Monday, October 6, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, October 6, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) SLING SHOCK certainly gets a full pass for that start 2 back (hopelessly parked) and his last 8 hole try was actually very good, considering the trip – he’s done lots of damage at this level, and was just claimed by a barn that’s been coming to life again lately…gets the narrow nod. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF threw a clunker 2 back off the claim but was a razor sharp winner in his last, even if vs. a bit easier – he gets a confident bump back up to 40s, and will be a major threat if as good as last week. (6) MUSIC HALL has taken 3 of his last 4 starts and now has 11 victories on the season – he’s at a major post disadvantage vs. the top pair, but he can still be very dangerous if some trip luck comes his way. (3) BE DAZZLED LOU A is on the comeback trail after a recent layoff – an easy trip may help him take home a small piece here. (2) WHY TOMORROW RAY has been solid for months but moves up to 40s tonight (off the most recent claim) and he’ll need to prove that he can be as effective vs. these tougher ones. (5) SADDLE UP is a winning machine…but did come up weak last start moving up in class, for a barn that’s 2 for 52 this year – leaning elsewhere. (8) HUNGER STRIKE probably needs a much better draw, in an easier field, to be a threat. (7) AMERICAGREATAGAIN was up the track at 67-1 from a similar spot last week

RACE 2 – (1) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY is a streaky sort and he’s certainly hitting on all cylinders right now – hard to go against, even at what figures to be a very short price. (3) RENAISSANCE DEO drops, moves inside, and has several recent efforts that could land him in the exotics tonight. (6) SOUTHWIND PETYR was reclaimed for a barn that has enjoyed success with him, is listed at 20-1 ML and may be able to add some value to the exotics, with some trip luck. (4) HEAVEN ON HIGH N was no match for #1 last week but safely held 2nd in his 2nd start for the sisters in law – logical one for another piece tonight, but may be overbet from a tougher spot. (2) JIMMY CONNOR B may prefer to be in a bit easier but he may just get to sit a close up trip, and stick around for a share (5) I DRAINT HESWAMP A feels like he may be tailing off – too soon to write him off, but prefer to see a better effort before endorsing. (7) GALANTE A was a distant 3rd last week, but figures to be limited by tonight’s draw

RACE 3 – (5) HP MOMENTUM was well backed vs. better last week but was worn down by a very sharp BOURB ON COUNTY and tired to 4th – he takes another class drop tonight, and may be better racing from a bit off the pace – we’ll try him on top. (4) KINGSVILLE was well meant last week, and did a beautiful job holding 2nd after getting blown away by a fire-breathing HELLABALOU – solid threat once more. (2) NONE BETTOR A showed some wear and tear at age 11 last year and has continued to decline a bit more at 12 – he still fits ok with these, but has to avoid being overdriven tonight to be a solid player. (8) MAGNIFICO HANOVER showed lots of promise at 2 but suffered through a dismal, 9-start 3YO campaign – he’s finally starting to really come around now at 4, and probably fits very well with these…tough spot to make his local debut, however. (1) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N moved well up in class last week but hung in ok for 5th – maybe another small piece with the good draw? (6) ROYAL DESI RE has maintained his very good form for weeks, even if he had a slight blip 2 back – tough spot tonight, though, and likely looking at only minor spoils. (3) THONG CONTROL will probably look better with a class drop, next week. (7) GINGRAS BEACH failed to beat a horse in his last pair…and that may be the case tonight, as well

RACE 4 – (5) CATALPA RESCUE A (just the latest star for an owner/trainer team on an insane run!) only took 3 U.S. starts to make his way to the Open ranks, was sent off at 2/5 and delivered an effortless 1:51 victory, kicking home in :26.4 – pretty hard to go against right now, especially since he’s shown that he doesn’t need the lead to win! (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N has blossomed into a very nice horse, with one very big move in him – he had the distinction last week of pacing a final quarter in :26.1 and STILL not gaining any ground (vs. #5), but tonight’s better draw should put him back in play for a good piece. (3) VERDUN landed on a miracle trip last week but it’s because he’s such a talented horse that he was able to capitalize– can never be counted out (4) RACING RAMPAGE has been much better lately, even if not quite at his 2024 peak form– a good trip could land him a share here, but that 5/2 ML price is definitely a turn off. (1) HAZEVILLE has been good for a while for a barn that’s on a nice roll – in very tough tonight, though. (6) ENDOFSTORY just stole one in this class 2 back, and was bet like it was going to happen – no threat last week, though, and may have trouble getting in play from this spot, as well.

