, but vs.

cheaper. (8) THRASHER will be coming from way back – prefer to wait for a better spot.


RACE 2 – (2) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR did everything right last week other than win, as he was collared late

by the perfect trip winner (#3) – he’s been very sharp for a long time, and we’ll see if he can turn the tables on that

same rival tonight. (3) HEMSWORTH N hadn’t been all that great lately (at the top levels) but he got hit with the

deck trip-wise last week and was able to outkick the harder used #2 for the victory – clearly a chance to repeat if

things go as smoothly tonight. (6) SEMI TOUGH loves racing for Gingras and loves the lead...and when he got

BOTH last week, it was no surprise to see him easily handle easier – he’s classy enough to handle the class jump,

but he also draws well outside 2 very sharp foes, and that may make it tough for him to repeat. (1) CADILLAC BAY

AMA has put together an 8 win, $116K season so far and is looking at a good trip from this spot – no reason he

can’t stay close throughout, and take home a decent share. (4) WALKINSHAW N took advantage of a very easy trip

to pick up 3rd behind a pair of classy foes last week – will need a similarly easy trip to take home a piece tonight. (5)

BRAKE AHEAD was an even, no-threat 5th in his YR debut – may need some class relief before he shows a bit

more. (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N lands Post 7 in a good field after missing 3 weeks – very tough spot. (8) HAZEV

ILLE comes into this off a win and a 2nd but the class jump and 8 hole figure to slow him down considerably.


RACE 3 – (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A has enjoyed a terrific season, though he’s struggled just a bit since being

forced to race in the top class every week – he did drop past week, and actually raced very well (considering he was

stuck with Post 7, and the top two finishers were also dropping from the Invitational level) – another drop, the rail,

and the one to beat...at a very short price. (5) TWIN B RISENSHINE hasn’t been worse than 4th in his last 5 starts,

and usually right there at the end – a quick start would really help his chances here. (7) TRANSPARENCY finished

full of pace in his local debut, almost grabbing 3rd from way back – he’s another that would see his chances go up

with an aggressive steer. (2) VIVA LAS VEGAS N never wins (and isn’t 2nd too often!) but he’s good right now, and

eligible to tow along for a decent chunk. (4) YOROKOBI N was one of two driving victories for Lauren Tritton last

Monday– in tougher now, but eligible to rally for a small share (6) SPORTY M THREE had a nice stretch from early

Sept. to mid-Oct. but may have tailed off a bit – the outside draw doesn’t help his cause. (3) HAMMERING HANK

hails from a white-hot barn but may need to be in easier. (8) ALEX TYE will have a hard time getting in play.


RACE 4 – (1) TICKERTAPE HANOVER went a big mile 2 back (despite a very tough trip from Post 8), then was

handled too aggressively in his last, finishing 3rd behind a couple dropping from the Invitationals – he could be very

dangerous here with an easier trip, and is worth using...as long as the price is fair. (3) COVERED BRIDGE is hard

to ignore at this level but he definitely looks like a horse that could use a little break (after making 58 starts over the

last 2 years, mostly at the top level!) – strong 2nd in his last, and a legitimate threat tonight. (5) BLUE HUNT was

wildly overbet last week and got lost near the back, never getting into the hunt – IF he can stay more motivated early

tonight, he’ll be a dangerous stretch threat. (6) THE IDEAL DANCER A was a good looking winner vs. cheaper last

week but lands a very tough spot for tonight – maybe he can rally for a small piece? (7) VICI also was sharp beating

easier last week but his draw is even worse– will need lots of trip luck to grab a decent piece (4) WINDSUN RICKY

drops to the level he beat 2 back but this is a MUCH tougher field – leaning elsewhere. (2) DP REALORDEAL has

one start off the layoff and looks like he’ll need another. (8) BUGABOO LOU is struggling since the barn change.


RACE 5 – (2) SURFSIDE BEACH got VERY sharp recently but never got into position to do any damage last

week (then ended finishing with plenty of pace from an impossible spot) – he figures to be a good price in this

competitive race, and is definitely worth using. (4) TASTE OF HONEY is riding a 3 race winning streak and is

actually dropping a bit off last week’s win – hard to leave him off your tickets. (5) SHAKESPEARE was

inconsistent for much of this year but has been in a very good groove lately, and will be dangerous here with any

decent trip. (3) LUCKBEWITH ALEX is usually very tough on the lead but couldn’t keep it going last week after

being used a little too hard for the top – he has 4 wins from his last 8 starts, and shouldn’t be overlooked here. (1)

DELESTON was a winner (vs. 40s) 3 starts back, a close 4th in his next, and seemed to have pace in stretch traffic

last week – another that can be heard from tonight if things go his way. (7) PURPLE POET was unable to rally from

a similar spot last week and may be hurt by the draw once more. (6) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N doesn’t win very

often and likely needs a better draw to be a threat. (8) THE BIRD DANCE N couldn’t sustain his bid in the lane last

week and now lands Post 8.


