Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) YOU GUESSED IT was undeterred chasing last week’s unfathomable pace (:55.2 to the half!), collared the tiring leader by the final turn and drew off as he pleased – he’s now 2 for 2 for his current barn (and 2 for 2 on Lasix), and we’ll stay on board, even as he meets a couple of interesting new opponents tonight (8) CLEAR FOR LANDING makes his local debut for our leading barn after starting off his career at 7-4-1-1 at Chester – hard to say how he’ll handle the half miler (especially starting from Post 8), but clearly the ABILITY is there to be a big player tonight. (7) ENTERTAIN ME recently landed with one of the top trotting trainers and while her form is still a bit mixed, her best effort could put her in the hunt here – plenty of appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (5) SEVEN LAYER came up 2nd best to #4 last week and was beaten by 7 lengths ...so it’s hard to make the case that HE should be listed as the 8/5 ML favorite – he can be a player tonight, but would need to be a much better price to consider on top. (1) BO SILAS is winless on 14 local starts but he figures to be more aggressive from the pole tonight, and may be able to take home a decent piece. (2) MAGIC MELVIN gets along with Yogi Sheridan and that one keeps the drive once more – minor share? (6) YOUMEANDWHISKEY has been showing the same gate speed out of town that she used to show here, and gets a big switch to Marohn for tonight – it’s the latter stages that can be challenging for her. (3) EUGENNIO RL IT has “ability” but broke in both local starts, and continues to make breaks out of town

RACE 2 – (1) TIN ROOF RAIDER A found speed we hadn’t seen in ages last week, blasted right to the top from Post 8 and completely demolished his $15K rivals– if he’s anywhere near as good tonight, the bump to 20s shouldn’t slow him down at all. (5) SCRIBBLERS was reclaimed on 9/11 by connections that did well with him in the past and he was able to deliver the “last to first” winning rally the next week – he failed to threaten in his last, but that was up in class in a 1:52 mile…look for him to have a much bigger say tonight. (4) CAPTAIN T HANOVER was a surprise claim for $20K last week since he could have been taken for $15K in any of his 3 previous starts – he threw a rare (for 2025) big effort 2 back, and will need to replicate that mile if he hopes to have a real say for his new crew. (3) SHADOW CAT takes another drop still seeking to find some better form– prefer to see an improved effort before considering him on top. (7) MY PLAYMATE GB fits well with these but figures to be hurt significantly by another terrible draw. (2) MEDOLAND BOSA’s best recent effort was that 2nd in a fall apart race 2 back – needs to up his game (6) YNOTTHISHOS did win here earlier in the year but his current out of town lines seem a bit cheaper

RACE 3 – (8) LILY WHITE HANOVER was a promising 5-2-0-2 as a 2 year old – she’s just 1 for 10 at 3, but has faced stakes company almost exclusively, and her last 2 starts in “overnight” raced produced a win in NJ, and last week’s 2nd at Pocono – deserves the slight edge, even from Post 8. (1) SHANGRI LA HANOVER is another that has been taking on tougher for much of the year, and fits much better with these types – we’ll see if she can capitalize on the post advantage she has over the top choice. (5) DREAM SHOT won her last vs. cheaper in Canada, and has been away for a month – she does land in a barn known for improving fresh stock dramatically, so perhaps she’s worth at least a look at a big price? (3) PROMISING MOMENT got a big class drop at PcD last week (arriving from Canada) and was able to deliver – she should be able to hold her own with these too, and did pick up a win here earlier in the year. (4) GABBYS WISH has been doing solid work at Stga. but may be a notch below a couple of the others – ok for underneath. (7) GLITTERING HOPE was off poorly in her local debut but raced ok after enjoying an easy trip – may have trouble getting close tonight, though. (2) SANTAFES GINA draws well but is 8-0-0-0 here at Yonkers. (6) LUCEAN draws poorly for her local debut and does feel on the cheaper side

