Wednedsay, October 1, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednedsay, October 1, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) DISTANT LOVER was used a bit harder making the lead from Post 8 last week and can be forgiven for getting just a little tired at the end – she was re-claimed by the connections for whom she jogged from Post 8 the week before, and has to be seen as the one to beat from tonight’s much better spot. (3) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT really wasn’t bad last week despite a tough 8 hole trip – she’s a proven player with these types, and her last win came for the barn that just re-claimed her – should be able to have a big say here. (4) IN A WINK N returns sharp from Stga, and has raced well here in the past, in limited starts – could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (1) OKINAWA BE ACH A missed some time, qualified back ok and draws the pole – she hasn’t had the greatest 2025 (so far), but may be able to land a piece tonight. (2) EMDOUBLEAKAY is winless in 9 local tries but does rally for pieces – ok for 3rd/4th. (7) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ instantly proved she belongs with the locals, wiring the field in her local debut – she’s in a MUCH tougher spot tonight, however, and may struggle to get in play. (6) I LOVED HER FIRST has done some good things in this class but is another that figures to be hurt by tonight’s draw. (8) FOREVER A FLIRT showed some improvement 2 back but reverted to her lesser form last week – now goes from the rail to Post 8

RACE 2 – (4) NITE TIME DEAL had a couple of rough outings at the end of August but her last 3 starts have been much better – she’s in a spot tonight where Brennan can be aggressive, and that gives her a shot to get her picture taken. (6) JIVE DANCING A turned in a better effort off the claim last week and may continue to improve tonight – possibility, but won’t offer any value with that 2-1 ML listing (she’s just 10-0-1-0 at Yonkers this year) (2) SALE EL SOL landed on a “can’t miss” trip last week and was able to rally by for the victory – goes for a new barn tonight, and will be rallying late…the question is whether she’ll be close enough for a chance at the top prize. (3) RONA MAE caught a hot mile for her local debut so the jury is still is still out on this one – she drops a notch, and seems playable in exotics. (1) PINK RUBY has been invisible for months but did have SOME interest finishing last week – maybe she’s ready to at least contend for a minor share? (7) ANNELIESE HANOVER hit board in her last 3 starts (at good prices) but may have a tough time working out a manageable trip tonight. (5) GINGER TREE LIZ remains pretty hard to predict from start to start – sticking with the more reliable players. (8) BROOKDALE JESSIE lands outside after a weak effort in her last

RACE 3 – (2) KILOWATT KID N has thrived for his current connections, picking up a win and 2 solid 2nds since the claim – gets another good draw, and looms the one to beat…though he’s likely to be a very short price. (3) A FE ARSOME HANOVER is 5-2-2-0 since arriving at YR but he struggles with his gait (especially on turns), and chasing last week’s strong pace definitely hurt him – still a big threat to grab a big piece of this. (6) JUST BET IT ALL is the “x factor” in here – his last start in 2024 was a win here vs. the 60s, but he returned almost a year later at the $20K level, and was basically non-functional at the $20K level – he was moved to another barn recently, and has been doing good work vs. cheaper in PA- is he ready to do damage against these too? (5) DANCE ON THE BEACH was a no threat 3rd last week but at least he stayed on for the show spot – he may be able to use his speed to grab another good trip…and take home another piece. (7) IM A POWERPLAY A is listed at 20-1 ML despite hitting board in 5 of his last 6 starts (including a WIN here on 8/28 – hard to NOT include him in some exotics at that price, even from out here. (4) THRASHER has been struggling, but his small barn definitely does good work – maybe 3rd/4th? (1) FULL SUPPORT is 0 for 13 and the rail draw may not be enough to make him a bigger player tonight. (8) ON THE VIRG almost prevailed in last week’s fall apart race, but will be hard pressed to reach tonight

