Monday, December 15, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, December 15, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) WELL THATS MARKY dropped to 15s last week, was well backed, and clearly responded to Yannick’s aggressive drive – he’s looking for 2 in a row here and has a legitimate shot to pull it off. (2) CHECKON WILLIAM GB could never quite get by SHADOW CAT last week but ended up being placed first when that one was DQd (for an early pylon violation) – he’s been terrific in this class for some time, and looms a real threat once more. (3) REAL WILLEY is having a tough year but starting to get better as the season winds down – he was right there at 37-1 last week (after a speed try the week before), and could be right in the mix once more. (7) IM A POWE RPLAY A is very good at this level, and can even hold his own in 20s – he’ll definitely need some trip luck from out here, however, with a few live ones drawn way inside of him. (8) BLACK HAWK JOE A was a winner 4 back dropping from 30s to 20s and now tries a drop to 15s as his form has leveled off a bit – not sure he’s good enough right now to overcome Post 8. (1) MOONLIGHT SHADOW draws the pole but he’s 16-0-0-3 this year and looking at only minor spoils. (6) COLD CREEK FELIPE is very inconsistent, and this doesn’t feel like a spot to look for one of his better efforts. (5) PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE wasn’t terrible last week, but he’s now 18-0-0-0 at Yonkers

RACE 2 – Good race! (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF stayed inside last week (rather than pull 4th over) and ended up in traffic too long to do any more damage – his overall form has been excellent, and he may be able to pull off a mild upset if things get a little heated in front of him. (4) WALKINSHAW N ended up with a bad trip vs. the 40 but drops back down 30s tonight and Bartlett gives him a big vote of confidence (taking him over 3 others, including #3)– that alone makes him worth a longer look! (3) ROCKIN N TALKIN was a sharp 3/5 winner last week, and recently won 3 straight in October – hard to leave off your tickets, even if Bartlett opts for #4 tonight. (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR was well back at the half last week but still rallied nicely for 2nd (behind #3) – he’s very good at this level, and the rail draw makes him another with a very real chance. (6) PERFECT PROMISES raced well in all 3 starts since arriving at Yonkers and was quickly re-claimed last week – the tough draw (in this good field) does figure to hurt his chances tonight, however. (2) OUTLAW MAN N gets post relief after struggling in his last pair – still feels a bit below the top ones, though. (7) ROCKMYSTER N is off his game and draws poorly. (8) LOUS THE ATTITUDE has Post 8 off a bad date…along with a poor local record this year

RACE 3 – (4) ITALIAN LAD N has really elevated his game since changing barns a couple of months ago – he still hasn’t BEATEN the 40s, but has several efforts that suggest he can, with the right trip…maybe tonight? (1) CUT N RUN was used hard in a contested opening quarter last week, got shuffled to the top of the lane but still was pacing well late – he’s been very consistent for weeks, though winless in a while – may be in a spot tonight where he can come out on top. (2) SPEAKER OF PEACE landed on a horrible trip 2 back but everything went his way last week, and he delivered the solid victory – the right trip would give him a chance to repeat. (5) BOILING OAR drops down to 40s but he’s just 2 for 32 at YR this season and seems better used underneath, rather than on top. (6) WESTERN ERA was seriously overdriven last week and can be forgiven for tiring – may be able to sit back and rally for a piece tonight. (3) ORLANDO BLUE A seems too far off his game to consider right now

RACE 4 – (5) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH threw a weak effort last start but he reunites with Brennan tonight and the pair were victorious in their last 2 starts together…should offer a nice price in a race that can go several different ways. (6) HAMMERING HANK was a very sharp winner last week and continues to excel since joining this barn in October – if he lands on a good trip tonight, he has a very real chance to repeat. (3) AMERITRIC has been away since being claimed on 10/23 but he’s had plenty of success here this year, and that’s a pretty good qualifier (considering he was driven by a fairly inexperienced amateur)– the barn lit up the tote board with TAKE A CLOSER LOOK on Thurs. night…maybe this guy deserves a good look too? (4) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL relies on a trip to do his best work – if things get testy up front, he can make some noise at the end. (2) WHY TOMORROW RAY was handled very aggressively last time and held well for 3rd after getting passed by #6 to 3/4s – chance to be part of the exotics again, with a good trip. (1) HARD TO CATCH had some pace from an impossible spot in his last local try and has a chance for a minor share from the pole. (7) DONTLIKEITLEAVE has been racing well, and is only listed at the bottom because of drawing outside in a very competitive field