RACE 4 – (2) ALEX TYE has perked up since dropping to 25s but had the misfortune of running into the incredibly sharp WARRIOR FOR TRUTH the last couple of weeks– he avoids that rival tonight, and we’ll give him the narrow nod over a pretty well matched field. (7) SAWYERS DESIRE is hitting on all cylinders right now for a barn that has been sending them out with jet packs lately – deserves plenty of respect, even moving up in class and landing Post 7. (5) HEAVE AWAY gets a pass for his last (equipment issue before the start) but prior to that he won 3 of 4, 5 of 7, and 6 of 9 starts – pretty hard NOT to respect his chances, even at this $25K level. (3) ON DAYBOO wasn’t at his best last week but still an “ok” 4th – a good trip gives him a chance to pull off an upset. (4) HURRIKANEKINGJAM ES pulled off a form reversing 42-1 shocker 3 back, had Post 8 in his next, then was a solid 2nd best last week – if he brings the “good” version tonight he can have a say (1) DONTTELLMENOW hasn’t won in a while, though usually part of the hunt for a piece – ok underneath. (6) ROCKME ROLLME draws poorly and is 8-0-0-0 at The Hilltop

RACE 5 – (2) TEQUILA TALKING AS found herself too far back (into the slow clip) last week but definitely had trot in traffic once into the stretch – much better draw tonight, Bartlett knows her a little better, and she has a chance to spring a mild upset. (8) JERSEY SLIDE had plenty from way back when 3rd from Post 8 on 9/27 (her local debut), then easily wired the field last week as the 1/5 favorite – chance to repeat even from out here, but make sure to get a better price if using on top tonight. (4) COUSIN HALIFAX was 2nd best to #8 and also turned in a good one when 2nd (after cutting the mile from Post 8) on 9/17 – legitimate player on his best effort. (3) BIG SHOT was a solid winner 2 back, with that mile sandwiched between a pair of “ok” efforts – leaning more to the top trio, but would definitely include this one in exotics. (5) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN is inconsistent for sure, but capable with these when he brings his best effort – another possibility to include underneath. (1) WISH LIST is definitely a notch below the top ones, but the good draw gives her at least a chance for some minor spoils. (6) KELLYS LANDI NG has shown enough ability out of town to suggest that he’ll fit well with the locals, but he draws poorly (off 3 weeks) for his YR debut, and this may be a good week to just observe. (7) DEVIOUS BABE was sharper earlier in the year, and hasn’t raced since a tough outing at Delaware back on 9/18

RACE 6 – (8) NOT UNCERTAIN has ability for sure, but didn’t survive the first turn (after leaving carefully from Post 8) in his Yonkers debut (and first start for our leading trainer) – his price will likely drift up a bit after that miscue, and he might be worth trying tonight, even with the risk that comes with it. (2) SEISMIC STEP surprisingly couldn’t hold on at 1/45 two back, then was 2nd best to a talented GREEN MEL last week – he’s a very logical threat here, but be careful about taking too short a price, especially after those two losses. (3) WISTERIA BLUE CHIP got too hot last week and displayed “Open trotter” speed (:27.1, :55.2, 1:25.2) before coming to a crawl – if Brennan can get her to relax tonight, she may be able to pull off the upset. (5) SUMMER YOUNG was a surprising winner in her local debut, then a solid 2nd (to the heavy favorite) in her next – she failed to get in play in her last pair, but a better trip tonight could make her a contender once more. (1) JAKEY JUMP UP was good for a nice stretch this summer but has recently tailed considerably – could use a wake up call. (4) ALL TOO WELL beat an amateur field 4 back but has been limited to minor spoils in all of his other local starts (7) HIPPIE SHAKE lands outside and is struggling these days. (6) FARAH TRIO IT is one of several Italian trotters these connections have been unable to keep trotting

RACE 7 – (3) ROCKMYSTER N was cut loose from WAY back in 8th past the stands last week, put in a huge move just to get close enough to somehow challenge for 2nd to 3/4s and can be forgiven for tiring a bit in the stretch – it’s not long ago that he was banging heads vs. the 40s, and he seems like a good value play in a race with no stickouts. (6) JETT STAR N has been no threat lately at Plainridge and draws poorly for his YR return…he’s also won 4 of 13 local starts this year, and would be worth considering IF the price is decent. (2) EUPHORIA N is back on the upswing, gets a good draw, but has always been a bit camera shy – possible, and usable if the price is fair. (5) SARG EANT SONNY may just be a little too cheap but he gets a massive driver switch to Bartlett and may end up be a real player in his local debut – he may also end up overbet! (1) CASINO ACTION N held very nicely for 2nd last week after getting blown away by the winner on the final turn, but his 2 for 53 local slate is hard to overlook! (7) LY RICAL GENIUS A has been competitive vs. much better than these for most of the year but he does feel off his best game right now, and Post 7 isn’t going to help (8) ITZA DANGERZONE A hasn’t been a serious threat in his 3 U.S. starts and now had to contend with Post 8 – leaning elsewhere. (4) GAMBLINGTERROR hasn’t been a serious player in some time – waiting for better signs

