Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, October 14, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) SIX DEGREES threw a dud last week but chasing a 1:51.4 mile may have had something to do with that – he’s hung in decently vs. much better than these, takes a double class drop tonight and lands in a field where there are no particularly sharp horses – definitely potential for a big wake up call. (7) TWIG went sour for a while but gave it a shot leaving from Post 8 last week and wasn’t a bad 4th – he may be able to leave hard again (despite his 5th straight horrible post), and have a say in things. (2) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N got his bridle yanked off by the streaking PANETTONE HANOVER last week and just seemed to have the heart yanked right out of him – if he can shrug that mile off, he’d certainly be a legitimate threat against these. (3) CELLMATE had success here last year and won 11 races overall in 2024 – he’s only made 11 starts in 2025, however, and hasn’t really clicked yet since the recent barn change – may like tonight’s change of scenery, along with the change to Bartlett…he also figures to be overbet. (5) TWIGGS PUB has struggled since the 9/1 claim but he’s also been facing better – tonight’s class drop may help, but you’d still want a fair price to try him on top. (1) CAPTAIN BATBOY settled down last week after swerving on the first turn, but was still no factor at all– minor share only, even from the pole. (6) MARLBANK RO AD draws poorly and hasn’t been a real threat in some time. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP has been way off form for a long time – Post 8 is definitely not the cure!

RACE 2 – (1) BETTING ON CAESAR raced very well to just miss in his local debut then was even better last week, parked to a half in a vicious :55, still getting to the lead to the final turn and only weakening very late – we’ll look for him to control the action, and get his picture taken tonight. (6) LASER SPEED broke in his local debut, finished decently after being handled conservatively in his next and was very good last week, full of pace late after working his way free of traffic into the lane – chance to outperform his odds tonight and grab a good piece of this. (5) CARRONSIDELEGCY GB is the latest UK shipper to appear and he was a winner in his local qualifier– the tote board may offer some clues as to his chances for tonight. (7) QUOTE ME NOT was a big beneficiary in last week’s “fall apart” race (when #1 got parked), rallying from the back to get there at 31-1…not sure he’ll be as opportunistic tonight, but still has to be respected off last week’s effort. (2) JOHNNY LAW got hot on the lead in his YR debut last week and parked #1….only to get passed to the final turn and back up badly – we’ve seen his speed, so perhaps he can do some damage here if Kelly can get him to relax? (3) SMOOCH IN THE DARK has been racing well out of town but the guess is that he may be a bit on the cheaper side – we’ll find out tonight. (4) STEAL AWAY HANO VER is 4-0-0-0 at Yonkers and shown little. (8) ALABAMA LUCKY was 2nd to #7 last week but moves from the rail to Post 8, and figures to struggle

RACE 3 – (7) ALWAYS BE ELITE N won his first U.S. qualifier at Pocono then just missed in his next to LUCAPE LO A – willing to gamble that he’ll be a big go in his first U.S. start despite Post 7…and guessing he’ll be a lot shorter than that 15-1 ML price. (2) DANCININTHEFIRE was 2nd here 4 starts back then won his next at PcD – he was just “ok” when 4th here in his next, but did have life finishing from an impossible spot in his last – logical player from this spot. (6) BETTORS DESIRE has been a little shaky in a couple of recent starts but his overall form this year is very good – tough draw, but if he reverts to one of his better efforts tonight, he can add some value to the ticket. (3) CURRYS FLURRY finished ok from a tough spot 2 back and was an ok 4th last week – minor share? (1) MAD RIVER is listed as the 9/5 ML choice and while his trainer and driver have been en fuego lately, it’s hard to justify a very short price based on his recent form. (8) BOOKEM DANNO fits for sure and was a solid 2nd to the favored frontrunner last week – won’t be easy to overcome tonight’s draw, however. (4) MATAI PHIL N won a race marred by multiple breakers 3 back but his overall from since arriving in the U.S. has been “meh”. (5) SMOKIN HO T SCOTT finished well back in his only other local try

RACE 4– (5) QUICK MENU hasn’t won in a while but she’s been very consistent lately, including some nice efforts from tough spots – decent value horse to consider on top. (1) ROCKIN RAE L was ok in both local starts (off the barn change), figures to be more aggressive from the pole and should be able to have a big say here (3) RACIN FOR ROYALTY is another that hasn’t won in a while, but who certainly fits very well here – the right trip makes her a big threat. (4) EBONY LADY had traffic issues in her first start back with an old barn but landed on a perfect trip last week and scored from the pocket – eligible to repeat if things go her way again. (8) WHOS PERFECT is listed as the ML choice despite drawing Post 8, off a poor try, and missing a month – seems like there will be better value elsewhere. (6) MIKI THE CLOWN reversed form in that win 2 back but quickly reverted to her lesser self last week (7) IN A WINK N tired badly returning from Stga. and now draws Post 7. (2) AMERICANBEACHDREAM is 6-0-0-0 this year, and shows a pair of less than stellar qualifiers – pass for now.

