Friday, October 3, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, October 3, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) MYBITCOIN elected to sit in last week and it left her with no real chance for a bigger piece – she’s been finishing crisply every week (vs. better), and may be able to take advantage of tonight’s class drop, and score a mild upset. (3) KISS MY CHEEK brought her “good” version last week, quarter moving to command and beating a bit softer with ease – she’s more than capable of beating this bunch too, if she brings that same top effort. (1) MIKI IN LUV was a solid performer at 2 and 3, earning over $240K – she’s starting to do good work now at 4, and raced very well last week despite Post 8 – moves all the way inside, and could have a real say here (and barnmate DRIBB LING BI won on Thurs. night). (5) A FEW CHOICE WORDS is a classic case of “4 Year Old Blues”, as she won $330K at 3, but just $38K so far at 4 (from 23 starts) – her recent Canadian lines suggest she DOES fit with these, and that 15-1 ML price makes her worth considering for exotics. (7) LUCKY ARTIST A drops to a level where she can still do damage, but will need plenty of trip luck to make it work from out here. (2) REMY BROWN N has been solid out of town in many of her starts, but may be a notch below a few of the main players – we’ll get a better picture after tonight. (6) IDEAL SKIES lands in a tough spot upon arrival from “The Aces”

RACE 2 – (1) BLACKHAWK ZETTE was struggling a bit when stuck at the Invitational level for a few starts but he raced much better with last week’s class drop, and gets another drop for tonight – we’ll give him the edge from the pole. (4) LEFTIES RIGHTIES showed promise at 2 and has put together an excellent 3YO campaign, racing well on all sized tracks, with a variety of trips – he moves from one very good barn to another, and will take on older foes tonight…but the guess is that he’ll be up for it. (2) TACHYON has been stuck on smaller pieces in most of his recent starts, but he’s also been facing better – he gets both post and class relief for tonight, and figures to be able to make his presence felt. (3) EXACALIBUR BI does his best racing on/near the lead so we’ll give him a pass for that last effort – a good price makes him worth including in exotics. (5) NYMERIA had good life finishing in her 2nd start off the layoff but made an early miscue when well backed last week – guessing she’ll probably be handled conservatively tonight. (6) STREET GOSSIP rarely wins but gets his share of decent pieces – tonight’s draw may limit him, however.

RACE 3 – (2) BRONZER had 2 sharp wins here in early July but that landed him over his head for the next several starts – he returns off a pair of solid tries at Tioga and lands at a level well within his comfort zone – the good draw and Bartlett certainly won’t hurt either! (5) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM hung in okay for 3rd in a quick mile last start and is another dropping to a level where he can thrive – legitimate player. (3) DOROTEA TRIO IT has more than enough ability to beat these, and even much better…she’s also made breaks in 4 of her last 6 starts, and would need to be a pretty good price to try on top right now. (4) BLACK TIE BASH is doing better since getting class relief but he’s still not at “peak” form – he’ll need to be sharper for a chance at the top slot, but definitely ok to use underneath. (1) KASHA V turned in a much better effort to be right there 2nd last week but consistency hasn’t really been one of his attributes the last couple of years – leaning towards others, though he’d hardly be a surprise. (7) EN ERGYSOURCE was Siegelman’s choice over #1 and #2 and it must have been based on barn loyalty – just feels like a very tough spot, even though he was an ok 3rd last week. (6) BRACE BY DESIGN returns from MN and has raced well here in the past – tough spot for tonight, though. (8) WILD BILL KELSO has been “ok”, but he hasn’t been finishing well enough and now lands Post 8, up in class

RACE 4 – (3) AUSTRAL HANOVER gets a pass for that early miscue 2 back (at the 1 ¼ mile distance) and certainly can be forgiven for his last, when parked by the front end (2/5) winner – finds a much more manageable spot for tonight, and looms the one to knock off. (1) WARRAWEE WHISPER struggled in his first few local starts but started to improve 3 back, and finally picked up his first Yonkers victory last week – can be in the hunt here too, even moving up in class. (2) P CHICO used an easy inside trip to take home 3rd last week and grab another decent chunk with a favorable journey tonight. (6) MUSICAL RIDE has been holding form as he climbs back up the class ladder, and finished up well last week – good value horse for the bottom of exotics. (4) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS was sharp for weeks not too long ago but his efforts have become more mixed lately – needs to bring his best to contend for a piece. (5) P L OSCAR figures to be slowed considerably by tonight’s double class jump

