Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, May 15, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) MAMBA was battling high class pacers here not all that long ago – he’s clearly not performing at

that level right now, but he’s at least found some good form (out of town) for these lower classes – he has the speed

to overcome the bad draw, and the right pilot to hustle him out of there– may have found a winning spot (7) GINGR

AS BEACH disappointed 2 back dropping to his bottom level but he looked better last week – his best effort makes

him a legitimate threat here, and perhaps he’ll perk up tonight with his namesake on board. (4) JK MIKI MANTLE

was a steady 3 rd in his local debut last week and has battled tougher out of town – if he’s within striking distance

turning for home, he can be a late threat. (1) WICHITA LINEMAN hasn’t been 1 st or 2 nd in his 11 starts this year but

he almost can’t help but get a contending trip from this spot – playable in exotics. (3) SPORTY M THREE was

racing well right up until being purchased after his 3/22 start but he hasn’t finished better than 6 th in 4 starts since

then (after leaving the nation’s leading barn) – drops to the bottom tonight, but still hard to consider on top. (5) RAY

RAY can throw a decent effort from time to time but this doesn’t feel like a great spot to look for one. (2) DELIGHT

FUL DUDE N had a weak 2024 season and things haven’t gone any better in ’25 – the inside draw is his best asset

here. (8) OZARK has only beaten a total of 2 horses in 4 starts since being claimed...and draws horrible once more

RACE 2 – (6) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY recently turned in a trio of excellent 2 nd place finishes, behind some very

sharp winners – he was roughed up a bit too hard last week, but can be very dangerous tonight (for yet another new

barn) with a bit kinder journey. (3) HAMMERING HANK is still looking for his first victory of the season but he’s

raced very well a number of times, including last week’s excellent first over 2 d to the oft-winning SADDLE UP –

logical threat. (5) AMERITRIC was a winner back on 3/21 (over the solid VICI) and has had excuses in a few starts

since then – decent value play, if he can find a live trip. (1) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is as camera shy as they come

but he’s probably good enough for a chance at a piece of this, with an easy enough trip from the pole. (7) TWIGGS

PUB has raced well a bunch of times for our leading trainer but he remains winless on the year, and is 0 for 19 here

at Yonkers – leaning to others for the top slot. (4) TO THE HUNT fits well enough with these but he’s been away for

a couple of months and may need a start. (2) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH is 0 for 13 locally this year and just 1 for 24

for his career – minor spoils only

RACE 3 – (2) ROCKIN JUKEBOX served notice here on 5/1 that he may be ready to turn things around when 2 nd

best to the currently streaking TWIN B DELUXE...he followed that up with a career best 1:49.4 blowout at Pocono

last Sunday, and looms a big threat to make it 2 in a row tonight (he was eligible to this class at the time of entry) (4)

QUALITY BUD was caught first over vs. better last week and stayed game to the end to be a close 3 rd – his overall

current form hasn’t been stellar, but he can grab a decent piece with a variety of trips. (6) OUTLAW MAN N had

been burning $$ this year before finally getting the jog done last week – he faces tougher now, but still has a shot at

a piece with the right trip. (7) CAVIART SARGENT would seem to be in an impossible spot but we’ve seen him

pick up pieces at big prices from similarly difficult scenarios – never a bad one to consider underneath, at juicy odds

(1) WALKINSHAW N will probably attract decent tote action here but he would have jogged off his perfect trip last

week if anywhere close to top form – maybe he’ll be sharper tonight, and he’ll need to be if he hopes to grab a big

chunk. (3) STELLAR YANKEE battled hard to get it done vs. much easier last time – seems destined for a tougher

trip tonight, vs. this better field. (5) GAMBLINGTERROR drops, but may look better in NW5000 next week

RACE 4 – (2) JACKS LEGEND N has been racing pretty well for a while, and that includes a dead game first over

victory 3 back – the 11YO millionaire may not bring his absolute best every week, but anything close to it would

give him a chance to pull off the mild upset in this pretty evenly matched field. (3) SAN DOMINO A basically was

able to just steal a couple of wins vs. the 25s in his last 2 starts, after a no excuse loss (at 3/5) the start before– would

normally be a “play against” stepping up to 30s tonight, but most of these probably belong in 25s (or lower) as well

