Friday, October 10, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, October 10, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) IDEAL COVER had been struggling for a while but did come up a with a big effort off the class drop last week, used very hard throughout the mile and only giving way late – she was really hurt by AT THE HOP last time so if she can avoid that happening tonight, she’ll have a good chance to get it done. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA missed over a month to her last start but still raced ok – could be tighter now, with a chance to have a big say. (4) AT THE HOP left from a terrible spot last week, really hurt #3 (and herself!) but still didn’t tire that badly considering how hard she was used early on – chance to outrace her odds here with a better trip. (6) MISS DOTTIE MAE would normally be a BIG threat dropping to this level but she gets a bad draw, and tired off an easy pocket trip last week – a question mark, for sure. (1) VIRTUAL KISS may be a little bit cheaper, but the good draw at least puts her in play for a share. (5) JIVE DANCING A had some life 2 back off the claim but was unable to build off it – she’s had a tough year, and that 3-1 ML price just seems too low. (8) KNOCK TWICE finished nicely last start but tonight’s draw figures to really hurt her chances. (7) PURAMERI was needlessly underway BEFORE the quarter last week, never could get close, and finished way back – sticking with others

RACE 2 – (6) CREDIT CON is an Open trotter when “right”, but he’s had a tough time getting going in 2025 – he was “ok” last week off an easy trip, and his trainer is on an incredible roll right now, not just winning races in bunches but sending out one airplane after another…maybe this guy is next? (1) MON AMOUR got post relief last week, got really brave on the lead and easily dispatched of a softer bunch – maybe he can give these better ones a tussle too with some renewed confidence? (7) TORRONE earned $103K last year and is about to go over that mark in 2025 – he’s a rock solid overnight performer, and a quick start would give him a chance to be dangerous in here. (5) OVER AND BACK gets a pass for last week (full leave from Post 7 then forced to retreat) but his overall form has been mixed at best for his current connections – at his best, he can have a say here. (3) MUSICAL RIDE doesn’t feel like a threat to beat these but he’ll usually finish well off an easy trip, so perhaps a good one for 3rd/4th. (2) SOU THWIND ARTURO is racing better in 2025 than he did last year, but his best work does seem to come vs. a bit easier – minor spoils? (4) P L OSCAR is another that definitely prefers to be in (much) easier than this

RACE 3 – (6) AARDIE B MIKI was sensational upon arrival in the U.S., winning her first 5 starts (culminating with her victory in the Grade 1 Matchmaker Final) – she was given a breather after a couple of rough outings in late July/ early August, then was handled ultra conservatively in her return last week – she DID finish full of pace, though, and the guess is that she’ll be ready to deliver her best tonight. (2) ODDS ON PLATINUM was sent off as the odds on choice in the Invitational 2 weeks ago (a close 4th after a shuffle and traffic issues) so it was generous to assign her one of the inside posts – we’ll see if she can take advantage of the good spot. (1) FRONT PAGE STORY has been pretty reliable in most of her starts so it was surprising to see her come up a bit flat in the stretch last week off a very easy trip – her best effort would make her a real player from this spot. (5) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND has been sharp for weeks and can now add “Invitational Winner” to her resume after a game victory in her last – she faces a somewhat unpredictable trip tonight, though, and that has us leaning a bit more towards others. (3) DOUGS BABE A was recently on a very good run but she was just “good” when 2nd two back, then no factor last week – she MAY be tailing a bit, but we’ll get a better picture after tonight. (4) ELEKTRA A used a perfect trip to be 2nd behind #5 last start but still may prefer to be in a little cheaper – a live trip puts her in play for a piece

RACE 4 – (2) AUSTRAL HANOVER was one of the barn’s many runaway winners last week and even though he normally would have had to move up a level, the same class was opened up to fit him in once more – hard to go past off that most recent blowout! (6) ORDAINED was forced to race from off the pace in his last couple but may at least take a shot at leaving tonight – a quick start would give him a chance to add some value to the exotics. (1) STREET GOSSIP rarely wins, but he’s always good at following for good pieces – logical one to use underneath. (3) BLACK HAWK ZETTE was handled aggressively off the class drop last week but was worn down in the lane by the winner, weakening to 3rd – stays at the same level, and figures to be a part of the equation once more. (4) NO DRAMA PLE ASE is forced to move up off a no threat 2nd vs. easier, and is starting to move out of his comfort zone – minor spoils only. (7) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS is looking at a tough trip from out here and may not be sharp enough right now to overcome it. (5) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is 1 for 24 this year, with many of the losses coming vs. much cheaper

