Thursday, October 30, 2025, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Thursday, October 30, 2025 – Race Analysis
(Prepare for an off-track as soggy conditions are forecast for the entire day)
RACE 1 – NAADA Fall Series: (6) PAPA DOC raced very well with Beltrami in several starts this summer and has been holding his own with solid stock lately – tough draw, but still the one to knock off in tonight’s opener. (5) IMA STANDUP GUY went a good mile last week, used a bit early on, then out briefly into the sharp 3rd panel (before staying on well to hold the show spot) – he can have a say here if he can build off that improved effort. (3) MAMY WATA is just 2 for lifetime but has a couple of nice recent efforts, and responded well at PcD last week to a more aggressive try from her owner/driver – chance for a piece tonight. (2) CREATIN HAVOC is 2 for 48 in his career but his recent form is improving, and Sheridan is a good pilot – ok to include underneath. (1) DOUBLE DEALING was unable to recover from a slow start last week – needs a better getaway to contend for a better share. (8) PSALM SFORTYSIXFIVE has the ability to trot with these but his 4th straight terrible Yonkers draw figures to really hurt his chances again. (7) AWOL HANOVER went his best local try in ages last week, but that was from Post 7 – much tougher task tonight. (4) DROP THE MIC has really been struggling lately – would need a major wake up call.
RACE 2 – Solid field! (4) KINDA LUCKY LINDY was making his first start in 2 months last week but was trotting fastest of all at the wire – he’ll be a good price in here, and is one of several with a legitimate chance, depending on how the race plays out. (6) BLUEBIRD BISHOP showed up on his best game last week and was a dominant front end winner – he’s a streaky sort, and has license to repeat…even with the tough draw. (5) CANTST OP YANKEE “figures” every week, is always right in the hunt but just hasn’t been able to get his picture taken lately – maybe he finally finds the winning trip tonight? (3) CHIPPER DALE gets a pass for his last (parked from Post 7) but has proven that he can win at this level – worth a look if the price is right. (2) MAHONE SEELSTER finished alertly last week making his first start since June – if things get heated up front (a possibility), he can be a threat to pick up the pieces late. (8) CRAZYLAND was able to pick up a pair of 3rds the last 2 times he drew poorly but may have a harder time tonight, with so many live players to his inside. (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE has some speed and the rail but really prefers to be in a bit easier. (7) WARRAWEE WHISPER figures to be coming from too far back here
RACE 3 – (4) LEGACY AFFAIR makes her Yonkers debut and the Ohio invader will also be making her first start for the nation’s leading trainer – she should be feeling pretty good about herself after last week’s easy score at Nfd., and we’ll give her the narrow edge in this short, but solid field. (3) ETERIA IT was a dead game first over winner in her first try in the FM Invitational, then a solid 3rd in her last, facing a couple of tough male rivals – more than capable of taking this. (1) HOT FLASH KIMMY hasn’t won in some time but rarely throws a bad effort – never a bad one to include underneath. (5) MY DEBT COLLECTOR earned nearly $250K at 2, and has already banked over $500K at 3 (including a win in the NYSS Final) – there’s no shortage of talent here, but it won’t be easy for the 3YO to take on a few tough OLDER mares tonight! (3) GOLDEN RAIN S came off short last week (racing off a sick scratch) but could be sharper tonight – she’s listed on the bottom, but could easily do better than that
RACE 4 – (1) ESCAPER can look a little funky behind at times but he always manages to stay trotting, and his efforts since arriving on the local scene have been excellent – deserves top billing after drawing the pole tonight. (4) AQUARIUS FACE S should appreciate the class relief, and he’s won 6 of 14 local tries this year…look for a big effort tonight facing a bit easier competition. (2) P CHICO has held form very nicely on a recent climb up the class ladder, and he should be looking at a good trip from this spot – one to include underneath. (3) UNEVERGONNAGE THIS steps up a notch off a game win vs. a bit easier, but he’s comfortable at this level as well – a good trip puts him in play for another good chunk. (5) BACKSTREET PLAYER is as sharp now as he’s been all year but he draws outside some strong players, and that could limit him tonight – could look better with a class drop next week. (6) FU LL OF MUSCLES battled a long way before tiring last week but the move outside figures to leave him racing from the back…and he just hasn’t been as effective that way.
