Tuesday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (8) DISTANT LOVER was sent off at 1/2 from Post 8 last week and had no trouble delivering a blowout victory – she was reclaimed by our leading trainer, retains Bartlett, and can overcome the draw to take yet another. (2) DEFININGTHE MOMENT moved inside for her 2nd start off the claim and was able to wire a pretty modest crew – she should be able to get another good trip tonight, but she’ll need to be sharper for a chance to knock off #8. (6) I LOVED HER FIRST feels a bit off her best game but she has the speed to get away near the top and that could be enough to land her a spot somewhere on the ticket. (4) MIKI THE CLOWN hasn’t shown much since returning to YR recently but still may be able to beat out a few of these for a minor share. (7) JIVE DANCING A was way overbet last week (off the move inside) and not at all up for the aggressive try – she was claimed that night, but her new connections may need to wait for a better spot before becoming a bigger player. (5) BROOKDALE JESSIE was ok off the freshening last week– minor spoils? (1) PINK RUBY & (3) HARMONY OF NOTES are both struggling

RACE 2 – (2) STONECOLD GIRL won 3 of her last 5, and had to deal with stretch traffic in her last – she was claimed by one of our top barns, and should be pretty tough in this modest field. (6) NUTTINBUTHEBEST remains incredibly unreliable, with last week’s disappointing front end try (as the favorite) as the most recent reminder – she still remains a logical player, but is also hard to use on top if not a decent price. (1) FOREVER A FLIRT raced much better last week, even if only for 4th – chance for a piece of this if she can continue to improve. (5) ROCKIN RAE L would be impossible to consider off her out of town lines…but she moves to arguably our hottest barn for the past couple of months, and that alone makes her worth at least a look! (3) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ made an incredible 49 starts in 2024…and was still able to make 30 (so far!) in 2025 – she does appear to be on the cheaper side, so we’ll find out tonight how well she fits at this $20K level. (4) RACIN FOR ROYALTY has been off her game for a while, but would have a chance for a piece if she can find one of her better efforts. (7) SUNBURNT & (8) ALWAYS BE CITY are both really struggling, and drawing all the way outside is not the remedy!

RACE 3 – (6) MULLINAX hasn’t been as sharp for his current connections as he was leading up to the $75K claim (back in July) but it’s not like he’s been “bad” – he gets some more class relief (after a good 2nd last week) but even more importantly, he reunites with Bartlett…could be ready for a winning effort. (4) IMA PERFECT CHOICE still gets a little steppy at times but he’s matured enough to usually work his way through it – he moves inside and the 3YO has enough talent to give his elders a battle tonight. (2) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL N was never given a chance last week but still finished with his usual good rally – his overall recent form is solid, and he can grab a good piece with any decent trip. (1) NANDOLO N is clearly (well) off his best form, and it’s hard to know when he’ll finally perk up – could be tonight, but hard to take a short price hoping that’ll happen. (3) MYSWEETBOYMAX continues his climb up the class ladder since recently joining his red-hot barn…may be sharp enough to grab a share even vs. these better ones. (7) THIS IS THE PLAN was all out to take home 2nd after a perfect trip last week– not sure if he’ll be able to get in play from out here. (8) SPECULATING A gets a pass for his last (trapped behind a quitter) but Post 8 figures to limit his involvement for tonight. (5) GINGRAS BEACH feels a bit overmatched in this NW15000 field

RACE 4 – (4) LADYCORONA has been very good for some time and had gone off the odds-on choice in her previous 3 starts…so while last week’s victory was no surprise, the generous 5-1 payoff definitely was – chance to take another, but there are definitely a few other live ones in here. (5) TOBAGO TIME threw a rare disappointing try last week but was quickly reclaimed by a barn she’s thrived for, and would be very dangerous tonight if she can bounce right back to one of her more typically sharp miles. (6) YS SENSATIONALCITY dropped to 30s last week and was a close up 3rd – the draw works against her tonight, but a good price still makes her worth a look. (1) TWIN B ECHO returns sharp from Stga., draws the pole, and could easily land somewhere in the exotics with an easy trip. (2) DELITFULCATHERIN N may need some class relief to get back to the winner’s circle but she delivers a solid try week after week, and is never a bad one for the bottom of exotics. (7) COALFORDSNSHINE GB has been super for a long stretch, hails from a very hot barn but faces the possibility of a much tougher trip than she’s used to thanks to the terrible draw– insist on a good price if using her on top. (3) BOUT DAMN TIME A has struggled at this $30K level – prefer to wait for a class drop. (8) FORTUNADA has won 3 of her last 4 but steps up, and lands Post 8

