Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – Several sharp horses/contenders in tonight’s opener: (2) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N may be thought of as a

“speedball” but he actually races well from off the pace too – it’s hard to predict how this race will play out but his

versatility (and good draw) could be an asset here...one of several possibilities in a tough race. (6) NANDOLO N is

always in danger of landing on a bad trip (especially with a tough draw) but Bartlett opts off several live players in

here to drive him tonight...and we’ll take that as a good sign...willing to use, if not overbet. (4) MY ULTIMATE

BYRON A was a game winner off the sick scratch 2 back and was used hard almost the entire way last week before

getting nipped at the wire by the perfect trip winner – dangerous, even moving up a bit in class. (3) KINGSVILLE

wasn’t as sharp as the lines may look 3 and 4 back but he was definitely on his game in his last pair – he’s moving

up 2 classes tonight, but may be sharp enough to still be a legitimate threat. (5) VICI is also moving up tonight, after

picking up wins in his last pair – not sure what trip he’ll get here, but he can be around at the end if it’s a good one.

(7) ALL CLASS won here at 1/5 on 3/18 but he was scratched sick from his next, and just re-qualified – feels like a

tough return spot. (1) MYULTIMATEBAXTER A recently found his best local form but that nice streak has landed

up at a level that MAY prove a bit challenging for him...even from the pole. (8) ROCKIN JUKEBOX certainly

enjoyed racing in easier classes at Pocono (2 fast recent wins) but hard to see him getting in play from this spot.

RACE 2 – (3) WALKINSHAW N beat a currently sharp STELLAR YANKEE 3 back, would have beaten heavily

favored LYONS STEEL in his next (if not hurt badly on the final turn), then was gaining late on the oft-winning

SADDLE UP when 2nd last week...he’s usually a fair price, and worth using tonight. (5) CENTURY ENDEAVOR

was used hard for the lead last then had no answers when SADDLE UP brushed by him at 3/4s – he’s won 3 of his

last 6 starts, hails from a red hot barn, and could easily rebound with a big mile tonight. (2) JUST ENUFF STUFF

beat lesser last week but went a BIG mile to do so – his barn is really thriving right now, and he’s worth at least a

look here at what figures to be a nice price. (6) MUSIC HALL is a beast at the $30K level but much less certain in

40s – he also gets a tough draw (with live ones to his inside), and that 2-1 ML price figures to hurt any value he may

have offered. (4) ITALIAN LAD N raced better last week after a rare dud the start before – he’s still winless in ’25,

but never a bad one for the bottom of exotics. (1) AROUND MIDNIGHT upset these at 51-1 3 starts back but failed

to race as well in his last pair – leaning elsewhere. (7) GENTLE GIANT has been “ok”, but that won’t be enough

from this bad spot. (8) ROCKIN N TALKIN gets a brutal draw after missing 3 months – watch mode, for now.

RACE 3 – (3) SHERLOCK N raced well throughout the Borgata Series, often finishing well (from tough spots) to

grab decent pieces – he was left with no chance from Post 8 last week, but should have more options tonight with

the much better draw – feels like a good value play. (4) SOHO DOW JONES A was also stuck with the 8 hole last

week, but he definitely finished up with good interest – he lands in his most realistic spot in some time, and a big

effort is expected. (2) VENTURESOME ARDEN N hasn’t been on his best game recently so it was no surprise to

see him tire last week after trying to cut the mile in the 3-6YO Open...he gets some class relief, and an easier trip

could lead to a much better effort – ok for exotics. (1) STELLAR YANKEE is way up in class from the NW5000

field he beat 3 back but he’s definitely hitting on all cylinders right now, draws another rail, and may be able to stay

close and take home a small piece. (5) KOPI LUWAK needed last week’s “gut stuffer” after a brutal trip the week

before – he could be ready for one of his better tries tonight, and that could land him somewhere on the ticket. (8)

THE IDEAL DANCER A was sharp from start to finish last week, behind a very promising winner – hard to see an

easy way into the race tonight, however, especially with the starting car now releasing the horses so much closer to

the first turn than it used to! (6) TWIN B DELUXE has been scary good but another bad draw may limit his chances

here, just like last week. (7) LUNAR has been doing excellent work out of town, but will be class tested tonight.

RACE 4 – (4) SANTANA HANOVER drops back down to NW10000 where he picked up a win and a close 2nd the

last 2X he raced in this class - he should be able to go right to the top tonight, and looms a very dangerous player.

