Friday, December 12, 2025, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Friday, December 12, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (7) WARRAWEE WHISPER doesn’t look all that appealing on paper right now but he’s been facing light years better than these, gets Bartlett to hop off #2 to drive him, and should be able to get it done in this field, even from Post 7 – won’t offer any kind of value after being installed as the 6/5 ML favorite, though! (5) BARN CREDIT struggled here over the past 2 years but moved to new connections last week and wasn’t bad, even if helped by an easy trip – maybe he can add some value to the exotics. (2) MAZEPPA N managed to stay trotting last week yet still got beat at this bottom level (probably why Bartlett opted OFF, this week) – he would be very dangerous here if he brought his “best”, but we really only saw that kind of effort once or twice since he arrived in the U.S. (8) WINDSO NG PIONEER probably will take a conservative approach after drawing Post 8 but he actually wasn’t bad last week, and COULD have a say here if able to improve at the start – ok for longshot fans. (3) MYSTICAL WYNN never grabbed the bit arriving from PcD last start, but the 10YO seems to still throw some good efforts, when in the mood – consider using underneath? (1) BROMAX gets a barn change for his local debut but the 3YO does seem to be on the cheaper side – pass for now. (6) FULL RIGHTS has been winless in 2025 and draws a poor post off dull tries tonight – would be a surprise. (4) INTERNATIONALCRAZE fits well at this level when on his game, but he comes into this off a miscue and a pair of double-digit losses.
RACE 2 – (1) OVER ICE is reluctantly getting top billing – she’s been known to struggle here in the past (7-0-0-0 heading into her last start) but was a sharp 2nd best to favored MISS DOTTIE MAE last week, and really should be able to handle this overall soft bunch. (6) I DREAM OF JEANIE won a pair of NJ starts after arriving from Canada, although DQ’d in her last – she fits our bottom class (thanks to the DQ), gets Yannick, and looms the main danger despite the bad draw. (2) MC ANGEL has been way off her game for ages but that last effort was more encouraging – she should be able to grab a decent piece tonight with the good draw. (3) HUNTS FLOWER just missed here 2 back (with the big barn and driver changes) but wasn’t nearly as good trying to cut the mile last week – could bounce back with a trip more to her liking. (5) RAZZIN JAZZ was an ok 3rd last week but benefited from an easy trip – probably won’t get as kind a journey tonight, though. (4) PURAMERI is 36-1-0-3 at Yonkers over the last 2 seasons – minor spoils only. (8) GOT BEACH BODY may have been hurt by some stretch traffic last week but doesn’t seem anywhere near sharp enough to threaten from out here, regardless. (7) SCHNAPPS hasn’t taken to her new barn (yet), making a break at Stga, then also struggling here last week.
RACE 3 – (1) FRONT PAGE STORY paced evenly at the back from a no-chance spot last week and her 6th place finish allows her to get tonight’s class drop – she’s won 10 races here this year (often vs. tougher), and they’ll have her to catch and beat tonight. (2) GLITTERING HOPE added Lasix last week and absolutely flew home through the lane, putting a late scare into the seemingly home free winner – her barn has been super (since returning from MN this summer), and she deserves plenty of respect! (4) MY SWEET LILY steps up to face much tougher after hanging on vs. easier last week, and the 3YO will need to be a lot better to beat these…definitely seems vulnerable at that 6/5 ML price. (6) MIKI IN LUV worked hard chasing a hot 3rd panel last week and it left her a bit short in the latter stages – she’s been sharp for a while (for a smaller barn having an excellent year), but may be looking at a smaller piece tonight after drawing outside. (3) CRUISE ALERT drops a bit but so do a few other sharp players – looking at minor spoils tonight. (5) FIGHTING EVIL returns from PRc and is 6-0-0-0 $1,120 locally over the last 3 years
RACE 4 – MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series, Leg 3: (6) SIR PINOCCHIO looked super holding off ANTOGNONI S in the first leg in a sizzling 1:53.3 mile…he came back to jog in Leg 2 with an easy 1:54.1 score, and is clearly the one to knock off once more, as he looks head into next week’s Final on a winning note! (2) SOUTHWIND COORS raced well in both of his series attempts, just missing to TAKE ALL COMERS the first week, then 3rd behind that same foe in his last – probably the one with the best chance if the top choice fails to bring his best. (4) KEG STAND has just one Yonkers win this year, but generally gives a solid effort week after week – may be able to use his late rally to take home a small piece. (5) SECURITY PROTECTED was no factor last week but did finish up a bit better adding Lasix for the first time – we’ll see if he can build off that mile and offer a decent rally tonight. (3) BLACKH AWK ZETTE is a bit overmatched in this series but certainly hasn’t embarrassed himself along the way – chance for a piece with an easy trip. (1) BIG BOX HANOVER tried to hang in from the pocket last week as ANTOGNONI S started to pull away but continued to weaken into the lane – another that just seems somewhat overmatched in here
