Thursday, October 9, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, October 9, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) ROCKIN N TALKIN was handled conservatively by his new connections last week, facing traffic into the lane without any chance for much better – he’s held his own with tougher this year, and may be primed for a bigger effort this week, especially from the pole. (5) BURNHAM BOY N never “dominates”, but he’s now taken 3 of his last 4 starts, and 4 of his last 6 – has to be seen as a major threat, once more. (2) KARLOO BRADLEY N was no factor at all last week (Post 7) but he’s had a good year (7 wins, 7 seconds) and has to get at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (7) CHANTEE moves to his first new barn in ages and gets Bartlett in the bike – he’s also winless in 29 starts this year, and starting from Post 7…playable, but only if the price reflects the scenario. (6) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N lost his first 18 starts this year…then won 4 in a row, and just missed in his last pair – undeniably sharp, but also lands a poor post for another new barn. (4) BETTORBUCKLEUP has his moments, but seems off his best right now and lands in a pretty solid field. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, and may have trouble even grabbing a small piece this week. (8) MOVIN ON UP continues to be hampered by horrific draws

RACE 2 – (5) DISTANT LOVER has taken 4 of her last 5 starts, the lone loss being a 3rd from Post 8 – she bounces around among all of our top barns, and thrives for all of them – the road to the winner’s circle still goes through her. (1) EMDOUBLEAKAY is still winless in 10 starts since arriving on the local scene but her last effort was her best yet, giving the top choice a real scare before settling for 2nd best – good option if looking to take a shot against the heavy favorite. (2) ANNELEISE HANOVER has now hit board in 4 straight, all at good prices – draws inside, and remains a good one to include underneath. (6) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK is sharp right now, but draws outside the main players – not impossible, but she’ll need things to really go her way for a chance at the top slot. (3) NUTTI NBUTHEBEST struggled to win races in 2023 and the same thing is happening in 2025 – still ok for the bottom of exotics, though. (4) SOUTHERN SUGAR shows some good tries out of town but may find herself a notch below the locals – prefer to just observe, for now. (8) RONA MAE shipped in showing 3 recent wins in NJ but hasn’t been able to thrive (so far) at Yonkers – Post 8 isn’t going to help her cause. (7) MYSTIC MOMENT has been finishing poorly in her NW2-4PM starts, and now tries to take on older claimers, from a terrible post – sticking with others

RACE 3 – (3) ASTEROID was a sharp winner in his local debut on 6/19, beating a bit easier – he returned last week (off a sharp score in PA) and was an excellent 2nd to a razor sharp DRIBBLING BI, in a hot 1:53.3 mile – gets the narrow edge for tonight (1) MISSISSIPPI STORM was unable to rally in his last pair, but that was in the Invitational – drops down to a more comfortable level and Holland will surely look to use his speed from the pole tonight– major threat. (6) ETERIA IT made a big recovery from an early miscue 2 back then followed that up with a dead game first over victory over the FM Invitational– she gets a very tough draw in a good field, but just may be sharp enough right now to still be a player. (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY rarely goes a bad one, and she’ll be trotting well in the lane – may have to settle for a smaller piece, though. (2) AQUARIUS FACE S has won 6 of 12 local starts and our leading trainer is heating back up again – he wouldn’t be a shock in here, though others do seem a little more likely. (5) SAI NT K was very sharp in handling easier last week, but may be a bit out of his comfort zone vs. these

RACE 4 – (4) GOLDEN RAIN S sports an impressive 10-5-2-2 Yonkers record, the lone off the board try coming when she raced in the Invitational – she can handle a variety of trips, and we’ll give her the slight edge for tonight. (3) KEG STAND, as noted here previously, is having a good year overall, but struggling to WIN at Yonkers – his barn IS on fire right now, so maybe this guy will finally be able to get over the hump tonight. (2) OLIVER THE GREAT looked ready to charge by in the lane last week at 35-1, but wasn’t able to overtake the classy DELAYED HANOVER in the latter stages – his price will come down tonight, but he still could be a legitimate threat. (1) UNE VERGONNAGETHIS finds himself in a good spot tonight, but he’s been light in the win column this year – seems like a better one to use underneath, rather than on top. (6) FULL OF MUSCLES was just a different horse on the front end in his last pair, rattling off back to back (fast) scores over a bit easier – he’s likely looking at a much tougher journey tonight, as he moves up again while also drawing poorly. (5) ESCAPER was a no threat 5th in his local debut – may prefer to be in a bit easier. (7) WHEELZABLAZIN is the outsider, both literally and figuratively

