Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, October 21, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) WHOS PERFECT clearly benefited from some time off, going a big mile (for 2nd) last week despite a month off and starting from Post 8 – she’s a very logical threat as she moves all the way inside and drops right back in the box, but that “even money” ML price guarantees that she’ll be wildly overbet. (3) PINE BUSH MAGA wasn’t bad in her 2 starts off the freshening, facing tougher than she’ll be in with tonight (dropping in for a tag) – possible upsetter? (5) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK was nowhere to be found last week but she has a few other recent efforts that could make her a threat in here – decent value option. (7) EMDOUBLEAKAY is doing good work these days and comes into this off a trip of 2nd place finishes – may have trouble finding a manageable trip from out here, though. (6) MYSTIC MOMENT worked out a nice trip in her first try in this class but her inability to finish well hurt her late – chance to last for a minor share with another quick start. (4) PINK RUBY continues to lag badly during the mile, but at least had a sliver of late life in her last pair – minor spoils? (2) MIKI THE CLOWN had that form reversing win 3 back but did little before OR after that race – maybe the inside draw can help her snag a share. (8) IN A WINK N figures to have trouble getting close from another bad post

RACE 2 – (1) LADYCORONA is prone to the occasional miscue but she’s also a proven winner at this level – she figures to be a decent price (after last week’s break) and is one of a few with a chance in this short, but competitive field. (5) TOBAGO TIME didn’t have her best week last start but she’s rebounded quickly in the past – she has 19 wins over the past 2 years, and should never be taken lightly. (4) TWIN B ECHO raced well to hit board in 2 of her last 3 local starts, with a no-chance 8 hole in the other– she returns off a win at Stga., and is another very live player. (6) ACCESS GRANTED won her way out of the NW2-4PM class impressively last week, and opts to drop in for a tag tonight…tough draw, but still possible with the right trip. (3) YS SENSATIONALCITY has been 1st or 2nd in half of her 54 starts over the last 2 years but hasn’t found the winner’s circle in a while, and disappointed last week off the claim – leaning more to a few others. (2) KISSIN JOE was a decent 3rd in her only local try but does seem at least a bit below a few of the main players in here

RACE 3 – (7) DISTANT LOVER has gone off the odds on choice for 6 straight starts and won 5 of them, the lone loss being a 3rd (when she was stung for the lead from Post 8) – she goes for yet another top barn tonight and moves up in class...but still feels like the one to beat. (3) UNCONTROLLED has 3 wins, a 2nd and two 3rds from her last 7 starts yet is completely ignored on the tote board every week, and is listed at 12-1 ML for tonight – she’s been a great horse to use for the last 2 months, and remains a valid choice for tonight, as well. (6) STORMY SERENA is in the hunt every start, but has been coming up a little light at the end in many of her recent efforts – figures to be a player once more, and worth considering IF the price creeps up a bit. (5) BEANTOWN BABE had her best life in a long time 2 back, and wasn’t terrible in her last (despite an 8 hole, off a bad date)– good bomb to include underneath (8) ONEDERFULBEACH is solid right now, but likely looking at only minor spoils from out here. (1) SHEZAHUN GRYGIGI gets some fresh hands for tonight, draws inside, and is another one to consider for the bottom of exotics. (2) FORTUNADA has fallen off her game a bit, and could use a wake up call. (4) ILLUSION SEELSTER was no factor in either starts since returning from MN.

RACE 4 – (2) JABBAR has been doing solid work vs. decent stock out of town, gets a good draw and Bartlett takes the drive over a couple of others – he was good in his only Yonkers start (as a 3YO), and lands in a very winnable spot. (1) PINE BUSH ITALIANO is hard to like off his current lines but he finally gets to move inside and may be able to tow along for a piece, at a price. (3) DEETZY has been struggling for a while but was able to hang on last week with the class relief – chance for a good piece here too. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM was handled aggressively last week and almost got to DEETZY – another with a legitimate chance for a piece of this. (4) CELLMATE landed on a dream trio upon arrival last week and was able to split rivals late for the victory – may have a tougher time tonight vs. this better bunch. (6) CAVIART SARGENT picked up a win last week, in large part because the frontrunner just wasn’t at his best – moves outside, and may have trouble finding a manageable trip. (7) GALANTE A lands outside again after failing to get in play from similar spots in his last pair

