Monday, November 17, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, November 17, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A isn’t the most handy horse around so it’s to his credit that he’s won 7 of his 37 local starts – he’s very comfortable at this level, and should end up with a decent trip here…interesting value play at that 12-1 ML price. (5) TEN TOTHE DOZEN A should be feeling good about himself off those last 2 tries out of town and he did win here (at this level) back in July – good chance he’ll end up overbet tonight, but still a very legitimate threat. (8) THE IDEAL DANCER A crushed cheaper last week but he’s actually more than capable at this level too – if you think Lachance will try to get him in play from out here, don’t hesitate to include him on your tickets. (1) THIS IS THE PLAN has $3.2M in the back but the 10 year old’s earnings THIS year are just $39K – Gingras will give him every chance to succeed from this spot, but he may not be up for it. (7) HUNGRY ANGEL BOY landed in a soft spot for his local return last week and had no trouble handling the assignment – tonight’s class jump isn’t as concerning as the terrible draw, however. (3) DEUCE HANOVER has picked up some pieces vs. better recently and has a chance for minor spoils here, as well. (4) TWIN B DELUXE is still well off his top form, despite a couple of no-threat 2nds in his last 2 starts – will need to be better for a chance to be a bigger player tonight. (6) ROYAL DESIRE has been solid overall but lacked pop last week, and gets a tough draw for tonight

RACE 2 – Short field, but a good race! (3) BOURBON COUNTY impressed Bartlett enough that he bought a piece of him a couple of weeks ago – he was an excellent first over 2nd last week, and may be able to pick up his first win at this level if things go his way. (2) VERDUN is always tough to predict trip-wise, but he races well no matter how things play out– moves inside, and has a chance to pick up his 18th Yonkers victory with some decent racing luck (4) ADMIRAL HILL arrived off a pair of KY wins over easier, but was more than capable of handling the local Open as well, especially after getting an easy lead and facing no real pressure – chance to extend his winning streak to 4, but it’ll be tougher to get the job done tonight. (6) MIKI SHAN N hinted at serious ability last winter but hit a rough patch at the worst time (before the Borgata Series) – he enjoyed a terrific time in the Maritimes this summer, capped off with a win in the Cup and Saucer Final, and returns to Yonkers after going the fastest mile in Maritimes history last start, blowing out the (overmatched) field in 1:49.4 – on the flip side, he had to re-qualify (after a sick scratch), and draws Post 6! (5) CAPTAIN MOORE A has shown that he can hold his own at this level – ok underneath. (1) MAGNIFICO HANOVER draws the pole, but still seems overmatched against this group

RACE 3 – (1) ALL ALONE was no threat in his last few but he was definitely taking on tougher – he drops back down to 40s tonight, and was a sharp 2nd and 3rd in his last 2 tries at this level – solid chance from the pole. (5) MA MBA dropped down to 30s last week and finished full of pace from an impossible spot – he gets a confident bump back up to 40s, gets Bartlett tonight and could be worth a look. (3) SPEAKER OF PEACE has been very popular at the claim box recently and his last 2 tries for this barn have resulted in narrow loss 2nds – gets a good draw and remains a very live player. (4) BET ON BIG JOE had a terrific 3YO campaign (16-11-4-0 $111K) but hasn’t been quite as successful at 4 – he recently joined the nation’s leading barn and makes his local debut tonight at a fairly ambitious level…we’ll see how well he fits. (2) ROCKIN N TALKIN was no threat in his first try moving up to this level but he gets a better draw tonight, and that may help him have a bigger say. (6) SHAKESPEARE definitely does better work when he draws inside but that 20-1 ML listing does seem high – ok for longshot fans. (7) PYRO figures to be handled conservatively tonight after getting parked the mile in his last

RACE 4 – (1) MUSIC HALL struggled with a rough trip from Post 8 two back but shrugged it right off and came back to win handily last week (off the re-claim), picking up his 13th victory of the season – remains the one to knock off. (2) ITALIAN LAD N lost his first 24 Yonkers starts this year but quickly won 2 in a row off the recent barn change (vs. 30s) – had no chance last week from Post 8, but can be right back in the hunt tonight with the move inside. (6) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY, like barnmate ALL ALONE (Race 3), is dropping back to a more sensible level after struggling a bit with better in his last few– eligible to have a much bigger say, even with the bad draw. (3) CUT N RUN N “stole” a win 3 back but has otherwise been settling for smaller pieces at this level – looking at a similar scenario for his new barn tonight. (4) OUTLAW MAN N came up empty dropping in for this tag last week – waiting for better signs before considering. (6) WALKINSHAW N will look to save ground and rally for a slice

