Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (2) LOUS BEACH has certainly appreciated the move to claimers, picking up 2 wins and 2 seconds from his last 4 starts – he gets a good draw, handles a variety of trips, and deserves the narrow nod. (3) CELLMATE dropped in for a $30K tag last week but was stuck in the back (in a quick mile) with no chance – draws inside as he drops down a notch, and could be the main danger. (1) MY PLAYMATE GB can be forgiven for tiring a bit last week after being used for the lead from Post 7 – he moves all the way inside, and did beat #2 on 10/23 – figures to be a big part of the equation. (4) THAT DOG WILL HUNT hasn’t been “sharp” for some time, but the good draw could help him at least grab a piece of this. (7) KOURAGEOUS KEY arrives from Monti and feels like he can be a good fit…but the terrible draw may leave him waiting for a better spot to strut his best stuff. (8) MINOTAUR has shown that he can pick up pieces with easy trips, but may have trouble finding that kind of journey from out here (6) IM A CAPTAIN has some ok form upstate but may fund this group a little too tough (5) WELL THATS MARKY has really regressed since the last claim, and has missed 4 weeks after a sick scratch – prefer to watch, for now
RACE 2 – (3) BLACK HAWK JOE A wasn’t bad 2 back when 3rd in for $30K so it was no surprise to see him come up with the win last week, dropping down top 20s– stays in the same class, and will have a chance to repeat. (4) TIN ROOF RAIDER A was an “ok” 5th last week after a less than stellar 8 hole trip – he definitely fits well with these, gets a much better draw, and could be a real threat with a good trip. (1) ALEX TYE didn’t have the greatest success with this barn so it was a bit of a surprise to see them re-claim him immediately – leaning more to the top two, but his chances from the pole have to be respected. (7) DELIGHTFUL TERROR struggled after recently changing hands but showed much better life last week – brutal draw for tonight, but not a bad one for longshot fans. (2) ON DAYBO O hasn’t been on his best game but he drops down to 20s, lands inside, and may be able to have a bigger say here. (5) SHADOW CAT just hasn’t been sharp in a long time – in need of a major wake up call. (8) HES SPECIAL was a bit short in his Hilltop return last week – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (6) FAMILY RECIPE hasn’t looked good at all since returning from a recent layoff
RACE 3 – (6) DREAM SHOT was a bit disappointing as the favorite in her last start but she adds Lasix for tonight, catches a blank field, and may be able to get it done…even with the worst of the draw. (3) FOX VALLEY SHOWG AL finished well to be right there 3rd in her local debut (albeit into a slow final quarter) but then failed to fire at all last week – chance tonight IF the better version shows up. (2) BE MY PRINCESS A added Lasix last week but tired just as badly as she has been in recent starts – maybe this is the week she puts it all together and runs off from these – but it would be hard to endorse her with any real confidence, especially as the 6/5 ML choice! (4) PRINCESS AM ERICA picked up a win in NJ a few days ago, though she showed little in her local tries – suppose she deserves at least a look. (1) GUMBELL used an easy trip to take home 2nd last week and there’s a chance she could produce a similar result tonight. (5) LUCEAN was a no-threat in her last, and will need to be better for a chance to beat these.
