Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (5) SOHO DOW JONES A has generally done his best work on the lead so his last effort was particularly impressive (came first over, wore down MULLINAX in the stretch and only lost to a perfect trip HEMWORTH N) – he drops a bit, and a similar effort would make him very tough here…especially if he can cut this mile. (1) MULLIN AX was sent off at 4/5 off the class drop last week but was worn down by the top choice and weakened to 4th – he’s capable of better, and his price will move up a bit for those looking to give him another chance. (4) PEACE OUT POSSE was scratched due to transportation issues last week so he’ll get to put his 4 race winning streak on the line tonight – he’s facing tougher (again), but simply too sharp to ignore right now (6) STREE T HAWK N was a front end winner the last time he dropped down to this level (3 back) but he does face a tougher trip this time – still worth a look if the price is right. (3) KINGSVILLE was in a tough spot last week and could only manage a 4th – may be looking at another minor share tonight against this solid bunch. (2) SIX DEGREES draws inside but does seem to prefer to be in a bit easier. (7) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was a game winner last week, picking up his first local win of 2025 – tonight’s class jump and outside draw do figure to slow him down, though. 

RACE 2 – (1) TOBINS CHESTER was well meant in his last 2 local tries but brutally parked each time – he went over to Pocono and won his next (lifetime best 1:50), and now draws the pole for his YR return – his barn has been red hot, and we’ll give him the edge for tonight. (2) MIND HUNTER is sharper than he looks on paper, and could have been much closer last week if handled more aggressively – the right trip would give him a real chance in here. (6) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is capable of beating these types, and even better – he faces an uncertain trip from this spot, but a good price makes him worth at least a look. (5) ROYAL DESIRE last win wasn’t nearly as shocking as his 72-1 win price – he’s added consistency and maturity this year, and may be able to grab a piece here, even with the class jump. (3) WALKINSHAW N has been steady lately, and an easy trip would put him in play for a piece of this. (7) OUTLAW MAN N got pretty sharp here this summer and his move out of town was probably because the barn has so many other horses in the higher classes – he returns at a reasonable level, but MAY prefer to wait for another class drop (and better post) after landing out here. (4) DEETZY had a great start to his 13YO campaign but he's tailed off lately, and comes into tonight having missed 3 weeks. 

RACE 3 – (1) HIMSELF N was outstanding in that powerful first over win on 8/18 so it was no surprise to see him repeat on the lead last week – he steps up another notch but he’s still more than capable at this level, especially with the inside draw – we’ll give him the narrow edge. (2) DIEGO N was disappointing after making the lead last week, but he did get used a bit to get there – if he brings his best tonight he’ll be very dangerous against these…but it’s hard to say if he’s in “top form” right now. (5) HP MOMENTUM failed to beat a single horse in any of his last 3 starts but he DID deliver a mega “brush and crush” win 4 starts back – we’ll see if the class drop helps him get a wake up call (3) JUMPINGJACKMAC N was off to a rocky start in the U.S. but has settled in and is racing much better lately – not sure he’s ready to beat these, but he can definitely grab a good piece from this spot. (4) NONE BE TTOR A has surely lost a few more miles off his fastball at age 12, but he gets his best local draw in a while and that may allow him to land somewhere in the exotics. (6) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A gets some class relief but he also gets a bad draw– he drops a win off his card after tonight, and could look better with another drop last week. (7) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A has been picking up endless smaller pieces while just 1 for 22 on the year – his first bad draw in a while figures to hurt. (8) REDWOOD HANOVER lands in our leading barn upon arrival but he’s missed more than 3 weeks and draws Post 8 – guessing he’ll take a conservative approach tonight. 

RACE 4 – Shirt field but tough race: (5) ALWAYS A THRILL got an easy trip off the layoff/qualifier and finished with good pace – he should be that much tighter now, but the barn’s recent cold streak makes it tough to “love” his chances – willing to try him, if the price is right. (6) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N was pacing best off all at the end last week, but from an impossible spot – he’s become ultra-reliable, but will still need some trip luck to win from Post 6. (4) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A never looked “strong” last week but still wasn’t far back at the end – he’s won 11 of 23 local starts this year, and always worth considering if the price is fair. (3) HOWLENTHEHILLS ended up in tough spots 2 and 3 back, then just got used too hard looking to cut the mile in his last – he’s gone plenty of efforts that would put him right in the mix here. (2) ALL CLASS has been very sharp but he’s missed 3 weeks (after being scratched sick) and would be hard to endorse as the 2-1 ML favorite. (1) COMBUSTION is racing well but being asked to take on much tougher tonight – has to prove he can hang with these. 

