Thursday, November 13, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, November 13, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) EVER M landed on an impossible trip last week (vs. better) and deserves a pass – he was outstanding the start before (a close 3rd despite being parked every step), and beat the 20s the start before that – figures to be pretty tough dropping to 15s, assuming a wheel hasn’t fallen off (1) MAJOR POCKET A hit board in his last 6 starts and just missed in several of them – maybe this is the spot where he gets back over the top…or maybe he ends up with another slightly smaller piece again! (3) IM A POWERPLAY A drops back to 15s, moves inside, and seems like a must-use for exotics – chance at the top slot if things really go his way. (2) MEDOLAND BOSA has been inconsistent at best, but the good draw makes him a threat for a piece…IF he shows up in the right mood. (8) KILO WATT KID N is a big weekly player at this level but he gets a rare bad draw and that may limit him to a bit smaller award here. (6) SULLIVAN was a solid 3rd last week despite a tough trip– may be on the upswing, but he may also need to wait for a better draw. (7) HOPNROLL HEAVEN showed a glimmer of hope 3 back but quickly reverted to his lesser form. (4) HEART ON MY SLEEVE is 0 for 44 over the last 2 years, and 0 for 32 here at Yonkers.

RACE 2 – (2) CHEF ROCCO just missed to the oft-winning JAS BLUESTONE 2 back then was a sharp front end winner in his last – he lands in a new barn that tends to thrive off the claim, but the 3 weeks off are at least a bit of a concern – gets the narrow vote. (4) HAT TRICK MARLEAU can beat these when he gets a good trip and that may happen tonight – his price will be fair, and he’s definitely worth considering. (1) INFINITY STONE won back to back starts vs. cheaper, the last one in total blowout fashion – when he’s sharp, he can outrun these better ones too – wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss him just because of the class jump! (3) CRAZYLAND couldn’t sustain his first over bid well enough last week but was still a solid 3rd – he’s beaten these before, and remains a legitimate threat. (7) CHIPPER DALE comes into this off a pair of victories but benefited from perfect trips both times – seems less likely to be as opportunistic with tonight’s terrible draw. (6) BEAUEASTEL was a nice earner at 2 and 3 but hasn’t had the same success (so far) at 4 – he arrives from Ohio to a barn that has struggled here this year, and the bad draw is another knock as well. (5) SHOW THE WILL wasn’t right at all last start and even if he rebounds, he’s a question mark at this level regardless. (8) BARRY BLACK figures to be well out of it for the duration

RACE 3 – (3) ALTA CLASSIC A dropped to 25s last week and put in a solid try to be 2nd best to the sharp front end winner – we’ll give him the nod over this modest group. (5) STARE ME DOWN was off 2 months to his last start but finished better than his line might suggest – drops in for a tag (and takes on older horses), and may be a good fit for a hot barn…worth a look? (6) SAWYERS DESIRE disappointed on 10/29 but rebounded with a much sharper 2nd last week – not a big fan of the move up to 25s (and the draw doesn’t help either), but he still merits respect in this field. (4) DEETZY drops a notch as his overall struggles continue – he’s still more than capable of finding a big effort at any time, but he’d need to be a decent price to consider on top right now. (2) CAPTAIN CASH gets a barn change arriving from PA but he has just one win each of the last 2 years, and has missed 3 weeks – feels a bit iffy. (7) MOVIN ON UP draws the pole, but will need to really pick up his game to have a say here. (7) HIGH ON ROC KNROLL was pretty good last week but loses Holland and lands all the way outside – tough spot!

RACE 4 – (4) KEG STAND finally picked up his first (overdue) local victory of the season 3 back, then raced very well in the 2 starts since then – very dangerous here if a decent trip comes his way. (6) ETERIA IT made an early miscue on 9/18 but has otherwise raced super here, picking up 2 first over wins (in the FM Invitational) and a 3rd from her other 3 local tries – tough draw, but still one to fear. (3) ESCAPER continues to thrive for his small, but very successful barn – not sure he can beat the top two, but he can certainly have another big say tonight. (1) MY MAN PETER just ran and hid from his rivals last week and now steps up quite a bit for our leading trainer – still needs to prove that he can beat THESE types, however. (5) OLIVER THE GREAT has been in fine form for some time but is probably looking at smaller pieces until he can get some class relief. (2) BRONZER is racing very well but has missed 3 weeks (after a sick scratch) and is well up in class. (7) THE HAZLETON has missed a month (sick scratch) and draws Post 7 – sticking with others tonight

RACE 5 – (1) ROCKET FREIGHT has two upset victories from his past 6 starts and rallied well in a couple of others – he’s usually a good price, and worth a look in a field with no standouts. (3) BETTOR BY SEASIDE caught a hot mile vs. better in his local debut – this is a much easier spot, and he figures to have a much bigger say…not a fan of the 9/5 ML price, though! (5) I B LOVIN has been a major “in-and-outer” this year but he’s won 3 of 13 local starts and did race well in his last – consider if the price is fair. (7) LUXURY VIRGIN was a solid 2nd returning from PcD 2 back – he tried to cut it from Post 8 in his last and did tire, but an easier trip may help him add some value to the exotics tonight. (2) CONTACT ZONE is just 1 for 34 this year, with a bunch of 2nds and 3rds – willing to include underneath, but sticking with others on top. (4) CAVIART ACT TWO just can’t seem to get back to the form he showed here in early Sept. – getting harder to make a case for him every week. (8) JONES BEACH DE VIE has a few nice efforts since arriving locally, including last week’s nose loss – may have trouble getting near the action, though. (6) HURRIKANE MIKI is 1 for 44 lifetime, and tonight’s draw figures to leave him in a tough spot

