Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) BLACK HAWK JOE A turned in a solid first over try vs. the 30s last week, and now drops down to 20s for a barn that has been insanely hot the past couple of weeks…maybe it’s a red flag, but he’s worth a try as long as the price is right. (1) SAWYERS DESIRE threw a major dud last week but he was racing off a sick scratch – our leading trainer drops him right back in the box (for the same price), and anything close to his best effort would make him very dangerous here. (8) TIN ROOF RAIDER A was scary goods in those victories over the 15s and 20s but came up just a bit light vs. the 25s last start – he drops back down, but also draws the 8 hole and loses Bartlett… ok to consider if the price is good enough. (3) ALEX TYE wasn’t particularly “sharp” in last week’s victory but he did pick up a win for his previous connections before getting claimed – possibly could repeat, but he’ll need to be sharper vs. these. (6) IM A POWERPLAY A is terrific in 15s but may need a very good trip to beat the 20s – Post 6 won’t help. (7) MY PLAYMATE GB was able to hang on vs. a bit easier last week but that was on the lead, from the pole – much tougher assignment tonight. (5) ROCKME ROLLME isn’t terrible right now but his 9-0-0-0 local slate is hard to dismiss. (4) GOTHIC ROCK has failed in 15s all year long…hard to back vs. the 20s

RACE 2 – (1) GINGER TREE LIZ was a winner in the one start this barn had her for back in July – she was taken again on 10/14, and raced well last week from a bad post, vs. the 25s…drops down to a better level, draws the pole, and gets a narrow vote over a couple of other solid contenders. (3) KAT struggled all year until being claimed on 9/23 and has raced well for 3 different barns since then– her last was particularly sharp, and she’ll be very dangerous here with any decent trip. (2) COALFORDSNSHINE GB is 8 for 19 here this year, drops down to 20s and moves inside after 4 straight horrible posts – hard to NOT respect her chances tonight! (5) YUENGLING moved inside last week and almost pulled off the 10-1 upset – probably not a threat to win from this spot, but definitely could rally for a small share. (7) NORTHERN HALO was super 3 and 4 back, tired in her next then lacked any stretch room in her last– even if she brings her best tonight, it’ll be tough to overcome having 3 sharp mares all drawing inside. (8) GOT BEACH BODY moves all the way outside after disappointing from the rail in her 2 starts off the claim – sticking with others. (4) THATS A HUGE BEACH has fallen off form and that qualifier doesn’t inspire much confidence for tonight. (6) TYRA MAKES BANK re-qualified and didn’t look like she even wanted to be out there last week

RACE 3 – (7) HIGHLANDSTARBURST has been banging heads (successfully) against stakes fillies all year, and was a winner in the PaSS Final– she wasn’t beaten all that badly in her last start (a Breeders Crown elimination) and while this doesn’t make her a “cinch” in here, it certainly stamps her as the one to beat! (1) EUGENIO RL IT has been behaving lately, and getting good results as a reward – solid chance to land somewhere on the ticket if he continues to mind his manners. (3) TEQUILA TALKING AS has always been a good finisher, and is more than eligible to rally late for a decent chunk tonight. (5) SEISMIC STEP was very disappointing when he got beat (at 1/5) 4 back but was a better 2nd the following week, a winner in his next, and an ok 4th in a Simpson division (at PcD) last week – another very logical contender. (2) THEOBALD was well backed off the barn change last week but failed to survive the first turn – deserves another chance tonight for sure, though likely will be handled pretty carefully after last week’s miscue. (4) SUMMER YOUNG was surprisingly sharp when she arrived here in early Sept. but has leveled off a bit since then – minor spoils? (6) BO SILAS has been racing well lately but gets a tough draw in a well matched field and may have to wait for an easier spot. (8) JAKEY JUMPUP seems buried from out here

