Friday, December 5, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, December 5, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) MISS DOTTIE MAE has been “meh” for much of the year but she does tend to perk up in soft spots like this, especially when Bartlett is on board – we’ll give her top billing, but won’t be betting the rent money at what figures to be a pretty short price. (4) SCHNAPPS shows lines at The Meadows that would give her a big chance vs. this crew but she did make a break at Stga. last week (off the barn change), and did seem to struggle on the turns – maybe that’ll be straightened out for tonight, but there’s definitely some risk! (1) OVER ICE has the “ability” to beat these but she’s just 1 for 29 this year and even more significantly, 7-0-0-0 here at Yonkers – hard to endorse her on top at what figures to be a very short price! (3) PURAMERI is a camera shy mare, especially here at Yonkers – may be able to rally for a piece in THIS field, however. (2) RAZZIN JAZZ did pull off an upset here on 10/3 but has struggled for the most part since then – she’ll be close enough to the action if you’re looking to take a shot against the favorites. (7) LUCEAN has been no factor in NW2 and now steps up and lands outside. (6) KAIRA KICONFIDENTL N hasn’t been competitive in a long time – we’ll see how this comeback attempt goes

RACE 2 – MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series, Leg #2: (2) ANTOGNONI S raced super in the first leg, only to take a tough head loss to SIR PINOCCHIO in a sizzling 1:53.3 mile- we’ll look for him to get the job done tonight, though he does face some talented rivals. (3) AMIGO VOLO was a little disappointing in the first leg but was racing on short rest (he shipped down from Canada after winning the Open 4 days earlier!) – the winner of over $2.6M can still trot at this top level, and may be primed for a much bigger effort tonight. (7) ARI FERRARI J has struggled to find any consistent form this year but he did look sharp wiring the field in his last – very tough assignment tonight (from Post 7) even if able to bring another strong effort. (4) DRIBBLING BI has been in career form for months, but was just too far back to have any impact last week – could rebound with a much more competitive effort tonight with the improved post. (5) MISSISSIPPI STORM trotted evenly for 5th in the first leg but figures to be too far back tonight to have any real impact (in this very tough field). (6) SECURITY PROTECTED has shown up at a lot of big dances this year but really hasn’t been sharp for most of 2025 (just 1 win) – he adds Lasix tonight, and we’ll see if that helps at all. (1) BIG BOX HANOVER was struggling out of town heading into this series, was scratched from the first leg and would be a surprise tonight, even from the pole.

RACE 3 – (4) STRUTSVILLE is a 3YO filly taking on older mares but that didn’t stop her from rallying by this same class for the win last start – Yannick fills in as Bartlett takes #7 tonight, and he may look over and see this as an opportunity to be aggressive early– willing to stay on board as she seeks her 2nd straight. (7) ELEGANT A jogged as the odds-on choice in this class 4 back and returns at that same level after a win at Plainridge in her last – Bartlett takes her over #4, and that suggests he plans to leave hard, even from out here– major danger. (2) HUNTING HULA is usually a good finisher and may be even better tonight with the addition of Lasix – could be around late with any decent trip luck. (5) DOUGS BABE A had some traffic issues in the lane last week and may have cost her a chance for better – she’s more than capable at this level, gets along very well with Brennan and would really be no surprise at all. (3) ALLEGRA HANOVER is another 3YO in here and she’s shown that she can hold her own with these as well – good value horse to include underneath. (6) IDEAL COVER gets a tough draw in a solid field but before tossing her too quickly, note that she was able to hit board in her last pair, at big prices – maybe 3rd/4th? (1) SPIRIT OF PEARL A feels a bit overmatched right now, even from the pole

RACE 4 - MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series, Leg #2 – very competitive division: (4) ASTEROID has raced well so many times recently it’s hard to keep saying that he’s “overachieving” – we’re not really expecting any dropoff for his new listed trainer, and there’s a chance he could pull off an upset in this well-matched field if some good racing luck comes his way. (2) CECIL HANOVER has been another astute acquisition for Gingras and crew, currently 8-4-2-1 since joining his current barn – he should be able to land a good trip here, and that would make him a dangerous player (5) SOUTHWIND COORS has been able to squeeze out a bunch of close victories here this year but couldn’t find the wire last week – remains a big threat, but also figures to be overbet in this solid field. (7) TAKE ALL COMERS has had a disappointing season overall, but last year’s series winner picked a good week to bring his best when he used a pocket trip to pick up a first leg victory – the task will be much tougher from out here, though! (1) KEG STAND has struggled to WIN races here this year, but still manages to race “well” most starts – ok to consider underneath. (3) BLACKHAWK ZETTE is a nice trotter, but does his best work with easier. (6) QUEEN OF ALL has enjoyed another excellent season but gets a poor draw after being away for 2 months – pass for now