RACE 5 – (3) I DRAINTHESWAMP A had a good recent run but then seemed to tail off for a few starts – his last effort seemed to be a step back in the right direction (finished alertly from an impossible spot), and he may be ready for a more aggressive try now. (4) CURBSIDE PICKUP was super for a couple of starts after joining this barn a few months back but then tailed off considerably – he was freshened up, and his current from is a little hard to gauge off his comeback try at Chester last week – his best effort makes him a big threat here, but that 3/2 ML price is a major turn off. (5) CENTURY HEINEKEN has enjoyed some success here in the past, lands in a modest field and could easily be a big player with this bunch. (1) ALADDIN has far more lesser efforts than good ones the past few months – we’ll see if the rail draw can help him be in the hunt. (6) OUTLAW MAN N would be a dangerous player here on his best effort but he’s missed a month, draws poorly, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (2) JACKS LEGEND N has struggled in almost all of his recent starts – not sure the good draw is enough to help his cause. (7) LOUS THE ATT ITUDE lands outside and is 9-0-0-0 here this year. (8) GALANTE A seems unlikely to get close from out here

RACE 6 – (4) DIEGO N misbehaved early in his first start for our leading trainer but there were no mishaps in his last, and he was a sharp 1:51.4 winner, establishing a new lifetime mark – if he continues to mind his manners, he figures to be pretty tough in here too. (6) MAGNIFICO HANOVER showed plenty of promise at 2 but struggled through a short, disastrous 3YO campaign – he’s finally starting to click at 4, and gets a pass for his last (finished with pace after sitting 8th in his Yonkers debut) – bit better draw tonight, big switch to Brennan, and could make a lot more noise this time. (5) MIND HUNTER was racing off a lame scratch and qualifier in his last but turned in a BIG effort when 2nd to DIEGO N – can land in the exotics once more with a similar effort. (7) CARABAO A is a big threat at this level but does figure to be coming from a very tough spot tonight – seems destined for a smaller slice. (1) COLLECTIVE WORKS A is winless in 5 U.S. starts and is making a big jump tonight from the NW2-4PM class – that being said, he’s actually shown decent ability, and may be able to at least grab a minor share from this spot (2) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was sent off favored last week (arriving from Canada and getting a big barn change) but disappointed after cutting the mile – he’s forced to move up in class tonight, and that has us leaning a bit more towards others (3) TEXAS HOLDEM is a victim of some recent success and is stuck a bit higher up than he’d prefer – waiting for some class relief. (8) THE IDEAL DANCER A drops a notch, but the draw is a killer

RACE 7 – (7) COALFORDSNSHINE GB dropped back down to 25s and had no trouble overcoming Post 7 last week, picking up her 8th local win this year from 17 starts – she should be able to find herself another manageable trip (despite another bad draw), and remains the one to knock off. (4) DWS DARLENE was a big “go” last week and was back on her game, putting in a strong front end try before being overtaken by #7 into the stretch – could be the main danger again tonight. (3) ATREACHEROUS A doesn’t look great on paper right now but she’s been chasing better, and the drop to 25s could help her have a bigger say tonight – may be able to add some value to the exotics. (2) FORTUNADA struggled in 30s in her last pair but gets a meaningful drop back to 25s, and she’s shown that she can do damage at this level – playable underneath. (1) GOT BEACH BODY is still winless in 16 local starts this year but she’s outraced her odds on many occasions, and lands in a new barn for tonight – would have liked her chances a lot more had she stayed in 20s, though. (5) UNCONTROLLED is ignored at the windows every week yet she’s produced 3 wins from her last 6 starts, paying 12-1, 25-1, and 40-1 – clearly she can never be counted out, but she may not get the hot pace up front that she needs to make her late rally count. (6) DELITFULCATHERIN N finally dropped in class last week and promptly made a break – red flag? (8) BEANTOWN BABE is struggling, and now lands Post 8 after missing 3 weeks