RACE 4 – (3) WIN WITH LYNNLY looked like a different horse last week, pacing smoothly all the way and crushing (a bit easier) effortlessly – if she continues to pace as cleanly as she did last week, she may be able to handle these too. (8) SUNBURST disappointed at 2/5 off the barn change 2 back but quickly made amends with last week’s 13 length blowout…terrible draw for her local debut but IF the board suggests that she’s “live”, you may want to pay attention. (1) BETTORS TICKET seems to put in a strong move every week, only to end up with a modest share – maybe she can be a much bigger threat starting from the pole? (2) JK PEARL STONE lands in one of our top barns but was racing for top connections in the Midwest as well – figures to be a good fit with the locals, but also figures to be overbet tonight. (5) TH SANDRA DEE’s local efforts have been mixed, but solid overall – one to consider for exotics. (4) PAPIS OPINION shows a variety of out of town efforts, making it hard to get a good read on her – inclined to pass-and-watch in her local debut, but also wouldn’t be shocked if she was able to take home a small piece. (6) PROMISING MOMENT certainly outraced her 111-1 odds when 2nd last week – won’t be nearly as easy starting from Post 6. (7) HINT OF SPRING draws poorly after a dismal effort in her last
RACE 5 – (5) DAIQUIRI HANOVER raced against similar at PcD recently and won 3 of 4 starts (with a break in the other) – he’s been chasing tougher in KY in his last few, but will be very tough in his Hilltop debut if he has no issues with the half-miler. (4) GREEN MEL broke on the lead last week, was taken inside out of harms way before coming back on the track in last, made a big recovery to get 4th but was then disqualified in a head-scratching call (that seems to defy all existing breaking rules) – regardless, he can have a big say here with a trouble-free effort. (7) INCANTATION was an ok 5th three back debuting for a new barn, used a perfect trip to score the upset in his next then used a quick start to take home 2nd last week – good one to consider for exotics with that 20-1 ML price. (1) CO USIN HALIFAX has displayed legitimate ability a couple of times but has also thrown some duds and miscues – very tough to gauge right now! (2) SUNDAYS BRUNCH has been just “ok” since the recent barn change, and races tonight off a sick scratch – leaning elsewhere. (3) ALIMONY MIKE surged late to beat lesser in his local debut but struggled on turns last week and finished well back – would like to see a better effort before hopping back on his team. (6) SUPREME ROCKETTE is probably a bit cheap based on those Maritime lines – that being said, she lands in a red hot barn, and improvement is certainly possible!
RACE 6 – (1) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT was used hard from Post 8 last week and can be forgiven for weakening to 3rd – she’s won 2 of her last 4 starts, has 7 wins this year, and will offer some decent value even from the pole. (2) DIST ANT LOVER was a runaway winner last week, has won 3 of her last 4 and 6 of her last 8 – she’ll be the deserving (heavy) favorite but she does go for a new barn tonight, so there’s at least the possibility that she could be a bit less sharp this evening. (3) ON THE MONEY GB threw a dud last week but she’s right back in the box and has rebounded in the past – her price will be solid, if you stick with her. (6) WHOS PERFECT has 7 wins this year (and 6 seconds) but her recent form is mixed, she draws poorly, and Bartlett opts for #2…maybe underneath? (4) DWS DARLENE has some good recent efforts but seems to prefer to be on/near the lead…and she may not get the chance tonight. (5) IRIS SEELSTER raced well in 6 straight starts (2 wins) before a dullish try last week – we’ll see if she bounces back, or if she may be starting to head in the wrong direction. (7) YOU BEDA ROCK is another that seems to do much better when close to the action – wait for a better spot. (7) QUICK MENU was a “trip 2nd last week, and doesn’t figure to have the same good fortune tonight
