Monday, October 20, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, October 20, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) SMIFFYS TERROR N is used to taking on much better than these and that qualifier suggests he’ll be ready to roll off the recent layoff– willing to give him a shot tonight against a field with no particularly sharp horses. (1) TWIN B DELUXE has been showing some wear and tear lately after a long, strong season – he’s not at his best right now, but can still have a big say with the class drop and rail. (2) NANDOLO N was able to beat an easier field last week, and he’s another that’s clearly not 100% right now – still, it’s hard to imagine him not being competitive from this spot. (3) THONG CONTROL drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight and will look a lot better with a class drop next week – still a chance for a small piece tonight, though. (6) BONDI LOCKDOWN A has gone so many strong efforts this year that it was really surprising to see him get beat at the bottom level last week – tough draw moving back up 2 classes, but still a decent bomb for the bottom of exotics. (6) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A does his best work with a bit easier – chance for some minor spoils with an easy enough trip. (8) POP IT continues to race well since a freshening this summer but will need a lot to go his way to reach from out here. (7) COVERED BRIDGE would certainly be a surprise from out here the way he’s been racing the last few months

RACE 2 – (6) SILKY CHOICE was ultra-conservative last week but even after sitting last the whole way, was still able to fly home through the stretch to be a tight 3rd on the wire – the 3YO beat his elders (in this class) two back, and may be able to do so again, if involved a little earlier tonight. (1) RENALDO N is 4 for 4 since arriving in the U.S., with 3 of those wins coming right here at Yonkers – he takes a big step up in class tonight (from NW2-4PM), but it feels like he should be able to handle it, especially with the rail draw and switch to Bartlett…the one to knock off. (2) ROYAL DESIRE has really matured as a 4YO and drops back down a notch after a solid 3rd last week – a close up trip could make him a legitimate player, and his price will definitely be juicy. (5) ESCAPE TO AMERICA came up just shy in his last pair, finishing 2nd both on the front end and from the pocket – his trip tonight is more unpredictable, and that has us leaning more to the top trio. (4) PEACE OUT POSSE feels like he’s leveled off after a big recent run, but he gets a good draw to go along with some class relief, and that may help him find a better effort. (3) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS was a perfect trip winner 2 back, but no threat last week – minor spoils? (8) KINGSVI LLE is very good right now, but may prefer to wait for a better spot before getting back to being aggressive. (7) DE ALERS TURN picked up a win and a 3rd in his last pair, but that has landed him higher up in class than he’d prefer

RACE 3 – (4) SPEAKER OF PEACE tried to leave from Post 8 despite a few others leaving to his inside, ended up (predictably) parked, and deserves a pass for last week’s mile – he was on an excellent roll for weeks just prior to that, gets a good draw for another new barn, and could bounce right back tonight with an easier trip. (5) SMOOTH LOU finished up well last week after a less than ideal trip – he beat this class in early September (after just missing the week before that), and may have a chance for an upset with some racing luck. (3) CUT N RUN has become a solid player at this level after returning from a long layoff a few weeks ago – he’s a logical threat here, but won’t offer much value on top with that 9/5 ML price. (7) SOUTHWIND PETYR was really good when 3rd two back (from an impossible spot) then raced very well again last week, despite being used hard (up in class) – may have trouble overcoming tonight’s draw, but still worth a look at that 20-1 ML price. (1) WALKINSHAW N moves back inside and he recently his board in 3 straight – decent value horse to include underneath in exotics. (2) DONTLIKEI TLEAVE feels like he’s tailed off in his last few starts after a recent claim – needs to find his better form to be a player tonight. (6) THEMASKECRUSADR N has held form since moving up from NW2-4PM races and drops in for a tag tonight – not sure he’ll be able to overcome the tough draw, though (and Bartlett does opt for #3). (8) HUN GER STRIKE has been stuck in several no-chance spots lately…this feels like another