RACE 5 – (2) BRI EXPRESS N is hard to really like on paper but she was actually full of pace in traffic here on 11/21, and that last effort in NJ should have her on her toes for tonight – rare chance to get a big price from our leading trainer, and could be worth a stab! (5) MY SWEET LILLY was sent off favored last week despite moving up to take on older mares, and starting from Post 8 – she ended up making a break on the first turn (as others left to her inside), but she probably deserves a chance to make amends here. (6) JK PEARLSTONE has a similar profile to #5, as she went off 2nd choice to that one in her last start, made the top, and almost was able to grab the win – tough draw, but still worthy of respect. (3) EASY TO PLEASE is usually very tough when she gets down to this level but she may not be on her best game right now, and she faces some sharp foes – leaning more towards others. (7) WIN WITH LYNNLY has legitimate ability but can still be her own worst enemy at times – the filly will need a lot to go her way to overcome a major post disadvantage! (1) IM A BELIEVER has the rail with Gingras but just seems to be better suited facing a bit easier than these. (4) TALENT TO SPARE A has missed time after a couple of weak efforts – pass for now. (8) STAY HAPPY is the outsider here, both literally and figuratively

RACE 6 – Good race: (2) FULL OF MUSCLES was a bit disappointing off the pocket trip last week but he’s capable of better– the 3 weeks off may actually benefit him, and he’s one of several in here with a legitimate chance. (3) DWS POINT MAN had been holding his own with much better not too long ago but even the recent class drops haven’t been enough to get him to the winner’s circle – maybe he can bring his best and get over the hump tonight? (6) GO HAVE FUN has continued to improve since recently adding Lasix and his last 2 starts have been excellent – tough draw, but sharp enough to merit a look at a good price. (4) HAND DOVER DAN has managed to stay trotting for several Pocono starts and he’s also been showing big speed – he could be a player here if he continues to behave, but insist on a good price if considering on top (as he’s 12-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year). (7) BESTFRIEND VOLO got a switch from Bartlett to Fonseca with just a few minutes to post two back, ended up parked the mile and finished distanced – he did turn it a MUCH better effort with our leading driver last week, though it was disappointing to see him curl up in the lane after making what seemed to be the winning move to 3/4s…very tough draw, but not impossible by any means. (8) JUSTASIAM AS arrived at Yonkers last week with a 1 for 14 record this year but was able to double her win output after pouncing on a perfect pocket trip – unlikely to get anything close to that trip in here, though. (1) BARRY BLACK arrived here in 2018 as part of a package of 24 French trotters – he’s STILL banging heads at age 14 (7 years later), but may need to seek an easier spot if he hopes to end his career on a winning note. (5) PREMIER VICTOR’s best local work has come vs. a bit easier, and he’s missed a month.

RACE 7 – (2) ODDS ON PLATINUM sat last the whole way last week but was full of pace for 3rd once cut loose into the stretch – she recently picked up a win and a pair of 2nds at the Invitational level, and we’ll look for her to find a way to beat this more modest field tonight. (3) BONITAS BEST BET was stuck with a tough first over trip in her local debut and can be forgiven for weakening just a bit to 4th – she got around the track just fine, and could be a real threat tonight with that start under her belt (5) MACHS LEGACY A sat 8th the entire way last week and finished 8th as well…but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t pacing very well through the wire – her recent transformation from bottom class performer to the mare she is now has been remarkable, and she’s worth using on the bottom of exotics, hoping for a live trip. (6) MY RED SEA has thrived ever since returning from Ohio, compiling a 9-4-0-3 record (along with a pair of 4ths) – she has more than enough ability to be a big threat here, but the draw MAY limit her to a smaller slice tonight (after wiring ‘em from the rail, last week). (4) ACUSHLA MACHREE N gets Bartlett for the first time tonight and she’s hinted at legitimate ability in a few of her U.S. starts – she also tends to be a little hard to drive at times, and that has hurt her on a few occasions…leaning a bit more towards others. (7) TURN THE PAGE N is a nice mare who finally picked up her first local victory of the season last week – tonight’s draw will be tough to overcome, though. (1) LUCKY ARTIST A has leveled off at these higher levels, and drops wins off her card the next 2 starts (8) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY lands outside in her 2nd start back off the layoff– pass for now

RACE 8 – (4) FADEAWAY HANOVER didn’t seem all that serious on 11/21 when he debuted for our leading trainer, but still finished steadily from the back – his Canadian lines suggest that the 3YO has plenty of ability, and the guess is that we’ll see more of it tonight – won’t offer much value, though! (7) OLIVER THE GREAT was definitely overmatched in the Series last week and will surely appreciate the significant class relief – he does get a horrible draw though, so insist on a decent price if using on top. (3) MON AMOUR held his own vs. better in his last 3 starts, gets both post and class relief for tonight and should be able to make his presence felt. (2) RITSON moves up off losses but he finished full of trot at the cones last week, and can hang with these when sharp – ok for exotics. (5) BACKSTREET PLAYER has some solid recent efforts, and may be able to outperform that 20-1 ML price – decent bomb for the bottom of exotics. (1) MUSICAL RIDE is light in the win column this year but moves inside off a pair of 8 holes and that may help him grab some minor spoils. (6) TORRONE steps up off 2 wins, but may struggle in this tougher spot. (8) BJMS LIL MAN will look better with a class drop next week

