Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (5) AQUARIUS FACE S benefited from a perfect trip last week but was also very sharp – he’s won 4 of

his 8 local starts, figures to be able to be aggressive in this spot and we’ll give him the narrow edge, despite the

slight rise in class. (1) BE DIFFERENT has been solid every week, though in tough spots vs. much better overall

fields than this one – looms a major danger starting from the pole. (2) STREET GOSSIP is at a comfortable level,

moves inside, and has a solid chance to land somewhere in the exotics – he’s a little too camera shy to endorse on

top, though. (4) RADIO LAB was in a tough spot last week in a race dominated by the up front speed – his overall

form has been solid, and he may be able to add some value to the exotics here. (3) DRAW THE LINE should

appreciate the class drop, but still may need to be in a little easier to threaten for the top prize – could grab a slice.

(6) HANKINS HANOVER picked up a nice win at the bottom level 3 back, but just smaller pieces after moving up

in class – likely looking at more of the same tonight. (7) ANDOVER CONTESSA has been finishing well every

week, but may just be coming from too far back tonight. (8) BARN CREDIT lands Post 8, well up in class.

RACE 2 – (4) TWIN B SUNKISSED was struggling vs. much better when given 2 months off – she qualified back

solidly at Pocono, and returns at the bottom level tonight after a very useful tightener last week – may have found a

winning spot! (1) TALENT TO SPARE A gets to call the shots tonight and is clearly the one to beat – she’s been a

bit unreliable this year, and also figures to be heavily backed from the pole with Bartlett...be careful about taking

too short a price if using her on top. (2) UNCONTROLLABLE has a dismal 11-0-0-0 local slate this year but several

of her recent tries are sharper than they might look – chance to take home a decent piece tonight, with what figures

to be a pretty good trip! (3) DISARONNO HILL is just 15-1-0-1 at Yonkers this year but has a couple of solid starts

out of town recently, and is another with a chance to land on the bottom of the exotics. (6) PIT BOSS HA NOVER

has been racing over her head at Stga. recently after being claimed for $15K – she fits ok with these, but may be

limited by the outside draw. (7) LAURIE LEE is used to facing (and beating) better, but has been in a long slump

and the class drops haven’t helped yet – hard to make the case that tonight will be the spot for a wake up call. (5)

PRINCESS ARONA has some good local history but her current out of town form, while pretty solid, is vs. much

easier – leaning elsewhere. (8) THUNDRA is 1 for 23 this year facing softer out of town...and draws Post 8.

RACE 3 – (5) ODDS ON PLATINUM banked over $800K at 2 and 3 but like so many others, has found things a

little tougher acclimating to facing older mares (since turning four) – her Canadian efforts would still make her very

tough in THIS spot, she’s a proven performer over the half, and may have found a winning spot for her new

connections. (6) ELEGANT A has been right there with much better fields than this one, was Bartlett’s choice, and

could be the main danger– she’s still looking for her first local win, however (6-0-2-0) (2) TRUE BLUE HANOVER

has bounced back with a solid pair of 3rds since being scratched lame on 7/4 – she should be able to grab a nice

chunk of this, but may be a notch below the top pair. (7) HUNTING HULA finished nicely in her last pair but the

poor draw may leave her trying to rally from too far back – still a chance to grab a piece, though. (4) TWIN DELIG

HT has done her best work with cheaper, and has missed 3 weeks – minor spoils? (1) KAT hit board in her last pair

but faces much tougher tonight, and may struggle a bit, even from the pole. (3) ALTA MADEIRA N was dull in her

YR return last week and faces a better field tonight. (8) IM A BELIEVER isn’t bad right now but gets a brutal draw.

RACE 4 – NY Excelsior, 3YO C&G: (7) BALEVILLE BOMBER has really elevated in his game in his last 3 starts,

not surprisingly since Bartlett started driving – he won at Goshen in a sizzling 1:52.2, then came up 2nd best in his

last pair to a couple of very nice rivals– gets the nod, even from out here (1) XPERT is 0 for 4 in Yonkers overnights

but his last 4 Excelsior starts produced 2 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd – legitimate threat from the pole. (4) MR HUGGINS

lost all chance at Batavia with an early miscue but his overall form is excellent, and he’s been a threat in these races

all year – could be dangerous here with the right trip. (2) PEPPERMINT PETE’s form has been mixed, but his best

effort (from this good spot) could land him somewhere on the ticket. (6) SOUTHPAW is another that could have a

say on his best effort, but the tough draw could limit him to a small share tonight . (8) AMERICAN SALUTE gets

Gingras, but still seems unlikely to have much of a say from out here. Both (5) CIGAR SMOKING JOE & (3) WAR

EAGLE LINDY would be major surprises.