RACE 8 – (3) BOURBON COUNTY has really impressed since arriving from KY, an outstanding first over winner 3 back, then a close two-move 2nd to the classy HOWLENTHEHILLS last week – draws well, and looms the one to beat (against some other talented young rivals) (1) ODDS ON WILDFIRE is another 3YO enjoying a terrific season, and seems to have the speed to take advantage of the rail in his Hilltop debut – Marohn is familiar with him, and they duo could have a big say here. (5) AMMO returns from PA and he hit board in 5 straight on the local scene recently – a live trip puts him in play for a piece. (6) JUMPINGJACKMAC N is still looking for his first Yonkers victory, though he’s hit board in 7 of his 9 local starts – tough draw may limit him to a smaller piece tonight. (4) OP TICAL ILLUSION N has held form beautifully through his current climb up the class ladder, and that includes last week’s nice front end try (3rd) – in tough tonight, but could squeeze out a piece with a good trip. (7) IMA PERFECT CHOICE continues to enjoy an excellent 3YO campaign and the talented youngster has taken 4 of his last 5 starts – the lone loss did come from Post 7, however, and he faces an uncertain journey for tonight. (8) CAPTAIN MOORE A is 10-6-1-1 here at Yonkers and returns off a career best 1:50.3 score at Pocono – not sure he can find a way to overcome Post 8 tonight, but that 15-1 ML price does make him at least a bit interesting! (2) STELLAR YANKEE has been taking advantage of good posts and easy trips but his luck may run out in this pretty strong field

RACE 9 – (1) RJS RED DEVIL recently returned after a lame scratch and miscue back in July and was a blowout winner in his 2nd start back (at Plainridge) – he raced very well for 2nd in his only local try, and may be worth a look tonight as he draws the pole for his return. (3) FEDERER was picking up pieces vs. better for a few starts before scoring as the favorite in an easier spot last week – should have a big say tonight, as well. (5) INFLATION PROOF wasn’t as sharp last week when he landed on a tougher trip – too soon to write him off after one disappointing try, and his price could even drift up a bit tonight…possibility. (6) NO TRESSPASSING appreciated the class relief and got it done last week but he was really just “ok” – gets a tough draw for tonight, and will need to be sharper if he hopes to repeat from this spot. (2) GOODBYE STRANGER makes his local debut off some no-factor tries in PA, but they were all from tough spots – he gets a good draw, moves from a small barn to one of our top outfits, and may be able to race better than his 20-1 ML might suggest. (4) OOGLEVILLE is eligible to race better with the post relief but Bartlett opts off and we will too. (7) MASTER OFTHE HOUSE went through a long string of weak local efforts – his last was actually better, but tonight’s draw will be tough to overcome. (8) KWICK SAND A is hard to gauge off his 2 U.S. starts but he figures to be an outsider tonight after landing Post 8

RACE 10 – (1) ON THE MONEY GB looked to leave from Post 7 last week but had to make a full retreat to last, sealing her fate early on – she moves all the way inside, and her previous 2 starts produced a win and a 2nd behind a runaway winner – gets the edge in the finale. (3) GINGER TREE LIZ isn’t known for her consistency but she was actually very good last week, and will be a good price tonight – not a bad stab for longshot fans. (5) SP DANCINWI THSTARZ showed she belonged with a front end score upon arrival from Ohio but had no 2nd move last week, after leaving for a spot from Post 7 – could have a better showing tonight starting from a better post. (7) I LOVED HER FIRST has 3 wins here this year but has been caught in bad spots (with no chance) in her last couple of starts – Bartlett may be able to find her a trip from this spot, but that 3-1 ML price makes it hard to want to jump on her team. (2) SUNBURNT has way more disappointing tries than good ones but the good draw may help her just tow along for some minor spoils. (6) DEFININGTHE MOMENT was unable to have any impact after getting away in 7th last week, and may face the same dilemma tonight – if you think she can leave and find a good trip for herself, then she’s playable in exotics. (8) HARPER SEELSTER wasn’t up for last week’s aggressive speed try and now gets stuck behind the 8 ball. (5) KAIRAKICONFIDENTL N struggled in most of her starts for a long time, and her most recent qualifier (after another freshening) doesn’t inspire much confidence for tonight.