Monday, October 27, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, October 27, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Tough opener! (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF got used hard cutting the mile last week and just may be better with something to aim at anyway– he figures to be a decent price tonight (exiting our leading barn), but his new barn has been doing good work lately as well, and this guy’s last win did come with Holland on board – one of several possibilities in here. (7) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH comes out of the same race as #3 and had a very tough trip that night (after winning 3 in a row just prior to that) – he jogged for this barn 2 back, and crushed the field the last 2X Bartlett drove him…legitimate chance, even out here. (4) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL landed on a great trip 2 back and swooped to a very easy win, then wasn’t bad in his last (for 3rd) in a race won by #7 – remains a threat if the trip goes his way. (2) GOLIATH HANOVER picked up a 2nd last week upon dropping to 30s but he was really just “ok” – chance here, but he’ll need to be a bit sharper. (1) CAPTAIN HANOVER won his last 4 starts at Monti but hasn’t had the same good fortune in his last 3 local tries – still wouldn’t rule out his chances to have a say here, starting from the pole. (6) WHY TOMORROW RAY is a very solid player at this level and raced ok last week despite a less than stellar trip – tonight’s draw is the main concern. (5) DONTLIKELITLEAVE hasn’t been all that good since the 9/15 claim – he drops down to 30s tonight, but would still need to be a good price to be worth considering on top

RACE 2 – (2) SLING SHOCK was an incredibly sharp 1:52.2 winner off the claim 2 back but his last mile was flat-out scary, parked to the half in :55.2 yet STILL going by to 3/4s (1:23.2), opening daylight and cruising home by more than 3 lengths – he’s more than earned this move back up in class. (6) VICIOUS has been just that since arriving at Yonkers, compiling an 8-4-3-0 record – his last 2 starts from Post 6 resulted in wire-to-wire wins, and there’s a possibility he could do it again tonight. (3) TRENDY TEEN never goes a bad one, and could be a major late threat IF things get testy enough up front. (1) DANCIN SANCHO raced well in all of his local starts since joining his current barn at the beginning of September – he just missed in this class last week, and would surely be no real surprise (though we are leaning a bit more to a couple of the others. (4) MANFERNO is another solid player in here but he wasn’t able to overcome last week’s tough trip and faces an uncertain journey tonight. (5) JMS FINA LTREASURE will likely get away last again, severely compromising his chances

RACE 3 – (5) ROCKIN N TALKIN was able to collar an ultra-well-meant frontrunner in a sharp 1:52.4 mile 2 back, then followed that up with a front end jogburger of his own last week – steps up to 30s tonight but meets a modest field, and still deserves the nod. (1) HEAVEN ON HIGH threw a dud off the claim last week but his prior pair were solid 2nds behind the same “demolition” winner (CAMOUFLAGE MONEY)– he moves to another new barn, draws the pole, and could be very dangerous if he brings his best. (2) BLACK HAWK JOE drops in for a tag after a weak try last week but he’s entered for $30K when he failed to beat the 25s a few times recently – on the flip side, he’s listed at 15-1 ML for a barn that comes off a good week. (4) AMERICAGREATAGAIN dropped from 40s to 30s after a pair of 8th place finishes but still could only manage a 6th – he may do better with these, but that 5/2 ML price would make him hard to consider on top. (6) KIMBLE A drops to 30s but that may be offset by the poor draw – still willing to use underneath. (3) MOVIN ON UP hasn’t finished better than 6th in his last 6 starts

RACE 4 – (3) AYE AYE CAPTAIN has been going big miles all year long and last week was no exception, pacing back to back SUB :27 quarters in his final half to be a close 3rd despite a fairly impossible trip– he should be coming from a bit closer tonight, and we’ll give him a shot to get the job done (6) ENDOFSTORY finished full of pace from well back on 10/13 then took a tough nose loss to CATALPA RESCUE A after cutting the mile last week – he gets a bad draw here, but that also means his odds should be decent…would consider at the right price. (1) HOWLENTHE HILLS was too far back to threaten last week but he moves all the way inside and he’s sharp enough to be dangerous if things fall his way. (2) COPPERFIELD wasn’t bad at all in his first try at this level, despite cutting the mile from Post 7, off a bad date– he held his own the last 2 weeks as well, and could grab a good piece with some trip luck. (4) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE shipped in off 2 wins vs. easier at PcD but has continued to hold that fine form even against tougher here at Yonkers – could add some value to the exotics. (5) DUNKIN is going to find his best form again at some point, but hard to recommend right now

