Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, August 7, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Summer Series: (1) MUSKINGUM shows some mixed recent form but he did win here on 5/8,

from the rail, with Sheridan (as the odds on choice) – this feels like a somewhat easier field than he was in with last

Thursday (when the card was canceled), and possibly a spot he can handle. (3) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE goes for a

barn that has done well dropping horses into these amateur races but he just hasn’t been sharp lately, has missed 3

weeks, and is listed at “even money” on the ML despite being 0 for 16 this year – he DOES deserve respect against

this field, but there figures to be better value to be found with a few others. (2) MUSCLE DAN hasn’t raced here in

a while but he’s 12-1-4-5 locally over the past 2 years – good bomb for exotics at that 20-1 ML price. (4) STAR HAI

RDRESSER had some good starts here last spring but then tailed off considerably – he recently added hopples, and

may be getting back some confidence racing at Monti – small piece? (5) BBC SPORTSBOY shows a couple of ok

PcD tries with Hechkoff on board, and is another that could add some value to the exotics, with some trip luck. (8)

BACKSTREET PLAYER had an inside draw when the card was canceled last week but gets stuck with Post 8 for

tonight – figures to have a tough time reaching. (7) KILAUEA has some mixed form at PcD since arriving from the

Midwest, and is another that figures to struggle trying to get into the hunt. (6) DROP THE MIC seems off his game

– Post 6 isn’t going to help his cause.

RACE 2 – (5) TYRA MAKES BANK was used very hard last week and did well just to hold 3 rd in a very quick

mile – she’s sharper than she may look on paper, and was hurt in some recent spots by bad trips (and drives) –

catches a beatable field tonight, and may be able to take advantage. (1) EBONY LADY rallied for 3 rd last week but

it was a case of too little, too late– if she brings her best effort from this spot, she’ll have a chance at the top prize (3)

WHOS PERFECT has 6 wins this year but has been a bit off her best game recently – another that becomes a big

threat IF she can find her “A Game”. (4) STONECOLD GIRL was formless before the recent barn change but

scored for her new connections right off the bat in PA, paying $3.40 (as the public has seen this barn perform instant

turnarounds may times in the past) – she had no pop in her Yonkers debut, but it’s too soon to write her off – ok to

consider at a good price. (8) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL is just 1 for 35 locally over the past 2 years but did have

some pace from well back last week – ok bomb for 3 rd/4 th . (2) MC ANGEL has been no factor at all in her last few

starts and would need a major form reversal. (6) PARADISE ROCK L has been no good at all in her last 3 starts,

and has been off for nearly 4 weeks (new barn tonight). (7) IRIS SEELSTER has tailed dramatically, and lands Post

7 returning to YR.

RACE 3 - (7) TIPSY MONI made her way to the lead last week and easily picked up her 24th Yonkers win, from

just 40 local starts (with most of the losses coming when taking on the boys) – she faces some potential obstacles

starting from out here, but still deserves top billing. (6) HOT FLASH KIMMY was an excellent 2nd to the top

choice last week, despite being killed by some terrible cover – may be the one with the best shot to knock off her

tonight, even with the unfortunate draw. (5) QUEEN OF ALL made a break at the top of the lane last week before

she could rally – we’ll find out tonight if that was just a blip, or if she may be starting to tail a bit. (1) AIRMANS JA

CKPOT may be able to grab a two hole trip here...and that would give her a chance to complete the exacta...she’s

been racing well for a long time, even if vs. a bit easier. (3) LUCKY MUM N has picked up some good pieces at this

level, though she does face an unpredictable trip from this spot – wouldn’t mind including her underneath, if the

price is right. (4) MA ISABELLE would prefer to be in a bit easier, but remains a possibility for minor spoils, with

an easy enough trip. (2) SISTER MARY MAUDE continues to be plagued by the “4YO Blues”, after banking nearly

$500K at 2 and 3.

