Friday, November 21, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, November 21, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) SAPPHIRERAINSTAR (despite a couple of miscues) has been racing very well recently at PcD – she debuts tonight for our leading trainer and driver, and while her previous local efforts have been mixed, she did hint at some legitimate ability...she lands in the right place to get it out of her. (2) BARRY BLACK arrived here in 2018 as part of a group of 24 French trotters, and has been making a lot of starts every year since then – he’s 14 now and winding down his career, but the classy senior can still hold his own with these types! (6) GO HAVE FUN was handled aggressively last week and gave it a big try to be a close 2nd – he faces an uncertain trip tonight, but worth a look at a good price. (4) WHEELZABLAZIN had been struggling but responded last week to a switch to Gingras (and the front end) and delivered a sharp victory– steps up, but chance for a piece here too. (5) VINNY DE VIE isn’t on his “best” game right now, but he’s capable of a slice here if the trip goes his way. (3) JUSTASIAM AS definitely has ability, but the mare has struggled a bit at 4 and doesn’t seem on her game as she makes her local debut – prefer to observe, for now. (7) BARN HALL perked up with a big one 2 back but quickly regressed to his lesser form last week – now draws Post 7. (8) WINDSONG PIONEER will appreciate the drop…but NOT the draw!

RACE 2 – (1) MY RED SEA has been good week after week since returning from Ohio in September, and has an opportunity to be more aggressive tonight with the rail draw – we’ll give her the narrow nod in what looks like a pretty competitive affair. (3) BONITAS BEST BET has been having an excellent 4YO campaign, and has been taking on the top mares at a variety of racetracks lately (with a decent amount of success) – she makes her local debut for top shelf connections, and should be a very good fit. (2) FRONT PAGE STORY just had the heart yanked out of her last start when blown away to the final turn by the beastly LOUIES GIRL N – she has 11 wins and over $200K on her card this year, and should be able to bounce back with a good effort tonight. (6) SILK CLOUD A has been freshened up and the guess is that she’ll be handled pretty conservatively off the layoff tonight – that doesn’t mean she can’t rally for a piece, though. (7) ODDS ON PLATINUM has raced very well in most of her local starts though has been by outside draws a couple of times – if you think Brennan may take a shot at leaving with her, she could add some value to the exotics. (5) ACUSHLA MACHREE N has hinted at real ability in a couple of her U.S. starts, and likely needed her last (off a bad date) – leaning elsewhere, but wouldn’t be shocked to see her race well here. (4) LUCKY ARTIST A is feeling pretty good right now but this is a tough spot for the 12 year old!

RACE 3 – Interesting race: (5) DOCS LOVE was a big “go” vs. heavily favored MY SWEET LILY 2 back but broke trying for the lead – she has legitimate ability, her barn has been on fire lately, and she may be able to deliver an upset if some trip luck comes her way. (8) MY SWEET LILY is a lightly raced 3YO but has no shortage of ability – she jogged in her last 2 local starts, but is definitely facing tougher tonight and starts from Post 8 – it may not bother her at all, but she could also be at least bit vulnerable at a pretty short price. (6) JK PEARL STONE landed on a pocket trip for her Yonkers debut and knew just what to do with it, jogging for her new trainer – tough draw in a better field, but may be good enough to do some big damage here too. (1) BRI EXPRESS N gets a big barn change as she returns from Ohio and also draws the rail – she’s just 2 for 23 on the year, however, and just may be a notch below a few of the other (young) contenders in here. (2) ALTA MADEIRA N has always been camera shy at YR but she does fit well enough with these to at least contend for a piece with the inside draw. (7) MIKKI SIXX won 8 of 11 starts in Canada last year but so far has just 2 victories in 2025, from an abbreviated 10 start season – she may thrive in her new barn, but tonight may not be the spot to look for her best stuff. (3) IM A BELIE VER does her best work with a bit easier, but still may be good enough right now for a minor share. (4) CHANCEO FLIGHTNING returns from Stga. and gets Jordan in the bike, but may be a notch below some of these

RACE 4 – (3) DWS POINT MAN got some class relief last week and did go a pretty sharp mile, but the winner was just that much better – he drops again into an even more modest spot, and will have every chance to make amends. (5) RITSON finds himself at a very comfortable level, gets Zeron at the lines and could have a big say here if the trip goes his way. (8) ONCE IN A LIFETIME has a ton of class but is struggling through a tough year – his last was actually much better than it looks (full of trot behind traffic in the lane), and he MAY be able to outrace his odds tonight. (2) TORRONE steps up a bit after gamely hanging on to beat easier last start – a close up trip puts him in the hunt for a good piece. (1) YANK MY HALO will attract attention as he lands the rail with Yannick for his local debut (after recently joining the nation’s leading barn) – he does look like he may be a notch below a few of these, but we’ll find out tonight. (6) BESTFRIEND VOLO recently returned after missing a year, then was scratched sick after just one start back– he drew Post 8 last week and after a driver change was announced from Bartlett to Fonseca (with only about 3 minutes to post!), he was left in no man’s lands after trying to leave and finished distanced – it’s anybody’s guess as to what he’ll offer tonight. (4) PREMIER VICTORY turned in a better one last week but may be in a little too tough here. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR would surely be a surprise from this brutal spot

