Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (1) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A raced “ok” in both local tries, though his connections were probably hoping for better from the recent import – he drops to the basement tonight, Bartlett stays on board, and it does feel like a spot he should be able to handle…though at a very short price! (3) DONTBOTHERMENONE N has enjoyed success here in the past and has faced better for most of the past 2 years – on the flip side, his recent out of town form has been lacking, and he’ll need to perk up in a hurry for a chance to knock off the top choice (4) LEVI SONIC ran into an impossible trip off the barn change on 10/26 (in PA), raced well in his next, established a new lifetime mark the start after that but regressed rapidly in his last 3 starts– in need of a major reversal to threaten here (7) THE REGULATOR failed to get anything going in his first few starts back off the layoff but has seen his game pick up (vs. cheaper) in PA recently – not sure he’s good enough to overcome the draw, however. (5) PYRO hasn’t looked good in his last couple and seems risky at the moment – perhaps the winter break is coming at a good time for him? (2) MY ULTIMATE STAR A figures to get a good trip from this spot but he’s 20-0-0-0 at YR this year. (6) WAVEM AKER had an equipment issue in his local debut but was way back again in his last – too soon to write him off, but also hard to back right now. (8) SMOKIN HOT SCOTT draws Post 8 and is 4-0-0-0 $0 at Yonkers
RACE 2 – Good race: (3) SWISS COTTON makes his first local start of the year and while he’s been facing cheaper upstate, he’s managed to win 15 races this year…any horse that likes to win that much deserves at least a look, especially at a decent price. (2) LOUS BEACH has turned in a lot of big efforts since dropping in for this $20K tag and there’s no reason to think he won’t bring another one tonight – very logical threat. (6) EVER M is much sharper than his lines might suggest, a victim of tough trips in a lot of recent starts – obviously not an ideal draw for tonight, but perhaps Mr. Gingras can find him some better racing luck? (7) TWO FACED disappointed in his first start off the layoff but was much sharper last week – Bartlett stays with him tonight and he has a legitimate chance in here – but he’ll also need to overcome Post 7 if he hopes to pick up his first victory of 2025. (8) CELLMA TE would be hard to ignore after winning 4 straight, but tonight’s draw may prove a little too difficult to overcome. (5) IM THE PRINCE has been wildly inconsistent all year – he does throw some big ones, if looking for a possible bomb. (1) AVENGER FORCE lost his first 17 starts this year before winning 5 straight (vs. cheaper) at The Meadows – no factor in his last pair (NJ) after a barn change, though. (4) ENFORCER is the one horse in here that would be a surprise
RACE 3 – (3) DURANTE HANOVER was 8-4-3-1 here at Yonkers before blowing up before the start last week, as the 3/5 choice – his sharp connections drop him right back in the box, and he deserves a chance to make amends…at what should be a better price. (2) DIPLOMACY recently moved to our leading trainer, added hopples and is 2 for 2 since then – obviously a real chance to make it 3 in a row. (4) SENSEI AMNESIA has been ultra consistent for a very sharp barn, has good speed and belongs in your exotics. (5) THE THING IS finished with late life at 45-1 two back then was able to rally hard in the lane to score a 29-1 upset – if his price stays juicy enough, couldn’t blame anybody willing to stay on his team! (1) ALIMONY MIKE is probably a notch below the main players in here, but more than capable of taking home a small piece, with an easy trip. (6) GREEN MEL has leveled off in recent starts, and tonight’s draw figures to leave him looking at only a minor piece
