Monday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, September 22, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) COMBUSTION was a sharp winner on 8/11 arriving from PcD – he was a close 2nd behind the currently streaking HIMSELF N in bis next, rallied very nicely from an impossible spot the start after that, then paced evenly in last week’s 3-6YO Open – gets significant class relief, and should be a big threat…even if Bartlett opts for #2. (6) AMERICAN DEALER N conceded early from Post 7 (vs. better) last week but figures to be handled more aggressively tonight, even with another bad draw – he’s light in the win column this year, but still worth a look if the price is decent. (2) CAPTAIN MOORE A lost both starts since moving up from NW2-4PM but raced strong in both efforts – Bartlett sticks with the 4YO, and he’ll be dangerous here with the right trip – may be overbet, though. (1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been holding form as he’s been climbing the class ladder – these may be a little tougher than he’d prefer, but the rail draw puts him in the hunt for a piece. (5) KINGSVILLE has leveled off a bit since moving up to this level, and likely looking at only a minor share tonight. (7) HAZEVILLE is very sharp right now, but may have a tough time finding a manageable trip from out here…and the same can be said for (8) TWIN B POWERBALL, who won 2 of his last 3 starts (from much easier spots). (3) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N has been doing good work at the NW2-4PM level, but will have to prove that he can hang with these

RACE 2 – Good race! (4) SHAKESPEARE can be frustratingly inconsistent but he finished with some life for his new barn last week, and may get a chance to rally tonight in what could be a hotly contested pace – one of several with a chance in here, depending on how the race plays out. (2) GOLIATH HANOVER drops back down to 40s after a nice 8 hole try at the $60K level last week – he’s listed at 8-1 ML, and worth using if anything close to that price. (5) MUSIC HALL beat the 30s two back then was a winner again last week, moving back up to 40s – he has 10 wins this year, and deserves plenty of respect. (6) SLING SHOCK is a big player in 60s but especially tough in 40s – would have been the top choice with an inside draw, but could land on a tough trip from Post 6. (1) PYRO drew the pole twice since returning from the layoff and produced a win and a 2nd from those 2 starts – others in here look a bit sharper, but a good price makes him worth considering. (3) LYRICAL GENIUS A is just 3 for 49 locally but he’s hit board in half his starts – always a good one to consider underneath. (7) RENAISSANCE DEO needed more pop in the lane off a good trip last week, and now figures to be coming from way back – leaning elsewhere. (8) DONTLIKEITLEAVE has 2 very good tries since dropping to 40s, but gets stuck behind the 8 ball off the claim

RACE 3 – (4) ALL ALONE landed on a terrible trip last week and never had a prayer…he had been sharp for weeks prior to that, however, and will be very dangerous tonight with a kinder journey. (2) CHICKEN N DICE is 9-2-2-2 here at Yonkers and had Post 7-8 in the 3 starts he missed the board – took a tough beat last week, and figures to be a big threat again tonight. (5) ULYSSESS kicked home steadily from a tough spot in NJ last week after moving to a barn that has done terrific with fresh stock over the past year or so – goes 2nd time Lasix and picks up Bartlett for his YR debut…possibility. (1) TWIGGS PUB wasn’t up for last week’s first over try at all but an easier trip from this spot could see him stay close from start to finish – ok underneath. (3) LYONS BENJAMIN is an impressive 8 for 23 this year but does feel a bit off his top form right now – leaning more towards others. (6) CAMO UFLAGE MONEY sat pocketed to #2 last week and was able to pull off the 22-1 form-reversing win – much tougher spot here, though. (7) CAPTAIN PARADISE raced ok despite awful cover last week but tonight’s draw figures to slow him down

RACE 4 – (7) COACHES CORNER has $300K on his card this year but has only found the winner’s circle 4X (all of them here at Yonkers)– he faces a lot softer this week (after finishing 2nd to CAPTAIN ALBANO in the Aria Pace last start), and deserves top billing…even from Post 7. (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A hit board in 8 straight, but just one was a win – he’s earned his way back up to the Invitational level, and may be able to use his speed to work out a good trip here – playable underneath. (6) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has won 12 of his 24 local starts this year, with several at the top level – he faces a bit more uncertain trip tonight, but he’s just too good a horse to ever ignore. (4) HIMSELF N earned his way back up to this top class thanks to 3 straight victories – he’s hitting on all cylinders right now, and can make some noise with the right trip. (5) MOSSDALE BEN N has a new trainer listed and will be getting a new pilot as well – he’ll be charging late, but may be limited to a smaller piece from this spot. (2) SWEET BEACH LIFE has won 5 of his last 7, with excuses in the 2 losses – we’ll find out tonight if he can contend at this top level too. (3) HEMSWORTH N steps up in class but he can be ok even at this level when things go his way.

