Saturday Empire Report
The Empire Report – Saturday, September 27, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (2) LITTLE WILLY arrives from Saratoga where he’s been a little light in the win column this year, though certainly facing solid company most every week – he lands in a very manageable spot tonight, and may be able to provide a victory for owner Mark Beckwith…no stranger to long time Yonkers fans, and recently inducted to the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame. (3) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A isn’t the handiest horse on the planet so a good draw really helps his chances – he fits nicely with these, and should have a big say here. (7) BOILING OAR is still struggling in 2025, though still capable of solid efforts with the right trip – he can be part of the action here (with the class drop) if Kakaley can hustle him away to a good start. (1) JIMMY CONNOR B steps up off a win over much easier – may not be a threat for the top slot, but could definitely grab a piece with the rail draw. (6) CRUSH KILL DESTROY just missed at this level 2 back and would have been listed a bit higher if not for tonight’s tough draw (4) SPLASH BROTHER was able to wire softer last start but will need to be a lot better for a chance at a one of the top prizes against these better ones. (5) EUPHORIA N is looking to rebound from a recent rough patch – keep an eye for any improvement (8) FUNATTHEBEACH N will be hard pressed to have any real say from out here
RACE 2 – (3) CAVIART ACT TWO had 2 good starts at Tioga (after the barn change) but vs. cheaper – he quickly proved he belong with the locals with an excellent 3rd on 9/4, was a sharp winner in his next and gets a full pass for his last (parked, with no chance) – new barn for tonight, but expecting a sharp effort. (4) I B LOVIN raced much better last week after falling apart for a few starts prior to that – anything close to his best effort puts him in the hunt for a big piece of this (5) CAPTAIN TELL has 10 wins this year (out of town) though most probably came vs. easier – he’s probably a good fit, but hard to use on top at what could be a short price (he’s the 5/2 ML favorite). (8) TIME CRUNCH raced very well in his local debut for a small barn that has been shipping them in live – he’ll need a lot of trip luck to get it done from out here, though (6) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH took all kinds of $$ last week (off some weak form) but got parked and never had a chance– he’ll be a much better price tonight, and may not be a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (2) FOX VALLEY PEPPER was horrible in his first try for a new barn on 9/6 – he may have bled that night, but the program isn’t showing any Lasix being added – would need a lot more than that 7/2 ML price to consider off that effort. (1) HURRIKANE MIKI is 0 for 23 at YR and 1 for 30 lifetime– sticking with others (7) JONES BEACH DE VIE just looks much cheaper off his out of town lines
RACE 3 – (1) MA ISABELLE finished well in her last 3 starts and may be ready for a more aggressive try after drawing the pole tonight – she held her own in a few FM Invitationals, and is surely capable of beating these if she brings her best. (2) SHOW ME was a little disappointing last week but that was on the heels of 2 excellent starts, after a recent barn change – he’s looking at a good trip from this spot, and could bounce back with a winning effort. (5) SUNDAYS BRUNCH was unraced at 2 but put together a very nice season at 3, improving all year long and finishing a close 3rd in the NYSS Final – she gets a nice barn change tonight, but is also being asked to take on older mares – have to respect her chances, but be careful about taking too short a price. (6) THE THING IS rallied nicely for 2nd last week to a horse that came back to win again on Thurs. night – he’s sharp now for sure, and will be rallying late…but will need some trip luck to reach from out here. (3) MEETMEATTHEBAR is capable of some nice efforts but others in here are more consistent, and more appealing for tonight. (4) ENERGY KING was an upset winner 2 back but he’s just 2 for 28 on the year