RACE 4 – (4) THEMASKDCRUSADR N hasn’t won in a while but he’s been holding his own vs. tougher – he drops a notch for our leading trainer/driver tandem and the pair of have been even hotter to end the year than they were at the start…gets the nod over a few other live players. (3) LYONS BENJAMIN obliterated the 20s last week but he’s a proven player in 25s as well – loses Bartlett to #4, but still a formidable threat with Brennan on board. (6) SARANAC BLUE CHIP may have trouble finding a trip from this spot but he’s gone some decent efforts lately vs. better, and is worth using in exotics with that 20-1 ML price (8) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES may have a tough time finding a manageable trip from out here but retains a pilot that will certainly give him a chance – he can do damage at this level when things go his way. (7) SCRIBBLERS is always good for some late pace and was able to pick up an upset victory last week when the race fell right into his lap – seems unlikely to be quite as fortunate tonight, but always a chance he can rally for a small slice. (2) CHICKEN N DICE has had success here in the past but hasn’t been at his best lately – an easy trip may help him grab a minor share. (5) HEAVE AWAY used an easy trip to grab a win 2 back but just seems a notch below a few of the other main players tonight. (1) BETTORBUCKLEUP draws the pole but will need a big wake up call to be a serious threat in here
RACE 5 – (2) TWIN B RISENSHINE elected to take off the gate for his new connections last week but did finish up full of pace from an impossible spot – he catches a fairly soft field tonight, and may be in a good spot for an aggressive try. (5) THEFLYINGROCK steps up a notch but is more than sharp enough to beat these if the trip goes his way – worth using on your tickets. (1) ROCKME ROLLME was a 45-1 upset winner in NJ last week and draws the rail with Gingras tonight – he’s also moving up in class, is listed at 2-1 ML and is 10-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year – mixed feelings! (7) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has been a steady player lately but may have trouble finding any kind of manageable trip from out here. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, but is also never a bad one to include for 3rd/4th. (8) NEYREIT is still trying hard in 20s but really is at his best when he can hit the lead in 15s, and just outrun the field. (4) DEETZY has managed to bang out $100K this year as a 13YO, but his form has really tailed dramatically in recent starts – leaning elsewhere. (6) SAWYERS DESIRE is listed at 4-1 for our leading trainer and driver, but without the recent form to really justify it.
RACE 6 – (5) MADE OF DREAMS made her return from Hoosier a winning one and while she does move up a bit in class tonight, she’s displayed more than enough ability to handle that smoothly – we’ll give her top billing, but she likely won’t be offering any value with that 6/5 ML price. (3) FIRST CLASS RULE made breaks in his first 2 local tries but was able to behave last week, and was a solid 2nd best to the sharp DIPLOMACY – remains a major threat IF he continues to stay trotting. (4) INCANTATION was a no threat 3rd last start but her overall local form has been very good – she figures to be a decent price tonight, and may even be worth considering for the top slot. (7) BA Y BREEZE HANOVER finished with good trot from an impossible spot in her local debut but unfortunately lands all the way outside again – still has a chance to at least make her presence felt, with some trip luck! (2) KELLYS GR EATEST has been stuck taking home minor pieces at this level and seems headed for more of the same tonight. (1) SUNDAYS BRUNCH just never clicked after joining her current barn and will need to pick up her game to be any kind of threat here. (6) MEETMEATTHEBAR has been scratched sick twice, and just seems off her game now
RACE 7 – (3) FOXHUNT made a failed quarter move last week but kept battling even after being hung out to dry, and was within a length of 3rd at the wire – gets a nice barn change off the claim, reunites with Brennan, and is worth using, despite moving up to a very competitive $25K claimer. (8) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was a nice 7-1 winner for us last week, and went a BIG mile to win handily – faces a lot of obstacles tonight starting from Post 8, but still worth a look at what figures to be a much bigger price, despite last week’s very sharp win. (1) C BET HANOVER draws the pole again and has been reliably picking up good pieces almost every start – should find himself in the hunt once again. (2) STARE ME DOWN was a “weird” winner last week, going backwards after pulling the pocket off turn three, looking all done but then rallying in the lane to get it done – he just missed twice in this class just before that. (5) ALTA CLASSIC A made the top last week but just was no match for the very sharp winner (#8) – his trip seems a little more uncertain for tonight, though. (4) ULYSSES picked up a 4th last week mostly due to never leaving the cones – can’t say he won’t beat these, but he certainly shouldn’t be the 9/5 ML favorite. (7) MAXIMUS RED A is probably as good as any of these, and is only listed so far down because of the awful draw. (6) ALADDIN is just 2 for 33 this year and was a pretty shocking claim last week – definitely feels like the outsider tonight