RACE 5 - NY Excelsior, 3YO C&G: (6) DIGGING FOR GOLD took a bad step brushing to the lead at Monti 2

back (at 2/5) but has otherwise won 3 straight Excelsior races (including last week’s jogburger at Btva, with Bartlett)

– not a great draw, but still feels like the one to beat. (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has a LOT of ability, but remains

a tricky horse to drive (22 starts into his career) – losing his regular pilot could definitely hurt, and the rail draw may

also prove tricky for his new pilot – make sure to get a “fair” price if using on top. (4) FORWARD FLASH was

unraced at 2 but continues to improve with each start at 3 – he finished with plenty of pace once free in the lane last

week, and should be able to have a say here...with any half-decent trip. (2) ALABAMA LUCKY was aggressive at

Batavia last week and held well after getting put away by #6 – he should get a close up trip tonight, and may be able

to take home another decent piece. (7) INVICTUS has shown that he can hold his own with these but tonight’s draw

figures to limit his options – will need a lot of racing luck to be a serious threat from out here. (8) MELTDOWN MO

NTE will benefit from dropping out of NYSS competition but may need to wait for a better draw before strutting his

best stuff. (5) SUITE UP BRO won at Goshen, was 3rd at Monti, and landed on a no-chance trip last week – ok bomb

for 3rd/4th. (3) SEAFOOD NEIGHNEIGH started off his campaign strong but seems to have leveled off.

RACE 6 – NYSS, 3YO C&G: (1) DANDY IDEAL’s two local tries resulted in close 2nds to the outstanding TWIST

ED DESTINY (in the Messenger elim. and Final), and he returns tonight off a pair of NYSS victories at Monti and

Btva. – hard to go past from the pole! (4) SILKY CHOICE has earned himself a jump up to NYSS competitions

after crushing his last two Excelsior fields – wish Kakaley was here to drive him, but hopefully he can be as sharp

tonight with Warren on board. (2) COURTS ON FIRE made a break at Batavia last week but he owns a pair of

NYSS victories this year, is looking at a good trip tonight, and a logical player for a piece of the exotics. (5) THIRS

TY THURSDAY tired badly here in his MGM elim. but probably bled that night (as he added Lasix the next week)

– his form since then has been a bit mixed, but his best effort puts him right in the hunt for a good chunk of this. (7)

RED BLOODED is clocking right now but gets no luck at all with the draw – will need some things to go his way to

threaten for one of the top prizes from out here. (3) FULL METAL JACKET is in the cheaper side and did make a

break last week – still, not a terrible bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) IDEALOFADAY probably needs a lot better draw to be any

kind of player against this bunch. (6) DUNE BUGGY has ability, but seems mired in a rough patch right now.

RACE 7 – (2) IDEAL COVER continues to race well every week, despite going off at pretty long odds – her price

will definitely come down a bit tonight, but she’ll still offer some decent value in what shapes up as a pretty good

race! (4) FACTORY GIRL has been right there in her last 4 starts though unable to quite get over the hump – figures

to be a solid threat once more! (6) TALK CURDY TO ME often finds herself taking on tougher than these, and

should appreciate the class relief from her last local try (when a close 4th in the Invitational – she does get a tough

draw, though, so make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (5) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY is another getting

some class relief here, but she’s managed just one win this year- willing to consider if the price creeps up high

enough. (3) CRUISE ALERT has been sharp for some time, but takes on a bit tougher here – leaning to others for

the top slot, but could see her grabbing a decent piece, with some trip luck. (1) IDEALINFUN moves out of claimers

and catches a solid field – not sure the rail draw will be enough to make her a contender. (8) VARSITY BLUE CHIP

has held form beautifully but gets her first bad draw in a long time and that figures to really slow her down. (7) LUC

KY ARIST A moves up and moves outside...and that’s not usually a recipe for success.

RACE 8 – (2) EXCALIBUR BI shipped in off a sharp Chester victory and was an easy winner in his local debut

(more comfortable than the final margin might suggest) – he steps up a bit but is really hitting on all cylinders right

now, and may be able to handle these too (though the 8/5 ML price is admittedly a bit of a turn off) (4) CREDIT CO

N looked very good winning 2 back despite missing a month, but then never got involved last week – he’s a

legitimate Open trotter when on his game, but he’s still trying to find his groove in 2025...would consider if the

price is right. (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU’S last win was on 6/19 but he’s been a solid weekly performer in his

starts since then – he should get a nice trip here, and would hardly be a shock. (5) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS has

six starts since the barn change and only managed one victory – he came up a little short looking to cut the mile last

week and while he still has to be seen as a live player with these, a couple of others seem a bit more appealing for

the top slot. (3) IM AN ANDOVER blasted from Post 7 at nearly 70-1 last week, grabbed a two hole trip and lasted

for 2nd behind the standout winner – suppose he’s earned some additional respect off that effort. (6) WARRAWEE

WHISPER qualified sharply for his new connections but was a “meh” 3rd in his first local start– moves up in class,

draws poorly, and will need to be better to be a serious threat. (8) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM has a win and two

close 2nds from his last 3 starts but facing considerably easier – could be in trouble tonight even if he can find

another quick start. (7) JUST LIKE MAGIC has been just “ok” – probably needs a better draw to be a real threat.

