Thursday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (8) HEAVE AWAY has been sharp for quite a while and was a winner in is last 3 tries at this level – he

moves to yet another sharp barn, and has enough speed to work out a manageable trip even from out here (and his

last 4 starts with Brennan produced 3 wins and a close 2nd) – we’ll give him top billing. (1) I B LOVIN got caught in

a bad shuffle last week so give him a pass – he has 2 wins and a 2nd from his 4 other local starts this year, and should

be able to be a big player from the pole. (4) WELL THATS MARKY moved to a new barn last week, went off Lasix

and worked out an easy trip...resulting in a form-reversing, well backed victory – he faces a more uncertain trip

tonight, but can be a threat once more if it’s a good one. (7) CONTACT ZONE showed some life last week after

falling apart for several starts – he was reclaimed by a barn he did good work for, and is worth at least a look at what

figures to be a big price. (3) MY PLAYMATE GB has a couple of ok tries since arriving from KY – minor share?

(2) BLUE COLLAR MAN has missed 19 days off a pair of duds but does add Lasix – eligible to race a bit better. (5)

CAVIART ACT TWO improved significantly at Tioga after the barn change but will have to prove that he can

compete with these. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER draws poorly and is in the midst of a tough year.

RACE 2 – NAADA Summer series Final – good race! (4) BACKSTREET PLAYER never saw the cones here on

8/14 and somehow still managed to hang on to 2nd – he jogged at Monti in his next (with Adamczyk on board) but

then raced very well last week with Pennachio on board again, rallying for 3rd after getting away 6th (from Post 8) –

he gets a good draw tonight, can race from on or off the pace, and we’ll give him the narrow nod. (5) LOS BALLYK

EELAMIGO weakened a bit to 4th after a tough 8 hole trip 3 back then ran and hid (with Krivelin) in his next – no

prayer in NW15000 last week but drops back into this much easier spot, and looms a real threat to wire ‘em. (2) PS

ALMSFORTYSIXFIVE has been a bit in and out lately but he was a sharp front end winner at Monti last week, and

deserves plenty of respect tonight. (7) STAR HAIRDRESSER has been doing good work since adding hopples on

7/3 and the only real knock here is the draw - but the possibility of a very tough trip does exist! (1) DOO WOP KID

has won here in the past and also had some rough outings – would consider if the price is attractive. (3) KILAUEA’s

local tries don’t look great on paper, but he did offer speed (at times) in both – ok bomb for longshot fans. (8) ITS

ONE OF THOSE can be a player with these under the right circumstances, but he faces an uphill battle starting from

Post 8. (6) MUSKINGUM is another that figures to be compromised by a difficult draw.

RACE 3 – (4) DISTANT LOVER was no factor in 25s off the claim but dominated on the front end dropping back

to 20s last week – she’s won 5 of 12 here this year, and has a solid chance to make it 2 in a row. (1) DISARONNO

HILL was unexpectedly hammered at the windows last week and was definitely a big “go”...but ended up parked

the mile and lasted to the final bend before tiring– an easier trip could make her a player tonight (6) DEFININGTHE

MOMENT woke up with a sharp front end score 4 back and followed that up with another win in her next start – she

wasn’t quite as sharp from the pocket in her last pair, but still picked up a 2nd and a 3rd...gets a tough draw off the

claim tonight, and we’ll see if Stratton can find her a manageable trip. (2) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK responded

to the drop in for a tag 3 back with a win but didn’t come close to matching that effort in her last pair– which version

tonight? (5) SUNBURNT shocked at 49-1 three back but was no factor at all in her last pair – leaning elsewhere. (3)

ANNELIESE HANOVER doesn’t seem sharp enough right now to do much damage with these. (7) AT THE HOP

was no factor 2 back off the bad date, but did race better last week – no spit tonight, however.