RACE 5 – (5) KATIES UP is just 1 for 19 this year (1 for 15 at YR) but she raced well in her last 2 starts, especially when a game first over 2nd to CHIAPANECAS last week – may have found a spot she can handle, but probably not one to fall in love with if she ends up way overbet. (6) TRUE BLUE HANOVER is still winless in 19 starts this year but she’s another coming off a pair off good efforts, and the right trip could give her a chance to take this – certainly belongs in exotics. (1) MISS DOTTIE MAE isn’t on her best game right now but still figures to be able to be a big player from this spot – another logical one for exotics. (2) BOUT DAMN TIME A is yet another camera shy player in here, currently at 1 for 24 this year – a good trip does put her in play for a piece, though. (4) FADE OUT used to love to win races…but SHE is 0 for 16 in 2025 – small slice only. (3) IM A BELIEVER was well backed when she wired the (cheaper) field 2 back, but then was no factor at all at 33-1 last week – inclined to stick with others tonight (7) STAY HAPPY and (8) PURAMERI both land outside again after finishing well back from similar spots

RACE 6 – Good race! (4) MY RED SEA was a sharp front end winner 2 back returning from Ohio, then a steady 4th last week, from a tough spot – she gets a better draw tonight, and is one of several possibilities in here, depending on how the race plays out. (5) BALLAST is a 3YO filly taking on older mares but she’s won 5 straight out of town, and her last victory produced a new 1:49.2 lifetime mark (at The Meadows, 2nd time Lasix) – Warren has been driving well here, from his limited opportunities. (2) COACHELLABOUND N was overdriven last week for seemingly the zillionth time this year but managed to take home 2nd for the 2nd straight week – maybe this is the week she finally gets back to the winner’s circle? (3) CRUISE ALERT was doing good work for her previous barn before changing hands after her 8/8 start – her current form is a bit harder to gauge, as she’s been racing at Stga., with a couple of tough spots along the way – draws well, gets Jordan in the bike, and could be worth a look at the right price. (8) CHERYLS SHADOW is somehow just 2 for 26 this year, despite racing well in the majority of her starts – tough task tonight from Post 8, but at least her price will drift way up. (1) VIBRANCE was invisible from the back last week but had been sharp for several weeks just prior to that – moves all the way inside, and could outrace her odds. (6) AMBUSHED has 9 wins this year, including a very sharp one over ODDS ON PLATINUM 3 back – she’d have been listed much higher with a better draw! (7) DONEGAL SPIRIT was Bartlett’s choice (over #4), but still feels like an outsider from this spot

RACE 7 – (4) MON AMOUR had posts 7 & 8 for his last 2 local starts (and had no chance), but returns to a much kinder spot after picking up an amateur win at PcD last week – could be a big threat here with a good trip. (3) IM AN ANDOVER looked destined for a 2nd place finish last week but showed his class when he was able to find his best near the wire to surge on by for the win – steps up a bit, but can threaten here too, with some racing luck. (5) NO DRAMA PLEASE was an easy winner 2 back, finally scoring his first victory of the season – he probably deserves a total pass for his last (went from a full leave from Post 8, to a full retreat to 6th), and he reunites with Bartlett (for whom he just missed the last time they paired up) – could have a say here. (1) HOOLIE N HECTOR dared somebody to claim him for $12,500 and that’s exactly what happened last week – he faces tougher tonight off last week’s victory, and may be looking at a smaller slice this time. (6) YOU DONT OWN ME was a sharp first over winner in his local debut but that was in an easier field – steps up, draws poorly, and that may limit him a bit. (7) DI PLOMACY clearly has ability when he behaves but he’s made breaks in 3 of his last 7 starts (and 5 of his last 10), and just seems a little too risky making his local debut from Post 7. (2) HALFADOZEN has some talent but she’s a 3YO filly taking on older males, and has missed a month (after a couple of weak tries, and a sick scratch)

