Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Tough opener: (4) FOX VALLEY PEPPER added Lasix last week and while he wasn’t a threat, he at least performed much better than in his first local try – he drops into a soft spot and it may be one he can handle – but definitely wouldn’t accept too short a price! (8) TIN ROOF RAIDER A can do some good things vs. the 20s but definitely is a bigger threat in 15s – he may be the “best” horse in here, but he also figures to be a short price from Post 8, with an uncertain trip on the horizon. (2) HANK THE HUNK is winless in 13 local starts but has raced well in several of his losses – possible upsetter if things go his way. (5) SKYWAY HOUDINI has made what seemed like winning moves a few times, only to falter late – suppose he’s worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (7) LOOR RIM LAKE A is just 20-0-0-1 in 2025 and he’s 19-0-1-1 at Yonkers over the last 2 years – he did have some life at the end of the mile last week, so we’ll see if he can build off that. (3) VIVA LAS VEGAS N is camera shy even when sharp…minor spoils only. (1) PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE draws the pole but his 13-0-0-0 local slate is hard to ignore. (6) GOTHIC ROCK was a winner on 7/5 but has managed just a pair of 3rds since then.
RACE 2 – (2) DISARONNO HILL really elevated her game after a recent claim, turning in an excellent effort on 9/20 (just missed) followed by last week’s easy front end blowout – she moves to another sharp barn for tonight, was Bartlett’s choice, and ours as well. (5) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT gets claimed virtually every start even though she has only one recent win – she does race well in almost every start, though, and certainly belongs in exotics. (4) OKINA WA BEACH A turned in a decent try for 4th last week after a couple of months on the shelf – if she can build off that mile, she can have an even bigger say tonight. (8) DASH N CACHE shows some mixed form out of town but with some big efforts along the way– she’s pulled off upsets here in the past, and isn’t a bad one for longshot fans (3) MC ANGEL isn’t “sharp”, but at least she’s back to “functional” – one of several with a chance for a minor share, with the right trip. (6) NITE TIME DEAL earned a chance to be aggressive last week but faltered on the front end – she’ll likely revert to off the pace tactics from this spot, with a chance for some minor spoils. (1) ELISES DELIGHT is one of the few horses in the barn struggling right way – watching for better signs before hopping on her team. (7) SUNTAN CITY chased well from the pocket to hold 2nd last week, but moves from the pole to Post 7
RACE 3 – (3) BONDI LOCKDOWN A is just 2 for 19 at Yonkers this year but he’s actually been sharp for most of the season, often picking up smaller pieces vs. much better, despite many tough spots/trips – he went a big mile to just miss to the heavy favorite last week (at 15-1), and looms the one to knock off tonight (at a much smaller price). (2) CAVIART SARGENT is a logical threat from this spot but he has a long history of failing at these lower levels, while picking up good pieces (at good prices) vs. better – not one to fall in love with at a short price. (8) ROCKMYS TER N got hung out to dry last week but that doesn’t mean that Holland will shy away from taking a shot at blasting from Post 8 tonight – IF he can get a quick start (without being used to hard), he could easily outperform that 20-1 ML price. (5) LYRICAL GENIUS A feels off his best game right now but he’s hit board a zillion times over the last couple of years, and remains a good one to include underneath. (6) ITZA DANGERZONE A took $$ in both U.S. starts but was “meh” both times – Bartlett opts for #2, but we’ll still throw this guy in underneath. (1) VP ROCKIN has missed 3+ weeks since his last start in MN and seems a little on the cheaper side – minor spoils? (4) KNOCKIN OUT is 0 for 27 locally over the last 2 years and 1 for 36 for the last 3 – prefer others. (7) RAYRAY lands outside for the 7th straight week…hard to like his chances