RACE 5 – Tough race! (5) QUALITY BUD hasn’t shown much of anything lately but he’s also been facing much tougher – his barn has started to perk back up off a long drought…maybe this guy can get a wake up call too, in a race filled with question marks! (4) FUNATTHEBEACH N, like fellow millionaire barnmate COVERED BRIDGE, has fallen on hard times…but he returns off a somewhat promising effort at PcD, and this may be a spot where he can find a contending effort. (3) DEETZY was off to a strong start to his 13YO campaign but hasn’t been good for some time now – we’ll see if a drop to the basement helps cure some of his ills. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM doesn’t visit the photographer too often at Yonkers, but this a field where he certainly fits – worth a look IF the price is decent. (2) JONES BEACH DE VIE was a form reversing winner at Monti 2 back, followed by a decent 4th here last week – could see him landing somewhere in the exotics. (7) JUST BET IT ALL was racing in 60s here last July but then missed a year, and returned in lower level claimers – he didn’t function for a while, but responded to a recent barn change and is at least competitive again – tough spot, though. (1) BLUE COLLAR MAN is 1 for 58 over the last 2 years, and 9-0-1-0 here at Yonkers. (8) FIZZING N draws Post 8 off a sick scratch, and bad date

RACE 6 – (1) DOROTEA TRIO IT was handled very carefully last week and did stay trotting, a steady 3rd place finisher (not far off 2nd) – she’s now behaved in 2 straight, and will be a big threat tonight if she continues to stay trotting (tough to accept too short a price, though)! (3) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM just threw a major clunker last week but he drops right back in the box, so it may have been a minor issue – he’s at a level where anything close to his best would make him a big threat. (4) EPOS OSTERVANG DK hasn’t done much winning over the last couple of years, hasn’t been sharp lately, yet is still listed as the 8/5 ML favorite – would normally be an easy one to take a shot against, but his barn is just way too hot right now to dismiss anything they put on the racetrack! (5) WANIA drops out of 40s and could show some improvement in here – a live trip could help him outperform his 20-1 ML odds. (6) PRINCE ARCHIE was heavily backed for his local debut and was able to survive (barely) vs, cheaper (one of the barn’s three winners that night) – moves up, draws poorly, loses Bartlett, and will need to be better to have the same big say against these. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR was dull from start to finish off the claim last week, and now moves from the rail to Post 7 – leaning elsewhere. (2) MR KNOW IT ALL feels a bit cheap, has missed 3 weeks, and will be driven by his owner/trainer – maybe the inside draw can help him grab some minor spoils? (8) WILD BILL KEL SO lands another 8 hole after finishing way back from a similar spot last week.

RACE 7 – (1) CHIAPNECAS was super for much of the year but did finally hit a rough patch this summer – she was able to drop down to lower levels, and has come back around (for a new trainer) with wins in her last pair – she remains the one to beat (especially from the pole), but probably not one to bet the rent money on at a pretty short price. (4) A FEW CHOICE WORDS is a classic example of “4 year old blues”, with just $39K earned this year after banking $330K at 3 – she seemed content to just tour the oval last week (returning from Canada), and may get a wake up call with tonight’s class drop. (6) LUCKY ARTIST A has been no factor lately but the classy 12YO always seems to rebound eventually – has to be worth at least a look for exotics at that 20-1 ML price (with tonight’s class drop). (2) HANGON COWGIRL is probably on the cheaper side but she gets a great draw for a white-hot barn, and can’t be ignored – does figure to be overbet, though. (5) BELLUCCI may prefer to be in a little cheaper but arrives from PA in sharp form, and a quick start could help her grab a good chunk. (3) IDEAL SKIES was no factor upon arrival from MN, but wasn’t terrible either – drops, moves inside, and could have a bigger say this week. Both (7) IM A BELIEVER and (8) CRÈME DELIGHT figure to struggle trying to get into the hunt from out here.

RACE 8 – (6) TACHYON gets a bad draw after an unexpected miscue last week…but he’s held his own with much better than these many times, and just missed in NW30000 3 starts down – seems like a good value play at that 12-1 ML price. (7) BULLY BOY HILL is another that’s been battling better, and draws poorly tonight…and another that’s worth a look at what figures to be a pretty good price. (1) P CHICO has been very consistent on his current climb up the class ladder, should be able to work out a great trip from this spot and is a logical player – not a fan of the 2-1 ML price, however, as he’s just 1 for 12 here at YR. (2) ENERGY SOURCE left from Post 7 at 120-1 last week, chased a runaway winner and somehow was able to last for 2nd – willing to include him underneath tonight, even though his price will come way down. (3) IM AN ANDOVER came up a little short in the lane off a pocket trip last week but charged home from the pocket to win 2 back – a good trip could land him somewhere on the ticket. (4) REIGN OF HONOR lagged from bad posts at PcD in his last pair but did some good work here just prior to that – ends up with Bartlett at the lines, and is yet another with a chance to have a say here, depending on how the race plays out. (8) SISTER MARY MAUDE adds Lasix but she’s having a dismal season so far, draws Post 8, and is hard to get excited about with that 5/2 ML price! (5) BLACK TIE BACH fits cheaper- we’ll wait until he’s in easier

