Thursday, December 11, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, December 11, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) CONTACT ZONE has just ONE win this year, though he has hit board 15 other times (usually facing better than these) – he finished with plenty of pace last week, and gets both a class drop and post relief – willing to give him a try tonight as long as the price is fair. (1) MAJOR POCKET A was never able to get into the hunt last week but he moves back inside, and has been rock solid at this level for a long time – major threat. (6) AMERICAG REATAGAIN took advantage of last week’s drop to 15s and was able to pick up his first Yonkers win in wire to wire fashion– tougher spot tonight, but still figures to have a big say. (3) SHADOW CAT was able to survive a :30.3 final quarter last week only to get disqualified for an early pylon violation (one of two for Gingras that night!) – he really hasn’t been “sharp” in a long time, and remains vulnerable for tonight. (8) TIN ROOF RAIDER A was handled very aggressively last week and paid for it late…faces a different dilemma tonight starting from Post 8. (7) DANCE ON THE BEACH was surprisingly decent from OFF the pace 2 and 3 back but was unable to replicate that in his last, and lands in a very tough spot for tonight. (5) DEEDENUTO A had a good streak for a while but does seem to have tailed off again. (4) METAMAN has just one start in 2 months and has been off form for a while

RACE 2 – (5) KISSIN JOE has held her own vs. (much) better than these in a bunch of her local starts – she doesn’t have a Yonkers win yet, but perhaps tonight’s class drop will help her get over the hump. (2) SP DANCINWITHST ARZ has been racing well from off the pace in her last few starts and tonight’s draw should allow her to be much closer to the action – should be able to have a big say in here. (3) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT shows up every week at this level and used a pocket trip to pick up her 9th victory of the season last week – gets another good draw, and it would be no surprise if she was able to push that total to 10. (1) I LOVED HER FIRST was able to dig in tenaciously to hang on last week…but was the other Gingras horse that night to be disqualified for a pylon violation (she was inside a couple of cones early in the stretch) – she can’t be discounted here, though we are leaning a bit more to a couple of others (for the top slot). (1) CHARMING VIXEN was an ok 5th last week and draws the pole for tonight – chance for some more minor spoils with an easy trip. (6) CANNERY ROW has lost at least 39 straight races here but does rally for pieces at times…not sure she can reach from out here, though. (8) PROMISING MOMENT drops in for a tag and MAY be a good fit at this level – hard to make a case for her from out here, though. (7) TESLA POWER would be a surprise, to say the least.

RACE 3 – (2) SEVEN REPS got a late start on his 4YO campaign but has certainly raced well in his 11 starts since returning, going 11-3-3-3 – he makes his first local try tonight (off a win at Pocono) and we’ll give him the narrow edge. (3) BELLISSIMO FACE S was quickly reclaimed by our leading barn on 7/17 but then went on the shelf for 4 months – his qualifier was excellent, but he’s been away nearly 4 weeks since then…not quite sure what to expect from him tonight. (6) MISPANZEE displayed a powerful late kick in both local wins and the 3YO filly is not short on talent – she takes on tougher tonight, but a bigger concern is whether Smith (subbing for Bartlett) will have her close enough turning for home to do her late damage. (4) DIAMANTE TRIO IT banked nearly $200K last year and while 2025 has been a little slower, she still has $145K on her card – could be dangerous tonight if she shows up on her best game. (5) BE DIFFERENT has been solid for weeks, but hasn’t raced since 11/14 – another that’s a bit of a question mark tonight. (7) TORRONE had good trot finishing from an impossible spot last week but now moves up another notch and draws poorly once more. (1) B NICKING just seems somewhat overmatched against these

RACE 4 – (6) MY CARBON COPY N was in a seemingly hopeless spot last week but turned in a sustained rally to move from 7th to 2nd, while gaining late on the clear leader – his overall form since the barn change late this summer has been solid, and Yannick is back on board tonight – don’t think he’ll be as long as his 8-1 ML odds, but the price should at least be fair. (2) OVER THE HORIZON has always loved to win races and it’s no surprise to see him win 3 of 4 starts since returning to Yonkers – hard to leave him off your tickets. (5) FULL SUPPORT is just 1 for 20 here this year but he does have 8 seconds, including one last week – remains a good one to use underneath. (3) MINOTA UR has been able to pick up pieces when he draws inside and that’s the case tonight – maybe he can add some value to the exotics? (4) CAVIART SKIPPER never wins, but will rally for small pieces when things go his way – ok for 3rd/4th. (1) CAPTAIN T HANOVER never looked right last week, locked on a line and hard to steer – he drops right back in the box, but would be hard to back off that last effort. (7) SQUADRON SEELSTER draws poorly for his YR return and is 5-0-0-0 here in 2025. (8) SULLIVAN hasn’t been nearly sharp enough to consider from way out here

