Thursday, December 4, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, December 4, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) MUSCLE BART A raced ok last week (despite a tough trip) and was quickly reclaimed by his favorite – the draw is less than stellar, but that also means he should be a decent price…one of several with a legitimate chance in a competitive opener. (4) TIN ROOF RAIDER A took a little too long to find his stride last week and it left him a nose shy in 3rd – he’s at his best at this bottom claiming level, and he’ll be very dangerous here with a good trip. (7) THEFLYINGGROCK came back sharp after a long layoff and attracted a claim last week – he’s more than sharp enough to win for his new connections, but will need some trip luck after drawing so poorly. (3) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK was an even 4th returning to YR 2 back then landed in a hopeless spot last week – he could bring a better effort tonight, but would need to be a good price to consider on top. (8) DIAMONDBEACH has held his fine form for weeks, but gets his first bad draw in a while and that figures to compromise his chances. (5) HOOSIER CELEBRITY found some life 2 and 3 back but reverted to his lesser form last week – too many other sharp ones in here to look his way. (2) SOUTH POINT had disastrous efforts in his last pair – pass for now. (1) GIN GER TREE PETE has been struggling for a long time, but at least showed speed in his last 2 NJ starts – not ready to jump on his tea, but will at least pay him some more attention now

RACE 2 – (5) RACIN FOR ROYALTY kept trying to the end when 3rd two back, then sustained a nice rally from an impossible spot last week – feels like she has at least a chance to pull off an upset here if some racing luck comes her way. (2) DWS DARLENE raced well from off the pace 2 back then built off that with last week’s game front end score – legitimate chance to repeat. (1) EMDOUBLEAKAY is always tempting when you look at her ultra consistent lines…until also realizing that she’s now 0 for 15 here at Yonkers – she’ll get to the winner’s circle at some point, but it’s become hard to accept short prices with her. (6) I LOVED HER FIRST was a winner 3 back and just missed to a mega-form-reversing tripsitter last week – she’s more than capable of beating these, but the bad draw could definitely hurt her chances for a good trip. (3) GOT BEACH BODY flashed some better life last week – maybe 3rd/4th? (7) ON THE MONEY GB has fallen off form, and now gets stuck outside too! (4) GUMBELL just seems overmatched as she tries to move from NW2 to $20K claimers

RACE 3 – (6) EVER M has endured some terrible/tough trips lately and is much sharper than he may appear on paper – hopefully Stratton knows this too, and can find him a manageable journey for tonight – chance for a mild upset. (2) CAPTAIN T HANOVER certainly gets a pass for his last (parked from Post 8) and was having a decent form spree just prior to that – drops, moves inside, and looms a very dangerous player! (1) FULL SUPPORT is another who had been racing well just prior to getting parked from the 8 hole in his last – he’s missed 3 weeks, and is just 1 for 19 this year…and perhaps better used underneath, rather than on top. (3) WELL THATS MARKY isn’t “impossible” here by any means but he hasn’t been sharp at all, and is unattractive for a wager at that 8/5 ML price. (4) DEEDENUTO A has been hurt by some bad posts recently but he’s more than capable of contending for a piece with the move inside. (7) ON THE VIRG has been inconsistent lately but even one of his better efforts might leave him looking at only minor spoils from out here. (8) CENTURY IGLESIAS probably needs an easy trip from an inside post for a chance at even a small slice. (5) PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE is 17-0-0-0 here at Yonkers

RACE 4 – (4) HUNTS FLOWER was getting major trainer and driver switches upon arrival last week so it was no surprise to see her turn in a big effort, just missing by a nose – might be a spot where she can get her picture taken tonight. (2) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT (very popular at the claim box not too long ago) is a solid player in this class, and comes into this off a very game first over try – legitimate threat here. (5) CANNERY ROW would need directions to the winner’s circle if she won a race here at Yonkers (0 for 38!) but she does race well enough for decent pieces in a lot of her starts – always ok to use underneath. (6) JIVE DANCING A looked like she FINALLY was finding some form but finished distanced on 11/4 then was no factor at all after re-qualifying – inclined to pass tonight, but will at least take a look at the tote board. (7) SP DANCNWITHSTARZ has shown that she can be a player in this class when on the lead, but it feels like she’ll have a tough time trying to get there tonight – may need to wait for a better spot. (1) TESLA POWER draws the pole but still hasn’t been 1st or 2nd after 15 local tries. (3) DEAR ABBEY was a winner at Monti last week (2nd time Lasix) but seems likely to be a little cheap for these

