Friday, November 14, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, November 14, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) THE MIKI TAKER A flashed some better life finishing in his 2nd U.S. start, then was a solid 2nd last week (behind a heavily favored dropdown winner) – catches nothing too scary in here, and may be in a spot to pick up his first stateside victory. (1) LENNON HANOVER doesn’t have the greatest local slate (16-1-1-1) but he seems a bit sharper right now than he looks on paper, and his barn has sent out a few live ones recently – maybe he can add some value to the ticket? (2) CURBSIDE PICKUP has fallen on some hard times but has at least been competitive at these lower levels – probably no value using him on top, but he’s a logical player to at least grab a decent piece. (4) RUSTY BEACH is just 7-0-0-1 here at Yonkers but he’s been facing some decent stock in his recent PA starts, and may be able to at least be a player with these. (6) LYRICAL GENIUS A found a very easy spot and grabbed a win at Stga. but was unable to build off that effort, instead reverting to his weaker local form last week – needs to be a lot better. (3) JACKS LEGEND N has a ton of back class but offering very little lately – another in need of a big wake up call (7) GALANTE A was more competitive last week but tonight’s draw figures to hurt his chances considerably (8) MR PROFETA was “ok” for his new barn last week but will likely need a better draw to be a real threat

RACE 2 – (6) MYBITCOIN hasn’t been on her best game the last few weeks but it’s not like she’s been terrible – she’s used to facing much better than these, and this is a prime spot for a wake up call – wouldn’t fall in love at a short price, though! (5) STAY HAPPY hasn’t been at her best lately but at least she’s been “competitive” – she can do some damage here if she brings one of her better efforts. (2) IM A BELIEVER is usually reliable at this bottom level and should have some confidence after handling cheaper at PcD last week – it would be hard to endorse he ron top at that 3/2 ML price, though! (3) NITE TIME DEAL doesn’t feel like a threat to win here, but she’s racing well enough to at least contend for a decent piece (with a decent trip). (4) KNOCK TWICE is 0 for 24 this year, with 13 of those losses coming here at Yonkers – underneath only. (1) CATIE FAYE HANOVER races here a few times every year and never wins – she’s another that could contend for a smaller piece, with an easy trip.

RACE 3 – (1) TORRONE took a conservative approach from the 8 hole last week but now moves all the way inside, likes to win races, and gets to pick his trip from this spot – we’ll give him the narrow edge. (5) BARN HALL threw a back side brush last week that probably would have been the winning move 19 out of 20 times…but he couldn’t clear the stubborn leader (winner) and took a tough nose loss – it was a BIG wake up mile, and he’ll be dangerous here with any effort close to that. (6) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS will appreciate the class drop, but NOT the draw – he’s more than capable against these, and worth considering if you think he may be able to leave and improve position at the start. (4) GO HAVE FUN hasn’t really shown any improvement since adding Lasix 2 back but she also was stuck outside both times – maybe we’ll see a bigger effort with tonight’s much better draw? (2) SW ISS HOUSE ONFIRE is 0 for 27 at Yonkers this year and doesn’t seem a threat to end that streak vs. these. (3) INTE RNATIONAL CRAZE has missed time off a break…and seems to be a bit cheaper than these, regardless.

RACE 4 – (1) DANDYS MERCY has raced very well here (vs. much better than these), draws best returning from out of town and figures to be very tough to beat tonight…but at a very short price! (6) A FEW CHOICE WORDS had some issue here on 10/24 but her solid try in NJ last week suggests it was nothing major – she’ll need some trip luck to overcome the draw, but she may be able to add some value to the exotics (2) MISS DOTTIE MAE moves up 2 levels off a loss last week but still may be able to just tow along and take home a decent piece. (5) TWIN B SUNK ISSED was an ok 4th last week, but has just 1 win and 1 second from her 15 local starts this year – Buter stays loyal to her connections (he takes her over #1) but she still figures to be looking at only a smaller share (3) IDEAL SKIES was driven perfectly last week and able to beat #2 – tougher trip likely tonight, though, especially with the double class jump. (4) MAN DONTFORGET ME has just 5 starts this year, and would be hard to like off those qualifiers

RACE 5 – (1) COACHELLABOUND N was overdriven last week (for seemingly the zillionth time) and it left her a tired mare (having missed three weeks after a sick scratch) – she drops right back in the box, drops in class, and gets Bartlett tonight (assuming he makes it back in time from NJ) – we’ll give her top billing in this soft spot, but won’t be betting the rent money on her! (2) IDEAL COVER had pace in some traffic at the back last week and wasn’t bad the week before either – may just be able to sit close and grab a nice chunk tonight. (5) HUNTING HULA usually has good stamina and paces well at the end – not sure where she’ll be coming from tonight, but she should still be able to rally for a good piece. (6) ALLEGRA HANOVER seemed overmatched taking on good older mares last week but the 3YO improved dramatically for her new barn and was full of pace to the wire – tonight’s draw does figure to hurt, though. (3) EASY TO PLEASE didn’t even pretend to be interested from the back last week but she may be able to sit closer and grab some minor spoils from this more reasonable spot. (4) MALUKA MISS N benefited from a pocket trip to take home 2nd last week, but may not be as fortunate from this tougher spot.

