Wednesday Empire Report

soaofny • Apr 17, 2024

The Empire Report – Wednesday, April 17, 2024 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) SWAGASAURUSREX came to life with a sharp win 3 back then followed it up with a crisp rallying

2nd behind a very sharp winner – gets a pass for his last (8 hole off 3 weeks) and looks pretty attractive here at that

8-1 ML price. (4) ATLANTIS appears to have tailed off dramatically but he did have an excuse last week – on his

best game he can certainly be a threat with these types, so perhaps consider if the price is right. (5) ART SCENE

showed some life 2 and 3 back immediately after joining a barn known for turnarounds – just got lost at the back last

week, but may be ready for a more aggressive try with the better draw – possibility. (2) CENTURY IGLESIAS ships

in sharp, but has been facing cheaper at Fhd. – we’ll see if he can replicate that form against this tougher bunch. (3)

LYONS JOHNNYJNR hasn’t been sharp and his barn has been struggling lately as well – a decent post and Gingras

seem to be his best attributes right now. (1) ALI ships in from Monti and feels a bit cheap – another that could be

helped by the draw, at least. Both (7) GOLDEN GESTURE and (8) KEYSTONE DASH have been struggling AND

are stuck with the two worst posts – sticking with others.


RACE 2 – John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 2: (4) SEA CAN was acquired by the leading barn in the nation last

Fall and looked terrific in his first start, winning at Nfd. Despite being parked from the start – took some time off

after a sick scratch and has come back super, finishing just behind TACHYON in last week’s sizzling 1:541 mile –

he’ll be very tough with anything close to that effort tonight. (2) IMMANUEL K S can be pretty inconsistent but he

brought a good one last week, finishing just behind one of the top choice’s talented barnmates – may be able to

complete the exacta once more. (1) FERRETTI was a good first over 2nd in Leg 1 and definitely one of the main

players in here...not sure that HE should be listed as the ML favorite, however. (5) LAVA FIELD was a solid 3

rd last week, even if well behind the top choice at the end – in line for another small piece tonight. (6) DIAMANTE TRIO

IT had tailed off considerably recently – her last may have been a little better, but still not ready to hop back on her

team. (3) INFINITY STONE (hopples off?) seems up against it vs. these types.


RACE 3 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 2 – good race! (2) CITY OF HOPE was stuck in the back early last

week but put in a steady rally to pick up 3rd, even if well off the top pair – he moves inside tonight, gets a switch to

Kakaley, and is one of several with a legitimate chance in this well matched field. (1) WICKENBURGH was an 8-1

overlay winner returning from Ohio on 3/22, went a BIG mile for 2nd from Post 8 the next start and would have had

a good chance to win LAST week had he shook free up the cones just a bit sooner – remains a very viable player. (4)

OPTRIX was forced to come first over from 5th last week but still managed to nose out #1 for the win, despite

making his first start since October – he’s eligible to be even sharper tonight...and that would make him very

dangerous. (3) COVENTRY HALL was handled aggressively in his 2nd start back in the U.S. and just came up a

little light at the end (3rd behind #4 and #1) – he’s another eligible to be that much better in Leg #2. (6) BLACK TIE

BASH is a talented trotter but he had trouble rallying from the back last week and may find himself facing the same

hurdle tonight. (7) RESOLVE TO WIN lived up to his name last week but was helped in a big way by the :59 half he

grabbed – much tougher spot for tonight, and that 3-1 ML price seems pretty low. (5) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO

had a better effort last week, but still seems unlikely against this bunch.


RACE 4 – (5) BATH BOMB was our clear choice here when the card was canceled on 4/3 and that was off just her

first career qualifier – she’s qualified even sharper since then, and looms a very short priced favorite for her career

debut. (1) OAKWOOD DYNASTY IR showed improvement in her 3rd U.S. start then converted a pocket trip to

victory the next week – not sure she can hang with the top choice, however (despite that absurd “even money” ML

price). (4) URSULA BLUE CHIP has raced ok when Smith has left the gate with her – chance for a good piece if

he’s aggressive tonight. (2) GROOVY JANE ANN has done well at Monti, draws well for tonight and may be able

to tow along for a share. (6) PINE BUSH MAGA is 0 for 22 locally but does grab some pieces – will need some trip

luck to grab one from out here, though. (3) GANDY DANCER has shown little in her 3 YR starts this year.