RACE 4 – (1) MY SWEET LILLY has no shortage of ability but only made 3 starts (so far) in her disappointing 3YO campaign – she effortlessly crushed this class last week (in her local debut) and is clearly the one to beat once more…but does have a more serious adversary this week. (3) DOCS LOVE charged home to win here on 9/10, making her first start in a new (top) barn – she was excellent again when 3rd in her next (from a very tough spot), but then took a few weeks off before re-qualifying at PcD…if anybody has a shot at #1, it’s her! (5) HINT OF SPRING was a winner here on 7/19 but then disqualified in a tough call…she returns off a win at Stga., and may be able to beat the others. (7) BETTORS TICKET has been finishing well from tough spots lately, but figures to be coming from last once more – still a chance for 3rd. (6) TH SANDRA DEE’s local efforts have been mixed – she’s another with a chance for the show spot IF she brings her best. (4) CRYSTAL COAST will sit close to the action but she tends to finish up poorly…could be a problem once they hit the homestretch tonight. (2) PROMISING MOMENT feels a bit below these…we’ll see if the move inside helps at all

RACE 5 – THEFLYINGROCK was away nearly 6 months prior to his last start but was still a hard charging 4th from Post 8 – moves inside, figures to be a lot tighter, and may be ready to pick up that first victory of 2025. (6) FULL SUPPORT is just 1 for 17 this year but he’s been 2nd six times, including his last 3 starts – remains a solid player for exotics, even with the bad draw. (3) COLD CREEK FELIPE was a perfect trip winner in his Hilltop return 3 back, then an even 4th in his last pair – hails from a hot barn, and remains very playable underneath. (5) HOPNROLL HEA VEN hadn’t functioned for weeks but took some $$ two back and gave it a go on the front end (before tiring) – no chance 8 hole in his last, but may be good enough right now for a chance at a piece. (1) CAVIART SKIPPER is now 0 for 31 on the year but has shown that he can grab his share of pieces, with an easy trip…like he may get tonight. (4) CENTURY GIGALO has just 2 starts in 2025 after a poor 2024 campaign – on the flip side, his owner has sent a couple down from Canada that have done well here in new barns…ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) BAD BOY TOO is 13-0-0-0-1 at Yonkers this year and draws Post 8. (7) AINT NOSTOPN TIME is just 1 for 24 this year and draws Post 7 off a lame scratch at PcD.

RACE 6 – Good race: (2) LYONS BENJAMIN felt like he may be tailing a bit recently but he picked up 3rds in his last 2 starts (after a class drop) despite very tough trips – we’ll give him the slight edge tonight, but there are a few others you could make a case for. (3) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was killed by bad posts in his first 2 starts off the recent claim then was trapped in the lane with no room last week – he’s overdue for some better luck…and that would make him a legitimate threat here. (1) ALTA CLASSIC A got really sharp this summer and was doing major damage vs. the 40s– he’s clearly not the same right now, but we’ll see if tonight’s combination of both post and class relief are enough to help him find a much more competitive effort. (6) SCRIBBLERS has been holding form nicely since the most recent claim, and would be the biggest beneficiary if things get really feisty up front – conversely, he’ll have a tough time rallying if there’s not enough action early on. (5) BURNHAM BOY N has 3 recent wins but was able to make the lead each time – he hasn’t been as effective from off the pace lately, and may be facing a similar trip tonight. (4) HEAVE AWAY has 15 wins over the last 2 years but it feels like his game has fallen off since that equipment break on 10/2 – would need a pretty good price to consider him in this spot. (7) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, and his chances for a piece will be hindered starting from out here. (8) MOVIN ON UP draws Post 8, off 3 weeks, while in dull form

RACE 7 – (1) GREEN MEL was a sharp 7 hole winner in his local debut, couldn’t overcome a very tough 8 hole trip in his next but turned in a big one last week, battling to the end before just missing out to a razor sharp DURAN TE HANOVER – he’ll be a serious threat from the pole tonight. (2) SENSI AMNESIA blasted to the top from Post 8 last week (at 60-1!) and only was overtaken late, easily besting the others – her trainer is red hot right now, and a similar effort would make her a major danger once more…but at a much shorter price! (6) COUSIN HALIFAX’s local efforts have been mixed but IF he shows up on his best game tonight, he can have a real say – a quick start will probably be needed. (5) ALIMONY MIKE was well backed arriving from Canada and was able to collar a bit cheaper in the lane to pick up the victory – he faces better tonight, and may be looking at a smaller share vs. these. (7) INCANTATION wasn’t a bad 5th in her local debut (bad date, new barn) then was able to capitalize on a hot battle last week to rally late for the upset – not sure she’ll be able to reach tonight, however, as she’ll likely be coming from well out of it. (4) THE THING IS has been stuck on smaller pieces for some time, and seems destined for a similar result tonight. (3) ALL TOO WELL used a good trip to edge out cheaper last week – may find himself a bit overmatched tonight, though. (8) MEETMEATTHEBAR figures to be handled pretty conservatively after tiring in her last, then drawing Post 8 tonight.