RACE 5 – (4) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was reunited last week (in PA) with a barn he thrived for earlier this year, added Lasix, and turned in a much improved effort to be a close up 3rd – one of several possibilities in this wide open affair. (1) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH was well meant but parked 2 back, then finished up well from an impossible spot last week – it feels like he’s on the upswing, and tonight’s draw will give him every chance to strut his best stuff. (5) I B LOVIN really feel apart for a few starts but he rebounded with a much better effort 2 back, then followed that up with last week’s front end score– has to be respected in his current form (2) CONTACT ZONE fell apart for a while but is back racing well again – on the flip side, he’s just 1 for 30 this year, and had no excuse to get beat last week…make sure to get a good price if using on top. (3) IM THE PRINCE is unreliable at best but he gets a class drop and driver change, and a wake up call is not out of the question. (7) CAVIART ACT TWO raced super in his first 2 local starts – he got parked in his next, then was unable to make his way into the two hole last week and was hung out once more – have to believe he’ll be pretty conservative tonight after those rough couple of weeks. (6) AINT NO STOPPN TIME had a solid 2024 season but is just 1 for 22 this year, and arrives showing some pretty rough recent form. (8) HURRIKANE MIKI had failed to pick up a win or a 2nd in his first 16 starts this year before last week’s (easy trip) 2nd – unlikely to replicate that moving from the rail to Post 8

RACE 6 – (2) CANTSTOP YANKEE hasn’t won in a while but he did hit board in his last 3 starts (since the most recent claim), and should be looking at a very good trip tonight…may have found a winning spot. (1) PEMBROKE REGAL has been doing terrific work for his red-hot barn, an excellent 2nd three back (despite the DQ), a winner in his next and a tough beat 2nd last start (to a winner that has now taken 3 in a row) – remains a real threat to take these wire to wire. (7) GO HAVE FUN put in a good bid vs. tougher last week but did weaken into the stretch– he should appreciate the drop in for the $40K tag, but he probably won’t be fond of the poor post! (5) BARRY BLACK hasn’t won in a while and has some mixed recent form – this still feels like a spot where he can grab a nice piece, though. (4) INFINITY STONE is always tough to gauge, as he throws plenty of duds, but will just outrun his rivals, when in the right mood – he makes his first start in 3 months and the guess is that he won’t be ready for one of his big efforts - but the tote board may offer some better clues. (6) RADIO LAB was a dullish 4th in each of his last 2 starts and now gets a tougher draw – needs to be sharper if he’s hoping for a better piece. (3) ICE BREAKERS K returns to YR from Minnesota but the 3 weeks off may leave him needing a start. (8) DRYDEN HANOVER finished ok in a couple of recent starts, but figures to be coming from way out of it tonight

RACE 7 – (3) CECIL HANOVER saw his 3 race winning streak halted last week, but there’s no shame coming up 2nd best to SIR PINOCCHIO – he avoids that rival tonight, “wins” the 3-7 draw and that may be enough to get him back to the winner’s circle. (2) DIRE STRAITS has thrown some big efforts this year and last week was one of them – the inside post assignment could help him grab a very good trip tonight, and perhaps a shot to repeat. (7) FERRET TI has been VERY sharp for a long time, and only some bad luck has kept him out of the winner’s circle more often – he’d have been the top pick with an inside draw, but he’s still more than playable from out here at that 15-1 ML price! (1) DWS POINT MAN continues to overachieve – probably not a threat to win, but could add some value on the bottom of exotics. (5) TAKE ALL COMERS does own a local Invitational victory this year (he was fortunate that FERRETTI was trapped too long) but he’s definitely struggled to find his best game this year – leaning to others right now. (4) GHOSTLY CAPER used an easy trip to pick up a no threat 3rd in the Miecuna Invitational on 9/13 but hasn’t raced since then – figures to be overbet tonight. (6) KHAOSAN ROAD just stole one 2 back after getting over the half in an absurd :59.2, but he struggled in his next and gets a bad draw for tonight.

