Friday Empire Report

soaofny • May 6, 2022

The Empire Report - Friday, May 6, 2022 - Race Analysis

RACE 1 - Reynolds Stake, 3YO C&G: (5) PJ LOU was a very solid 2YO, winning over $100K and

showing a ton of potential - returned sharp for his 3YO season, delivering a blowout qualifier at Chester

before utilizing a powerful back side blitz to prep for tonight, with a sharp local score last week - he does

look like he MAY struggle a bit on the turns, however, so don't fall in love at too short a price. (1) PLEASE

LETMEKNOW was ready right out of the box at 2, rallying nicely at Buffalo for 2nd in a NYSS event

before winning his Springfield elimination AND Final right here at Yonkers - his season ended with a bit of

a dud in the NYSS Final, but the guess is that his sharp connections will have him ready to go for tonight -

legitimate player. (2) JD was an opportunistic winner in the NYSS Final, but was a solid colt most of the

summer as well - his return qualifier looks sharp, and we'll guess that he'll be ready to make some noise

tonight. (3) LETMECALLYOUBACK used a nice brush to win his Springfield elimination last summer

before coming up 3rd best in the Final - saw his (short) 2YO campaign end right after that, however, before

returning at 3 for the Weiss Series (at Pocono) - did a nice job against some solid colts, and should get a

decent trip from Post 2 - definitely a chance for a good piece. (7) GROOVY MAN was sent off at 1/5 for

his 2YO debut at Lexington and reported home a winner - went on the shelf after one more start, but has

certainly looked good so far at 3, showing 2 excellent preps before winning a $100K race at Plainridge -

may be hurt by the post tonight, but he would hardly be a shock. (4) TOP GENIUS disappointed here on

4/5 when beaten as the odds on choice in a NW2 race - seems to be getting a little tighter, but still prefer

others right now. (6) BOUNTY HUNTER was winless in 9 starts last year but did finish second 7X - hard

to gauge how tight he is off those 2 qualifiers, however. (1A) AMERICAN ZESTAR starts from Post 8, and

does seem like the true outsider.


RACE 2 - Reynolds Stake, 3YO Fillies: (6) GOTTHEGREENLIGHT seemed to tail a bit in the Fall after a

long 2YO campaign, but not before winning 8 races and $248K (including 2 for 2 at Yonkers, with a sharp

win in the NYSS Final) - her qualifier suggests she'll be ready to go tonight, and we'll give her top billing --

but would probably hesitate to bet the rent money if she's a very short price! (3) FIND HAPPINESS was

only 1 for 15 as a 2YO, but did finish 2nd 8X - show shows 2 good looking preps for a sharp barn, and

we'll look for a good effort from her to start her 3YO campaign. (2) AMERICAN TICKET had a few good

starts at 2, and her Canadian form suggests she's come back sharp for her sophomore season - should be

able to have a say here. (1) NADINA HANOVER was an easy wire to winner here last week in preparation

for this - she doesn't seem as talented as her stablemate (#6), but the good draw should at least put her in the

hunt for a good piece. (5) WINE N DINE ME hit board in 4 of 5 as a 2YO, and was a winner at Chester in

her first start back at 3 - may be coming from too far back to be a serious threat tonight, but she can still get

a look for exotics if the price is right. (4) SAKE BOMB seems like she may be a notch below a few of

these, but she did race well for 2nd in her last, and is listed at 20-1 ML....maybe can land in the exotics?


RACE 3 - (3) J B MAUNEY has been much better in his last few starts, even though the best he's been

able to manage is 3rd - this is a field full of struggling/iffy rivals, and this MAY be the spot where he can

finally visit the photographer for the first time in 2022. (4) CENTURY GRIZZLY didn't even pretend to be

interested from Post 8 last week (off the claim), but the guess is that he'll be more motivated with the post

relief tonight - look for a better effort here. (1) CINNAMACK was racing well for some time against the

40s, but usually from too far back - has had much better trips lately (and against lesser), but his form just

seems to have tailed off considerably - maybe he can perk up a little at the bottom level, from the pole? (2)

YAYAS HOT SPOT N had a horrible 2021 season (1 for 30), but started off the new year with a win in his

first start - seems to have really hit the skids in his last few, however, and it would be hard to gamble on a

complete turnaround tonight...at a fairly short price. (5) REAL LUCKY N drops to the bottom level but has

been generally formless for a long time - would like to see some life before considering. (6) GHOST DAN

CE continues to struggle (even though 3rd last week) - another that hasn't been on his game in some time.

