Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) DISARONNO HILL was a sharp front end winner 2 back but couldn’t hold off the tripsitter last week, coming up 2nd best as the 1/5 favorite – she’s still the one to knock off, but be careful about taking another very short price! (2) STONECOLD GIRL tried to leave from Post 8 last week but lost all chance after being forced to retreat to last – she did come up 2nd best to the top choice (from the pocket) two back, so perhaps she can at least have a chance to reverse that decision tonight. (5) BEANTOWN BABE drops back down to the more comfortable $20K level and she actually BEAT the top choice the last time she was at that level – maybe worth a look if the price is right? (1) HARPER SEELSTER wasn’t a fan of last week’s first over trip but perhaps could have a better result tonight with an easier journey? (6) BLUEBIRD CRUSH was sent off at 33-1 last week (returning from PA) and used an easy trip to take home 3rd – possibly a minor share with another easy trip tonight. (3) QUICK MENU just hasn’t been sharp enough – minor spoils only. Both (7) ILLUSION SEELSTER and (8) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL will be hard pressed to get anywhere the action starting from out here

RACE 2 – Tough race: (4) NUTTINBETHEBEST was off a bad date last week (after being scratched injured) but still held ok for 4th after a first over trip – when she’s in the right mood, she can be tough in a spot like this – maybe tonight? (1) OAKWOOD DYNASTY IR came up a bit short taking on the 25s the last 2 weeks but drops down to 20s, draws the pole, and is eligible to be a bigger player against these. (3) DWS DARLENE has been a solid weekly player and did get the job done with Cory driving 2 back – would be no surprise at all, and worth considering at a fair price. (2) NITE TIME DEAL scored a 51-1 upset in NJ two back but hasn’t been a threat in many of her local tries – she could end up with a good trip from this spot, and that would give her a chance to add some value to the exotics. (6) ANIMATION was well backed in a pair of NJ starts after joining our leading barn, grabbing a 32rd two back but tiring after cutting the mile last week – hard to say how she’ll fit in here, but she’s likely to be overbet. (5) EMDOUBLEAKAY has been a great earner for her connections this year, but not as friendly to the bettors (16-0-7-3 locally) – always a good one to use underneath. (7) JIVE DANCING A has way more bad efforts this year than good ones – leaning elsewhere. (8) SPEAK YOUR MIND is the outsider, both literally and figuratively

RACE 3 – (3) UNCONTROLLED kicked home full of pace to be right there last week, and has already pulled off a couple of upsets this year – the right trip would give her a chance to come out on top tonight in this short, but well matched field. (1) STORMY SERENA dropped back down to 25s last week and was a wire to wire winner – license to do the same thing here. (2) DISTANT LOVER sat pocketed to #1 last week, shook free into the stretch but wasn’t able to get by late – she has 13 wins this year, and certainly can’t be counted out tonight! (5) IDEAL SKIES is listed at 10-1 ML but she has 2 recent local wins (including one at this level), and her barn has been super for months – don’t overlook her. (4) CRÈME DELIGHT left at 47-1 two back and picked up 2nd off a pocket trip – not as sharp in her last, though, and may be looking at a minor share tonight. (6) LADYCORONA was at least “more functional” in her last – looking for some more better signs before considering again

RACE 4 – (2) YS SENSATIONALCITY hit a few blips this year but for the most part has been rock solid, and is certainly ending the year in fine form – she was a winner last week, and we’ll give her the nod tonight, as well. (1) TWIN B ECHO returns from Stga. and while she’s winless in 10 local starts this year, she did hit board in 5 of them – good spot to land in the exotics tonight. (3) TOBAGO TIME had a few rough starts recently but was much better in her last – if she can build off that, she can be a serious player tonight. (5) KAT is probably more comfortable vs. 25s but a live trip gives her a chance to rally for a piece. (6) MALUKA MISS N got parked off the claim last week and may be hesitant to leave the gate tonight after that brutal trip. (4) VIBRANCE needs to be sharper to be a bigger player here – just not clicking lately.

RACE 5 – Good race: (4) ALRITEALRITEALRITE was a no threat 2nd the last 2 weeks behind STERLING CHOI CE, and that one would be 1/5 in here – this is a well matched group, but maybe this guy can come out on top, with his nemesis not in the race this week. (7) ITS ELECTRIFYING N has some solid Down Under credentials, qualified behind the outstanding SILK CLOUD A and debuts tonight for our leading trainer and driver – can’t blame anybody looking to hop on his team. (1) BOXER SEELSTER finished well in his 3 local tries but has been hurt by “laziness” early in the miles – he seems capable of better and this may be the spot that we see it…but that 2-1 ML price is a turnoff. (2) STORMY WOODS A has raced well vs. older at times out of town and should fit well with the locals in this NW2-4PM class – would hardly be a shock. (3) THE WICKED ONE has been a steady player since arriving here in late Oct., gets post relief, and can certainly make his presence felt. (6) CAPTAIN FEAR picked up 2nds in his last pair, but figures to be hurt by the draw. (5) LENNON HANOVER drops, but may still struggle here

