T h e E mp i r e R e p or t - M on d ay, Jan u ar y 25 ...

1 The Empire Report - Monday, October 7, 2019 - Race Analysis RACE 1 - (5) STICK THAT LIP OUT was late to the races at 3 but has been doing good work at PcD in her last few - catches a suspect NW2 crew for her local debut, gets Bartlett on board, and may be able to find the winner's circle right off the bat. (1) PLATNUM PEARL was 2nd in her local debut (new barn) but was really just "ok" - was off 3 weeks that night, and is certainly eligible to be much sharper tonight - legit threat. (4) EVAS SPORTS CZECH almost wired 'em from Post 8 in her YR debut, run down late by a fresh foe - weakened in her last (off a sick scratch), but is another that's eligible to come up with a much sharper try tonight. (8) SWEET SHE ROCK scored here last week as the odds-on choice, debuting for a new (top).

2 Barn - wasn't overly "impressive", though, and could definitely be a bit vulnerable from Post 8 tonight. (6). LUCKBEALADYTONITE hit board here in 5 of 7 starts this year - ok for 3rd/4th. (3) BARBS BEACH. was a bit better in last, despite a tough trip - another possibility for 3rd/4th, if spreading. RACE 2 - (3) CLARION HALL was already very sharp BEFORE the recent claim, then delivered two straight impressive victories since then - hard to make any logical case against him here. (4) MR POWERS. was sitting a close 3rd behind the top one last week but made a very costly break at the top of the lane - if he can stay trotting tonight, there's a good chance he can find himself a board spot. (1) DON hasn't been doing much of anything lately but gets the potent "trifecta" tonight of a class drop, move to the rail, and a switch to Stratton - improvement is very possible (but that 2-1 ML is a turnoff, for sure).

3 (5) RED HOT. HERBIE is but a shadow of his old self, but is at least showing some "better" efforts lately - ok to include underneath. (2) MERRY HANOVER is now 0 for 25 on the year, but the inside draw gives her at least a chance for a minor share. (8) MIGHTY SURF has been "sneaky ok" - not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th, if you're spreading a bit. (7) SUGAR TOP is long overdue for some sort of seems unlikely for tonight RACE 3 - (1) BRONSONS DELIGHT was scratched sick on 8/19 upon shipping down from Canada then missed another month before re-qualifying - did look decent in that prep, though, and might be ready to win right off the bat. (2) JDS NOAH has been on the upswing in general, and that last (impressive) start was easily his best YR effort - would be no surprise at all.

4 (3) SO IT GOES has raced well in all 6 local starts, never finishing worse than 4th - very logical player, but also figures to be a bit overbet. (4) TAP TAP TAP. squandered his pocket trip when he weakened in the lane last week, but that was off a sick scratch - license to be a bit sharper tonight, and grab himself a better piece. (5) CECIL CASANOVA showed some life 2. back then built on that with last week's victory (over #3) - only knock is that he draws outside his main foes RACE 4 - (2) SOMETHING RELL would have been an 47-1 winner three back if Bongiorno didn't stop driving right near the wire - excellent first over 2nd the next week vs. a sharp winner, then dead game in her front end score last week - draws inside, and looms the one to beat. (7) SHECANDANCE N has done fine work since arriving in the US (5-2-3-0) and just missed to the top one 2 back - if she CAN leave the gate, tonight would be the right time to give it a shot.

5 (1) DOROTHYS LEGACY is often ignored at the windows here, but continues to outperform her odds - there's no reason she can't have at least a say from this good spot. (6) MILLWOOD BONNIE N has been a bit of an enigma so far, but definitely seems to do her best when allowed to "relax and rally" - she'll be coming from well back tonight, so insist on a good price if using on top! (3) SAVANNAH SMILES and (4) LOVERS COVE for minor shares only. RACE 5 - (1) MARYMACISBACK was battling with the leader on the final turn last week when that one broke, and wiped her out (along with a few others) - great spot tonight to trip out, and have a big shot at the win. (5) CAMPUS QUEEN had a very promising start to her YR career but then tailed quickly in her last few - addition of Lasix tonight may explain the problem, and she has every right to be a major threat here.

