Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – Tough opener! (2) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK weakened last week after taking on heavy pressure but

his overall recent form is very solid, and his barn may be starting to heat up again – one of several with a legitimate

chance in here, and the price should be decent enough. (3) LAZ has now taken 3 in a row, and that includes his win

last week moving up to this $40K level – way too sharp to ignore right now. (1) AROUND MIDNIGHT figures to

be a very nice price here and he’s actually been racing better than his lines might suggest – maybe he can light up

the tote board if some trip luck comes his way? (5) ITALIAN LAD N remains winless on the year but he usually

gives a good account of himself and last week was probably his sharpest mile of 2025 (just missed in 2nd) – another

good value option. (7) TWO FACED is another that’s still winless on the year but he’s raced big in a bunch of his

losses – he goes for another new barn tonight and Yannick opts off #5 to drive him, despite Post 7 – playable, as

long as the price is fair. (4) FLIP MY CHIP has 10 wins (and 5 seconds) from his 26 local starts but still somewhat

unproven at this $40K level – needs to be a decent price to be worth a try on top. (6) WHY TOMORROW RAY

ended up parked every step last week and tonight’s draw could see him facing a difficult journey once more – not

impossible, but leaning towards others. (8) JUST ENUFF STUFF used a live trip to pick up a 2nd last week but faces

a much tougher scenario for tonight.

RACE 2 – (1) KINGSVILLE wasn’t bad from a hopeless spot 2 back (off the barn change) and was actually

“sneaky good” in his last – moves all the way inside, drops, and could be all systems go for tonight. (4) BENHOPE

RULZ N really hasn’t been at his nest recently but he moves to a barn that can pick one up in a hurry and we may

see some quick improvement – possible threat, but still would need a fair price to try him on top. (2) BRAKE

AHEAD is usually pretty steady against these types, gets a good draw, and is a logical threat for exotics (7) NIGHT

HAWK was well backed for his last (despite coming off a major clunker) and just wasn’t nearly sharp enough on the

lead, tiring to 4th – maybe he’ll bring his best tonight, but make sure to get a decent price (from out here) if looking

to use on top. (5) SINBAD N has shown little in his 3 starts this year but finally gets some post relief- a quick look

at the tote board may provide some clues to his readiness. (3) CHANTEE gets a pass for his last (equipment issue)

and did rally for 2nd the start before – his overall form this year has definitely been lacking, however. (6) GREG

THE LEG gets a pass for his last and does drop in class tonight – still feels like a pretty tough spot.

RACE 3 – Another good race: (3) MIND HUNTER is due for some better luck – he was left with no chance after

taking off the gate 2 and 3 back then caught an unlucky trip after a good early spot in his last, still finishing full of

pace after a shuffle – it seems a little more comfortable to hop on Dube’s team now that he finally has a couple of

wins this meet. (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A just missed from off the pace 2 back then just missed after cutting the

mile in his last – he’s a solid fit in this class, and dangerous here if the trip goes his way. (7) CENTURY

ENDEAVOR is another rock solid player at this $40K level, and that’s why he’s been claimed 4 weeks in a row – he

has the right pilot to help him find some trip luck tonight, and absolutely worth using on your tickets. (5)

CURBSIDE PICKUP had a great run up through the class for his most recent barn but has leveled off at these higher

levels, and appears to have been sold after his last start – could be dangerous here if things go his way. (4) I

DRAINTHESWAMP has put together a solid season and comes into this off a near miss behind an ultra-well-meant

winner – another that could make some real noise with the right trip. (6) SHADOW CAT’s overall recent form is

solid, but he may be pushing it a bit at this $40K level, especially with the bad draw. (8) ILIKEMEBETTOR A will

likely be coming from last after failing on the lead in his last pair. (2) ALWAYS ROCKIN probably needs to be in

easier to strut his best stuff.

RACE 4 – (1) SPEAKER OF PEACE was an ok first over 3rd to AMERICAN DEALER N on 4/15 (after that classy

winner got over the half in :58), then was sneaky good in his last pair, finishing alertly from impossible spots- he

moves all the way inside, figures to be a decent price, and may be able to pull off the mild upset. (6) RACING RAM

PAGE has struggled to get his season in hear so far (6-0-0-0) but tonight’s class drop could easily help produce a big

wake up call – not a bad week to give him a look. (7) TWIN B DELUXE gets a terrible draw (moving up in class)

but he’s won his last 2 very easily, and is worth considering if the price is decent. (5) EUPHORIA N had been dull

for some time but was handled very aggressively last week and he responded with a very sharp, game victory – we’ll

see if he can come up with another big one tonight. (2) IGNATIUS A tends to be a bit camera shy here at Yonkers

but he has some good recent efforts across the river, and can at least contend for a piece tonight. (3) OURMATEME

NKO N was hammered down to 6/5 for his U.S. debut, seemed to be in a good spot on the back side but he had

trouble pacing smoothly on the final turn, and had to work hard in the lane just to be 2nd – feels a little risky off that

effort. (4) ALADDIN feels like he may prefer to be in a bit easier these days.

