Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, July 10, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NY Excelsior, 2YO Filly Pace: (2) TWO TWENTY SWIFT was sent off favored for her first career start

at VD, put in a strong effort for 2 nd but the front end winner was just too sharp – she was Bartlett’s choice of 4 in

here (he drove ALL of them), so we’ll abide by his decision. (4) EV DOES IT also came up 2 nd best to a very sharp

winner at VD, and while she loses Bartlett, she does pick up Gingras – legitimate threat. (3) WILLOWS CHOICE

prepped nicely at VD for a very sharp barn, then came up 2 nd best in her career debut – could easily have a real say

tonight. (5) IDEAL BEAUTY QUEEN had a pair of nice preps and was sent off favored in her 2YO debut at VD –

she was a decent 3rd , though not as sharp as the top pair in that race – may be looking at a similar result tonight. (1)

BULLVILLES DIAMOND was a no-threat 5 th up at VD, and likely looking at only minor spoils tonight, as well. (6)

MOANA HANOVER was making a good bid in her debut last start but got cranked around sideways on the final

turn at VD and lost all chance – not sure she’s going to like the 4 turns here at Yonkers. (7) MADRE feels like a

work in progress, and has to deal with Post 7.

RACE 2 - NY Excelsior, 2YO Filly Pace: (3) LONG SHORE was sent off at 3/5 for her debut and looked the part,

winning with ease – remains the one to knock off, at another very short price tonight. (1) TALADEGA EXPRESS

was actually pressuring the top choice last week when she made a very costly miscue on the final turn – she’s likely

the main danger tonight, assuming she minds her manners. (4) COOKIE BAR tired badly trying NYSS competition

in her first start – she was well back in 5 th dropping to the Excelsior level in her last, but still may be able to beat a

few of these for a piece. (2) DELIGHTVILLE DIVA was okay qualifying at Monti, picked up a 2 nd in her debut at

Batavia, but just never looked right at VD, off to a terrible start and finishing way back – we’ll see if she can shrug

that off and rebound with a better effort tonight. (6) IMDAGIRLOFURDREAMS was a 28 lengths winner at

Goshen but that was a 2:05 mile (vs. county fair horses) – we’ll see if she can hang in there with this much tougher

group. (5) SEAFOOD TREASURE feels like she’s still a work in progress

RACE 3 – NYSS 2YO Filly Pace: (2) ODDS ON ENIGMA was sent off at 6-1 for her career debut (despite a pair

of good looking qualifiers) and was able to use a wide rally on the final turn to propel her to victory – she can

probably be handled a bit more aggressively from this spot tonight, and we’ll give her top billing. (6) MISS GENIE

MAE was sent off at 5/2 in the same race at the top choice, was used hard and just missed at the end – the only real

knock is the bad draw, but a good price still makes her worth using. (3) AMERICAN CHEESE rallied steadily for

3rd at VD and feels like she’s improving each week – could be next in line should the top pair falter. (1) BUECKERS

finished 2 nd to her barnmate at Buffalo but threw a dud at VD in her last – she can be part of the action if she can

bounce back to her better form. (4) BROOKLYN BOMBSHELL hails from top shelf connections but was sent off at

35-1 last week and wasn’t a threat. (5) COUNTRY REBA was no factor in either of her NYSS tries

RACE 4 - NYSS 2YO Filly Pace: (2) ODDS ON MONETARY (same owner as ODDS ON ENIGMA, but in a

different barn) was also a winner in her NYSS debut, rating the middle half beautifully (after a sharp :26.3 opener)

and then sprinting home to seal the deal – faces some legitimate rivals here, but gives her owner a good chance to

take BOTH divisions, once again. (4) PARTY PUMPS was ignored at the windows at VD (35-1) but kicked home

full of pace for 2 nd , off an easy trip – her price will surely come down tonight, but she does have a legitimate chance

for another big piece. (6) SAVAGE CINDY was used hard last week and only gave way grudgingly late – loses

Bartlett and draws poorly, but still can be a serious player with some trip luck. (3) LIBERTY STYLE jogged at

Buffalo to start her career, but really disappointed her fans when she started to tire and drift badly in the stretch at

VD, as the prohibitive 1/10 favorite – she’ll surely be a much better price tonight, for those inclined to stay on her

team! (1) EXISTENTIAL was a decent 3 rd to start off her career but that was vs. Excelsior competition – hard to say

how she’ll handle the big jump to NYSS tonight. (5) FORWHOMTHEBELLTOLLS wasn’t bad in her career debut

in a Pocono overnight, then rallied steadily for 4 th at VD last week – she’s listed here on the bottom, but could do

better than that if the trip goes her way.

