Friday, October 31, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, October 31, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) LUCKY ARTIST A may not be looking to bang heads with Open mares any more but the 12YO can still be pretty effective vs. these types, especially when she’s feeling good (as she is right now) – we’ll give her a chance to step up one notch and pick up another victory. (2) RACIN HUNGRY was dull in her last start in KY but perhaps racing in a different state every start wore her down a bit – she’s been freshened up a bit, and returns to YR at a level well within her comfort zone – logical threat, but won’t offer any value with that 8/5 ML listing. (5) MYBI TCOIN won her first local start this year but has been stuck rallying for smaller pieces ever since – may be looking at a similar result tonight. (6) MALUKA MISS N perked back up with a good one off the class drop last week, just missing to a sharp tripsitter in a two-horse affair – she stays at the same comfortable level, but may have a tougher time overcoming tonight’s bad draw. (7) SEND IT DOWN SLIM is a talented 3YO that has banked $375K so far – she’s taking on older rivals tonight, and also starts from all the way outside…and that has us leaning more towards others. (4) TWIN B SUNKISSED has just 1 win and 2 second from her 14 local starts this year, and feels more comfortable with a bit easier. (3) HANGON COWGIRL may need a class drop before we see her best effort again

RACE 2 – (5) LOUIES GIRL N is 3 for 3 since arriving in the U.S. and has hinted at legitimate Invitational mare ability – she’s getting top billing here, but she is racing off a bad date (sick scratch) and probably not one to bet the rent money on at a very short price! (4) ELEGANT A steps up a notch off an easy win in her last but this spot should also be within her comfort zone – sharp enough to have a big say here, with a decent trip. (1) HUNTING HULA’s wins have come vs. a bit easier, but she’s been a very solid performer and can certainly take home a good chunk of this starting from the pole. (6) PRESSURE COOKER had the conditions of this race re-written to allow her to take a drop in class, after beating a NW3000 field last week – she does get assigned the outside, however, and that may be a bit of an equalizer. (2) MACHS LEGACY A was losing every week for most of the last 2 years at the bottom level, so it’s pretty amazing to see her winning 3 of her last 4 starts, and thriving at this high level – her barn is en fuego right now, so we’ll see if she can keep it going! (3) PASS AND STOW is an outstanding 11 for 20 here at Yonkers but just didn’t “look” all that good last week, racing off a scratch – feels a little iffy right now

RACE 3 – (1) CHERYLS SHADOW took a conservative approach from a bad spot last week, perhaps knowing this week’s class drop was on the horizon – she’s a little light in the win column this year, but definitely in a spot here that she should be able to handle! (4) UPTOWN HANOVER has been frustratingly inconsistent in 2025, but should be able to turn in a strong effort at this reduced level – perhaps the main danger? (3) DONEGAL SPIRIT was fortunate to hold 2nd last week and an “ok” winner the start before – she should be able to be a solid player in here, but that 9/5 ML price does look too short. (2) KATIES UP is just 2 for 18 this year and those wins came with easy trips, vs. softer – the good draw does give her a chance to take home a small share, though. (5) IDEAL COVER was able to jog at the bottom level 2 back, but was a somewhat disappointing 3rd vs. NW7500 last week – she moves up 2 classes tonight, and seems destined for a more modest piece. (6) TALENT TO SPARE A makes her first in 6 weeks (after having to re-qualify) and gets a tough draw – may be looking ahead to next week’s class drop. (7) FOR TUNADA handled a much easier field last week, but seems up against it from out here, vs. these better ones

RACE 4 – (2) AARDIE B MIKI N won her first 5 Yonkers starts (including the Matchmaker Final) but she’s now lost 4 in a row – the last couple were near misses, however, and it feels like it may be time for her to get back to the winner’s circle tonight. (3) MY RED SEA has been terrific since returning from Ohio, holding her form beautifully from NW10000 right up to a close 3rd in last week’s Invitational – remains a major threat with any good trip. (1) DO UGS BABE A has leveled off recently after an excellent stretch from early August through mid-September…she may end up with a nice trip from this spot, and perhaps she can perk up enough to add some value to the exotics. (4) ODDS ON PLATINUM was a big earner at 2 and 3 but was off to a slow start as a 4YO – things definitely picked up for her over the last couple of months, however, and she’s been making her presence felt at this top level – can’t argue with her current form, but her trip does seem more uncertain for tonight. (5) LYDEO has a pair of wins and a 2nd from her last 3 starts but she bumps up to the Invitational now, and draws outside some good ones…may have to settle for a smaller piece tonight. (6) FRONT PAGE STORY wins more than her share of local starts (15 for 43), but tonight’s draw may leave her in a tough spot

