Thursday, December 18, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, December 18, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT winds down an outstanding year that has seen her win 9 races, and go over the $100K mark – she’s as sharp now as at any point in the season, has a positional edge on her main foes and deserves top billing. (8) YOU BEDA ROCK comes into this off a pair of blowout wins but faces tougher tonight AND starts from Post 8 – still willing to use her on top, if the price is right. (1) SHANGRI LA HANOVER has held her own in a pair of starts at this level, and should be sitting a close up trip tonight – good one for exotics, and maybe even on top (if the price is good enough). (5) I LOVED HER FIRST figures to be handled more aggressively with Gingras back on board but she also has speed right inside of her – leaning more to a few others. (6) IRIS SEELSTER isn’t as sharp as she was a little while back but she’s still good enough to rally for a small piece, with some trip luck. (3) DE FININGTHE MOMENT hasn’t been “sharp” in some time – minor spoils only. (7) DELITFULCATHERIN N draws poorly after making breaks in 2 of her last 3 starts. (2) GUMBELL may need to be in a bit easier

RACE 2 – (1) AMERICAGREATAGAIN was racing ok vs. better and has certainly enjoyed dropping to 15s, picking up a win and a 2nd from his last pair – they have him to catch and beat tonight, but he’s likely to be overbet. (8) MAJOR POCKET A actually BEAT #1 last time and is rock solid at this level – obviously moving all the way outside will make his life a lot tougher tonight, but he’s still worth considering if the price drifts up enough. (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER A may not be at his sharpest right now but he does have legitimate excuses for his last pair (bad trip, then bad post) – if Yannick can find him an easy journey, he may have a chance for a mild upset. (4) MUSCLE BART A got very good for a bunch of starts (for this barn) but feels like he may have leveled off a bit – worth a look if not sold on the top three. (2) CENTURY IGLESIAS can sometimes tow along for small pieces – maybe 3rd/4th? (7) MINOTAUR probably needs a better draw for a chance at a piece, but an ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) GARDYS LEG ACY A hasn’t clicked at all since the layoff. (6) DEEDENUTO A’s last few have been uninspiring

RACE 3 – (2) DEAR ABBEY has been a different mare since recently adding Lasix, turning in big efforts at 3 different tracks (including the excellent 2nd here at Yonkers, 2 back) – definitely appealing at that 8-1 ML price! (5) YUENGLING showed surprise speed last week and was able to safely hold off BIG CITY DAISY, who had won 3 in a row coming into that night – anything close to that effort makes her a big threat to repeat. (1) BOUT DAMN TI ME A was a sharp pocket winner last week but it was only her 2nd victory of the season (30 starts) – she loses Jordan tonight, and could be a bit vulnerable at that 7/5 ML price. (6) CANNERY ROW never wins, but can rally for decent pieces at times – ok for the bottom of exotics. (3) THATS A HUGE BEACH hasn’t been on her best game and a few of these are sharp right now – minor share only. (7) MIKI THE CLOWN was inconsistent here most of the year, and will need plenty of luck from Post 7, even at her best. (4) TESLA POWER is 17-0-0-3 here at Yonkers

RACE 4 – Good race: (2) AQUARIUS FACE S had to retreat to last at the start last week and while his line may not look great, he was still right there with the 2nd pack at the wire – he’s won 7 of 18 at YR this year, and should offer a pretty good price, in a wide open race. (4) MON AMOUR was a dead game first over winner last week over a sharp frontrunner – he steps up a bit, but a good trip may allow him to be a big threat here too. (1) DIAMANTE TRIO IT is always a threat to go wire to wire when she’s on an easy lead and that MAY happen here – on the flip side, she really shouldn’t be listed at 8/5 on the ML! (3) MISSPANZEE couldn’t have looked any better in her first 2 local tries but just never got in play last week when moving well up in class– way too soon to dismiss her chances, though especially with the switch to Gingras tonight. (6) HAND DOVER DAN is behaving these days and actually very sharp – insist on a nice price if using on top, as he does draw outside and sports a rough 13-0-1-o local record in ’25. (5) BE DIFFERENT has been very solid lately but figures to be limited to a small piece (thanks to the draw)