RACE 5 - NY Excelsior, 2YO Filly Pace – strong division!: (3) SURREAL SPIRIT put in a BIG move in her debut

at VD as she blitzed from 5 th to first, but then allowed TETON BEAUTY (who she went by on the final turn) to

come back and beat her – there’s clearly plenty of ability here, and she’ll probably end up 3 rd choice...worth trying

on top. (1) PATRIOT MISS had 3 nice preps for her career debut and had no trouble delivering as the 2/5 choice –

figures to be very tough once more! (6) TETON BEAUTY made her way to the top at VD, saw SURREAL SPIRIT

brush by her on the final turn but never gave up, and was able to re-rally in the lane for the victory – she’s at a post

disadvantage tonight, but still deserves plenty of respect! (4) UNPLUGGED had a solid qualifier in Canada then

was 3 rd in her career debut after an aggressive try – another promising filly in this strong field! (2) SUNSHINE IDE

AL was a no-threat 4 th up at VD and will need to bring a better effort to be a threat to the top ones. (7) ONE FINE

COOKIE was an ok 4 th at VD but tonight’s draw may limit her chances for improvement. (5) ANDREAS GIRL

made breaks in 2 of her preps for a trainer without much experience with youngsters

RACE 6 – (1) SADDLE UP has won 14 of his 34 local starts over the past 2 years and is a major threat pretty much

any time he’s in the box – he was just re-claimed for a barn he won for on 5/26, and has to get top billing from the

pole...though he surely won’t be much of a price! (3) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY may be worth a look tonight – he

had been razor sharp for a while before a pair of duds in June – he was actually well meant from Post 8 last week,

but lost all chance after leaving hard then backing off to last...could throw a big effort tonight. (5) TO THE HUNT

hit board in 4 straight and his young pilot has more than held his own since starting to drive here at Yonkers – should

be able to have a say once more. (2) BIG DREAM FELLA has been stuck on minor pieces and will probably be in

that same boat tonight – could tow along for a piece. (4) GALANTE A returns off a solid 2 nd in PA and does fit with

these – his overall YR record over the past 2 years IS a concern, though (17-1-0-1). (7) ROCKIN N TALKIN drops,

but has struggled from similar posts most of the time – ok bomb for 3 rd/4 th . (6) SMOOTH LOU was good 2 and 3

back but failed to be a player moving into this class last week – another tough draw won’t help. (8) SOUTHW IND

PETYR hasn’t been able to get into a groove so far in 2025, and lands all the way outside

RACE 7 – (1) HOT FLASH KIMMY was stuck in the back (after a soft opening half) on 6/19 and never had a

chance – her prior form had been excellent, however, and that “maintenance qualifier” on 7/4 looks very good too

(vs. pacers) – has a big post edge on her main foes tonight. (6) OVER AND BACK has been sharp for ages, even

since moving to this higher level – the draw makes his trip a bit iffy, but he’ll be very dangerous if it’s a decent one.

(7) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been inconsistent all year, and may have a hard time overcoming tonight’s draw even

if she brings her best – make sure to get a good price if considering on top. (5) INFINITY STONE had no chance of

getting the lead last week but still lost by only 6 lengths after getting parked – he’s eligible to hit the top and outrun

the field at any time, and never a bad one to consider at a good price. (3) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is one of so

many from his barn to have really elevated their games the past few weeks – no shame finishing behind the raging

MAX in his last couple, and has a chance to outrace his odds tonight (2) DRAW THE LINE seems more comfy with

a bit easier, but a good trip at least puts her in play for a piece. (4) JUST LIKE MAGIC just missed in a “fall apart”

race 2 back but really hasn’t been great since recently arriving at Yonkers

RACE 8 – (5) INCOMMUNICADO’s last 3 local starts (last summer) resulted in 3 Invitational victories – he went

on the shelf for a long time after that, but recently returned to the races and that last start in NJ should have him tight

for tonight – barn rarely sends them over here if not ready to do damage! (4) SOUTHWIND COORS probably

wasn’t at his best last week but still found a way to grab the victory – remains a very solid threat, but that 7/5 ML

price makes him hard to get too excited about. (6) FERRETTI has really elevated his (already solid) game since the

recent barn change – sharp enough to be a big player, but the draw wasn’t kind. (2) QUEEN OF ALL had plenty of

trot once shaking free last week and is looking at a good trip tonight – playable in exotics. (7) TIPSY MONI has

beaten the boys in the past but tonight’s draw may leave her looking at a more modest piece. (3) TORRONE moved

up to the top level last week and saw his 4 race winning streak come to an end – he did finish ok for 4 th , though, and

has a chance for some minor spoils tonight. (1) BLACK TIE BASH feels overmatched, even starting from the pole