RACE 4 – (4) DURANTE HANOVER picked up a win 2 back in the NJ Classic Consolation, changed hands after that race and turned in an excellent try at PcD last week, just missing despite 24 days off – he’s gotten around YR just fine in the past, and figures to be pretty tough tonight in this well-matched field. (1) PREMIER VICTORY’s owner is now down as trainer (with his previous listed conditioner serving days) and he’s no stranger to Yonkers followers – he just missed last week, and has been a solid local performer when he behaves – figures to be right in the hunt. (2) THE THING IS was trotting well at the wire last week, but got rolling too late to be a bigger player – he’s a steady performer, and could easily take home a piece of this. (5) MA ISABELLE was hanging in there with the FM Invitational trotters not too long ago, but has been stuck on smaller pieces even with the recent class relief – may be looking at more of the same tonight. (3) SHOW ME looked really good in his first couple off the recent barn change but wasn’t quite as sharp in his last pair – needs to find that better effort if he hopes to be a serious player. (6) MEETMEATTHEBAR was handled aggressively last week and responded with a winning front end try – tougher spot now, and that may limit her a bit. (8) SUNDAYS BRUNCH was a conservative 3rd off the barn change last week at the 3YO filly may have to take the same approach after drawing Post 8 tonight. (7) ENERGY KING has been ok lately, but faces a tough task finding a trip from out here
RACE 5 – (5) JERSEY SLIDE made the most of a tough spot in her local debut, saving ground from last but trotting a big final half to be a solid 3rd at the wire– she’ll be closer to the action tonight, Stratton will know her a little better and she seems worth a try. (3) BIG SHOT kept trying uncovered last week and was able to surge on by in the lane when the leader finally tired – his barn won three races on Monday night (a slight nose shy of a 4 bagger), and picked up a win, 2 seconds and a 3rd from the last 4 starts to end the previous week – has to be feared right now. (4) THEOBALD shipped in showing solid out of town form and was trotting well late for 3rd in his Hilltop debut – no reason he can’t be part of the equation tonight. (2) COUSIN HALIFAX added Lasix 2 back and went a BIG mile for 2nd (from Post 8) behind a talented winner – he never looked quite right LAST week, however, so it’s hard to say which version we’ll see here. (1) SENSEI AMNESIA got too hot after making the lead last week and was fortunate just to cling late to 2nd in a slow final half/quarter – will need a much better finish to be a late player tonight. (8) TE QUILA TALKING AS tends to lag badly early on even from good spots, so she figures to be well out of it from Post 8 – she’ll be rallying late, but likely from too far back. (6) THEMONEISBACK S has ability for sure, but is his own worst enemy far too often (and made breaks in his only local try). (7) WALKWHILEYOURYALKIN was a sharp front end winner on International Day but tired last week, and now lands outside – tough spot
RACE 6 – (5) SAWYERS DESIRE took a while to come around after being claimed by our leading trainer but he flashed some life on 8/30 then followed that up with a sharp front end score the next week – he rallied crisply for 2nd in his last (at Chester), and lands in a manageable spot as he returns to YR – we’ll give him the nod. (3) RECORD YEAR was stuck too far back to be a bigger threat last week but he moves back inside (off another claim) and he does have 9 wins this year – we’ll see if the move up to 20s slows him down a bit. (6) CAPTAIN T HANOVER was pretty well backed last week and certainly came alive in his 2nd start off the claim, easily wiring a soft bunch of 15s –steps and draws poorly tonight, so we’ll see if that victory helps him gain the confidence to hang with these too. (4) AUSSIE HANOVER is winless here in 19 tries this year but a couple of his recent efforts have been ok – chance for a piece. (8) MY PLAYMATE GB has some mixed form since arriving on the local scene but most of his efforts have been at least decent – new barn and 8 hole tonight, and may need to wait for a better spot to strut his best stuff. (1) CASINO ACTION N moves inside and drops in for a tag – may come up with a better try tonight, but his 2 for 52 local record is hard to overlook. (2) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER is winless in 23 local starts over the past 2 years – the good draw does give him a chance for a small share, though. (7) UP THE CREEK is 6-0-0-1 at Yonkers this year and has missed a month since folding badly in his last – prefer to observe tonight
RACE 7 – (1) SEISMIC STEP seemed like a stickout coming into his last but failed to bring his best and came up a disappointing neck short – he may not have been fully cranked for that start (after a hard NYSS season), but he deserves a chance to make amends tonight…and Karna has handled him well in the past. (7) GREEN MEL was 2 for 2 as a 2YO and turned in a decent 3YO campaign as well – he changed hands after his 9/6 start and raced super off the barn change, rallying for 2nd after making an early miscue – he had no chance in a 1:52.3 mile last week but he should be an excellent fit with the locals. (4) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO has had an inconsistent 3YO campaign but the 3YO filly did win one of her 4 local starts – she lands in a top barn returning from Canada, and a big price makes her worth at least a look! (3) MAGIC MELVIN was a winner with Sheridan in his last amateur start and his connections hand the lines back over for tonight’s regular overnight – seems capable of a good piece in this class. (5) BO SILAS is still looking for his first Yonkers victory (0 for 13) but does pick up some smaller pieces – ok to use underneath. (6) JAKEY JUMPUP had a good stretch earlier this summer but has leveled off lately – tough draw won’t help. (8) FLIGHT OF FRITZ went his best local mile 2 back when he upset #1 but broke in his next, and lands behind the 8 ball tonight. (2) ALL TOO WELL won an amateur race 3 back but is otherwise 6-0-0-0 at YR