RACE 5 – Strong field, with no real “throwouts”: (2) PYRO has been good every time he’s drawn inside and even had late pace after sitting 8th last week – has to be worth a look at that 20-1 ML price in this wide open affair. (4) SP EAKER OF PEACE has hit board in 7 straight, and that includes wins at this level in his last pair – goes for another new barn tonight, but remains a major threat. (3) SHAKEPEARE sharpened quickly after the most recent claim, and that includes a sharp win 2 back – came up a little short cutting the mile last start, but may be more dangerous making one big brush. (5) ALL ALONE has been razor sharp for a long time vs. the 30s, and has earned this move up tonight – faces a very strong bunch, but worth a look (if the price is right) for yet another new barn. (7) CUT N RUN N quickly found his form after a long layoff, but will need lots to his way to get it done from out here – has the right pilot to help him find a trip, though. (1) DONTLIKEITLEAVE had been thriving in 40s before last week’s clunker – if he can rebound to one of his better efforts, he can have a say from this spot. (6) ALTA CLASSIC A is a proven winner in this class but faces a tough assignment after drawing poorly in this strong field (8) SMOOTH LOU just beat this class 3 back, but tends to struggle (like most horses) when stuck outside

RACE 6 – (4) AMERITRIC has been rock solid at this level, for several different barns – he’s won 2 of his last 3 starts (8 hole in the other), and remains the one to knock off. (6) CHICKEN N DICE broke before the start last week but has otherwise enjoyed plenty of success at this level – hard to NOT give him a look at that incredibly high 20-1 ML price. (1) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL needs a good trip to be a threat in this class but note that his last win did come when he drew the pole (8/4) – wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the hunt tonight. (8) ULYSSES was well backed for his local debut and was gaining late on the razor sharp ALL ALONE – he did throw an unexpected dud in his last but he reunites with Bartlett and will be a nice price tonight, thanks to the draw – can’t blame anybody that wants to give him a try here. (2) HARD TO CATCH is just 1 for 19 locally this year but hit board in 8 of the losses – he’s usually a good price, and never a bad one to include underneath. (3) LYONS BENJAMIN is having a great year but does seem a bit off his best game right now – would still consider for exotics. (5) LOUS THE ATTIT UDE was an “ok” 4th in each of his last 2 starts – needs to find more if he hopes to be a bigger player. (7) PINE BU SH ITALIA NO was an “auto-toss” all through 2023-24 – he’s much better this year, but is draw compromised for tonight

RACE 7 – (2) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was sent off favored in his only local start this year and was 3rd, in NW20000 (behind AYE AYE CAPTAIN N and HP MOMENTUM) – he lands in a new (top) barn upon returning from Canada, and we’ll look for a big effort tonight. (3) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A appreciated the class relief and raced well in each of his last 2 starts– he’s ready to win one, and could be the main danger (7) ROCK THE BELLES appreciated the easy trip last week and finished much better – he gets Bartlett on board tonight, and may see this as an opportunity to race aggressively again…could have a say here, despite the draw. (5) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS finished ok from an impossible spot last week and gets a class drop and better draw for tonight – one to include in exotics. (4) RHYDS SUPERFLY GB was scratched sick from his last after a pair of weaker efforts– leaning towards others right now. (6) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A got a trip he likes against a modest bunch last week and was able to come out on top – looking at a (much) smaller piece in this spot, however. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP draws the pole but may not be sharp enough right now to take advantage. (8) SAVE ME A DANCE draws poorly once more

RACE 8 – (1) ALWAYS A THRILL somehow gets assigned the rail despite finishing a close 3rd last week (after finding room late) – he’s won several times at this level in the past, and may be able to take advantage of the incredibly generous post assignment. (3) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A gets to draw for posts 2-6 and lands a nice spot – he’s won 12 of 25 local starts, including 3 recent wins in this class – hard to leave off your tickets. (2) WHATS ST ANLEY GOT A has been sharp for a long time, hitting board in 9 straight before a close 4th place finish last week – would be no surprise at all in his current form. (4) HIMSELF N was driven FAR more aggressively last week than expected, altering the race in a big way for several others – he was left short at the end as a result, but could have a bigger say tonight with an easier journey. (5) HEMSWORTH N was used a bit more than he’d like early on last week, and it left him a little short at the end – steps up, lands outside good ones, and will need things to fall apart up front to have a chance. (6) SOHO DOW JONES A clearly should have been assigned the rail, ends up with Post 6 instead – would be a surprise from this awful spot

