Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) STONECOLD GIRL took a month off and her qualifier suggests that she’ll be ready to roll right away – she’s been very solid at this level, and feels like the one to beat tonight. (1) PINE BUSH MAGA has been absent for a month after bottoming out from the pocket in her last – IF she’s ready, she can be a player tonight, especially with the likelihood of a good trip – would consider for exotics if the price is fair. (5) THATS A HUGE BEACH hit a rough patch recently but her last was more encouraging– she could improve again tonight and be part of the equation (7) YUENGLING is usually very dangerous at this level but she’s not blessed with a ton of gate speed and may have a hard time working out a manageable trip from out here. (2) CANNERY ROW looked like she could be 2nd last week but then hung in the lane and finished 4th – would still consider for the bottom of exotics. (4) EBONY LADY would be a threat here on her best effort but she didn’t finish up strong in her last pair and that has us leaning to others tonight. (6) PINK LUMIERE tailed off badly in Delaware – that last qualifier (for a new barn) doesn’t give a lot of confidence. (8) PRINCESS ARONA draws Post 8 after struggling often with cheaper in PA

RACE 2 – (2) HAZEVILLE did well just to rally for 5th from the 8 hole last week but he was 2nd to the streaking DIEGO N the start before – he moves inside, and figures to have a big say tonight. (7) MANFERNO was hurt by poor cover last week but still finished up well for 4th – he’s been holding his own vs. much tougher, and can be a big threat here…if Buter can work out a decent trip from Post 7. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N just toured the oval from Post 8 off the barn change last week, but gets a class drop and better draw for tonight – one to consider for exotics. (1) LEVINE picked up another solid 2nd last week and is forced to move up another class – the rail should help his cause, however, and he seems sharp enough right now for a chance at a piece with these too. (6) KINGSVILLE was handled aggressively off the sick scratch last week and not up to the task – guessing he’ll race conservatively from this spot, but may still be able to rally for a minor share. (4) DREAM BIRD ships in sharp for ever-dangerous connections but does seem a bit cheaper than some of the main players – leaning more towards others. (3) FUNATT HEBEACH lost by 16 lengths last week but still raced much better than barnmate COVERED BRIDGE – probably needs a lot easier than these to be a legitimate threat these days. (8) PINE BUSH ITALIANO raced well for 2nds in his last pair but moves up 2 classes, loses Bartlett, and draws the 8 hole!

RACE 3 – (5) KISSIN JOE was given no chance last week when kept on the cones but she did charge home full of pace once free in the lane – the move back up to 30s shouldn’t bother her, and that 8-1 ML price does make her look tempting. (6) TOBAGO TIME is ultra consistent and has won 15 of her 41 local starts in 2024-25…she lands in a new barn and gets a tough draw, but she’s overcome difficult spots in the past– another one that looks attractive with her 6-1 ML odds. (7) ATREACHEROUS A will need some racing luck to overcome tonight’s draw but she brings a 3 race winning streak into this and shouldn’t be taken lightly (she’s also listed at 12-1 ML despite winning her last 2 as the favorite)! (4) KATIES UP wouldn’t be a surprise here but her only 2 wins this season have come in easy spots, and she does seem vulnerable at a short price. (1) YS SENSATIONALCITY has been off her game but her barn is starting to heat back up, and she draws the rail – would consider IF the price is decent. (3) VIBRANCE tends to be frustratingly inconsistent, and comes off a weak try and miscue– becomes dangerous if the “good” version shows up

RACE 4 – (3) MISS PERIGNON N had been getting better every start and was a generous 7-1 overlay in last week’s hard fought victory – she’ll probably still be a decent price tonight, and we’ll see if Buter (subbing for Kakaley) can get her home too! (1) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N outaced her odds facing better here in a couple of October starts – she got lost in the back in Stga. last week, but crushed their Open mares the start before…legitimate threat from the pole tonight. (2) AMBUSHED gives her all every week and just missed to #3 last week (after a win and close 2nd in the starts before that) – remains a major threat, and her price will definitely move up a bit. (4) ACCESS GRANTED was very sharp taking 3 out her last 4 local starts (in the NW2-4PM class) then was 3rd in her last 2 KySS races, finishing behind a couple of very nice mares (BATH BOMB, and PEACE TALKS) – guessing she’ll fit well at this level, and at least make her presence felt. (5) IDEALINFUN fits well with these on her best effort, but she came up empty last week (off a sick scratch) and draws outside 4 solid rivals tonight – tough spot. (7) BE MY ROSE N was no factor at all from a similar spot last week, arriving from Ohio – sticking with others. (6) SPIRIT OF PEARL A also struggled last week, and seems better suited with cheaper