RACE 4 – (1) ENDOFSTORY has battled inconsistency throughout the year but he can bring some very good efforts when on his game – he finished full of pace from a tough spot last week, and may be ready for a front end try again (his last 3 wins all came on the lead). (2) CATALPA RESCUE A won his first 4 starts in the U.S. but did come up a little short in his last, as the 1/10 favorite – his price will at least move up a bit, and he’s more than capable of getting back to the winner’s circle tonight. (6) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N has been a favorite of ours for a long time, and he’s still on top of his game this late in the season – he may find himself in a tough spot tonight, but he’s still worth considering if his price drifts up enough. (3) RACING RAMPAGE is having a “solid” season, though not nearly as successful as 2024 – willing to include him underneath. (7) DUNKIN was content to sit in the back last week after a miscue the week before – he may opt for another conservative trip tonight (after another bad draw), but he's also far too talented to NOT get at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (4) COPPERFIELD was an excellent 2nd last week but he moves up in class, loses Bartlett, and doesn’t have the benefit of the rail. (5) PANETTONE HANO VER is obviously on a nice roll, but does figure to be hurt badly by tonight’s big class hike

RACE 5 – (5) SOHO SANTORINI A has been sharpening but hit a speed bump when parked the mile last week – he still paced in 1:53.3 that night (despite never seeing the cones), and may be in a field where he can pull off a mild upset, with some better racing luck (6) SEASIDEESCAPE is a little hard to gauge off his Ohio form but he qualified nicely for our leading trainer (behind a classy import) and the connections have won more than their share with these types. (3) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR hasn’t won locally since moving to this barn a couple of months ago but this is a field where he CAN do damage, if the race falls his way. (2) LUCAPELO A had some issue here on 9/29 but qualified back nicely after that – he wasn’t at his absolute best in his starts prior to that, however, and may be a bit vulnerable tonight at a short price. (4) ON ACCIDENT ships in sharp from Monti and while he often gives a good account of himself here at Yonkers, he’s 0 for 13 over the last 2 years– prefer to use underneath. (7) SPECULA TING A drops to a level where he can probably contend for a victory…but he may need to wait for a better spot before that happens. (1) SPLASH BROTHER looked terrible in his last pair– waiting for better signs. (8) THE MIKI TAKER A has an impressive Down Under resume, but his preps suggest he may not be ready to fire his best just yet

RACE 6 – (2) MANFERNO looked like he might be going in the wrong direction but he quickly righted the ship with that dead-game long uncovered victory 2 back, followed by a tough trip 4th against the razor sharp REDWOOD HANOVER last week– we’ll give him the narrow edge over a couple of other very sharp rivals (1) TRENDY TEEN is a big player week after week, and has been 1st or 2nd in 13 of his 20 local starts this year – he’ll be a big threat tonight, as well. (6) VICIOUS had 3 wins and 3 seconds from his first 6 local tries before weakening a bit to 4th in his last– he’s at a post disadvantage tonight, but could still be a major threat if things do go his way (3) ALL ALONE is another that has been very good start after start, but he’s been doing it vs. easier – he’ll need to prove that he can be just as effective vs. these better ones. (4) BOILING OAR has struggled too often this year to consider vs. this very strong group. (5) JMS FINAL TREASURE seems destined to be stuck in the back vs. this sharp crew

RACE 7 – (6) REDWOOD HANOVER has looked super in his 2 local starts since joining our leading barn, crushing the competition, under wraps, each time – he steps up and lands outside, but still seems to be sharp enough right now to take another. (5) SOHO FIRESTONE A has been incredibly consistent all year long, and that includes last week’s dead game front end score– he can race on or off the pace, and remains a legitimate threat. (3) VERDUN ends up with a variety of trips but fortunately for him, handles all of them – he paid fair prices when he won 2 and 3 starts back, and will likely offer a decent price once again…never a bad one to have on your tickets. (1) ALWAYS A THRILL draws the pole once more after just missing from the same spot in his last pair – would be no real surprise if this was the week he was able to get over the hump. (4) JAMAICAN ROCK A is just one of several imports these connections have exceeded all expectations with – he does feel at least a bit risky tonight as he has just one start in over 5 weeks, and that was his only “dud” since arriving in the U.S. – and Bartlett does opt for #6. (2) SWEET BEA CH LIFE recently found his best 4YO form but still may be just a notch below a few of these