RACE 5 – (2) ITALIAN DELIGHT N could have been hurt by both the bad date and tough trip last week when 2nd

best to #1 – better draw, gets right back in the box, and may be ready to unleash a bigger effort. (1) LYONS PRIDE

delivered his best ever local start when 2nd two back, then built off that with last week’s decisive victory – major

threat to take another, especially if the top choice comes up a bit short again. (8) ALOTBETTOR N is an interesting

bomb – his form fell off a cliff this winter but he qualified much better last week (after a month off) and plummets

tonight from 30s down to 15s – could be looking for a “drop and pop”, or may be just be hoping that somebody

claims him! (4) DAAMERICANSKY did a nice job holding 2nd last week after getting blown away by the favorite

and his overall form is solid – very playable underneath. (3) LIBERY N FREEDOM hung a bit trying for 2

nd last week but his overall form is solid – another with a chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (6) MINGO JOEL

wasn’t bad at all last week and has a couple of other “sneaky ok” tries recently – maybe 3rd/4th? (5) MAGRITTE has

been struggling for some time. (7) PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN would be a major surprise from a spot like this.


RACE 6 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 2: (1) WARRAWEE YANG came into this series riding a 4 race

winning streak out of town, and was able to extend that streak to 5 with last week’s sharp 1:55.3 victory – looms a

heavy favorite to add another “W” tonight. (3) MOHATU AS was making just his first start of the year last week but

finished up with good trot after being shuffled – should go forward off that mile, with a chance at a bigger chunk

tonight. (5) DEADLINE HALL landed on a tough trip in Leg 1 and held pretty well for 4th – can have a bigger say

tonight with an easier journey. (4) CRISTAL TRIO IT started off her U.S. career with a pair of excellent tries but she

was used hard trying for the lead last week and folded badly after the top choice blew by her to 3/4s – guessing

she’ll be handled more conservatively here, and may bounce right back with a much better effort. (6) CREATIVE

VENTURE is very capable against these types but he failed to fire from the back of the pack last week and may find

himself in a similarly tough spot tonight. (2) STRONGERWITHLINDY was short last week racing off the layoff

and may still find himself well behind the top ones.


RACE 7 – (7) SIR PINOCCHIO hit board in 5 of 7 as a 2YO, won the Excelsior A Final and may have ended his

season with a Reynolds division win if not for a stretch miscue – shows 2 sharp qualifiers for his 3YO return

(including a close 2nd behind the talented OPTRIX), and has to get top billing...even from out here. (2) MAGIC

MELVIN has some ok lines to start off his young career but he deserves EXTRA consideration because he hails

from a barn that has started off the year winning at a rate rarely seen anywhere (which includes last night’s $54.50

winner in Race 8) – feels like they could win with a zebra right now! (4) BARN DREAMER was 7-4-2-1 as a 2YO

– moves to a new barn to start off her 3YO campaign, adds Lasix, and should be able to make some noise tonight.

(3) LIGHTNING TAMER hails from a top barn, shows a couple of nice preps and may be able to at least have some

say in his first start as a 3YO. (6) EL MISSION GODDESS sharpened at PcD and was a nice 2nd in her YR return

last week – tough post tonight, however. (8) MR KNOWITALL finished with good trot once clear last week and his

overall recent form isn’t bad – he’ll be a big price tonight, and perhaps can sneak in for 3rd/4th? (1) TO MY CREDIT

went one of his better efforts 2 back but regressed quickly last week – prefer others. (5) WISTERIA HANOVER has

some good moments, but usually when in vs. softer than these.


RACE 8 – (1) TAKE A GAMBLE has taken 2 of his last 3 starts, the one loss a 2nd to the currently raging BOILING

OAR – he meets a quality field here, but the draw gives him the edge. (5) ADAM TWELVE has now hit board in

ALL 16 local starts, but he’s showing at least SOME wear and tear in his last few – can never count this team out,

but he’ll need to get back to that absolute top form if he hopes to get back to the winner’s circle. (3) NIGHT HAWK

had a pretty disappointing 4YO campaign but has come back much sharper at 5, already 8-3-3-1 this year – he seems

to do his best on the lead these days, but it’s hard to say if he’ll be able to cut the mile tonight. (6)