RACE 9 - MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series, Leg #2: (4) PERICULUM is a world-class trotter that can bang heads with the best, week after week – he finished 2nd here in the International Trot in 2024, and was hopelessly boxed in through the stretch in this year’s edition…but while he looked like a stickout in the first leg, he made an uncharacteristic break early on and never was able to get back into it (as the 1/10 favorite) – have to believe it wasn’t a major issue if his sharp connections drop him right back in for the 2nd leg, and we’ll look for him to get things right tonight. (3) SIR PINOCCHIO came into the first leg with an 8 for 10 record at Yonkers and delivered one of his best efforts to date, holding off ANTOGNONI S in an eye-opening 1:53.3 mile – he’ll be waiting to capitalize if the top choice makes any mistakes tonight! (2) ULTION FACE S has hit board in all 3 local starts, including a 3rd behind #3 last week – chance for another nice chunk tonight. (5) BENNY J looked a bit overmatched heading into the first leg but he raced much better than expected, trotting home steadily for 4th – maybe he can build off that and grab another piece here? (1) KHAOSAN ROAD does his better work on/near the lead and was never in play after taking off the gate last week – maybe he can be a bigger part of the action with a more aggressive getaway? (6) HOT FLASH KIM MY finished with solid trot from an impossible spot last week, and might have been listed a bit higher if not for another bad draw – still a decent bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) DIRE STRAITS can hold his own with these with a good trip, but faces an uphill battle after drawing Post 8. (7) ESCAPER has done great work, but really is in tough vs. these!

RACE 10 – (2) SAPPHIRERAINSTAR was already in fine form (in PA) before joining our leading barn last week, was hammered down to 3/5 but got a little too hot on the lead (1:25.4 to 3/4s!) and weakened late to 3rd – worth another try, especially now that Bartlett knows her a little better. (1) I GET IT missed 6 months but is doing good work on his comeback trail, winning 2 back at Chester and winning here last week – he’s beaten much better than these in the past, and figures to be right there all the way tonight. (3) ONCE IN A LIFETIME banked nearly $250K last year (and has $731K lifetime) but has struggled to get anything going in 2025, just 1 for 16 this year – he’ll appreciate tonight’s post AND class relief, but still feels like a risky proposition. (5) SHOW ME has been racing well in PA and did good work here earlier in the year – he does debut for a new barn tonight, so it’s hard to say how his form will be affected – willing to include on the bottom of exotics. (7) VINNY DE VIE hasn’t been all that sharp lately and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help – minor spoils? (8) BARN HALL was ok finishing after the fact last week, but really has just one “good” effort lately – may be looking forward to a class drop next week. (6) DRAW THE LINE couldn’t deliver as the favorite the last 2 weeks and gets a bad draw for tonight – leaning elsewhere. (4) WINDSONG PIONEER was struggling before last week’s sick scratch – waiting for better signs

RACE 11 – Another good race: (1) MIKI IN LUV paced a strong final half to be a close 4th last week, and was very good here on 10/24 as well (also rallying late) – Dube has more options from the pole tonight, and that may be enough to give her the edge over a well matched field. (3) FEARLESS BETTOR was a very good earner at 2 and 3 but has been disappointing as a 4YO – she seemed overbet for her YR debut last week but was actually full of pace in the lane, with no room to pace…may be ready for a big effort tonight. (6) FRONT PAGE STORY has 11 wins this year, several vs. better than these…would need a decent price to use on top from Post 6, though (2) CRUISE ALERT is another that had some traffic issues last week – could grab a piece with some better trip luck. (5) DANDYS MER CY was an ok winner as the prohibitive favorite over cheaper 2 back, and a solid 3rd in NW15000 last week – she steps up again, and we’re leaning a bit more to a couple of others. (7) COACHELLABOUND N is never the same when used hard, and she’s looking at a tough trip from Post 7! (4) GLITTERING HOPE is one of many from the barn to have thrived since arriving from MN – adds Lasix, but still may need to be in a bit easier

RACE 12 – (5) P C FREE WHEELING has a bunch of solid recent efforts vs. much better than these, and can be excused for that last at Monti (tough trip) – she should end up a fair price in here, and just feels like a much “safer” option than (4) MAZEPPA. The latter has a lot of speed/ability, but he’s very prone to miscues and often looks an inch from a break even when he stays trotting– tough horse to back as the odds-on favorite, even at the bottom level. (3) WOODSIDE GENIUS has been doing mostly good work vs. decent Monti stock and should be able to at least contend for a piece with the locals. (2) ROGER RABBIT will likely get overbet with Gingras driving and he’s just 4 for 47 locally over the past 2 years- his last (amateur) race was also discouraging. (1) FATHER MIKE managed to grab a small piece from well back in his YR debut and may be able to pick up a piece here too. (7) CREATIVE VEN TURE is 1 for 30 here this year after going just 3 for 33 last year – hard to back from out here. (6) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE draws poorly and is winless in 28 local starts this year. (8) BARN CREDIT struggled here for the last 2 years – moves to a new barn, and figures to take a conservative approach after drawing Post 8.