– won’t offer any value (7/5 ML), but still a very legitimate chance. (5) OZONE BLUE CHIP was an easy trip 3 rd

last week, but vs. a tougher field than this one – the veteran has definitely lost a few miles off his fastball, but can

still threaten these with the right trip. (6) BURNHAM BOY N was clearly a bit short in his first 2 starts off the

layoff and gets a terrible draw for tonight – still, a good price makes him worth considering for your tickets. (1) ALT

A CLASSIC A draws the pole in a vulnerable field but he’s 0 for 8 at Yonkers (last 3 years) and would need to be a

good price to consider on top. (7) CAPTAIN T HANOVER just hasn’t come close to replicating his terrific 2024

season here in 2025 – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (4) ALEX TYE is having a brutal year – he drops

in for a tag, but 15s seems like a more realistic level

RACE 5 – Tough race: (5) ORLANDO BLUE A went through a recent rough patch but he’s come back around and

seemingly a bit sharper every week – he won 4 races earlier this year, and maybe he can get it done tonight, with the

right trip...one of several with a legitimate chance in here. (3) MARLBANK ROAD found himself in well over his

head recently but never embarrassed himself, and even picked up a bunch of smaller checks – he’s back at levels

where he can do some damage, and a fair price makes him worth a look tonight (2) POP IT has been consistent since

returning as a 4YO, even with some bad posts in tough fields – would be no surprise at all vs. these. (4) LUCKBEW

ITHALEX had a big wake up call 2 back but lost out to a rival that also perked up in a big way that night – he was

able to follow that up with a victory last week, and may be able to threaten here as well, with renewed confidence.

(1) LEVINE is just way too camera shy to endorse on top, but he’s looking at a good trip here with a chance to take

home a small share. (7) STAY GROUNDED has yet to finish 1 st or 2 nd in 13 Yonkers starts and draws poorly tonight

– that being said, he does have ability, and gets a big switch to Bartlett – maybe if the price is juicy enough? (6) ON

ACCIDENT doesn’t seem like a threat to win from this spot, but he picks up enough pieces to at least consider for 3

rd/4 th . (8) CASINO ACTION N will look more appealing in NW5000 next week, hopefully with a better draw

RACE 6 – (4) P C FREE WHEELING seemed a little suspicious dropping back in for $40K (5/1) and did struggle

to get going from Post 8 that night – her last was a lot more encouraging, however, trotting a strong final quarter

after being conservative at the back much of the way – willing to give her a try tonight with the move inside. (3) AU

STRAL HANOVER had to requalify after back-to-back miscues but clearly had no issues that day, jogging in 1:56 –

he’s very solid in this class when he behaves, and worth considering tonight if the price is fair (6) WILLY WALTON

hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in a while but he hit board in his last 4 starts, and his quick gate speed helps him

grab good trips most weeks – possibility. (1) BROOKVIEW DARIUS was terrific for his first 8 starts this year but

he's regressed lately, while changing barns a few times – he can be tough from this spot if he can find one of his

better efforts...but that’s a BIG “if”. (5) AIRMANS JACKPOT goes for a new barn (off the claim) tonight and her

recent efforts have been somewhat mixed – she’s playable here, but only if the price is pretty juicy. (8) BULLY BOY

HILL has been doing solid work lately, and that includes a victory 2 back – he gets the worst of the draw tonight (for

a new barn), and seems destined for only minor spoils from out here. (7) CANTSTOP YANKEE dropped in for a tag

last week, worked out a beautiful pocket trip but came up empty in the lane – leaning towards others right now. (2)

PAPA DOC hasn’t really clicked at this level in his 4 tries since returning from the layoff

RACE 7 – (3) BLACK MAGIC has made 4 starts here this year NOT in the Invitational, and has won 3 of them (with a 2

nd to BENJAMIN HANOVER in the other) – he gets a free ride after beating this class last week, and

remains the one to knock off tonight. (2) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS had things made much easier for him last week

when the favorite broke at the start, but was still sharp in his easy wire to wire score – his overall recent form has

been solid, and he should have a big say here tonight as well....even if Stratton did (understandably) opt to drive #3.