RACE 4 – Tough race: (5) DIRE STRAITS finished with trot for 3rd from a no chance spot last week (with an easy

trip), won the week before and was 2nd to Yonkers International Trot invitee AETOS KRONOS S the week before

that – he’s one of several that could take this, depending on how the race plays out. (2) OVER AND BACK has put

together a very strong season, though mostly vs. high end claimers – he was a solid 3rd off the claim last week, and

may be good enough to win here, with the right trip. (6) GHOSTLY CASPER failed on the lead with no excuses as

the 1/10 favorite 2 back (for his new barn) but easily made amends last week at 6/5, despite an early miscue – he’s

good enough for a chance to beat these too, with a manageable trip. (1) KEG STAND has a ton of black class but

has struggled to get his season in gear so far – still, capable of a winning effort on any given night. (3) THE HAZLE

TON was freshened for a couple of months and done some good work since returning – his speed always gives him

a chance to do some damage. (4) CHULO has been back on the upswing but he’s missed 3 weeks since his last start.

RACE 5 – (4) MEDOLAND BOSA was an “ok” 2nd in his local debut (vs. 15s) then a sharp winner in his next pair

– he stepped up to 20s last week, and kicked home with good pace from an impossible spot – he moves up another

notch tonight, but an aggressive try could give him a chance at the upset. (3) KARLOO BRADLEY N was quickly

back on his best game off the claim last week, battling very hard only to take a very tough beat at the end – solid

threat. (8) BURNHAM BOY N used a perfect trip to score of the drop back to 25s two back then raced very well

again last week, even in helped by a ground saving trip – he’ll need to be more aggressive for a chance to win from

out here, but he does have a pilot that’s not shy about giving one a chance to succeed! (1) DONTTELLMENOW

hasn’t been overly sharp lately but he could sit an easy trip here, and that could lead to a small piece. (5) IM THE

PRINCE was unable to sustain his wide rally last week and he does tend to disappoint more often than he delivers –

still, can never be counted out completely. (2) JACKS LEGEND N almost pulled off an upset 2 back but that mile is

sandwiched between a pair of duds...and that’s pretty much how the millionaire’s career has been going the last

couple of years. (6) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES is one of the few horses that did NOT perk up upon joining this

barn lately – needs to be better! (7) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL figures to struggle from out here.

RACE 6 – Several sharp ones in here: (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF was struggling for a while but perked up 3 back

and raced well in his next pair as well – he was claimed from his last by a hot barn (with a new owner who has been

on a spending spree lately), and may be able to get there tonight if things go his way. (1) AMERITRIC is a little

light in the win column this year but he’s raced well in the majority of his starts – he’s looking at a good trip from

this spot, and is more than eligible to come out on top. (3) C BET HANOVER went his sharpest recent try of all

when a close 2nd two back – he was racing for a top barn that night, and lands in another one for tonight...definitely

has appeal at that 20-1 ML price. (2) LYONS BENJAMIN feels like he MIGHT be tailing just a bit but he’s been

super for most of the year (21-8-1-6) and probably shouldn’t be counted out too quickly! (6) WHY TOMORROW

RAY has 2 wins from his last 4 starts but both of those came on the front end – he’s probably looking at a much

tougher trip tonight...and likely a smaller prize. (7) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL is another that’s been a solid

performer week after week but he’ll need a lot of racing luck to have a real say from out here. (8) ON DAYBOO

really toughed out a dead game victory last week but faces a much different trip tonight, up in class from Post 8 (4)

FLIP MY CHIP was super for much of the year but really does seem to have gone in the wrong direction recently.

RACE 7 – (5) JAS BLUESTONE was doing excellent work in 25s at Pocono – he tried to ship over and tackle the

40s here and was 3rd the first time, won his next then just missed in his last – we’ll give him the edge tonight over

some more questionable rivals. (3) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was a solid first over 2nd two back, then scored coming

uncovered last week – another that’s solid right now, and a very logical threat. (6) BLUEBIRD BISHOP recently

returned from a long layoff and his efforts have certainly been mixed (but DO include a pair of wins) – goes for a

new barn, and we’ll see if he brings his best self tonight. (1) DEMONE DEIVENTI IT had an instant lead last week

but didn’t survive the first turn (and also made a break over the 1⁄2 four starts back) – has the ability to beat these, but

can he behave himself? (1) WARRIOR ONE inherited the lead when the two favorites both made early miscues last

week but couldn’t make it stand up – he’s too classy to ever dismiss too quickly, but he does seem more comfortable

with cheaper these days. (8) BARN HALL took over from a breaker (#6) to make the lead last week but weakened

to 3rd – won’t be any easier from Post 8! (7) PAPA DOC hasn’t been bad, but likely needs a much better spot to be a

threat for a top slot. (4) WILLY WALTON was too hot for Bongiorno to control last week and ended up parked as a

result – his top efforts have come too infrequently for some time.

