Thursday, October 2, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, October 2, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) NORTHERN HALO has been a different mare with Bartlett on board, delivering a powerful 5 length blowout 4 starts back then ALMOST taking them wire to wire from Post 8 last week – she should be able to blast right to the top again, and may be able to hold on all the way. (3) WOODMERE HARRIET just wasn’t the same mare last week (off the claim) as the one who produced mega-blowout wins in her previous pair – she goes for yet another new barn tonight, and she’ll be a handful if she can bounce back to her best effort (1) HARPER SEELSTER ended up parked last week so just give her a pass – her prior efforts were solid, and she should get an easy trip here – ok underneath. (2) STONECOLD GIRL has been a solid weekly player in this class since arriving late July, but faces an unpredictable trip tonight – chance for a small piece, with a decent journey. (4) IRIS SEELSTER shocked 3 back with her form-reversing victory then raced ok in her last pair – could add some value to the bottom of exotics. (5) PIRATE BOOTY was a game 1st over winner 2 back, and a “steady” 4th from well back last week– one of several with a chance for a share, depending on how the race plays out. (8) ON THE MONEY GB is sharp right now…but maybe not sharp enough to be nearly as big a threat starting from Post 8! (7) YOU BEDA ROCK just never looked sharp off the claim last week, and now has to contend with a terrible draw

RACE 2 – (1) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH has been very good for some time but that last win was just insanely good, parked every step of the way and STILL going by late to win it – he’s sure to end up hammered at the windows off that effort, but he’ still going to be VERY tough if anywhere as sharp tonight (another new barn). (4) HEAVE AWAY moves up a notch off the claim and he’s certainly earned it, winning 5 of his last 7 starts – would be no surprise at all (3) ALEX TYE dropped last week to 25s and while he did flatten a bit nearing the wire, it was still a much improved effort – similar mile puts him right back in the hunt. (2) JACKS LEGEND N has way more duds than good ones lately but the classy veteran gets post relief, and that may help him turn in a more competitive performance here. (7) SPINDOCTOR HANOVER has been a bit sharper than his lines might suggest, but another terrible draw may limit his production once more. (5) DONTTTELLMENOW had no pop off a good trip last week (new barn) and just may be better vs. a bit softer. (6) MEDOLAND BOSA has missed 3 weeks after just missing in a fall apart race – tough draw, and leaning elsewhere tonight. (8) DELIGHTFUL TERROR had no pop last week moving up to 25s (off the claim) and now also has to contend with Post 8

RACE 3 – Short field, but a good race: (3) DRIBBLING BI got really sharp here starting in early July, and held that form right through his recent tries at the Invitational level – he drops a bit, and while he loses Brennan (to #5), he does get Dube…for who he raced very well at the beginning of his current form spree – one of several with a legit chance in here (2) AQUARIUS FACE S was very conservative from Post 8 last week (off a miscue the week before) but did finish with good trot, and wasn’t far back at the wire – he’s won 6 of 11 local starts, and could offer some good value for our leading trainer. (4) ASTEROID recently took a couple of months off but returned at Chester last week and delivered a 1:52.1 victory – he was a winner in his only local start (vs. slightly cheaper), and deserves plenty of respect tonight. (5) THE HAZLETON makes his own luck with fast starts, and good trips– should be right in the hunt once more. (6) HOT FLASH KIMMY lands outside but comes off a late rallying near-miss in last weeks FM Open, and has hit board in 9 of her last 10 starts – if she can find live cover, she can have a late say. (1) VINNY DE VIE recently picked up his first 2 wins of the season, but may prefer to be in a little easier these days

RACE 4 – (5) SIR PINOCCHIO wasn’t at his best in the Miecuna Invitational, tiring in the pocket and suffering the first blemish to his 6 for 6 Yonkers record – he did bounce right back last week, however, crushing his rivals in 1:53.4, under wraps – he’ll get a stiffer test tonight, but we’ll still give him the edge. (6) ANTOGNONI S also suffered HIS first Yonkers defeat in the Miecuna, unable to overcome a tough trip and tiring – he ALSO bounced right, back, beating a good FFA field in Canada last week – he’ll give #5 all he can handle tonight. (3) FERRETTI has been very sharp for some time, but tough trips/spots have kept him from the winner’s circle – he may have to settle for another smaller slice tonight. (1) QUEEN OF ALL is forced to take on the boys tonight, but she’s shown that she can hold her own with these too – could land a decent piece. (2) DWS POINT MAN has held form much better than expected in his current climb up the class ladder – he may struggle a bit in THIS field, however. (4) MIS SISSIPPI STORM can still bang heads at age 10…but probably in a little too tough here.

RACE 5 – Tough race! (5) BULLY BOY HILL got lost chasing a hot mile last week, but so did a bunch of others in that race – his overall form has been solid, he can handle different trips, and he’s one of a few with a chance in here, depending on how the race plays out. (1) KEG STAND is having a strange year, winning 6 of 15 out of town while 9-0-1-4 here at Yonkers (where he had no trouble winning, in the past) – this could be a great spot IF you think he’s ready to get back on track at The Hilltop. (7) ORDAINED seemed to lose all chance last week when stuck at the back early on, eventually making a break on the final turn – many of his OTHER efforts would make him a player here, and he’ll surely be a juicy price. (3) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been stuck on smaller pieces for a while, and may be looking at more of the same tonight – her quick starts do always put her in play, though. (6) CREDIT CON perked up with a nice effort to be a close 3rd two back, making his first start after changing barns – he was no factor at all in his last, however, and may struggle a bit with tonight’s draw. (2) SAINT K trotted evenly off a ground saving trip last week, and may be able to save ground for some more minor spoils tonight. (4) WHEELZABLAZIN seems to be a little overmatched, moving up to face tougher after weakening last week