(1) BUSY MAKING MONI came into his last off a 2 nd place finish to ANTOGNONI S in the Brennan Trotting

Series Final but threw a bit of a dud, finishing a no-threat 5 th as the 3/5 choice (in the race won by BLACK MAGIC)

– he could certainly rebound tonight (2 nd time Lasix), and the price will surely be much better for anybody looking

to stay on board. (4) DIAMANTE TRIO IT seemed to finally add consistency back to her game before folding badly

on the lead last week – she COULD bounce right back, but we’re still leaning elsewhere. (7) BELLISSIMO FACE S

followed #3’s perfect cover last week but could only manage a DH for 3 rd...won’t be any easier from Post 7 tonight.

(5) KHAOSAN ROAD has a good local history but he’s making his first start since December and those NJ

qualifiers suggest he may need a start or two. (6) CREDIT CON went on the shelf last July after a break in the

Invitational and his 2 qualifiers & 2 starts since returning have been less than encouraging – waiting for better signs

RACE 8 – (1) MISSISSIPPI STORM is still going strong at age 10, turning in sharp efforts week after week – he

showed 2 back that he can still be aggressive in the right spots, and this feels like one of those – gets top billing. (4)

SOUTHWIND ARTURO was just 1 for 22 here in 2024 but is already 1 for 2 this year, and 7-2-2-1 overall – solid

threat to land in the exotics. (6) INFINITY STONE can throw a big mile from time to time but generally on the front

end – he had to back off last week but MAY be able to blast out of there tonight...his chances to be a part of this go

way up with a fast start. (2) DWS POINT MAN took 3 weeks off after failing to function in his last – it may have

been a fairly minor issue, but he still has to be seen as a major question mark for tonight. (7) CHAKE was a winner

as the odds-on choice in her Hilltop return last week but she wasn’t overly impressive – gets a tough draw tonight,

and definitely seems vulnerable at that 9/5 ML price. (8) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM feels like he’s off his best

game right now, and will have to deal with Post 8 as well – leaning elsewhere. (5) B NICKING has a couple of

recent wins but they were on the lead, facing easier – this is a much tougher assignment. (3) SEVENSHADESOFGR

EY finally got re-qualified last week and will probably be content just to grab a clean mile tonight

RACE 9 – (6) OVER AND BACK took a few starts to find his best stride here at Yonkers but he comes into tonight

riding a 4 race winning streak, and sometimes it pays to just stick with the hot hand...though he’s definitely not the

type to bet the ranch on at a very short price. (2) HOT FLASH KIMMY has hit board in 5 straight, including 4 in a

row here at Yonkers – she hasn’t found the winner’s circle, however, so insist on a fair price if trying her on top. (5)

BE DIFFERENT felt like he had a reasonable chance heading into his last race...so that 38-1 win payoff was just

beyond generous – that price will come down quite a bit tonight, but another live trip would put him right back in

the hunt for a big prize. (8) MAHONE SEELSTER is a rock solid performer at this level so the only things shocking

about last week’s 3 rd place effort (from Post 8) was the 67-1 price – not a bad one to consider if looking for a big

priced “get out” horse in the last race. (3) HAT TRICK MARLEAU actually raced pretty well last week considering

how much ground he had to make up before the start after a pre-race miscue...another reasonable bomb if not in

love with the favorites. (1) WARRAWEE XALT was sideways and stopping in every turn last week (after a miscue

the week before) and Stratton deserves all the credit for not only nursing him cleanly through FOUR turns, but

somehow being in position to rally in the stretch to win it – he’ll need to show up a LOT smoother to repeat against

these, however. (4) ROGER RABBIT had everything go his way in that upset victory 2 back but his overall recent

form has otherwise been lacking. (7) MOHATU AS really hasn’t been bad at this level, and is listed here on the

bottom mostly due to the terrible draw.