Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH was well supported 2 back, driven aggressively and able to deliver the very game victory – he followed that up with another (heavily backed) win last week, and has a very real chance to extend his streak to three tonight. (5) HES SPECIAL ships in off a “distanced” line in Ohio and yes, he certainly should have been made to qualify (to protect the people that wager on the product) – that being said, his prior efforts were sharp enough to make him dangerous here, and he has had success at Yonkers in the past – it’s unfortunate that players will need to take a leap of faith that he’ll be ready to deliver a solid effort, but at least the price will be fair. (1) CONTACT ZONE is just 1 for 32 this year but he hit board in 13 of the losses, and is currently racing well– very playable underneath. (4) WELL THATS MARKY has struggled in his 2 starts since the last claim, but he did finish with broken equipment in his last – willing to use underneath, if not overbet. (2) HURRIKANE MIKI is 1 for 42 lifetime but did race ok the last 2X he drew inside– maybe a small slice? (7) LUXURY VIRGIN fits okay with these but gets a terrible draw returning from PA – chance to add some juice to the exotics if Kelly can find him an easy trip. (6) ENFORCER is just 1 for 33 this year and draws poorly for his YR return. (8) JONES BEACH DE VIE struggled at the back last week and lands outside once more – prefer to wait for a better spot

RACE 2 – (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was actually too hot last week (despite the :26.3 opening quarter) and Kelly was forced to brush him to the lead, got down to 3/4s in 1:23.3 and can be forgiven for finally getting a little tired nearing the wire – the barn has been sending out some fire-breathing winners the last few cards, and we’ll give this guy a chance to get it done tonight. (7) LYONS BENJAMIN was also used very hard in that same race, and was right there 3rd at the end– draws poorly and loses Bartlett, but still deserves plenty of respect. (4) C BET HANOVER was the main beneficiary of the last week’s hot action and used his fresh legs in the lane to light up the tote board at 47-1 (he wasn’t 18 lengths back at 3/4s) – he’s unlikely to be quite as fortunate tonight, but still should be able to rally for a decent piece. (1) CHANTEE is 0 for 31 this year, making it remarkable that he’s been claimed the last 3 weeks – he lands in a barn that has been doing super for the last 3 months, so maybe his new crew can figure a way to get him over the hump! (5) SCRIBBL ERS made a strong move to get much closer at 3/4s last week (he wasn’t 13 lengths back, as the chart suggests) but did flatten in the crucial stages – maybe he can rally for a small piece? (3) HEAVE AWAY is having an excellent year (8 for 32) but may not be at his best right now – that being said, he does become much more dangerous if able to hit the top and control the action. (6) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING ships in off a win over much cheaper in PA last week but is 0 for 17 at YR over the last 3 seasons

RACE 3 – (2) MAJOR POCKET A has been ultra-consistent lately, hitting board in 4 straight (with a variety of trips) – feels like Kelly can control the action tonight, and we’ll give him top billing. (5) OVER THE HORIZON won 4 of 7 starts here last year and while winless in 5 outings in 2025, he did hit board in 3 of them – he gets a big driver change for his local return, and definitely deserves respect. (3) REAL PEACE has been 1st or 2nd in 10 of his 27 local starts this year but does his best work on the lead, in weak fields – possible, but leaning more to the top pair. (8) THFLYINGROCK returns at a reduced level after 5 months on the shelf, and lands the worst post – not ready to consider on top, but maybe he can add some spice to the exotics? (4) MEDOLAND BOSA drops to 15s but off a pair of dismal efforts – may perk up in the easier class, but hard to endorse with that 9/5 ML listing! (1) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER had a couple of better efforts recently but feels like he’s regressed again – we’ll see if the move inside can help him find a better effort. (7) NOWHERE CREEK A ships in for a strong barn but doesn’t seem all that sharp out of town, and is just 1 for 24 on the year. (6) REAL WILLEY makes his first start since July and was 10-0-0-3 this year prior to that – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 4 – (5) ALIMONY MIKE arrives from Canada showing wins in 2 of his last 3 starts, and gets a barn change that has yielded good results in the past – willing to give him a try against the modest field of locals. (4) WALKWHI LEYOURTALKIN rallied belatedly last week after a couple of disappointing tries – he was an easy winner here 4 back and his best effort could beat these too…but he won’t offer any value with that 8/5 ML price. (2) BO SILAS is still looking for his first local win this year but his last 2 efforts were solid, and a good trip could make him a player here. (1) WISH LIST tried to be aggressive last week (after a couple of nice miles) but wasn’t up to the task – an easier trip may help him rebound with a sharper mile. (3) ROANDOVER behaves every week and keeps grabbing pieces…but he’s 0 for 8 at Yonkers, and just 2 for 37 lifetime…prefer to use him underneath. (6) JAKEY JUMPUP raced better last week after an unlucky trip – may be on the upswing, but tonight’s draw won’t help. (7) WONT LET EM was offstride before the start in his YR debut and figures to be handled carefully tonight after drawing so poorly. (8) HIPPIE SHAKE is well off form, and now gets stuck behind the 8 ball