RACE 5 – (1) GDS THUNDER GB raced well in a strange, “fall apart” mil 2 back, then had pace finishing from an impossible spot last week – drops back down to NW7500, moves all the way inside, and he should be ready for a big effort from this spot. (4) BITCOIN HANOVER is winless in 9 local tries but he’s finished well (vs. better) in a bunch of them – he should fit perfectly here, and could be a legitimate threat if the trip goes his way. (5) MOVIN ON UP may be worth a look – he just conceded from Post 7 off the claim last week but he was racing well prior to that, and could be looking at a more aggressive try tonight – definitely intriguing at that 20-1 ML price. (3) SAMHA RA N was a big “go” but failed miserably on the front end last week – worked out a much easier 2nd over trip in his last (down in class), but couldn’t find enough to get by the winner late…ok for exotics (8) AIR FORCE HANOVER shipped in sharp from PA and was a front end winner in his YR return last week – won’t say he CAN’T repeat, but it’ll be a lot tougher starting from Post 8, up in class, and losing Bartlett. (6) VULCAN STAR N was an even 3rd off an easy trip last week, but figures to have a tougher time finding such an easy trip tonight. (2) RAYRAY feels like he's tailed off a bit from the good form he held for a few starts recently – minor spoils only. (7) POP IT gets another bad draw and may look more appealing with a possible drop to NW5000 next week

RACE 6 – (1) FRANCO NANDOR N missed a YEAR prior to his last start but still kicked home full of pace, despite drawing Post 8 – moves all the way inside, should certainly benefit from last week’s effort, and is worth a look tonight. (3) KILOWATT KID N is beyond consistent in this class and was hurt by some traffic issues last week – hard to leave off your tickets. (2) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM didn’t leave hard enough last week and ended up in the 3 hole rather than the pocket…resulting in a much tougher first over trip – he still was able to hang on for 3rd, and has 3 wins since the end of September – legitimate threat. (4) CENTURY IGLESIAS is winless in 17 YR starts this year but remains eligible for smaller pieces when he can grab an easy trip. (5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT flashed a little life 2 back but failed to build off it last week (after a sick scratch) – may be able to rally for a minor share for his new barn tonight. (8) MUSCLE BART A was used hard last week (off the reclaim) and weakened in the lane to 4th – it won’t be any easier tonight, starting from out here. (6) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK is capable of better than he’s been showing, but just isn’t hitting on all cylinders right now. (7) HEART ON MY SLEEVE is 0 for 46 over the last 2 years, with 34 of those losses right here at Yonkers

RACE 7 – (3) CHIPPER DALE has taken 4 of his last 5 starts, and now races just as well from off the pace – he lands in a very reasonable spot, with a chance to make it 3 in a row. (7) VLAHOS has been doing excellent work in Delaware, and that includes efforts over the half-miler at Harrington – lands in a barn that usually does excellent work with new arrivals, and this guy has to be respected, even from Post 7. (1) WILLY WALTON is NOT on his best game, as evidenced by last week’s disappointing front end try – maybe he can race better tonight chasing the pace, rather than cutting the mile? (5) MAHONE SEELSTER was a well meant winner 3 back (3rd start off the layoff) but seemed to level off right after that – needs to find one of his better efforts if he hopes to contend for a bigger slice tonight. (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU remains a solid weekly player in this class, but gets no luck with the draw tonight…and that may leave him looking at a bit smaller piece. (2) PEDAL ON METAL just hasn’t been as sharp lately and needs to up his game – minor spoils? (4) FOR A DREAMER was able to pick up a rare win last week, helped by a short field and weak efforts from the others – guessing he’ll have a harder time repeating that mile tonight. (8) ENERGY KING is pretty good right now, but has very few good options from out here

