Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (3) BLACKHAWK ZETTE won here as the favorite on 4/10 at the NW20000 level, making his first start

of the year – he’s faced much tougher out of town since then, and was our clear choice LAST week (when scratched

due to transportation issues) – remains the solid choice. (7) SUPER DUPER COOPER is the big question mark – he

had some big moments at 2 & 3, but has struggled to get his season going so far as a 4YO...he switched hands after

his last NJ start, and lands in a very high % barn that can pick one up in a hurry – he was Bartlett’s choice, but also

lands in a very tough spot for his first Yonkers try of the year – mixed feelings! (1) OPTRIX hung brutally in the

latter stages 2 back, then tired in the lane after a first over bid last week – perhaps an easy trip from the pole would

help his chances for a good piece tonight. (4) BARRY BLACK was one of the barn’s multiple form-reversing

winners over the past 2 weeks – he’ll face much tougher tonight, but still has to be considered for at least a small

piece. (5) CRAZYLAND recently returned from a 4 month layoff and returns to YR off a pair of wins over cheaper

at Chester – Bartlett does opt for #7, though, and that may not bode well for this guy’s chances tonight. (2) VINNY

DE VIE hasn’t been at his sharpest and just missed 3 weeks after a sick scratch – leaning towards others. (6) CREA

TIVE VENTURE has been stuck on smaller pieces for a while, and often vs. easier – tonight’s draw won’t help.

RACE 2 – Park MGM Filly Pace: (3) THE LAST MARTINI banked over $500K as a 2YO on the strength of a victory

(here at Yonkers) in the NYSS Final, as well as 2nd place finishes in the She’s A Great Lady, and Breeder’s

Crown– she’s been super so far in her 4 three year old starts, and looms a prohibitive favorite tonight! (1) FASHION

TERROR showed promise at 2, winning 4 of 8 starts – she’s come back strong at 3, and was runner-up to the top

choice in a NYSS at Tioga three back – decent chance she can complete that exacta once more. (4) DRESSED TO

KILL has been getting sharper each week into her 3YO campaign, and comes into this off a pair of wins and a 2nd in

her last 3 NY Excelsior starts – might be next in line, especially with Yannick on board. (2) FAMILY JEWEL is a

solid 8-3-2-1 to start off her career, and her barn has really done fine work here for the past year or so – definitely

gets a class test tonight, though. (5) INTRICACY scored a nice 1:51.3 victory at Chester 2 back but weakened on

the lead when facing better in her next – tonight’s draw probably won’t help her chances.

RACE 3 – NY NY MILE: (3) CHAPVIOUS was terrific to start off her 2YO season, winning her career debut here

at Yonkers (NYSS) with a VERY sharp :27.4 final quarter– she jogged at Buffalo in her next, was a good 3rd at

Tioga but went on the shelf for the season after a break at VD on 7/26 – she was killed by a terrible drive in her first

start back at 3 (give her a pass), but rebounded with a solid 3rd at VD last week – maybe she’s ready to deliver her

best tonight? (4) DEVIOUS BABE made a break here last year in her career debut but was 2nd in a NYSS at BR the

next week – she was turned out after a sick scratch in her next and has been solid since returning at 3, hitting board

in all 5 starts – Andy M. comes over to drive tonight, and that can only help her chances. (1) ROYAL MISSION

earned nearly $300K at 2, which included a win right here in the NUSS Final – she’s been “good” so far at 3, but her

last couple weren’t “great”, and she does figure to be the favorite...maybe a little vulnerable? (2) SHES A SHOE IN

won the PaSS at 2 but has been a little slow to find that top form so far at 3 – it feels like she’s on the right track, and

a big price makes her worth at least a look. (5) SANTA CATERINA hails from top connections, but she’s off to a

slow start in 2025 – hard to endorse at that 2-1 ML price. (6) HALFADOZEN breezed through the Weiss Series but

things turned sour shortly after that – tough to hop on board right now, especially with the outside draw.

RACE 4 - Park MGM Filly Pace: (2) FANSVILLE started her career with a pair of blowout Excelsior victories but

went on the shelf after a tiring 5th in a NYSS try upstate – has come back solid at 3, and recent picked up a pair of

NYSS 3rds behind the outstanding THE LAST MARTINI...feels like the one to knock off in this easier spot. (5)

MRS CHEESE was a solid 4th in a NYSS at VD last week, finishing a spot behind the top choice – she raced very

well for 2nd in her only local start, and has been improving nicely all year – could offer a fair price tonight. (1) PLEA

SE BE YOU won her 2nd career start here at Yonkers and returns off a nice rallying score in NJ – the right trip makes

her a legitimate threat. (3) HUNTINGFORCHROME won 2 of 4 as a 2YO and had has already taken 4 of 6 at 3,

including three straight Excelsior victories– would be no surprise at all in this well matched field (4) MARTINI STA

R raced very well when 2nd in her only local try this year, hurt that night by a bad trip – she’s just 1 for 13, however,

and that has us leaning more towards others for the top prize.

