Friday, November 7, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, November 7, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) VINNY DE VIE beat this class back on 9/5 and has been chasing much better ever since – works his way all the way back down, moves inside, and figures to have a big chance against these. (3) BLACK TIE BASH made an uncharacteristic miscue last week but drops right back in the box and had back to back solid starts right before that – a clean effort puts him right in the hunt. (1) ENERGYSOURCE seemed to run over the top of a tiring rival last week and that may have caused him to go offstride – he’s definitely camera shy, but a legitimate threat to grab a decent piece from this spot. (6) SISTER MARY MAUDE is listed as the 9/5 ML favorite despite being winless in 2025, and drawing poorly (again) – her connections always merit respect, but there’s better value to be found in here. (5) B NICKING is racing “ok” these days but may need to find an easier field to be a threat for the top slot. (4) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE is 0 for 26 at Yonkers this year and while he’s dropping in class, he’ll probably need to be in even easier to threaten for a big piece. (8) CROWN MONARCH provided Dube with his 10,000th career winner 3 back but that’s one of the few bright spots this guy has had this year – the brutal post certainly doesn’t help. (7) WINDSONG PIONEER’s best work comes on the lead, vs. easier

RACE 2 – (3) LOUIES GIRL N is now 4 for 4 in the U.S. and may not have even shown her best yet – Kelly fills in tonight, but one of her most impressive efforts was when the two paired up on 9/19…remains the one to beat! (5) MY RED SEA has been very good ever since returning from Ohio in Sept., can race on or off the pace and has a solid chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (2) FRONT PAGE STORY was unable to make a dent from the back last week but should be closer to the action tonight, with a chance to have a much bigger say in the outcome. (6) OD DS ON PLATINUM picked up a win and pair of 2nds from her last 3 starts (in the FM Invitational) but those were all from better posts – her fate tonight may be decided by trip…and hers feels a bit uncertain from out here. (1) CRU ISE ALERT gets a good draw returning from Stga. but also lands in a tough field – may have to settle for a minor piece. (4) ACUSHLA MACHREE N was sharp in back to back tries, after touring the oval in her first U.S. start – she steps up in class, has missed 3 weeks, and this may not be a spot where we’ll see her best

RACE 3 – (4) DOUGS BABE A is allowed to take a major class drop tonight and it SHOULD be enough to perk her up for a winning effort – she has to get top billing, but she’s also far enough off her best game that maybe she’s not one to bet the rent money on! (5) LUCKY ARTIST A steps up another notch after winning 2 in a row and the mega-classy 12YO was particularly game last week– no reason she can’t have a big say here too (6) GLITTERING HOPE finished well after a slow start in her Yonkers debut but was ignored in her next…and circled the field from last to score at 75-1 – she followed that up with another sharp try in NJ (showing some early speed), and she probably should get at least a look here for a red hot barn. (1) MALUKA MISS N was in a similar spot 2 back and almost was able to wire the field – she’s off her best form right now, but could still be a threat if she gets to control the action. (3) VIBRANCE seemed to be back on track before reverting to her lesser form last week – she can be in the mix here if she brings her best…but she’s a little iffy right now. (2) TIME TO STRIKE steps up to take on older mares after disappointing in NW2-4PM last week – leaning towards others. (7) IDEAL COVER’s lone recent one came off a perfect trip at the bottom level – she has a long way to come tonight starting from out here.

RACE 4 – (1) THE MIKI TAKER A has a solid Down Under resume, finishing 1st or 2nd 30X and earning over $200K – he looked much sharper in his 2nd U.S. start, and may have found a winning spot tonight. (2) HUNGRY AN GEL BOY ships back in with pretty solid PA form (vs. better) and the former Borgata entrant is probably the one to beat – figures to be overbet, though. (5) CURBSIDE PICKUP hasn’t been “great” lately, but he’s still been better than many of these – should be able to contend for a decent piece. (3) LENNON HANOVER doesn’t look great on paper but an easy trip may help him grab a small piece here…at a good price. (4) GALANTE A gets a pass for his last (parked the mile) but he’s failed to beat a single horse in his last 4 starts, and would need to be a pretty good price to consider on top here. (6) MR PROFETA seems very cheap (off his PA lines) but he does get a barn change, for those looking for a longshot to take a stab with. (8) ALWAYS A LOOK was handled aggressively in his last pair but is now 12-0-0-0 at YR and draws Post 8. PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE is 16-0-0-0 on the local scene

RACE 5 – (2) LUCKY MUM N had a useful start off the layoff 2 back, then was a well meant 2nd last week – feels ready to step up and get back to the winner’s circle. (8) TORRONE has earned over 6 figures each of the last 2 years and is used to facing better fields than this one – has to be respected, even from Post 8. (3) KINDA LUCKY LINDY was very good off the layoff 2 back – no threat in his last, but draws well in a softer spot and should be able to make his presence felt. (6) PREMIER VICTORY failed to get involved in his last pair but owns a solid Yonkers record, gets some class relief, and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (1) JIMBARAN ZON S was struggling in his precious barn and was also struggling for his current trainer, prior to that better qualifier last week – his best effort puts him in the mix here, but he’s still very risky and will likely be overbet. (7) ENERGY KING is just 2 for 33 this year and draws Post 7 – will need plenty of trip luck just to grab a small piece. (4) ROGER RABBIT has been camera shy the last 2 years and often vs. easier than these. (5) CREATIVE VENTURE was able to outlast a softer group in PA last week but is 1 for 29 at Yonkers this year