RACE 5 – (1) MARLBANK ROAD turned in a better effort 2 back then rallied nicely from an impossible spot last week – he draws the pole in a blank field, and is worth a shot. (3) QUALITY BUD hasn’t been a threat in a long time but he’s also been in a bunch of impossible spots – logical time to look for a wake up call, but would still want a fair price. (5) CURBSIDE PICKUP broke when favored vs. better 2 back, then turned in an “ok” effort from a tough spot in his last – another with a license to turn in a better mile vs. these. (4) GALANTE A is used to facing tougher but he’s just 25-1-0-2 at Yonkers over the past 2 years, and would be hard to endorse on top at that 7/5 ML price! (8) FOXHUNT raced better than his lines might suggest in both local tries, after drawing Post 8 – he seems capable of much better, but he draws yet another 8 hole tonight…would consider at a big enough price. (2) OZONE BLUE CHIP has been hurt by a bunch of bad posts, but he’s also been weak in most of his starts – he’d need a major wake up call to come out on top here. (7) LENNON HANOVER draws Post 7 off a bad date while struggling lately in the NW2-4PM class. (5) PINEBUSDRAGONLIFE is 15-0-0-0 here at The Hilltop

RACE 6 – (6) LUCKY MUM N was freshened up for a couple of months and offered good late trot in her return try (after being well back most of the way) – she can race from on or off the pace, and catches a field with some “iffy” contenders…willing to give her a try. (2) PISCO SOUR looked like a possible winner in her first local try of the year (on 10/10) but broke to the top of the lane – she added hopples for her next and just missed, but did flatten a bit last week after making up good ground to the final turn – Bartlett is back up and she’s a very logical threat…but she’s also 0 for 13 this year, and figures to be heavily backed. (1) ICE BREAKERS K has a poor local win % but he does grab his fair share of decent pieces – not a bad one to consider underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (8) SISTER MARY MAUDE has over $500K in the bank but remains winless in 2025 after a getting nailed late last week – she continues to draw horribly (which hasn’t helped her cause), but may still be able to grab a nice chunk here with some trip luck. (4) B NICKING looked good turning for home last week but did weaken once into the stretch, fortunate to hang on to 2nd – Brennan stays on board, and he’s still usable in exotics. (3) BARN HALL has been going through the notions for some time, unable to find that excellent form from earlier this year – still waiting for some better signs. (5) WHEELZABLAZIN tired in the lane last week off a nice trip – he drops a bit, but may still prefer to be in a bit easier. (7) FANATIC rarely wins, and his best effort come vs. easier

RACE 7 – Good race: (4) FIRST CLASS RULE was purchased by the top barn in the nation (after his 9/27 start in Canada) and just missed in NJ in his first try for new connections (despite missing a month) – faces a solid field for his local debut, but does look tempting at that 10-1 ML price. (2) BE DIFFERENT went through an extended rough patch but started to come out of it recently, and steps up tonight off a brave win in his last – he’s more than capable with these types when on his game (as he appears to be, right now). (1) DIAMANTE TRIO IT landed on an easy trip in a soft field last week and picked up her first win in some time – she’s more than capable of repeating, but won’t offer much value with that 6/5 ML price (3) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS hasn’t been as successful recently as earlier this season, but he’s also been facing better (and dealing with some tough trips/posts) – a live trip could see him land somewhere on the ticket tonight. (5) KASHA V has been in a good groove lately, and any of his recent starts might be enough to grab a piece of this. (6) BLACK TIE BASH just missed in this class 2 back, then was a rallying 3rd vs. better last week – more than sharp enough right now, but the draw could hurt his chances. (7) TACH YON broke in 2 of his last 3 and lands outside. (8) ANDOVER CONTESSA gets a brutal draw arriving from Stga.

RACE 8 – (6) RITSON was a solid 2nd behind a razor sharp stickout last week in his 2nd start off a brief layoff – gets some class relief, and may be able to beat these with a bit of trip luck. (3) MY MAN PETER has been inconsistent since joining our leading barn but his best effort can beat these – gets Bartlett back, but that also means he’ll end up overbet. (4) MA ISABELLE adds Lasix tonight and that may help with her recent dull finishes – cold add some value to the exotics. (2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU finished well from too far back last week, gets a better draw for tonight, and could easily be part of the equation. (5) P L OSCAR has been somewhat in and out lately – he’d have a chance for a piece if he brings his best. (1) ENERYGYSOURCE never wins, but he did recently hit board 4 straight – maybe 3rd/4th? (8) VINNY DE VIE draws Post 8 and drops $8K off his card after tonight – keep an eye for next week. (7) WINDSONG PIONEER wants to be on the lead vs. easier than these – no spot, up 2 classes!

RACE 9 – (3) RADIO LAB wasn’t far back at the end last week after a conservative try from Post 6 – gets a better draw, and it wasn’t that long ago that he beat the 40s – maybe worth a try tonight? (5) INFINITY STONE dropped in for the $12,500 tag last week and was able to go wire to wire – certainly a chance he can do it again. (7) EPOS OSTERVANG DK drops to the basement but also draws poorly after missing 3 weeks – ok to use underneath. (8) BRAVE BY DESIGN really charged home from a very tough spot last week but it won’t be any easier from Post 8 – barn is definitely hot right now, so consider if the price gets juicy enough. (6) WANIA figures to be coming from too far back for more than a minor share. (4) FULL RIGHTS has speed and stats trotiing…but is also 21-0-2-0 this year. (1) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO has gone off form recently – waiting for better signs before considering. (2) ALTUS HANOVER continues his tendency to race very well out of town, but then struggle here at Yonkers.