Monday, November 10, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, November 10, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR benefited from some hot action up front 2 back but that doesn’t take away from his own stretch explosion (pacing by the entire field, at 21-1 – he turned in another good rally in his last (this time for a close 4th, from well back), and he should be a lot closer to the action tonight – we’ll give him the narrow edge. (2) SLING SHOCK was used a bit harder than he would have liked last week and weakened a bit in the lane to 3rd – he’s gone some HUGE winning miles at this level, and could easily bounce back with another tonight. (4) MUS IC HALL turned in a lesser effort last week but he always was used multiple times from Post 8, for a barn that’s been struggling a bit lately – he was re-claimed by connections for whom he’s done excellent work, and could rebound with a contending effort tonight. (3) CUT N RUN was an easy winner 2 back but vs. an easier bunch – he was a no threat 3rd (as the odds on choice) in his last, and may end up overbet tonight, as well. (7) SHAKESPEARE has been pretty consistent for some time but may have trouble finding a manageable trip from out here. (5) ULYSSE S cashed in a pocket trip last week but is facing a tougher journey tonight. (8) ITALIAN LAD N lost his first 28 starts this year but has now taken 2 in a row, after recently joining a white-hot barn – he did have beautiful trips in those wins, however, and may not be nearly as fortunate tonight. (6) OUTLAW MAN N has been good lately, but draws poorly as he makes a jump up to 40s.

RACE 2 – Tough race: (1) KINGSVILLE is rock solid at this level, especially from an inside post – he would have been a clear top choice EXCEPT for the fact that he was scratched sick from his last, and has missed 3 weeks – the confidence level definitely drops a bit, under the circumstances. (4) WINDSUN RICKY didn’t even pretend to be interested from Post 7 last week but his prior 2 starts produced a win and a close 2nd (vs. a bit easier) – he CAN contend at this level too, and a quick form reversal is not impossible. (8) JM FINAL TREASURE usually has trouble leaving from these terrible posts but he was able to do it 5 starts back (as the only leaver, vs. cheaper), and it resulted in a victory – if you think that could happen here, he’s certainly appealing at that 10-1 ML price. (7) MELA NION N was no factor returning to YR last week but was also facing tougher – another possible longshot if not a fan of the likely favorites in here. (3) SOHO SANTORINI A disappointed on the lead last week but he was scratched from his next start, so perhaps he wasn’t 100% that night – would consider only if the price was pretty juicy. (2) SA MHARA N can throw miles good enough to beat these but he’s been away for 3 months and may need a start or two. (6) SAVE ME A DANCE basically just stole one last week, going to the top vs. cheaper (with Bartlett hopping on board) and easily beating them– much tougher task tonight, however. (5) DEALERS TURN has lost to much easier many times this year – leaning elsewhere.

RACE 3 – (2) ALWAYS A THRILL won a bunch of races earlier in the year but has been coming up just short in most of his recent starts – he’s really overdue to get over the hump, and maybe tonight will be the night (his price does figure to be fair). (3) ENDOFSTORY finished full of pace 3 back, lost by a nostril in his next then was a front end winner in his last – hard to ignore in his current form. (1) ADMIRAL HILL returns off a pair of KY victories but despite the $40K purses, those fields were definitely easier than this one – his local wins have come vs. cheaper and while he still has to be seen as a very dangerous player tonight (from the rail, with Gingras), he does figure to end up overbet. (4) BOURBON COUNTY must have impressed Bartlett in their starts together as our leading driver bought a piece of him before his last start – he finished well off a conservative trip last week, and could be dangerous here if things go his way. (5) CAPTAIN MOORE A was solid in his first try at this level but was scratched sick from his last and draws outside 4 live players. (6) INKOWBETTER has certainly held his own since moving up to this top level but tonight’s draw figures to slow him down quite a bit