RACE 6 – (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is having a good stretch, with a win and a pair of 2nds from his last 4 starts – the draw is obviously terrible, but this is a very soft bunch of 40s and a quick start would give him a chance to beat these. (3) RADIO LAB shows a mixed bag of efforts but he upset this class 4 back, and also picked up a 2nd in July – could offer some decent value in this beatable field. (1) CRAZYLAND is an obvious threat with Bartlett and the pole, but he was a dull 4th last week, and figures to be way overbet – better value elsewhere? (8) CHIPPER DALE was super beating this class in back to back starts but was no factor at all in his last, taking on the 60s (off the claim) – the drop back to 40s could perk him right back up, but make sure to get a pretty nice price if trying him on top (starting from Post 8). (2) PAPA DOC is another coming off a dull try, but his best effort would at least put him in play for a piece. (5) AIRMANS JACKPOT hasn’t been close to her best lately, but the same could be said for several of these – another with a chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (6) FOR A DREAMER usually needs a much better draw to have any real say at this level. (4) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is 0 for 22 at Yonkers this year, with many of those losses coming vs. easier than these

RACE 7 – (5) EVER M has 7 starts since landing in a barn well known for turnarounds, and has picked up 4 wins and 3 seconds – he was an excellent 8 hole 2nd in this class last week (behind a razor harp HEAVE AWAY), and figures to have another big shot tonight. (1) PINK FLOYD HANOVER arrives sharp from PA and should be a good fit with the locals – maybe the main danger? (3) LOUS BEACH drops in for a tag and gets Bartlett…he’ll likely have a big say here but note that he’s 0 for 13 at Yonkers this year before falling in love at a short price. (2) MINOT AUR moved inside last week and was a very competitive 3rd place finisher – logical one to include underneath. (7) LAST GOODBYE ships in showing 3 wins in his last 4 starts but was definitely facing easier out of town, and lands all the way outside tonight – minor spoils? (4) BLUE COLLAR MAN has managed just one 2nd from 8 local starts this year – sticking with others. (6) VANDALISM backed through the field from the rail last week.

RACE 8 – (1) DELAYED HANOVER came up just a little short 2 back of the layoff, and the horse who beat him has been razor sharp – he jogged in his next (going 1 ¼ miles), and should be able to handle tonight’s class jump without much issue. (5) CAMERA MAN shipped in sharp from NJ and the 3YO raced very well against his elders, despite a tough trip – can make some noise here too. (3) GO HAVE FUN earned another move up the ladder after picking up his 3rd win in 4 starts last week– no reason he can’t race well for a piece here too. (4) TORRONE actually fits cheaper (NW15000) but he gets some post relief, and can battle for a chunk with these tougher ones too. (6) OLI VER THE GREAT got really sharp recently but some tough spots (at higher levels) have slowed him down a bit – tonight’s draw might do the same. (2) ESCAPER is hard to fault off his form at “The Aces’ but he’s hard to gauge class-wise – leaning elsewhere, but wouldn’t be shocked to see him race well here. (8) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS would need things to get mighty nasty up front for a chance to reach from out here. (7) MAZEPPA N got too steppy to be cut loose last week – moves up in class, lands outside, and that has us leaning elsewhere

RACE 9 – (5) WILLY WALTON has always been kind of streaky so it’s no surprise that he was able to follow up the perfect trip victory from 2 back with last week’s very sharp score – may be able to stretch that winning streak to 3 tonight. (6) CANTSTOP YANKEE rallied nicely for 3rd from well back last week after finishing 2nd to a sharp front end winner 2 back – chance for mild upset here, with the right trip. (2) PEDAL ON METAL has been a consistent performer in this class, always trotting well late– definitely belongs in exotics…and maybe even on top. (1) BARRY BLACK came over years ago with the bundle of French trotters and he’s still going strong at age 14 – has the speed to sit a good trip here, with a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (3) WARRIOR ONE will likely get overbet with the move inside and hasn’t been sharp at all – that being said, he’s won a LOT of local starts by grabbing the lead, jamming the brakes, and hanging on to the wire – still worth going against tonight, though. (7) JAS BLUESTONE could last on the lead 2 back after getting used hard early on but made amends in his last, flying to the top from Post 8 and never looking back – won’t say he CAN’T win here, but he does face a much tougher assignment tonight with several live ones to his inside. (4) WANIA seems better suited for easier – wait for some class relief. (8) P C FREE WHEELING was a tiring 3rd last week, and now moves from the rail to Post 8

RACE 10 – (1) MUSCLE BART A moved to a new barn last week, got hammered at the windows and was the easiest of front end winners…no reason he can’t repeat, with a similar effort. (3) CONTROL GROUP got off to a poor start last week for his new barn, racing off a bad date – he did finish well after the fact, and now draws well while dropping right back in the box – look for a much bigger effort tonight. (2) SOUTH POINT dropped back down to 15s last week but was a “meh” 4th – he’s capable of better, and really would be no surprise. (4) REAL PEA CE’s best efforts have come on the lead, in weak fields – willing to use underneath, but sticking with others on top. (5) COLOSSAL STRIDE A feels a little cheaper off his out of town form, but may still be able to rally for a piece. (8) ROCKET FREIGHT threw his best local effort (by far) last week, an impressive 20-1 winner – he’ll have to pass ‘em all tonight, however, if he hopes to repeat. (6) HOOSIER CELEBRITY has just one start in almost 6 weeks and it wasn’t a sharp one – pass for now. (7) GINGER TREE PETE lands outside while struggling again