RACE 8 – (2) SHAKE IT was on the shelf for 3 months, qualified back nicely, raced super in his first start back then was full of pace from an impossible spot last week – maybe he can get over the hump tonight? (1) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH felt like he was starting to unravel but was (surprisingly) well backed for his last, and more than up for the aggressive (winning) steer he was given – very dangerous if he brings that same effort tonight. (4) PIRATES CODE was a 1:53 winner in this class upon arrival for his new barn, but disappointed in his last pair – drops back in for a tag here and we’ll see if that helps him find his better form. (5) PINK FLOYD HANOVER was handled aggressively from Post 8 last week but not up for that trip– gets a better draw, Gingras, and has a chance to outperform that 15-1 ML price. (3) HES SPECIAL has been limited to smaller pieces in recent starts and that seems to be what he may be in store for tonight. (7) ON DAYBOO fits well enough with these but may need a better draw to have a significant say. (6) DANCININTHEFIRE dropped in for tag on 10/23, finished well back then went on the shelf – lots of red flags here. (8) I B LOVIN has some big efforts but is also very prone to clunkers – have to pass from out here
RACE 9 – (2) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO definitely benefited by saving ground on the final turn last week but she also made up good ground and finished strong when called upon – she’s had a mixed bag of efforts this year, but her best mile may be enough to get it done with the move inside. (4) MANFORCE hasn’t picked up as much since adding Lasix as his connections would have liked, but his last couple of starts really weren’t bad (finishing behind short priced winners from our leading barn) – should be able to have a big say here. (3) BIZZY BRENDA had a strong year overall but her efforts have become a bit unreliable as the season is winding down – dangerous if she brings her best tonight, but would still want a good price to use her on top. (8) THE TIME MACHINE rallied for 3rd (in NJ) off the barn change and was a good rallying 2nd in his local debut – he did make a break last week, however, and puts the hopples back on for tonight – have to believe he’ll get a conservative drive from out here, but may still be able to rally for a piece. (5) SEISMIC STEP had a lot of things go his way in that win 2 back, then was an ok 3rd last week – he fits here for sure, but probably shouldn’t be listed as the 9/5 ML choice. (1) THEOBALD is the type of trotter this barn usually does very well with, so it’s been surprising to see him trouble since joining this team 5 starts back – needs to be better. (6) HELP US HELP YOU raced well twice at Stga. after arriving from Hoosier – prefer to just observe tonight as he draws poorly for his Hilltop debut. (7) SIX QUESTIONS was no factor in his last pair after landing in one of our highest % barns – tonight’s draw won’t help!
RACE 10 – (1) NOT THAT HILLARY got a big barn change for her local debut and raced very well for 2nd, at 40-1 – that price will come down for sure, but probably still be juicy enough to make her worth a good look! (6) TH RIZ ZO was well backed (as expected) from Post 8 last week, made the front (from #1) and was a safe winner – very legitimate chance to repeat, but she’ll also be VERY heavily backed tonight. (3) ODDS ON ACES FULL was right there the last 2 weeks vs. older mares in PA and a very logical player in here – she did come up a little flat in her only local try, however, and that has us leaning just a little more to the top pair. (4) WIN WITH LYNNLY has legitimate ability but her gait isn’t always where it needs to be - she can be very dangerous here on her best effort, and worth considering at the right price. (2) GABBYS WISH feels a notch below the top ones, but the good draw puts her in play for a small piece. (5) MAIDSWEET IR will appreciate the class drop, but we’re still leaning elsewhere. (7) TH SANDRA DEE usually races “ok”, but faces a long haul trying to get involved from out here. (8) PAPIS OPINION has held her own from inside posts, but figures to be up against it tonight from Post 8