RACE 8 – (1) YOU DONT OWN ME was a strong first over winner in his local debut then finished with trot from a tough spot last week, taking on some solid older foes – he can be more aggressive from tonight’s good spot, and may be able to pull off a mild upset. (5) DURANTE HANOVER recently moved to the nation’s leading barn and just missed on 9/29 at PcD, despite missing 24 days – he was an easy odds-on winner here last week, and figures to be a big threat once again. (8) GREEN MEL made his local debut a winning one, and has looked good since recently changing hands – steps up and draws poorly for tonight, but could still be part of the equation with a bit of trip luck. (4) SUNDAYS BRUNCH was handled conservatively in both starts since a recent barn change and may have more to offer than we’ve seen so far – if she takes a bit more tote action tonight, we may finally see Stratton get her in play a bit earlier. (3) THE THING IS hasn’t won in some time but continues to grab small pieces pretty consistently – chance for more of the same tonight. (2) ENERGY KING is just 2 for 30 this year but still good enough to take home some minor spoils with an easy enough trip. (7) MEETMEATTHEBAR used an alert start to take home 2nd behind #4 last week, after wiring the field the week before – clearly sharp enough right now, but may be hampered by the draw this week. (6) SHOW ME has leveled off after looking good for a couple of starts off the barn change

RACE 9 – (4) BOUT DAMN TIME A gave it a good first over try last week to be right there 3rd with a pair of rivals that would both be favored in here – she drops down to 20s tonight and while she’s been camera shy this year, this may be a spot where she can come out on top, with some trip luck. (1) YOU BEDA ROCK had some ok pace finishing from a tough spot last week in her 2nd try off the recent claim – she won 3 straight at this level recently, draws the pole, and may be ready for a much more aggressive try. (7) NORTHERN HALO is a different mare when Bartlett drives and he sticks with her tonight, over a couple of other good clients – remains a big threat, even with the bad draw. (5) IRIS SEELSTER reversed form to score as the longest shot 4 back, then proved it was no fluke with solid tries in her starts since then – she’s listed at 10-1 ML, but can have a say, with the right trip. (6) SHES EPIC ships in very sharp from Stga. but gets a bad draw, and did struggle a bit in previous local tries – she may be a different mare right now, but that 5/2 ML price takes away from her appeal. (2) KAT dropped back down to 20s for her 2nd start off the claim and was able to hang on for the front end win, as the favorite (she was 0 for 19 here this year prior to that) – she may be able to continue to thrive after another claim last week, but a few others look more attractive right now. (3) CHILIN BYTHE POOL is just 1 for 39 here over the last 2 years and lands in a pretty solid field tonight – minor spoils only. (8) THATS A HUGE BEACH feels off her game right now, and also lands Post 8

RACE 10 – (2) SOUTH POINT just didn’t bring his best 2 back but was on his game again last week, and was a very sharp pocket rocket winner – he’ll have a good chance to take another if he brings that same version tonight. (5) CONTROL GROUP probably needed that start 2 back (new barn, off a bad date) but he was a much sharper 3rd last week – might be ready to contend for the top spot if he continues to improve for his current connections. (1) RO CKET FREIGHT was form-reversing, upset winner 2 back, and really wasn’t bad from an impossible spot last week – he moves from the 8 hole to the rail, and definitely has a chance to add some value to the exotics. (6) KILOWATT KID N came into his last looking sharp, was sent off at 1/5 but couldn’t get the early lead from a 50-1 shot, then failed to get by that one after popping out of the pocket on the back side – new barn, tough draw, but a good price for those looking to just forgive his last start. (4) THE REGULATOR wasn’t close in his first start off the layoff (at a very reduced price) but was much more competitive last week – he may be ready to improve even more now, but it’s hard to say! (3) MOTIVE HANOVER was going well when he suddenly took 5 weeks off…his qualifier doesn’t inspire too much confidence for tonight. (8) MY CARBON COPY N got a big barn change for his last, and used an easy trip to take home 2nd place – not sure he can be nearly as effective starting from Post 8, however. (7) GINGER TREE PETE hasn’t been right in some time.