RACE 5 – (5) EVER HOPING A is winless in 11 local starts this year but he does have 3 seconds, and is used to facing better than these – he gets a barn and driver change for tonight, and it seems like a good spot to give him a look. (6) PINE BUSH ITALIANO reversed form at 80-1 last week, charging home from last to be right there 3rd – a couple of his other barnmates elevated their games as well, and his price still figures to be pretty long – maybe he can be part of the exotics here too? (1) MR PROFETA has picked things up since the most recent barn change, and the rail draw should help with tonight’s class bump– could be a player once more (4) VICI had been in a rough patch for some time but has been showing better signs lately – another that can make some noise here, at a price. (2) PRIN TVILLE gave it a decent first over try last and only weakened late – he drops, draws inside again, and could grab a good piece, with a good trip. (3) SAMHARA N is listed as the 2-1 ML favorite but while his “best” effort would give him a chance in here, he’s been struggling more often than not lately – better options in here. (7) MYULTIMAT EBAXTER N can throw a good one at times but usually needs to be in a better spot to do so. (8) THE MIKI TAKER A hasn’t really clicked so far in his U.S. starts – figures to have a pretty tough time dealing with tonight’s draw

RACE 6 – (8) CHIPPER DALE cost himself with that early miscue last week but still recovered to be a close 3rd – he had won 4 of 5 (in this class) just prior to that, and his success came as he started to be a strong performer from OFF the pace – the draw will elevate his price considerably, and he may still be able to find a way to beat these. (7) CANTSTOP YANKEE was heavily backed week after week despite always coming up just a little short (he has 3 wins this year, but he’s been 2nd or 3rd 17X!) – he’s listed at 10-1 ML now, is STILL a strong weekly player, and may be worth considering. (5) EYES OF JUSTICE won an amateur race upon arrival from Canada and has continued to thrive since then, including last week’s wire to wire victory in this class – deserves plenty of respect. (2) SAPPHIRE RAINSTAR couldn’t last to the wire after cutting the mile 2 back, then weakened late to 3rd after a first over attempt last week – more than ability to beat these if the trip goes her way tonight. (1) BLUEBIRD BISHOP made it 8 for 19 on the season with last week’s victory but a lot of things did go his way – would never rule out his chances of taking another from this spot, but he changes drivers and figures to be very heavily backed. (3) I GET IT seemed to be on the comeback trail with a pair of wins over cheaper but he was a dullish 4th last week, and remains a bit of a question mark at this level. (4) PEDAL ON METAL was an easy trip 2nd last week but his overall recent form has been “meh” – leaning more towards others. (6) ENERGYSOURCE is just 1 for 31 this year, with a pair of 2nds

RACE 7 – (5) FULL SUPPORT was just 1 for 20 this year coming into his last but he fought off two big challenges in dead game fashion, and doubled his win total – his overall form has actually been very solid, and maybe he can take another. (4) MY CARBON COPY N made a big rush at #5 last week and looked like a winner at the top of the lane, only to start hanging badly in the stretch to finish 3rd (perhaps that’s why he’s just 2 for 52 at Yonkers) – still a big threat vs. these, but don’t accept too short a price on top! (1) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK had been struggling but he went right to the top last week, had several things go in his favor behind him and he reported home an easy winner – very hard to say how much of that victory was about HIM being good, as opposed things just falling apart behind him! (6) DANCE ON THE BEACH has been racing off the pace in his recent starts, with mixed success at best – maybe a new pilot will help him get more motivated? (2) JMS BEST BET has been racing well vs. cheaper out of town but was 11-0-0-1 here at Yonkers – has to prove he’s ready to do better this time around. (3) CAVIART SKIPP ER is 0 for 35 on the year, and hard to consider for more than minor spoils. (7) CAPTAIN T HANOVER was much better last week after a disastrous effort 2 back, but would be hard to endorse from out here. (8) LINDY THE BRAV E lands Post 8 after being no factor at all upon arrival from Stga. in his last.

RACE 8 – (1) LEFTIES RIGHTIES is a 3 year old but he’s a very talented one, and has proven that he can battle with good older horses (and did beat a NW15000 field in his only local try) – he returns sharp from PA, and gets top billing. (4) BELLISSIMO FACE S seemed iffy coming into his last (after missing considerable time) but turned in a powerful 1st over performance to score the victory– hard to not give him plenty of respect off that mile! (3) QUEEN OF ALL’s form has taken a hit with an assortment of scratches, qualifiers, etc. but she’s done excellent work for much of the year, drops in class, and could make some late noise tonight. (2) SEVEN REPS was worn down in the lane by #4 last week after cutting the mile in his local debut – could grab a good piece here with what figures to be a pretty easy trip. (6) AUSTRAL HANOVER was a winner for his new connections last week, and is enjoying an outstanding 2025 campaign – this is a MUCH tougher spot, though, and he may have trouble replicating that effort. (5) DOROTEA TRIO IT lacked pop off a good trip last week and will need to be sharper to have a bigger say tonight. (7) SOUTHWIND ARTURO is good right now, but Post 7 (in this field) is a killer