RACE 5 – NAADA Fall Series: (3) MUSKINGUM came up with a big effort when 2nd in NJ 2 back then followed that up with an excellent try here last week, seemingly home free only to drift a bit late and get nailed by his only pursuer – we’ll give him the narrow edge in what should be a pretty good race. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER returns showing some mixed recent Monti form (at the Open level), but he was a winner in an amateur race in his last local start – legitimate threat here too. (1) EYE OF JUSTICE shows a couple of good recent tries in Canada, draws the pole for his new connections and definitely has some appeal at that 10-1 ML price. (4) VOSS BLUE CHIP was well meant last week but unable to overcome both an early miscue AND a difficult trip (after recovering) – would be willing to give him a look tonight if the price drifts high enough. (2) IM OUT was off to a terrible start last week, doing well just to come on late for a 4th place check– one to consider for the bottom of exotics (6) ROGER RABBIT did pick up a sharp amateur victory at PcD two back but he’s struggled to win races at Yonkers the last couple of years, and tonight’s draw certainly won’t help – he’s not impossible, but we’re still leaning more towards others. (8) STAR HAIRDRESSER gets another bad draw after failing to get close to the action last week – wait for a better spot. (7) BIG CHARLIE MORAN gets another terrible post and is 1 for 51 at YR over the last 3 seasons
RACE 6 – (3) I LOVED HER FIRST was stuck with posts 7 and 8 the last 2 weeks but was still able to leave hard both times, and picked up a 2nd and a 3rd – much better draw tonight, and that may be enough to propel her to the winner’s circle. (4) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK was wide a long way last week and only flattened late – she was in a no prayer spot the week before that, but had some nice tries in a few starts just prior…worth using tonight if the price is fair. (5) EBONY LADY has enjoyed recently being re-united with an old barn, picking up 2 wins in her last 4 starts – she draws outside a couple of main rivals, but still merits plenty of respect. (6) DWS DARLENE is good right now but the tough draw does figure to hurt her chances – she does her best work on/near the lead, but may have a tougher time getting there tonight (2) DELITFULCATHERIN N hasn’t threatened in some time, though she’s surely capable of better – she’s raced ok for Smith in the past, and may be worth a look IF the price is good enough. (1) ROCKIN RAE L is one of the few horses that hasn’t really clicked after joining this barn – not ready to write her off just yet, but others certainly look more appealing right now. (8) RACIN FOR ROYALTY was racin’ well coming into her last but ended up with a bad trip – hard to see her finding a GOOD trip from out here, though. (7) SUNBUR NT probably needs a much better draw to content for even a minor piece
RACE 7 – (3) MOTIVE HANOVER has enjoyed racing at Yonkers this year, currently at 5-2-2-1 after last week’s close 3rd – he’s always coming hard at the end, and may be in a good spot to rally by some softened leaders tonight. (2) SOUTH POINT gave it a big try off the claim last week, making multiple moves from Post 8 to be right there in 4th – moves inside, and looms a major threat. (4) CHECKONWILLIAM GB landed on pocket trips in his last pair and was able to convert both into victories – it’s definitely possible that he could make it 3 in a row. (8) NEYREIT is just a nose shy of winning 3 straight on the front end – he goes for a new barn tonight, and obviously faces a tougher task starting from all the way out here – not impossible, though. (1) CENTURY IGLESIAS is rarely a threat to win, but he takes home his share of smaller pieces – playable for 3rd/4th. (7) DANCE ON THE BEACH finished a little better last week, but faces an uphill task trying to find a manageable trip from out here. (5) HOOSIER CELEBRITY was good earlier this summer, but in a bit of a drought lately – waiting for some better signs. (6) MOONLIGHT SH ADOW trailed all the way at 57-1 last week and is currently 11-0-0-3 on the year – pass for now
RACE 8 – (2) CHAPERCRAZ has been taking on the best trotters in North America for much of the year and should appreciate tonight’s much softer spot – he has a good Yonkers history (9-3-3-2 in 2023-24), and we’ll give him top billing for his first local try of the season. (4) DRIBBLING BI found the best form of his career this summer and continues to deliver strong efforts week after week – no reason he can’t grab another big chunk tonight. (3) AST EROID has certainly thrived at Yonkers this year, currently at 4-2-1-1 – he finished well for 3rd last week (stepping up to this top level), and may be able to grab another good slice tonight. (6) ARI FERRARI J did turn in a sharp mile when he won here in 1:54.2 on 8/14, but his overall season has been somewhat shaky, and he hasn’t looked all that smooth at times – he’s been away 3 weeks since re-qualifying, and may be a bit vulnerable at the moment. (1) AUST RAL HANOVER has won 3 straight in dominant fashion but vs. much easier competition – he’ll get a class test tonight, and we’ll find out if he’s up for it in his current raging form. (5) DIRE STRAITS hit the top and crushed easier last week, but he still needs to prove he can be as effective against these tougher ones
RACE 9 – (5) PEDAL ON METAL is always finishing with good trot, though usually settling for a bit smaller pieces – he’s usually a good price, and maybe tonight he can find the extra pop to pick up the win – upset possibility. (3) WILLY WALTON saw his 4 race winning streak snapped last week, but it’s not like he didn’t race hard in defeat – he goes for another new barn here, and looms a legitimate threat to get back to the winner’s circle. (4) WARRIOR ONE is back on his game right now, but drawing outside #3 might hurt (along with losing Bartlett – too classy to ever dismiss to quickly, but you’ll want a bit better price to use him on top tonight (he was 4/5 in each of his last 2 starts). (2) BARRY BLACK disappointed last start but the ageless 14YO has bounced back endless times over the years – remains a solid one to include underneath. (8) GO HAVE FUN weakened last start but he adds Lasix tonight, so that may explain things – he definitely fits with these, but may need to wait for a better spot to strut his best stuff again. (1) MR KNOWITALL had no pop last week but did hang in there for 2nd the start before, at 75-1 – playable underneath if he continues to go off at huge prices. (7) PEMBROKE REGAL was terrific in 4 straight starts before throwing a dud in his last – tonight’s draw figures to cramp his style once more. (6) FOR A DREAMER has needed a class drop for weeks…not sure why his connections never seek out an easier spot!