(7) ASTON HILL DAVE does have a couple of "ok" recent starts, but faces an uphill battle from Post 7.


RACE 4 - Tough race! (1) P L OSCAR continues to improve since the barn change this winter and has

become a pretty solid, reliable trotter...and now moves to another new barn that has enjoyed uncanny

success with their trotter purchases in the past - can use his speed to land a good trip here, and that would

give him a chance to pull off a mild upset. (2) TOCCOA FALLS shipped in sharp from NJ, won both

Brennan Series legs he appeared in but just didn't fire at all in the Final - drops back in the box pretty

quickly, so perhaps it was just a minor glitch....could easily rebound but the 8/5 ML price is a real turnoff.

(3) MEMO was an easy winner in his Hilltop debut, albeit in a slowish mile - still looks like a good fit with

these, and is definitely one to consider. (4) MUSKINGUM caught a fast mile shipping up from Florida but

held together well for 3rd - eligible to be even tighter now, with a license to be a serious player. (8)

CASINO CUTIE IT really appreciated the class relief and scored the victory at Chester last week - lands

back here in a class within her comfort zone, but Stratton will need to find a way to overcome Post 8 -

won't be easy. (7) OUR WHITE KNIGHT has ability, but tends to disappoint more often than he delivers -

at least he'll be a big price for those looking to include him. (5) FULL RIGHTS seemed like he was really

getting sharp but disappointed on the lead 2 back, then was an "ok" 2nd last week (well behind #3) -

leaning towards others. (6) STRIKING GENSON broke 2 back then was no good in his last - may be

heading the wrong way.


RACE 5 - (6) BOURBONS COURAGE had some ugly looking recent program lines but just a week in his

new barn resulted in the same instant turnaround we've come to expect from that outfit - he's been a camera

shy horse all his life but if anybody can get him to the winner's circle, it's his new trainer - worth a shot in a

pretty beatable field. (3) P H KENNY just missed 2 back in a big effort but was just an "ok" 3rd last week -

he moves to a new barn for tonight, and we'll see if he can improve enough to beat these. (5) RANSOM DE

MAND has won his share of Yonkers races and was a solid 3rd in his last local try - he won at Fhd. with

Marohn, Jr. on board back in Feb., so maybe the pair can succeed reuniting tonight. (2) BLUEBERRY

HEAVEN struggled vs. 20s last week but drops back down to the level he beat 2 starts back - could easily

grab a good chunk tonight. (1) CARRACCI HANOVER really came to life with sharp wins 2 and 3 starts

back but went offstride for a new barn in last, and goes for another new barn tonight - figures to be overbet

from the pole, and there just seems to be better value with a few of the others. (4) FOCUS POWER didn't

fire shipping in last week, and will need to be better tonight if he hopes to be any kind of player. (7) NIALL

HANOVER struggled from a similar spot 2 back.


RACE 6 - (4) COACH CAL came up 2nd best off the claim last week to a horse that's much better than a

$12.5K claimer - his overall form has been very solid as well, and this feels like a good spot for the 13YO

to grab his first win of the season. (2) BETTORS WESTERN moves to a barn that's been pretty hot lately,

after finishing a close 3rd last week- definitely a good one to consider for exotics. (6) LOTTERY WINNER

put in a nice first over try for 2nd last week while taking a good step back in the right direction - tough

draw, but still capable of being a player tonight. (7) ZOEEZ BOY HENRY is feeling good these days, but

would have looked a lot more appealing from a better post - will need some trip luck to come his way to be

a serious threat from out here. (3) BLATANTLY BEST pretty much stole the win last week, getting over

the half in an 80s-like 1:00.1 then hanging on in the short field - may be looking at a smaller share tonight,

though. (1) OUR REGAL IDEAL N was 1st or 2nd in 18 of his starts last year, but is struggling to get

going in 2022 - rail seems to be his only asset right now. (8) TWO OF HARDTS would absolutely be over

100-1 here....if not for the barn change he's getting - would anybody really be all that shocked to see him

improve 20-25 lengths and become a player? (5) HAPPY CAMPER seems overmatched again.


