Friday, December 19, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, December 19, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) RITSON comes into this off 4 straight 3rd place finishes, racing well each time – he has the speed to create a good trip for himself, and should offer some decent value (with a few live ones drawn to his inside) (2) THE BRODSTER has no shortage of speed, and was a front end 1:55.3 winner in his only local try – it’s hard to say if his “class” matches his “speed”, however, and that could make the 3YO a bit vulnerable at a pretty short price. (1) TOM SWIFTY won 11 races and $134K at 3, and has done some good work as a 4YO as well – he’s been climbing back up the class ladder out of town recently, and should be able to have a big say here (and he’s gotten around the track just fine in the past). (5) ONCE IN A LIFETIME has $739K on his card but his 5YO campaign has been a struggle – he used a perfect trip to beat easier last week, but will need to find more to be the same kind of threat here. (3) MA ISABELLE is just 2 for 21 locally in ’25 but good enough to contend for a small piece, with an easy trip. (8) GO HAVE FUN fits well at this level, but loses Jordan and draws Post 8. (6) KASHA V was ok last week, but will be hard pressed to have much say with these. (4) ELEGANT DANCER looks overmatched in this field

RACE 2 – (2) MACHS LEGACY A went from never being able to win races at Yonkers to winning them in bunches, after she started changing hands a few times this summer – she should be able to get a quick start (and good trip) from this spot, with a chance to pull off a mild upset. (6) FRONT PAGE STORY got collared by a less credentialed foe last week, but that winner has really been on the upswing since recently adding Lasix – she’s won 11 races this year, and looms a real threat to end the season with one more victory. (8) BONITAS BEST BET flattened a bit after a first over bid in her local debut but kicked home full of pace off an easier trip in her last – brutal spot here, but also a chance for a rare big price on a powerful trainer/driver team. (3) FEARLESS BETTOR was full of pace in traffic on 11/21 but everybody must have seen it, as she was sent off at 5/2 the next week – she disappointed that night, and will need to find a better effort to threaten here. (4) MISS PERIGNON N started to click a couple of months ago and has been terrific ever since– she does face tougher tonight, and that could slow her down a bit. (1) REC TIME draws the pole but could still be prone to a poor getaway – chance to show up late for a small piece. (5) STRUTSVILLE is a solid 4-1-0-3 locally but faces tougher tonight – leaning more towards others. (7) AM BUSHED is a tough mare having a great season…but loses Jordan, and draws Post 7, up in class

RACE 3 – (6) SILK CLOUD A tired badly (in NJ) off the freshening last week, but we’ve seen her bounce back many times in the past, against stronger fields than this one – it’s possible she’s just not 100% right now, but she’s tempting at 20-1 ML in a pretty wide open race. (3) MY RED SEA has been a model of consistency since returning from Ohio this summer, handles any trip, and could have a big say if things go her way. (8) AARDIE B MIIKI N won her first 5 Yonkers starts, including the Matchmaker Final – she’s only 1 for 5 since then, however, and figures to be heavily backed tonight despite drawing Post 8 off a qualifier – possible for sure, but also could be vulnerable. (1) TURN THE PAGE N has gone plenty of big miles (against good mares), even if she’s light in the win column at YR this year – worth a look, at a nice price. (5) ODDS ON PLATINUM has done some good work here this year, and can handle a variety of trips – another that could show up, with the right scenario. (2) ACUSHLA MACHREE N should be feeling pretty confident after wins in her last 2 but she may not be as handy as some of the others – insist on a fair price, if using on top. (4) DANDYS MERCY is hitting on all cylinders right now as she climbs the class ladder – the only “knock” is the 3-1 ML price! (7) DOUGS BABE A is sharp, but looking at a tough journey tonight