RACE 6 – Very tough race! (6) AQUARIUS FACE S just missed to a very sharp front runner last week, has won 6 of 15 local starts and is one of the more “known” commodities in a race filled with question marks – one of several possibilities in here! (2) LEGACY AFFAIR went right to the top in her local debut but made an uncharacteristic miscue – she drops right back in the box for top shelf connections, and may deserve another chance. (7) KIERKEG AARD K displayed real ability as a youngster but struggled through an 8 start 4YO campaign – he still only has 5 starts this year (at age 5), but a few recent ones look very good…the barn is always dangerous when Dube handles the driving. (1) MA ISABELLE goes with Lasix for the 2nd time, and was hanging in ok in the FM Invitational not too long ago – maybe she can bring a bigger effort tonight? (5) DOROTEA TRIO IT has been behaving and won 3 of her last 4 starts – she’s adding Lasix (even with her current success) and is eligible to be even sharper tonight. (4) BE DIFFERENT had a recent (very) rough patch but is doing much better in his last few starts – hard to say if he’ll be up for these, though. (8) BESTFRIEND VOLO had a strong 4YO campaign but then missed a year, then was scratched sick after just one start back – tonight’s draw makes him even harder to gauge! (3) BACKSTREET PLAY ER wasn’t bad in this class 2 back but may still prefer to be in a bit easier.

RACE 7 – (5) TURN THE PAGE N is winless in 10 local starts this year but she hit board in 7 of them, and has held her own in some pretty tough fields – the switch to Bartlett could be what she needs to get her over the top. (7) CHE RYLS SHADOW was very disappointing last week but it’s not the first time she’s failed to deliver in an “easy” spot – she’s grabbed a ton of good pieces from tough spots this year, and could be a good bomb to include in exotics. (4) MACHS LEGACY A was unable to win at the lower levels for the last 2 years but has transformed into a new mare since the claims began back in September – she’s proven that she belongs with these, and can have a big say once more. (3) HUNTING HULA is a steady performer in this class and should be making her presence felt late – include underneath. (2) COACHELLABOUND N is having a tough year, and the weekly aggressive drives haven’t helped – she comes into tonight having missed 3 weeks (after a sick scratch), and it’s hard to make a good case for her for one of the top spots. (1) ALLEGRA HANOVER moves to a very sharp (and currently hot) barn while also drawing the rail for her YR debut – she’s also a 3YO filly taking on some good older mares, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (6) EASY TO PLEASE figures to be coming from too far back to threaten. (8) DONEGAL SPIRIT is racing well right now, but has needed to be in easier to succeed for most of the year

RACE 8 – (2) MISS DOTTIE MAE’s last win came on 7/18, and that was the last time Bartlett drove her…déjà vu? (1) IDEAL SKIES returns off a nice speed try in PA and as noted, her barn has been exceptionally hot lately – we may see another big try from the pole tonight. (6) MYBITCOIN would have been the clear choice if this was several weeks ago (when she was holding her own vs. much tougher) but she’s not as sharp lately, and gets a tough draw – playable IF the price is good enough. (3) STAY HAPPY had fallen apart for a few starts – she seems better now, though it would be hard to say that she’s really “sharp” – maybe a piece? (5) NITE TIME DEAL has been settling for minor shares lately and could be destined for a similar result tonight. (4) JM BETONSIX makes her first local try of 2025 and is off a bad date, in questionable form – leaning towards others. (7) COWGIRL LILLY is 1 for 57 at YR over the last 2 years and draws all the way outside.

RACE 9 – (4) BRAVE BY DESIGN was an excellent 2nd two back to a horse that came back to win by 10 last week (in a race where this guy left from Post 7, but broke on the first turn) – good value play in a race with no stickouts. (1) BARN HALL drops to the basement, while drawing the pole with Bartlett – lots to like, but he also figures to be wildly overbet (while in “meh” form). (5) HOOLIE N HECTOR is a steady player right now in this class and one to include in exotics. (6) RADIO LAB just hasn’t been sharp enough, even with the recent class relief – has to find that better form if he hopes to be a more serious player. (2) WANIA has been dull but could be closer to the action here – maybe 3rd/4th? (3) FULL RIGHTS is often involved at some point but he’s 0 for 22 on the year and hard to consider for more than minor spoils. (8) WHEELZABLAZIN draws Post 8 after a break last week – prefer to just observe, for now. (7) HALOA returns from KY showing some ugly lines, and broke in both local tries in the past.