(6) BENHOPE RULZ N finished crisply in his last pair and seems to be sharpening for his current barn – terrible

draw, but he’ll be a big price and may be worth a look. (2) LOUS SWEETREVENGE landed on a terrible trip in his

only recent local try but he’s been doing good work at Pocono lately – tough horse to ever back at a short price, but

he’s worth considering IF the price is fair. (5) MULLINAX disappointed in his first start off the claim but delivered

for our leading driver/trainer team in his next, at a much better price – steps up a bit, but still deserves respect. (1)

YOROKOBI N is still winless in 2025 but he’s hit board in 8 of 14 starts and is very playable underneath. (3) OUTL

AW MAN N has done his best work with cheaper but an easy trip would give him a chance for a minor share. (8) MI

ND HUNTER figures to be too far back if he takes off the gate, but destined for a brutal trip if he tries to leave –

prefer to wait for a better spot. (7) TAIPO N fits the bottom level right now – willing to wait for a better scenario.

RACE 5 – (3) WHY TOMORROW RAY raced well in his first try at this level (despite a less than stellar trip) then

was able to get the job done last week, in solid fashion – he draws inside a couple of his main foes tonight, and that

may give him the edge he needs to take another. (5) FREQUENT IMAGE has been sharp for a while now – he does

his best racing on top (or in the pocket) and it’s hard to say if he’ll be able to get that trip tonight...solid threat if he

does! (4) LAZ has won 4 of his last 6 starts with one loss coming against 40s, and the other when he drew Post 8, in

a very fast mile – IF he races as well tonight for his new barn, he can be a serious threat. (7) SHAKE IT has been

incredibly sharp for weeks, but vs. easier – he was just reclaimed by a barn for whom he went a HUGE 8 hole try 2

back, but it could be asking too much for him to pull that off at this higher level...the price WILL be right, for those

willing to take a shot with him. (2) HARD TO CATCH is just 1 for 16 on the year but he’s raced well in most of his

starts since joining this barn – could add some value to the bottom of exotics. (1) CAPTAIN T HANOVER was 1st

or 2nd an incredible 23X last year, but only 3X (so far) in 2025 – sticking with sharper rivals. (8) THAT DOG WILL

HUNT wasn’t bad off the claim last week but draws Post 8 tonight. (6) EMINEM HANOVER would be a surprise.

RACE 6 – (5) VERDUN had an incredibly rare tough outing 2 back (was taken up and retreated to last after seeing

that his quarter move wasn’t going to work) but he bounced back as good as ever last week, charging home for 3rd

from an impossible spot – we’ll hop right back on his team tonight. (3) COACHES CORNER’s fate was sealed

when he drew Post 8 in the Borgata Final but still did ok to grab a 5th place check – he did come up flat in the Auger

last week (in PA) and while he could just bounce right back and wire these, he may be at least a bit vulnerable at a

short price tonight. (1) HUMBLE A came up flat last week and his recent form has been mixed – he should be

looking at an easy trip tonight, though, and his best effort would give him a chance at a mild upset. (4) SOHO FIRE

STONE A was sent off as the odds on choice in last week’s Invitational but he never was “raging”, then was unable

to get rolling after moving wide around tiring cover on the final turn – he goes back to his familiar pilot tonight, and

he'll be a much better price for anybody looking to stay on board. (6) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS is on a good roll for

a red hot barn but draws poorly off a sick scratch while moving up in class. (2) DOWNRIGHT DELICIOUS only

made 7 starts last year before going on the shelf – good week to just observe as he makes his first start in a year! (7)

ROCK THE BELLES elevated his game dramatically after getting a new trainer listed earlier this year...he took a

couple of weeks off then re-qualified at PcD, and tonight’s draw may leave him waiting for a much better spot.

RACE 7 – (1) CARABAO A has been sharp for weeks and really could benefit from tonight’s generous rail

assignment – he was right there in his last (despite pacing a :26.3 third panel in the midst of a very long first over

bid) and an easier trip would give him a shot at the upset. (7) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR was sharp throughout the

Borgata Series so last week’s dominant 1:51 mile really came as no surprise...if he hits the top tonight he’s going to

be a handful once more...but that MAY be a little tougher now, with the starting car now letting the horses go much

closer to the first turn. (3) AMERICAN DEALER N’s two wins this year came on the lead vs. much easier but he’s

definitely been sharpening in his last couple, and may be in “Open” form right now – his last suggests he could be a

threat, with the right trip. (2) STREET HAWK N was handled conservatively in his first U.S. start but rattled off 3

straight since then, and his upside remains unknown...would really be no surprise if he was good enough to bang

heads with these too. (5) FINVARRA A has been remarkably consistent all year, regardless of class, trip, or driver –

can never be discounted, though he is in a tough spot tonight. (6) HEMSWORTH N is eligible to throw a big one at

any time, but this does feel like an unlikely spot for it. (8) DIEGO N seems destined for a very conservative steer

after drawing all the way out here. (4) SIMON SAYS HANOVER has been non-competitive since returning from a

lengthy absence – he should have been assigned the rail...but not sure even that could help him enough right now.