RACE 8 – Good race: (5) BETTORS TICKET has a bunch of efforts that would make her a strong threat in here – she threw a complete clunker in her last, but it seems like a good sign that she drops right back in the box…one of several that could offer good value tonight. (4) GINGERTREE CARILIN was handled conservatively on 9/6 in her first start off the layoff, finishing up nicely – she failed to function in her next, but did qualify back nicely last week – the ability is there, when she finally puts it all together. (3) ACCESS GRANTED has managed to race well despite a series of terrible posts, and now moves inside – dangerous, for sure. (7) MRS CHEESE (with nearly $250K on her card this year) looked like a stickout coming into her last, but came up horrible as the 1/5 favorite – the price goes way up tonight if you’re willing to ignore that last mile. (6) TH SANDRA DEE was a different filly with the barn and driver change last week, delivering a 20-1 upset for her new connections – would hardly be a shock if she could take another. (2) INTRICACY would be a player here on her best effort but she’s missed 3 weeks (after a sick scratch) and lands in a well matched field – leaning more towards others. (1) CRYSTAL COAST was close in both local tries but still seems a notch below some of the others. (8) MISS PERIGNON N is winless in 13 local starts and now lands Post 8 with just one start in over 5 weeks
RACE 9 – (8) NOT UNCERTAIN made a break 2 back in KY but otherwise behaved himself all summer, showing plenty of ability – Yannick sends him up to our leading trainer to campaign locally, and we’ll try him on top in his local debut…even from Post 8. (3) SEVEN LAYER can be forgiven for his no factor try last week, making his first start after a successful NYSS summer (and racing from Post 7) – look for a much more aggressive try tonight. (1) YOU GUESSED IT was also racing in KY this summer and certainly appreciated the easier competition at Stga. last week, jogging from Post 7 (while going back on Lasix) – he’ll have a say here, and may even be worth using on top if his price is good enough. (2) MARIN COUNTY is probably a bit below the top ones but he moves inside, stays trotting, and is a good one to include underneath in exotics. (5) WISTERIA BLUE CHIP probably has some talent but still feels like a work in progress – maybe a minor share? (6) SISTER LO ships in for a barn that has historically struggled here over the years, and also gets a bad draw – leaning elsewhere. (4) MICHELONS TITAN finally stayed trotting last week but still came up dull, even with an easy trip. (7) NOBLE WINE tired off pocket trips in his 2 local starts and now moves from the rail to the 7 hole.
RACE 10 – (3) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM hadn’t been a threat for months…then moved to his current barn on 9/4, went from weekly longshot to being the favorite and was an absolute jogburger – he won his next start too, but did tire the following week after blasting from Post 8 – he spent last week winning easily at Chester, and gets top billing as he returns to The Hilltop tonight. (5) DIAMONDBEACH had a rough 2024 and was really struggling even more in 2025 until turning in a much better effort for 3rd two back, then almost getting the job done last week – the main danger. (2) MY CARBON COPY N is 1 for 45 at Yonkers BUT does debut tonight for a new barn, after a solid qualifier – the next alternative if not a fan of the top pair. (7) IM SOME GRADUATE is a solid weekly player at this level but he’s 0 for 9 at Yonkers this year (5 seconds), and gets a terrible draw – will need some big time trip luck to get it done from out here. (1) HEART ON MY SLEEVE wasn’t functioning for a bunch of starts before a couple of better efforts at Monti in his last pair – small slice? (4) EXOTIC SAND will sometimes offer a bit of late life – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) CAVIART SKIPPER comes into this with a 28-0-2-2 record this year, and draws poorly tonight – hard to recommend. (8) HOPNROLL HEAVEN hasn’t been close in weeks and draws another 8 hole.