RACE 5 – Tough race: (6) RITSON had been stuck in terrible spots (vs. much tougher fields) so it was no surprise

to see him heavily backed in last week’s easier spot...or to see him dominate that softer crew – he steps up a notch

but meets some shaky foes, and may have built enough confidence with that last win to handle these too. (8) DRIBB

LING BI has been doing good work in PA and feels like a very good fit with these – he’ll need some major trip luck

to overcome Post 8, but he does have appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (2) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is 0 for 12 this

year and just hasn’t been finishing well enough lately – on the flip side, his barn has sent out some nice-priced, form

reversing winners over the last couple of weeks with lesser form than he has – another possible upsetter? (7) TEXSO

NG SOPRANO is a streaky sort and is definitely well off his best game right now – he does face easier, though, and

a quick wake up call wouldn’t be out of the question. (4) IMMIGRANT AM S wouldn’t be a shock in here but he's

winless in 7 local tries, and his lone win of the year came vs. much cheaper at PcD – hard to justify a play at that 9/5

ML price. (5) B NICKING has his moments, but he’s been camera shy for the last couple of seasons and prone to

some pretty disappointing efforts – would need to be a pretty good price to be worth considering on top. (1) MYCR

OWNMYKINGDOM has missed 3 weeks after losing his last by 21 lengths – prefer to just watch, for now. (3) IM

AN ANDOVER returns off a win vs. cheaper at PcD but he’s 5-0-0-0 locally this year – sticking with others.

RACE 6 – (3) EL NIGHTWISH raced once as a 2YO (in November) then was turned out – she’s come back terrific

at 3, winning all 4 starts and looking better each week for her outstanding barn– that last win (at VD, EBC division)

was fairly effortless, and Dunn is back on board tonight – deserves the edge, even vs. some very nice fillies. (5) MO

NALISHI has plenty of talent herself winning $413K at 2 while compiling a 10-6-2-0 season – she’s been excellent

so far since returning at 3, and will get Gingras on board for the first time as she arrives from Canada – hard to leave

her off your tickets. (2) SEVENTH GEN won 4 of 6 as a 2YO, including an impressive 1:56.1 score at Freehold –

she’s come back very good at 3, with the lone blip being a miscue at VD three back – she was no match for the top

choice in her last (2nd best), but will be waiting in the wings should either of the top pair falter. (4) R LADY W made

$141K last year, the bulk of it coming from her success in the MaSS – she finished full of trot in NJ last week (2nd

start of the year), and could add some value to the exotics. (6) MY HONOR picked up a 2nd and a 3rd in her first 2

starts this year (NJSS) but was trapped from the start in last week’s Final and never had any chance to really trot –

Ake will drive tonight, and she would be worth a look from this spot only if her price is pretty generous. (1) BIZZY

BRENDA was a major overlay when she won here at 12-1 two back but that was a MUCH easier spot– still, she’s

proven she can get around the track, and not a bad one for the bottom of exotics (at that 20-1 ML price). (7) GILDA

BI just re-qualified after a couple of months off and lands in a brutal spot for her return – leaning elsewhere.

RACE 7 – Yonkers Trot Final - $300,000: (1) SUPER CHAPTER was an outstanding 2YO, going 11-5-3-1 for

$521K (2nd only in earnings to his incredible barnmate, MARYLAND) – he’s started off 2025 with 2 very sharp

wins, including last week’s 1:50.4 score at VD (beating MARYLAND in the process) – he’s going to be VERY hard

to beat with a clean mile...but note that he did make a break here last year (in the NYSS Final) before betting the

rent money at $2.10! (3) VARIEGATED is also a barnmate to the top choice and while probably not quite in the

same league, he DID win last year’s NYSS Final, breaking his maiden at the best possible time – he’s looked good

so far in his 3 starts this year, and not a bad alternative if fishing for a possible upsetter. (4) CHAT ROOM didn’t

look quite right in his first start back at 3 (made an uncharacteristic break on the final turn) but he bounced right

back with wins in his next pair – next in line? (5) HARD SEVEN weakened a bit behind SUPER CHAPTER (and

MARYLAND) in the lane last week but still was a nice 3rd – drawing outside hurts, but at least there’s only 5 horses

– he does make the occasional miscue. (2) HAPPY JACK B was a pretty nice 2YO but is still trying to find his

game at 3 – prefer others right now.

