Thursday, October 23, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, October 23, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER A seems to have found the fountain of youth at age 11, crushing the 15s two back then doing the same to the 20s last week…he steps up again to take on the 25s tonight, and does seem sharp enough to pull it off. (4) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N rattled off 6 straight excellent starts but was no factor in his last pair – hard to say if it was because of bad posts, or the recent barn change…he moves inside, so we should get a clearer picture after tonight. (2) BURNHAM BOY N wasn’t at his best when 3rd last week, losing 2nd after sitting a two hole trip – still has to be seen as a very legitimate threat against these, however. (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N feels a bit off his best game right now, but is eligible to have a big say from this spot if able to find his “A game” tonight. (5) CHICKEN N DICE had valid excuses for those efforts 2 and 3 starts back but was simply no good at all in his last – could be a threat if he can find one of his better miles, but that seems iffy right now. (7) SHADOW CAT moves back up to 25s after flopping in 20s last week – leaning elsewhere. (6) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, but can save ground for minor spoils at times

RACE 2 – (1) AMERITRIC just stopped in the lane 2 back but was able to just shrug that effort off for his new barn last week, airmailing from the pole in a seasonal best 1:53 – would be a big threat to repeat with a similar effort. (4) MAXIMUS RED A chased the top one from the pocket last week, never stopped trying and wasn’t far behind in 2nd – he’s been on a good roll for several starts, and may have a chance to reverse that decision tonight. (2) ITALIAN LAD N was an even 5th for new connections last week, drops to an easier level and may end up with a pretty nice trip – he’s still looking for his first win of 2025, but isn’t a bad bomb to consider. (3) SADDLE UP has won an incredible HALF of his 28 starts this year, but has struggled in his last 3 miles (all at the $40K level, after being claimed) – he gets a drop AND Bartlett tonight, but it’s hard to say if that’ll help him find a winning effort, or just leave him overbet! (5) JIMMY CONNOR B towed along for smaller pieces in his last few and may be able to do the same tonight. (6) GDS THUNDER GB returns from Stga. at a comfortable level but the poor draw may limit him to minor spoils. (7) DONTTELLMENOW took a long time to finally beat the 25s so tonight’s move up to 30s may be a bit ambitious. (8) REIGNING DEO has just one win and one 2nd from his 24 local starts this year – brutal post

RACE 3 – Good race: (6) MOTIVE HANOVER missed 6 weeks to his last start but used a ground saving trip to just miss to KILOWATT KID N– he won’t be 21-1 this week, but should still be a solid price in a pretty wide open affair (1) MY CARBON COPY N was a solid 2nd best two back to repeat winner DIAMONDBEACH in his first start off the barn change – no chance from Post 8 in his last, but the move to the rail could make him a big player again. (6) KILOWATT KID N shot to the top and never looked back last week, holding off the top choice at the wire – he’s very solid in this class, and has license to repeat. (8) SOUTH POINT draws Post 8 off a disappointing try last week but he’s been 1st or 2nd 18X this year, and lands in a barn that has been sizzling for the last 3 months – willing to consider if the price is juicy enough. (3) THE REGLATOR is back functioning again, albeit at this reduced level – our leading driver and trainer have both been beyond hot the past couple of weeks! (5) ROCKET FREIGHT loomed a possible upsetter at the top of the lane last week but flattened after that – needs to be sharper. (2) SULLIVAN was no factor at all returning from Monti last week – we’ll see if he’s sharper tonight. (7) MOONLIGHT SHADOW had BE last start but he’d been away for almost 6 months and remains pretty iffy

RACE 4 – (2) CHEF ROCCO shipped in sharp from PcD, battled hard with WILLY WALTON (who had won 4 straight) and only gave way late to a fresh rival who stalked the battling leaders – maybe he can get an easier trip tonight, and pick up a win? (5) CANTSTOP YANKEE has “figured” for weeks, usually battles hard but has been coming up just a little short – maybe this a field where he can get over the top? (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was a sharp 2nd last week and quickly reclaimed – he fits for sure, but will need some trip luck from this tough post. (8) CR AZYLAND landed on a dream trip last week and converted it into a victory – he’s been solid in this class, but hard to justify that 9/5 ML price starting from Post 8 (with a lot that can go wrong from out here). (7) P L OSCAR is on the upswing, but he’s another that could be looking at a pretty tough trip after drawing so poorly. (4) PREMIER VIC TORY has done good work here this year and gets important post relief tonight – wouldn’t be shocked if he was able to win at this level, but still sticking with more proven rivals tonight. (1) MAHONE SEELSTER has done plenty of good work in this class but he’s missed 3 months and may need a start or two. (4) AIRMANS JACKPOT hasn’t been “terrible”, but she also hasn’t been a serious threat in some time