DOWNRIGHTDELICIOUS was downright scary in his last, exploding in the lane to score the 30-1 shocker, despite

making only his 2nd start of the year AND racing off a month (due to a sick scratch) – we’ll see if he can come up

with another big mile, this time up in class (a bit) and from another tough post! (4) KINGSVILLE actually raced

huge last week, doing all the heavy lifting before #6 (who followed him all the way) just flew on by in the lane –

chance for a piece against these with an easier trip. (8) ULTIMAROCA isn’t always the most consistent horse on the

planet but he’s putting together a nice streak of good races right now – not sure there’s a way into the hunt for him

from out here, however. (2) CADILLAC BAYAMA steps up considerably in class but he’s been solid for weeks, his

barn is going well, and perhaps he can pick up a minor share with an easy enough trip. (7) GREG THE LEG is tough

as nails but faces an uphill battle starting from Post 7 against these.


RACE 9 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 2: (7) TACHYON was in career form to start off the year, hit a brief

rough patch but is back to hitting on all cylinders again – have to stick with him, even from the bad post (and even

with Bartlett staying loyal to his main client). (5) GLOBAL BELIEVER probably needed that last start when he was

an even 3rd – he’s done some good work here in the past, gets Bartlett back in the bike and may be the one should the

top choice falter. (3) CHEZACTIC went right to the top for his new connections last week but lost all chance after

an early miscue – still not sure how well he fits with the better ones in this series, but he’ll be a big price here and

may be worth using in exotics. (4) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM can throw some big miles at times – a good trip

could help him grab a piece of this. (1) CASSIUS HANOVER has hit board in all 9 local starts, including a 3

rd last week- he may be a bit on the cheaper side, but the rail draw gives him at least a chance to keep

that streak alive. (2)DYLADMAR has a couple of even 4ths since arriving from NJ – likely looking at some more

minor spoils for tonight. (6) YOU GOT IT draws poorly after a miscue last week – sticking with others tonight.


RACE 10 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg 2: (6) ROYALTY BEER was hammered at the windows last week

(dropping from all those competitive Open tries) and was the easiest of winners – tougher draw tonight, but remains

the one to knock off. (4) BY THE BOOK shows a bunch of terrific Stga. lines so it was no surprise to see him race

very well upon arrival last week, despite racing from a very tough spot – he gets Randall to trek down for the drive

once more, and may be able to make some more noise with a more aggressive steer. (1) BONTONI DEGATO S was

no match at all for #6 last week but safely held 2nd– decent chance he could complete the exacta once more. (2) CAL

MILES N SHELL seemed to hang a bit at the end last week but he was also chasing a mile much faster than he’s

used to – goes 2nd time Lasix tonight, and we’ll see if he can come up a bit better. (3) CRAZY BROTHER JM hails

from low profile connections but he had some good lines shipping in, and didn’t embarrass himself last week –

maybe a small slice? (5) DRACO S has been a steady player vs. solid competition but still may be looking at only

minor scraps from this spot. (7) BLUEBIRD BISHOP has some ability it seems, but is really up against it from all

the way out here.


RACE 11 – Competitive race: (1) IMABEACHBOY bumps up from 15s to 20s but he’s earned that jump on the

strength of back to back wins – his barn has been able to win at high rates at multiple tracks, and we’ll see if this guy

can make it 3 in a row tonight. (3) PRESTIGE SEELSTER brought a 2 race winning streak into his last start but lost

all chance when parked from Post 7 – he’s another that’s definitely scarier in 15s, but capable in 20s as well. (5) CA

PTAIN T HANOVER (former barnmate to #1) is another that has been a weekly player lately, and figures to have a

big say tonight as well – a good trip puts him right into the mix. (2) SHANWAY N gets a pass for his last (horrible

trip) but has been good for late rallies in most of his recent starts – good one to use in exotics...and maybe even on

top? (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP is the “x factor” tonight – we liked him taking on 40s last week but now he drops

down to 20s off a weak effort – red flags for sure, but still a tough call as to what to do with him here. (4) SHARK

PLAY drops from 30s to 20s and that could help his chances – still leaning more towards others for the top spots,

however. (7) IM J BEE N had a great run this winter but has come back to earth recently – he’s missed 3 weeks, and

draws poorly too. (8) JOJOS PLACE seems unlikely to ever get close tonight.

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