RACE 10 – (1) ULTION FACE S was a big earner in Europe and clicked right off the bat after arriving in the U.S., winning 2 of his first 3 starts (in PA), with a close 2nd behind ANTOGNONI S sandwiched in between – he was stuck in the back with no chance in a FFA Trot in Canada, but flew home for 3rd at Chester last week despite missing almost 5 weeks – willing to give him a try in his Hilltop debut. (3) TAKE ALL COMERS will take plenty of action as he drops out of the Invitational but the classy 7YO just hasn’t found his top form in 2025, and does feel at least a bit vulnerable. (2) KEG STAND finally picked up his first Yonkers victory of 2025 last week, even if helped by a hot battle up front – he steps up a bit, but the good draw makes him a live player for a good piece. (5) MISSISSIPPI STORM is still as reliable as ever at age 10, and with over 200 starts under his belt – may be able to rally late for a small piece. (7) DWS POINT MAN was overachieving for weeks, but hurt badly in his last pair when stuck in the back at the top level – tonight’s class drop could help…but the draw definitely will not! (4) THE HAZLETON does his best work with easy trips vs. softer…probably in a bit tough tonight. (6) BRONZER has been on a good roll for a while, but draws poorly in a strong field and figures to struggle tonight.
RACE 11 – (1) CAPTAIN T HANOVER struggled through most of 2025 but is finally starting to salvage his season, racing much better over the last several starts – he was a front end winner 4 back, and may look to pull that off again tonight. (2) IM THE PRINCE has struggled with major inconsistency all year long but he’s now turned in sharp miles in 3 of his last 4 starts – he could be a big threat if he brings the same kind of effort tonight, but he goes for a new barn this week and that just adds to the uncertainty. (7) TWIN B RISENSHINE has been extremely camera shy here at Yonkers the past 2 years but he does take home his share of good pieces – he’s left from tough spots in the past, and could be a good bomb to include in your exotics. (3) ROCKET FREIGHT is another inconsistent sort but he’s rallied well in a few recent starts, and another good bomb to consider underneath. (6) CAVIART ACT TWO was pretty sharp not too long ago but then hit a rough patch – watching for some better sins. (5) ALWAYS A LOOK is 11-0-0-0 at Yonkers but did show unexpected speed last week and hung in well for 4th – minor spoils? (4) MINOT AUR picked up a couple of smaller pieces with easy trips but just seems like a notch below some of the main players. (8) AUSSIE HANOVER threw a few decent efforts recently, but figures to be stymied by tonight’s draw
RACE 12 – (3) MUSCLE BART A has been terrific since joining his current barn 4 starts back, and that includes a win and a 3rd from Post 8 – moves inside, and that could help him pick up his 3rd win in his last 5 starts. (1) KILOW ATT KID N has also been on an excellent roll of late, with 2 wins and 3 seconds from his last 6 starts – the main danger! (4) ON THE VIRG was hammered at the windows 2 back but broke on the lead on the back side – he was a solid 3rd from a tough spot in his last, and figures to be waiting in the wings should the top pair falter. (2) DEEDEN UTO A was an afterthought for much of the past 2 years but found some much better from recently, and has to be considered a threat to take home a piece from this good spot. (7) MY CARBON COPY N had just one win in 37 starts over the past 2 years but it only took 3 tries for him to get his picture taken after a recent barn change – the move from the rail to Post 7 really does figure to hurt his chance tonight, however. (6) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE figures to be well out of it (as always), making him tough to consider from this spot. (8) THE REGULATOR seemed to be on the improve but came up empty last week off a good trip, and now draws all the way outside (5) ADMIRAL DEO looked like a 50-1 shot on paper last week but he took all kinds of $$ for his local debut…only to sit the cones, and tire badly (racing like a 50-1 shot) – still a pass, but he’s at least on our radar screen now.