RACE 4 – (1) REIGNING DEO finished with good pace last week and draws the pole tonight for a top barn that has started to win races in bunches again – we’ll list him on top, but he’ll still need to be a “fair” price to be worth a play (as he has just one local win this year)! (6) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES just blew away his rivals last week in a seasonal best 1:53.4 mile…one of many eye-popping winners the ban has sent out over the last 2-3 week - he moves up to 30s and draws poorly, but still deserves plenty of respect. (5) MAXIMUS RED A wasn’t at his sharpest last week but still rallied late for 4th – if he can bounce back to any of his other recent (strong) efforts, he can be a big threat ca. these. (4) AMERICAGREATAGAIN turned in an improved effort when a no-threat 2nd last week, but was also helped greatly by his (easy) trip – possibility, but unlikely to offer any value. (2) KIMBLE A can be a player at this level with the good draw, but seems more likely to grab a smaller piece, than a bigger one. (3) HEAVEN ON HI GH N disappointed last off the claim – waiting for a better effort before hopping on his team. (7) MAMBA drops, draws poorly, and is off a bad date – leaning elsewhere. (8) GDS THUNDER GB is good now, but draws horribly

RACE 5 – Another tough race (it seems that’s the theme tonight)! (4) ROYAL DESIRE raced well from a tough spot last week, after being scratched sick the week before – he’s having a solid season, meets some questionable rivals, and may offer some decent value. (2) SMOOTH LOU was close last week off an easy trip, and gets to stay in the same class tonight – logical player from this spot, but could end up overbet. (5) DEREKS ROCKET is a little hard to gauge class-wise off his PA lines but he gets a barn change that has produced many winners in the past, and is listed at 20-1 ML…has to be worth at least a look. (3) TWIN B DELUXE has been well off his best form for some time, but did turn in a better effort last week (when 2nd) – possibility vs. these, but another that’s likely to be overbet. (1) QUALITY BUD picked up his first win in a long time last week but really benefited from a race that fell apart – he'll need to be a lot better to beat these. (6) ROLLING WITH SAM remains as camera shy as ever, but always eligible to take home a small piece. (7) BONDI SHAKE N sat last after drawing Post 8 last week and may take off the gate from another bad post, especially looking at a class drop next week. (8) FUNATTHEBEACH N was a front end winner last week, but greatly helped by a :58.3 half vs. a soft bunch– much tougher assignment now

RACE 6 – (7) HIMSELF N couldn’t prevail on the front end last week but the tripsitting winner is a pretty nice horse – deserves a chance to make amends vs. these, even from out here. (1) LEVINE N was racing off a bad date last week (after struggling in his last 2 starts up North) but still was able to charge home for 2nd despite a bad shuffle – logical player from this spot, but a tough horse to use on top (he’s extremely camera shy)! (2) ON ACCIDENT raced ok for small pieces in his last pair and tonight’s good draw puts him in play for another slice tonight. (4) COV ERED BRIDGE hasn’t just “lost a few miles on his fastball”…he doesn’t seem to have much of a fastball at all, any more…suppose he can still grab a piece here, as long as he lands on an easy trip. (5) COLLECTIVE WORKS A drops a bit from his last but would still look better in the NW2-4PM class – minor spoils? (8) CAVIART SARGENT may be able to take home a small piece with some trip luck, but that 4-1 ML price just seems way too low. (3) MYU LTIMATEBAXTER N feels like he needs to be in a bit easier to succeed. (6) GAMBLINGTERROR just stole one in a form-reversing front end victory 2 back but does seem overmatched against these

RACE 7 – (3) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N is a threat even at the Open level but his last 3 starts in NW30000 have produced a pair of wins, and last week’s excellent 2nd to a razor sharp ENDOFSTORY – he doesn’t mind a tough trip, and he’s the one to beat tonight. (1) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE shipped in off a pair of Pocono wins and has continued to race well every week since then, even as he’s climbed to the top level – gets to drop back down a notch, draws the pole, and should be right in the hunt once more (2) COMBUSTION beat this class 4 back (off a good trip) but has been a little too far back in his last few to be a bigger player – he should be a bit closer to the action tonight, and that could help him grab a better share. (4) VICIOUS has been just that since arriving at Yonkers, currently 9-5-3-0 here at The Hilltop – he loses Bartlett this week, and also faces a few tougher foes…still eligible to take home a good piece, though. (7) COPPERFIELD can definitely contend at this level but may need a better draw to do so – would need plenty of trio luck to overcome Post 7 tonight. (6) RACING RAMPAGE did beat this class 4 starts back but seems up against it in this field, especially starting from Post 6. (5) HP MOMENTUM seems better suited with cheaper these days…but a live trip could still see him rally for a piece.

