Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 - (1) SHAKE IT has been on an extended form spree, that started when he was at the $15K level – he came

up 2nd best in his 2 starts after moving up to 30s, but was very sharp each time – he tries 40s this week (for another

new barn), but can’t be taken lightly in his current (raging) form – may be able to beat these, with the post edge he

has over some main foes. (7) FLIP MY CHIP changed tactics and raced from off the pace 2 back, turning in a BIG

effort for 2nd – he was claimed that night, reverted to his usual front end style in his next and was a blowout winner,

despite being pressed to eye-popping fractions by a rival that refused to take a seat – steps up for another new barn

tonight, but may be sharp enough to pull off the upset...even with the terrible draw. (4) ITALIAN LAD N somehow

is still winless on the year despite plenty of big efforts – obviously he’s better used underneath, but willing to use on

top IF the price is juicy enough. (6) MUSIC HALL was used VERY hard last week and it’s to his credit that he was

able to last for 4th – he’s another that’s been sharp for weeks, and capable here if Bartlett can find him a decent trip

from Post 6. (5) CURBSIDE PICKUP picked up back to back wins off the barn change but struggled moving up to

60s, then faltered dropping back down to 40s – feels a bit iffy right now. (2) AROUND MIDNIGHT hasn’t been

able to match the form that led to a 51-1 upset 5 back – needs a wake up call. (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF has some

good recent efforts but may be better suited with a bit easier. (8) ROCKIN N TALKIN was no factor at all from Post

8 two back but he used a super-slick drive (and sharp effort) to give #4 a late tussle last week – faces a lot of

obstacles moving back outside tonight, however.

RACE 2 – (3) SMIFFYS TERROR N isn’t the handiest horse on the planet but he’s managed to hold his own vs.

much better than these all season long – solid chance off tonight’s class drop, assuming a manageable trip. (6) MUL

LINAX disappointed in his first start off the claim but has been razor sharp ever since (his last is much better than it

may look on paper) – only knock here is the draw, but he’ll need to find a way to overcome it. (2) OPTICAL ILLUS

ION N feels like he MAY be tailing a bit but is still a candidate for a good piece with the good draw. (4) SURFSIDE

BEACH has needed easy trips to do his best damage recently– not impossible here, but no value as the ML favorite.

(1) SIX DEGREES has (not surprisingly) upped his game since recently moving to this barn – nice try upon arrival

last week (even if helped by a live trip), and we’ll see if he can handle another class bump tonight. (5) POP IT did

last for 2nd at this level 2 back but may prefer to be in just a bit easier – minor share? (8) TWIN B POWERBALL

was a game winner in his last pair, but draws Post 8 while up in class tonight – prefer others. (7) MYULTIMATEBA

XTER N backed through the field in his last (3 weeks ago) and now lands Post 7 – pass, and watch.

RACE 3 – (1) SHERLOCK N held his own with the Borgata horses for weeks, and it was no surprise when he was

able to use an aggressive steer to win at this level (2nd time off the drop) two back – was caught in a no-chance spot

last week, but did hit the wire with sneaky pace (emerging from the fog), into a sizzling :27 final quarter – major

threat tonight. (2) ROCK THE BELLES looked like he may be crashing after a long form spree but he bounced back

with a much better effort last week, pacing right to the wire into the teeth of a :27.1 final quarter – good value option

with that 12-1 ML listing. (4) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N won at this level 2 back, to go along with a pair of recent

2nds in this class – he’ll likely be using his speed from this spot, but can be dangerous with a live cover trip as well.

(7) CHIMICHURRI N was a well backed winner last week, though helped by an easy lead in a lesser field – steps

up a bit and lands outside, and could be looking at a tough trip – insist on a fair price from out here. (3) VICI has

been a very reliable performer week after week, but may be looking at a smaller piece in this very solid field. (6)

HUNTINGFORCHROME lands another tough draw while still trying to find his 4YO form. (8) THE IDEAL DAN

CER A is definitely sharp right now but lands all the way outside and Bartlett opts off this week...we will too. (5)

KOPI LUWAK is hard to gauge right now, but FEELS like he may be off his game – tough field, regardless.

RACE 4 - (1) MANFERNO shipped in sharp and immediately proved he belonged with the locals, delivering a very

sharp first over score last week – draws the pole tonight, and we’ll stick with him on top, even with the class jump to

40s. (2) WALKINSHAW N threw an unexpected dud 2 back but rebounded with a much sharper try last week – if he

lands on the right trip, he can be a dangerous late player. (5) CENTURY ENDEAVOR tired on the lead 3 back but

that mile is sandwiched between a pair of wins on either side – he goes for new connections tonight, and remains as

dangerous as ever. (3) LYRICAL GENIUS A has hit board in 6 of his last 7 starts (8 hole in the other), but hasn’t

been able to find the winner’s circle in a while – he does have appeal with that 12-1 ML price, though. (4) SCRIBBL

ERS was one of several “wake up call” winners for a red-hot barn last week – he goes for new connections, and does

seem like a vulnerable ML favorite. (6) MACH N CHEESE lands a tough draw and even his best effort may only

yield a minor share. (7) TWIG has been thriving for sure, but he’s missed 25 days, and moves up in class (from a

terrible post) for a new barn – leaning elsewhere tonight. (8) BONDI SHAKE A feels significantly overmatched.