RACE 6 – (4) MAHONE SEELSTER has 2 starts since returning from a recent layoff and should be ready to bring his best tonight – he remains reliant on trip, but he can be dangerous tonight if he lands on a good one. (6) JAS BLU ESTONE was off 3 weeks to his last start but ended up with a two hole trip and was more than ready to cash in– he’s now 11-4-3-2 at Yonkers this year, with a legitimate chance to take his 3rd in a row tonight. (3) PEDAL ON METAL looked like a possible winner as they turned for home last week but he just didn’t bring his best closing kick – the hotter the action is up front, the better his chances will be for a significant late rally. (8) WILLY WALTON saw his 4 race winning streak snapped 2 back, but quickly was able to return to the winner’s circle last week – hard to ever count him out these days, but he’ll need at least a bit of trip luck to get it done from Post 8. (5) WARRIOR ONE feels off his best game right now but the mega-classy 9YO never seems to go too long without bouncing back– can’t blame anybody looking to give him a try tonight, as long as the price is juicy. (1) MR KNOWITALL shocked at 75-1 to be 2nd 3 back but wasn’t able to finish well enough in his last pair – he could be looking at another good trip (after drawing the pole again), but he’ll need to find a bit more stamina at the end. (7) PEMBROKE REGAL was handled aggressively with the move inside last week and almost went wire to wire – he’s struggled when drawn outside, however. (2) FOR A DREAMER always fits NW5000 – maybe it’s time to give him that class relief?

RACE 7 – Good race: (8) THEFLYINGROCK kicked home full of pace 2 back after a long layoff – he was heavily backed for his next start, and easily delivered the front end score – there’s an opportunity here for Kelly to still find a manageable trip (despite Post 8), with a chance to pull off a mild upset. (1) DIAMONDBEACH has been making up for lost time since early in September, putting together a nice run of sharp efforts (after a very rocky couple of years) – assuming he gets through the first turn cleanly tonight, he’ll have a realistic chance to pick up his 4th victory in 5 starts. (2) CHECKONWILLIAM GB couldn’t overcome a bad spot last week but rattled off a trip of pocket-sitting victories just prior to that – becomes dangerous if he lands on another cushy trip. (4) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM was hammered at the windows 2 back, hit the top and easily bested his rivals – no chance after getting parked the mile from Post 8 in his last, but license to rebound quickly if things go smoother tonight. (3) MOONLIGHT SHADOW is 13-0-0-3 this year but wasn’t terrible in his last couple and not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) REAL WILLEY picked up a pair of small checks since returning from a layoff – needs to be sharper for a bigger slice. (6) CAIUGHTINALAN DSLIDE usually finds himself too far back to be a serious threat. (7) CAVIART SKIPPER gets a rare bad draw and it does figure to hurt his chances considerably

RACE 8 – Tough race: (7) IWONT BACKDOWN draws poorly arriving from Ohio and has missed 3 weeks – he did race well here a couple of times in late 2024 (in the Open), he gets Kakaley on board, and maybe can pull off an upset. (1) BLACKHAWK ZETTE is more comfortable vs. a bit easier but the same can be said for most of these – logical threat from the pole (4) P CHICO has been holding form nicely at levels higher than he’s used to, and may be good enough right now to have a real say with these too. (3) GOLDEN RAIN S would be a threat here on her best effort but was just “ok” last week after tiring badly the week before – Kelly opts off to steer #5 tonight. (2) MON AMOUR used an easy trip to pick up a no threat 3rd last start and may be able to grab a piece tonight with a similarly kind trip. (5) SOUTHWIND ARTURO picked up a 2nd last week, but mostly thanks to his easy trip – may not be as fortunate tonight. (6) BJMS LIL MAN is a 3YO taking on solid older foes, and his poor draw won’t make things any easier for him. (8) MUSICAL RIDE won his last but now moves up 2 classes and moves from the rail to Post 8

RACE 9 – (1) BEANTOWN BABE hasn’t been “great”, but at least she’s back to being “competitive” (after being terrible for a long stretch) – maybe she can score the upset for a barn that sends out a longshot winner at times. (2) DELITFULCATHERIN N raced better in her 2nd start back down in 20s – feels like a live spot for her, but would still need to be a “fair” price to be worth a play. (6) NORTHERN HALO is listed at 20-1 ML but either of her tries 4 and 5 starts back would give her a legitimate chance here – don’t dismiss too quickly. (7) NUTTINBUTHEBEST won her last pair but both starts were from the pole – won’t be as easy tonight starting from Post 7, but also far from impossible. (4) RACIN FOR ROYALTY moves back inside and may be handled more aggressively tonight – would hardly be a shock, as she did win 3 back. (5) DISARONNO HILL is the “x factor” here – got razor sharp for a few starts, but her current form is more questionable – could go either way. (3) BOUT DAMN TIME A is just 1 for 21 this year – minor spoils only. (8) GOT BEACH BODY lands outside after finishing distanced last week.