RACE 5 – (4) THE GREEK FREAK figured to go off much shorter than his 8-1 ML price last week (making his local debut, with a major barn and driver change) but his 2/5 odds were still surprising – he did jog, and looms a big threat to make it 2 in a row. (1) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N had some issue 2 back but rebounded with a decent enough effort last start – drops, lands inside, and should be a big part of the action with anything close to his best effort. (5) DEUCE HANOVER has been doing good work across the river since a recent barn change and ships over off a lifetime best victory – have to believe he’ll fit well here, and have a say in the outcome. (3) CAVIART SARGE NT drops, moves inside, and can rally late for a share (if not overdriven). (8) PRINTVILLE has just one start in 33 days but it was an odds-on blowout victory vs. cheaper – much tougher spot, but can still rally for a piece. (2) HYPE BEAST seems a bit cheap, but the good draw may lead to some minor spoils. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM wasn’t up for last week’s (surprising!) airmail attempt, and now draws horribly. (6) BLANK STARE just hasn’t been great here over the last couple of seasons and draws poorly tonight

RACE 6 – (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF exits one of the hottest barns around but he does end up with our leading trainer – he’s really sharp right now, and Bartlett will likely look to send him down the road – this is a solid field, but he’s the one to beat. (6) CUT N RUN N was no factor in 60s off a long layoff – dropped to 30s last week and was a very sharp, well-bet 2nd and now his connections give him a vote of confidence, bumping him up to 40s – Bartlett opts for #1, but he gets Brennan (coming off a 5 bagger on Sat. night). (3) ROCKMYSTER N has been outracing his odds lately and may do the same tonight – good one to use underneath. (2) GDS THUNDER GB is sharp, draws well, his (small) barn is sending out live ones but he does move up to 40s after failing to beat the 30s – still ok for a piece, though. (5) SPEAKER OF PEACE has been right there in his last few but did come up a little short a couple of times off beautiful trips– new barn tonight, and a live cover trip would help his chances (4) WALKINSHAW N is in a good spot to save ground and possibly rally for some minor spoils. (7) ALTA CLASSIC A has been razor sharp, but has missed 3 weeks (scr. sick) off the reclaim – Post 7 figures to really hurt as well. (8) SMOOTH LOU is very good right now, but also moves all the way outside, and may not be able to get in play tonight

RACE 7 – (1) SLIP THE HUNDY N had pace finishing from a tough spot two back (arriving from out of town), then was a sharp 2nd to the odds-on HAZEVILLE last week – drops a bit, draws the pole, and looms a major threat tonight. (2) ROCK THE BELLES has been put on the front end a bunch of times recently, always coming up a little short – gets a new pilot, and perhaps can be a bigger late threat if allowed to relax just a bit more? (5) HUNGER ST RIKE shipped in sharp from PA and was a dead game front end winner 2 back over a very sharp MUSIC HAL – had no chance last week, but tonight’s better draw could land him back in the mix. (4) SOHO SANTORINI A sat a nice pocket trip in his 2nd U.S. start but was outmuscled by the top choice for 2nd – he’s probably capable of better, but that 2-1 ML price is a turnoff. (6) WASA HEAT SEEKER N actually fits the bottom class right now, but hasn’t been allowed to take that big drop yet – his best efforts have come on the lead, but he may need to wait for a better spot before he can get there again. (7) DEETZY hasn’t been clicking and draws poorly. (3) SPRINGSTEEN’s glory days are mostly in the rear view mirror. (8) BONDI LOCKDOWN A lands Post 8 after missing 3 weeks – prefer others

RACE 8 – Good race: (5) ALWAYS A THRILL finished with good pace 2 back racing off the short layoff – he ran into a tougher trip last week, but still hung in for a close 4th…he’s beaten these before, should be a decent price, and is one of several to consider. (7) VERDUN’s win total is down this year but it’s still rare that he throws a bad effort – his options are limited from out here, but he’s still hard to resist at what figures to be a pretty nice price. (3) CATAL PA RESCUE A only took 3 starts to make his way up to the top level, following the path of several of his barnmates – he’s looked terrific beating lesser, Bartlett sticks, but he does figure to be overbet in this much tougher spot. (1) DUNKIN is clearly well off his best game but he usually turns things around before too long – maybe a wake up call is coming? (2) ADMIRAL HILL has been solid overall lately but his only try in this class resulted in a tough trip, and weak finish – could do better with an easier journey. (6) ENDOFSTORY went off 33-1 from the pole 2 back, Bartlett STILL choiced off several others to drive him in his next, he was hammered at the windows and was a very sharp 1:51.2 winner – Bartlett opts OFF tonight, and so will we. (4) HOWLENTHEHILLS hasn’t been at his best lately – leaning elsewhere. (8) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N is one of our favorites, but draws poorly again.

RACE 9 – (1) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A drops to a more comfortable level, draws the pole, and figures to be primed for a big effort. (2) SIX DEGREES has overachieved for his top connections and should benefit from the class drop too – may offer some value. (5) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is just 1 for 23 this year, but has gone some good miles, vs. better – ok for exotics. (4) ROYAL DESIRE steps up yet again, seeking his 4th straight win – he seems a little cheap, but never underestimate a very sharp horse…could be part of this. (7) LUCAPELO N isn’t at his best right now, but a live trip could help him at least rally for a small slice. (3) ORLANDO BLUE A is on the cheaper side, but a good trip gives him a chance for 3rd/4th. (6) NIGHT HAWK drops a win off the card after tonight – he should look a lot better NEXT week. (8) ROCKIN JUKEBOX fits for sure, but is severely post compromised!