RACE 8 – (2) DESPERATE MAN wasn’t himself for the Aria Pace but he was freshened up and took his last in effortless fashion – ultra-classy 7YO remains the one to beat. (3) DIEGO N broke in his first try for our leading trainer but had no trouble in his last 3 starts, all wire to wire jogburgers – he steps up in class tonight, but may be sharp enough right now to give #2 a tussle. (5) SPRING INHIS STEP A wasn’t bad at all in his local debut, finishing with good pace after being hurt by dull cover – his best hope from this spot may be to blast hard, and look to establish an up close trip. (4) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was too far back to threaten last week but has otherwise raced well week after week for months – eligible for another good piece tonight. (6) VERDUN was no match at all for REDWOOD HANOVER last week but that guy is just razor sharp right now – he has limited choices starting from Post 6, but he still can never be counted out. (1) SOHO DOW JONES A wasn’t bad in this class 2 back but still feels more comfortable at a bit lower level.

RACE 9 – (1) MYSWEETBOYMAX won a NW5000 race in his first start for this barn (on 8/26) and has held form beautifully since then, even racing well in his last 2 starts at the NW20000 level – he drops a bit, draws the pole, and had at least a chance at a mild upset. (4) CURLY JAMES A was very successful Down Under, then scored in his U.S. debut as the 1/5 favorite – he definitely didn’t look all that great in the lane, however, and he’s likely to be a very short price once more…maybe he’s a bit vulnerable? (2) SANTANA HANOVER can be a little lazy during the mile so it’s not that surprising to see him “get lost” from Post 8 last week– on his best effort, he can be a player here, and the move inside should help considerably. (5) ALL ALONE was facing tougher in his last pair and should appreciate tonight’s class drop – he’s also reunited with Brennan, for whom he’s recently done some excellent work – decent value horse to consider. (3) NIGHT HAWK is a light in the win column this year but he’s still a good fit with these, and can make his presence felt with a live trip. (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N faces a daunting task from Post 7 but he’s been undeniably sharp for weeks, and figures to be a big price – not the worst stab in the world. (6) WHICHWAYTOTHBEACH disappointed on the lead vs. easier 3 back, was a very good 2nd to the streaking DIEGO N in his next, then disappointed again last week – would have liked his chances more with a better draw. (8) CAMA RA MOMENT seems up against it starting from Post 8 but he’s been good lately, and it’s a rare chance to get a big price with Gingras – not a bad one for longshot fans

RACE 10 – Plenty of sharp horses in yet another difficult race! (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF had to settle for 3rd two back after a tough trip but came back to jog in his last, with a kinder journey – there’s figures to be enough action in here to set up his good closing kick. (3) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL won 2 of his last 4 starts, racing well from tough spots in the other pair – he’s another that would benefit from a hotly contested pace. (7) MOOD CONTROL turned in a mile that was hard to see coming when he obliterated the field 2 back – he was in the midst of another strong move last week when he lost action on the final bend, and lost all chance…new barn and bad post for tonight, but still wouldn’t dismiss his chances too quickly! (2) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH is riding a 3 race winning streak and was quickly reclaimed from his last – he’s obviously in his best form all year, but he’s also moving up to face tougher and that MAY slow him down a bit. (6) BB LUCKY BOY was his usual “rough” self getting the lead last week, rolled strong fractions then held well for 2nd after getting blown away by #5 – he’s always capable of just “outrunning” a field, but it’ll be tougher starting from Post 6. (8) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH has gone some HUGE miles lately, lands in another top barn for tonight but will need plenty of trip luck to get it done from out here! (4) DONTLIKEITLEAVE was a little better last week but just catches too many sharp ones to look his way in here. (1) SURFSIDE BEACH has had some encouraging signs recently (after a bad rough patch) but even his best effort would likely leave him looking at only a minor share tonight.