RACE 8 – MGM Grand Messenger Final - $200,000 – should be an excellent race! (5) DANDYS IDEAL ended his

2YO campaign on a strong note but made an unexpected miscue at Stga. to start off 2025- re-qualified in impressive

fashion, then raced super in his NA Cup elimination, before enduring an absolutely brutal trip in the Final – was

back here last week (6 days later) and surely appreciated racing from well back, finishing full of pace for 2nd behind

TWISTED DESTINY (whom he followed) – maybe he can reverse that decision tonight? (3) TWISTED DESTINY

started the year winning 3 of 4 starts, the lone loss a close 2nd to the outstanding LOUPRINT – he was patient early

in last week’s elimination, then slingshotted right on by the leaders to win confidently – would be no surprise here at

all! (1) MANOLETE was off 4 weeks to last week’s elimination but he still went a big mile (first time Lasix), used

hard early and still pacing well late – looking for a big mile from him tonight. (4) FAST CHOICE was a fast closing

3rd in the NA Cup Final and while he did weaken to 4th in last week’s elimination, he was used very hard early and

may have just been a little tired off those 2 big miles in Canada – his price will creep up tonight, and he’d hardly be

a surprise. (7) PAPIS ROCKET was off a month to last week’s race but he just flew off the car from Post 8 then

came up 2nd best in what turned into a 2 horse affair – he’ll no doubt look to use that same quick start tonight BUT

this is a much tougher field, and he won’t be allowed to just control the action – willing to include underneath. (8)

ODDS ON NO LIMIT used a fast start (and pocket trip to #7) win his elimination last week, but tonight’s draw

won’t leave him many good options – will need major trip luck just for a decent piece, (6) BANDERAS found a

seam to just grab 4th last week (and make it to the Final) but tonight’s tough draw does figure to compromise his

chances. (2) WORLD OF WISHES (barnmate to #3) is really the only one in here that would be a major shock.

RACE 9 – (1) MIKI IN LUV looked like a winner last week (after securing a pocket trip from Post 7) but she

probably deserves a pass for not being able to get by the classy LUCKY ARTIST A – she’ll get her chance to make

amends tonight, likely at a pretty short price. (6) TWO PISTOL ANNIE really struggled for a long stretch this year

but has definitely been showing signs of turning things around, and that last effort was actually VERY good – could

easily be the main danger, despite another bad draw. (5) PIRATE BOOTY is hard to like off her out of town lines but

she’s getting a pretty significant barn and driver change, and it’s hard to say how much she might improve – have to

respect her chances, but she’s likely to be overbet. (7) WHASSUP HANOVER was 2nd here on 10/4 but went on the

shelf for 5 months after that – she really struggled in her first 3 starts back (out of town) and while her last 3 look

much better, they were against softer competition – hard to say if she’s gotten sharp enough to beat these from all the

way out here. (2) KAT was purchased after a win (in PA) on 3/26, was 3rd here in her next start but hasn’t been better

than 4th in the 7 tries since then – minor share only. (3) COWGIRL LILLY had a brief recent form spree but has

gone the wrong way again. (4) LADYZAR just feels overmatched.

RACE 10 – (4) EASY TO PLEASE never had room to pace last week, and may have had more in the tank than she

was able to show – the guess is that she’ll be handled much more aggressively off the class drop tonight – hopefully

that 2-1 ML price won’t hurt her value too much. (5) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND came up a little light in the crucial

stages last week but that was in the same tough field that #4 drops out of – would be no surprise at all. (2) IDEAL

COVER has been pretty solid lately, and was a fast closing 3rd in her last – she’s always a good price, and not a bad

one for longshot fans to consider. (1) TALENT TO SPARE A had been very good recently, making it all the more

surprising when she squandered a two hole trip last week – hard to know which version we’ll get tonight! (3) TRUE

BLUE HANOVER just wasn’t sharp at all last week (a disappointing, no threat 3rd) and now faces much tougher –

minor share only. (6) KATIES UP opened a big lead to the top of the lane and was able to hang on, picking up her

first victory of 2025 – moves up, draws outside, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (7) RESURRECTION DAWN

was 2nd two back but that was on the lead, 2 levels down – hard to like her chances out here.

RACE 11 – Very tough finale! (4) BE DIFFERENT hasn’t shown much lately but he’s also been stuck in the back

most weeks, facing much better...it’s not that long ago that he pulled off a 38-1 upset and while he won’t be that

long tonight, he’ll still be a pretty juicy price. (5) KASHA V can be wildly unpredictable from week to week but he

still throws enough good efforts to be worth a look in a vulnerable field like this one. (2) HANKINS HANOVER

went on the shelf for 10 weeks after a couple of miscues, then made a break (at PcD) in his first start back – he’s had

3 good efforts since then, and may be the one to beat in his YR return – not willing to take a short price on this risky

4YO, however. (8) ARCHERY SEELSTER has some good recent tries vs. cheaper out of town, and a pilot not

afraid to leave the gate from any spot – another one to consider, at a big price. (1) MUSICAL RIDE re-qualified

after a couple of miscues – she can trot with these on her best effort, but may be handled very conservatively

tonight, under the circumstances. (3) RADIO LAB is a little hard to gauge off his Canadian lines but he’s been away

for a month, and may not be fully cranked for his local debut. (6) BULLY BOY HILL has regressed since a recent

claim – waiting for better signs before considering. (7) ROGER RABBIT has tailed off, and gets a terrible draw.