RACE 6 – (3) BLACK TIE BASH was handled conservatively last week (after a miscue the week before) but was absolutely full of trot at the end – he catches a very iffy field tonight, and looks tempting at that 8-1 ML price. (5) KI NDA LUCKY LINDY steps up a bit off last week’s victory and his barn has just been on fire for a while now – no reason he can’t be a player here too. (1) LUCKY MUM N was sent off at 3/5 last week (3rd start off the layoff), got to call the shots, somehow held the lead despite a :30 third panel then fought hard with #5 through the stretch before coming up 2nd best – she’s capable of better, and would be dangerous here if she brings her “A Game”. (4) BACKST REET PLAYER was a little disappointing last week but he did land in a pretty fast mile – his overall recent form is decent, he gets Bartlett on board, and could easily be a player with these. (8) ONCE IN A LIFETIME banked nearly $250K last year but 2025 has been disappointing, to say the least – his last 2 local tries resulted in miscues, and he returns from PA off a break in his last – ultra-risky for sure, but he does have plenty of ability IF you think he might behave tonight. (2) KASHA V reverted to his lesser form in a weak 5th last week– if he shows up in a good mood, he can rebound and grab a piece. (6) VINNY DE VIE was an easy trip 2nd last week but his overall recent form hasn’t been great, and he draws poorly. (7) WINDSONG PIONEER wants the lead, in a cheaper field

RACE 7 – (5) LOUIES GIRL N is now 5 for 5 in the U.S. and has proven herself to be much better than these, regardless of trip – tough to make any kind of case against her tonight! (3) PRESSURE COOKER arrived sharp from PA and has continued to hold that form here at Yonkers, including a 2nd to #5 in her last start – may be able to complete the exacta once more. (6) MY RED SEA has been doing excellent work since returning from Ohio, compiling a 7-3-0-3 record since then – gets the worst of the draw, but can still find a way to take home a piece of this. (4) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND just got 3 weeks off after a long stretch of sharp miles – hard to say if she’ll be 100% tonight, and that has us leaning a bit more to a couple of others. (1) CRUISE ALERT was able to take home 2nd last week after #5 just drew away effortlessly in the stretch – she still seems a notch below some of these, and she may have to settle for a smaller prize tonight. (2) LUCKY ARTIST A seems unlikely to bring one of her top efforts up at this lofty level

RACE 8 – (1) DWS POINT MAN tried to race aggressively off the class drop last week but ended with a terrible trip instead – he’s sharp enough right now that he still managed to finish 4th, and maybe he can make amends tonight with a better journey. (5) DIAMANTE TRIO IT, like many of her barnmates, just looks like a new horse over the last couple of weeks – she steps up seeking 3 in a row and does have the back class for a chance to pull it off. (6) AQ UARIUS FACE S won several races earlier in the summer but leveled off a bit once up at the higher levels – she’s a good fit here, and can be a player if she can shrug off last week’s early miscue. (3) FULL OF MUSCLES is at his best on/near the lead and may try to get there from this spot – he could have a big say with the right trip. (4) BE DIF FERENT has emerged from a long rough patch with a few much better efforts lately and is very playable underneath in his current form (leaning more towards others for the top slot, though). (2) WARRAWEE WHISPER gets a good draw with Gingras but just seems a notch below a few of the others – minor spoils? (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR was super in last week’s gutsy victory but he’s moving WAY up in class and lands a terrible post. (8) B NICKING hit the top and never looked back last week…but seems unlikely to get anywhere near the action from tonight’s brutal spot

RACE 9 – (1) DRAW THE LINE took a couple of months off then just turned in an excellent tightener at Chester – draws the rail at the bottom level for her Hilltop return and she’s used to facing much better than this…solid chance in the finale. (2) ENERGY KING is just 2 for 34 this year but his current efforts have been solid, and he should be looking at a pretty good trip tonight – playable in exotics. (4) BRAVE BY DESIGN never got close last week but may have been content just to trot a clean mile after the miscue the week before – could see him finding a much better effort tonight. (6) HALOA was “ok” returning from KY last week, leaving to a seat in 4th, then trotting evenly for 4th (while no threat to the top trio into a quick final half) – could land another piece tonight, even with another bad draw. (3) WHEELZABLAZIN gets Yannick and a good draw, but just seems too off form to endorse right now. (5) RADIO LAB just hasn’t had much pop lately – he’s capable of better, and we’ll watch for some better signs before hopping back on his team. (8) FULL RIGHTS was actually very good when 3rd last week and may be on the upswing – he’s also 0 for 23 this year, and it’s hard to get excited about his chances from Post 8. (7) SEVENSHADE SOFGREY has been struggling lately, and now lands a terrible draw off a bad date.