Tuesday Empire Report

RACE 1 - (7) CHUPPAH ON had been knocking on the door for several starts before getting over the

hump with last week's victory - the outside draw probably means she'll be a decent price tonight, and she

just may be able to repeat if Stratton can find her a manageable trip. (5) WOODMERE SKYROLLER got

lost at the back from Post 8 last week but she had a few encouraging tries before that - if they mix things up

a bit tonight she may be able to use her rally nicely...and that 20-1 ML price definitely gives her wagering

appeal. (1) BETTER WATCH IT can be a little hard to gauge from week to week but she certainly feels like

she CAN beat these IF she shows up on her best game - willing to include her as long as the price is fair. (4)

VELOCITY MCSWEETS has come back around, hitting board in her last 4 starts - when she's good, she's

usually a player against these types....at least for a piece. (2) TOBAGO TIME has a couple of recent wins

in this class but also threw a bit of a dud last week - certainly eligible to rebound with a good one tonight,

but that 2-1 ML price does make her a bit less attractive. (3) CORA BELLA had some recent success at the

bottom levels but hasn't shown that she can do damage with these right now- leaning towards others. (6)

NORMANS MADELINE can be excruciatingly unpredictable from start to start - doesn't feel like a good

spot tonight, either way. (8) LAURIE LEE is off form and draws poorly once again.

RACE 2 - (6) PREMIER DREAMER tired a bit in his YR debut but he was facing MUCH better that night

- not thrilled about the 3 weeks off but as long as he's a fair price, he may be worth a shot against a group

that should be more to his liking. (7) RB had been solid since arriving in Oct. so last week's 8-1 price was a

big overlay, for sure. Lands the same Post 7 tonight but if Stratton is aggressive again, he has a legitimate

chance to repeat. (4) GENERAL MONTANA N hails from top shelf connections but the recent import just

hasn't been finishing well enough since arriving in the U.S. (qualifiers, and lone start) - he'll put it all

together and win one of these weeks....but make sure to get a decent price if you think it'll be tonight. (8)

HP LIS SHADOW is as good as any of these but just isn't as handy - raced big for 2nd last (behind #7)

when WAY overbet, and the price will be a lot better tonight - chance if the contenders really bang heads up

front. (2) GREG THE LEG held well for 3rd last week behind #7 and #8, and does have a post edge for

tonight - still likely looking at only a smaller piece, though. (5) LETMECALLYOUBACK wasn't bad from

Post 8 last week - chance to rally for 3rd/4th at a big price (if things go his way). (3) GUSSYS TRUMP CA

RD raced well a few times here in the past but does look a but below several of the main players. (1) BRAZ

EN BRAZILIAN is just 3 for 80 lifetime, and 0 for 26 here over the last 2 years - can sometimes follow ok,

but still have to stick with others.

RACE 3 - Good race: (3) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was well backed in both his 2nd and 3rd U.S. starts,

racing big both times while coming up 2nd best - maybe tonight he can land on an easier trip, and pick up

that first local victory? (5) ALTA BLUES A has been a bit up and down since arriving in the U.S. earlier

this year - seems to be on the upswing again, and looms a live player tonight if the trip goes his way. (2)

DIAMONDBEACH cut the mile off the class drop last week but was worn down and weakened to 4th

-drops another peg and can probably try to cut it again (if he wants to) - remains a very legitimate threat. (4)

NOWHERE CREEK A hit the top (at a nice price) last week off the class drop, but couldn't hold off the

field sweeping winner- he remains a very good fit at this level, but his 1 for 22 local record is at least a bit

concerning. (7) REIGNING DEO has one good move in him and he was able to use it perfectly in last

week's victory - moves up a notch and lands outside here, and that will probably leave him looking at a

smaller piece this time. (1) CAPTAINS PLACE draws best but came up terrible in both starts since the barn

change - prefer to see some better signs before endorsing. (6) DECOY had every chance to win last week

but racing off the pace really isn't his strong suit - seems to be in a bad spot tonight, whether he tries to

leave, or is taken off the pace again. (8) STRAIGHT UP COOL has been finding some form vs. easier in

PA, but this is a much tougher assignment - leaning towards others.