RACE 5 – (3) BIG CITY DAISY has been behaving every week and reaping the benefits, a winner of 2 straight since dropping in for the $20K tag – remains the one to knock off as she seeks a threepeat, with a very short price looming. (2) GRACEFUL GALA has found some excellent form across the river but was 9-0-0-2 in her local starts this year – we’ll see if she’s ready to up her Yonkers game, or if she’s just a better mare on a bigger track! (4) PINK RUBY was terrible for months but moved to a new barn (after her 10/21 start) and instantly reversed form, keeping up MUCH better in her first start back before collaring the leader for the upset victory – has to be respected off that unexpected turnaround! (6) FORTUNADA has a couple of wins vs. better not all that long ago but drops tonight after some pretty weak efforts – she’ll really need to pick up her game to be a player, even down at the $20K level. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N continues to attract $$ every week but hasn’t been able to come up with a big mile in some time – needs a big wake up call to be a threat here. (1) SWEET BRIAR was up the track at huge odds in her local debut – don’t think the rail is enough to help her cause. (7) MC ANGEL hasn’t been a threat in a long time

RACE 6 – (4) OVER THE HORIZON likes to win races (6 for 15 here at Yonkers) and he drops back down to the level he just beat twice (before last week’s try vs. better) – there are a few live players in here, so make sure to get a fair price on whichever one you use on top! (3) KILOWATT KID N has been an ultra-consistent performer at this bottom level, hitting board in 9 of his last 10 starts – he’s been using his speed every week, but has shown that he can win from off the pace, as well. (5) DANCE ON THE BEACH usually needs the lead to win so it was very encouraging to see him rally from the off the pace in his last pair – he’ll be a good price here, and absolutely worth a look. (2) IM A POWERPLAY A has a win and two 2nds from his last 3 starts at this level and was also 2nd one level up 4 starts back – add him to the list of possibilities! (1) THRASHER was a bit more motivated with Gingras driving last week but still was a no-factor 5th – suppose he can at least be considered for a piece off that somewhat improved effort. (7) HARD WORKIN MAN just missed (at 11-1) returning from PA but will be hard pressed to replicate that mile from Post 7, in a much better field. (6) OSTRO HANOVER is 16-0-0-3 here this year and 2 for 45 over the past 3 seasons – just not clicking these days. (8) SULLIVAN lands Post 8 after getting parked the mile in his last

RACE 7 – (2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU has just 3 wins this year but he’s also hit board 13 other times – he gets a good draw in a very modest looking $40K field, and this may be a spot that he can handle. (5) VOSS BLUE CHIP is moving up considerably in class but he’s in fine form, gets Yannick in the bike and lands in a pretty modest field for this class – worth a look with that 8-1 ML price. (1) PEDAL ON METAL doesn’t seem to be rallying quite as well in his last few starts but still should be a prime player in here – wouldn’t want to accept too short a price, though. (3) HOOLIE N HECTOR has been doing his best work vs. cheaper but the good draw could help him grab a piece vs. these too. (7) MAHONE SEELSTER was a well meant winner 2 back but failed to fire last week – tonight’s draw won’t help his cause, but he’d still be worth a look at a big enough price. (4) EYES OF JUSTICE has raced well since recently arriving from Canada but is another that’s moving up considerably in class here – wouldn’t be shocked to see him turn in a decent effort. (6) CROWN MONARCH has just one local win and it came on the lead, at the bottom level – sticking with others. (8) ENERGYSOURCE draws the 8 hole after breaks in his last 2 starts

RACE 8 – (1) ANDOVER CONTESSA left from the 8 hole here at 98-1, sat a two hole trip and held the place spot right to the wire – she won her next in the “winners over” at Stga. and now draws the pole for her Hilltop return – we’ll assume that she won’t drop off at all for her new trainer and be a major threat tonight (6) BLUEBIRD BISHOP loves to win races, though he did come up 2nd best in his last pair – remains a serious danger, even with the bad draw (2) P L OSCAR moves inside, and seems a good one to include underneath with that juicy 20-1 ML price. (8) CANT STOP YANKEE has taken a TON of tote action week after week, is almost always a big player but just hasn’t WON in some time – things won’t get any easier from Post 8, but at least his price will move way up for those hoping to “get even” in one shot! (7) CHIPPER DALE usually does his best work on/near the lead, making last week’s first over score (off the claim) that much more impressive – he does face a potentially very tough trip tonight, though. (4) MR KNOWITALL has his owner/trainer listed to drive again, but the pair has teamed up for a couple of big price 2nds in recent weeks – worth a look underneath? (3) WHEELZABLAZIN looked good wiring much cheaper 2 back but quickly regressed in his last – moves up even more tonight, and that has us looking elsewhere. (5) SHOW THE WILL scored a massive upset 2 back but that effort is sandwiched between a pair of clunkers

