Thursday, November 20, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Tough race! (6) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM can throw some big miles when in the right mood, especially when on the lead – if the tote board suggests that he could be “live” tonight, he may be worth a stab in a tough race to decipher! (5) TIN ROOF RAIDER A has been a bit off his game recently and his connections drop him down to 15s hoping that perks him up – another that becomes dangerous with anything close to his best effort. (8) CHECKO NWILLIAM GB comes into this with 4 wins in his last 5 starts and deserves plenty of respect, even from out here – if Dube can find him a manageable trip, he could be a big part of the equation. (3) SOUTH POINT would be a major threat in here with anything close to his best effort…but he was particularly bad last week (unexpectedly) and looms a serious question mark for tonight! (1) HARD WORKIN MAN will be a big price (even from the pole) but he did ship in and pull off an upset earlier this year – good one for longshot fans. (2) MOONLIGHT SHADOW has been fairly competitive lately – maybe a minor share? (4) GARDYS LEGACY A was claimed from 7 straight starts this summer but backed through the field on 9/6 and hasn’t been seen since – feels pretty risky! (7) CAUGHTINALAN DSLIDE usually doesn’t get motivated from the back until his fate has already been sealed.

RACE 2 – NAADA Fall Series Final: (3) DOO WOP KID has picked up his share of local wins and his last 2 starts at Monti suggest that he’s hitting on all cylinders right now – the pace may end up hotly contested in here, and that would suit him just fine. (5) VOSS BLUE CHIP had no luck in his last 2 local tries but his last pair in PA are a better indicator of what he’s capable of – could have a say in this with a good trip. (1) MAGIC MELVIN was a winner in an amateur race here on 9/25 but did make back to back breaks in a pair of October starts– his last pair in NJ suggest that he may be over whatever was bugging him, and a clean effort tonight would put him right in the hunt. (6) THE LAST CHAPTER jogged in an amateur race here on 9/11 (with Adamczyk on board) and he was a close 2nd in his last pair – the only knock here is the draw, but he can still be a threat if some racing luck comes his way. (4) IMA ST ANDUP GUY’s win here on 10/30 is a little deceiving as HE was actually on the lead (the horse “charted” in front was on a full gallop in the infield), and there were also 2 scratches and 4 breakers – leaning more towards others. (2) ROGER RABBIT has been very camera shy at Yonkers the past couple of years– consider for a smaller share. (7) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE does fit nicely ability-wise, but gets his 5th straight horrible local draw!

RACE 3 – (3) IRIS SEELSTER reversed form in a big way with her upset victory back on 9/10 and has remained very sharp ever since, her lone disappointing try coming 2 starts back – she’s always a good price, and definitely worth using from what seems like a very good spot. (1) I LOVED HER FIRST weakened last week but was used a bit early on – she moves to a barn that excels off the claim, and she figures to have a very big say tonight. (7) NUTT INBUTHEBEST put together back to back front end wins from the pole, but wasn’t as sharp when used harder from Post 7 last week – she gets the same bad draw for tonight, but still worth considering if her price drifts up a bit. (6) QUICK MENU hasn’t done a lot of winning here at Yonkers, but she’s taken home a lot of 2nds and 3rds – good bomb to consider underneath. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N just hasn’t been able to really get sharp in some time – maybe she can rally for a small piece? (8) RACIN FOR ROYALTY is a proven player in this class but tonight’s draw does figure to limit her options (4) FLOWER SHOPS raced here 4X earlier this year with little success. (2) PI NK RUBY was freshened up and re- qualified at Monti but was fairly non-competitive in most of her local starts

RACE 4 – (1) STARE ME DOWN dropped in for a tag last week and the 3YO went a BIG mile, throwing a major blitz at the favorite then battling that one right to the wire – his barn has been super lately, and this guy figures to be a major threat tonight starting from the pole. (2) MOVIN ON UP turned in a big wake up call effort when 2nd last week, and figures to be able to grab another good trip tonight – absolutely worth using at that 20-1 ML price. (3) MAXIMUS RED A wasn’t at his best in his last pair, but he certainly wasn’t terrible either – he drops down a peg to 25s, and we’ll see if that’s enough to get him back on his game. (6) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was one of a couple from the barn to elevate his performance last week, scoring a well-earned victory – tonight’s draw could hurt a bit, but he’s still a very viable player for exotics. (5) BETTOR BY SEASIDE appreciate the class drop last week and was able to wire the easier bunch – he steps up a bit tonight, and we’ll see if that slows him down at all. (4) SAWYE RS DESIRE best recent efforts have come vs. easier, and that has us leaning more towards others. (7) DEETZY was super earlier in the year but the 13YO veteran has been showing considerable wear and tear for a while – tough draw (8) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL figures to have a hard time ever getting close to the action from out here