RACE 8 – (1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has enjoyed an outstanding year, winning 12 of his 27 local starts – he feels like he may be tailing just a bit (after so many big efforts), but it’s not like he’s been racing poorly – he gets a rare drop out of the Open, draws the pole, and that stamps him as the one to knock off. (5) COMBUSTION had good pace from a tough spot 3 back, charged home to win his next then had pace from another tough spot last week – license to pull off a mild upset if things go his way. (7) HOWLENTHEHILLS has upped his game recently, and comes into tonight off a 2nd to REDWOOD HANOVER 2 back (as the favorite), and a game front end score last week – brutal spot, but worth considering if you think Kakaley may take a shot at leaving. (3) TENZING BROMAC N may be a notch below these class-wise (based on his out of town lines), but tonight’s driver change may offset that – couldn’t blame anybody looking to give him a try. (2) MYULTIMATEBYRON A has been good lately, may trip out here and is certainly playable underneath, at a nice price. (4) AMERICAN DEALER N finally picked up his first win in a long time last week, but is likely going to be relegated to contending for a smaller piece vs. these. (6) HEM SWORTH N is listed on the bottom largely due to the poor draw, but he’s always eligible to be rallying late

RACE 9 – (1) WINDSUN RICKY hasn’t won in a while but he’s tough as nails when in the right spot, and tonight’s class drop and draw should make him a very dangerous player. (2) ULYSSES was an excellent 2nd in his local debut but just wasn’t right in his next start, then grabbed a small piece the following week, after sitting last from Post 8 – he moves back inside, and his best effort could make him a threat tonight. (7) THIS IS THE PLAN is no longer the horse that banked over $3M in his illustrious career, but this is still a level where he can do damage – doesn’t feel like he should be the 2-1 ML favorite, however, starting from Post 7 after missing 3 weeks. (6) PRINVILLE gets some class relief but may be stuck racing from well out of it for the 4th straight start – small piece? (4) ORLANDO BLUE A lost all chance when he broke before the start last week but assuming he behaves tonight, he’s in a spot where he can at least contend for a small share. (3) BLACK HAWK JOE A’s local starts have been mixed – needs to bring his best for a chance at a minor share. (5) WASA HEAT SEEKER N picked up his first victory in a while last week but was all out at the bottom level to do so – will need to be better for a chance against these. (8) BITCOIN HANOVER was a nice 3rd in his local debut but couldn’t reach from a tough spot in his last, and will likely be coming from way back tonight.

RACE 10 – (6) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH is insanely sharp right now, a winner of 3 straight and 4 of his last 5 (with some major blowouts included)– another new barn and a tough draw, bit still the one to knock off! (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF is also razor sharp, and comes into tonight off a 2nd to the top choice last week, and a 3rd behind SLING SH OT’s hot mile (in 40s) two back – the main danger. (2) WHY TOMORROW RAY drops back down to a better level, moves inside, and should find some of his better form – playable in exotics. (1) MOOD CONTROL handled last week’s class jump pretty well, especially off 3 weeks– could add some value underneath. (4) GOLIATH HANOVER felt like a logical player last week, had a pretty good trip but came up empty – he drops to 30s off that effort and while that may prove a winning move, it could also be a red flag – we’ll find out tonight. (7) JONES BEACH DE VI E shipped in off a form reversing 21-1 upset at Monti and has continued to race well here at Yonkers – tonight’s draw could prove a stumbling block, however. (3) SURFSIDE BEACH felt like he was finally starting to turn things back around before last week’s clunker – sticking with others. (8) RENAISSANCE DEO is 1 for 20 this year and starts from Post 8 – prefer to wait for a more reasonable spot.