Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, June 26, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) OVER AND BACK landed on a very tough trip last week (up n class, off the re-claim) but just kept

coming and was a gaining 2 nd at the wire – looking at a better journey tonight, and we’ll give him the narrow edge

over some other solid foes. (6) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS was stuck in the Invitational last week (off the barn

change) and probably raced better than the line might look (he trotted home in :27.2 into a sharp final half) – would

definitely give him a look (dropping in class) with that 10-1 ML price. (1) TORRONE steps up in class once more as

he seeks his 4 th straight victory – won’t be easy against these, but he’s definitely full of confidence now and that

gives him a shot (4) BELLISSIMO FACE S has won 9 of 20 local starts with a trio of 2nds in the Brennan Trotting

Series – his best makes him dangerous here, but the 3 weeks off may leave him a little short. (2) DIAMANTE TRIO

IT still throws some big miles, but not as consistently as last year – leaning elsewhere, but she’d be no real surprise.

(5) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has been terrific since joining this barn a few months back but MAY be in a bit

tough up at this level – small piece? (7) BRODEUR only made 14 starts last year but did win 4 of them ($107K) –

his efforts this year have been mixed (from 5 starts), and he draws poorly for his local debut – leaning to others. (8)

NOTTINGHAM lands Post 8 and hasn’t been at his sharpest – brutal spot

RACE 2 – NAADA Summer Series: (1) ITSONEOFTHOSE caught a very sharp winner last week and settled for a

solid 2 nd– he won one of these (as the favorite) on 3/20, and looms a solid threat from the pole tonight. (6) FANATIC

was a nice rallying 2 nd last week and has hit board in 4 straight – he retains one of the best amateur pilots, yet is

listed at 20-1 ML...absolutely worth considering. (4) LOVE THIS BAR had to rally from too far back last week into

a solid final half – he’s a proven winner in these events, and a live trip puts him right in the hunt tonight. (3) BIG CH

ARLIE MORAN is pretty good right now, but he’s been incredibly camera shy at Yonkers for years – willing to use

underneath, though. (2) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO has definitely been struggling, as many of his barnmates have

come to life in a big way lately – possibility for a small piece. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER remains winless on the

year, and has speed to his inside (he does his best on the lead) – wouldn’t shock, but sticking with others. (7) CAL

MILES N SHELL feels off his game right now, and gets stuck with a terrible draw – minor spoils? (8) IM THE MU

SCLE hasn’t found his form yet in 2025 and now has to deal with Post 8

RACE 3 – (3) LUCKY MUM N was a prolific winner in the lower NWPM classes, hit a rough patch for a while but

has been on her game again for the last several starts, in pretty solid fields – her barn is en fuego right now, and she

should be a major threat tonight. (1) INFINITY STONE could always throw some BIG miles when in the right

mood, but he’s become far more consistent since the 4/10 claim – ignore that last Stga. start (8 hole), and look for

him to try to airmail these tonight. (6) AUSTRAL HANOVER was a very impressive blowout winner 2 back then

followed that up with an excellent try last week, up in class – more than sharp enough to have a real chance here, but

will need some trip luck to pull it off. (8) AQUARIUS FACE S was very conservative last week but finished up very

strong after shaking free from a shuffle – more than enough ability to beat these, but the obvious issue is the draw –

playable at the right price. (2) MA ISABELLE probably should have bene able to grab 2 nd last week but it was still a

good try – she’s held her own very nicely as she’s climbed the class ladder, and could deliver a mild upset under the

right circumstances. (5) ABRUZZO has stayed pretty consistent for a while but may be pushing it a bit up at this

level – prefer others for the top spots. (4) CAPTAIN WANIA improved dramatically right after the recent barn

change but does have a lot to prove at this higher level. (7) STREET GOSSIP draws poorly after a weak try in last

RACE 4 – (6) MAXIMUS RED A has really been thriving since reuniting with his favorite barn this spring, and has

become a solid $30K claimer...he had no real chance in his last (racing from the back into a :55.3 final half, against

#7) but perhaps he can work out a better trip tonight, and be a much bigger threat. (7) BILL HALEY N is prone to

bad spells but rebounded with a sharp qualifier on 5/23, raced well from an impossible spot in his next and was a

powerful winner last week, jogging on the front end from the pole – may still be the one to beat from out here, but

may also be at least a little vulnerable. (8) ALTA CLASSIC A drops back down to 30s but also lands Post 8, with

two of the main players right to his inside – at least the price will be juicy if willing to give him a shot. (1) ALEX