RACE 8 – Tough race: (2) FRONT PAGE STORY has 10 wins this year, and rarely goes a bad effort – she may end up with a nice trip from this spot, and that would give her a chance to come out on top in this very competitive field. (3) LYDEO was even sharper 2 back than her line looks on paper so it was no surprise to see her jog last week – faces a bit tougher field tonight, but remains a threat, with the right trip. (1) TURN THE PAGE has proven that she can hang with these types when on her game, though her current (out of town) form makes her a little tough to gauge right now – you can count her being handled aggressively from this spot! (6) BATH BOMB has feasted on the 4YO KYSS this year, earning the bulk of her $285K in that lucrative program – she’s actually 2 for 2 here at Yonkers, though facing much easier in those starts…she’s probably a good fit, but make sure to get a decent price from this tough post. (7) ODDS ON PLATINUM was shocking sent off as the odds on choice last week, making a big jump up to the Invitational – she definitely got unlucky (when caught behind a surprisingly tired ROCKET DEO to the top of the lane), but did finish well to be a close 4th...would need a much bigger price to try her from out here, though. (4) TAKE YOUR PICK is a nice mare, but seems to do her best work vs. a bit easier than these. (5) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N feels a bit overmatched making her return from Minnesota

RACE 9 – (4) LOUIES GIRL N qualified sharply upon arrival in the U.S., was heavily backed for her debut and delivered off a pocket trip, found herself in a much tougher spot on the final turn last week but unleashed a vicious stretch rally that suggests she’s capable of even better – remains the solid choice. (2) PASS AND STOW looked a little ouchy 2 back but rebounded last week with a game front end score (and is now 11 for 19 here at Yonkers) – maybe she can complete the exacta? (1) PRESSURE COOKER had some mixed efforts here in August but returns in fine form from PA, with plenty of speed from the pole – logical player for a piece. (6) IDEALINFUN hit board in 4 of her last 5 starts, usually at good price – remains a good value horse for the bottom of exotics. (5) EASY TO PL EASE picked up a 4th last week off a ground saving trip and may be able to take home another small slice tonight. (8) HUNTING HULA is usually good for a late rally but tonight’s draw may leave her too far back to do any real damage. (7) ACUSHLA MACHREE N makes her U.S. debut for connections that have had more than their share of excellent imports – she’s in a tough spot, however, and may be slated for more of a road test tonight. (3) MALUKA MISS N has been overachieving for some time but may struggle a bit in this spot

RACE 10 – (7) UNDETERRED moved to a barn notorious for immediate, massive form reversals and promptly won her first start (in PA) by nearly 10 lengths, establishing a new 1:50.3 lifetime mark in the process – moves up and lands outside for her Hilltop debut, but we’ll remain undeterred, and try her on top. (3) IDEAL COVER has faced (and beaten) much better than these but she’s struggled in many of her recent starts – very dangerous IF she decides to bring her best tonight. (1) HANGON COWGIRL was well back in her last at PcD but went a pair of nice miles at Chester just prior to that – should be able to have a solid say from the pole, but not a fan at that 2-1 ML price. (2) RAZZIN JAZZ was no threat at PcD for her new barn last week but may be capable of better – does have some appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (5) KNOCK TWICE was an even 4th last week and a similar effort could help her land a small piece tonight too. (6) AT THE HOP turned in a very game try 2 back but has disappointed much more often than she’s delivered lately – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (4) PINE BUSH MAGA just re-qualified after missing a month, and was struggling just prior to that – prefer to watch, for now

RACE 11 – (5) PRINCE ARCHIE faced cheaper much of last year in Canada but he did win 11 races – he shows an impressive blowout win at Tioga 2 back (for a new trainer), and gets Bartlett for his Yonkers debut – worth a try. (2) CHINESE WHISPER N was making his first start in 2 months in Maine last week and should benefit from that hard used 2nd place finish – he’s won here in the past, and could have a say tonight. (6) FANATIC left hard last week only to have to make a full retreat to last – he’s capable of much better, figures to be a nice price, and could offer some value in here. (4) SEVENSHADESOFGREY was dropping in 3rd when he made a costly miscue last week – he’s well off his game right now, but capable of a wake up call at any time. (3) BARN CREDIT is 1 for 25 at YR with the win coming in a “fall apart” race – minor spoils only. (7) INTERNATIONALCRAZE was an even 4th in his local debut but blew up before the start last week – may go pretty conservative off that miscue. (1) HIPPE SHAKE just re-qualified and seems well off form right now. (8) CREATIVE VENTURE was totally empty from the final turn last week and now draws all the way outside.