RACE 9 – (6) HELLABALOU has endured a difficult season and has been a good one to play against in a lot of his starts – he DID come up with a pretty eye-catching victory last week, however, pacing a back half effortlessly in :54 seconds to just brush-and-crush his rivals into submission – willing to gamble that the classy 7YO is feeling good enough to beat these too. (2) AMERICAN DEALER N never seems to go a bad mile…he also never seems to WIN these days, and we’ll continue using him underneath. (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX is on a good roll now as he’s holding form while climbing back up the class ladder – figures to be a big player from start to finish with the rail and Bartlett (7) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE ships in sharp from PA and does fit with these on his best – the poor draw does figure to leave him battling for a smaller piece, though. (3) TWIN B POWERBALL does his best work vs, cheaper but an easy trip could help him bring home some minor spoils. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N couldn’t overcome Post 8 last week but still wasn’t far back at the end – he’s been overachieving for some time, and is another capable of a minor share with an easy journey. (4) MANFERNO was razor sharp for a while but does seem to have tailed considerably – sticking with others. (8) PEACE OUT POSSE draws Post 8 off a dull try last week – pass for now

RACE 10 – (4) DUNKIN had been struggling but turned in a better effort when 2nd in a very hot 1:51 mile 2 back, then was able to deliver a win from Post 8 last week (vs. an easier overall field) – maybe he’s built back enough confidence to make it 2 in a row? (6) ALL CLASS has been racing very well in the Open and now has this easier class opened up (“NW$30,421 Last 5”) to squeeze him in – we’ll see if he’s able to capitalize on the situation from this tough post. (1) VICIOUS now has 3 wins and 3 seconds from his local tries and draws the pole tonight – he faces a couple of classy rivals tonight, but still looms a real player from this spot. (3) COMBUSTION finished with good pace from a tough spot last week, and his overall form has been strong for some time – playable underneath in exotics. (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A picked up his first victory in a long time 2 back then followed it up with a 2nd to DUNKIN last week – the right trip could land him on the ticket once more. (5) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N is a victim of his own recent success, up at this higher level after a pair of recent wins – tough spot

RACE 11 – (4) NANDOLO N is allowed to take a double class drop tonight and while he’s clearly not on his best game right now, it’s not like he’s been “terrible” (vs. better) – have to believe he’ll find a way to get it done vs. these – but also wouldn’t be betting the rent money on him in here! (3) C BET HANOVER remains camera shy but does race well most weeks, and didn’t mind last week’s more aggressive handling at all – viable horse to consider at that 12-1 ML price. (2) BITCOIN HANOVER is a 3YO taking on older but he arrives off a couple of nice Tioga tries, moves to a new barn and gets a good draw – maybe he can have a say here? (1) KIMBLE A appreciated the class drop and easy trips in his last pair, picking up a win and a 2nd – steps up a bit, but should still be able to at least grab another good piece. (6) ALADDIN has struggled in most of his starts for some time but did race a bit better last week – keep an eye for any more improvement tonight. (7) JMS FINAL TREASURE will attract attention with the class drop but he’s struggled repeatedly from tough posts, and may have that same dilemma tonight. (5) TWIGGS PUB feels like he’s tailing a bit after a good run – leaning elsewhere right now. (8) ORLANDO BLUE A drops a notch but that figures to be more than offset by the awful draw

RACE 12 – (2) PANETTONE HANOVER was the selection here in each of his last 2 blowout wins and tonight’s class jump really shouldn’t hurt his chances – he IS prone to inconsistency, however, so be careful about falling in love at too short a price. (6) SOHO SANTORINI A was a distant 2nd behind #2 last week but was caught behind a tiring leader and did finish nicely for 2nd – he’s been a bit of a work in progress since recently arriving stateside, and it may be a good sign that Brennan sticks with him tonight – worth a shot? (4) NIGHT HAWK has been solid lately and certainly well meant when 2nd best to a sharp winner last week – would be no surprise at all. (5) DEUCE HA NOVER is one of several horses in the barn that have raced much better recently – more than eligible to grab a piece, with an easy trip. (1) ESCAPE TO AMERICA was an “ok” 3rd last week, and just hasn’t been on his best game lately – he becomes a more serious threat if he can find his “A Game” tonight. (3) SPRINGSTEEN was a dull 4th off an easy trip last week and his glory days certainly seem to be behind him. (7) WINDSUN RICKY drops again but also lands outside again – maybe keep an eye for next week, when hopefully he’ll get a better draw. (8) POP IT has been ok, but seems unlikely to threaten from out here.