RACE 9 – (4) FRONT PAGE STORY’s last local try saw her cut the mile in the FM Invitational, coming up a close

2nd best to the beastly WALKIN ON AIR – she returns to YR off a trio of hopeless spots at Pocono, and she figures

to be handled very aggressively – major threat! (1) UPTOWN HANOVER just hasn’t been able to find her best form

most weeks this year, and has also been plagued by inconsistency – that being said, she COULD be a player if she

brings her best effort, and lands on a good trip. (2) ASWEETBEACHHERE is a little hard to gauge off her starts out

of town but the 4YO has nearly $500K on her card, and figures to fit nicely for her Yonkers debut – suppose we’ll

learn more after tonight. (3) MIKI IN LUV is used to facing (much) easier but she’s clearly returning in sharp form,

and her barn’s other performer (DRIBBLING BI) is currently razor sharp as well – maybe a small piece at a good

price. (7) EASY TO PLEASE figures to be too far back to seriously threaten, but remains a threat to rally for a small

slice. (6) RACIN HUNGRY steps up considerably in class tonight and her 3 race winning streak is in serious

jeopardy – the poor draw definitely doesn’t help her cause! (8) PRESSURE COOKER gave it a nice try on the front

end in her local debut last week, but probably got a little too hot for her own good – seems damned if she leaves

tonight, and damned even worse if she doesn’t. (5) MISS DOTTIE MAE picked up a win and a 2nd in her last 2

starts but tonight’s double jump really figures to slow her down.

RACE 10 – (4) ATREACHEROUS A took some time off after backing up badly on 5/6 but she just qualified back

sharply, and may be worth a stab right out of the box (at what figures to be a good price). (6) MALUKA MISS N left

from Post 8 last week (dropping out of the 50s), found a spot in 4th and parlayed that into a 3rd place finish – if she

can find another decent trip tonight, she can be part of the equation here too. (5) DONEGAL SPIRIT was wildly

overbet last start (1/10) but able to deliver the victory (over #3) – remains a legitimate threat to repeat, but could be a

bit more vulnerable this time. (3) TWO PISTOL ANNIE gave #5 a battle on 7/25 then was an odds on winner over

easier last week – faces a tougher bunch tonight, but definitely sharp enough to be in the mix with a good trip. (1)

PURAMERI was no threat in her local return but could sit a decent trip from this spot, and take home a small piece.

(2) COWGIRL LILLY finished 6th last week, but was still clinging to 2nd into the stretch – she probably needs some

class relief in order to have a bigger say (7) VIOLETS RAINBOW raced ok in both starts since returning to Yonkers

but figures to struggle tonight with another outside draw, in a tougher field. (8) RESURRECTION DAWN has some

ok recent starts but is 0 for 14 at YR this year, and starts from Post 8.

RACE 11 – Very tough finale! (4) IM OUT recently added Lasix and his last 3 starts in PA were solid, even if he got

beat in his last pair (at short prices) – he raced here a couple of times in 2024 and was 3rd in his Yonkers Trot elim.,

before making a costly miscue in the Final....willing to give him a try in this wide open affair. (1) NOTTINGHAM

figures to attract plenty of $$ from the pole but he definitely hasn’t been on his best game lately, and may prove

vulnerable. (2) SWAN SO FINE failed to sustain a long move in her local debut so the jury is still out on this one –

too soon to write her off, but also tough to accept a short price. (7) FULL SCALE was a solid 3rd last week despite

missing some time due to sickness – would have liked his chances a lot more had he drawn a bit better! (3) KASHA

V remains entirely unpredictable from week to week – the fact that he’s getting a new pilot makes him even tougher

to gauge. (8) P L OSCAR was really struggling for several starts but did turn in a much better effort in his last –

feels like a very tough spot, but not a bad one for longshot fans. (5) FOR A DREAMER dropped to the bottom level

last week, sat an easy trip from the rail but could only manage a dullish 3rd – will need to produce a better effort to

be a bigger threat tonight. (6) ENERGY KING draws poorly and comes into tonight just 1 for 23 this year.