RACE 5 – Tough race: (1) TEXAS HOLDEM has a couple of even efforts since returning from a brief freshening – he lands in a field full of question marks, draws the pole, and may be able to take advantage. (3) BE DAZZLED LO U A is used to facing (and holding his own) vs. much better than these but he took a month off, shows a dull qua. on 8/29 and didn’t drop in the box until now – he may be ready to handle these, but is tough to back as the 8/5 ML favorite. (4) OSTRO HANOVER has been dull for some time – he could perk up a bit in this spot, but is also sure to get overbet (because Bartlett is on board). (5) ALADDIN had some life 2 and 3 back but reverted to his lesser form last week – if the tote board suggests he’s “live” tonight, that could be a good sign (20-1 ML). (2) BLUE COLLAR MAN has shown little lately, but may sit close enough to the pace to take home a small slice tonight. (7) COVERED BRIDGE has become tough to watch these days as the earner of nearly $1.5M is often not even a player at the bottom level any more (and Bartlett opts off tonight, to drive #4!) – always hoping to see the old warrior turn in a good one! (8) TWIG was having a great year until recently heading in the wrong direction – waiting for better signs before hopping back on his team. (6) CASINO ACTION N is just 3 for 54 over the last 2 years and draws poorly.

RACE 6 – (7) PLEASELETMEKNOW banked $236K last year (and is closing in on $1M lifetime) – he clearly wasn’t right during the Borgata Series and went back on the shelf...he recently re-qualified, had a useful tightener last week, and we’ll take a shot that the classy 6YO is ready for a bigger effort. (1) KOPI LUWAK hit a rough patch here earlier this summer but has been regaining his form recently in PA (vs. a bit easier) – he draws the pole for his YR return, and the guess is that he’s ready to be a big player. (2) RHYDS SUPERFLY GB won 7 of his 10 local starts, but did start to level off a bit this summer – his recent NJ form is mixed, but this is a spot where can expect a solid try – possibility. (8) T H TYSON raced well in a couple of starts here this summer but gets the worst of the draw for his Hilltop return, and probably has #7 leaving right to his inside – still not a bad bomb if looking to add some spice to the exotics. (6) LAMBORGHINI LOU hasn’t offered much lately, but he’s also been in tougher – would have liked his chances a lot more with a better draw! (3) TOBINS CHESTER looked sore last week and Bartlett did a good job just holding him together for 3rd – feels a bit iffy for tonight. (4) TROOPER L has done his best work with easier lately – leaning elsewhere. (5) STELLAR YANKEE used an easy trip to finish with good pace for 3rd last week – may land on a more difficult trip tonight, though.

RACE 7 – Good race! (3) COLLECTIVE WORKS A had an eventful first U.S. start but was still an excellent 2nd – he was in a hopeless spot last week, but still finished with sneaky pace from last into a :55.1 final half – he’ll be a juicy price tonight, and may be worth a stab. (4) INFLATION PROOF was well backed for his local debut but lost all chance when behind a quitter at 3/4s – he was hammered to 3/5 for his last, and made amends with the easiest of victories – big threat to take another. (7) RENALDO N won his U.S. debut by 7 (in NJ) as the odds-on choice, then jogged again in his Yonkers debut, at 1/10 odds…maybe he’s good enough to crush these too, even from Post 7 – but don’t fall in love if he’s hammered at the windows again (2) VICTORY JOE seemed overbet at 2/5 last week but did win as advertised…this is definitely a much tougher spot, and he may have to settle for a bit smaller slice. (1) LOCH LAN HANOVER had a tough draw last week but also didn’t bring his best – he could grab a piece from this spot if he shows up with one of his better efforts. (5) BETTORS DESIRE has been a solid weekly player but he did weaken in the lane last week when it looked like he’d be 2nd (to #7)– this field is strong, and may limit him to a smaller share than he’s used to. (6) FEDERER is another that normally is solid in this class, but may struggle a bit in tonight’s tough field. (8) MAD RIVER has some ability but lands a brutal spot off the layoff