TYE found a soft field 2 back and finally picked up his first win of the year – raced ok from a no chance spot last

week, and may be able to grab a chunk from the pole tonight. (3) WELL THATS MARKY just missed to the pocket

sitter last week in a much better try – faces “open” 30s tonight, but can still grab a piece. (2) THE BIZZNESS N

arrived from PA for top connections, but does feel a bit on the cheaper side – could be overbet. (4) CAPTAIN T HA

NOVER has struggled most of the year – sticking with others. (5) MY ULTIMATE STAR A drops from 40s, but

may need to drop even more to be a serious player

RACE 5 – (5) IM TALKIN HUNGRY beat the 15s at Chester, took on the 25s in his local debut and went a big first

over try, re-rallying in the lane to almost get to BURNHAM BOY N...clearly he belongs, and perhaps an aggressive

start could help him get his picture taken tonight. (2) BURNHAM BOY N made it to the front last week, got a little

lazy to the half before picking things up to 3/4s, fought off a challenge from #5 to the top of the lane then dug in late

to hold that one’s late bid off to the wire – remains a threat to take another one. (7) OZONE BLUE CHIP was no

threat last week when a ground saving 4 th but he did pace his back half in a sneaky :55 seconds – he drops to 25s,

and has the right pilot to find a way to get him into the hunt...would definitely consider, especially since he crushed

the 30s just 4 starts back. (3) IRRESISTIBLE got a good trip then ended up a no-threat 3 rd upon arrival last week –

will need to be sharper to compete for a bigger prize tonight. (4) BETTORBUCKLEUP has some nice tries at this

level and would be an ok bomb to consider, if really spreading here. (1) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL draws the pole

but his 2 for 72 local slate is hard to ignore. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER seems overmatched at this level. (8) ALWAYS

ROCKIN draws Post 8 off a sick scratch, and is just 2 for 37 locally since 2023.

RACE 6 – (3) MAX made breaks early on in 2 of his last 3 starts but has also WON 3 of his last 4 – he’s super

-tough in this class (regardless of trip) but he always come with an element of risk, and always at a short price...hold

your breath at the start if singling him in your Pick 5 plays! (7) AIRMANS JACKPOT hasn’t won in a while but it’s

not from a lack of big efforts – goes for a new barn tonight and can still be a big player from out here IF Holland can

find her a manageable trip. (5) MAHONE SEELSTER doesn’t win very often but is often trotting well late, even

from tough spots...not a bad bomb to at least consider. (4) JUST LIKE MAGIC was terrible in his first try for our

leading trainer- he was better in his next for sure, but wasn’t all that great (despite finishing 2 nd in a “fall apart” race)

– certainly a chance he can improve some more tonight, and that could put him into the mix. (2) HAPPY CHOPPER

shipped in off a pair of sharp Ohio victories but struggled in both local tries – too soon to write her off, but also hard

to make a good case for her right now. (1) BAR COINS was an ok 4 th last week but note that he was no threat to the

top 3, and the others made breaks – will need to improve in his 2 nd start back with his favorite barn. (6) PASSIONAT

E PROMISE showed that he still has his back class with that win 2 back but he’s just not “looking” that great lately,

and may have a tough time overcoming tonight’s draw, while up in class. (8) HAT TRICK MARLEAU cashed in a

perfect trip last week (for a red hot barn) but is looking at a pretty tough journey tonight

RACE 7 – (4) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT came up a little short at the end last start (close 3 rd) but she’s been very sharp

for weeks – goes for another new barn tonight but the guess is that it won’t bother her at all...giving her the edge in

here. (2) RACIN FOR ROYALTY has hit board in all 4 starts for her current connections, gets a good draw and

looms a very logical threat...and possibly the main danger. (5) COALFORDSNSHINE GB had been coming up

light in her recent local tries but capitalized on an absolutely perfect trip last week, sitting the pocket then finding

room between rivals late to get there on time – have to respect her chances, but still leaning more to the top two. (1)

BADDITUDE moves back inside, retains Yannick, and should be able to stick close throughout...ok for a piece. (6)

WILDCAT ANTONIA had fallen apart completely for a few starts – her last was more encouraging, and she’s not a

bad bomb for the bottom of exotics, with the hope that she can take another step forward. (7) GOT BEACH BODY

hasn’t been a threat but hasn’t been terrible – probably needs a better post for a chance at any decent piece, though.