RACE 5 – (3) ALTA CLASSIC A recently got very sharp at the $30K level then continued to hold that top form vs. the 40s – he was quickly re-claimed last week, gets a good draw, and we’ll give him the slight edge over a couple of other very live players. (2) MUSIC HALL has been getting sharper and sharper lately, and moves up to 40s tonight off a very sharp win vs. the 30s – he was re-claimed from his last, and could be very dangerous here if things go his way. (4) DONTLIKEITLEAVE gave it a big try dropping from 60s to 40s last week, though he did get beat by a horse who had the much tougher trip – an easy journey makes him a big threat here. (5) ROCKMYSTER N was an 11-1 upset winner off the barn change 4 back, and his form has been holding well since then – he was a good 4th at a big price last week, and has a chance to grab a share here too. (6) RENAISSANCE DEO was all out to win at the bottom level 3 back but has continued to race well even as he’s moved up in class – chance for some minor spoils with some trip luck. (8) HUNGER STRIKE was a 14-1 overlay winner last week, but that was on the lead, vs. 30s – tougher task now. (1) JETT STAR N is racing ok now, but may be ambitiously placed at the $40K level. (7) SHAKE SPEARE went a poor effort in his last (new barn, off 3 weeks) and now draws poorly for another new barn tonight. 

RACE 6 – (5) HAZEVILLE is a streaky horse and he’s certainly good right now (probably wins 3 back if he had room, DID win from Post 8 in his next and then a hard used 3rd from Post 7 last week) – his price will finally come down, but still be good enough to be worth using on top. (1) MELANION N raced evenly while no factor upon arrival from upstate, then was much sharper last week (no room in the lane, or maybe a chance to win?) – could have a big say from the pole tonight. (2) SOHO SANTORINI A came up 2nd best in his qualifier to a mare that won on Saturday, then was handled conservatively in his first U.S. start – check the tote board! (3) SLIP THE HUNDY N won in NJ off the barn change then had pace last week once free in the lane – would be no surprise tonight, but the 5/2 ML price is a turnoff. (7) ESCAPE TO AMERICA is usually pacing well late but the terrible draw may offset the class drop – long way to come from out here. (6) PLEASELETMEKNOW was dull in a pair of Borgata legs then went on the shelf for 5 months – prefer to just observe, for now. (4) WASA HEAT SEEKER N is off a month. 

RACE 7 – Wide open! (7) JUST ENUFF STUFF was hammered at the windows upon joining a suddenly white-hot barn, found gate speed he hadn’t shown in ages, and almost was able to hang on (run down late by a sharp tripsitter) – he’s probably looking at a much tougher trip tonight, but a good price makes him worth considering. (6) ALL AL ONE has been sharp for weeks, and goes for his 4th top barn in 4 starts tonight – poor draw, but some trip luck makes him very dangerous. (4) CAPTAIN PARADISE has really improved since adding Lasix, and should be brimming with confidence off 3 sharp Monti wins – an upset is not out of the question. (1) CHICKEN N DICE has some nice recent efforts, and will surely be handled very aggressively tonight (rail, and Holland) – the question is whether he’s up for it. (5) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH has been claimed 5 straight weeks and finally moves up to 30s after last week’s blowout win– add him to the long list of possibilities. (2) TWIGGS PUB prefers 20s, but has shown that he can threaten 30s too, with the right trip (3) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY is listed on the bottom but not impossible. 

RACE 8 – (2) SWEET BEACH LIFE has won 4 of his last 6 starts (easily), with major excuses in the 2 losses – he still has one win left before he has to leave this class, and there’s a good chance he can get it tonight. (3) WHATS ST ANLEY GOT A continues to race well week after week, handles any trip that comes his way and belongs in exotics once more (4) MACS DELIGHT was handled very conservatively last week making his first start in a month– drops right back in the box, gets a good draw, and can surely make some noise here (1) BENHOPE RULZ N has been very good for weeks, and knew just what to do last start when he miraculously shook free into the final turn – steps up again, but an easy trip may see him stick around for a decent slice. (6) ADMIRAL HILL drops down after a tough 1st over try last week and is a better fit with these – he does face an uncertain trip starting from Post 6, however. (7) AMERICAN DEALER N hasn’t won in a long time but has hit board in most of his starts – if you think Kelly can get him in play from out here, that 20-1 ML price makes him appealing for exotics. (8) CARABAO A is very sharp, but figures to be limited by the draw. (5) SHERLOCK N will look to save ground, and rally for some minor spoils. 

RACE 9 – (2) SADDLE UP has won 3 straight, 6 of his last 7, 13 of 24 on the season and 4 in a row for Holland – hard to NOT list him on top! (5) SOUTHWIND PETYR had pace from an impossible spot last week, gets a better draw, and can handle a variety of trips – could offer some value (8-1 ML). (4) ALEX TYE was off a month to his last but held well from start to finish for 3rd – another value possibility if looking to try against #2. (3) EVER HOPI NG was well backed for his YR return but was a little short late after being used into a hot 3/4s – an easier trip could make him a player, even up a bit in class. (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N is terrific in 25s but more of a ? in 30s – at least he should be looking at an easy trip! (6) REIGNING DEO was unable to replicate the huge effort that led to a blowout win 2 back, and now draws poorly – minor share? (7) CUT N RUN N drops from 60s to 30s in his 2nd try off the layoff – not ready to bite. (8) ROCKIN N TALKIN has proven himself in this class but will coming from last.