RACE 4 – Mixed bag of players in here! (4) SAMMY JO HANOVER stamped herself as a quality filly when she banked $122k at 2 – her 3YO starts have been fairly inconsistent, but she has several very sharp tries recently, and her best effort would make her tough in her local debut. (2) SWEET ODDS is just 3 for 26 lifetime but does have 11 second place finishes – she adds Lasix for her local debut, hails from our top barn and certainly figures to be a big player. (7) SHANGRI LA HANOVER was sent off at 1/2 in her only local try and gave it a good front end try before getting mowed down by another sharp shipper – has to be worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (8) AU JUS HANOVER is also 20-1 on the ML and just missed her on 8/30 – she was 2nd at PcD last start (off 3 weeks), and has a pilot unafraid to send one – consider? (5) SPIRIT OF PEARL A was 2nd here in her U.S. debut then elected to ply her trade at Stga, the last couple of months – she’s 2nd time Lasix, gets Jordan on board, and could have a say. (1) GLITTERING HOPE won 3 of her last 4 at “The Aces”, but it’s hard to gauge how she’ll fit with these – we shall see. (6) MYSTIC MOMENT probably needs to be in a little easier to be a serious player (she struggles to finish well). (3) SANTAFES GINA is 8-0-0-0 at Yonkers

RACE 5 – (2) MAXIMUS RED A turned in a pair of close 2nds to the streaking DELIGHTFUL DUDE N before delivering a powerful off the pace rally to beat that one last week – sharp enough right now to take another. (5) ON DAYBOO found a spot in 3rd early on last week and was solid to the end into a fast final quarter – he’s been pretty good overall the past few months, and another good trip could put him right in the mix tonight. (1) SAULSBROOK HERO has some good tries out of town recently and was 2 for 6 here earlier this year – has speed, the rail and Bartlett and while he figures to be overbet, he does figure to have a big say. (8) TWIN B RISENSHINE gave his fans a big root last week when he cut the mile at 76-1 from Post 8, and was still clinging to a board spot until late in the mile – may try to blast again, and may not be a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) SAILBOAT HANOVER was terrible for his first 10 starts this year, outstanding in his next 11 but does seem to have leveled back off recently – tonight’s draw won’t help his chances to perk back up. (3) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES rallied to upset at 42-1 in a fall apart race 2 back, but was dull prior to that then no factor again last week – maybe minor spoils? (4) ROCKME ROLLME is one of many Minnesota shippers we’re seeing now – his form isn’t bad, but he was 7-0-0-0 in previous Yonkers starts. (7) SUDDEN IMPACT draws poorly for his Hilltop debut and feels like he may be on the cheaper side

RACE 6 – (6) SENSEI AMNESIA is hard to gauge off her Canadian and Minnesota lines but she has 8 wins and 10 seconds in her career, and certainly meets no world beaters in her local debut – maybe worth a stab at that 15-1 ML price? (2) FLIGHT OF FRITZ is usually a solid player in this class but was particularly sharp winning his last, wearing down the heavy favorite (a solid NYSS performer) to the wire – he’ll be tough if he can repeat that effort, but he’ll also be a very short price! (8) SUMMER YOUNG raced much better than expected when she was a 15-1 jogburger in her local debut, then was very good again in her next when 2nd to the heavy favorite – she couldn’t get in play last week, however, and may suffer that same fate from Post 8 tonight – would consider if the price got really juicy. (1) MICHELONS TITAN does have some ability but seems to make a break in all her local tries. (5) EVANS PER FECT WAR has some solid tries in this class including one win – playable in exotics. (7) KEVLAR CCL is just 2 for 27 lifetime but has some Stga. lines that suggest he could be a decent fit with the locals – he gets an aggressive pilot for his YR debut, and is another one for longshot fans to consider. (4) ALL TOO WELL won an amateur race 2 back but is 5-0-0-0 in his other overnight starts. (3) WISH LIST returns from PcD off a weak try – prefer others

RACE 7 – (4) NEYREIT was way too hot early on last week and Kelly was forced to cut him loose much earlier than he would have liked – he battled hard through a tough middle half, and deserves a pass for tiring in the lane – maybe he can blast to the top from this spot and score a mild upset? (1) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE kept up much better last week and was a decent 3rd – the barn seems to be coming back around recently, and this guy may be able to have a say from this spot. (6) CHECKONWILLIAM GB comes into this off a trio of solid 2nd place finishes and has hit board in 5 straight – tough draw, but still worth a look at the right price. (7) RECORD YEAR never seems to win “pretty”, but he now has 9 victories on the year – faces a daunting task from Post 7, but certainly can’t be counted out! (5) WAIMAC ATTACK N returns from Monti in solid form, but vs. a bit easier – maybe a small piece? (3) CEN TURY IGLESIAS is rarely a threat to win, but does rally for small pieces at times. (2) THE REGULATOR took no $$ is his first start since February (dropping from 30s to 15s) and was never close – sticking with others

