Friday, October 24, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, October 24, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) DIAMANTE TRIO IT hasn’t been on her best game for some time but she’s still holding her own vs. much better than these– wouldn’t bet the rent money on her tonight (at what figures to be a very short price), but she really should be able to beat these. (1) CROWN MONARCH gave Dube his 10,000th career victory last week and may have built some confidence with that aggressive score – he’ll face tougher here, but an easy trip may allow him to be part of the equation. (6) WINDSONG PIONEER has been good lately, picking up a victory last week – this is a tough spot, but he may be able to have a say IF Marohn takes a shot and leaves with him. (8) PAPA DOC lands his 2nd 8 hole in a row but he’s used to facing better than these, and may be able to grab a small piece, at a big price. (5) B NICKING figures to attract some play with the class drop but he really hasn’t been all that sharp lately, and he’s been pretty camera shy the last couple of years – mixed feelings about his chances. (2) ALTUS HANOVER seems to always ship in with decent out of town form, but then fails to match it here at Yonkers – maybe he can do better tonight with an easy trip? (4) FANATIC did well to be 3rd after his trip didn’t work out last week but he just may be more comfortable facing easier these days. (7) INTERNATIONALCRAZE was a solid first over 2nd last week (behind #1) but the class jump and poor draw figure to limit him tonight

RACE 2 – (3) IDEAL COVER has more than held her own vs. much better for most of the year, and should be feeling pretty good about herself after big efforts in her last pair – should be able to hand tonight’s small step up and be a big threat to take another. (1) JIVE DANCING A was 2nd (no threat) to the top choice 2 back, and a sharp winner herself last week – she’s finally doing good things again here at Yonkers (after struggling for much of 2025), and could have another big say tonight. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A has been like a box of chocolates this year…you never know what you’re going to get – if she’s in a good mood, she can be a big player here…but insist on a decent price if using her on top. (2) OVER ICE seems to race well out of town but is 6-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year – maybe she can have a bigger say tonight, with an easy trip? (6) MARIA ALLEGONDA N was an excellent 2nd in her U.S. debut but got VERY rough leaving the gate last week and was forced to back off hard into 4th, then never got going after coming out first over – she drops right back in the box after that rough outing, but does figure to be handled conservatively from this spot. (4) MISS DOTTIE MAE was well off her game in her last pair – waiting for better signs. (7) CRÈME DELIGHT was a (no threat) 2nd to #1 last time, but figures to be hurt badly by tonight’s draw

RACE 3 – (5) ELEGANT A just missed here to a currently VERY sharp MY RED SEA on 9/19, then was 2nd last week to an also sharp MIKI IN LUV at Chester, despite missing a month – she drops right back in the box, lands in a manageable field, and we’ll try her on top. (3) TONYS MOM had no chance from Post 7 last week but she’s been otherwise holding good form on a recent climb back up the class ladder, and can have a real say tonight from this spot. (1) DONEGAL SPIRIT beat easier last week, and a few things really went her way to help her pick up that win – she’ll find this bunch a lot tougher, but an easy trip from this spot could at least help her pick up a decent piece. (2) EASY TO PLEASE doesn’t feel like a threat to win in this field, but the good draw certainly gives her a chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (6) MYBITCOIN won her first local start of the year on 7/11 but has been stuck rallying for smaller pieces in the 6 starts since then – seems headed for a similar fate tonight. (4) TWIN B SUNKISS ED is just 1 for 13 at YR this year and the inconsistent mare seems better suited with easier. (7) A FEW CHOICE WORDS steps up off an easy trip 3rd, lands outside, and figures to have a hard time getting into the hunt

RACE 4 – (2) VIBRANCE is a streaky mare that recently seemed to start tailing (after a good, strong run) but did bounce back with a much better effort last week – if she’s heading back in the right direction, she’ll have a chance to pull off the mild upset against these. (1) MALUKA MISS N is a tough call – she’s another that was on a good roll only to turn in a couple of recent lesser efforts – she does get a double class drop and the rail for tonight, so it may be a spot for her to come up with a good one. (4) ONE MORE BET was handled aggressively in her local debut but it resulted in one of the rare times you’ll see Lachance get parked – she bounced back with an easy pocket 2nd last week, and could have a big say here too…with another good trip. (3) BIG CITY DAISY finished with good pace 2 back when handled conservatively, and was ok last week too, after being hurt by some terrible cover – she can continue to do well as long as she continues to avoid any miscues. (5) HANGON COWGIRL has been “ok” locally, though she did weaken last week with no excuses – leaning mor towards other. (6) REMY BROWN N has solid overall form but did just fall apart after a 2 hole trip last week – tonight’s draw may offset the class drop

