Monday, October 13, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, October 13, 2025 – Race Analysis

There may be a lot of rain over Sunday/Monday, leaving the racing surface somewhat unpredictable – keep an eye out for any trends that may develop in the first few races!

RACE 1 – (1) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH won despite being parked the mile 2 back, so it was no surprise to see him blow out the field on the front end last week – he steps up tonight off the claim but he’s in career form right now, and may be able to extend his winning streak to 3, even vs. these tougher ones – Bartlett gives him the ultimate vote of confidence by taking him over #3! (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF was a sharp winner in this class 2 back, then came up 3rd best vs. the 40s last week, behind a pair of very good rivals – drops back down, and looms a major threat, even if Bartlett opts for #1. (2) BE DAZZLED LOU A picked up a 2nd off the layoff 2 back then was no factor vs. the 40s last week – the drop and good draw could put him in play for a small piece tonight. (5) CHICKEN N DICE made an uncharacteristic miscue 2 back then got parked the mile last week – he’s normally a solid player in this class, and is worth considering underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (4) LYONS BENJAMIN isn’t “bad” right now, but he’s also not as sharp as he was for much of the year – minor share? (6) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL won from the pole on 8/4, drew the rail for the first time since then last week and it was a case of déjà vu, picking up the victory once more – figures to have a much tougher time from Post 6, though. (7) C BET HANOVER had been a steady player until last week’s clunker – tough draw tonight, and we’ll just observe. (8) PINE BUSH ITALIANO was no factor at all from similar spots in his last pair.

RACE 2 – (1) PANETTONE HANOVER extended is winning streak to 3 last week and while he didn’t blow out the field this time, he was still very sharp, considering he was facing tougher – he steps up one more level looking to extend his streak to 4, and just may be sharp enough to do so. (2) TWIN B POWERBALL is sharper than he might look on paper, finishing well from impossible spots in his last couple – he drops down to the level he beat 4 starts back, is listed at 15-1 ML, and nobody could be blamed for looking to give him a shot. (6) ROCK THE BELLES still needs more finish, but his fast starts continue to put him in play for pieces – still usable underneath, even stepping up a notch. (5) TWIN B DELUXE hasn’t been in peak form in his last few starts but it’s not like he’s been “bad” – we’ll see if some class relief perks him up a bit. (3) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS picked up the win for a hot barn last week but was helped tremendously by a very live trip– may not be quite as opportunistic tonight (7) SILK Y CHOICE is a talented 3YO having an excellent season – he definitely didn’t look at his best last week (despite picking up the win) and may have trouble replicating that success tonight from Post 7. (4) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A hit board in his last 3 starts and is one of several with a chance for a piece tonight, depending on how his trip goes.

RACE 3 – (1) ESCAPE TO AMERICA delivered his sharpest effort in a while last week and can be forgiven for losing out to the razor sharp PANETTONE HANOVER after a long battle – a similar effort would make him very tough tonight. (2) KINGSVILLE did a nice job holding 2nd two back after getting blown away by HELLABALOU, then gave it a good try on the front end last week, outkicked home by HP MOMENTUM…the main danger. (3) NIG HT HAWK has been solid overall lately, and was 3rd in the same race as the top choice last week – another good draw should put him in play for another good chunk. (4) DEUCE HANOVER finished just behind #3 last week, and has been solid in general – a good trip puts him in the hunt for a decent piece. (6) THE GREEK FREAK is 3 for 3 since arriving on the local scene and joining his current barn – it’s usually not a bad idea to stick with a hot hand, but he’s definitely facing much tougher tonight and the outside draw could hurt his chances as well. (7) CHURCHVIEW FRANKL IR was dull last week, draws poorly here, and drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight – the guess is that he’ll be handled conservatively. (5) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A does his best work vs. a bit easier. (8) SPLASH BROTHER moves up 2 classes (from Post 8) after tiring from the pocket in his last

RACE 4 – (4) SOHO FIRESTONE A went a BIG mile last start, only to get nipped late by a “dream trip” VERDUN at the wire – he’s been rock solid almost every start, can race on or off the pace, and may even appreciate the week off that he got – we’ll try him on top. (1) ALWAYS A THRILL looked like a winner right to deepstretch last week, only to take a brutal beat on the wire at the hands of the very sharp tripsitter – figures to be a big player once again. (6) VERDUN landed in a miracle spot 2 back and was able to charge home late to win, then followed that up with another (sharp) victory last week – he’ll likely be coming from last tonight, but that doesn’t mean he CAN’T take another. (3) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A struggled first over into a hot mile last week but still hung in ok for 4th – he’s won 12 of 26 local starts, his barn is on an insane run, and he can never really be counted out. (2) SWEET BEACH LIFE gave it a very aggressive try up in class last start and still got passed by both horses that he parked – missed 3 weeks, and we’ll stick with others tonight. (4) IKNOWBETTER is moving way up in class, and just graduated from NW2-4PM three starts back – it’s pretty unfair that he wasn’t assigned the rail.