RACE 5 – (2) STERLING CHOICE had to work a bit but did deliver as the 1/10 favorite in his local debut – he debuts tonight for new connections, and will likely be the heavy choice once again, despite missing a month – we’ll give him top billing, but won’t be betting the rent money at a tiny price. (6) BOXER SEELSTER arrives from Canada where he banked over $262K at 2 and 3…he MAY be the “best” horse in here, but may be handled more conservatively as he draws a bad post, for a new barn, off a bad date…perhaps the tote board will offer more clues? (4) LOCHLAN HANOVER was an excellent 2nd last week in his 2nd start off a brief freshening…may be able to grab a good piece here too with a similar effort. (5) FEDERER came up short when aggressively handled off a sick scratch 2 back but was right there 3rd last week – legitimate chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (1) NO TRESS PASSING won here at this level as the odds on choice 4 back, but faltered at an even shorter price the next week – could only grab small pieces in a couple of minor stakes in PA in his last pair, and others just seem a bit sharper right now.(7) THIS JK ROCKS has some solid lines in Indiana but lands in a brutal spot for his local debut and may have to wait for a better scenario to strut his best stuff. (8) KWICK SAND A was doing good work before the sick scratch on 11/11 – sticking with others tonight. (3) PEPE LOU PEW moves inside but still seems overmatched

RACE 6 – (1) KAT has been good for a few different barns ever since the claiming started on 9/23 – she draws the pole and seems likely to end up with a good trip, and we’ll give her the narrow nod. (3) STORMY SERENA was feelin’ good last week and looked like a 4/5 shot...even though she somehow was sent off at 22-1…that price will certainly come down tonight, but should still be good enough to make her worth considering. (5) COALFORDSNS HINE GB has 9 wins this year, some vs. better than these – she debuts for a new barn off last week’s claim, and her best effort would give her a legitimate chance. (8) UNCONTROLLED dropped back down to 25s last week and was a solid 2nd best (behind #3) – brutal spot tonight, but she’s outraced her odds from terrible spots in the past…don’t dismiss too quickly! (4) LADYCORONA wasn’t a player last week but at least she “functioned” for a new trainer – she’s more than capable on her best effort, but hard to say if she can make that kind of improvement tonight. (2) OA KWOOD DYNASTY IR ships in off a win over lesser at PcD – maybe the good draw can help her tow along for a small slice? (7) GINGER TREE LIZ was quickly re-claimed by her long time owner/trainer and will have to deal with a bad post, up in class – prefer to wait for a better spot. (6) FORTUNADA threw a dud last week and draws poorly tonight – doesn’t feel like a spot for a form reversal

RACE 7 – (2) PINNY TIGER A was handled conservatively in his U.S. debut and finished full of pace for 2nd – he was hammered down to 1/20 for his next start, and was an effortless front end winner…as he figures to be once more tonight, despite the class jump. (1) NIGHT HAWK was empty last week but he drops, draws the rail, and has a good chance to complete a very short exacta! (4) CAMARA MOMENT has been finishing well vs. better and gets both class and post relief for tonight – not sure he can knock off #2, but he MAY have a shot to be 2nd best. (5) CAVI ART SARGENT hasn’t offered much in his last few but he does have a history of grabbing decent pieces at big prices– good bomb for 3rd/4th (6) PEACE OUT POSSE had been quiet for weeks but perked up in his last, benefiting from both post and class relief – faces tougher now (and from a bad post), and may be limited to a much smaller share. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM rarely wins, but he does find ways to take home his fair share of minor pieces – another decent bomb for 3rd/4th. (3) SPORTY M THREE is 0 for 20 at Yonkers this year, and 1 for 38 over the last 2 seasons – probably needs to get back down to NW5000 to be a serious player. (8) GAMBLINGTERROR wasn’t bad last week (and did beat cheaper 3 back), but does seem unlikely to get anywhere near the action from out here