RACE 5 – (1) RHYDS SUPERFLY GB seemed to bobble (break?) briefly at the half the last week – he recovered

quickly and rattled off a sharp final half to win easily...but he caused interference when he had that issue and was

disqualified to 8th, ending his winning streak (in an odd way!) at 7 – we’ll look for him to start a new one tonight. (6)

SPLASH BROTHER is listed at 20-1 ML but he’s generally a player when he gets good early position and he just

may be able to leave the gate tonight – chance to add some value to the exotics. (2) SANTANA HANOVER just

missed in his last and figures to be sitting a close up trip tonight – logical player for exotics. (3) TWIN B POWERB

ALL fits well with these, gets a good draw and a live trip could land him on the ticket somewhere. (8) STREET HA

WK N was well bet (vs. a couple of nice horses) in his U.S. debut and used an easy trip to take home 3rd – the guess

is that he’ll race conservatively from this brutal spot, but there’s always a chance that Gingras will take a shot to put

him in play. (5) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A had a form reversing, dead game win 2 back, followed up by a decent try

across the river – maybe 3rd/4th? (4) TAIPO N is a talented horse with a strong late kick – but he’s missed nearly 3

weeks (after a sick scratch) and seems a bit risky for tonight. (7) WINDSUN RICKY ended up with an impossible

trip last week, and now has to deal with Post 7.

RACE 6 – (1) BULLVILLE FRANK just missed cutting the mile 2 back then broke on the first turn last week (after

a fast start) – he may be better relaxing early and racing from just off the pace, and his price will be better tonight –

willing to give him another shot. (6) THAT DOG WILL HUNT picked up sharp wins in his last pair for a young

trainer that’s winning races, claiming horses, and attracting some familiar names as owners...hard to ignore in his

current raging form. (2) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH was an ok 3rd in his first start down from Stga. then just missed

last week, behind #6 – would hardly be a surprise. (7) FREQUENT IMAGE was actually very good when 3rd two

back so it was no surprise to see him easily wire the field last week – terrible draw, but has the speed to create some

good luck for himself– possibility. (8) IM THE PRICE has been very good for some time, but last week’s aggressive

try just didn’t work out – he’ll likely be coming from well back tonight, but may still be able to rally for a piece. (3)

BIG DREAM FELLA used an easy trip to pick up 2nd last – not ready to give him an endorsement, but will start to at

least watch him a little closer. (4) FINAL CHEESERECIPE moves to the leading barn in the nation but is currently

struggling – leaning more towards others. (5) J B GRAM throws a good one here and there – too inconsistent.

RACE 7- (2) SCRIBBLERS put in a big rush off the claim 3 back and can be forgiven for weakening a bit in the

lane – he rallied beautifully to be a close 3rd in his next, and was a clear 2nd best to the raging KOPI LUWAK in his

last – feels like he may have found a winning spot. (4) VICI finally picked up his first win of the season 4 back and

has been racing well ever since – license to pull off an upset here, with the right trip. (3) TRENDY TEEN hung a bit

in the lane 2 back and got beat by a nose – he was hanging again last week, but able to get by a harder used rival –

remains a solid threat, but also figures to be overbet. (6) LUCAPELO A has been solid overall but definitely not at

his best last week – tonight’s tough draw could be hard to overcome. (5) ROCK DIAMONDS N has won way too

many races here to ever just dismiss out of hand, but he does seem off his best game lately...and that has us leaning

towards others. (1) ROCKMYSTER N finally picked up his first U.S. victory 2 back but that was vs. much easier –

has to prove he can do that kind of damage against these. (7) GENTLE GIANT probably needs a better draw to be a

player with these types.

RACE 8 – (4) DUNKIN seemed to be showing some better signs recently and finally put it all together in last

week’s 1 1⁄4 mile race, wiring the field effortlessly in 2:20.4 (just a tick off the world’s record) – we’ll stay on his

team. (3) VENTURESOME ARDEN N was stuck in the back in HIS 1 1⁄4 mile race last week, charging in the lane

to rally from last to 2nd (after beating cheaper at $2.10 the week before) – could be the main danger. (1) SMIFFYS

TERROR N has 13 starts since arriving from Down Under and he’s raced well in virtually all of them draws inside,

and could easily take home a small share. (8) SOHO FIRESTONE A appears to have unlimited upside (based on his

first 2 U.S. starts) but he also draws Post 8 after missing 3 weeks– not sure we’ll see his best tonight (2) CARABAO

A chased DUNKIN from 3rd last week, unable to find enough to rally into 2nd – chance for a small slice tonight. (5)

NANDOLO N was bothered badly last week on the first turn and deserves a pass – he’s also in tough tonight, but

still may end up overbet. (7) BLUE LOU is just 1 for 11 here this year but hit board in 6 of his 10 losses – if you

think he can blast out to a good early spot, include him for 3rd/4th. (6) BONDI LOCKDOWN A is very good right

now, but draws poorly while up in class.

RACE 9 – (7) DIEGO N shipped over from Down Under with a very impressive resume – he was handled

conservatively in his local debut, but still flew home to be a close 4th – he followed that up with wire to wire scores

the last 2 weeks, as the odds-on choice both times...moves up a bit and draws poorly, but we’ll stay on board once

again (and congrats to his stablemate MOSSDALE BEN N on taking the Borgata Series Final on Friday night)! (2)

HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N can throw some big efforts, either on or off the pace – he’ll be a decent price here, and one

to consider if not a fan of the favorite. (5) SLING SHOCK has been sharp for weeks for a barn that’s really clicking

right now – definitely some appeal at that 10-1 ML price. (1) COVERED BRIDGE N is struggling for sure, but the

classy 9YO may be able to at least tow along for a piece from this spot. (8) TYPHOON BANNER N still hasn’t

found his form this year, and has to contend with Post 8 tonight...at least the price will be right for anybody thinking

he can get a wake up call here. (3) WHATS STANLEY GOT A pulled off 2 outside post victories from his last 3

starts but he’s missed 3 weeks and Stratton does opt for #7. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has missed 3 weeks, is up

in class and gets a bad draw. (4) UNRIVALED HANOVER ships in sharp from Stga. but does seem a bit on the

cheaper side.