The Empire Report – Thursday, November 7, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (1) KINGSTON PANIC is usually strong at the end of his miles so it’s at least a little surprising to see
him adding Lasix for tonight – he may end up with a pretty nice trip tonight, and we’ll give him the narrow edge
thanks to the draw. (4) FLIP MY CHIP just missed 2 back but was helped when a few others ran into trouble behind
him – his last was CLEARLY terrific, however, as he blasted to the top then fought off KEYSTONE DASH twice to
score the 14-1 upset...legitimate chance to take another. (6) LOUS THE ATTITUDE is riding a 3 race winning
streak and has taken 4 of his last 5 starts – obviously deserves plenty of respect but he gets his first outside draw in
ages, and is listed as the 9/% ML choice...perhaps just a bit vulnerable tonight? (7) LAZ has finished well in his last
3 starts and definitely back on his game – not sure if he can find a manageable trip from out here, though. (8) CAUG
HTINALANDSLIDE is another more than good enough to be a player with these, but who might be stuck too far
back this evening. (2) VANDALISM has struggled in too many starts to strongly consider in this solid field. (3) TWI
GGS PUB could benefit from the barn and driver changes (and addition of Lasix) but may need to find a bit softer
spot. (5) HOUND ON THE BEACH is 1 for 27 this year and will have to prove that he can compete with the locals
RACE 2 – (1) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was a nose winner 4 back – had major excuses (from bad posts) in his
next pair, then was a game 1 st over 3rd last week – looking at a good trip tonight, and that may be the key to getting
him back to the winner’s circle. (3) COLD CREEK FELIPE is feeling good again, with 2 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd from
his last 4 starts – remains a very real threat. (6) SWISS COTTON is listed at 20-1 ML but just missed 3 back, and
was much sharper finishing in his last than his lie might suggest – not impossible. (2) HES HALF NAKED was a
close 2nd 2 back then kicked home full of pace for another (very) close 2nd last week – possibility. (4) ON DAYBOO
hasn’t been all that great before last week’s excellent 2nd behind #3 – needs to bring that same kind of effort tonight.
(5) VICTOR CRUISE has been stuck racing from the back vs. better in his last few – eligible to be closer to the
action with the class drop, and it would be no surprise to see him land on the ticket somewhere. (8) CELLMATE
drops down to his preferred 20s but also lands Post 8 – not sure if he can find a manageable trip here. (7) CHIP IN
BLUE doesn’t look great on paper right now, but a good trio at least gives him a chance
RACE 3 – (2) STORMONT DIVIDE has won 4 of 12 local starts, and 11 of 24 overall this year – he draws inside,
his current form is solid, and he’s one of a few with a chance in this short field. (3) PIONEER AS was used early
and folded late in the Breeders Crown last start, but she’s been taking on top ones regularly and has over $500K on
her card - she did race well here as a 3YO, and could be very dangerous tonight. (1) TORRONE has been holding
form nicely in his recent climb up the class ladder, and was a decent 4 th last week – an easy trip puts him in play for
a good piece tonight. (6) WARRAWEE XENIA won here 5 back but note that it’s her only victory over the past 2
seasons – she fits for sure, and can make some noise if the trip works out. (5) BELLISSIMO FACE AS saw her 6
race winning streak come to a thud last week thanks to an early miscue – very hard to know what to expect from her
tonight. (4) PAPA DOC has been back on his game lately, but still may have to settle for a smaller slice in here
RACE 4 – (6) HECANDANCENCRUISE may be worth a look here – he returned from a long layoff in August and
his efforts since then have been mixed at best...but he gets a class drop tonight and he MAY be able to take a shot at
leaving the gate – could be a good value play. (3) SOUTH POINT has a few good recent efforts, makes his 2
nd start at this reduced level (3 rd last week) and looms a live player. (1) PORTERS MAN is usually right in the mix, and that
should hold true from the pole tonight – logical one for exotics. (5) IRRESISTIBLE shipped down sharp from up
North and made his first local start a winning one, rallying late to get there – he’s going for 4 in a row tonight, and
he may be able to pull it off. (4) CLEVELAND B MIKI never wins but can usually finish well off an easy trip – ok
for the bottom of exotics. (8) LAST POUND was well backed last week, tried to cut the mile but faltered badly –
hard to really recommend from out here. (7) KNOCKIN OUT has some late pace at times, but is 32-1-1-2 record
this year is hard to ignore. And speaking of less than stellar records, (2) BEST BETTOR is now 0 for 57 at Yonkers
RACE 5 – (1) TO THE HUNT was used hard for the lead from Post 7 last week, ended up with a two hole trip and
was right there 3 rd to the wire – he’s looking at an easier trip here, and may be tough if he gets to control the action.