RACE 7 - (3) B NICKING gave it a shot from Post 8 in the Brennan Final but got parked the mile, still

there in 2nd on the final turn before weakening to 5th (understandably!) in the lane - he seems to be over

the breaking issues from late March, and there's definitely talent here - one of several that could come out

on top here. (7) HAYEK is somehow still winless on the year, but finished just behind some very nice

trotters in his 11 losses - if he can rebound from his uncharacteristic miscue last week, he'll be a big threat

here - even from Post 7. (6) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN finally put it all together and picked up his first

win of the year last week....a 6 length, 1:54.3 romp - has to be respected tonight, even if he loses Brennan to

#3. (8) LEAN HANOVER was in a bad rut when last seen here but he quickly found his form in PA, and

returns to Yonkers riding a 3 race (blowout) win streak - classy 9YO can't be discounted, even from Post 8.

(4) SO LONG HANOVER was claimed for $75K two back and was a steady 4th for his new connections

last week - chance for a small share tonight, too. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER does his best with a little

easier, but would have a chance for a small piece here if Kakaley can use his speed to grab an up close trip.

(2) NEXTROUNDSONME is 0 for 10 on the year, often coming up a little light at the end - he also prefers

to be in easier than this. (1) EMOTIONS RICHES tends to be a bit streaky, and he comes into tonight off a

break 2 back, and a dull try in last - might also need to be in a bit softer, regardless.


RACE 8 - (2) HOPETOBEFIRST banged out 11 wins as a 13YO and is off to a very good start at 14,

already picking up 3 victories (and six 2nds!) - catches a modest group for his first local start in some time,

and he sure looks sharp enough to grab a win. (4) SAFETY SECOND was a close 3rd in his local debut

then wired the field easily last week - steps up a notch, but seems capable of handling it right now - use in

exotics. (6) IN SPADES raced better dropping to this level last week, and obviously anything this barn

sends out has to be respected - a good trip puts him right in the mix. (8) LETTUCERIPRITAA has held top

form for a long time, and the class drop is probably a smart move - gets no luck with the draw, however,

and could be a bit vulnerable from out here. (3) CASHNCAM drops and moves inside....good one to

include underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (1) DAVIDS COMING HOME was an even 4th last week, and

draws best tonight - prefer others for the top slots, but a minor share is certainly possible. (7) ITSGOODTO

BEDAKING fits well enough with most of these, but the outside draw may make him a spectator tonight -

much trip luck will be needed to get him into the hunt. (5) TIGERS WAY looks like he'll need a start or two

off that last qualifier.


RACE 9 - (1) FANATIC returned sharp from the layoff in April and was able to dominate his rivals from

start to finish from a similar spot last week - has a new trainer listed for tonight but that really shouldn't

matter -- remains the one to beat with the free ride in NW30000. (6) SEVENTIER did good work as a 3YO

and returned sharp right off the bat at 4 - steps up tonight off a blowout win in the John Brennan Trotting

Series Final, and figures to be a legitimate threat despite the class hike, and poor post. (2) MUSCLE JACK

continues to do good things whenever he minds his manners - can grab a decent piece tonight...as long as

he continues to stay trotting. (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY probably needs to be in a bit easier to contend

for the top prize, but a good trip could land him a decent piece with these. (4) NEW HEAVEN finally got

over the hump and made it to the winner's circle last week - this is a tougher bunch, and he'll need to be

even better for a chance to be a player tonight. (5) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE does his best work on (or

near) the lead, but that may not be a possibility once again this week.


RACE 10 - (2) WEONA SIZZLER A would be hard to recommend off his current form but he did beat this

class (and one higher) back in early March - faces a pretty suspect field here, and the class drop may be

enough to perk him up against these. (3) MAGRITTE was able to capitalize on the class drop and good trip

last week to get back in the win column - he's as streaky as they come, so grabbing a 2nd victory is surely

not out of the question. (1) TURBO HILL tired last week after looking to cut the mile but night bounce

back with a much better effort chasing the pace this time - use in exotics. (5) TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN is

another that's dropping, but in dull form- another hoping for a big wake up call (4) DA GHETTO WIZARD

took over to 3/4s last week and looked like a winner turning for home...before getting reeled in by #3 -

chance to grab a good piece here too. (8) ROCK LIGHTS didn't fire last week after a couple of sharp tries

the two starts prior - loses Jordan, draws Post 8, and we'll wait for a better spot before hopping back on his

team. (6) ON THE VIRG had a good start last week but ended up a non threatening 4th - tough draw now,

and likely looking at a minor share only. (7) TULHURSTSANTANNAA was no factor at all here from a

similar spot 4 starts down - pass for now.

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