RACE 4 – MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series Consolation – 1 ¼ miles: (5) DIRE STRAITS just has more confidence when Bartlett drives and the pair team back up tonight – should be able to get a good start from this spot, and be a major threat. (4) SECURITY PROTECTED added Lasix 2 back and did finish with trot in both starts since then – could be a late threat if things get a little testy up front. (1) KEG STAND has a ton of class and was 6 for 17 here in 2024…making his 1 for 18 local slate this year a major surprise – he should land on a good trip tonight, and could be dangerous if close turning for home. (2) ESCAPER was doing terrific work prior to being overmatched in his series legs – he did continue to try hard, however, and could have a much bigger say vs. this field. (8) KHAOSAN ROAD is a much better horse on/near the lead but took off the gate in all 3 legs – if you think Dube may take a shot at leaving, the price WILL be big. (3) BIG BOX HANOVER tired in both series legs but was chasing hot miles both times – may be able to stick around a bit longer tonight. (6) HOT FLASH KIMMY is a nice mare and gets Gingras but the draw will be tough to overcome. (7) AMIGO VOLO has $2.6M worth of class in his account but just hasn’t been any good since arriving from Canada – Post 7 doesn’t help! (9) MISSISSIPPI STORM is buried in this spot

RACE 5 – 1 ¼ miles: (3) BLACK TIE BASH hasn’t won in some time but he’s used to facing better, and did have trot finishing last week (hidden in the back) – might be worth a look in an unpredictable race, where the favorites have some knocks. (10) WARRAWEE WHISPER really should have been able to win off the class drop last week and the trip was better than it looks on paper – he faces an absolutely unpredictable trip starting from the back row, but has the right guy to find him a “manageable” journey – figures to be overt, though. (2) SEA CAN has a terrific local history, making it all the more surprising that he didn’t perk up returning to the nation’s leading trainer last week (the trip was awful, but largely because HE was so sluggish early on) – way too soon to write him off, but also tough to swallow another very short price tonight. (6) WINDSONG PIONEER usually does his best on/near the lead so it’s encouraging that he raced pretty well from off the pace in his pair – more than willing to give him a look at a big price. (7) MAZEPPA N actually won at this distance earlier in the year but he had no excuse at all 2 back, and was all done BEFORE the miscue last week – hard to take a shortish price right now. (8) P C FREE WHEELING would normally be a threat with these but she followed up a disappointing Monti try with a poor try here last week. (1) DROP THE MIC’s only local win over the past 3 years came in a (fall apart) amateur race when he was placed first, via DQ. (9) FULL RIGHTS is winless on the year and starts from the back row tonight! Both (4) SUPREME ROCKETTE and (5) IDOTOROD just seem overmatched.

RACE 6 – MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series Consolation – 1 ¼ miles: (2) CAPTAIN MOORE A raced well for 3rd and 4th in 2 of his legs and actually was “sneaky good” the week he was 6th (horrible cover) – he gets Bartlett back for the first time in a while and we’ll give him top billing…but won’t be falling in love at a short price (4) VERDUN hasn’t been his best self recently, but he’s been able to always bounce back (eventually) in the past – never a bad one to consider at a price, particularly as versatile as he is. (5) HEMSWORTH N remains unreliable, capable of losing to much cheaper, then throwing a big one vs. top horses (like his effort 2 back) – he has a big move in him, if things do set up in his favor. (3) THE GREEK FREAK climbed the ladder with 5 straight Yonkers wins, but came into the series as a big question mark vs. these types…suppose that question still really hasn’t been answered! (9) SHERLO CK N seemed wildly overmatched on paper for this series but raced very well to pick up 3rds in his last 2 starts – maybe he can trip out and rally for a piece here too? (1) TIP TOP CAT draws the pole for top connections but is 0 for 17 at Yonkers – small piece? (10) ENDOFSTORY can throw efforts that would make him dangerous against these but he seems unlikely to find one of those from THIS spot. (7) AMERICAN DEALER N has grabbed a lot of pieces from terrible spots but may have a tough time doing that tonight. (6) NANDOLO N wasn’t bad in his series tries but disappointed last week, and is in a tough spot here. (8) BLAZING HOME N wasn’t terrible in his 3 starts and would have been listed higher had he not drawn the 8 hole