RACE 5 – (1) DREAM SHOT was a decent 3rd here on 10/15 debuting for her new barn – she took plenty of $$ last week but made a break after rushing up into the first turn – deserves a chance to make amends, hopefully at a better price. (6) HOBBY GONE CRAZY is no stranger to the winner’s circle having picked up 13 victories at the Iowa fairs – she did get beat in Ohio as the favorite last week, but definitely feels like a big threat for her Yonkers debut. (3) BELL OF LAZARUS recently hit board in 5 straight at VD and does have 5 wins this year – legitimate player for her local debut, but hard to get too excited about a wager at that 8/5 ML price. (2) FOX VALLEY SHOWGAL arrives at Yonkers with an 0 for 12 record this year, and is just 2 for 26 lifetime – hew new barn has done ok with a couple of these types in the past, however, so maybe consider using her underneath? (5) GUMBELL is another fresh face debuting for a new barn but her 2 for 48 career slate is hard to overlook. (7) LUCEAN would probably get a longer look with a better draw, but was no threat in either local try from similarly tough posts. (8) NIGHTOFTREA CHERY lands Post 8 for her YR debut and sports an 0 for 23 career slate. (3) AMERICANBEACHDREAM is 8-0-0-0 at The Hilltop.

RACE 6 – (5) EMDOUBLEAKAY is still seeking her first Yonkers victory and it really feels like she’s been knocking on the door lately – she catches a beatable field, and maybe this is a spot for her to finally get to the winner’s circle. (1) NUTTINBUTHEBEST was extremely camera shy in 2023, had a good ’24 season but has reverted back to that camera shyness in 2025 – she’s a very logical threat from this spot, but just too unreliable this year to accept too short a price on top. (4) DEFININGTHE MOMENT was way overbet last week and could only manage a 3rd pace finish after a first over try – she remains a legitimate player, but would need to be a better price to consider on top. (3) ANNELIESE HANOVER seems to have cooled off a bit after a recent stretch that saw her hit board in 4 straight starts (at good prices) – needs to find that better form if she hopes to take home a decent share. (6) MIKI THE CLOWN landed on an easy trip last week and it helped her take home a (well beaten) 2nd place finish – may have a tougher time getting involved from Post 6. (2) MC ANGEL hasn’t been horrible but neither has she been “sharp” – minor spoils? Both (7) NITE TIME DEAL and (8) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL are infrequent winners and figure to be severely compromised by their terrible draws

RACE 7 – (1) DURANTE HANOVER was doing good work before changing barns recently and has certainly thrived ever since, just missing at PcD on 9/29 (off a bad date) then going 3 for 3 here at Yonkers – clearly the road to the winner’s circle still goes through him, after drawing the pole tonight. (6) MADE OF DREAMS is a talented 3YO filly that has looked very good since landing in our leading barn, and was a winner in her only local try – she’s at a post disadvantage here, and will need to be at her best if she hopes to knock off #1. (4) MEETMEATTHEBAR was forced to tour the oval from terrible posts in her last pair but the move inside could see her take an aggressive approach – she can be part of the equation if off to a quick start. (5) INCANTATION wasn’t bad at all last week, debuting for a new barn (while adding Lasix) and racing off a bad date – could be a bigger player tonight with a bit of trip luck. (2) ENERGY KING may end up with an easy up-close trip from this spot and that could help him land somewhere in the exotics, at a decent price. (3) THE THING IS is just 3 for 29 this year but does accumulate quite a bunch of smaller pieces – chance for similar tonight. (8) SUNDAYS BRUNCH has been just “ok” since changing barns, and faces a long haul starting from out here. (7) HL OLMAYA isn’t a bad mare but lands in a very tough spot

RACE 8 – (3) TIME TO STRIKE had a solid season on the Excelsior circuit and was a winner in the Final at Stga. – she was freshened up and came up with an excellent try in her Simpson division at PcD last week, and this feels like a field she should be able to handle (at a pretty short price). (1) TH SANDRA DEE really upped her game off the barn change on 9/27, pulling off a big upset in her local debut – she had some trouble on the final turn in her next but bounced back with a solid 2nd last week (behind a runaway winner) – solid chance for another big chunk tonight. (5) BETTORS TICKET was caught too far back to threaten last week but was pacing well late for 4th – could have a bigger say tonight with a better trip. (4) GINGERTREE CARILIN has been qualifying ok but then having trouble in her races – her last effort was definitely better, and we’ll see if she can build off that tonight. (2) CRYSTAL COAST has everything go her way last week and she scored the upset in a very slow mile – likely looking at a much more modest piece tonight, however. (7) SHANGRI LA HANOVER came up terrible last week and has been struggling overall – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help her cause. (6) PRINCESS AMERICA wasn’t terrible in her local debut but she’s 13-1-0-0 this year, and we’re leaning elsewhere. (8) PROMISING MOMENT feels a bit overmatched and gets stuck behind the 8 ball as well