RACE 6 – (2) ITS A ME MARIO was deceptively good in the MGM Grand Prix Series 2 and 3 back so it was no

surprise to see him win confidently off the class drop last week, easily handling the classy COVERED BRIDGE –

gets to stay in the same class here, and we’ll give him the edge over a couple of other classy rivals. (5) ACT FAST

has shown mixed form since arriving at YR, but does have a couple of recent 2nds – could be a serious threat if the

trip goes his way. (6) BACKSTREET SHADOW only has 3 wins this year but has still banked nearly $200K- draws

a tough post after missing 3 weeks, but still can’t be taken lightly! (1) ULTIMAROCA isn’t on his best game right

now but may be good enough to tow along for a small piece with the move inside. (4) LEONIDAS A never got back

to top form this year, and is likely looking at only minor spoils against this solid bunch. (3) DEETZY is feelin’ good

these days but catches a much tougher field tonight – probably looking at only a minor share. (7) ROCK DIAMON

DS N is actually pretty good now (for a red hot barn) but could really use a better post in an easier field. (8) LOUS

SWEETREVENGE was unable to get in play last week and may end up in that same boat tonight.


RACE 7 – (2) AARDIES FLASH N was sent off at 2/5 for his U.S. debut and couldn’t have won any more easily –

he’ll take on tougher tonight, but he sure looked like a horse that’ll be up for it! (5) SLING SHOCK was a solid

winner vs. easier 2 back, then finished full of pace from a tough spot last week – he moves up another class, but a

good trip can still land him a nice chunk. (1) GREG THE LEG has struggled through a rough season but can still

throw a big mile in the right spot – a decent trip from the pole could help him land somewhere on the ticket. (4) HEZ

ALLTHE RAGE N cut the mile off class drops the last 2 weeks and couldn’t finish the job either time – drops again,

but will need to show more stamina if he hopes to have a shot at the top slot. (8) BURNHAM BOY N raced very

well off the 6 month layoff last week and should be plenty tight right now – the draw could be a major obstacle,

however. (7) SPLASH BROTHER has been on the upswing and did finish 2nd to the top choice last week – tonight’s

tougher spot may slow him down a bit. (6) CYRUS N generally does his better work vs. easier (& from better posts)

(3) FRANCO NANDOR N has held form nicely for some time, but is another that may need to be a bit cheaper.


RACE 8 – (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A finished well for a piece in last week’s sizzling 1:50.4 mile after just

missing by a nose the week before (after wearing down the sensational DESPERATE MAN into submission) –

deserves the edge from the pole tonight. (3) ROCKNROLL RUNA A was an excellent 3rd two back and followed

that up with an easy front end score over a bit easier – he’s good right now, and a legitimate threat! (4) ADMIRAL

HILL showed ability at 2, banked $173K at 3 & has put together a strong $341K season at 4, winning11 of 17 races-

he’ll be taking on tough older foes tonight (and trying the half mile track), and we’ll see if he can be as effective vs.

these! (5) HIMSELF N was on a major form spree before a dull try on 11/4, followed by a sick scratch – good week

to just observe. (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N shocked at 74-1 last start winning rom last to first – he hasn’t been a real

threat at THIS level for a while, though. (6) TYPHOON BANNER N squandered a great trip 2 back then just missed

in a game try last week – very tough draw figures to hurt tonight, though. (7) FINVARRA A has looked good so far

in a pair of U.S. starts but tonight’s spot is pretty brutal.


RACE 9 – (5) TWIG was a solid 2nd off the claim behind a winner that’s razor sharp right now – may be a spot for

him to pick up his first YR win of the season. (1) KEYSTONE DASH moves up a notch off the win but the rail can

help offset that – legitimate threat. (6) SMOKIN BY N has a win and two 2nds from his last 4 starts and already has

10 victories this year – always dangerous when he’s in one of his form sprees. (8) IM A POWERPLAY A got parked

the mile from Post 8 last time but that doesn’t mean he won’t leave tonight – good bomb for longshot fans. (4) MAR

LBANK ROAD overcame a very tough trip in a hot mile to get 3rd last week – prefer others a bit more, but wouldn’t

be shocked to see him take this. (7) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N is pretty popular at the claim box for a horse that’s

just 1 for 25 this year – maybe a small piece? (2) MOONLIGHT SHADOW quickly regressed off the claim and his

barn is just 33-1-1-4 this month. (3) GENTLEMENSATTITUDE seems wildly overmatched arriving from Freehold.

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