RACE 7 - MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series Final $250K – 1 ¼ miles: (3) SIR PINOCCHIO (11 for 13 at Yonkers) has looked super winning all 3 of his series legs while (1) ANTOGNONI S (14-10-2-1 at The Hilltop) looked super winning 2 of his 3 legs, just missing to SIR PINOCCHIO in the lone loss – they both draw inside, and it’s almost impossible to separate them! (6) ASTEROID has been on an extended form spree and while he gets a tough draw here, he still a good one for the bottom of exotics (8) TAKE ALL COMERS (Post 9, and last year’s series champ) found his best form of 2025 in his last few starts, but faces an uncertain trip starting behind the unpredictable ARI FERRARI J – if things go his way, he’ll be able to make some noise here. (4) BLACKHAWK ZETTE raced a bit better than expected the last 3 weeks – chance for a minor share, with an easy trip. (5) ULTION FACE S hit board in his first 4 local tries but was killed by horrible cover last week and lost any chance – chance for a piece with better luck tonight. (2) ARI FERRARI J still has the ability, but he throws more bad efforts than good ones – the rail may not help his cause tonight (1A) CECIL HANOVER is stuck starting from Post 8 – suppose if he can somehow loop his way to a good early spot he’d have a chance to last for a small share. (9) DRIBBLING BI starts behind ANTOG NONI S – if he can go forward at the start and get away near the leaders, he can contend for a piece. (7) SOUTHWI ND COORS is another that drew poorly, and will need to “leave and hope” for any chance to be in play.

RACE 8 - - MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series Final $250K – 1 ¼ miles: (4) CAPTAIN ALBANO was a beast at 2, and beast at 3, and has certainly looked outstanding as he winds down his 4YO campaign, winning all 3 of his legs and using a different trip each time – he faces a very strong field in here (including THREE entrants from our leading barn), but he’s still earned top billing! (1) CATALPA RESCUE A finished full of pace 2 back then gave REDWOOD HANOVER all he could handle when a close 2nd last week – decent value play if looking to go against the “main players”. (9) COACHES CORNER has been insanely consistent for the last two years, delivering big efforts week after week – he’s an amazing 36-19-14-0 here at Yonkers, and his lone series loss was to #4 – always dangerous! (2) REDWOOD HANOVER is 7-5-0-2 at The Hilltop this year, with excuses for the 2 losses – barnmate to #9 is a formidable player himself! (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A has been super at Yonkers ever since arriving here, and followed up a win in the first leg with a pair of 2nds the last 2 weeks – chance for another nice chunk tonight (6) SPRING INHIS STEP A has been a solid performer in all of his local starts – he’s a notch below the top ones, but a good trip could help him grab a piece. (7) MOSSDALE BEN N looked like he was getting back to top form with that win 2 back but wasn’t nearly as sharp when 3rd last week – the Borgata Champ may just have too far to come tonight. (10) ALWAYS A THRILL is good right now, but will need major trip luck from this spot (5) CALICOJAC K HANOVER used his speed for a pair of 2nds but just feels unlikely to replicate that in THIS field. (8) HUNTINT HELASTDOLAR (the 3rd entry from our top barn) has been super, but faces a (likely) impossible trip from this spot.

