Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Good opener: (4) DISARONNO HILL has become popular at the claim box, and has delivered a pair of wins and pair of close 2nds from her last 4 starts – she’s been doing a lot of her damage on the lead, but she’s more than capable from a bit of the pace as well – gets the narrow call over a few other live ones. (5) OKINAWA BEACH A has been steady since returning from a short break, getting closer in each of her last 3 starts – chance to get over the hump tonight with the right trip. (1) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT has only one win in the last couple of months but that hasn’t stopped her from being claimed 8 of her last 9 starts – she’s usually right in the mix, and that certainly figures to be the case tonight as she starts from the pole. (6) KAT struggled here for most of the year but has really started to turn things around since a couple of recent claims – she would be more appealing with a better draw, but Post 6 also means a better price – possibility. (8) WOODMERE HARRIET was scratched lame after being claimed on 9/25 but did just re-qualify nicely at Chester – she’s capable of BIG miles when on her game and shouldn’t be dismissed too quickly, even from Post 8. (2) YUENLGLING failed to improve dropping back down to 20s last week but she also had the 8 hole – license to have a bigger impact tonight with the move inside. (7) SP DANCINGWITHSTARZ has a win and close 2nd in this class since arriving from Ohio but tonight’s draw may be tough to overcome. (3) TYRA MAKES BANK took a few weeks off and just re-qualified in PA – sticking with others for now.

RACE 2 – (8) COALFORDSNSHINE GB continues to draw horribly but she’s overcome these spots in the past – willing to use her on top, as long as the price is fair. (3) STAY HAPPY’s efforts are often at both extremes of the spectrum – she did take a good step forward last week, and her best effort could make her a threat here…interesting proposition at that 15-1 ML price. (1) ATREACHEROUS A dropped down to this level last week, landed on a great trip and delivered the 9-1 upset – her price will come down now, but she remains a threat with a similarly good trip. (4) STORMY SERENA uses her speed to work out good trips but seems to always come up a little light at the end – remains a good one to use underneath. (7) GINGER TREE LIZ was claimed last week and was a winner on 7/22 the last time she raced for these connections – that was an easier spot for sure, but a big price still makes her worth a look tonight. (2) ONEDERFULBEACH is racing well overall, and definitely is playable underneath in exotics (10-1 ML). (5) LADYCORONA quickly drops below the level of the recent claim after a pair of disappointing tries – sticking with others, nevertheless. (6) SHEZAHUNGRYGIGI would probably appreciate some class relief

RACE 3 – (2) DIEGO N made a break in his first start for our leading trainer but he behaved in his last pair, jogging both times (while setting back-to-back new lifetime marks) – will be very tough once more as long as he keeps behaving. (4) FEARFUL ARTIST returns off a win over similar in PA and he’s certainly done his share of winning here at Yonkers too (10 for 31 over the last 3 years) – legitimate threat. (7) HEMSWORTH N was used hard early last week and it left him tired in the lane – brutal draw tonight, but a big price does make him worth a look (hoping the race falls apart, a bit). (3) HAZEVILLE has leveled off at these higher levels but certainly hasn’t been terrible – chance for a piece tonight, but he may already be looking at some class relief, in the near future (as a win drops off the bottom of his card after tonight). (5) HP MOMENTUM tired after a weak first over try last start, racing off a sick scratch– he drops in class, and his best effort would make him a dangerous player…worth a look if you think he might bring that kind of mile tonight. (1) ROCK THE BELLES grabbed an easy half last week and was able to pick up his first win in some time – he’ll be close to the action tonight, but may prefer to be in a bit easier. (6) CAMOUF LAGE MONEY held his own moving way up in class last week off the claim, but tonight’s draw does him no favors

RACE 4 – (2) AMBUSHED had to deal with horrible posts in 5 of her last 6 starts, but was a winner the one time she drew decently – finally moves back inside, and she already has 9 wins this year…chance to pick up #10 tonight. (3) IDEALINFUN wasn’t able to get untracked last start but her overall recent form has been rock solid, and she may appreciate the drop in for a tag – dangerous here if no issue with racing back on short rest. (4) VIBRANCE is a streaky sort so it was no surprise to see her win on Friday night, after perking up the start before – she moves up in class and drops back in very quickly, but may still be a legitimate threat. (1) CHIAPANECAS disappointed as the favorite in her last pair and figures to take plenty of $$ once more – willing to use underneath, but trying others for the top slot. (6) KISSIN JOE raced well in both local tries but vs. a bit easier – the outside draw could hinder her chances as well. (5) MISS PERIGNON wasn’t bad last week but still feels like she may need to be in a bit easier