(2) SMOKIN BY N had been struggling for weeks but everything went his way 2 back and he was able to pick up a
victory – landed in a no-chance spot last week, but does figure to land on a pretty nice journey tonight – possible. (7)
TWO FACED broke before the start last week but he’ll do that at times – that should push his price up quite a bit,
and he’s a proven winner vs. these – may be worth considering. (3) JUDDY DOUGLAS A has been away for 3
weeks after a few less than stellar efforts – when he’s good, he can be a player with these...maybe if the price is
juicy enough? (6) MOONLIGHT SHADOW N was well backed on 10/3 (despite making his first start in a YEAR)
and just missed – he came back to win his next, was claimed that night, but hasn’t raced in a month since then –
mixed feelings! (4) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N put in one of the worst “hangs” ever 3 back, actually jogged in his
next (first win of 2024) then failed to function last week – it’s anybody’s guess as to what we’ll get from him here.
(5) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, but never a bad bomb for a small piece. (8) MARLBANK ROAD doesn’t
seem sharp enough right now to threaten from out here
RACE 6 – (5) BROOKVIEW DARIUS should be feeling pretty good about himself after last week’s front end
jogburger – he’ll probably have to race from off the pace in here, but there could be enough of a battle up front to set
him up for a nice late rally. (1) TOM SWIFTY was probably a bit overmatched in that Chester Winners Over last
week but could have also been hurt by the barn change, bad date, or both – he does have Ohio lines that could make
him a player here, and he’s worth considering at the right price. (3) ENERGYSOURCE is hard to gauge from week
to week but when ON his game, he’s a good fit with these. (4) GAELIHILL had trot finishing 2 back (2
nd start off the layoff) but weakened a bit last week – needs to bring his best if he hopes to battle for a top spot. (7) AUSTRAL
HANOVER fought off #3 last week after a good battle, but was no match late for the fresh-legged closer- tough
draw tonight may limit him to a smaller slice. (2) GRINDER went to the top and never looked back last week,
crushing ‘em at 36-1 - his prior form had been lacking, so we’ll see if can come close to replicating that mile. (6)
MAHONE SEELSTER is racing himself back into shape– maybe he can take home a minor share? (8) BAR COINS
is struggling badly right now...and draws Post 8
RACE 7 – (3) KEYSTONE DASH was his usual sharp self last week but ran into a VERY sharp winner and had to
settle for 2 nd best – he’s been feeling good for some time, and we’ll give him the edge for tonight. (1) PRETTY HA
NDSOME had been holding his own vs. 30s recently – the drop to 25s last week produced a 2 nd to a very sharp
winner, and he can be a big threat starting from the rail tonight. (2) NOME HANOVER is having trouble winning
races this year, but often races well enough to take home a piece– could easily happen here too. (6) RECORD
YEAR did plenty of damage recently vs. the 20s – bumped up to 25s after the claim but was wiped out off turn three
and lost all chance – playable here at the right price. (5) BARON MICHAEL was racing well out of town and
picked up a no-threat 3 rd here last week – a good trip could help him land in the exotics. (8) JACKS LEGEND N’s
last couple of starts here were ok – not sure how much damage he can do from out here, though. (4) VESPA N was a
perfect trip winner here 3 back, but may need a drop back down to 20s before we see her absolute best again. (7)
SHADOW IN RED was well backed an aggressively driven last week – he tired badly that night, and now draws
outside
RACE 8 – (2) DOMOVOY was very good in his first local try but broke coming to the half last week – at that 10-1
ML price, he seems worth sticking with, at least for tonight. (1) P L NOTSONICE felt like maybe she was starting
to tail off a bit after a long, strong season but that last rebound victory in PA suggests she may be back on her game
– anything close to her best puts her right into the mix here. (3) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS is another that seemed
to be tailing off before turning in a very strong try last week – possibility. (5) BEE FOREVER added Lasix last week
and continued to rally into the lane last week, despite getting a little choppy-gaited in the lane – we’ll see if the
immaculately bred 6YO can build off that last mile and be even more dangerous tonight. (4) RITSON was a solid
winner here on 10/11 but made an uncharacteristic miscue last week – he may be handled conservatively here, but
can still rally for a nice slice. (6) ENOLA has a trio of 2nds since the recent claim but started from the pole each
time – the move outside could hurt quite a bit. (7) I GET IT was scratched injured last week and draws poorly for
tonight – leaning to others. (8) TEXSONG SOPRANO was handled aggressively last week but wasn’t up for it.
RACE 9 – (4) WILLY WALTON has taken 3 of his last 4, with an uncharacteristic miscue in the other – he was just
reclaimed by the barn he won for on 10/17, and remains the one to knock off. (1) BULLY HILL just missed to the
top choice 4 back and started from Post 8 that night – he starts from the pole tonight, and looms the main threat. (8)
ICE BREAKERS K is very solid at this level and was just claimed by a barn that can pick up fresh stock – brutal
spot, but worth using in exotics at a big price. (2) KENOBI was extremely overdriven last time and paid for it – can
grab a piece here with a more conservative steer. (5) BRAVE BY DESIGN was very good for a few weeks but went
the wrong way in his last pair – eligible to rebound at any time (his listed trainer maintained a high % the last time
he took over the barn for a couple of months). (6) ERIN feels like she may still be a work in progress since recently
changing hands – may be in a little tough here. (3) UNFORGETTABLE has now finished 6 th in 5 straight starts –
leaning towards others. (7) SHEENA SOLDIER may be a bit ambitiously placed for his local return