RACE 5 – Good race: (6) ALL CLASS was entered in the Open for last Monday’s canceled card and obviously

ends up in a much more manageable spot tonight (despite the bad draw) – he held very well for 2nd in a VERY hot

mile last week and while he hasn’t made a lot of starts over the past 2 years, most of them have been good...he was

Bartlett’s choice of 3 in here, and he has a knack for guessing correctly. (2) LOUS WORLD makes his first local

appearance since racing decently in last year’s Messenger elimination and Final – he gets a good draw, and certainly

worth a look at that 12-1 ML price. (5) SIMON SAYS HANOVER hasn’t come close to top form since returning

recently from a long layoff – he’ll perk up eventually and while there’s no real signs that it’ll be tonight, you’ll get a

big price if you think it MAY happen. (8) AYE AYE CAPTAIN wasn’t visible much of last week but he was

certainly pacing out of his skin after emerging from the fog, blowing out a pretty solid bunch with a :27 final quarter

(one of many eye-popping recent winners from the barn) – he’ll be a nice price tonight if you think he can find a trip

from out here. (3) CARABAO A certainly fits nicely here but he comes off a major clunker last week, and feels iffy

for tonight. (4) NIGHT HAWK has been good for a while, though he did weaken in last week’s fast final quarter –

chance for a small piece. (1) KINGSVILLE has climbed back up the ladder with a trio of 2nds along with a win – he

was no factor last start, but moves inside and could grab a piece with the right trip. (7) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS

drops but draws poorly and Bartlett opts for #6 – may need to wait for a better spot.

RACE 6 – Another tough race: (6) SOHO DOW JONES A was very promising in his early U.S. starts but struggled

once up at the top levels, and it’s hard to say how far off form he’s fallen – this is a spot where he has license to perk

up, and a good price makes him worth a look. (7) NANDOLO N showed up sharp in NJ and was able to swoop by

the field and win going away – he’s more than capable of beating these too but as always, is in danger of a tough

trip, from a bad spot – he may be the “best” horse, but can he reach? (3) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR can bang

heads with better when sharp, but he hasn’t looked in his last couple – if he brings his best, he can be a big threat,

with the good draw. (2) CADILLAC BAYAMA has been sharp for a while, and can handle the class jump– he draws

inside several of his main foes, and is worth a look if the price is right (1) SANTANA HANOVER got post and class

relief last week and knew just what to do with it – he can hold his own at this level too, though we’re leaning a bit

more to a couple of the others. (4) PRINTVILLE finally got his first win of the year last week in his 15th try – faces

much tougher now, and likely looking at only minor spoils. (5) SLING SHOCK usually turns in a solid performance

but he’s 0 for 13 at Yonkers this year, and has missed 3 weeks – leaning towards others. (8) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP

hasn’t been “bad” by any means, but he’s also 0 for 17, starts from Post 8, and looking at a class drop next week.

RACE 7 – (7) DUNKIN was hurt when VERDUN left just hard enough to keep him from looping to the lead last

week, had to make a full retreat, and lost any realistic chance (though still a solid 4th) – he’s been razor sharp for

weeks, and may be able to upset these if some better luck comes his way. (3) VERDUN was handled aggressively

last week and a sharp 2nd best to the easier trip winner – he’s a threat any time he goes behind the gate! (4) ALWAYS

A THRILL couldn’t overcome the tougher first over trip last start and had to settle for a close 3rd – he’s having an

outstanding 4YO campaign, and looms a major threat once more...though probably shouldn’t be so short on the ML.

(5) HOWLENTHEHILLS has transitioned beautifully from his (excellent) 3YO season to life as a 4YO, and his last

2 local starts have produced a win and a 3rd – would hardly be a surprise. (8) ENDOFSTORY is blossoming into an

excellent 4YO and certainly acts like he’s going to be another top class performer for a barn suddenly with several of

them – brutal spot tonight, though. (6) AARDIES FLASH N is generally a notch below the top players in here but

does grab good pieces when the trip goes his way. Both (2) NO CONTROL and (1) TOBINS CHESTER just seem

overmatched at this level, even with the inside post assignments.