RACE 9 – 1 ¼ miles: (6) BRONZER’s nice form spree hit a bump with that untimely miscue 2 back but he put the hopples back on last week and turned in another good one – deserves a long look at that 8-1 ML price. (4) BESTFRI END VOLO (a participant in last year's MGM Grand Prix series) has been having a tough year but he does feel like he’s back on the upswing – chance to make it 2 in a row, despite moving up a bit. (1) FULL OF MUSCLES has been a bit off his best game lately, but that didn’t stop him from crushing softer last week – he has speed from the pole, and that at least gives him a chance. (2) ALWAYS A STORY is a 3YO filly facing older males but she finished with good trot last week (1st time for our leading trainer) and may be able to rally for a piece. (3) BACKSTREET PLAYE R feels like he’s leveled off in his last few starts but still could battle for a slice of this with an easy trip. (7) THE HA ZLETON was no factor last week but at least hung in ok (after a terrible start a month earlier) – a quick start could put him in the hunt for a small slice. (10) MUSICAL RIDE fits ok with these but will need trip luck from this bad spot just for a chance at some minor spoils. (5) JUSTASIAM AS was a perfect trip winner over much easier in her local debut, but made an uncharacteristic miscue last week, and now moves up in class. (8) VINNY DE VIE is just 2 for 30 this year and draws horribly. (9) IMMIGRANT AM S drops a bit, but may still need additional class relief

RACE 10 – (1) IDEALINFUN rebounded from a clunker on 11/25 with a much better effort last week – she’s used to facing much tougher, and this feels like a winnable spot for her. (4) BRI EXPRESS N was 5th in her last 2 local starts but had pace in traffic both times – she drops a bit, and has appeal at that 10-1 ML price. (5) A FEW CHOICE WORDS beat this class here on 10/10 and won a start in NJ 2 back – her form has been inconsistent at best, but her best effort puts her in play for a good piece. (2) TALENT TO SPARE A had been dull in most of her recent starts but did turn in a much better try in PA last week – can have at least a say tonight if she can build off that a bit. (3) CHA NCEOFLIGHTNING just missed in her last but the 3YO has missed a month, and that’s a concern. (6) ALTA MAD EIRA N is an infrequent winner at Yonkers and is just 2 for 31 overall, in 2025 – the bad draw makes it even tougher to look her way. (8) IM A BELIEVER drops, but that figures to be negated by Post 8. (7) HUNTS FLOWER has been ok with cheaper, but seems unlikely to threaten from out here

RACE 11 – (6) FATHER MIKE rallied nicely from an impossible spot in his local debut (for a new barn) then was an excellent first over winner last week – he steps up and draws poorly, but there’s nothing too scary in here and he may be able to repeat. (1) YANK MY HALO will attract plenty of $$ (off a win at PcD and his top connections) but he looked a little shaky scoring down before his only local try (11/21) and he did make a break leaving from the rail that night – could be a little risky. (3) DRAW THE LINE was holding her own in the FM Open not too long ago but on the flip side, was easily beaten as the favorite at the bottom level 2 and 3 back – possible, but only if a fair price. (2) MYSTICAL WYNN is an “in and outer” that brought the “in” version last week, scoring at 28-1 over the odds -on WARRAWEE WHISPER – can he bring that kind of effort again? (4) PEMBROKE REGAL was good vs. better not too far back but has been struggling for a while – wake up call needed. (5) INTERNATIONALCRAZE was a decent 3rd last week in an improved try – maybe 3rd/4th? (8) IM OUT fits well at this level but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from Post 8 for Cory S. (7) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is 1 for 52 locally over the past 3 seasons

RACE 12 – (4) JETT STAR N hit board in his last 4 at Stga. and returns to Yonkers, where he won 4 of 14 this year – lukewarm nod in the 2025 season finale! (1) UP THE CREEK’s recent out of town efforts vs the 20s make him a player here…but his 7-0-0-1 local slate this year says don’t take a short price on top. (2) SPORTY M THREE is 0 for 24 locally this year but he gets a good draw in a blank field and that at least gives him a chance to be part of the exotics. (5) POP IT has been dull but gets a class drop and better draw, so he may bring a better effort tonight. (6) FI NAL CHEESERECIPE took no $$ and was never close in his 2nd start off the layoff – inclined to pass, but will check the tote board first! (3) BET ON MAC has some “ok” recent lines out of town but is 6-0-0-0 locally, vs. easier than these. (8) BULLVILLE FRANK could probably contend for a piece with these with a good draw, but Post 8 does figure to slow him down considerably. (7) VULCAN STAR N lands Post 7 after a dismal start last week.