RACE 5 – (1) NANDOLO N came into the MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series off a very weak try but actually held his own in all 3 legs (though a bit overmatched against those types, at this point in his career) – he gets significant class relief for tonight, and Tritton has won with him in the past – we’ll go with him on top. (2) THENU CAME ALONG A was a little disappointing (off a good trip) in his stateside debut but that didn’t deter Bartlett from sticking with him tonight – he may bring a much sharper mile in his 2nd U.S. attempt. (4) MUSIC HALL has 15 wins this year and just been a beast at the $40K level for months…we’ll see if he can pass the “class test” tonight as he exits claimers/ (7) TRENDY TEEN threw an unexpected clunker 3 back but has otherwise been sharp for months, at this same level – tonight’s draw could present some difficulty, however. (6) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has enjoyed an excellent 3YO campaign, with over $200K on his card (and 4 for 9 here at Yonkers) – he MAY be starting to wear down a bit (after the long season), and tonight’s draw (returning from Indiana) is something else he’ll need to contend with. (5) MYSWEETBOYMAX has been a steady weekly performer but is probably a bit more comfortable facing a bit easier. (8) THE IDEAL DANCER A is VERY good right now, but will have to pass ‘em all from this spot…leaning elsewhere. (3) TWIN B DELUXE was in the right spot in last week’s fall apart race…seems unlikely to be as fortunate tonight

RACE 6 – (5) ROCK THE BELLES has been holding his own with better lately, and drops down tonight to the class he beat on 10/13– this is a spot where he can use his speed, and maybe get the job done again. (2) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A isn’t the handiest horse but the good draw (and Bartlett) should really help his chances – he fits nicely with these, and the only real “knock” is the 5/2 ML price. (4) CAMARA MOMENT was very well-meant last week but couldn’t get it done on the front end (2nd best to a classy winner) – fits well here too (despite the class jump) and should have a say in the outcome. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N is another that fits well in this class, and gets a full pass for last week (trapped with no chance) – gets a bad draw, but can make some noise if some trip luck comes his way. (1) HIMSELF N figures to take plenty of $$ from this spot but he’s been off his best game, and feels like he could be vulnerable, especially if used hard. (3) SIX DEGREES was way too aggressive last week and already tiring before they turned for home – chance for a better result with an easier trip. (7) QUALITY BUD has been outracing his odds (with crisp finishes), but may have trouble reaching tonight from all the way out here. (8) THONG CONTROL has been steady, but will be hard pressed to get in the game from Post 8

RACE 7 – (3) COMBUSTION is used to facing better and can be forgiven for coming up 2nd best to the talented BLUE LOU off the class drop last week – he meets a couple of pretty good foes (for this class) tonight, but we’ll still give him the slight edge…especially since he may go off 3rd choice. (4) MULLINAX has never been able to get back to that career form he exhibited earlier this year, but he’s still been a pretty nice horse – he should have some confidence after that last win in PA, and he gets his favorite pilot tonight– very dangerous! (1) RACING RAMPAGE has never been able to find his stellar 2024 form in 2025, but he’s still pretty tough down at this level – he almost was able to pull it off from Post 8 last week, and would obviously be no surprise from the pole. (2) ON ACCIDENT followed up his 22-1 upset two back with a milder 6-1 upset last week – he may be pushing his luck against these better ones, but the good draw could help him land a share. (6) LOUS SWEETREVENGE shipped in sharp and was able to dig in and pick up the victory last week – tougher draw in a tougher field, but sharp enough to at least have a chance to rally for a piece. (7) ESCAPE TO AMERICA just missed to #6 last week but tonight’s draw figures to leave him too far back to have much impact. (8) PEACE OUT POSSE hasn’t been nearly sharp enough to consider from out here. (5) BOOKEM DANNO returns off a sick scratch and seems very ambitiously placed!

