Saturday Empire Report
The Empire Report – Saturday, September 20, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (5) MRS CHEESE just missed here in this class on 6/14, was a Park MGM winner on 6/27, finished 2nd in a NYSS on 8/15 and was just 3rd in the NYSS Final (at Batavia) in her last– would seem to have a huge edge over these! (7) ACCESS GRANTED is 0 for 9 at Yonkers but raced very well in several of those starts – if she can find some racing luck, she’ll have a decent chance to outrace that 20-1 ML price. (2) CRYSTAL COAST struggled at 2 but has been racing well as a 3YO (out of town), presumably against softer competition – she gets a good draw for her local debut, and we’ll see if she can hold her own with these too. (6) MYSTIC MOMENT has speed, and her fate will likely be determined by how good a start she can get – if she can get away up close without being used too hard, she can take home a slice. (4) MISS PERIGNON N is 0 for 12 here, but hit board 7X – ok for the bottom of exotics. (1) LONELY GHOST is just 1 for 24 and her best asset would appear to be the rail. (3) SANTAFES GINA has failed to hit board in her 7 Yonkers starts
RACE 2– (1) BURNHAM BOY N had to work harder to make the lead last week and that left him a bit vulnerable at the end – should get things under control much easier tonight, with a solid chance to complete a very short early double. (6) ON DAYBOO has 4 wins since late June, moves to a barn that has enjoyed some success off the claim, and could provide a decent value option for those looking to take a shot against the favorite (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER A always has solid pace finishing, and remains a good one for the bottom of exotics – chance to come out on top if things end up getting testy up front. (2) IM THE PRINCE us unreliable at best, but he may just sit an easy trip from this spot and tow along for a piece (4) SHADOW CAT hasn’t won in a long time but continues to take decent $$ almost every week – chance for a piece, but won’t offer any value. (8) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was certainly good in last week’s 42-1 upset, but also benefited greatly from his trip – he may find himself in a much tougher spot tonight. (5) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL was 77-1 from the rail last week, needlessly hurt a couple of contenders early on then was (predictably) empty himself – maybe he can be more patient tonight, and try to save ground for some minor spoils. (7) JACKS LEGEND N just throws way more lesser efforts than good ones these days
RACE 3 – (1) A FEARSOME HANOVER struggles badly on turns so the inside draw is a huge benefit to him – he’s looking for his 3rd in a row tonight, and has a big chance to make that happen. (3) CHECKONWILLAM GB is on a good roll right now, with a win, a pair of 2nds and a 3rd from his last 4 starts– he handles any trip, and should be able to make his presence felt once more. (2) RECORD YEAR is always heavily backed, always looks to be struggling a bit but somehow is always right there at the end – he’s won 17 races over the last 2 years, and would be worth using on top IF his price creeps up a bit. (6) THE REGULATOR makes his first start since February at a much reduced level – his qualifier is hard to gauge (after catching a 1:50.4 mile at Chester), but his trainer isn’t likely to send him out “short” – maybe check the tote board? (8) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM turned in one of the bigger form reversing wins of the season 2 back, but the public was ready for it (he was 6/5, based solely on the barn change) – he won his last as well, but faces a much tougher task with the terrible draw. (4) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE seems to take 7/8ths of a mile before getting interested every week – minor spoils only. (7) VIA LAS VEGAS N rallies for
pieces at times, but seems unlikely from out here. (5) VELOCITY KOMODO was struggling even before the sick scratch
RACE 4 – (4) SEISMIC STEP has one Yonkers start and it was a NYSS victory – he stays trotting, has no trouble on a half, and would seem to have a huge edge with tonight’s massive class drop. (6) SUMMER YOUNG was just 3 for 38 upon arrival at Yonkers (on 9/6) but had no trouble tracking the hot clip, then just blew by to a sharp 1:56.3 upset – very solid 2nd to the favorite last week, and could grab another nice piece tonight, even with the bad draw. (3) FLIGHT OF FRITZ is generally a big player in this class, should get a good trip tonight, and can rebound from last week’s dull try – ok for exotics. (2) EVANS PER FECT WAY hit board in 3 of her last 4 starts, draws inside, and is another with a legitimate chance for a small piece. (1) ALL OF A SUDDEN has been behaving since adding hopples in July, but may just be a notch below some of the others. (5) ALL TOO WELL was able to hang on in an amateur race last week after inheriting a big early lead – he’s been no threat in the past with these, however.