RACE 5 – (1) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH’s last 4 tries on the lead resulted in 3 blowouts and a tough nose loss – the one to catch and beat tonight. (2) REINING DEO dug in gamely last week and was able to pick up his 2nd Yonkers win of 2025 – his barn is red hot, he’s looking at a good trip, and can be part of the equation once more. (6) GDS TH UNDER GB trailed all the way from Post 8 last week but he has some good tries at this level and can outrace his 20-1 ML odds if he can get away to a good start. (8) SOUTHWIND PETYR weakened off an easy trip last week but he drops to 30s and HAS blasted from the outside in the past – he did beat the 40s just 3 starts back, and could be worth a look at a nice price. (3) SARANAC BLUE CHIP didn’t tire all that badly 2 back in this class – he’ll be a big price, and maybe can sneak into 3rd or 4th. (4) ROCKMYSTER N was ok at times vs. better not too long ago but may not be at peak form right now – leaning elsewhere, but wouldn’t be shocked if he raced well enough for a piece. (5) HE AVEN ON HIGH N picked up a close 2nd last week but benefited from an easy trip – may not be as fortunate here. (7) SMOOTH LOU N was an easy winner vs. softer last week – may be hard pressed to replicate that effort tonight

RACE 6 – Wide open race, and will likely come down to trip: (5) HAMMERING HANK struggled to win races here earlier this year but he seems to sharpening quickly (out of town) after the recent barn change, and he does have plenty of back class – gets Yannick for his YR return and maybe he’ll land on a winning journey. (2) THE MASKE DCRUSADR N rallied steadily for 3rd dropping to this class last week, Bartlett sticks and he gets a good draw– logical player. (7) JUST ENUFF STUFF is clearly razor sharp right now but he moves to a new barn and lands all the way outside – he may be good enough right now to still get the job done, but make sure to get a fair price tonight if using on top. (1) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL has been a solid weekly player, always good for a strong finish – another that could end up with the winning journey from this spot. (3) WHY TOMORROW RAY never got in gear last week but was a razor sharp winner the start before – needs to bring his best game if he hopes for a shot at the top prize. (4) ULYSSES drops to 30s after beating the 40s two back – that was off a perfect pocket trip, though, and he’s likely facing a tougher journey tonight. (6) DONTLIKEITLEAVE figures to have too many to pass in this solid field

RACE 7 – (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N probably didn’t benefit from the cover he picked up on the back side last week, leaving him a little short at the end as the odds-on choice – he’s gone plenty of miles this year that could beat these, and he’ll be a much better price tonight – worth another try? (5) CHRISTOPHER DANCE N lost his first U.S. start (in NJ) back on 8/9, but only because he hooked wheels coming to the wire – he looked super winning his next 5, took a month off, and had a very nice prep across the river last week – most notably, Bartlett opts off two others to drive HIM, for his YR debut – could be a very nice horse! (4) COPPERFIELD wired the field last week, holding off #2 in the stretch – he loses Bartlett to #5, but does get Gingras at the lines…remains a real threat. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N hasn’t done much winning this year, but he picks up plenty of 2nds and 3rds…chance for the same tonight. (3) NONE BETTOR A has upped his game lately, along with most of his barnmates – still think he’s looking at a smaller slice against these. (6) SOHO DOW JONES A drops, but the draw does figure to really hurt

RACE 8 – (1) HEMSWORTH N dug in bravely for the first over victory last week and gets to race in the same class tonight (he scratches in to the rail, and was eligible to the class at time of entry) – Siegelman knows how to drive him, and gets the nod to repeat. (5) HIMSELF N found himself in a very soft spot last week and had no trouble delivering as the prohibitive favorite – he’s still more than capable at THIS level too, and seems next in line should #1 not bring his best tonight. (7) SANTANA HANOVER is a good fit at this level but he draws a terrible post and tends to be on the lazy side – his chances go way up if Bartlett is able to improve position at the start. (2) THONG CONTROL moves up TWO classes off last week’s victory but he’s still capable of picking up a small piece here, thanks to the inside draw. (3) ESCAPE TO AMERICA hasn’t won in a while and has missed three weeks – leaning towards others. (4) SOHO SANTORINI A is still winless in the U.S. and may need to be in a bit easier for a chance at the top slot. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N didn’t have his usual pop last week and draws poorly for tonight

RACE 9 – (3) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N ended up in higher classes after a pair of early Sept. wins and hardly embarrassed himself – he’s worked his way back down to NW10000 (after just missing last week to a pair of horses that would be prohibitive favorites in here), and deserves the nod tonight. (1) MYSWEETBOYMAX elected to race conservatively last week and did kick home well in a quick mile – draws the pole, and looms the main danger. (2) IN FLATION PROOF looked very good wiring a few NW2-4PM fields but had no real chance in his only local try against older horses, trapped behind a tiring leader into the lane – he should be a very good fit here, but that 7/5 ML price is a turnoff. (5) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR hasn’t won in a while but usually offers a decent late kick for a good piece – can do the same tonight. (6) SIX DEGREES was a pocket winner vs. cheaper last week but will have a tougher time getting in play tonight. (7) SAMHARA N had some pace finishing off the layoff last week and gets to drop a peg tonight – the draw may be tough to overcome, though. (8) ON ACCIDENT has been ok, but will be coming from last tonight – no spot! (4) CASINO ACTION N struggled at the bottom level – seems overmatched vs. this bunch.