Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) DISARONNO HILL has been very good in most of her starts for this barn, and that includes last week’s powerful blowout – good chance she can repeat tonight, at a pretty short price. (1) BOUT DAMN TIME A has been camera shy all year, but has picked up a decent amount of 2nds and 3rds – may be able to just tow along for another nice slice tonight. (2) NUTTINBUTHEBEST was scratched injured from her last but it seems like a good sign that she’s back in the box pretty quickly – she recently won 2 in a row, but consistency has never been one of her trademarks…mixed feelings about her chances tonight, especially since she’ll likely be a fairly short price. (8) STONECOLD GIRL disappointed 2 back (off a brief layoff) but did race much better last week (when a no threat 2nd behind #3) – she gets a brutal draw, but at least has the right pilot to try to find her a manageable trip. (4) BLUE BIRD CRUSH hasn’t had any luck here in the past 5-0-0-1 but she returns off a win in PA and gets Yannick in the bike – maybe she can make a little more noise this time? (6) NITE TIME DEAL was a 51-1 winner in NJ last week but has been stuck on minor pieces in her Yonkers starts, and seems destined for more of the same tonight. (6) CHIL LIN BYTHE POOL was a nice 2nd here 2 back but that was with a pocket trip from the rail – unlikely to get that kind of good trip tonight. (5) QUICK MENU has been “meh” lately, and moves to a new barn this week  

RACE 2 – (1) STARE ME DOWN went big efforts in his last pair, just missing vs. far more experienced $25K claimers – he drops back to NW2, draws the pole, and we’ll give him the edge. (5) ONEFORTHEROAD GB was sent off at 4/5 for his U.S. debut but the UK import wasn’t quite able to finish the job – he seems capable of better, and a good price makes him worth a look tonight. (4) QUOTE ME NOT is 9-3-2-1 locally with the off-the-board finishes coming from Posts 7 and 8 – very logical here, but also won’t offer any value at that 1-1 ML price! (3) CAR RONSIDELEGCY GB showed promise in his first few U.S. starts but broke 2 back, then tired last week – he adds Lasix tonight, gets a good draw with Gingras, and is certainly worth at least a look at that 15-1 ML price. (7) THE WICKED ONE has proven that he belongs with these but tonight’s draw may leave him waiting for a better spot before he can strut his best stuff. (2) ALABAMA LUCKY usually races well from the inside but his last 2 starts suggest that he may be off his game right now – leaning elsewhere. (6) GLOWING LOU raced a bit better last time, but would be hard to endorse starting from Post 6 – keep an eye for any additional improvement tonight  

RACE 3 – (2) CAPTAIN FEAR chased heavily favored FEDERER last week and made that one work hard to hold him off to the end – gets another good draw, and maybe this a field where he can come out on top. (1) THIS JK RO CKS was a much improved 3rd last week, coming out of the same race as #2 – Bartlett hops on board tonight, and he has to be seen as a legitimate threat from this spot. (3) BETTING ON CAESAR was blocked while full of pace 2 back so last week’s 11-1 win payoff was definitely generous – he certainly fits with these too, and can be a threat once more if the trip goes his way. (7) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE can be a tough horse to drive but he has legitimate ability and will be a good price here…if you think Tritton can get him in play from a very difficult spot. (5) BOXER SEELSTER was too sluggish for too long in both local tries – he seems to have more ability than he’s shown, but hard to say if tonight is when we’ll see it. (6) PIRATES CODE delivered the victory in his first local start (off the barn change) but could never get in play last week – hard to say which version we’ll see tonight, especially with the bad draw. (8) NO TRESSPASSING did some good things at 2 and 3, but doesn’t seem to be clicking at the moment. (4) CRUSING ZONE would be hard to consider after failing to function last week 

RACE 4 – (2) ATREACHEROUS A has now taken 5 of her last 6 starts, some with major ease – she finally moves to a new barn but the guess is that the result will be the same. (1) YS SENSATIONALCITY was hard to steer off the first turn last week and was parked to turn two before finding the two hole – she still was able to finish up strong and be 2nd to #2 (for the 2nd straight week), and she may be able to complete the exacta yet again! (3) KAT has been on an extended roll since the claims started happening in late September – she steps up a bit to take on the 30s tonight, but seems sharp enough to still have a say in the outcome. (5) MALUKA MISS N was worn into submission by the top choice last week but did manage to hold on to 3rd – she was claimed that night, and this feels like it could be a bit tougher spot for her. (4) TOBAGO TIME is listed at 2-1 ML but hasn’t been any good in her last 3 starts – sticking with others. (7) VIBRANCE lands outside after trailing all the way from a similar spot last week  