RACE 5 – (1) SHAKESPEARE can still throw a disappointing effort at times, but he’s actually been pretty consistent these days – he can win on the lead, but usually does better with something to aim at…worth a look if the price is fair. (8) MUSIC HALL gets the worst of the draw for another new barn but he seems to thrive for any trainer these days, and he’s also been able to overcome bad draws – worth using on your tickets at what figures to be a fair price. (2) CUT N RUN N was heavily backed last week and able to deliver an easy victory once he made an easy lead, and a few of the other main players really didn’t show up – capable of repeating, but does figure to have a tougher time tonight. (5) PYRO had been doing very good work when he’d draw inside but he’s been racing well even from bad posts now – possible upsetter if looking to spread a little. (6) SOUTHWIND PETYR was very good 3 back, a hard used 3rd in his next then a victim of a terrible trip last week – he lands in a tough spot here but he’s listed at 20-1 ML and wouldn’t be a complete shocker. (3) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N has been holding his own at these higher levels– sticking with others for the top slot, but could see him taking home a small slice (4) SARANAC BLUE CHIP probably could use some class relief (he fits NW5000 now, and would look much better in there)! (7) ALADDIN has a couple of ok recent efforts but vs. easier, and from much better posts

RACE 6 – (5) SANTANA HANOVER has been facing much better out of town and returns at a level well within his comfort zone (he beat this class, and one higher, earlier this summer) – feels like a spot he should be able to handle, though the price figures to be very short. (2) ROYAL DESIRE has been very consistent for some time, though his last was somewhat dull – he drops, gets Brennan on board, and could be a big player tonight. (1) CHURC HVIEW RANKL IR took too long to find his stride last week, then was gaining late on the winner (after a perfect tip) – he’s a logical player from this spot, but note that he’s just 1 for 26 at Yonkers this year before accepting too short a price. (4) ULYSSES was trapped most of the way in the pocket last week and did have pace to the wire after shaking free – Bartlett opts for #5, and so do we…though a smaller piece is within reach. (3) ON ACCIDENT is 0 for 14 locally over the last 2 years but does grab his share of pieces – could add some value to the bottom of the exotics. (6) BOILI NG OAR hasn’t found the winner’s circle in some time, and some weeks just hasn’t been any good at all – he does have the ability to leave the gate, however, and his chances for a piece go up with a quick start. (8) PEACE OUT POSSE actually fits NW5000 right now and after drawing Post 8 for tonight, may be content to just race conservatively and wait for a class drop (and better post!) next week. (7) SEASIDEESCAPE was empty in his local debut.

RACE 7 – (1) JUMPINGJACKMAC N is still looking for his first U.S, victory but he’s been right there 2nd and 3rd a bunch of times, vs. better – Brennan gives him a vote of confidence by taking him tonight, and this feels like a spot where he can finally get over the top. (2) TWIN B POWERBALL hasn’t shown much in his last few starts but he goes back on Lasix tonight, and that may explain some of his recent struggles – worth at least a look at that 15-1 ML price. (3) KINGSVILLE is a very solid performer at this level but he’s also a little light in the win column – Brennan opts for #1 tonight, and that has us leaning in that direction as well. (7) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH disappointed as the favorite 2 back but was a very good 2nd last week (behind DIEGO N) – feels like a tough spot, but he’ll be a big price and his chances would go way up with a fast start. (5) ESCAPE TO AMERICA has several good recent starts, finishing just behind a couple of sharp ones (THE GREEK FREAK (twice), and PANETTONE HANOVER) – he fits for sure, but he’s not all that handy, and may have to settle for another smaller slice. (6) NANDOLO N picked up wins in his last pair, but with easy trips, vs. softer – would never count him out completely, but he does seem vulnerable (at a short price) starting from this tougher spot. (4) SAVE ME A DANCE was a very good 2nd last week but this field may be a bit tougher than he’s comfortable with. (8) LUCAPELO N was a game first over winner last week, but he’s moves up and gets stuck outside