RACE 5 – (4) SPECULATING A is still seeking his first Yonkers win but he’s raced well several times vs. better than these – maybe the right trip can get him to the winners’ circle…at a nice price. (8) THE IDEAL DANCER A was a surprise leaver last week and his fast start led to a 3rd place finish behind a pair that would both be heavily favored vs. these – if Lachance is able to leave quickly once more, this guy becomes another possible upsetter. (2) OUTLAW MAN N wasn’t bad off the sick scratch 2 back and gave prohibitive favorite HICKFROMFRENCHLICK a scare last week – legitimate chance here, but the 2-1 ML price is a turn off. (3) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK came up 2nd best cutting the mile 2 back but was able to hang on last week over #2 – he’s more than capable of taking another, but won’t be offering any value with that 8/5 ML listing. (1) SMOOTH LOU would become a major threat if he brings his best effort tonight…but he’s been inconsistent at best for some time, and would need to be a decent price to be worth trying on top. (5) CAVIART SARGENT seems unlikely to threaten for the top spot, but he’s always capable of a decent rally to pick up a small share, at a good price. (6) ROLLING WITH SAM is racing well these days but he remains camera shy, and also has to deal with a tough spot here. (7) GINGRAS BEACH hasn’t beaten a single horse over his past 4 starts and could be in danger of the same thing happening tonight

RACE 6 – (1) THE WICKED ONE faced easier in his first local start but kicked home in :27.2 and was the easiest of winners – he’ll face a much bigger test tonight but he’s shown a desire to win races, and the rail draw certainly won’t hurt his chances – gets a narrow nod. (7) KWICK SAND A was a big “go” last week, and may have been able to knock off the prohibitive favorite had he not been shut off early at the cones – he’ll have a chance tonight IF Stratton is as aggressive as last week. (4) WAR NO MORE was acquired by a powerful new owner/trainer tandem that has been thriving here at Yonkers – he’s missed 3 weeks, but could still be a big threat if ready to deliver his best. (2) CURRYS FLURRY has gotten lost at the back in several starts but also raced well whenever he’s been closer to the action – the good draw could help him have a say in here. (6) FEDERER was an odds-on winner in his last start but has missed a month since then (sick scratch) definitely feels vulnerable for tonight. (8) OOGLEVILLE used a quick start to grab a pocket trip 2nd in his last – if you think he can leave for position from out here, he could add some spice to the exotics. (5) MATAI PHIL N won a fall apart race 5 starts back but has otherwise struggled a bit in his U.S. starts. (3) WASHEDUPONABEACH arrives from Monti and may find the locals a bit too tough

RACE 7 – Good race! (5) MACS MARVEL was an excellent 2nd in his first start back at Yonkers (9/30) then was absolutely flying from an impossible spot last week – if he can find some trip luck tonight, he may have a chance to upset these. (2) NIGHT HAWK is light in the win column this year but definitely a good fit in this field – the right trip makes him a dangerous player. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has turned in a bunch of excellent tries over the last couple of months without the benefit of a victory – he’ll be a good price tonight (as always), and definitely worth a look. (7) RENALDO N puts his perfect 5 for 5 U.S. record on the line tonight and won’t be able to just call the shots from the start – he CAN win here…but he’ll also be overbet and not nearly the “cinch” he’s been heading into other weeks. (1) SOHO SANTORINI A is still looking for his first win since arriving from Australia and he’s forced to move up tonight off last week’s disappointing loss – he does go without Lasix tonight, and sometimes that can be a positive angle…willing to consider, at the right price. (3) STELLAR YANKEE will appreciate the move back inside and also some class relief – may be able to rally for a piece, with an easy trip. (4) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A has some ok recent tries but hasn’t won in some time, and will need to be sharper if he hopes for that to change tonight. (8) ROCKIN JUKEBOX drops a peg but isn’t at his best right now, and moves from the rail to Post 8