RACE 9– (1) CECIL HANOVER only made 8 starts as a 4YO but he was 6-3-2-1 here at Yonkers, and that

included a 2 nd in the $250K Miecuna Trot – like barnmate INCOMMUNICADO he recently returned from a long

layoff, and he’s likely ready to deliver his best with a pair of tighteners now under his belt. (2) AUSTRAL

HANOVER has come up with some big efforts recently, though not quite able to overcome last week’s very tough

trip – should be able to grab another big piece here, and possibly threaten for the top slot if #1 doesn’t bring his best

(4) MAX finally got claimed last week, after his 4 th straight dominant victory (over the 40s) – he’ll face tougher

now, but it’s hard to deny how incredibly sharp he is...would be no surprise at all, but he also figures to offer no

value after being tabbed as the 2-1 ML favorite. (3) BELLISSIMO FACE S benefited from a beautiful trip last week

and was able to convert it into a victory– figures to have a say tonight as well, though may not be quite as fortunate

trip-wise. (5) AIRMANS JACKPOT has been doing excellent work for an assortment of barns and now returns to a

trainer that had her for many starts in the past – playable underneath. (6) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has been

thriving ever since joining this barn a few months back, but tonight’s draw may leave him with very few good

options. (7) LUCKY MUM N had no late moves after a shuffle last week and figures to be severely compromised by

tonight’s draw. (8) STREET GOSSIP already felt overmatched even before drawing Post 8

RACE 10 – (6) LMC PEANUTS WATCHN shipped in sharp from NJ and raced well in his local debut, digging in

late to hold 2 nd behind a sharp HAZARDOS – he drops in for a tag tonight, gets Bartlett, and has a chance at the

mild upset, even with the bad draw. (4) SIP OF BOURBON went a very weird effort 3 back (he looked like he was

going to pull up to the half), win his next in less than stellar fashion but did look much sharper in last week’s victory,

off the claim – if he brings his best, he’ll be very dangerous again. (2) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL is winless in 11

local tries but gets major post relief and can throw efforts that would put him into the hunt from a spot like this. (1)

CAPTAIN T HANOVER is having a very tough year, but several struggling barnmates raced a bit better over the

last couple of weeks, so perhaps he will too – willing to include underneath. (5) BETTOR MAKE A WISH grabbed

some small pieces in his last 3 local tries and seems destined for a similar fate tonight. (3) BUCHANNON HANOV

ER is 1 for 48 locally (last 3 years) but finished up ok last week, and may be able to land a small slice. (7) HELLO

GORGEOUS has taken a turn in the wrong direction – pass for now. (8) DRAGON YOU ALONG lands all the way

outside for his local debut...and may be moving up quite a bit, as well

RACE 11 – (1) IM TALKING HUNGRY shipped in sharp from the 15s at Chester and has handled the rise to 25s

very nicely here at Yonkers – he doesn’t have great gate speed so the rail draw should really help him work out a

good trip...and perhaps a mild upset in the finale (4) BURNHAM BOY N is now 2 for 2 since dropping to the $25K

level, but did have to work had for both victories – legitimate chance to extend his streak to 3, especially since

Marohn has figured out how to press his buttons. (7) BETTORBUCKLEUP dropped back down to 25s last week,

followed #4 and was a very solid 2 nd – tough draw tonight, but his chances would go up considerably if Stratton is

able to improve at the start. (3) LAZ wasn’t at his best off the claim last week but also missed 3 weeks – he’s

capable of better, and worth at least a look at the right price (he already has 6 wins in 2025). (2) ALWAYS ROCKIN

doesn’t have a great Yonkers history but he moves inside, retains Bartlett, and has at least a chance at a small slice.

(8) OSTRO HANOVER has been finishing well in most of his starts and drops a notch to 25s – he’ll also likely be

coming from last, and that’ll make it hard to be a serious threat this week. (5) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is 2 for 73

at Yonkers and hard to ever consider for more than minor spoils. (6) SALE EL SOL draws poorly and is taking on

boys tonight – sticking with others.