RACE 8 – (3) DESPERATE MAN landed on a terrible trip in the Aria but just wasn’t himself that night – was freshened up, re-qualified, and is hard to resist after drawing so well in this abbreviated field (he’s won 18 of his 28 Yonkers starts). (5) JAMAICAN ROCK A had a pretty modest resume Down Under but that didn’t stop him from winning his first 6 U.S. starts, including 3 Yonkers Invitationals – he’s leveled off a bit in his last 3 outings, but he reunites with Bartlett tonight, gets right back in the box, and it would be no surprise to see him back on his best game. (4) WHATS STANLEY GOT A had been sharp for months (as he climbed back up the class ladder) and he finally picked up an Invitational win in his last – that was 3 weeks ago, however, and he does face a couple of pretty good ones tonight. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N is having a productive year, but he’s lost too many times vs. easier to consider on top vs. these – he’s always capable of grabbing a piece, though. (6) SOHO DOW JONES was actually very good moving up to the Invitational level last week but that’s his ONLY start over the last 6 weeks – he also could have used a friendlier post assignment! (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A has been doing good work for weeks but he may find a few of these just a bit tougher than he’d prefer

RACE 9 – (6) CURLY JAMES A won 15 races and $245K Down Under, ran off in his U.S. qualifier and debuts tonight, on Lasix, for our leading trainer and driver– not too hard to like his chances tonight. (3) WINDSUN RICKY usually delivers when he lands in a winning spot and that was certainly the case last week – he faces tougher here, but can still be a major threat if the top choice fails to deliver. (5) THIS IS THE PLAN is clearly not the beast that banked over $3M anymore, but he’s still more than capable of winning at THIS level – another alternative if looking to go against #6. (7) THONG CONTROL was ignored at the windows last week but still put in a sharp effort for 2nd at 33-1 – this is a much tougher spot, but still not a bad one for the bottom of exotics, at what figures to be another big price. (2) COVERED BRIDGE tailed dramatically by early this year but many of his current efforts are just hard to watch (after seeing so many of his valiant battles over the years) – maybe the move inside will motivate him enough to at least contend for a piece…and maybe he’ll get some time off one of these days, after making so many starts (without a breather) over the last few years! (1) CASINO ACTION N has failed vs. much easier in most of his starts over the last 2 seasons (2 for 54 at Yonkers) but he did manage to pick up 2nds in his last 2 starts, so perhaps he can tow along for a minor share tonight, from the pole. (4) FAMILY RECIPE took 3 months off then finished way back in his return qualifier – his last prep was a little better, but still would like to see a decent start before considering him. (8) WASA HEAT SEEKER N beat a basement group 2 back but is up 2 levels in here (and Post 8)

RACE 10 – (3) SMIFFYS TERROR N qualified sharply after taking some time off then turned in a very useful start last week, finishing with good pace after being trapped inside for too long – in a winning spot, as long as Siegelman puts him in play earlier on. (2) PRINTVILLE beat lesser from the pole 5 starts back then drew horribly the next 4 weeks – the move back inside should help him have a much bigger role tonight. (1) POP IT is another that’s been hurt by bad posts in some recent starts – look for him to be much more involved moving all the way inside. (5) BIT COIN HANOVER was a solid 3rd for his new barn here 3 back, not bad from a hopeless spot 2 back then stuck behind the 8 ball last week – good chance he can outperform his 15-1 ML odds. (6) THE MIKI TAKER A did excellent work Down Under but so far has shown little in his brief U.S. career – if the tote board suggests he’s “live” tonight, you may want to upgrade his chances (at least for a piece). (8) EUPHORIA faces a tall task from Post 8 but he does have the right pilot to at least try to improve at the start – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) SIX DEGREES went a solid first over try dropping to the basement last week but tonight’s draw does figure to limit him…and Kelly does opt for #6. (4) GAMBLINGTERROR hadn’t shown anything for weeks but was able to hit the top in a weak field last week and take ‘em wire to wire – won’t be quite as easy against these, though!