RACE 8 – (4) CHECKONWILLIAM GB was quickly reclaimed by a barn he’s been thriving for, gets Bartlett on board and is one of several possibilities in what feels like a pretty competitive affair. (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE was handled conservatively in his Hilltop return last week but knew what to do after angling free into the lane – draws the pole once more, and is a legitimate threat to repeat. (5) NEYREIT figured to be able to blast to the top and control the action last week, so the only real surprise was his generous 7-1 payoff – he may be able to outrun these too, but his price will come down, and he may face a bit more pressure this time. (8) IM A POWERPLAY A gets the worst of the draw but he was right there last week and beat these 3 starts back – his chances go up if Brennan can improve at the start, without using him too hard. (2) COLOSSAL STRIDE A was no threat at all last week but did pace well at the wire after losing all chance – ok for longshot fans. (3) DEEDENUTO A was an “autotoss” for most of the last 2 years but recently found better form, and now has to at least be considered for a small piece (6) MAJOR POCKET A hit board in his last couple but faces the possibility of a tough trip from this spot – may need things to fall apart to be major player tonight. (7) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE often doesn’t find his best stride until half the field has already crossed the finish line

RACE 9 – (4) WILLY WALTON struggled for a long time after being claimed by his current connections but he comes into tonight riding a 3 race winning streak, and may be able to extend that to 4 against these. (1) JAS BLUES TONE was hurt when several left to his inside last week and broke grabbing up on the first turn – if he can shrug that off, he’ll be a big part of the action tonight, either cutting the mile or from the pocket. (5) PEDAL ON METAL had trot finishing last week but so did a few in front of him (after some slow early fractions) – he’s been a solid player at this level for some time, and could be around late if things go his way. (3) BARN HALL has been well off his game but his barn has suddenly caught fire, and that makes this guy worth at least a look, at a good price. (7) CR AZYLAND was a short-priced front end winner last week but that was from the rail, in a very soft division – figures to have a much tougher time tonight, facing tougher from Post 7. (8) KILAUEA raced big in back to back amateur races but then was able to replicate that excellent form stepping way up to the 40s last week – he’s proven that he belongs, and he’s certainly sharp…but can he find a way into the hunt from out here? (2) C KAN TROT struggled in both local tries, and we’ll wait for better signs before considering. (6) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO returns from amateur races and lands in a very tough spot – prefer others

RACE 10 – (1) ON THE VIRG rallied well from impossible spots in his last pair (at big prices) to be close at the end – he was claimed from his last, will surely be looking to cut the mile with Bartlett tonight and has a big chance to take ‘em wire to wire…he’ll also be sent off at a very short price! (8) MUSCLE BART A is thriving since the barn change 2 back, a front end jogburger on 9/17 followed by a sharp 2nd in a quick mile last week (also cutting the mile) – if Brennan can find him a manageable trip from out here, he’ll have a chance at the top slot. (2) LOCKDOW N LOUIE A has just one 3rd from 8 local starts but he should sit an easy trip here, with at least a chance at a small piece. (4) DANCE ON THE BEACH will probably leave the gate and work out a trip…but he needs to finish better if he’s hoping for a decent chunk. (3) CENTURY IGLESIAS sometimes will offer a little pace off an easy trip – never a bad one for 3rd/4th. (5) D A WICKED SHINE failed badly on the front end at 4/5 two back then wasn’t up for last week’s tough trip either – leaning elsewhere, but at least his price should drift way up now. (7) FULL SUPPORT was 56-1 last week but that didn’t stop him from forcing the odds-on favorite to drop in behind him – he got every break imaginable after that then seemed to hang on with mirrors, lighting up the tote board at $114 – it just seems hard to imagine him pulling anything like that off from out here. (6) BAD BOY TOO is a bit more competitive lately, but still hard to endorse.