RACE 5 – Good race: (4) IDEALINFUN hasn’t won in a while but she turns in solid miles week after week, usually unaffected by trip – one of several with a chance to take this, and she’s usually a decent price. (1) UPTOWN HANO VER paced home evenly from a tough spot last week but is looking at a much better trip tonight – could be a solid threat tonight, but don’t fall in love if she ends up overbet. (7) CHERYLS SHADOW may be light on wins this year, but she has no shortage of big efforts – she’s missed 3 weeks, but that may be because a barnmate took her slot in this class a couple of times…she’s blasted from out here in the past (see last start), and it’s possible she’ll try it again tonight. (3) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N was deceptively good coming into her last so it was no surprise to see her race well, despite the long odds – her trainer has been sending them out live since returning recently to Yonkers. (5) COA CHELLABOUND N hasn’t won in a long time, and being overdriven every week hasn’t helped – she’ll get back to the winner’s circle one of these nights…and her price WILL finally drift up a bit if you think it may be tonight. (2) HUNTING HULA landed on a dream trip last week and couldn’t help but cash in – she faces tougher now, and likely looking at a lesser share. (6) MACHS LEGACY A has been a new horse since the recent claims and even last week’s big class jump really didn’t slow her down much – may have trouble with tonight’s draw, however

RACE 6 – (7) MY MAN PETER ended up with a two hole trip behind BLACKHAWK ZETTE last week and was able to nip that one on the wire to score the upset – he’ll be a good price once more (thanks to the terrible draw), but his barn has been even more on fire than usual, and he may be able to get it done again. (2) BLACKHAWK ZETTE had things all his own way last start but got bagged by #7 on the wire – he goes into this with a much bigger post advantage tonight, and that may help him get revenge for last week’s 2/5 defeat. (1) TACHYON loomed boldly on the final turn last week but his move flattened just a bit in the lane as he settled for a close 4th – would be no surprise if he tripped out, and delivered a mild upset. (4) P C FREE WHEELING has been pretty solid lately but gets Cory in the bike tonight (as Jordan goes with #2) – still a good chance for a decent piece. (5) BLACK TIE BASH prefers to be in a bit easier but there’s still a chance he could rally late for a piece – maybe 3rd/4th? (3) NO DRAMA PLEASE threw a dud last time and interestingly puts hopples back on for tonight – prefer others, but will keep an eye for the future. (8) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS turned in a game speed try last week but tonight’s draw may make it hard for him to get involved. (6) ENERGYSOURCE hit board in his last 4 starts, but may struggle from this spot

RACE 7 – (5) ELUSIVE A hadn’t raced in a year before her start last week but she was very impressive in her U.S. debut, absolutely loaded with pace in the lane with no room to stretch her legs – absolutely worth a shot tonight. (1) ELEKTRA A has been holding her own in the Invitational and is definitely a good fit with these, especially with the rail – look for a strong, aggressive try. (3) FRONT PAGE STORY wasn’t able to get in play from the back last week but did wire the top class 2 back, and already has 11 wins this year – not the best spot tonight, but she certainly wouldn’t be a surprise. (2) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND got very sharp for weeks, culminating with an Invitational win 3 back – she did tail a bit in her last pair, however, and that has us leaning a bit more to a couple of others. (4) PRESSURE COOKER has developed into a nice 4YO, and comes into this having hit board in her last 6 starts (the last pair here at Yonkers) – she does move out a bit (she had the rail in her last pair), and we’ll see if that hurts her performance at all. (6) MIKI IN LUV is another that’s starting to really click as a 4YO, and she’s won 3 of her last 4 starts (tough trip 8 hole in the other) – tonight’s class jump and bad draw could slow her down a bit, however