RACE 5 – (3) IDEAL COVER didn’t fire last week but her 7th place finish does allow her to get a nice class drop tonight– several of her recent efforts would make her very dangerous in here, and she’s usually a pretty fair price. (1) IM A BELIEVER is an inconsistent sort but she’s more than capable from a spot like this, especially with Gingras back on board – the barn has shown a bit more life lately, so maybe this mare will bring a good one tonight too. (2) MIKKI SIXX struggled a bit in her local debut and her last qualifier was far from stellar…that being said, Bartlett choices off a couple of others to drive her tonight, and he generally makes the right call…just insist on a fair price if trying her on top. (6) JK PEARL STONE couldn’t quite last on the lead trying this level 2 back, but did finish steadily once free last week – a quick start could make her a legitimate player, at a decent price. (5) EASY TO PLE ASE had no real excuses off the pocket trip last week and goes from Jordan to Cory tonight – maybe she can rally for a small piece? (4) MISS DOTTIE MAE “stole” one vs. cheaper last start, crawling on the lead for 3/4s then holding off the tripsitter in the sprint to the finish – figures to have a tougher time vs. these, however. (7) TIME TO STRIKE picked up a 3rd in NW15000 three back but was no threat, and helped by an easy trip – not sure the 3YO is good enough to overcome tonight’s terrible draw. (8) ALTA MADEIRA N probably needs a much better post (in an easier field) to be a serious player.
RACE 6 - MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series, Leg 3: (2) ANTOGNONI S pushed SIR PINOCCHIO to the limit in Leg #1, hitting the wire just behind that one in a hot 1:53.3 mile – he came back to simply demolish his rivals by 10 lengths last week, and while he won’t be able to just have his way with this much tougher field, the road to the winner’s circle still runs through him. (3) ASTEROID can no longer be considered an “overachiever” as we’ve come to EXPECT a big mile from him every week – he seems able to overcome even tough trips, and can be in the hunt once more tonight. (5) TAKE ALL COMERS struggled for much of the summer but last year’s series winner is certainly peaking at the right time, winning both of his legs – he prefers to race on/near the lead but CAN rally if necessary – he definitely faces a more uncertain trip tonight, but still figures to make his presence felt! (4) ARI FER RARI J has been a “Jekyll and Hyde” type all season long, with (unfortunately) more “Hyde” than “Jekyll” – he followed up a nice win in the first leg with a costly miscue in his last, and it’s anybody’s guess as to which version we’ll see tonight. (6) ULTION FACE S his board in all 4 starts since arriving at Yonkers, including a 2nd and 3rd in his 2 series attempts – he’s looking at his first “tough” trip tonight, and we’ll see if that limits him to a much smaller piece. (1) ESCAPER, along with most of his barnmates, has thrived ever since arriving from MN this Fall – he’s a bit overmatched against these, though. (7) MISSISSIPPI STORM will still try hard even when in tougher than he’d like, but it may hard for him to do much damage coming from so far back
RACE 7 - MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series, Leg 3 – very well matched division: (1) DRIBBLING BI wasn’t overly sharp last week, but was still good enough to take advantage of an easy trip and beat out the others for 2nd behind the runaway ANTOGNONI S – he’s been in career form for months, ends up with Bartlett tonight (as Dube stays loyal to #5), and deserves the narrow edge…but that 7/5 ML price makes it hard to get too excited about a wager! (3) DIR E STRAITS did try to get in play from Post 8 last week but it just wasn’t possible – he’s good enough to be a threat in here if Kakaley can find him a decent trip. (4) CECIL HANOVER has certainly thrived since joining our leading barn in late August but he came up a little short at the end in the first leg, then threw an unexpected disappointing try from the pocket last week – he may bounce right back, but he may also be at least a bit vulnerable at a fairly short price. (2) HOT FLASH KIMMY will probably be overlooked here but she tries hard all the time, and usually trots well to the wire – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) AMIGO VOLO has $2.6M on his card and while his 8YO campaign has been solid overall, he just hasn’t been sharp in either of his 2 series starts – leaning towards others. (5) KHAOSAN ROAD does his best work on/near the lead and he figures to have a hard time finding that trip from this spot