6 (3) SOUTHWIND RAPUNZEL is another adding Lasix tonight after tailing a bit - Bartlett does opt for #6, though. (6) FLY IN STYLE debuts for a top barn, adds Lasix (despite her good Canadian form), but is off a bad date and draws outside - Bartlett's choice, and has to be respected. (2) GRACIE G is ok for 3rd/4th, but seems a notch below the main players. RACE 6 - (4) BEACH BAR has had an "uneven" 3YO season, but the talented filly has gone some pretty big miles (against top competition) when on her best game - moves to top connections (that have been accumulating fresh stock in bunches, lately), and looms the one to off the bad date. (3) SULKY. QUEEN has really upped her game since Sears gave her over to the "Super Siblings" - goes 2nd time Lasix tonight, moves inside, and is likely to be on her toes for a top effort.

7 (1) DIXIE STAR was no good at all 2. back (off the sick scratch) but was in a pretty good spot last week before getting totally wiped out - draws the pole, and anything close to her best effort would land her a good piece. (2) BULLVILLE KARLA is an overachiever, often outracing her odds to pick up pieces - maybe can do it here, too. (7) EDGE OF ETER. NITY moves to a top barn but exits another sharp outfit - bad date and Post 7 are the real concerns. RACE 7 - Very tough race! (2) ISITLIKEITLOOKS doesn't really have the "form" to suggest he can beat these, but he DOES get his first good local post since the recent barn change, and that may result in a much better effort - certainly meets nothing too scary tonight. (1) BOYS TURN hasn't been overly impressive lately but did come close on 9/23, has 4 wins this year and lands in a great spot for a top barn - threat here, even if by default.

8 (5) BAD LOAD was one of several winners from this barn last Monday, and one of a few that upped their game in a big way to grab the victories - may be able to take another, but not a big fan at a short price. (8) HEISMAN PLAYER is as good as any of these, but can he get himself into play from Post 8? (3) VIRGIN STORM's best effort can make him a player ..but will be hurt by the missed time? RACE 8 - 1/ 1/16th miles - (5) PACING MAJOR N paced home in three back but still just missed to a good Dancing Dragon - big 8 hole try in last, used hard twice but still 2nd best to the front running Quality have found a winning spot. (1) OURLITTLEGENERAL A has been sharpening with a bit easier at PcD and returns tonight after winning (with a new lifetime mark) in last - very logical player from the pole tonight.

9 (9) SAMS A CHAMP A won his debut here in the then quickly hit the skids - has been building himself back up nicely in Ohio recently, and may just work out a nice trip from behind #1 a look at 15-1 ML! (7) GOKUDO HANOVER hasn't been able t0 find that top form lately, but it's not like he's been racing poorly - good chance he can leave here and establish a decent him a shot at a nice piece. (6) TECHTOR HANOVER had some sneaky pace finishing last time - doesn't feel like a good spot, but no reason he can't rally for a minor share. (8) SPORTSKEEPER is another possible bomb for a minor slice. RACE 9 - (2) WHATS INTHE ESKY A was 24-1 two back debuting here for the "Super Siblings" (raced ok, for 6th) - was suddenly EVEN MONEY last week (same class), and to the surprise of few used an aggressive steer to score the impressive victory (on a night where everything in the barn was breathing fire).

10 - solid chance to take another. (3) A J MORELLI gets major post relief and will surely be more involved tonight - expect a solid effort. (4) WARRAWEE TOTAL has been much better since a July barn change, and is looking pretty sharp (at Chester) right now - should fit well for his local debut. (6) AMERICAN. INFLUENCE showed some promise at 3 but missed about a year before returning recently for his 4YO. campaign - seems to be sharpening each week, and may be ready to contend for a decent piece, even from Post 6. (7) SILAS SEELSTER added Lasix and rallied very nicely for 2nd last time - only knock here is the draw, but he's still worth including in exotics at a good price. RACE 10 - (1) YACHT WEEK has been solid since arriving 4 starts back and now draws the pole after dominating on the front end last week - meets some tough foes, but the road to the winner's circle does go through him.