RACE 8 – Tough race: (2) EBONY LADY landed back last week in a barn she’s raced well for in the past but was caught inside and never had a chance to pace – she may get a much kinder trip tonight, and figures to be a big price in a seemingly wide open affair – one of several with a chance to take this. (4) RACIN FOR ROYALTY turned in a much sharper try last week, holding gamely for 2nd to the sharp front end winner after a first over trip – chance in here if she can build a bit off that mile. (1) NUTTINBUTHEBEST often “figures” but is just 2 for 23 this year and does figure to be overbet from this spot (8) QUICK MENU was a very good 2nd two back and raced super last week, somehow still 3rd after getting parked every step of the way – may have been the top choice tonight if not for Post 8. (5) ELISES DELIGHT had a very good 2024 season but went on the shelf in February and was no threat in either start since recently returning to the races – would prefer to see a better effort before hopping back on her team. (3) SUNBURNT did little prior to that 49-1 shocker on 8/13, and has done little since then. (7) VIRTUAL KISS was unable to rally in the lane last week after securing a two hole trip – looking at a much tougher trip tonight. (6) HAR MONY OF NOTES was empty at a big price last week, and now draws outside.

RACE 9 – (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE returns sharp from Minnesota, even if facing a bit easier there – he has a solid local record, and may be able to take these wire to wire. (3) D A WICKED SHINE was way overbet the last 2 weeks, winning easily 2 back but then fading on the lead in his last - his price should finally drift up a bit, and his best effort would certainly make him a big player. (4) MAJOR POCKET A’s last line wasn’t as impressive as it may look, as he was one of several closers to take advantage of a “fall apart” race – that being said, he’s still a good fit with this bunch, with a chance to grab a solid share. (6) JOHNNY CHIP picked up a 2nd and 3rd in his last 2 local trips and returns from Tioga tonight in a new barn, with Bartlett on board - tough draw, but still a logical player. (2) METAMAN has missed time and hasn’t been sharp but he does move inside and may be able to at least tow along for some minor spoils. (5) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N had managed just one 3rd from his 7 local tries and needs to find more if he hopes to be a more serious player. (7) DEEDENUTO was 0 for 25 at Yonkers before landing a perfect trip in a weak field last week, coming out on top in a race that just fell apart – he’ll be hard pressed to replicate that effort from out here. (8) BAD BOY TOO has been a little more competitive lately, but figures to need a much better draw before he can be a more serious player

RACE 10 – (2) DISARONNO HILL gave it a BIG try off the claim last week, looking like a winner until her very stubborn rival (#8) battled back to beat her – big post edge tonight, and that may be the key to victory. (3) ROCKIN RAE L was an even 4th in her first local try (for a new barn) last week – she may be capable of better tonight, and has appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (8) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK charged home full of pace 2 back then was terrific in her last, looking beat turning for home then battling back to beat #2 to the wire – brutal spot, but would still consider if the price was right. (5) MIKI THE CLOWN hadn’t been showing much before delivering the very game first over upset last week – hard to say if she can repeat that effort, but she’ll be a factor if she can. (7) DEFINI NGTHE MOMENT comes into tonight off a win and close 2nd, but both were from inside posts – feels like she could be vulnerable tonight with the move outside. (1) SUNTAN CITY really flattened late in her local debut then broke before the start in her last – too soon to write her off, but also not ready to hop on her team at what figures to still be a fairly short price. (6) MC ANGEL isn’t “as bad” as she was a while back, but also doesn’t seem sharp enough to be a real threat from this spot. (3) BLUEBIRD CRUSH was sent off at 103-1 last week and failed to beat a horse – sticking with others.