(3) AT THE HOP has only finished ahead on one horse (total) in her last 3 starts, and was flat-out terrible last week

– in need of a major from reversal. (8) DUCK INTO THE NITE will be hard pressed to get close from out here.

RACE 8 – (3) TO THE HUNT was an excellent 2 nd two and three back to a pair of rivals both owned, trained and

driven by the same red-hot connections – he did come up a little short after cutting the mile last week, but the (off)

track may have been a little tiring by that point in the card...legitimate chance here, with the right trip. (2) LYONS

BENJAMIN is looking for his 4 th straight and deserves plenty of respect right now, especially after showing that he

can be equally effective from OFF the pace – belongs on your tickets. (6) WHY TOMORROW RAY has been

thriving at this level and the only real knock here is the draw – any live trip makes him a legitimate threat. (1) BUC

HANNON HANOVER shipped back in sharp last week, and was an “ok” 4 th – chance for a small slice here too. (4)

BETTOR MAKE A WISH was super in his recent Monti starts but his local try is hard to gauge, as he chased a

wicked pace from up close – prefer others, but wouldn’t be shocked to see him race ok here. (7) ALWAYCUTTIN

SCHOOL has raced well in most of his 7 local starts this year but moves from the rail to Post 7, and draws in with

several live ones – tough spot! (5) EMINEM HANOVER clearly outperformed his 61-1 price last week, but still not

ready to give him an endorsement. (8) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH is struggling...Post 8 isn’t the solution!

RACE 9 – (4) STAG PARTY was a no-threat 3 rd arriving from Delaware last week but he did catch a quick mile in a

better field – the 9YO has over $1M in the bank, and does seem the one to beat with tonight’s class drop...but that

3/2 ML price also insures that he won’t offer any kind of value. (5) WINDSUN RICKY was definitely well meant

last week but he did have to grab up hard into the first turn (after leaving fast and getting steppy), and just wasn’t a

player after that – if he brings his best tonight, he’ll be a major threat...but that’s a BIG “if”. (3) ARMYCAPTIN

HANOVER was no good at all in NJ last week in his first start for our leading barn, but he was off a month and may

have bled (as he’ll be racing on Lasix tonight) – not a bad “value” play to consider. (8) CHICKEN N DICE raced

well in a pair of Chester starts but that was no surprise, considering his trainer excels at improving fresh stock

considerably – hard to say if he can reach from out here (or handle these tougher foes), but at least his price will be

tempting. (1) TEXAS HOLDEM was way overbet last week and struggled on the rim after pulling off the cones –

not impossible from this spot, but also not worth another short price. (2) CASINO ACTION N gets a good draw, but

has little else going for him right now. (6) JACKS LEGEND N was good for a few starts not too long ago but has

gone the other way since then – the classy veteran is in need of a wake up call. (7) MY CARBON COPY N rallied

nicely for 2 nd in his 2 nd try off the layoff but backed through the field after trying to cut the mile in his next – the

guess is that he’ll be handled very conservatively tonight

RACE 10 – (4) DISTANT LOVER failed vs. better in her last 3 but drops back down to the level she crushed 4

back, gets Bartlett back on board and seems eligible to perk up in a big way. (1) DWS DARLENE finished ok from

an impossible spot last week, moves all the way inside, has good overall form (especially since adding Lasix) and

gets “stuck” with Gingras tonight (as Siegelman is driving his own mare, #7) – definitely lots to like! (2) EBONY

LADY is another dropping to a more favorable level and she did win the last time she was in for $20K (the night she

was claimed) – logical threat for exotics. (6) HARPER SEELSTER came into her last off a pair of victories but took

off the gate and failed to get close at all – goes for a new barn tonight, and it’s a little tough to predict which version

we’ll see. (5) THATS A HUGE BEACH has speed, but does struggle to finish – maybe a small piece? (3)

ANNELIE SE HANOVER should appreciate the drop to 20s, but does land in a pretty solid field – an easy trip

would help her chances to grab a share. Both (7) BROOKDALE JESSIE and (8) LOOKOVERYOUR likely need to

draw much better to contend for even a minor share.