RACE 5 – (2) MUSIC HALL has been extremely sharp for weeks, even from bad posts and when used hard – he was re-claimed by a barn he’s thrived for before, and we’ll look for him to continue to do so tonight – gets the nod with the good draw. (4) SOUTHWIND PETYR steps up to 40s and has been a bit camera shy this year – that being said, his last effort was SO good (long sustained move into a 1:51 mile!) that he still has to get serious respect tonight! (5) ALL ALONE has been very sharp for a long time in 30s, and held that form taking on the 40s last week (off the claim) – gets Bartlett tonight, and figures to be right there if the trip goes his way. (3) ITALIAN LAD N is listed at 20-1 ML but he gets a big barn change, and is definitely worth using underneath in exotics. (6) HUNGER STRIKE is hard to gauge at this level as he’s drawn poorly in both starts for $40K – unfortunately, tonight’s bad draw may still leave questions unanswered. (1) KIMBLE A is racing well right now, but vs. easier – not sure the rail draw is enough to make him a player vs. these. (7) WALKINSHAW N has been picking up good pieces every week with his good late rallies, but he’ll need lots of luck to get into play after drawing so poorly. (8) SPEAKER OF PEA CE has been hitting on all cylinders for weeks, but he’ll likely be coming from too far back to have the same impact

RACE 6 – (1) NONE BETTOR A is still showing up to do battle every week at age 12, even if at levels a bit below where we’re used to seeing him – he’ll get to call the shots tonight (with the class drop and the rail), and is the one to knock off…but at what figures to be a pretty short price. (2) SAVE ME A DANCE was no factor in his last 3 starts but also drew horrible in each of them – he figures to be sitting a close up trip tonight, and may be able to just tow along for a decent piece. (3) JMS FINAL TREASURE benefited from being the only leaver last week and was able to gradually make his way to the top from Post 7…and was able to handle the assignment after that – he could end up with a much tougher trip tonight, and that would make him a bit vulnerable at that 8/5 ML price. (4) BLACK HAWK JOE may be ignored in the wagering here but he’s hot board in 4 of his last 6 local starts (with excuses in the other pair), and may add some value to the exotics, with a bit of trip luck. (6) THONG CONTROL wasn’t bad last week, only weakening very late after a first over trip vs. better – he fits here for sure, but the draw may slow him down a bit. (5) POP IT raced well for a few starts after a recent freshening, but was hurt by bad posts in his last pair – a good trip could help him grab a small piece tonight. (7) GINGRAS BEACH failed to beat a single horse in his last 3 starts and tonight’s draw may result in more of the same tonight

RACE 7 – Interesting race! (2) AMERICAN DEALER N has just 2 wins this year but he’s often been right there 2nd behind some pretty good horses (9 times) – Bartlett drives him for the first time in a while, and maybe HE can find a way to get the classy 8YO back to the winner’s circle. (5) HP MOMENTUM seems to prefer to have something to aim at and he looked very good charging on by in the lane last week, vs. a bit easier – may be able to take another if things set up in his favor. (3) SLIP THE HUNDY N shipped in from NJ off a win vs. cheaper and has held form very nicely during his climb back up the class ladder – seems sharp enough to have a say here with the right trip, even as he steps up another notch. (1) DANCIN SANCHO has gotten sharper each week since moving to his current barn but will get a big test tonight as he moves up TWO classes off a pair of recent wins – at least the rail draw should help him find a manageable trip. (8) HELLABALOU looked outstanding in his “brush and crush” victory 2 back but wasn’t able to replicate it last week when used harder cutting the mile – maybe he can sit back and rally by a bunch late if things get a little heated up front? (7) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY is beyond sharp but he moves way up for his new connections and he may struggle a bit from this spot, no matter how sharp he’s been. (4) ROYAL DESIRE has blossomed as a 4YO, though he may need to be in a little cheaper to offer his best effort – minor share? (6) PEACE OUT POSSE has come back to earth after recently rattling off 4 straight – another tough draw won’t help