RACE 7 – Wide open: (4) BIZZY BRENDA drops out of stakes races and back into a much more comfortable spot for her – she has a pair of wins and a 2nd from her 5 local tries, figures to be a nice price, and may have a chance to rally late if things get heated up front. (5) SEVEN LAYER has gone some big efforts this year and debuts tonight for a barn that has enjoyed success with these types in the past – the bad date is a concern, though. (1) YOU GUESSED IT has taken 3 of his last 4 starts and it would have been 4 of 4 had he not blown up on a clear lead 2 back– deserves plenty of respect in his current form. (2) KEWPIE DOLL has done some good work in KY since moving to our leading trainer back in August, and feels like a good fit with these – would be no surprise at all…but may end up overbet. (8) MANFORCE has legitimate ability and tonight’s addition of Lasix may explain why he was a little flat finishing last week – hard to say if he’ll get put in play from Post 8, though. (3) THEOBALD broke in his first start off the barn change but was a solid 2nd last week, after a conservative steer – license to build off that and be a bigger threat tonight. (7) EUGENIO RL IT has been behaving AND racing well…but faces an uphill task trying to get in play from out here. (6) WISH LIST has been good lately, but draws poorly and is 0 for 23 in 2025
RACE 8 – (7) LYONS BENJAMIN had been sharp despite some tough trips so it was no surprise to see him deliver the front end score last week (at a short price) – could be tougher tonight from Post 7, but he may be sharp enough to pull it off. (1) C BET HANOVER won at 47-1 two back in a race that really fell apart…so last week’s even money price was just incredibly low – he’s actually in a good spot here and worth a look…as long as the price is a lot more reasonable! (4) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was an “ok” 3rd last week when handled very conservatively – he’s more than capable with these types, and can make some noise on his best effort. (2) DONTTELLMENOW drops back down to 25s after a couple of no chance spots vs. better – could easily outperform that 20-1 ML price, and grab a piece of this. (3) KARLOO BRADLEY N has missed 3 weeks after an opportunistic front end score in his last – leaning more towards others tonight, but couldn’t blame anybody that wants to look his way with that 8-1 ML listing (5) SCRIBBLERS has been “ok” in 25s since the claim but probably would look better in 20s – maybe he can rally for a small piece? (8) CHANTEE has been claimed 4 straight weeks…fairly remarkable since he’s now 0 for 32 on the year – tonight’s draw is a killer. (6) HEAVE AWAY feels like he’s tailed badly, and was scr. sick from his last
RACE 9 – (3) THE BRODSTER has been limited to smaller pieces in most of his recent KY starts but that was vs. MUCH better than these – have to believe he’ll benefit greatly from the class relief, and get the job done in his YR debut. (4) MARIN COUNTY has just one win and one 2nd from 16 local starts this year but he was 3rd 7X , and often races pretty well – chance for a good piece tonight. (1) WISTERIA BLUE CHIP showed some eye-popping speed 2 back (before understandably tiring) then raced well for 2nd in her last, when forced to relax – the time off is definitely a concern, though. (5) BIG SHOT had no excuse when beaten at 2/5 two back then was no factor in his last – he should be able to bounce back and grab a share tonight, in this overall soft spot. (8) TEQUILA TALKING AS figures to be handled conservatively after drawing Post 8 after a break last week – she may still be able to rally late for a piece, though. (7) BO SILAS has been okay lately, but may have to wait for a better scenario to be a player again. (6) SUMMER YOUNG was doing good work upon arrival on the local scene a couple of months ago but feels like she's leveled off a bit, and tonight’s draw definitely won’t help. (2) PADDOCK DRAMA would be hard to consider in her local debut of those recent out of town lines
RACE 10 – (3) SOUTH POINT is ultra-consistent at this $15K level and feels like he’s just the right trip away from another victory – may get it tonight. (6) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK was a tiring 4th returning to his favorite barn but is eligible to be sharper tonight – worth a look at that 15-1 ML price. (8) FULL SUPPORT has finished 2nd in 4 straight starts after winning 5 back – has the speed to blast and put himself in play from out here, and probably belongs in your exotics. (5) MY CARBON COPY N is one of the more camera-shy horses we’ve seen here over the last couple of years but it only took him 3 tries to grab a victory after the recent barn change – if you’re looking for him to repeat, make sure to get a fair price. (7) IM SOME GRADUATE is just 1 for 24 this year, and 0 for 12 here at Yonkers – that being said, he takes home more than his fair share of pieces, and may be able to grab one tonight too. (2) COLD CREEK FELIPE used a perfect trip to win his YR return but has been settling for minor shares in his last few – will need to up his game if he hopes to improve on that. (4) ON THE VIRG can be wildly unpredictable – hard to get excited about a wager right now with that short 3-1 ML price. (1) OSTRO HANOVER draws the pole but may not be good enough right now to take advantage.