RACE 4 - (3) FUNATTHEBEACH N has 15 wins here over the past 2 years including a Borgata Final -

he's closing in on $1M in career earnings and is pretty hard to go against down at this NW20000 level - that

being said, his last start in NJ does look pretty dull, and that was after missing a month....probably not the

best night to bet the rent money, at a short price! (1) COPPER TEEN jumped up from the "NWPM" classes

to take on older foes at this level 2 starts back....and wired them from Post 8 -- has to be respected dropping

back down to that same level, and starting from the pole tonight. (4) RIP WHEELER had an outstanding

3YO season in the Midwest, earning over $300K - he looks like he can be a player in his first local try but it

would be hard to take a short price as he tackles his elders, and will also have to negotiate the half - will be

watching him closely. (2) CHANTEE has been sharp since arriving from Canada 5 starts ago, holding his

form even as he's climbed his way up from the bottom level- the good draw puts him in play for another

piece tonight. (5) SEMI TOUGH throws his share of duds but usually bounces back relatively quickly -

didn't look great in his last couple, but that doesn't mean he can't rebound tonight - willing to use in exotics.

(6) ROLLING WITH SAM lacked room last week so it's hard to say what he had left - even assuming that

he still had plenty of pace, tonight's spot probably doesn't leave him with a lot of good options (8) PRETTY

HANDSOME was aggressive last week and picked up a sharp, overdue victory - he moves up in class here

while also going from the rail to Post 8, and that's just not usually a recipe for success. (7) WALKINSHAW

N also was a winner last week but he's up in class here, and likely coming from way back - prefer others.

RACE 5 - (2) FOX VALLEY REN just missed in his local debut - disappointed in his next, but was

"sneaky sharp" last week, finishing crisply from an impossible spot - may be a spot where he can trip out,

and grab a victory. (6) DAAMERICANSKY gave it all he had on the front end last week before coming up

2nd best to the class-dropping winner - barn just way too hot right now NOT to use this guy. (1) BET ON

BLAKE is used to facing better here and has a pretty solid Yonkers history - he's been struggling lately,

however, and has also been away for 24 days - have to respect his chances, but hard to swallow that 2-1 ML

price. (4) MINGO JOEL was an odd claim considering he's just 1 for 35 this year, and hasn't been 1st or

2nd in 18 local starts - that being said, he goes to a crafty conditioner and is eligible to perk up -- use in

exotics. (8) PADUKA N goes a good one here and there and his last victory did indeed come with Brennan

driving - on the flip side, Stratton opts off (his brother's horse) to drive #4 (a barn he doesn't usually drive

for)- definitely all a bit puzzling! (3) HUDSEN A doesn't have the greatest local history and loses Lachance

tonight - leaning in other directions. (5) NORTHERN NETWORK and (7) MAJOR DESIRE are both really

struggling right now, and either would be a surprise here.

RACE 6 - (7) MR DS ROCK was REALLY bothered on the first turn by a breaker last week and his line

doesn't nearly reflect what he had to overcome....and still be right there on the wire - moves up a notch and

lands outside again, but still feels like the one to beat. (2) LUCIANO N perked up with a game front end

win 2 back, then was right there again last week - he's been streaky in the past, so maybe he can string

together a few good ones - use in exotics. (1) FORREST BLU had a very promising 2YO season, going

9-4-3-1 and banking nearly $120K -- things haven't gone so well at 3, however, as he's still winless on the

season (13 starts), with less than $20K on the card - he might be starting to come around, however, and

does debut for a new barn tonight....we'll see if the change of scenery agrees with him. (4) PINEBUSH LIF

ESAVER is 0 for 34 at Yonkers but his overall recent form hasn't been bad, and he ALMOST got a win last

week - definitely sharp enough to include underneath. (6) BETTORBUCKLEUP looked good in his first

start back off the layoff but hasn't been able to build on that the last 3 starts - drops a peg, so we'll see if that

helps him find a sharper effort. (5) ONE OFF DELIGHT A wasn't necessarily "good" last week, but at least

he improved a bit off the class drop - maybe a minor share? (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR hasn't been sharp

in some time, and his last couple were particularly dull - would like to see some better signs before using.

(8) KEY ADVISOR seems cheap right now AND draws Post 8 - sticking with others.

RACE 7 - (7) THORN TOAD was well backed for his local debut( off solid Michigan lines) but got used

pretty hard early and weakened - he meets no killers in here, figures to be a good price, and may be worth

another shot. (1) ONE LUCKY DUDE ships in off a victory in Ohio and has the type of overall Midwest

form that suggests he'll fit instantly with these - have to respect in this spot, but he does figure to be heavily

backed. (3) C BET HANOVER has the speed to create another good trip for himself, but the key is for him

to stay pacing (which he failed to do in 2 of his local starts) - legit contender if he minds his manners. (6)

FUN MUNKY never really looked "strong" last week but he kept trying hard, and ultimately ended up 2nd

behind the favorite - the outside draw figures to hurt, but he may still be able to rally for a nice slice. (5)

ALLSTAR CHEDDAR was intriguing last week as he shipped in showing some decent lines for a 1% barn

up in Canada - never looked smooth, however, and did finally go offstride - there's probably some ability

here and he'll be a big price...one to consider for longshot fans. (4) HURRIKANE MON AMI picked up a

pair of back to back 3rds before making a costly miscue last week - license to rebound and grab another

good piece tonight. (2) TREVORS HUNT added Lasix last week but it didn't seem to help - maybe he'll be

better the second time around? (8) RED HOT REMI lands Post 8 for his local debut and the 2YO figures to

be too far out to make any noise.