RACE 5 – (5) D A WICKED SHINE had an easy lead in a very soft field last week and delivered the blowout win, as the odds-on choice – he still feels like the “most likely” winner in here too, but he also figures to have to work a bit harder – be careful about falling in love at too short a price. (3) SKYWAY HOUDINI brushed by a stopper last week, looked like an easy winner then just fell apart late (not the first time he’s done that) – he’s a good fit here, but another that could end up overbet. (4) EXOTIC SAND is now 7 years old and still making breaks – he does have a decent late kick, though, and is a possible upsetter IF things fall apart up front (and IF he behaves). (6) ON THE VIRG is in a tough spot but he did “win” that “no contest” race 3 back, and did have pace finishing the next week – ok for longshot fans. (1) DEEDENUTO A has been easy to ignore in most of his 25 local starts but he’s at least shown that he can hang on for small slices, with very easy trips. (8) MAJOR POCKET A would be a player here on his best effort but he’s been off form for a while, and stuck with Post 8. (2) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N draws well but without much for, (7) FULL SUPPORT has been limited to minor pieces since returning from the layoff
RACE 6 – (5) CAVIART ACT TWO turned things around significantly (vs. cheaper, in PA) after joining our leading barn – he’s been able to thrive here as well, with a pair of excellent efforts at this $20K level...he was a sharp winner in his last, and remains the one to knock off. (1) WELL THATS MARKY perked up quickly 3 back (off the claim), raced well for another new barn last week (2nd to the top choice) and the expectation is that he’ll continue to thrive tonight, joining one of the hottest barns around – the main danger. (4) CONTACT ZONE has shown subtle signs of improvement lately after a recent dry spell – could add some value to the exotics tonight.(2) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER struggled mightily here for most of the past 2 seasons but his recent efforts have been much more competitive – ok for a small piece. (3) ROSE RUN ASTRO was a sharp amateur race winner in each of his last 2 starts at Chester (after joining a barn that has enjoyed incredible success rehabilitating these “castoffs’ – we’ll see if that form holds up vs. these much better ones. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER was ok last week, but with an easy trip from the pole – faces a much tougher task tonight
RACE 7 – (1) PANETTONE HANOVER hasn’t been a threat lately but that figures to change tonight as he gets both significant post AND class relief – he’s never been the smoothest horse here at Yonkers, but this is a spot to look for a strong effort (4) POP IT returned sharp off the layoff, a solid 3rd 2 back then an 8 hole 3rd last week– major threat tonight. (3) DEALERS TURN is still winless in 19 starts this year but usually competitive in spots like this – ok to consider underneath. (5) KOMODO BEACH hasn’t been sharp at all lately, but certainly capable of better – maybe an easy trip can help him land a share? (2) MARLBANK ROAD is going through a tough stretch of his own – at least the good trip gives him a chance for a minor piece. (7) VICI hasn’t been close to his best in some time, and his entire barn has been struggling too – hard to predict that this is the spot for a wake up call. (6) FIZZING N has picked up some small pieces lately, but often helped by good posts – tough draw tonight. (8) RAYRAY is the outsider, both literally and figuratively
RACE 8 – Tough race! (2) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK charged home for 3rd from an impossible spot last week and was an excellent winner here 5 starts back – the problem is the inconsistency in the 3 starts in between those miles...if she can bring that top effort tonight, she can be a very strong player. (4) DISARONNO HILL is another that has struggled all year with consistency, and has also been camera shy – she does get a big barn change here, and that could make her dangerous. (6) PIT BOSS HANOVER has a trio of 2nds from her 5 local starts, is listed at 20-1 ML and may end up with a decent trip – not a bad bomb to consider. (3) ANEELIES HANOVER was handled more aggressively last week and hung in gamely for 2nd behind a standout winner– another longshot possibility (8) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT is generally a strong player in this class and was reclaimed by a barn she raced big for on 8/26 – if you think Siegelman can get her in play from out here, the price will be right! (7) ODDS ON SARA SARA returns showing sharp NJ form and gets a big driver change to Brennan – she’s also 9-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year, and lands a terrible post. (1) SUNTAN CITY disappointed in her first local try – too soon to write her off, but still leaning to
others. (5) MC ANGEL had some better life in her last pair...keeping an eye for future consideration
RACE 9 – (2) AMERITRIC is a very solid player in this class, especially when he gets a good trip – we’ll give him the slight edge over his main rival. (1) WHY TOMORROW RAY was a little camera shy for a while but now has 3 wins from his last 6 starts – he’s moving from a trio of high % barns to a lower % outfit tonight and is listed at 8/5 ML - could be at least a little vulnerable. (5) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL does his best work in this class when he can find an easy trip – may be next in line (at a decent price) should the top pair falter. (8) TWIN B RISENSHINE is
just 2 for 40 at YR over the last 2 years but he CAN leave, and does grab plenty of pieces – could add some value to the exotics. (4) PINE BUSH ITALIANO raced ok in his last pair, and is a viable candidate for exotics (prefer others on top, though). (3) LOUS THE ATTITUDE is having a tough time locally this year, currently 6-0-0-0...we’ll see if he picks up a bit dropping in for a tag tonight.(7) C BET HANOVER can be a player in this class but he does figure to be coming from pretty far back tonight. (6) DRAGON YOU ALONG is in poor form but does add Lasix – we’ll watch for any improvement.