RACE 5 – NAADA Fall Series: (4) KAMERAN HANOVER is winless in 16 starts this year but he hit board in 11 of them, including his last 5 – he ships in off a speed try at Monti that saw him finish 3rd, and Joe Lee should be better acquainted with him now…maybe he can beat these at a decent price? (7) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE has had a solid season overall, though he hasn’t been as fortunate on the local scene – he returns in fine form from PcD, and isn’t a bad one to consider (at 15-1 ML) in a field where the ML favorites do seem vulnerable. (1) DOUBLE DEALI NG made breaks 2 and 3 back but rebounded with a clean, solid try at VD last week – he’s a logical player from this spot, but his 0 for 28 Yonkers record (in 2023-24) is a bit concerning! (5) MUSKINGUM has been stuck on smaller pieces lately but is another longshot that could do some damage if this race falls apart. (3) IM OUT can hang with better than these when on his best game but his current form has been lacking, and it’s hard to justify that 9/5 ML price – better value with others in here. (8) WILD BILL KELSO showed talent as a youngster but missed his entire 4YO campaign, is winless in 10 starts since returning at 5, and now starts from Post 8 while switching to an amateur pilot – another that just seems way too low on the ML (4-1)! (6) BIG CHARLIE MORAN has some good efforts at times out of town, but he’s 0 for 34 at Yonkers over the past 2 years, and just 1 for 50 over the past three! (2) AWOL HANOVER is now 0 for 31 this year, and 10-0-0-2 here at Yonkers.

RACE 6 – (5) AUSTRAL HANOVER jogged effortlessly in NW15000 2 back then was charitably given a chance to do it again last week (which he did, at 1/5) – he only has to move up one class tonight, and seems sharp enough to extend his streak to 3 for his white-hot trainer/driver combination. (2) BRONZER is hitting on all cylinders right now, and seems capable of being a player despite moving up TWO classes in here. (3) SAINT K got a little tired chasing the dominant winner last week but drops back down to the level he upset 3 back, and can be right in the hunt tonight. (4) P CHICO steps up off a nice win in his last, and his overall form is very good right now – possibility for a piece of the exotics. (1) RITSON was clearly short last week, racing off a short layoff – will attract attention tonight with the class drop and rail, but will need to be sharper if he hopes to be a bigger player. (7) WARRAWEE WHISPER finally started to come around recently, after struggling in some of his first few local tries – may have trouble overcoming tonight’s brutal draw, though, especially with the class jump. (8) STREET GOSSIP picks up his fair share of good pieces, but may be content to trail tonight and wait for next week’s class drop. (6) IM AN ANDO VER is solid trotter, but is another that’s moving up while stuck outside

RACE 7 – NAADA Fall Series – (1) CAL MILES N SHELL drops back in this amateur series after chasing much tougher overnight horses in his last few starts – he’s obviously very familiar with having his owner/trainer on board, and he’ll likely get to call the shots from the pole…the one to beat. (2) SHOW THE WILL has been finishing his miles with trot lately, and could find himself closer to the action tonight – gets a good pilot for his foray into the amateur series, and could be dangerous if close when they turn for home. (4) DOO WOP KID picks up his share of local wins and had one here on 9/4 – possibility if a good trip comes his way. (6) STAR HAIRDRESSER broke before the start last week but his overall form has been good for some time, and Adamczyk has proven to be a very strong pilot in these races…not the worst bomb you could come up with. And speaking of bombs, (8) REIGN OF HONOR actually crushed an amateur field here this summer, with Lee on board…another possibility for longshot fans. (3) IMA STANDUP GUY had success here early in 2025, but seems well off that form right now – leaning elsewhere. (5) VOSS BLUE CHIP picked up a couple of minor pieces at PcD with Polansky on board and may have a shot at similar tonight. (7) LABYAD BROS S hasn’t earned a dime in 4 local starts and starts from Post 7 here

RACE 8 – (5) TAKE ALL COMERS is a legitimate FFA trotter when on his game, but he’s had trouble finding (and holding) his top form so far in 2025 (with just 7 starts) – he DID finish full of trot after finding room last week, and maybe that’s a sign that he’s ready for a bigger effort…good draw if Stratton wants to get more aggressive tonight. (7) ANTOGNONI S won his first 7 Yonkers starts but lost his last 3 – he added Lasix last week and was an excellent 2nd to FERRETTI and deserves a good look tonight (with Bartlett filling in for Gingras), even from Post 7. (3) DRIB BLING BI found the best form of his career a few months back and has held hit ever since, hitting board in 4 of his last 5 Invitational appearances – chance for another good piece tonight, with the inside draw. (8) FERRETTI was much sharper coming into his last than his lines may have suggested, and he took full advantage of the good draw to deliver the (well backed) victory– he’ll need a lot to go his way tonight to overcome the horrible draw, though! (2) AS TEROID has looked good in all 3 local tries but will get class-tested tonight – wouldn’t be shocked to see him grab a piece. (1) DELAYED HANOVER was all out to beat easier last start, and now moves up after missing 3 weeks – prefer others a bit more. (4) GHOSTLY CASPER just hasn’t been sharp lately and is need of a wake up call. (6) DW S POINT MAN has been overachieving for some time, but tonight’s draw will be tough to overcome