RACE 8 - (3) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is very sharp right now, and just ran into a tough trip last week -

he's one of several with a chance to come out on top here, and figures to be a pretty decent price - worth a

look. (4) THE WILD CARD has been banging heads with better for much of the year and more than

holding his own - the only real knock is that he's just 2 for 26 on the year, and just seems to always come up

2nd or 3rd best, no matter whom he faces - may be in a winning spot, but don't take too short a price. (8)

BLANK STARE beat these 4 starts back then roared home to just miss the next week - might have been the

top choice had he drawn inside but he'll need a lot to go his way to win from out here - not impossible,

though! (2) STOP STARING has raced very well in all 3 starts since joining his current (top) barn, picking

up 2nd each time - continues to succeed even as he climbs the class ladder, and there's no reason to think he

won't race well from this spot too. (5) SON OF A TIGER N was off 3+ months to his last start but still had

plenty of late life to pick up 3rd - decent value horse for the bottom of exotics. (1) BAD TO THE BONE N

was a classy horse Down Under, even making his last start in a Group 1 race before heading to the U.S. - he

hasn't been "bad" in his 3 stateside starts, but he hasn't been "great" either - sticking with others, but really

wouldn't be surprised if he came up big tonight. (6) BIG SIR came into his last race sharp but was unable to

overcome the outside draw - may be in the same boat tonight. (7) GREAT SOMEWHERE was well back in

his first try away from our former leading trainer - goes for another new barn tonight but may need to wait

for a much better spot before we see his best.

RACE 9 - (2) CALLMEQUEENBEE A has a couple of 8 holes in her last 5 starts but picked up 2 wins and

a close 2nd in the 3 starts she did not - don't think she'll be 8-1 tonight, but she should still be a decent price

- and is worth a play with the move back inside. (3) SHECANDANCE N was a good 2nd in PA shipping in

from Hoosier (to a top barn) and raced well here the next week, finishing a solid 3rd - should be a very live

player tonight. (4) BALFAST N used a good trip to rally for 2nd at a nice price last start - she can be pretty

inconsistent, but a similar effort could see her rallying for another good chunk tonight. (1) ACEFOURTYF

OUR ALEX got really good for a while - started to tail a bit, bit may have started to turn things back

around last week - draws the pole with YG, and could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (6) PAIGES

GIRL was a winner last week, and also 5 starts down - may find herself a little too far back for anything

more than a smaller share tonight, however. (5) STELLENBOSCH picked up a pair of 3rds after shipping

in from PA recently - at 20-1 ML, she's worth throwing in on the bottom of some exotics. (7) LADY DELA

RENTAA has gone some big miles this year but her last few suggest she may be tailing right now - the

outside draw certainly isn't going to help her cause. (8) LOOKATMYART has enjoyed a terrific year, but

does seem to be slowing down at this point - hard to like from all the way out here.

RACE 10 - (2) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N took the conservative Monticello approach after arriving from

NZ and that qualifier and start should have him ready for action in his Hilltop debut - guessing this guy is

good enough to handle this class, and that the tote board will probably reflect that - Stratton's choice. (5)

HEISMAN PLAYER went through a long drought before coming alive in that nice win 2 back - followed

that up with a decent 3rd, and can be a part of the equation tonight, as well. (3) MISSILE SEELSTER beat

the bottom class last week but he looked VERY good doing so - he'll probably be ignored against these, but

could bring some value to the exotics. (1) ROLLWITHPAPJOE was able to pick up the win last week but

was all out late to hold off a rival that literally never wins - he may be able to build off that mile, but he

may also be a bit vulnerable at a short price here. (4) GAMBLINGTERROR is tough to gauge from week

to week but he did trip out and beat this class 3 back, so he can at least be considered for exotics. (6) BELT

ANE A has put together back to back excellent years but his current form is lacking - in major need of a

wake up call. (7) SANTAFES COACH returns off a win over easier at Fhd. but draws Post 7 tonight, and

figures to have a tough time getting into the hunt. (8) DESIRES CAPTAIN doesn't seem sharp enough right

now to be a player from out here...although Gingras is never afraid to send one.