RACE 8 - (4) CHASE H HANOVER was peaking heading into the Borgata Final and gave it a big front end try for

$516K, coming up 2nd best to MOSSDALE BEN N – things didn’t go his way in his next pair out of town but he

draws inside his toughest rival returning to Yonkers, gets Bartlett in the bike and will surely be a handful tonight. (7)

DESPERATE MAN was starting to look like his best-self heading into the Borgata Final but a bad draw (and

miscue) sealed his fate – he bounced right back to pick up a new lifetime mark in a Pocono overnight (1:48.2), won

an Open at Chester then went a BIG effort in the Battle of Lake Erie, getting down to 3/4s in an eye popping 1:21

before coming up 2nd best to the sharp tripsitter, in a sizzling 1:48.3 mile – he had a much better draw when the card

was canceled last Monday, but is still a serious threat tonight (2) SOHO FIRESTONE A looked like “Open

material” from his first U.S. starts and he certainly proved that he IS, in recent weeks – he does have to contend with

a pair of beasts tonight, and we’ll see if he can give them a tussle with the right trip. (5) STREET HAWK N has

done little wrong since arriving from Down Under and was actually sent off at 3/5 vs. HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR

in his first try at the top level – he raced very well to be 2nd (1st over), but does face some pretty strong competition

tonight. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N had been racing well off easy trips but wasn’t the same after pulling first over

last time –could grab a slice with a conservative steer from the pole. (6) HEMSWORTH N had pace finishing the

last 2 weeks and isn't a bad bomb to use for 3rd/4th. (3) DIEGO N had Post 8 for the canceled card, but still may be

looking at only minor spoils, even with the much better draw. (8) HIMSELF N is sharp, but in a seemingly hopeless

spot.

RACE 9 – (1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A was hammered down to 3/5 off the class drop and post relief last week

and very much looked the part, effortlessly wiring his rivals and tacking on a :27.1 kicker, under wraps – he faces

better now, but still looms a major danger...at another short price. (3) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A scored the upset

4 back vs. much cheaper, but then held his form while he’s quickly climbed back up the class ladder – chance for a

piece here too. (4) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK has a pair of recent 20-1 upsets and ALMOST delivered a 36-1

shocker 2 back – gets a full pass for his last (bad shuffle after blasting from Post 8), and remains playable

underneath, especially at that 20-1 ML price. (7) LUCAPELO A is on a tear, and comes into tonight riding a 3 race

winning streak – hard to say if Stratton can find him a manageable trip, though, after landing Post 7 (while up in

class). (6) RACING RAMP AGE hasn’t been able to get back to last year’s top form, but he’s definitely become a

consistent weekly player at more modest levels – more than capable of a good piece, with the right trip. (2) BLUE

LOU won adding Lasix 2 back but wasn’t particularly “sharp” – he tired badly in his last, and he may struggle here

too, even with an easy trip likely. (8) FINVARRA A (yet another high end performer for this barn) was terrific for

months, but may be showing at least a little wear and tear now – tonight’s draw is not going to help. (5) FUNATTHE

BEACH N drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight, and can start getting a more serious look once the

class drops begin.

RACE 10 - (2) THE BIGBOSS A came up a little light in his U.S. debut, had Post 8 the next start but brought a

solid mile last week, a game 1st over 2nd to a sharp front-end winner– logical threat here. (3) OURMATEMENKO

N hasn’t found the winner’s circle yet in 6 U.S. starts but he's raced well in most of them, hitting board 4X – this

race may come down to trip, and he’s capable of coming out on top with a good one. (1) EUPHORIA N was

invisible from the back last week but may have already been looking forward to tonight’s class drop – he’s more

than capable of wiring these if he shows up on his best effort tonight. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM used an easy trip

to take home 3rd last week but tonight’s draw figures to leave him looking at only a minor share. (8) MIND HUNT

ER was able to get it done on the front end vs. cheaper last week – the class jump isn’t as big a concern as tonight’s

awful draw, however. (4) LEVINE picked up his first win since 2023 last start...seems an unlikely repeater, but

some minor spoils aren’t out of the question. (5) SPORTY M THREE is winless here in 2025 and just 1 for 28 over

the past 2 years – leaning elsewhere. (6) ROYAL DESIRE probably needs to be in easier to be a serious player.

RACE 11 - (4) FREQUENT IMAGE stepped up to 40s off the claim, got roughed up hard getting the top from Post

8 and called it a night on the back side – drops back down to 30s (where he’s done excellent work), and may just

shrug that last mile off and deliver a big effort. (1) LAZ (who had Post 8 when the card was canceled last week)

lands in a MUCH better spot now, and is already 6 for 14 this year – on the flip side, he debuts tonight for a barn

that’s struggled here in 2025 (1 for 38) – could be overbet. (7) AMERITRIC tried to leave hard last week but was

forced to grab up and retreat, pretty much sealing his fate – he’ll need some racing luck from out here, but could

easily outperform that 15-1 ML price for his new barn. (5) GRETZKY THE GREAT struggled here last year (0 for

9) but he returns from the layoff for a very hot barn, and is worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (6) HUNGER

STRIKE showed subtle improvement 2 back and made more positive progress last week – another bomb worth at

least a look? (2) IM THE PRINCE popped off a good win off the perfect trip 2 back but has struggled in too many of

his recent starts to back with any confidence. (3) BIG DREAM FELLA doesn’t seem a threat to win, but has a shot

for a small piece, with an easy trip. (8) THAT DOG WILL HUNT would be a surprise from way out here.