RACE 6 – (4) CAPTAIN LUFFY was handled conservatively in his local debut but finished full of pace – he gets a much better draw tonight, and more aggressive drive is expected…chance for a mild upset. (1) THAT JK ROCKS showed significant improvement in his 3rd local try then built off that with an easy front end win last week– certainly sharp enough to repeat! (2) MATAI PHIL N got very good for a few starts, tailed a bit 2 and 3 back but looked good again in his last – he can be right there if he brings his best effort. (3) FEDERER won his last pair at short prices but didn’t look as sharp last week, and loses Bartlett tonight – feels a bit vulnerable. (5) DREAM BIRD was an ok 3rd last week but he draws outside 4 live ones tonight. (6) DREAMBOAT HANOVER disappointed in his local debut

RACE 7 – (4) LAFITTE was an excellent 3rd in his local debut (despite an awful trip) then delivered as the 2/5 favorite last week – he can put in a funny step here and there but assuming he has no issues tonight, he’ll have a good chance to make it two in a row. (2) CARRONSIDELEGCY GB was 45-1 last week but actually looked full of pace in the pocket when he made that unfortunate miscue to the top of the lane – he had a couple of good efforts not long ago, and could offer some value tonight. (3) SEW MUCH HAG has been racing very well at Rosecroft but it’s hard to say how those efforts will translate against the locals, racing for a new barn – suppose he’s worth a look, at the right price. (5) CURRYS FLURRY is usually good for some late pace– ok for the bottom of exotics (7) DISMAS disappointed in his only local try (10/28) and returns from NJ off disappointing efforts in his last pair – tough to take at a short price from Post 7! (1) AUSTRALIA raced only 6X at 3, missed a year, and would be hard to endorse off that qualifier. (5) CAMCO LUCAS adds Lasix after finishing distanced in his YR debut – prefer to observe here

RACE 8 – (1) STERLING CHOICE is 5 for 5 at Yonkers and has looked even better each week since Bartlett bought a share (after a couple of local starts) – he’ll be taking a big step up tonight, but the 3YO seems more than talented enough to handle it…wouldn’t bet the rent money at a very short price, though! (3) WHICHWAYTOTHEB EACH had no-prayer 8 holes in his last pair but was a very sharp winner 3 back, and 2nd to DIEGO N on 10/14 – a big price makes him worth at least a look. (4) BET ON BIG JOE has certainly taken to Yonkers, going 3 for 3 since arriving – deserves plenty of respect in his current raging form. (6) SOHO DOW JONES got major class relief last week, an easy lead, then really benefited when the tripsitter broke to 3/4s – he’s too classy to just dismiss here, but the bad draw does figure to hurt his chances a bit. (5) CURLY JAMES A was all out to win his U.S. debut and while he raced well in his next 4 starts, he had to settle for 2nds and 3rds – won’t be easier to get over the hump in this solid field. (2) ROCKIN JUKEBOX is moving up in class, and likely looking at only minor spoils against these

RACE 9 – (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has been doing the best he could while considerably overmatched lately but he gets MAJOR class relief for tonight, and the rail is just an added bonus – the road to the winner’s circle goes through him. (4) IMTHEBLACKFLASH N easily handled a bit softer in his U.S. debut and was hurt last week when kept wide by RENALDO N (who recovered after making a break to 3/4s) – he was still a solid 4th, and may be able to complete the exacta tonight (2) ROYAL DESIRE has had some mixed efforts lately but has been good overall this year, and could grab a piece with the good draw. (6) PLEASELETMEKNOW has really disappointed in 2025, and is currently 7-0-0-0 at YR this year– still may be able to beat some of these, however (5) TWIN B POWERBALL does his best vs. a bit easier, but is still one of several that can grab a piece here, depending on trip. (7) JABBAR was a solid front end winner over cheaper on 10/21 but has been limited to small pieces since then – Post 7 won’t help! (3) AIR GUITAR reverted to his lesser form in his last pair after beating cheaper here 3 back

RACE 10 – (7) MOVIN ON UP his board in 3 of his last 4 starts, with no prayer in the other – he’s left from similar spots in the past, and may have a chance to spring the upset if Kelly is willing to get aggressive in a wide open field. (5) EUPHORIA N has been less than exciting lately but he drops, gets Bartlett, and may be ready for an aggressive try. (6) JMS FINAL TREASURE was able to improve to 4th early on last week but then did little with the good spot – he’s more than capable of beating these, but will need a nice wake up call. (1) FAMILY RECIPE is almost certain to be way overbet from this spot, but his current form has been lacking for weeks – feels vulnerable at a short price. (2) MARLBANK ROAD has just 2 wins this year but he was coming hard for a close 3rd two back, and may be a good bomb for those seeking another last race longshot. (3) EMINEM HANOVER hasn’t been terrible lately but his 14-0-0-1 local record this year is hard to overlook. (8) DEALERS TURN is quite capable at this level but it’s hard to see a way for Holland to find him a decent trip from out here. (4) CHANTEE is now 0 for 36 this year and probably struggling more right now than at any time in 2025.