RACE 8 – (5) REDWOOD HANOVER was one of the barn’s many recent winners and like so many of the others, he looked like he just sprouted wings (home in an eye-popping :26.3 while still under a Bartlett triple armlock) – have to stay on board even with the class bump. (2) MANFERNO felt like he might be tailing a bit but he took some “sneaky money” last week and turned in a dead game first over victory – a good trip may help him have a say here too, even moving up a bit. (1) HAZEVILLE had been very sharp recently but was forced to race conservatively in his last pair (7 hole 2 back, facing the Open last week)– he might be a bit more aggressive tonight, and may be sharp enough to stick around for a good piece. (3) MYULTIMATEBYRON A is sharp now, racing well every week even as he climbs back up the class ladder – another good draw puts him in play for a piece. (4) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE shipped in off a pair of NJ victories over softer but came up big locally as well, charging home late to almost get to #2 last week – he hasn’t always done his best here at Yonkers, but may be sharp enough right now to grab another piece tonight. (6) ENDOFSTORY wasn’t Bartlett’s choice tonight and our leading driver seems to know when to hop on his team – leaning elsewhere. (7) DUNKIN lands all the way outside after last week’s miscue – guessing he’ll race from off the pace tonight, putting him at a big disadvantage

RACE 9 – (4) GOLIATH HANOVER had good pace from a tough spot last start and has already proven that he can win at this level – he figures to be a decent price in a field with several sharp contenders, and that makes him worth a good look. (5) SLING SHOCK hit board in 7 of his last 9 starts (including a few at the $60K level), with excuses in the other pair (8 hole one week, parked the mile in the other)– he jogged off the claim last week, and looms a very dangerous player once more. (2) SHAKESPEARE was stuck first over into the hot clip last week and just couldn’t sustain his bid – we’ve seen him bounce back from disappointing tries a zillion times, and his overall recent work has been very solid…another worth considering at what should be a pretty good price. (3) SMOOTH LOU is listed at 20-1 ML but he has a recent win and nose loss at this level, and had to deal with 8 holes in 2 of his last 3 starts – couldn’t blame anybody thinking of using him tonight at long odds. (1) SADDLE UP has won an incredible 14 of 27 starts this year but isn’t quite as effective at this $40K level…and that has us leaning more towards others (7) PYRO was listed at an absurd 20-1 ML last week, and that helped him to pay 6-1 with his victory – he’s not nearly as effective when drawn outside, however, and that’s the dilemma he faces tonight. (8) WHY TOMORROW RAY hung in ok moving up to 40s last week, but tonight’s draw figures to really hurt his chances. (6) SARANAC BLUE CHIP just seems ambitiously placed at this level…especially when he fits NW7500 (at least he’ll fit NW5000 next week)

RACE 10 – (4) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N really blossomed here throughout the year and has established himself as a legitimate Open performer – he turned in another big effort last week, pacing his 3rd quarter in :26.4 while he came after the previously undefeated CATALPA RESCUE A, putting that one away before getting collared by VERDUN – gets top billing tonight in this overall softer field. (2) HIMSELF N was super in back to back front end wins to start off September, impressing Siegelman so much that he actually tried to drive him like he was the one to beat in the Invitational (2 back) – he’s come back to earth since then, but does loom a very live player in this spot. (3) HEM SWORTH N hasn’t been firing his best lately but it’s always just a matter of time before he pops off a big one – would still need a decent price to try him on top tonight, though. (1) COPPERFIELD gave it a nice try last week despite racing from Post 7, off 3 weeks – he gets Bartlett back tonight (and moves inside), but still needs to show that he can beat the top ones. (6) COMBUSTION rallied nicely off a perfect trip to beat last week’s compact field – will have a tougher time reaching tonight, though. (7) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N started to turn things around at the end of August and has stayed sharp since then – brutal spot tonight, though. (5) MYSWEETBOYMAX really elevated his game after joining this barn, but may be pushing his limits up that this higher level

RACE 11 – (3) NANDOLO N is the reluctant choice in the finale – he’s clearly not on his best game right now but he gets Bartlett back on board and there’s just nothing all that threatening in this field – he’s sure to be overbet, though. (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK has enjoyed a very productive season, with a few big upsets along the way – he does seem to have fallen off his game, however, and even tonight’s class drop (and rail) may not be enough to help him get back to the winner’s circle (he was locked on a line pretty badly last week). (6) SURFSIDE BEACH was very good for a nice chunk of the year but then hit an extended rough patch – he’s been looking better in his last couple, and is worth at least a look tonight at that 15-1 ML price. (2) DEALERS TURN finally picked up his first win of 2025 last week – he steps up a bit, but the good draw could help him contend for a decent piece. (4) PLEASE LETMEKNOW is used to racing at the top levels but he hasn’t been able to get anything going in just 4 starts this year – hopefully he’ll turn things around eventually, but he’s hard to endorse right now. (7) BITCOIN HA NOVER wasn’t bad for his new barn last week, picking up a 3rd in his local debut – would have been listed higher tonight if not for the terrible draw. (8) ORLANDO BLUE A is definitely very comfortable at this level but may have to wait for a better spot after drawing Post 8 for the 2nd week in a row. (5) MOOD CONTROL had a couple of nice tries in the NW2-4PM class (after a barn change) but steps up to face older foes in here, and may not appreciate that