RACE 9 – (1) FULL OF MUSCLES moves back to the pole and he was a sharp front end winner the last 2X he started from there – those wins were vs. cheaper, but it feels like he may be able to handle these too. (3) OLIVER THE GREAT did the best he could from Post 8 last week, after picking up a win and a 2nd in his prior 2 starts – moves back inside, and looms a legitimate threat. (5) KEG STAND has won races out of town this year but for some reason, just can’t get over the hump here at Yonkers (though often right in the hunt) – he’ll get his picture taken eventually, but you’ll want a “fair” price if using him on top right now. (6) GOLDEN RAIN S was off 3 weeks when she got collared late by the tripsitter in her last start, and has been away for a month since then (scr. sick) – she has the ABILITY to beat these, but seems risky as the ML favorite under the circumstances. (7) ESCAPER has certainly thrived since arriving from “The Aces” but tonight’s draw may leave him looking at a smaller piece. (2) VINNY DE VIE drops a peg but still may be in a little tougher than he’d prefer – the good draw can’t hurt. (4) RAMBORAIN is a solid trotter for connections that don’t race too many “older” horses – he may be a notch below the locals, though. (8) SOUTHWIND ARTURO was a pocket winner last week, but looking at a much tougher assignment tonight

RACE 10 – (2) WARRIOR ONE is a mega-classy 9YO that goes through his share of rough patches, but still loves to win races when “feeling good” – he just missed to a streaking WILLY WALTON in a big wake up call effort 2 back, then built off that with a victory last week – license to take another. (4) JAS BLUESTONE is an excellent 10-3-3-2 at Yonkers this year, and was able to parlay a beautiful trip to victory last week – remains very dangerous if another nice journey develops. (1) BLUEBIRD BISHOP wins more than his fair share of starts but has been struggling lately – would have been more inclined to give him a look in here if he wasn’t listed as the 2-1 ML favorite! (3) HUNTING AS trotted evenly at the back from a hopeless spot last week returning from PA – gets a better draw, and is definitely playable in exotics. (8) CHIPPER DALE brought his “A Game” last week but took a tough late beat to the dream trip winner – he’d have a chance tonight IF Siegelman is willing to leave the gate, hoping to improve position. (5) KINDA LUCKY LIINDY just re-qualified after a freshening, but struggled here earlier in the year (7-0-0-0) – good week to observe. (6) BARN HALL hasn’t been close to the form that saw him win 5 races here earlier this season – the tough draw doesn’t help either. (7) FOR A DREAMER has needed class relief for months

RACE 11 – (7) LOUS BEACH was a winner dropping in for this tag 2 back, then an excellent 2nd last week to the runaway front end winner – draws Post 7 again but showed last week that he’s sharp enough to handle it right now. (3) DANCININTHEFIRE has been facing some pretty tough NW2-4PM fields recently and the 3YO may find this crew a bit easier – could have a big say in his first try for a tag. (2) CAPTAIN T HANOVER has struggled through a rough year but he picked up a win (vs. a bit easier) 3 back, then was 2nd to a stickout last week (off the claim)– could have a big say here too. (1) MY PLAYMATE GB should be able to grab an easy trip with the move inside and that could be enough to help him land a spot somewhere in the exotics. (4) TWIN B RISENSHINE is exceptionally camera shy but he does grab pieces, and never a bad one for the bottom of the ticket when the price gets juicy. (8) FOXHUNT wasn’t bad at all in his first local try (8 hole off a bad date) but tonight’s draw may leave him waiting for a better spot before taking a more aggressive approach. (6) MINOTAUR was a dullish 4th last week and tonight’s draw figures to hurt, as well. (5) ALWAYS A LOOK is 10-0-0-0 here at Yonkers

RACE 12 – (3) DWS DARLENE drops down to 20s after being used hard in her last pair vs. the 25s – willing to give her a try against a pretty well matched field. (1) GOT BEACH BODY was handled aggressively off the claim last week but tired badly in the lane – she also drops back down to 20s, and could be much better if not used as hard early on. (2) YOU BEDA ROCK enjoyed a perfect trip last week and was able to charge on by for the victory, after failing to get involved in her previous couple of starts – she won 3 in a row here not too long ago, and has to be seen as a threat to repeat. (8) NORTHERN HALO usually does excellent work with Bartlett but seemed to tire from chasing a hotter clip last week – she’s eligible to rebound quickly, and could be worth a look at what figures to be a pretty good price. (4) ON THE MONEY GB seemed to be struggling a bit in the pocket last week but responded in the lane when called upon and got up for the win (her 3rd in the last 6 starts) – leaning a bit more to others, but still have to respect her chances. (5) DELITFULCATHERIN N finally dropped in class 2 back but made a break – she was stuck in a bad spot last week, and now drops once again – mixed feelings about her chances. (7) IRIS SEELSTE R delivered a form reversing win 5 starts back and has remained sharp ever since – would have been listed much higher if she didn’t figure to be coming from last tonight. (6) HARPER SEELSTER is a streaky sort that feels like she’s heading in the wrong direction right now.