The Empire Report – Thursday, April 25, 2024 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (5) MAJOR DESIRE actually raced much better last week than his line looks, as he tried to blast from
Post 8, had to retreat to last, then was pacing well at the end – his high % barn is still looking for their first win here
this season...maybe tonight? (3) STOP STARING looked home free last week only to falter in the latter stages – he
was racing off 3 weeks, however, and that may have been a factor...definitely a chance to redeem himself here. (4)
TYGA HANOVER drops in for a tag and this feels like a good level for him – live player, but note that he’s 0 for 13
here over the last 2 years. (1) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE got very sharp here last fall but started to tail off, then spent
4 months on the shelf – very hard to predict how ready he’ll be for tonight. (6) LUCIANO N was both good and also
opportunistic as he picked up a rare YR victory last week – sticking with others on top tonight, but will consider him
for underneath. (2) FLOW WITH JOE seems to need an easy trip to have any success this year – maybe some minor
spoils? (7) MISSILE SEELSTER had an easy trip last week and had a chance for better, if sharper – tough draw for
tonight. (8) BLUEBIRD RECON doesn’t seem nearly sharp enough to be a player from out here
RACE 2 – (3) HILLEXOTIC was a pretty easy winner in last week’s Open, sent off as the odds-on choice despite
having been away for 6 months – he somehow avoids being assigned the outside for tonight, and that will make him
the prohibitive choice to make it 2 in a row. (1) TEXSONG SOPRANO was a pretty solid 3rd in his first try at this
top level and lands the pole once more – chance to be right in the hunt once more, regardless of whether Zeron opts
to be more aggressive tonight, or is content to rally at the end. (5) CREDIT CON is feeling pretty good right now,
and was an excellent 2nd to #3 last week – chance to grab another good piece if things go his way. (6) NOWS THE
MOMENT has a resume that speaks for itself but he had some trouble (because of inside leavers) last week and may
end up in that same situation tonight – could be in a tough spot once more. (2) I GET IT has done good work since
arriving here 4 starts back – he’ll be a good price, and would be no real surprise to see him grab a piece. (4) SWAN
IN MOTION has been sharp in Delaware, but will have to prove that he can be as effective as the locals
RACE 3 – (3) B NICKING doesn’t seem quite as sharp as he was a little while ago, but his last was a step back in
the right direction and he does get some class relief here – we’ll look for a big mile from him tonight. (2) VINNY
DE VIE is 0 for 4 here this year but has been right there every start – no reason he can’t be a big threat tonight, as
well. (5) TOP ME OFF has gone some big miles when on his game this year (like last week!), and has already won 5
of his 10 starts – if he brings his very best, he can be a legitimate threat once more. (4) JULA MUSCLE PACK beat
a NW10000 field 2 back, stepped up a peg and won again last week – moves up yet another level tonight, but may
have to settle for a bit smaller piece this time around. (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was just given no chance last
week by Pantaleano and probably could have been closer at the end – not a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (6)
UNEVERGONNAGETHIS picked up a nice 2 nd at 46-1 last week, but was really helped by the following the very
live cover from #5 – may not land on as good a trip tonight. (1) BLACK TIE BASH draws inside but really didn’t
look all that sharp in his last 2 starts
RACE 4 – (2) TIPSY MONI had gone a long time without any miscues but did go offstride at the start last week –
her very sharp connections drop her right back into the box and we’ll trust that there are no major issues – she
certainly deserves a chance to make amends, after beating these so many times already. (1) PERFECT VIXEN
finished well for 3rd last week despite having to overcome both a bad date, and less than stellar trip – she should be
tighter tonight, and figures to have a big say starting from the pole. (4) P L NOTSONICE had a tough trip in her first
local try but landed on a MUCH better journey last week and was the easiest of winners (in the race where #2 made
a break) – deserves plenty of respect off that mile. (7) HOT FLASH KIMMY has had no luck in her two local starts,
making a costly early miscue on 3/28 (then putting in a big recovery), and then getting brutally parked last week –
clearly no luck with the draw tonight, but she does have a chance to outperform that 20-1 ML price. (5) NO MAS
DRAMA is one of the more unpredictable mares in here – on her best, she can be a big player...but it’s been tough
to know which version is going to show up. (3) IMA DIAMOND BABE landed on a good trip last week and was
able to pick up a 2nd – still not sure she’s as good as some of the top ones, however. (6) LADY JETER needs a much
better draw to be a threat with these.