RACE 8 – (1) DANCIN SANCHO elected NOT to pop out of the two hole to 3/4s last week and would probably like a “do over”, as it left him absolutely loaded in the lane with no room to roam – he’s been super since arriving on the local scene a couple of months ago and is worth a play tonight…since he likely will not be favored! (2) CURLY JAMES A got it done at 1/5 in his U.S./local debut 2 back but things did get a little dicey at the end – he was sharper in his last (even if 2nd best), and looms the likely favorite tonight– clearly the main danger. (3) ROCK THE BELLES used a quick start to sit the pocket and take home 3rd last week – he figures to be chasing from 3rd this week, but that may still allow him to grab another decent piece. (7) TRENDY TEEN has been solid week after week and really showed a lot of guts and determination in last week’s victory – not sure he can find a manageable trip from out here, though, especially with the top two choices starting all the way inside. (5) JUMPINGJACKMAC N has hit board in 8 of his 11 U.S. starts but still hasn’t found the winner’s circle – he’s off a bad date tonight (after a sick scratch), and that definitely has us leaning elsewhere. (6) WESTERN ERA has been racing pretty well out of town but vs. cheaper – he’s had some good moments here in the past but overall, has disappointed more often than he’s delivered – prefer to just observe, for now. (8) WINDSUN RICKY just missed last week but figures to be sitting too far back to have any real impact tonight. (4) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK has been a little erratic in general lately, but flat-out swerved into another horse at the start last week – pretty hard to be on his team right now

RACE 9 – (3) HUNGER STRIKE was racing off a bad date last start but he was finally able to sit closer to the action and took home 2nd behind a $2.12 winner – faces no such foes in here, and that stamps him as the one to knock off. (4) POP IT held ok for 4th last week after a first over bid (same race as #3) and his overall form is solid as well – his barn has been doing well lately, and this guy may prove the main danger tonight. (1) JIMMY CONNOR B is unreliable at best, but this is the kind of spot where he at least has the potential to throw a decent mile – possibility (5) SURFSIDE BEACH hasn’t been “sharp”, but he’s at least been competitive lately (wasn’t the case for a decent stretch) – possibility if not a fan of the main players. (2) AIR GUITAR ships in off a Monti win and gets Bartlett, but he’ll be facing much better here and his local record over the years (for this barn) has been pretty weak – maybe on the bottom of exotics? (6) RAYRAY has been racing well off easy trips lately, but figures to be coming from too far back tonight. (7) LOUS BEACH has been a little better lately, but his 13-0-0-1 local slate this year is hard to ignore. (8) BITCOIN HANOVER used every bit of his easy trip to get 3rd last week, but will be hard pressed to replicate that from Post 8.

RACE 10 – (6) MATAI PHIL N suddenly came to life 3 back when a fast finishing 4th, just missed in his next then was a sharp winner in his last – tough draw tonight, but may be able to make it 2 in a row with some trip luck. (4) ALRITEALRITEALRITE would be hard to like off his current Canadian form but he shipped down to this (top) barn last year and made several good starts – the ability is there, and he could be worth a look at the right price. (2) ALABAMA LUCKY gave it a big try from the pole 2 back and just missed from the rail on 10/7– he seems to thrive in these spots, and that 10-1 ML price does give him appeal. (1) CARRONSIDELEGCY GB hit board in his first 3 U.S. starts before a miscue last week – if he can shrug that off, he could have a real say from the pole tonight. (8) QUOTE ME NOT N was a winner in this class the past 2 weeks, but from inside post pocket trips – maybe he can win from out here too, but he’d be hard to recommend at that 2-1 ML price. (5) CURRYS FLURRY usually finishes well, and is always a threat to rally for a small share. (3) GLOWING LOU has shown ability at times, but his current form has been lacking – waiting for better signs. (7) BETTING ON CAESAR has had some success in this class but he struggled from a similar spot last week, and may be facing the same fate tonight



RACE 11 – (3) TWIN B POWERBALL recently added Lasix, but hasn’t really been in any spot to take advantage – he drops down to the bottom class here, draws inside, and a big effort is expected against this bunch. (1) MARLBA NK ROAD tried to be aggressive from the pole 2 back but he ended up in a duel and paid the price for it – an easier trip may help him grab a piece tonight. (2) VICI picked a bad spot to leave last week and ended up parked as a result –a more patient steer (from this much better post) may put him in position to land in the exotics (6) BONDI SHAKE N has been caught too far back for ANY chance in most of his recent starts – not an ideal spot here, but still a good one to use in exotics at a big price. (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP is having a rough year and while he did finish 2nd last week, it was largely due to a very kind trip – could get overbet tonight. (8) DEREKS ROCKET was no threat in his local debut but it’s too soon to write him off – tonight’s draw does figure to limit his production, though. (5) TWIG has the ability to beat much better than these but he’s fallen way off form and desperately in need of a major turnaround – maybe the tote board will offer some clues? (7) FIZZING N has no wins and one 2nd from 30 local starts this year – Post 7 certainly won’t help his cause.