RACE 8 – Good race! (4) JUMPINGJACKMAC N was racing well in virtually all of his starts but it wasn’t until his 13th U.S. start that he was able to find the winner’s circle – he must have liked the feeling, because he came right back to take his last, and Gingras actually jumps off HELLABALOU to drive him tonight…chance to make it 3 in a row. (5) LOU HILL is another that had trouble winning races this year (1 for 22), but he was facing stiff competition and still banked $184K – he makes his 2nd start for our leading trainer tonight, and a big effort is expected. (3) MIKI SHAN N is a total enigma – he’s shown that he has the ABILITY to be an Invitational pacer, but he seems to have no luck here at Yonkers (bunch of troubled trips, sick scratches, etc.) – would be no surprise to see him crush these – or come up no good at all! (1) SPECULATING N lost his first 10 U.S. starts but has now won 3 of his last 6, including a field-sweeping rally last week – definitely ok to include underneath. (2) LEVINE has been better lately than he’s been for most of the past 2 years…an easy trip could help him grab a nice chunk again. (7) MACS MARV EL has been on a long form spree, and doesn’t know the end of a mile…he may just find himself too far out to threaten tonight, though. (6) HELLABALOU is having a tough year – if Yannick is passing on him tonight, so will we. (8) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N is good right now, but the class jump (and 8 hole) figure to slow him down

RACE 9 – (3) SUGAR MAN showed ability in his 2YO starts and did good work this year at 3, even if a notch below the top ones in the division – he recently changed hands and turned in a pair of sharp tries (in PA and NJ) vs. older horses, and perhaps he can make his local debut a winning one (6) BLUE LOU was a sharp 2nd to the streaking PINNY TIGER A 2 back, then followed that up with last week’s sharp front end score– can be a big player here too, even with the bad draw. (1) MANFERNO rallied steadily for 3rd from the back last week after a nice front end score over easier, the week before – should be right in the mix tonight starting from the pole. (7) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE has been sharp for some time, but never seems to be in position for a chance at the top prize – may be looking at the same fate tonight, starting from Post 7. (4) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR has rallied well for some good pieces in several recent starts – always a good one for 3rd/4th/ (2) GENTLE GIANT was no factor in his last but could be closer to the action tonight, giving him a chance at some minor spoils. (8) HAZEVILLE gets stuck behind the 8 ball and seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he doesn’t. (5) VEGAS STRIP N seems likely to be handled very conservatively tonight after a disappointing front end try in his stateside debut

RACE 10 – (5) SANTANA HANOVER can be a little on the lazy side but he lands in a spot where Bartlett can get him to the top…and that formula produced a victory in a NW10000 field on 10/27 – looms a short price in tonight’s finale. (4) YOROKOBI N charged home at 55-1 (off the layoff) to be a close 2nd and finished with good pace last week too, finishing 3rd at 20-1…would use him in the exotics once more! (6) NIGHT HAWK landed on a brutal trip from Post 8 last start and did well just to take home a 5th place check – not a great draw for tonight, but can still land somewhere on the ticket with just a bit of racing luck. (1) ROLLING WITH SAM landed in a soft field last week and was able to pick up a rare local victory – not sure he can beat these, but the good draw makes him eligible to pick up a good piece. (8) SHAKESPEARE will be hard pressed to find any kind of trip tonight but he’ll sometimes turn in a big rally (from a tough spot), and that might give him a shot at 3rd/4th against these. (3) COLLECTIVE WO RKS A has been struggling in the U.S. – needs to find an easier spot. (2) TWIG was able to handle a very weak field 2 back but was no factor in his last, and even tonight’s post relief may not be enough to help his cause (7) LYRICAL GENIUS A’s best recent work has come vs. much easier – hard to like his chances from out here.