RACE 8 – (5) HIMSELF N got a little tired in the pocket last week (and finished 3rd) but that was after chasing a

1:51 mile behind HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR – he gets important class relief tonight and while he does face an

unpredictable trip, he still should be a major threat...at a fair price. (2) SMIFFYS TERROR N rarely goes a bad one

and grabs his wins when the trip is kind enough – he moves inside, and that 10-1 ML price does give him plenty of

appeal. (4) BLUE LOU added Lasix last week and got it done on the front end vs. a bit easier – he certainly could

repeat, but he figures to be overbet (8/5 ML), and there may be some value playing against him here. (8) HEZA CH

ARTTOPPER A got shuffled out last week but may have been empty anyway – he does have 7 wins this year, and is

the last horse to have beaten the streaking ALWAYS A THRILL...good one for longshot fans to consider. (3) WHY

NOT NOW will attract some $$ here off the class drop but he was empty in his last pair, and just feels off his game

right now. (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK owns a pair of recent 20-1 upsets and wasn’t a terrible 4th last week –

maybe some minor spoils from the pole? (6) BONDI LOCKDOWN A has been in top form recently and had a

legitimate excuse last week (trapped early, and no room late) – would have liked his chances a lot more if not for the

terrible draw. (7) SURFSIDE BEACH gets his first bad post in a long time – sticking with others.

RACE 9 – (1) TOBINS CHESTER was a close 2nd in his first 2 local starts then delivered the sharp front end score

last week – steps up a notch, but remains the one they’ll have to catch and beat. (2) LEONIDAS A was an

aggressive pocket winner last week one level down – he’s another that should have no trouble handing the slight

class jump, and the right trip could make him dangerous once more. (7) HAZEVILLE was parked every step on a

sloppy Pocono strip last week but was still only beaten by 3 lengths – he’s held his own with better here, and that

20-1 ML price makes him very appealing...but would have liked his chances even more with the starting car pulling

away at the old (earlier) spot. (3) SLING SHOCK is winless in 12 local starts this year but did hit board in 8 of them

– always a good one for exotics. (4) ORLANDO BLUE A has gotten back into a better groove but may prefer to be

in a little easier these days – minor share? (5) SPEAKER OF PEACE held off the top choice in that victory 2 back

and his overall local form is solid...he MAY prefer to be in just a bit easier, though – small piece? (6) QUALITY

BUD appreciated the drop to the bottom level 2 back then was a good 3rd in NW7500 last week – tonight’s double

jump and bad post does figure to slow him down a bit, however. (8) GINGRAS BEACH is the outsider, both

literally and figuratively.

RACE 10 – (2) TWIN B POWERBALL was very well meant last week but elected to make a full retreat (after

leaving hard) and his fate was sealed early on – he’s been sneaky sharp vs. much better than these, and could be a

good value play in tonight’s finale. (4) HUNGRY ANGEL BOY got post relief last week and was a steady 3rd

behind a pair of solid rivals – he’s at a winning level for a hot barn, but won’t offer any value with that 7/5 ML price.

(5) CAVIART SARGENT has been finishing well from impossible spots and has been known to light up the tote

board at times – never a bad one to consider at a big price. (7) SAMHARA N was super for a while, tailed

considerably, and now has been “ok” in his last few – he gets some class relief, but that may be offset by the bad

draw. (8) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A was able to “manufacture” enough speed to make the lead vs. much easier

last week and it was all over once he hit the top – he’s not short on ability, but his lack of early quickness (and

general laziness during the mile) figures to compromise his chances from Post 8 tonight. (3) SPLASH BROTHER

hasn’t been on his game lately but usually perks up eventually – wouldn’t be a shock, but still leaning elsewhere. (6)

FAMILY RECIPE gets a barn change and a drop, but also lands another bad post – may have to wait for a better spot

before we see his best. (1) ALWAYS A LOOK is 8-0-0-0 at Yonkers – not sure the rail draw will be enough to make

him a player.