RACE 5 – (4) THE WICKED ONE was purchased by high profile connections after having success at much smaller venues – he qualified nicely at PcD (adding Lasix), then was a sharp winner right off the bat – we’ll look for him to continue to thrive here at The Hilltop. (6) CARRONSIDELEGCY GB won his U.S. qualifier then came up 2nd best to the prohibitive favorite in his first U.S. start – could be the main danger. (5) LASER SPEED continues to race while being handled conservatively, usually finishing with alert pace – chance to rally for another good piece tonight. (2) QUOTE ME NOT N won a fall apart race 2 back (at 31-1) but then had no prayer in his last after making a full retreat to last, after trying to leave hard from Post 7- moves inside now, and can contend for a good piece with an easier trip. (1) JOHNNY LAW got way too hot on the lead in his local debut and tired badly – he was much more relaxed last week, and racing ok until making a costly miscue on the final turn – he’s risky for sure, but still worth considering for a piece at that 0-1 ML price. (7) SMOOCH IN THE DARK was racing well in PA then stuck around for a no threat 3rd in his local debut – may need a better draw to be a serious player, though. (8) ALAB AMA LUCKY can hang with these when he draws inside, but the outside draws have slowed him considerably. (3) HURRIKANE LILLOUIE is a 2YO shipping down off a Stga. win in his 2nd career start – prefer to watch, for now

RACE 6 – Interesting race! (1) ALWAYS B ELITE N was well backed for his U.S. debut, still had work to do as they turned for home but uncorked a powerful stretch rush to pace over the field and pick up the win – he’s moving up considerably in class tonight, but just may be a pretty nice horse! (6) COURTS ON FIRE was 2nd here in a NYSS on 8/8 to the extremely talented DANDY IDEAL then was also 2nd to that one in the NYSS Final a month later – he has plenty of ability, but he’s also a 3YO taking on some classy older foes, from a tough spot, after travelling extensively all summer long…be careful about taking too short a price! (2) CARABAO A may be off his best form right now, but it wasn’t long ago that he was right on the wire with the likes of CATALPA RESCUE A, ADMIRAL HILL, COPPERFIELD, etc. – dangerous if he shows up on his best game tonight. (5) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been no threat lately, but tonight’s class and post relief could help him find a much better effort (8) MIND HUNTER came back sharp after re-qualifying but faces a daunting task starting from out here – maybe use underneath at a big price? (4) TEXAS HOLDEM gets a class drop but may still find a few of these a bit tougher than he’d like to face. (3) I DRAINTHESWAMP A made the lead in a softer group last week and was able deliver the victory – he’ll need to find even more to be a real threat with these, however. (7) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N gave it a good try vs. much easier last week, and from an inside post – faces an uphill task tonight, though

RACE 7 – (4) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been holding form for some time, even vs. better – decent value option in a race that could go several different ways (1) INFLATION PROOF was a little disappointing 2 back but bounced back with another sharp win last week – he steps up to take on older foes tonight, but may be sharp enough to still be a big threat (likely to be overbet, though). (2) NIGHT HAWK is light in the win column this year (just 2 for 23) but he does fit well with these, and his overall recent form is solid – possibility. (5) COLLECTIVE WORKS A is still looking for his 1st U.S, win, though he’s raced well in most of his 6 local starts – he showed last week he can hold his own outside of the NW2-4PM class, but he draws outside a few live foes tonight and will need some trip luck to come out on top. (3) NONE BETTOR A picked up his first local win of 2025 last week and was all out to do so, vs. easier – leaning elsewhere for the top slots tonight. (7) MACS MARVEL rallied crisply for 2nd upon returning from “The Aces”, and did finish up well from an impossible spot last week…would have listed him higher if not for the terrible draw. (6) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A has been consistent lately but hasn’t won since July, and figures to have a tough time dealing with the tough draw