RACE 8 – (5) SHEZAHUNGRYGIGI just didn’t fire at all last week but her previous pair were very good – she goes for a new barn tonight, and could be a big threat if she can bounce back to her better form. (3) MACHS LEGA CY A debuted for our leading trainer last week and just missed from Post 8 – she’s the one to beat here, but she’ll likely be a very short price and is just 1 for 27 at Yonkers. (2) ONEDERFULBEACH couldn’t rally from the back last week but her previous pair weren’t bad – this isn’t a bad spot for an aggressive try, and she’s not a bad value option to consider. (6) GINGER TREE LIZ remains eternally inconsistent but she grabs her share of wins, and is never a bad one for longshot fans. (4) RONA MAE won 3 of 5 in NJ after moving to this barn, but was likely facing easier – hard to say how well she’ll fit with the locals, but we’ll find out tonight. (8) UNCONTROLLED continues to outrace her odds week after week, and her 2 recent victories were at 12-1 and 25-1…she does face an uphill battle trying to reach from out here, though! (1) BEANTOWN BABE went sour a while back and hasn’t been a threat in weeks. (7) PURAMERI fits ok, but likely needs a much better draw to be a serious player

RACE 9 – (3) HP MOMENTUM got some class relief last week and was able to rally for 2nd behind the razor sharp, runaway winner – he should be a fair price tonight, and his best effort would make him a major threat. (2) IKNOWB ETTER was a close 2nd behind JAMAICAN ROCK A in a couple of PcD starts so after seeing what a beast THAT one turned out to be, it’s no surprise to see this guy starting to really thrive here – steps up another notch but gets a good draw, and can be a big player here too. (1) JUMPINGJACKMAC N is still winless in the U.S. but he’s hit board in 5 of his last 6 starts – the rail draw should put him in the hunt for another big chunk tonight. (6) PEACE OUT POSSE saw his 4 race winning streak come to an end last week, but still finished with plenty of pace for a good 3rd – more than sharp enough for a chance at another piece tonight, with a bit of trip luck. (7) CARABAO A fits nicely in this class and recently came up with three straight sharp 2nd place finishes – another bad draw may limit him a bit tonight, however. (8) SILKY CHOICE has gotten better all year and has blossomed into a very nice 3YO – he’s also taking on tough older foes from Post 8 tonight, and may elect to take a somewhat conservative approach. (5) JMS FINAL TREASURE drops a 2nd off the bottom of his card after tonight and may look better with some class relief in his next. (4) BOURBON COUNTY is another 3YO in a tough spot vs. these tough, seasoned rivals

RACE 10 – (2) LASER SPEED exits a low % barn and lands with connections that have been doing excellent work with fresh stock lately – he adds Lasix, gets Bartlett on board, and may be ready to win in his first local try. (5) RYD INGTOTHEWIRE was better in his 2 local tries than his lines might suggest (back in July) – he recently won 3 of 4 in NJ, but did make a break in the other (and broke in a qualifier just before that) – he has the talent, but also brings some risk…tough to “love” at that 8/5 ML price. (6) MOOD CONTROL just missed in his local debut (big barn change) but took no $$ and just sat in the back last week – if the tote board suggests he’s “live”, you may want to give him extra consideration. (4) MATAI PHIL N was an even 5th in his U.S. debut, and the jury is still out on this one – maybe the tote board can offer some clues on this guy too? (1) FURNEAUX was “ok” in his local debut last week from a similar spot – wouldn’t shock, but leaning a bit more to a couple of others. (7) WAR NO MORE is a good fit with these but gets no luck with the draw – insist on a nice price if considering him on top. (3) AMERICAN SALUTE has a few nice efforts last year but his last Monti try was a dud – sticking with others. (8) LENNON HAN OVER has shown some ability at times, but this is just a brutal spot

RACE 11 – (4) VIRTUAL KISS was an ok 5th vs. better 2 back, then a good trip 3rd last week – might not be a bad spot for Buter to try to be aggressive, with a chance to deliver an upset in the finale. (6) QUICK MENU raced very well for 2nd to the frontrunning favorite last week and does have 7 wins this year…another possible upsetter if she can find the right trip. (1) SALE EL SOL can usually be counted on for a decent finish, but she’ll probably be overbet – prefer to use her underneath in exotics. (8) PIRATE BOOTY was a well backed (first over) winner last week but she lands all the way outside tonight (after starting from the pole in her last), and is listed at 2-1 ML 0 could be vulnerable from this tough spot! (2) EBONY LADY has been struggling and was just re-acquired by connections that did ok with her in the past – would still need a pretty good price to give her a try tonight. (5) KAT will attract some attention dropping to 20s but her 17-0-1-3 local record this year is hard to ignore. (7) EMDOUBLE AKAY struggled to get in play from Post 7 in her last pair and gets that same unlucky draw for tonight – maybe minor spoils? (3) BLUEBIRD CRUSH arrives from NJ showing less than stellar form.