RACE 5 – (3) URIEL BLUE CHIP definitely has ability, but he’s not always “smooth” and that gets him into some
trouble at times – he did look good (and race well) last week, and tonight’s draw probably gives Gingras a chance to
get this guy to the top at some point – willing to hop on board here. (1) FINAL CHEESERECIPE was very good in
his local debut, a little disappointing in his next then sharp again last week – deserves a good look starting from the
pole tonight. (2) BIG DREAM FELLA is prone to the occasional miscue, but is definitely a rock solid player at this
level – hard to know if he’ll be hurt by the 3 weeks off, however. (7) LAZ has come back solid this year, picking up
a win and a 2nd here at YR before a blowout win (vs. cheaper) at Monti last week – he does spot his main rivals a
major post edge, however. (5) JK STANDINGOVATION has raced well here at times in the past, but seems a bit on
the cheaper side right now (as he returns from NJ). (6) ALLBETSONFRITZ probably needs a better draw to be a
serious threat against these types. (4) AIRY SHADOW has a few decent Monti efforts but is another that feels a bit
on the cheaper side. (8) HURRIKANE CHUCK has failed to hit board in his first 5 starts this year – now Post 8
RACE 6 – NAADA Amateur Spring Series: (3) ALLINDOTIME got away at the back last start and never had a
prayer...but he was a winner at Fhd. the week before, and picked up a pair of Meadowlands wins in March with
Calabrese on board – figures to have a big say tonight with the much better draw. (7) KASHAS BOY figures to be a
big price from out here but he won an amateur race as the favorite 2 back (at Monti) and Schwartz is never shy about
trying to leave the gate – if he can find a decent trip, he may be able to add some value to this ticket. (2) WINNERE
SS has been mostly just “ok” lately but he may end up fairly close to the pace tonight and that would give him a
chance to at least grab a piece of this. (4) BACARDI was dull through most of the mile last start but he seems to be
a better horse when put in play early – another that could be a player here with a good getaway. (5) MAKING SPAR
KS is a grinding type that can sometimes show up late for a share – decent bomb for the bottom of tris and supers.
(6) JIVE NINETY FIVE has done some good here at times in the past but he’s started off 2024 at 7-0-0-0, goes for a
new barn tonight and has been away for 23 days – would need a better price than his 4-1 ML to seriously consider.
(1) CYCLONE MAXIMUS draws the pole but made breaks in his last 2 starts and just hasn’t been that sharp in
general (8) EVERYONES TALKIN wired an amateur field at Monti in last, but tonight’s draw is a major roadblock
RACE 7 – Good race! (8) MANCLANE flew off the car and right to the top from Post 8 last week, putting in a
good mile to be 3rd – he may be able to throw that same loop tonight, and may he even be a bit tighter now...one of a
few good value plays in this wide-open affair (5) SHARE THE WEALTH is 2 for 2 since the recent barn change,
beating a bit easier at PcD – he may be able to use his speed here, but can also race from behind, if necessary –
possibility. (6) STEUBEN HANOVER was hurt badly by poor cover for his new barn last week but kept on coming
late to be a close 3rd – he wins more than his share of races, and has to be feared with any decent trip. (4) INN AT
RODANTHE had been sharpening for weeks and was finally rewarded with a win last start – a repeat is not out of
the question. (1) HOMER HALL missed virtually all of 2023, but has started to sharpen (in PA) for his current barn
– he has plenty of back class, so it would be no surprise to see him do well here. (3) J S HOPSCOTCH gave it a
good try for his new barn last week before giving way late – he’ll go for another new barn here and while we’re
leaning towards others, he’d certainly be no real surprise. (7) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND was a sharp winner last
week and has done all good work in 2024 – he’s only listed this far down because of the draw, but the right trip gives
him a chance at a big price. (2) CANTKEEPMIASECRET has a good Yonkers history but she does seem a notch
below some of these sharp ones right now
RACE 8 - NAADA Amateur Spring Series – several sharp ones in here! (4) SHOEMAKER HANOVER may be the
sharpest of all, with a pair of recent front end blowouts sandwiched around some very good rallies from tough spots
– Calabrese certainly has options from this spot, and may be in position to win BOTH of tonight’s amateur events.