RACE 8 – (4) BOURBON COUNTY has done excellent work since arriving from KY, an ultra-impressive first over winner on 9/23, just missing to HOWLENTHHILLS 2 starts later (after giving that one all he could handle), then a sharp front end winner (at 1/10!) last week – the 3YO remains the one to knock off in this solid field. (2) AMMO chased the top one all the way last week and was a clear 2nd best – could see trying him on top if the price is good enough. (5) IKNOWBETTER has sharpened as the year has gone on and hardly embarrassed himself in last week’s Open, facing a strong field in his first try at that top level – the right trip could put him right there tonight. (1) HP MOMENTUM can do some damage when things go his way but he comes into this after being scratched sick from his last, and also could be looking at an uncertain trip. (3) ODDS ON WILDFIRE is another 3YO tackling older in here but he was a decent 3rd in his local debut, and we’ll see if he can build off that. (6) CAPTAIN MOORE A has gone some big miles this year but tonight’s draw may limit his opportunities somewhat.

RACE 9 – Wide open! (3) THE GREEK FREAK arrived here on 9/10 from Canada and fit the bottom class for his new barn – he won that night and hasn’t lost since, taking 4 in a row while moving up a notch each week – he takes on his toughest field so far as he seeks his 5th straight, but he does have plenty of back class ($523k on his card) – sometimes it’s best just to stick with the hot hand! (4) HAZEVILLE should appreciate the class relief and he also reunites with Holland, for whom he’s done well in the past – might be a spot to give him a look. (6) HELLABALOU was outstanding in that wake up call demolition 3 back but faded after getting roughed up on the lead in his next, then was in a tough spot last week – he’s lost a few MPH on his fastball, but still capable of a winning mile when in the right mood. Both (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX and (2) SLIP THE HUNDY N came in sharp to their last races but BOTH just fell apart with no visible excuses – either/both could rebound with much better efforts tonight…or maybe they won’t! (5) MYSWEETBOYMAX has done good work since joining this red-hot barn and should appreciate tonight’s class drop – possible upsetter? (8) HIMSELF N is more than capable at this level, and was even banging heads in the Invitational recently – he just got way too hot on the lead last week, and the guess is that he’ll be pretty conservative after drawing the 8 hole tonight. (7) STELLAR YANKEE is the only one in here that would really be a surprise (first bad post in a while)

RACE 10 – (3) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is well off the form that saw him facing much better for much of the year, but at least turned in a much better effort last week when 2nd best to the also-struggling NANDOLO N – he drops to the bottom tonight, will be calling the shots, and deserves top billing. (8) QUALITY BUD may be unable to get a manageable trip from out here but a good price makes him worth at least a look, as he also tries to find some of that better form. (7) MARLBANK ROAD has been an afterthought for some time but he did turn in an improved effort last week, and he’s not a bad stab if looking for a possible live bomb. (5) OUTLAW MAN N picked up a no threat 3rd off the sick scratch last week, and is another that could have a bigger say tonight if he could find his “A Game”. (2) LOUS THE ATTITUDE feels like he should be in a spot where he can at least make some noise, but his 10-0-0-0 local record this year is certainly a concern. (1) FIZZING N draws the pole with a chance to tow along for minor spoils. (4) JACKS LEGEND N just hasn’t been clicking at all lately. (6) RAYRAY draws poorly for what feels like his zillionth straight start

RACE 11 – (1) STERLING CHOICE has just 3 career wins but he’s banked $314K, holding his own on many occasions with stakes competition – he lands in a field where he should be able to show his class, and is clearly the one to knock off…but maybe not one to bet the ranch on at a tiny price. (7) BOOKEM DANNO blasted to the top from Post 8 last week and held on to be a close 3rd, after finishing a close 2nd the week before – certainly one to consider if not a fan of #1. (5) KWICK SAND A finished with pace in both of his first 2 U.S. starts and was in a no chance spot last week – he fits for sure, but may be looking at a smaller piece once more. (2) BETTING ON CAES AR raced super despite getting parked the mile 2 back so it was no surprise to see him wire the field at 2/5 last week – he faces a tougher field tonight, but still remains a very logical player. (6) WHITE LOTUS broke trying to leave in his YR debut but raced well for 3rd from off the pace last week – may have to be handled fairly conservatively once more. (4) GOODBYE STRANGER was a no threat 4th is his local debut and likely looking at only minor spoils for tonight. (3) SMOKIN HOT SCOTT was empty in both local starts – sticking with others. (8) MATAI PHIL N seems unlikely to ever get close to the action from out here