RACE 5 – MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series – Leg 1: (1) ANTOGNONI S won his first 7 Yonkers starts before throwing a clunker in the Miecuna Trot (on 9/13) – he actually lost his next 2 local appearances as well (2nd and 3rd) but looked like his best self when he dominated his rivals here on 10/23 (2nd time Lasix) – the time off shouldn’t bother him at all, and we’ll give him top billing tonight. (4) SIR PINOCCHIO also suffered his first ever Yonkers loss in the Miecuna Trot, after going 6 for 6 prior to that – he rebounded to take his next 2 local outings, but did make a break in the stretch on 10/16 – he qualified under his own power last week, and remains a major threat! (8) AMIGO VOLO hasn’t raced very often here over the last few years but his recent Canadian form suggests the 8YO is still going strong (now with $2.6M in the bank) – he may take a conservative approach after drawing poorly for this first leg, but couldn’t blame anybody looking to give him a shot at a big price. (3) ULTION FACE S came up big in his first 2 local tries, just missing in both – the good draw gives him a chance for another nice piece tonight. (7) DRIBBLING BI has been in career form for months, and has proven that he can hold his own with these top trotters – he draws poorly off a bad date, however, so we may not see his absolute best tonight. (5) KEG STAND is pretty good right now, but he’s been camera shy here all year, and may be coming from too far back to be much of a threat. (6) ESCAPER has really thrived since arriving from MN but may be a bit overmatched with these. (2) BIG BOX HANOVER has struggled in his local tries the last couple of years – would be a surprise

RACE 6 – (3) SFORZA has been a weekly player in the Plainridge open trot and that should make him a very good fit at this level – he gets Mr. Gingras at the lines for his local debut, and figures to have a big chance against these. (7) FADEAWAY HANOVER is a 3YO taking on older foes (from a bad post) but he’s shown plenty of ability, debuts for our leading trainer, and was full of trot qualifying behind SIR PINOCCHIO – if you think Bartlett will handle him aggressively enough for a chance to win, he’s worth using. (2) KIERKEGAARD K was excellent as a youngster but only made 8 starts last year (as a 4YO) and only has 8 starts (so far) in 2025 as well – he deserves a full pass for his last start (he lost all chance after going behind an empty BESTFRIEND VOLO), and may be able to be a much bigger player tonight. (4) LUCKY MUM N will probably get to race from off the pace tonight and that may benefit her – chance to rally for a piece, but would need a pretty big price to use her on top. (6) BACKSTREET PLAYER was a solid front end winner last week but likely looking at a tough trip in a much better field tonight – minor spoils? (5) WARRAWEE WHISPER has been “ok” lately, but will look much more appealing with a class drop next week. (1) B NICKING was actually very good in that win 2 back but probably needs to be in easier to be a real threat these days. (8) MUSICAL RIDE wasn’t bad at all last week (8 hole off a bad date) but unfortunately, draws all the way outside once more.

RACE 7 - MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series – Leg 1: (3) 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 – he doesn’t have the greatest racing “style” for half mile tracks, but that really shouldn’t slow him down in this series. (7) CECIL HANOVER showed a lot of ability at 2 and 3 but only made 8 starts as a 4YO – he changed hands a few starts into his 5YO campaign and has done excellent work since moving to our leading trainer…can have a big say here, despite Post 7. (5) ARI FERRARI J actually held off #3 in that last qualifier (to show that the ABILITY is still there), but he just hasn’t looked right in most of his starts this year, especially here at Yonkers – a little risky at what figures to be a relatively short price. (6) KHAOSAN ROAD stays trotting and can leave the gate pretty well – he’s listed at 20-1 ML, and may not be a bad bomb to try to get into the exotics. (1) ASTEROID has been on a nice form spree – he may be a bit overmatched in this series, but still sharp enough for a chance at a piece from a spot like this. (2) BLACKHAWK ZETTE is much more comfortable with easier – maybe the inside draw can help him grab some minor spoils? (4) QUEEN OF ALL has enjoyed an excellent season overall, but just qualified back (after missing some time) and we’ll just watch for now. (8) HOT FL ASH KIMMY has been a fine performer for her current connections but this is just a brutal spot