(1) RACEACE has hit board in 5 straight (one win) and will surely be using his speed from the pole – figures to be
an up close player from start to finish. (2) JUST A PASSENGER raced well in both local starts this year (2
nd and 3rd) and returns off a 2nd up at Monti – another very logical player. (3) ALL RISE returned from a 4 month layoff to blow
out a field at Fhd. last week – hard to not give him proper respect off that mile, especially since he won 9 races last
year! (5) CALL ME THE FIREMAN is another that likes to win races, and he picked up a victory here 3 starts back
– drawing outside 4 very sharp foes may limit him to a smaller slice tonight, however. (7) SKYWAY PROFESSOR
raced very well here for an upset victory 4 back, and has held his form very nicely since then – brutal post in a tough
field tonight, however. (8) MUSCLE DAN has been behaving lately and been rewarded, hitting board here 3 and 4
back before winning last week upstate – another who may be hampered severely by the draw, however. (6) SWAN
FACTOR is listed here on the bottom but even he picked a big upset win here (46-1) just 4 starts back!
RACE 9 – (5) ALL CHAMPY raced super most weeks for almost 2-3 years straight but then went on the shelf after
a win on 8/24 – he returned 8 months later and was “ok” in his 2 starts back, seemingly racing himself back into
shape – he catches a very shaky group of 40s tonight, and it might be time that he gets a bit more serious. (1) THE
BALLYKEEL DEAL upped her game quickly upon arriving from Canada to one of our top barns – she had no
chance in her first start at this level but moves all the way inside tonight, and should be able to have a much bigger
say. (8) BLUEBIRD BISHOP showed nothing in his first start for our leading barn but he’s definitely capable of
better – if the tote board suggests that he’s “live” tonight, you may want to upgrade his chances. (2) CRESCENT
BEAUTY has struggled in many of her starts this year but did look a little better last week – she may be on the
upswing, and that would give her a chance for a piece tonight. (6) CHING CHING LUCKY is listed at 20-1 on the
ML but she has a couple of decent looking tries at PcD, she gets a good driver change and may be able to land
somewhere on the bottom of the ticket. (3) ILLINI EARL also has a couple of decent tries in PA but he was never all
that great here in the past – mixed feelings. (5) CREDARENA has 2 wins this season but has been terrible in most of
his other starts. (7) PERFECT TITAN was a winner at Plainridge last week but he’ll face tougher here, and from a
terrible post
RACE 10 – (5) PAT STANLEY N has taken 2 of his last 3 starts and was very sharp in both of those victories (with
a “good” 3rd between those two wins) – he should be looking at another good trip tonight, and has to be given top
billing. (2) NOWHERE CREEK A is listed at 20-1 ML but he’ll likely go off considerably shorter than that – he’s
come around lately, but his results have been hurt by a trio of recent 8 holes – the move inside should put right into
the mix tonight. (4) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES isn’t on his “best” game but he was 2nd to the top choice last week,and has hit board in 3 of his last 4 starts – belongs in exotics. (3) KERFORD ROAD A brings a 3 race winning streak into this, but he was a bit fortunate to hang on last time – he can’t be discounted, but he does feel a bit more vulnerable tonight. (8) ON THE VIRG moves up in class and draws Post 8 – he would have been easier to ignore had his barn not send out a few big bombs this week! (1) HURRIKANE GEORGIE is going through a rough patch right now – we’ll see if the inside draw helps him find a better effort. (7) GLACIS figures to be coming from well
out of it, and that could limit him for tonight. (6) PASS A GRILLEBEACH has faltered on the lead in his last few
and now starts from a bad post – sticking with others.