RACE 8 – (5) ACUSHLA MACHREE N was smooth throughout the mile last week and delivered the kind of effort she’s capable of – the conditions were tweaked to allow her to stay eligible to this class, and she has a chance to make it 2 in a row, if she’s just as good tonight. (2) MY RED SEA has been ultra-consistent since returning from Ohio this summer, and she’s looking at a very good trip tonight – major danger. (3) DOUGS BABE A will have to deal with both a double jump AND a new pilot but she’s classy and sharp enough to handle it – can be right in the mix if the trip works out ok (and she behaves herself)! (6) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON returns from a stint at PRc (to her usual connections) but she was 0 for 10 at YR earlier this season – she’s still worth using underneath in exotics at that 20-1 ML price, though. (4) DANDYS MERCY was a sharp front end winner over a bit easier last week, but could be looking at a tougher task vs. this stronger field– still figures to be part of the action, though (7) PRESSURE COOKER has been on an extended form spree, culminating with a 2nd in the Invitational in her last start – she’s been away for a month, though, and figures to be conservative as a result. (8) TURN THE PAGE N is a hard hitting mare, but faces an uphill battle from out here. (1) SHEER ARTISTRY N flashed real ability in September but was scr. sick on 10/24 and her qualifiers suggest she may not be ready for this kind of assignment
RACE 9 – (2) OLIVER THE GREAT gave it a solid speed try from Post 7 last week (with the class relief) and it took a strong effort from the winner to run him down – moves inside tonight (with Gingras), and that may lead to an appointment with the photographer. (1) P CHICO had been a solid roll for some time before throwing a dull one in his last – the 3 weeks off may actually benefit him, and a bunch of his recent efforts would give him a chance for a piece of this. (4) DWS POINT MAN was definitely a bit sharper not too long ago, but it’s not like he’s been “bad” lately – a decent trip should put him in the mix for a nice piece. (7) RITSON is good right now but gets no luck with the draw – if Kakaley can improve even a bit at the start, he may be able to battle for a chunk of this. (8) I WONT BACK DOWN AS took a shot at leaving from Post 7 when shipping in on 11/13 but ended up parked – he has the ABILITY to be a player with these, but may take a conservative approach after drawing so poorly again. (3) VINNY DE VIE turned in a solid try from Post 7 last week but gets “rewarded” with a double class jump – it may slow him down a bit! (5) BACKSTREET PLAYER was dull last start but also has a few good recent efforts – leaning elsewhere, but wouldn’t be shocked if he raced better tonight. (6) ALWAYS A STORY lands in our leading barn after a month off but the 3YO filly may find these a bit tougher than she’s used to!
RACE 10 – (5) SEA CAN has some “meh” recent from at Plainridge but he returns to the leading barn in the nation tonight, gets Yannick back on board, and he won BOTH local starts here this year vs. better than these (after a 10-5-2-1 Yonkers season in 2024)– guessing that he’ll perk up enough to come out on top. (1) FULL OF MUSCLES isn’t as sharp as when he scored back to back front end victories in late September, but he’s still more than good enough to be a big threat here, especially if the top choice doesn’t show up on his game (2) CREATIVE VENTURE is just 1 for 31 at Yonkers this year but he was an ok 3rd last week, and should be sitting a close up trip tonight– chance for a small slice. (8) NO DRAMA PLEASE has always won his share at The Hilltop so it’s surprising that he was just 1 for 24 here this year – he’s left from some tough spots in the past, and he’s not a bad bomb to consider, trying to add some value to the exotics. (3) GLOBAL ACTION S’ stateside career was derailed in November by a couple of scratches - he raced ok on 12/5 in NJ off a weak qualifier, and he’s definitely a question mark for his local debut – he does figure to get overbet, though. (7) BLACK TIE BASH is a good fit at this level but the draw may leave him too far back to have any real say tonight. (4) PEMBROKE REGAL has struggled in most of his recent starts – not sure the drop from 40s will be enough to perk him up. (6) KASHA V had a disastrous qualifier after breaking on 11/14 – prefer to wait for better signs from him
RACE 11 – (7) FINAL CHEESERECIPE could be worth a stab in the finale – he went some big efforts here in the past (when sharp) but went on the shelf after being scratched lame on 5/22 – just recently qualified back nicely, but was hung out in a well meant effort right off the bat (in NJ)– meets no killers here, and may have a chance for the upset. (5) FORTIFY drew Post 8 returning from Canada and just toured the oval – would be no surprise to see him come to life in a big way in this much kinder spot. (2) MR PROFETA is having a tough year but did look much better last week after another barn change – maybe he’s ready to contend for a bigger piece? (3) THE MIKI TAKER A was no factor in his first couple of U.S. starts but was a better 2nd (after a class drop) the next week – he was scr. sick on 11/14, however, and it’s hard to say if he’ll be ready to step up and win a race off his qualifier. (4) SPORTY M THREE is winless in 23 local tries this year but this is a field where he can at least be a player for a small share. (6) BLACK EDITION N goes with Lasix for the 2nd time but he draws poorly, is 1 for 36 this year and just seems a bit cheaper. (1) FIZZING N draws the pole again, but that wasn’t enough to help him last week – been a tough year for him. (8) JB GRAM has been on the shelf since pulling up on 8/23 – guessing he won’t be part of the action tonight after landing out here.