RACE 8 - MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series – Leg 1: (1) DIRE STRAITS is a “borderline” Open horse but this is definitely the weakest (overall) division – he’s shown that he can be a tough player on the front end, and he does debut tonight for a new barn – worth a look at that 8-1 ML price. (7) SOUTHWIND COORS has been opportunistic in several of his local wins this year, often using all of a perfect trip to come out on top – he’ll benefit from landing in an overall soft division tonight, and that’ll help him contend with the terrible draw – has to be respected, but also could end up overbet. (4) TAKE ALL COMERS would be very dangerous with these on his best game, but he’s been less than 100% for much of 2025 – willing to look his way if the price is good enough. (3) MISSISSIPPI STORM usually does his best work at lower levels but he’s very consistent, and some of these in here could be a little iffy – chance for a decent piece. (2) BENNY J is just 7-0-0-2 this year with $13K on his card – on a positive note, he did qualify much better adding Lasix last week – still prefer to just observe, for now. (5) SECURITY PROTECTED (2nd time for his new connections) did pick up a 2nd in the Miecuna Trot but that was helped by an easy trip, and it’s the only time he’s hit board in his last 9 starts – he’ll probably take some $$, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (6) OLI VER THE GREAT is a solid performer, but a reach up at this level

RACE 9 – (1) DOUGS BABE A made breaks in 2 of her last 3 starts but the other was a front end win, with Brennan on board – he’s also gotten along well with her in the past, and we’ll see if they can team up successfully again. (2) TURN THE PAGE N is winless in 11 starts here this year but she did hit board 8X – could be looking at a good trip, with a chance to be a big player. (4) COACHELLABOUND N finally was NOT overdriven last week and was rewarded with her first victory in some time – we’ll see if she can build off that effort, although Bartlett does opt off to drive #5. (6) MIKI IN LUV, like barnmate DRIBBLING BI, has been doing good recent work here at Yonkers – gets a tough draw (off a bad date), but still worth a look for exotics at that 20-1 ML price. (8) MACHS LEGACY A barely resembles the mare that routinely lost at the bottom levels…until changing hands in early Sept. – she’s scary sharp right now, but will need plenty of trip luck to get it done from out here…make sure to get a good price if trying her on top. (3) CRUISE ALERT gets some class relief, and that could help her have a bigger say tonight – ok to include underneath. (7) HUNTING HULA is a solid weekly performer but figures to be coming from well out of it tonight. (5) FEARLESS BETTOR did good work at 2 and 3 but has been hit with the “Four Year Old Blues”, and just 1 for 17 this year – Bartlett takes her for her local debut, but we’re still leaning elsewhere.

RACE 10 – (4) MALUKA MISS N came up 2nd best to a pair of classy winners in her last 2 starts – maybe she can get the job done tonight in a field with no stickouts. (5) IDEAL COVER was “ok” 2 and 3 back and definitely was pacing well through the wire last week– she’ll be a nice price here, with a chance to do some damage. (1) DANDYS MERCY was sent off at 1/10 last week and was an easy winner over a lesser field – may be able to handle these too, but would need to be a much better price to be worth a play. (3) STRUTSVILLE is a 3YO filly taking on older mares but she’s had an excellent season, hails from a small (but sharp) barn and gets a switch to Bartlett for tonight – may be good enough to beat these, but that 9/5 ML price is a turn off. (8) ALLEGRA HANOVER is another 3YO in here but she definitely has ability, and finished up strong vs. better in her last pair – not sure she has the speed to create a trip for herself, however. (2) EASY TO PLEASE wasn’t at her best the last couple of weeks but could sit an easy trip here and pick up a small share. (7) TWIN B SUNKISSED used a quick start to grab a two-hole trip and take home 2nd last week, but faces a much more uncertain journey tonight – she’s also just 1 for 16 at Yonkers this year. (6) A FEW CHOICE WORDS squandered a good start last week and was unable to finish well enough for a better piece – needs to be better

RACE 11 – (6) I GET IT went on the shelf for 6 months, qualified back nicely in PA and just picked up a win in his 2nd start off the layoff– he’s used to facing much better than these, and we’ll look for him to make his Yonkers return a winning one. (4) DRAW THE LINE recently returned off a 2 month layoff herself, had a useful tightener on 11/6 then picked up a 3rd last week – should be able to have a say here as well. (3) MYSTICAL WYNN crushed cheaper at PcD last week and has the back class to build off that effort – good one to consider for exotics. (2) INTERNATIO NALCRAZE is inconsistent at best, but did finish 2nd as the favorite 3 back, and figures to be a big price tonight – ok to include underneath. (7) FATHER MIKE is hard to gauge off his recent lines but he gets a big barn and driver change and is eligible to deliver a decent effort. (1) DRACO S had been struggling for a few starts (after a recent barn change) but got hammered at the windows at Monti last week and was able to hang on for the win – still seems a bit below some of the main players, however. (5) SEVENSHADESOFGREY has been able to behave in last 3 starts but he just hasn’t been any good – in need of a wake up call. (8) FULL RIGHTS does have a few ok tries recently but he draws Post 8 once again, and is winless in 24 starts this year.