RACE 5 – (4) SOHO DOW JONES A not only drops out of the MGM Grand Prix Series, he drops all the way to NW15000 – he happens to land in with some good horses for this level, but still has to be given the edge. (2) RENA LDO N won his first 5 U.S. starts (4 here at Yonkers) before coming up 2nd best to the sharp MACS MARVEL on 10/28 – he was freshened up, re-qualified sharply in NJ and really would be no surprise here. (3) IMTHEBLACKFL ASH N was sent off at 4/5 for his U.S. debut and was a handy winner vs. easier – he’ll face much tougher now, but it’s hard to ignore ANY imports from connections that have enjoyed incredible success with Down Under stock the last 2 years! (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX came to life with the class drop and good trip last week, picking up the victory – he seems a notch below a couple of these right now, but still a threat for a piece from this spot. (5) TENZING BR OMAC N gets a class drop but also lands in a very solid field– a live trip puts him in the hunt for spot in the exotics. (6) WINDSUN RICKY, (7) ROYAL DESIRE, and (8) TWIN B POWERBALL would all be surprises in here, after drawing outside of the 5 good ones to their left!  

RACE 6 – (1) BENHOPE RULZ N is light in the win column this year but he’s also gone a bunch of big efforts vs. much better than these – he recently changed barns and his current trainer is having a terrific season here, with limited stock – we’ll give him top billing tonight. (2) PYRO is tough to gauge these days, his efforts being all over the place – if he brings his best he’ll be very dangerous…but he also figures to be overbet (while on the risky side). (6) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A drops a bit after a tough trip in his U.S. debut – the jury is still out on him, but he’d surely be no surprise for connections that have enjoyed a ton of success with these types. (8) VICI is on the upswing, but does figure to be limited tonight by another awful draw – ok bomb for 3rd/4th . (5) CURBSIDE PICKUP hasn’t been sharp, and now finds himself forced to move up off a disappointing loss – maybe he can race a bit better from OFF the pace? (7) TWIG showed some better life 2 back and built off that with last week’s win (over cheaper) – not sure he can get in play tonight, though, with the move up and bad post! (3) FULL DISCLOSURE raced ok in his last pair in NJ but his $33K in earnings over the past 2 years (in 63 starts) suggests that he may be on the cheaper side. (4) EUPHORIA has been struggling for a while – waiting for some better signs  


RACE 7 – (3) CRÈME DELIGHT may be worth a stab tonight – she’s just 2 for 38 at Yonkers but she was an excellent 2nd last week behind #6 (dropping in for a tag, at 47-1 from Post 7) and may be able to use her post advantage tonight to grab a trip, and pull off the upset. (6) DISTANT LOVER has won 5 of her last 7, the 2 losses coming off a tough 7 hole trip, and broken equipment (2 back) – she remains the one to beat, but could face a tougher trip at another very short price. (5) STORMY SERENA wasn’t as effective vs. the 30s last week but drops back down to 25s, and does draw inside #6 – could see her having a big say tonight. (4) UNCONTROLLED is a solid player at this level, but not as handy as some of the others – will need some trip luck to come her way to be a late threat. (7) GINGER TREE LIZ has held form very nicely since the recent re-claim, and did race super from Post 8 last week to be 2nd at 42-1 – can she do it again? (1) BEANTOWN BABE is a much better fit with 20s, but the rail draw gives her at least a chance for a small piece. (8) COALFORDSNSHINE GB hasn’t been on her game, and now has to contend with Post 8. (2) LADYCORONA is struggling, failing to beat a single horse in 5 straight starts  