RACE 5 – (2) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS drops in for a tag, gets a good draw and is capable of handling a variety of trips – has appeal at that 8-1 ML price! (3) BLUEBIRD BISHOP loves to win races and can be forgiven for losing last week to a rival that loves to get his picture taken as well – major threat on anything close to his best effort. (7) WILLY WALTON has 15 wins over the last 2 years and 5 of them have come since 9/13 – he can fly off the car if he chooses too, but can also be effective OFF the pace as well – worth a look (even from out here) if the price is right. (4) CHIPPER DALE has 8 wins this year, and 2 very recently – he does prefer to race on/near the lead, though, and that may not be possible tonight – deserves respect for sure, but does figure to be overbet. (6) CRAZYL AND is a proven player at this level but he generally takes plenty of $$ every week, and doesn’t really WIN often enough to justify it – better value (on top) with others. (5) SHOW THE WILL struggled 2 back so last week’s win was a major surprise – will need to prove it wasn’t a fluke! (1) FOR A DREAMER draws the pole after an easy trip 3rd last week, but still feels a bit cheaper. (8) PEMBROKE REGAL has struggled with his outside draws in the past

RACE 6 – (1) THEFLYINGROCK probably ended up with the only trip that could have possibly gotten him beat last week, still trapped on the cones in last heading into the final turn, only to fly home through the lane to end up 3rd by a length – Kelly will have him in a much better spot tonight! (2) DIAMONDBEACH struggled for much of the last 2 years but found his form early in September and has maintained it ever since– solid chance to land somewhere on the ticket once more. (3) IM A POWERPLAY A moves to a new barn after just missing with a first over try last week– he’s very solid at this bottom level, and a good trip puts him right back in the mix here. (8) EVER M landed on a horrible trip last week and still kept coming late to be a close 4th – it won’t be easy for Dube to find him a good trip from out here, though! (6) MY CARBON COPY N got too hot on the lead last week and paid for it – an easier trip could help him grab a share tonight. (5) ON THE VIRG used an easy trip to pick up a 2nd last start, but is likely facing a tougher road tonight – minor share? (4) METAMAN and (7) OSTRO HANOVER would both be surprises

RACE 7 – (5) AUSTRAL HANOVER found the waters a little too deep in his last pair but he won 3 in a row just prior to that, and drops back down to a more comfortable level tonight – chance to rebound, but still wouldn’t take too short a price. (1) BRONZER got sharp not too long ago and held that form all through his recent climb up the class ladder– he wasn’t bad last week (off a sick scratch), and could be close up throughout tonight (2) IN THE END makes her Yonkers debut here and the talented filly has enjoyed an excellent 3YO campaign – she’s being asked a lot here (vs. classy older rivals), but just may be good enough to hold her own. (3) DOROTEA TRIO IT was already sharp BEFORE adding Lasix last week, and was able to pick up her 4th win in the last 5 starts – steps up, but may be sharp enough to still be a player. (4) P CHICO has been holding his own at this higher level, and has a chance for a piece, with an easy trip. (7) MON AMOUR is very good right now, and would have been listed higher if not for the bad draw. (6) SOUTHWIND ARTURO was 2nd (no threat) in this class 2 back, but probably needs a better draw to be a serious contender at this level. (8) BJMS MAN was no factor at all last week, and now gets stuck out here

RACE 8 – (1) PEDAL ON METAL bobbled then broke briefly on turn three last week but did finish up strong after recovering – he’s usually trotting well late, and maybe he can pull off an upset tonight if there’s some action up front (2) JAS BLUESTONE got in tight into the first turn last week and went offstride – he’s done excellent work here at YR this year (12-4-3-2) and could easily make amends tonight. (3) MAHONE SEELSTER worked out a perfect trip on his 3rd start off the layoff and was an easy winner last week – chance to repeat, but the trip will likely be at least a bit tougher. (4) CANTSTOP YANKEE has now LOST as the favorite for five straight weeks – he remains a threat, but he’d need to be a much better price to try on top! (5) HAT TRICK MARLEAU really had no excuse last week, outkicked home by a longshot winner despite a perfect trip – he’s a solid player in this class, but we’ll stick with others for the top spot. (8) P L OSCAR has a number of good efforts recently, but faced an uphill battle getting in play from out here. (7) MR KNOWITALL gets Brennan after a pair of recent 2nds with his owner/trainer on board – the draw may offset that benefit, however. (6) WARRIOR ONE isn’t on his best game right now but the mega-classy 9YO showed his toughness last week when able to take home 5th after being parked every step – rough spot tonight

RACE 9 – (7) LOUS BEACH has been good ever since dropping to this level on 10/2 – goes for a new barn tonight, with a chance to provide instant dividends. (1) I B LOVIN comes in 2 versions – if the “good’ one shows up, he can be a threat from this spot. (2) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was “sneaky better” last week for a barn that has been coming to life lately – decent value horse for exotics. (3) LUXURY VIRGIN gets a better draw, and may work out a good trip – look for an improved effort tonight. (8) KOURAGEOUS KEY was aggressive from post 7 in his local debut and rewarded with a 3rd place finish – possibility for another small piece tonight. (6) COLD CREEK FELIPE was very good last week, but benefited from hot action up front – may not get that same great trip tonight. (5) MY PLAYMATE GB won 3 back, but has disappointed in several other recent starts – leaning elsewhere. (4) IM A CAP TAIN struggled in his local debut – waiting for better signs before considering.