RACE 8 – (4) GREEN PASTURES took some time off after the John Brennan Trotting Series and struggled in some starts (vs. better) after returning in late June – took another six weeks off after a sick scratch on 9/5 but came back to qualify ok (in a fast mile, vs. pacers), and he lands in a spot where the other main players are pretty shaky – worth a try as long as he’s not overbet. (1) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM hasn’t been able to find his best form even after dropping recently to these lower levels, but he did show plenty of speed last week (before tiring)– very logical threat from this spot, but also somewhat risky (at a short price). (5) INFINITY STONE can outrun much better fields than this one when on his game, but he gave way and tired in his first start off the recent layoff, then made a break last week – another one of the risky contenders. (7) RADIO LAB drops to the basement but last week’s drop to NW7500 didn’t help that much – his best effort could make him a player here, and one to consider if not in love with any of the top choices. (6) HOOLIE N HECTOR was dull 2 back off the claim, then “ok” last week – gets a tough draw, but his chances go up if the top three all fail to function tonight. (2) BRAVE BY DESIGN gets post relief but showed little in either start since returning from MN – he has done some good here in the past, if you think he may be ready for a bigger effort tonight. (3) FULL RIGHTS was handled aggressively last week at 65-1, but folded badly after working out a two hole trip – his 20-0-2-0 record this year is hard to ignore. (8) JESSES DOLL lands all the way outside for her local debut and just feels overmatched

RACE 9 – Tough race! (4) TWIG is having a good year overall but had fallen on some pretty hard times recently – he did show some life (from Post 8) two back, then paced evenly at the back from a hopeless spot last week – this feels like a spot where he can get aggressive again, and we’ll see if he can find an effort good enough to beat these. (2) ROCKMYSTER N had big excuses 2 and 3 back but missed an opportunity to get aggressive last week and was a lackluster 4th (placed 3rd) – he’s gone some miles this year that could beat these, if he can find one for tonight. (7) CURBSIDE PICKUP went off at 4/5 off the class drop last week but lost any realistic chance after an unexpected miscue at the start – he drops a bit more, and his price will surely drift up…for anybody inclined to give him another chance. (6) TRICKY MIKI A was a big earner Down Under ($400K) but his local efforts have been mixed, as best – he turned in a lifetime best 1:52 victory at Chester last week (after missing a month!) and perhaps that’s a sign that he’s ready to start living up to his ability again…would still a need a pretty good price to try him from Post 6. (1) SA RGEANT SONNY was a close 3rd in his YR debut last but that was after saving ground, and bothering a rival into the stretch (was DQ’d to 5th) – he draws the pole tonight, but trainer Petr Engblom is filling in for Bartlett – maybe a small piece? (3) BLACK EDITION N arrives from Stga. to a new barn, and does have some ok lines – he’s also just 1 for 30 this year, so consider him underneath only. (5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was a “meh” 3rd two back and no factor from a tough spot last week – could see him taking home some minor spoils, if the trip goes his way. (8) OZO NE BLUE CHIP has been struggling for a long time, and has to deal with another 8 hole.

RACE 10 – (4) PISCO SOUR was in a great spot 2 back when he made a most untimely miscue – he added hopples for his last, stayed trotting and was a close 2nd behind a classy winner that’s been on the upswing – we’ll stay with him tonight. (3) KASHA V tends to be pretty inconsistent but he rallied nicely in 2 of his last 3 starts, and may be able to grab another good piece tonight. (2) APPLE FRITTER was very sharp before changing hands for his last start, then went out and won for his new barn as well – hard to say if he’s a little cheap for these, but it’s hard to knock his form, and he’s worth considering in his local debut. (1) MUSICAL RIDE has been somewhat camera shy but he’s a “steady” performer and this spot should put him in the mix for a piece of the exotics. (6) HAND DOVER DAN had reverted to his old breaking habit recently but he qualified safely and stayed trotting in his last as well – would have listed him higher if not for the tough draw. (7) SISTER MARY MAUDE earned nearly $500K as a youngster but remains winless in an incredibly disappointing 4YO campaign – she figures to perk up one of these weeks, but it’s hard to make the case that it’ll be tonight. (8) LUCKY MUM N just re-qualified after a couple of months off and the guess is that she’ll be handled very conservatively after drawing Post 8…but a quick check of the tote board wouldn’t hurt. (5) WHEELZABLAZIN gets another class drop but may need to plummet a bit more before we see him bring one of his better efforts.