RACE 4 – (6) HUNTING HULA just didn’t bring her best last week but it seems like a good sign that she drops right back in the box – she’s gone some pretty nice efforts against good older mares, and may be able to pull off a mild upset here if she can bounce back to her better form. (1) PEACE TALKS gets a pass for her last (stuck far back with no chance) but she’s certainly an excellent fit with these, especially after drawing the pole – it was tempting to give her top billing, but note that even though she’s earned $553K, she just 5 for 45 lifetime…make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (5) WORKLIFEBALANCE is a 3YO filly taking on older and while she’s gone some big miles out of town, her Yonkers efforts haven’t been as impressive – still very logical for exotics, though. (2) SHEER ARTI STRY N took a couple of starts in the U.S. to hit her best stride but she picked up nice wins in her last pair, and has earned a chance at these tougher ones…we’ll see how she stacks up. (4) BRONX MIXER has put together a decent campaign but the 3YO does seem to be on the cheaper side – minor share? (7) STRUTSVILLE disappointed in the NYSS Final and the 3YO lands Post 7 after making just one start in 6 weeks – figures to go conservative tonight (3) PUSSYCAT DOLL GB is struggling lately, to say the least
RACE 5 – (3) THEOBALD makes his local debut showing a bunch of solid efforts at Chester – he has speed, usually stays trotting, and may offer some value in this tough race. (6) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN was a sharp 2nd two back, followed by last week’s sharp front end score – he’s a logical threat to repeat, but may face a tougher trip, at a short price. (8) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO is an interesting bomb – she’s listed at 20-1 ML (returning off a win in Canada) but she won here on 6/14, and may have won the start before that, if not trapped inside – she did make breaks in 2 other local tries, and lands Post 8 for tonight- but also moves to a top barn, with license to improve – can’t blame anybody looking to give her a try. (1) NOBLE WINE was a bit erratic in the pocket in his local debut – could be better tonight, and would hardly be a shock. (5) ROANDOVER was competitive in his last few starts but his 2 for 34 lifetime record makes him a tough one to use on top. (4) TEQUILA TALKING AS did win here 3 back but her tendency to gap badly during the mile puts her in some bad spots. (2) BIG SHOT stayed trotting last week (adding hopples) but was a no-threat 3rd …could improve, but leaning towards others for now. (7) MARIN COUNTY draws poorly after missing 3 weeks (after a sick scratch).
RACE 6 – (5) ODDS ON ACES FULL was a nice 2nd in PA on 9/1 (off a barn change, and sick scratch), crushed a field in her next star, then just missed in her last to ASPHALT, who won Friday at 1/5, up in class (in PA) – deserves the nod in her Yonkers debut. (3) BETTORS TICKET has done lots of good work in this class, with 4 wins in 11 starts – last week’s speed try came up a little short (in a hot mile), but she remains a major threat. (1) WIN WITH LYNNLY is hard to gauge class-wise off her Delaware lines but she’s certainly sharp, and moves to a barn that can improve one in a hurry – we’ll see if she’s ready to take on these (likely) better opponents. (7) ACCESS GRANTED was able to sweep by tired rivals in a fall-apart race last week, picking up ger first local victory – she can rally here too, but likely for a much smaller piece. (2) CRYSTAL COAST was a close 3rd in the same race as #7, after sitting a pocket trip – chance for some minor spoils here too. (4) CERVI was racing better earlier in the year, and will have to improve on her recent efforts if she hopes to have a bigger say tonight. (6) TH SANDRA DEE draws poorly for her new barn and appears a bit cheap. (8) CATNAP would be a major surprise from out here.