RACE 9 – Tough race! (7) MANFORCE sat well back in his local debut (into the slow pace) but put in a sustained rally to end up a close 2nd by the time he hit the wire – maybe he can at least improve a bit at the start tonight, giving him a chance to come out on top at a pretty nice price. (1) TOP GUN HANOVER shows a mixed bag of efforts but has some big miles included in there, like when he just missed to DURANTE HANOVER in the NJ Classic – he makes his first start tonight for our leading trainer, and deserves respect on that angle alone. (5) THEOBALD also gets a big barn change, debuting tonight for the leading barn in the nation – he was 2nd in both local starts, and would be no surprise here at all. (2) YOU GUESSED IT chased a sizzling clip in his local debut before blowing on by to a 7 length demolition victory – he was going to jog again last week, but made an uncharacteristic miscue on the final bend…a good price makes him worth a look. (6) TEQUILA TALKING AS was much closer to the pace last week but had to settle for 2nd best in a pretty swift mile – could make some late noise if things fall apart up front. (4) BIG SHOT was way overbet at 2/5 last week and couldn’t hold on after cutting the mile – using underneath only tonight. (3) MARIN COUNTY probably needs to be in an easier field to be a serious threat – minor spoils only. (8) SENSI AMNESIA is really up against it starting from Post 8 in a field with some very solid contenders

RACE 10 – (1) SAWYERS DESIRE is razor sharp right now and will be very tough to beat on anything close to his best effort – that being said, it’s at least a little concerning that he was entered for $25K last start, scratched sick, and opts to drop back in for $20K tonight…wouldn’t bet the rent money at too short a price. (4) ALEX TYE ended up being used pretty hard last week and can be forgiven for weakening a bit at the end – he drops down to 20s trying to find that elusive victory, and may have a shot to pull it off tonight (6) EVER M has been on a good roll since joining this barn and picked up a win at this $20K level last week– the draw is the biggest concern, but he’s still worth using if the price is right. (3) IM A POWERPLAY A was better on 10/9 than his line might look and that’s why he was sent off at 2/5 last week (in a race that he won) – he was quickly reclaimed, and we’ll see if he the jump to 20s slows him down a bit. (1) I B LOVIN had a legitimate excuse when parked 2 back, but was just no good at all last week – he’s been in and out for some time, and a little too unreliable for our tastes. (7) SHINE A LIGHT was racing in 40s this winter before going on the shelf for 6 months – he returns at the $20K level (after some no factor tries at Monti), and seems iffy, even at this reduced price. (5) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has struggled since the recent claim – wait for better signs. (8) GOTHIC ROCK draws Post 8 in 20s after failing every week at the $15K level

RACE 11 – Tough race: (1) FULL SUPPORT was 50-1 3 back but driven like a 6/5 shot and able to pull off the victory – he proved that effort was no fluke with an excellent try for 2nd the following week (at 34-1!), then came up 2nd best again in his last, this time at a more realistic 5/2 – he draws the pole with Holland tonight, and is one of a few with a legitimate chance to take this. (2) RECORD YEAR threw a dud last week but that doesn’t mean he can’t bounce back tonight – he has 9 wins on the year, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. (7) JOHNNY CHIP was heavily backed last week (off a very sharp Monti win) but came up 2nd best to the tripsitter – he faces an uncertain trip from Post 7, but still worth a look as his price will also go up considerably. (5) DIAMONDBEACH took a VERY long time to finally come back around but he’s racing well every week now, and brings a 2 race winning streak into this – he also loses Bartlett, however, so don’t accept a short price. (6) IM SOME GRADUATE has been picking up pieces pretty reliably but is now 0 for 11 here in 2025 – sticking with others, om top. (4) ROCKINBILLYSRDEAM was stuck first over into a sharp 3/4s last week and can be forgiven for struggling a bit – he’s not impossible, if things go his way. (3) CAVIART SKIPPER can rally for a piece at times (see last week) and isn’t a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (8) HOPNROLL HEAVEN looked like he should be 50-1 last week (off a bunch of formless tries) but he took plenty of $$, went to the top, and only gave way to the top of the lane – he MAY be on the upswing now, but will have a tough time overcoming tonight’s draw, regardless.