RACE 8 – (1) SOHO FIRESTONE A just missed 3 back then won his photos the last 2 weeks to pick up the victories – he’s now been 1st or 2nd in 13 of his 17 Yonkers starts, handles any trip, and gets the slightest of nods tonight over (2) CATALPA RESCUE A. The latter impressed winning his first 4 U.S. starts before coming up a little short when 3rd on 10/6 – he bounced back to outgame ENDOFSTORY to win his last, and would be hard to leave off your tickets tonight. (3) MIKI SHAN N hinted at serious ability last winter but hit a rough patch at the worst time (before the Borgata Series) – he enjoyed a terrific time in the Maritimes this summer, capped off with a win in the Cup and Saucer Final, and returns to Yonkers after going the fastest mile in Maritimes history last week, blowing out the (overmatched) field in 1:49.4 – really would NOT be a surprise if he was able to score here too. (4) INNOWBET TER is still a bit of a question mark at this level but the good draw at last gives him a chance to tow along for a piece. (5) BOURBON COUNTY has plenty of ability but he broke after leaving last week, and figures to be handled pretty conservatively tonight. (6) SWEET BEACH LIFE gets a pass for weakening a bit after last week’s first over trip but he gets his first bad draw in a while and it figures to hurt significantly. (7) AMMO was a winner last week, but his life was made easy when #5 made that early miscue – the unlucky draw figures to leave him waiting for a better spot. (8) ODDS ON WILDFIRE has talent, but is a 3YO stuck with Post 8 in tonight’s open draw

RACE 9 – Tough race: (2) IMA PERFECT CHOICE never got in play from Post 7 last week but he won 2 in a row (from inside post) just prior to that – faces a little better here, but acts like he has the ability to still come out on top, as long as the trip is manageable. (3) MYSWEETBOYMAX had pace after shaking free last week, drops a notch, and has thrived ever since joining this barn – good value horse to consider. (4) HELLABALOU has become pretty inconsistent these days but his best effort would make him a real threat – not a fan of the 2-1 ML price, though. (6) CAPTAIN MOORE A had plenty of pace finishing from an impossible spot last week – tonight’s draw is hardly ideal, but a live trip could give a chance to deliver at a pretty nice price. (5) MULLINAX has never been able to get back to that career form he exhibited for a while this summer, but he’s certainly been racing “well” again, and returns off a couple of good efforts out of town – would be no surprise at all. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N is only 2 for 30 this year but hit board 12 other times and always has a chance at a small piece. (7) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N has held form beautifully on a recent climb back up the class ladder but much trip luck will be needed to win from all the way out here.

RACE 10 – (2) LASER SPEED finishes well every week, but usually from too far back – he should be closer to the action tonight, meets an overall softer group than he’s been facing, and may be in a spot that he can handle. (5) CAR RONSIDELEGCY GB came up 2nd best to a pair of short priced winners in both U.S. starts – logical threat tonight in what feels like an easier field. (1) GOODBYE STRANGER was no threat in his 2 local tries, taking home minor spoils each time – he should fit nicely with these, however, and could have a bigger say tonight. (4) DISMAS makes his local debut for our leading trainer and is hard to gauge off his lines out of town – he’ll probably fit well, but also figures to end up overbet. (6) ALABAMA LUCKY generally needs a better draw to have a bigger say – maybe minor spoils? (7) JOHNNY LAW gets his first outside draw in ages and figures to be compromised as a result. (3) HALF PAST MIDNIGHT makes his first start of 2025 after being scratched twice this April – prefer to just observe

RACE 11 – (1) PINE BUSH ITALIANO moved inside last week and turned in an excellent first over try to finish 2nd to stickout JABBAR – gets another good draw, still figures to be a fair price, and may be able to upend some of the “iffy” contenders in here. (7) PLEASELETMEKNOW has earned over $900K in his career, including $236K last year – he hasn’t been able to get going in 2025, however, with only 5 starts so far – he lands all the way down at the basement level, so maybe this is a spot where he can finally perk up? (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N was able to (finally) pick up a win after heading upstate to Monti last week, and gets to race at the bottom level upon return – he’s fallen far off the form that saw him bank nearly $1.5M for his career, but is still a viable player against these types. (5) VICI is another that hasn’t won in a long time, and he’s also missed 3 weeks since his last start – he’s doing better down at this NW5000 level, but would still need to be a decent price to use on top right now. (6) TWIG GS PUB has regressed considerably since then 9/1 claim – gets a tough draw for tonight, and maybe not the best spot to look for a wake up call. (4) RAYRAY hasn’t been a threat for a long time but does get his first decent draw in ages – minor spoils? (3) FIZZING N has no wins and just 1 second from 28 local starts this year– looking elsewhere (8) ITZA DANGERZONE A hasn’t clicked in his 4 starts since arriving in the U.S. – Post 8 isn’t the cure!