RACE 7 – (4) ROCKIN N TALKIN has done some damage when things go his way, and against a bit better than these – he gets a class drop (and barn change) for tonight, and could be a very live player. (1) IM THE PRINCE is frustratingly inconsistent, but capable of big efforts when in the right mood – he was a solid 2nd last week, and could be a big threat here IF he brings his best. (3) CHANTEE has some good efforts lately, and may land on a good trip from this spot– that being said, he’s now 0 for 28 on the year, and hard to take on top at a short price! (8) BURNHA M BOY N has been rock solid since dropping to this level, with 3 wins and a pair of 3rds from his 5 starts – he may end up with a less than stellar trip from out here, though, and does feel vulnerable tonight. (7) MOVIN ON UP was aggressive 5 starts back and that led to a stunning 36-1 upset…if you think Siegelman may try that again tonight, the price should be just as juicy. (6) BLACK HAWK JOE raced well in 3 of his last 5 local starts, with valid excuses in the other two – he’s listed at 20-1 ML, and is another potential “bomb threat” . (5) SHADOW CAT has been burning $$ for weeks, and his last start was pretty dreadful – leaning elsewhere. (2) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, but does tow along for minor pieces, at times
RACE 8 – Good race: (1) COUSIN HALIFAX added Lasix last week, blasted to the top from Post 8 and held very nicely for 2nd behind favored BIZZY BRENDA – moves all the way inside, eligible to be even sharper, and worth a look if the price is decent. (2) SHE A SHOE IN has been an excellent earner at 2 and 3, putting nearly $300K on her card – the barn doesn’t always have them quite as cranked up for overnights, however, so be careful about taking a short price. (5) BIZZY BRENDA showed potential at 2 and has put together a solid 3YO campaign, that includes wins in 2 of her 3 local starts – she’ll likely be handled conservatively, but that didn’t stop her from winning last week, as the favorite! (4) YOU DONT OWN ME is a little hard to gauge off his KY efforts but the guess is that he’ll fit well, especially moving to this top barn – Warren has been driving well in limited local appearances. (6) JAMAIS VU (Kakaley’s choice, over #1) hails from top connections, and was a winner in his only Yonkers try – this is a tougher spot, though, and his trip is hard to predict. (3) JAKEY JUMPUP got very good for a bunch of starts but does feel like he’s tailed a bit – leaning to others. (7) SEVEN LAYER banked $187K this year on the lucrative NYSS circuit but he also lost here in THIS class, back on 7/5 – would hesitate to accept a fairly short price from out here. (8) JERSEY SLIDE fits well with these, but also figures to be hurt badly by the draw
RACE 9 – (1) CONTACT ZONE had an extended rough patch recently but has been showing much better since in his last few – feels like a spot where he can be a big threat, but note his 1 for 29 record this year before falling in love at a short price. (5) MY PLAYMATE GB gave it a nice try on the front end last week and was a brushing winner 3 back – remains a very logical player. (2) AUSSIE HANOVER had life finishing 2 back and then again last week – would be willing to consider him if the price is good enough. (6) ROSE RUN ASTRO was handled very aggressively in his local debut but did weaken after giving way to pressure from the winner – legitimate chance to outrace that 20-1 ML price and grab a piece of this. (4) MELTDOWN MONTE has been erratic all year – he dropped in for a tag at PcD last week, took no $$ and was no factor at all…hard to make a case for him tonight as the 5/2 ML favorite! (8) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER is much sharper these days, but tonight’s draw may slow him down, at least temporarily. (3) DRAGON YOU ALONG’s barn sent out a sharp winner on Thursday, but it would still be hard to look for this guy to perk up in the same way. (7) ENFORCER draws poorly for his local debut and does look fairly cheap.
RACE 10 – Tough race! (3) IM SOME GRADUATE is winless in 8 local tries this year but did finish 2nd 4X – he’s the most consistent of these (by far), and we’ll give him top billing on that alone. (7) HANK THE HUNK has some “sneaky ok” efforts, but is winless in 12 local tries – would have liked his chances much more with a good draw, but at least his price will be juicy. (1) GOTHIC ROCK has disappointed in most of his starts this year but at least he does have a win – maybe this is a spot where he can find one of his better efforts? (8) KINGSTON PANIC was able to hang on for 2nd (well back!) after leaving the gate 2 back, and has picked some other small pieces as well – ok to include underneath. (4) CAVIART SKIPPER is no better or worse than most of these, but he’s 27-0-2-2 on the year and listed at 3-1 ML ... .tough to use on top, at a short price! (5) CAPTAIN T HANOVER has struggled almost all year, so it was a surprise to see him claimed 2 back – in need of a major wake up call! (6) BUDDYVILLE took some $$ last week for his local debut but turned in a weak effort – suppose he can be considered if the price drifts way up. (2) LOORRIM LAKE A is 9 years old and still making breaks…and he’s 18-0-1-1 at Yonkers in 2024-25