RACE 8 – (2) RACIN FOR ROYALTY had to deal with some tough posts recently but has remained very reliable at this level when she gets a good draw – she was placed 1st last week, but actually raced super even before being declared the winner (she was wide a long way) – she should still be a decent price, and has license to take another. (6) BIG CITY DAISY has 3 starts since dropping to this $20K level and she’s won all 3 of them – remains the one to beat, but she did have to work a bit in her last pair and may be at least a bit vulnerable from Post 6. (3) EBONY LADY lost interest at the back last week but she’s been a different mare when able to be part of the up front action – she’s won 3X since 10/1, and has real appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (8) SHANGRI LA HANOVER dropped in for a tag last week and the 3YO was able to finish well for 2nd behind a blowout winner – she HAS left from outside spots before, and she’ll be a big price if you think Marohn may look to put her into the game. (1) ON THE MONEY GB is better than her recent efforts, but hard to recommend until she starts to find some of that better form. (4) YUENGLI NG was a very close 2nd four back but hasn’t been a threat since then – she’s another that needs to locate her better form. (5) DEFININGTHE MOMENT gets a bit of post relief but may not be sharp enough right now to do a lot with it. (7) PRINCESS ARONA did outrace her 90-1 odds 2 back but was no factor last week, and draws poorly tonight.

RACE 9 – (7) AQUARIUS FACE S has won 7 of his 17 local starts, and that includes a 3 length victory in his last local start – he’ll need some things to go his way to get it done from out here, but a good price makes him worth a stab. (3) DOROTEA TRIO IT struggled a bit in the “winners over” at Chester last start but was on an excellent roll here right before that – could easily rebound with another big effort tonight. (4) AUSTRAL HANOVER has 10 wins and $160K on his card this year, and that includes 4 victories from his last 6 starts – on the flip side, he exits our leading barn tonight, and it’s hard to say if he’ll be just as effective for his new connections…the 7/5 ML price is a bit of a turnoff. (2) BRONZER puts hopples back on after making a costly break in his last (right there at the top of the lane when it happened) – his overall recent form had been excellent, and we’ll see if he can right back on track tonight. (1) SOUTHWIND ARTURO probably needs to be in a bit easier to threaten for the top prize, but he’s eligible to at least grab a decent piece from this spot. (5) IMMIGRANT AM S has been doing some good work at Stga. but find things a little too tough against these locals. (6) THE HAZLETON makes his first start after failing to function in his last effort, a month ago – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 10 – (3) BLUEBIRD BISHOP was caught wide leaving between horses last week and broke on the first turn – he did put in a nice recovery after landing, and could be a big threat tonight with a clean getaway. (4) CANTSTOP YANKEE has burned all kinds of $$ the last few months, always a “big player” but coming up short in the crucial stages– maybe THIS is the week he gets over the hump…but insist on a fair price if using him n top. (7) ANDOVER CONTESSA was extremely disappointing last week when she tired off an easy pocket trip but it was also her first try for a new barn– she’s capable of much better, and will be a BIG price tonight if you’re willing to give her another chance. (2) CROWN MONARCH’s lone win this year came on the lead, at the bottom level– he seems overmatched in 40s but the good draw may be enough to help him land a piece in a field with some iffy players (1) CHIPLOSIVE seems on the cheaper side, but he ships in for a barn that’s really been clicking, so we’ll see if he can be part of the equation. (6) KINDA LUCKY LINDY gets a bad draw while racing off a sick scratch – maybe minor spoils? (5) TILL I COLLAPSE AS had no real pop in an easier (short) field last week – we’ll see if he can do better tonight. (8) ENERGYSOURCE was well back from a similar spot last week (after breaks in his prior 2 starts)

RACE 11 – (3) YOU BEDA ROCK was bet like she was going to be VERY good last week….and she was – anything close to that effort would make her very tough to deny tonight. (4) WHOS PERFECT made the top from Post 8 last week, yielded to #3 and did well to almost hold 2nd – could be next in line tonight should the top choice fail to deliver. (1) IRIS SEELSTER has raced well almost every start for the last few months, and has a big chance to land somewhere in the exotics starting from the pole. (7) DELITFULCATHERIN N raced a little better last week, but may have been helped by an easy trip in a slow mile – tough draw figures to leave her looking at only a smaller piece. (2) THATS A HUGE BEACH has been off her game for a while, but maybe a quick start (and close up trip) can help her be more competitive tonight? (8) PINK RUBY has really turned things around since the recent barn change, but may have trouble finding a way into the hunt from out here. (5) GRACEFUL GALA just seems to prefer racing out of town, as her local efforts continue to underwhelm! (6) GUMBELL has struggled vs. cheaper, and still seems overmatched at this $20K level.