RACE 9 – (1) PINK RUBY had been horrible for a long time but instantly turned things around upon moving to her current barn 3 starts back – giver her a pass for her last (8 hole) and look for an aggressive try from the pole tonight – at what should be a fair price. (4) BIG CITY DAISY saw her 3 race winning streak snapped when 2nd last week – she did beat the top choice 2 back and will have every chance to do it again tonight…but does figure to still be a very short price. (2) CHARMING VIXEN is a good fit at the $20K level and should get a nice journey from this spot – good one to include underneath. (6) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ picked up 3rds in 4 straight starts and has become a very reliable mare – tonight’s draw may leave her looking at another smaller piece, though. (7) WHOS PERFECT may be able to leave well enough to improve at the start, but that also figures to leave her short at the end – leaning elsewhere. (5) EBONY LADY will be a nice price and does have 3 pretty recent wins – she also seems to need to be on/near the lead, and that may not be possible for this spot. (3) ON THE MONEY GB just hasn’t been on her game in some time – maybe minor spoils? (8) PRINCESS ARONA has a couple of ok recent tries at big prices, but a lot would have to go her way to get close from out here.

RACE 10 – (3) VLAHOS arrived sharp from Delaware but ended up parked from Post 7 and never had a prayer – much better draw for tonight, and may be able to handle this modest field of 40s. (2) VOSS BLUE CHIP took a big step up in class last week but maintained his good form and was a close 3rd – could have a chance here, with the right trip. (1) WHEELZABLAZIN tends to be inconsistent but his best effort, from this spot, would make him a legitimate threat. (6) ANDOVER CONTESSA really disappointed off a two hole trip two back but did rebound with a much better try last week – worth a look if the price is juicy enough. (4) CROWN MONARCH’s lone local win this year came in the bottom class, on the lead – have to respect his connections, but there does figure to be better value with some others. (7) MR KNOWITALL has finished 2nd THREE times with his owner/trainer on board, at big prices – not sure he can manage that starting from out here, though. (5) SHOW THE WILL (new barn tonight) just throws too many duds to look his way. (8) FOR A DREAMER picked up a win 2 back in a 5 horse race that fell apart, but quickly reverted to his lesser form last week.

RACE 11 - Tough race with some iffy main players! (5) JAS BLUESTONE is a very strong 13-5-3-2 at Yonkers this year and would have been the clear choice if not for missing a month (after a sick scratch) – he did win here on 11/6 off a scratch…maybe he can do it again? (6) MAHONE SEELSTER hasn’t been as sharp since winning 4 back but with a couple of iffy contenders in here, maybe there’s a chance he could light up the tote board? (4) ENERGY KIN G is just 2 for 37 this year but not bad lately – another possible upsetter. (3) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS is another that has missed a month after a sick scratch – it’s anybody’s guess as to what we’ll see from him tonight. (1) BARN HALL was super here earlier in the year but has struggled in a bunch of his recent outings – maybe this is a spot where he can come alive? (2) TILL I COLLAPSE AS was even in his first local try, then broke last week – leaning to others. (8) HAT TRICK MARLEAU does fit, but has been camera shy all year and now has Post 8. (7) BRAVE BY DESIGN seems ambitiously placed, even after winning his last amateur race

RACE 12 – Very tough race! (3) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM doesn’t bring his best every week but he’s dangerous in fields like this when he does…one of the more “likely” candidates for the top slot, but don’t take a short price. (6) GINGER TREE PETE was no good at all for a long time but he’s showing some better signs again – tough draw, though, and he may have trouble getting into the race. (8) CONTACT ZONE is probably the sharpest right now but he draws Post 8 and is just 1 for 38 on the year – suppose he’s worth considering as long as the price is very juicy. (7) FRANCO NANDOR N went a very encouraging mile 2 back in his first start in a year – that 2nd place finish last week wasn’t nearly as good as it might look, however, and he’ll need to be much sharper to contend for one of the top slots. (4) ROCKET FREIGHT hasn’t been sharp lately, but he did win a couple of times here this year and could be a threat with a wake up call. (1) SQUADRON SEELSTER draws best in a very shaky field but he’s 6-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year and does figure to take some $$ from this spot. (2) HOOSIER CELEBRITY had some good starts earlier in the year but hasn’t been a real threat in some time. (5) GALANTE A drops to 15s, but with little form to speak of.