RACE 8 – (4) REC TIME has had some issues with getting lazy during her miles here but she’s also had her share of success when things go her way – she arrives sharp from Indiana, and could be worth a look at the right price (since there’s a chance they could mix things up a bit tonight). (3) MISS PERIGNON N was hurt last week when BE MY ROSE N was in her way on the back side, but paced strong from 3/4s to be right there on the wire – she’s proven she can beat these, and absolutely is worth using tonight. (1) ACCESS GRANTED came up just short on the front end the last 2 weeks but she’ll probably be the one to cut the mile again tonight – maybe the 3rd time will be the charm? (6) CHIAPNECAS is in the mix every week but tends to come up short lately – remains a possibility for the bottom of exotics. (8) AMBUSHED is having a great year, and beat this class the last 2 weeks (victories #11 and #12 on the season) – can’t count her out (even from Post 8), but she would need to be a better price to use on top tonight, with the adversity she figures to face. (2) BE MY ROSE N keeps dropping in for $50K but hasn’t been a threat in any of her last 4 starts. (7) MAIDSWEET IR responded to the barn change and class drop to win at Stga. last week, but seems ambitiously placed for the $50K tag. (5) IDEALINFUN was dismal last start, and wasn’t all that sharp in the two starts prior to that.  

RACE 9 – (6) SOHO SANTORINI A hasn’t been “bad” since arriving in the U.S. but he also hasn’t found the winner’s circle yet – he lands in a pretty modest spot tonight, and we’ll see if Bartlett can find him a winning trip. (1) PRINTVILLE has some discouraging lines but it should be noted that the ONLY two times he’s drawn inside over the last 3 months both resulted in victories – maybe he can get a wake up call tonight? (5) ON ACCIDENT found an early seat last week, found his best stride late in the mile and was able to collar the tiring leader late to pick up the victory – he moves up a notch, but can contend for a piece with these too. (2) LENNON HANOVER landed on an impossible trip last week and still wasn’t far back at the wire – he has a chance to outperform his 15-1 ML price with an easier journey. (7) TROOPER L shipped in sharp and was able to use an aggressive drive to beat softer last week – tough draw (while up in class) tonight, but he can still have a say if able to improve position at the start. (4) HUNGRY ANGEL BOY would probably prefer to be in a little cheaper, but he’s still capable of grabbing a share with a decent journey. (3) AIR GUITAR was actually very good in that win here 2 back but reverted to his lesser form at Monti last week. (8) PINE BUSH ITALIANO hasn’t been sharp, and lands behind the 8 ball. 

RACE 10 – (5) STERLING CHOICE is now 4 for 4 here at Yonkers and stays in the same class he beat handily the last 2 weeks – remains the clear choice. (2) DREAMBOAT HANOVER banged out nearly $200K at 2 and 3 for his previous barn and has continued to thrive since changing hands 3 starts back – could prove the biggest threat in his Yonkers debut. (1) DREAM BIRD was no threat in his last pair after finding himself in impossible spots – he’s capable of better, and we may see it from him tonight (with the move to the pole). (4) MATAI PHIL N struggled for a few starts, raced very well for a few weeks, but now his current form is a bit tougher to gauge – very capable of battling for a good piece if he brings anything close to his best effort tonight. (3) COLLECTIVE WORKS A has been no factor in recent weeks but he may find an easier trip tonight, with a chance for at least some minor spoils. (7) CAPTAIN LUFFY has been doing good work in PA for top connections but could run into a tough trip in his YR debut after drawing Post 7 – would want a pretty good price to use him in exotics. (8) WAVEMAKER appears to have the ability to be a player with the locals but his Yonkers debut was derailed by broken equipment, and he may take a very conservative approach after drawing Post 8 tonight. (6) DEALERS TURN was able to take home 3rd last week thanks to an aggressive try, but may not land as fortunate a trip tonight 

RACE 11 – (2) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A was off 3 weeks to his last but was right there on the wire with 2 others – he lands in a soft spot tonight, and may be able to take full advantage of the class drop (7) JMS FINAL TREASURE has been struggling for sure, but the drop to the basement at least creates the possibility of a big wake up call – would be worth a look IF the price is fair. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM is a camera-shy sort but he’s used to facing tougher, and this is a field where he at least has a chance to threaten for the top slot. (4) EMINEM HANOVER has a poor local record this year (13-0-0-1) but he returns sharp enough from Monti to at least consider for a small piece. (1) FAMILY RECIPE is way off his game right now but the rail draw could at least help him battle for some minor spoils. (6) MARLBANK ROAD came to life late in the mile last week and was a close 3rd on the wire – at 20-1 ML he’s definitely playable underneath. (3) CHANTEE was already looking erratic BEFORE last week’s unexpected miscue – he’s now 0 for 35 this year and counting. (8) ORLANDO BLUE A is well off his game and lands another 8 hole.