RACE 8 – (2) HES SPECIAL must have had some issue in Ohio on 10/18 but that PcD qualifier last week suggests that it wasn’t any major concern – he has a solid local history, and we’re willing to give him a look in his Hilltop return. (5) LOUS BEACH followed up a winning effort 3 back with a pair of 7 hole 2nds - he gets a better draw, and maybe even a better price (as Bartlett opts for #8) – should be right in the mix once more. (3) JONES BEACH DE VIE has been plagued by some bad draws but still able to race well in several recent tries (including a close 3rd the one time he drew well locally) – hopefully he can be a good “value horse” to consider, but his owners have been flooding the tote board with several of their recent starters…even those that look like 50-1 shots! (7) EVER M is listed at 12-1 ML but has a strong 9-3-3-1 local slate, and was a huge 3rd last start despite being parked every step – would certainly include him on some tickets if the price is juicy. (8) LUXURY VIRGIN was an excellent 2nd last week in a very fast mile, and gets Bartlett to stay on board…not sure he can find a manageable trip from out here, but he becomes a factor if that happens. (1) I B LOVIN has been impossible to predict lately, his starts including “very good”, “ok”, “meh”, and “terrible” – prefer to stick with the more reliable players in here. (4) MELTDOWN MONTE beat a weaker field 3 back but is prone to too many disappointing performances. (6) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has been on the dullish side, and his barn has been struggling a bit, in general.

RACE 9 – (4) DIAMONDBEACH was an afterthought for most of the past 2 years but he started to find his form again, and just picked up a pair of wins, a 2nd and a 3rd – goes back to Bartlett tonight, gets a good draw, and could be very tough in here. (1) MAJOR POCKET A has been knocking at the door every start lately, but coming up just a little short – would be no surprise if he was finally able to get over the hump tonight. (7) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK beat cheaper out of town last start but the real attraction here is that he returns to a trainer who got the most out of him when he raced here in the past…couldn’t blame anybody looking to take a shot with him tonight. (6) REAL WI LLEY went an “ok” effort off the layoff last week and is eligible to be a bit sharper tonight – maybe he can add some value to the exotics? (5) RECORD YEAR has 9 wins this year and can’t just be dismissed too quickly…but he does feel like he’s hit a bit of a rough patch for now, and others just seem more likely at the moment (3) SULLIVAN was empty in his local return 2 back, then trapped with no real room in his last – maybe some minor spoils? (8) ME DOLAND BOSA perked up a bit dropping to 15s last week but will be hard pressed to find a manageable trip from out here. (2) OSTRO HANOVER is 13-0-0-3 at Yonkers this year after going 19-1-0-1 in 2024

RACE 10 – (1) BE MY PRINCESS A stopped badly in a KY qualifier on 9/26, and her Yonkers qualifier was also disappointing (after joining our leading barn) – she adds Lasix for tonight (which may explain those miles), and she did win 2 of 7 starts in Ohio…we’ll guess that she’ll bring a much better effort in first local try (against a very beatable bunch). (7) WIN WITH LYNNLY has legitimate ability but has been plagued by gait issues in her local starts – tonight’s draw won’t help her cause, but she’s playable IF the price is right. (5) FOX VALLEY SHOWGAL wasn’t bad at all in her local debut, racing for a new barn off a 3 week layoff – she did benefit from an inside trip in a slow mile, so we should get a clearer picture after tonight. (3) HOBBY GONE CRAZY cut a very slow mile in a very soft field in her Yonkers debut and still couldn’t get the job done – too soon to give up on her, but it’s also hard to accept a short price after that disappointing mile. (8) DREAM SHOT never fired at all last week but she’s another that’s adding Lasix tonight – figures to be conservatively handled from out here, but may still be able to rally for a small piece. (2) GUMBELL is 2 for 49 lifetime and seems cheaper…does get a good draw, at least. (4) AMERICAN BEACHDREAM is now 9-0-0-0 locally, and seems to have a 50 foot brush – needs to be better. (6 LUCEAN draws poorly again after showing little in her 3 local starts.