RACE 9 – (3) YOU BEDA ROCK had her 2nd straight 8 hole last week but did finish up with sneaky life – she’s had her share of success in this class this year, and figures to be a decent price in a pretty wide open race – worth a look. (1) HARPER SEELSTER is a streaky mare and she raced pretty well in her last pair (3rd both times) – gets the best of the draw, and Dube will surely give her every chance to succeed. (4) YUENGLING picked up a close 2nd 3 back (off an easy trip) but has otherwise been just “ok” since recently dropping back down to 20s – she has a chance with these, but loses some appeal with that 2-1 ML price. (6) IRIS SEELSTER threw a dud 3 back but has otherwise been a solid player for the last few months – tough draw, but may still be able to rally for a decent piece, at a nice price. (5) SHANGRI LA HANOVER shocked at 70-1 two back but quickly reverted to her lesser form the very next week – hard to say how she’ll respond to the drop in for a tag tonight, but she could be worth a look if the price is good enough. (8) WHOS PERFECT has been 1st or 2nd in 13 of her starts this year but her current form is pretty iffy – the draw won’t help her situation, though at least she has a pilot not afraid to give one a shot. (2) PINK LUMIERE draws well but will have to show more than she did in her first 2 local tries to have any real say. (7) DEFININGTHE MOMENT hasn’t been on her game lately, and now has to deal with another 7 hole

RACE 10 – (3) CHECKONWILLIAM GB is by far the sharpest horse in here, winning 4 of his last 6 starts (when most of the others are all struggling) – he does move to a new barn tonight, however, making him at least a bit more risky – still deserves top billing, but maybe not one to bet the rent money on. (1) SHADOW CAT hasn’t won a race in a long time, even as he’s dropped down the class ladder – he hung badly last week but will still take a ton of $$ tonight (dropping once more, and drawing the rail with Gingras), but it would be hard to get excited about a wager at a pretty short price. (8) COLD CREEK FELIPE has 2 wins since returning from MN but used perfect trips both times – he’s looking at a rough journey from out here, but at least he’s CAPABLE of an upset, if some major trip luck comes his way. (4) ALBERGO HANOVER hadn’t been seen at Yonkers for a few years and after an “ok” first start here on 9/19, his form just deteriorated quickly (here, and in NJ) – would need a pretty big price to consider him on top now. (5) GOTHIC ROCK seems to have forgotten how to win, but he still hits board fairly often – ok underneath. (2) CAVIART SKIPPER gets a good draw but his 0 for 33 record this year is hard to ignore. (7) REAL WLLEY was handled aggressively in his 3rd start off the layoff and not up for it at all – tough draw as he looks to rebound. (6) MOONLIGHT SHADOW is now 15-0-0-3 but at least has been taking home some small paychecks

RACE 11 – (4) JAS BLUESTONE has taken 3 of his last 4 starts and made a break (in first turn traffic) in the other – he’s been terrific since arriving here this year (13-5-3-2-) and looms the one to knock off tonight. (2) WILLY WAL TON has 8 wins this year and 5 of them have come since mid-September – he’s beaten #4 in the past, and will have every chance to do so tonight, especially with the major post relief. (3) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has been off his best game but it’s not like he’s been “bad” – still a good candidate for a decent piece. (7) TILL I COLLAPSE AS is hard to gauge class-wise based on his out of town lines, and gets a horrible draw as he switches to the half mile track – he does get Gingras for his local debut, so perhaps he can at least get a look at a big price. (1) FOR A DREAMER really could use a class drop (and has needed one for a while) but the good draw should at least should put him in contention for minor spoils. (6) ENERGY KING is just 2 for 36 this year and a question mark moving into this $40K class – he is racing ok, though, so perhaps he can grab a minor piece? (5) PEMBROKE REGAL seems to need to be on/near the lead to be effective…and it’ll be hard for him to get there tonight

RACE 12 – (3) AMERICAGREATAGAIN hasn’t been bad while facing much better recently and certainly has a “For Sale” sign around his neck as he drops in for $15K tonight – could be a red flag, but we’ll still go with him on top. (5) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM has 3 recent wins and while he doesn’t bring his very best every start, he’s very dangerous in this class when he does. (6) MAJOR POCKET A had been knocking on the door for weeks before finally picking up the victory last start – he may be overlooked tonight with the move outside, but he’s raced ok from tough posts in the past – consider for exotics. (2) THAT DOG WILL HUNT had some life finishing on 11/12 but was then scratched sick from his last…and that has us leaning more in other directions (7) MY CARBON COPY N figures to be hurt significantly by Post 7 but he does have Gingras on board, and that 20-1 ML price makes him worth using on the bottom of some exotics. (4) HEART ON MY SLEEVE is winless in 45 starts over the past 2 years but wasn’t terrible last week, and may have at least a chance at some minor spoils. (1) GARDYS LEGACY A missed 2 months then was dull in both his qualifier and start – he MAY be better tonight, but that 5/2 ML price makes him unattractive from a wagering standpoint. (8) FRANCO NANDOR N gets stuck with Post 8 as he makes his first start in a year!