RACE 8 – (5) SIR PINOCCHIO was 4 for 4 here last year (including wins in the Yonkers Trot and NYSS Final) so

it was no surprise to see him victorious in his first local try of 2025 – he faces better tonight, but still a solid chance

to extend his streak to 6 for 6. (3) QUEEN OF ALL has shown that she can take on the boys when asked to do so,

including last week’s 2nd to ANTOGNONI S – she gets a good post, and can be part of the equation here too. (7) FE

RRETTI was always a nice trotter but he really elevated his game after a barn change this summer – he just added

Lasix, and fits beautifully here...but the draw may slow him down just a bit. (1) DRIBBLING BI is in career form

right now, and did pick up a 2nd in this class 2 back – worth using underneath. (4) TIPSY MONI hasn’t felt quite as

dominant vs. the ladies in 2025 as she was in ’24, but still has won 12 races and $229K – she’s another that can hang

with the boys when forced to, but she gets a new pilot and may be at least a little vulnerable tonight. (6) OH WELL

has $1.5M on his card but has struggled to get his act in gear (so far) in 2025 – prefer to just observe tonight. (2)

BLACKHAWK ZETTE would probably like to be in a bit easier.

RACE 9 – (3) PEDAL ON METAL is very solid right now, picking up a win and a pair of 2nds from his last 3 starts

– if he can work out another easy trip, he could be charging late with a chance to get his picture taken. (4) CHIPPER

DALE drops in for a tag, figures to be controlling the action and is a very logical threat – he’s also LOST as the

favorite 4 straight times, so not one to fall in love with at a short price! (5) DRYDEN HANOVER rallied very nicely

for 4th in his local debut and gets a much better draw this week – definitely has appeal with that 12-1 ML price. (6)

MAX has gone a lot of miles this year that would crush these...he’s also showing signs of wear and tear, and it’s

only a guess these days as to which version we’ll see on any given night – ok to consider, but only if the price

reflects the risk. (2) FOR A DREAMER used an easy trip to take home 2nd last week and will need another kind

journey if he hopes to do as well tonight. (8) RADIO LAB landed on a perfect trip last week and scored as the 20-1

overlay – he’ll need a lot to go his way to repeat from out here, however. (1) PEMBROKE REGAL was no factor

from Post 8 last week – he moves all the way inside, but that may not be enough to make him a serious player. (7)

BARRY BLACK likely needs a much better post to be a player in this class (at age 14)!

RACE 10 – (6) BULLVILLE TERROR shipped in sharp from Monti, earned a two hole trip but lost any chance for

better after the leader tired – he catches a very modest field tonight, and may be up for an aggressive try vs. these.

(1) ROCK THIS WAY was scratched off a qualifier, but it appears that no longer requires re-qualifying – it’s

anybody’s guess how ready he’ll be tonight, but he’s in a great spot if he shows up ready for action. (8) CHECKON

WILLIAM GB delivered a 16-1 upset in that wake up call win 2 back then proved it wasn’t just a fluke with last

week’s solid rallying 3rd – he has a chance at the upset tonight, but will need an aggressive steer to pull that off. (2)

ROCKINBILLYSDREAM is unplayable off his recent form but he does move to a trainer known for instant,

miraculous turnarounds...would be more appealing if not for that (head scratching) 3-1 ML price. (5) FULL SUPPO

RT had a disastrous first start off the layoff, raced better in his next pair but then regressed in his last 2 starts –

leaning towards others. (7) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER had been an afterthought here for most of the last 2 years but

was more competitive in his last pair – maybe 3rd/4th? (4) WAR DAN DELIGHT N hasn’t been sharp at all...and the

same can be said for (3) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N.