RACE 9 – (5) MY RED SEA steps up a notch but she’s looked very good since returning from Ohio, winning 2 of her 3 starts – she can come from off the pace if necessary, and we’ll give her top billing as she looks to make it 2 in a row. (2) CRUISE ALERT is a proven player at this level, and was a solid 3rd returning from Stga. last week – a good trip could put her right in the thick of this. (3) TONYS MOM seems to building confidence as she’s been climbing back up the class ladder and her barn, as noted previously, is scalding hot right now…has to be considered for exotics. (6) TURN THE PAGE N is more than good enough to beat these but may be hurt moving from the rail to Post 6, even dropping a notch – would want a decent price to use her on top. (7) IDEALINFUN faces a tough task trying to work out a manageable trip from out here but she’s been ultra-consistent lately, and a big price makes her worth considering for the bottom of exotics. (4) MALUKA MISS N had a good recent run but feels like she may be leveling off a bit – minor spoils? (1) ACUSHLA MACHREE N figures to attract some attention in her 2nd U.S. start as she draws much better this week – still not convinced that she’s ready to bang heads with these, but we’ll get a better idea after tonight. (8) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N wasn’t bad at all returning from “The Aces” but may need to wait for a better spot in order to be a serious player

RACE 10 – (3) NYMERIA has made limited starts this year (as a 4YO) but other than that unexpected miscue 2 back, she’s been trending in the right direction (as she keeps dropping down the class ladder) – may be ready to pick up her first victory of the season here, after a nice 2nd last week. (6) BRONZER was one of the barn’s 3 winners last Fri. night, and certainly left no doubt who was best (winning by 6 in a sizzling 1:54.4 mile) – he steps up a notch, but the draw feels like a bigger concern than the class bump – remains a big threat, even with a new pilot. (1) PISCO SOUR makes her first local try of 2025 and is sure to attract plenty of attention off her connections – she’s also 0 for 10 this year, and sure to be overbet. (5) BIZZY BRENDA is a 3YO filly taking on older rivals (including males) but she has plenty of talent of her own, and may be able to rally late for a piece of this. (4) PAPA DOC has been racing “ok” vs. the 40s, and may be able to grab a small piece with some trip luck. (7) HALFADOZEN wasn’t bad last week, making her first start in a month – she’s also another 3YO filly, and tonight’s draw really figures to limit her chances. (2) INTL BLOCKADE has raced here 23X this year and still hasn’t been 1st or 2nd. (8) B NICKING can still perk up in the right spot…but this doesn’t feel like one of those scenarios.

RACE 11 – (5) EASY TO PLEASE has been going even efforts vs. better and gets to take a double drop tonight – we’ve seen her get aggressive in spots like this in the past, often with success. (2) MYBITCOIN didn’t fire her best shot last week but was still a close 4th – she’s held her own (even with better) most weeks, and a good trip could make her dangerous tonight. (1) MARIA ALLEGONDA N won her U.S. qualifier for connections that are no strangers to imports – the tote board may offer some better clues as to her intentions for tonight. (3) BIG CITY DAI SY raced well in 3 straight starts…but 2 of them were ruined by late miscues – she’s definitely on the risky side, and also facing tougher tonight. (6) OVER ICE may attract some attention off her recent PcD speed tries but she’s facing tougher here, and was 5-0-0-0 at Yonkers earlier this year. (7) KATIES UP was saved by the wire as she held on vs. easier last week – she steps up and draws poorly, and that’s probably why Bartlett opted to drive #3. (4) RAZZIN JA ZZ used all of her perfect trip to win her local debut but she faces much tougher here, and may struggle a bit. (8) PR IDEFUL’s best recent work has come vs. cheaper, and her older local form was just ok – leaning elsewhere

RACE 12 – (5) WINDSONG PIONEER perked up a bit when 3rd off the class drop 2 back, then carved out a hot clip last week (dropping once more) before finishing 3rd in a sizzling 1:55.2 mile – maybe he gets over the hump tonight. (1) BE DIFFERENT has enjoyed an excellent year, but did hit a rough patch back in August – his last effort was a bit better, and he’ll be very dangerous from this spot if even close to 100%. (4) MUSCLE DAN put the hopples back on and qualified very nicely at VD – he gets Stratton tonight, and may be able to have a say here (if he stays trotting)! (6) SHOW THE WILL offered a decent finish from well back last week and may be able to add some value to the bottom of exotics. (3) SEVENSHADESOFGREY grabbed a pocket trip last week, had room in the lane but was still outfinished by the top pair – needs to be sharper for a chance at the top slot. (7) CROWN MONARCH will attract some play just off the connections but he lands a terrible draw, is 8-0-1-0 at Yonkers, and just 1 for 21 in 2025. (2) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is 1 for 48 at YR over the last 3 years and pretty hard to recommend. (8) FULL RIGHTS wasn’t bad last week but he draws all the way outside, and is just 18-0-2-0 on the year.