RACE 4 – (1) DRIBBLING BI is razor sharp right now, and moves all the way inside after almost getting the job

done from Post 8 last week– he gets to pick his trip from this spot, and should be a very dangerous player once more

(2) DIAMANTE TRIO IT was on her game last week, and held off the top choice to pick up her 5 th win of the year –

she COULD repeat, but it’ll be that much tougher tonight. (7) CANTSTOP YANKEE was in a much easier spot for

last week’s canceled card, but he’s razor sharp and shouldn’t be counted out too quickly, even from out here. (6) CR

AZYLAND is yet another that’s hitting on all cylinders right now, but will need to manufacture some trip luck from

Post 6 – losing Bartlett also figures to hurt. (3) THE HAZLETON was struggling for a while but definitely benefited

from a recent freshening – not impossible, but a few others in here just seem a bit sharper right now. (4) BRONZER

really turned things around 3 back, but still needs to prove he can hang at this higher level. (5) WINDSONG PIONE

ER generally needs an easy trip (in an easier field) to be a serious player.

RACE 5 – NAADA Summer Series – good race! (3) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE was a winner with Keppler at

Monti last start and the pair were victorious here at Yonkers on 5/8 – he had Post 8 when the card was canceled last

Thursday, but tonight’s much kinder draw could help him be a major player. (4) PAPA DOC recently turned several

sharp amateur efforts at Pocono, all with Beltrami in the bike – he was actually pretty good here last week (in a

much tougher overnight field), and feels like a serious threat...even if Beltrami has opted to drive #1 (1) CREATIVE

VENTURE is used to facing tougher and was a good 2 nd two back, overcoming an brief early miscue – he was

Beltrami’s choice (over #4) and is a legitimate threat...but he’s also just 1 for 21 this year and listed as the 8/5 ML

favorite! (6) ITSONEOFTHOSE was 2nd in 2 of his last 3 local amateur races, and has won 6 of 19 local starts

overall – he figures to be a juicy price, gets a solid pilot, and is one of several that appear to have a chance tonight.

(5) IMPRESSIVE DUDE has some solid from up in Ottawa, stays trotting every week and even has some early

speed – he moves to one of our top barns for his local debut, but note that his Canadian trainer has been finishing 1st

or 2nd with nearly 50% of his starters this year – we’ll see how this guy stacks up against the locals. (2) CALL ME

THEFIREMAN has a good local history but seems off his best game right now – minor spoils? (7) BIG CHARLIE

MORAN lands outside and is 1 for 46 at Yonkers the past 3 years (0 for 30 in 2024-25). (8) LOS BALLYKEELAMI

GO folded badly last start and now lands Post 8 – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 6 - (3) SADDLE UP has won 3 in a row (for 3 different trainers), 10 of 20 this year at YR and 16 for 36 over

the last two seasons – another new barn tonight, but remains the clear-cut horse to knock off. (1) MAXIMUS RED

A has found himself too far back to threaten for the top slot lately but he figures to be a lot closer to the action

tonight – seems the one with the best chance to upset #4. (5) LYONS BENJAMIN came into his last showing 4 wins

and a 2nd from his last 5 starts so it’s pretty shocking that he paid $17 to win that night – he’s bounced around

among several top barns and lands in another for tonight...but he also faces a bit tougher, and draws outside his two

main rivals. (2) REIGNING DEO is having a tough time this year, currently 17-0-1-4 at Yonkers – gets a good draw,

but has missed almost 4 weeks and seems headed for minor spoils. (6) BILL HALEY N hasn’t been on his best

game for several starts, and would need a big wake up call to be able to battle for the top prize (7) JIMMY

CONNOR B drops to 30s but the tough draw figures to limit his output for tonight. (4) MY ULTIMATE STAR A is

15-0-0-0 locally this year, and would surely be a surprise tonight

RACE 7 – (3) CHICKEN N DICE had 8 holes in 2 of his 3 Yonkers starts this year and finished with pace both

times – when he drew well on 7/17, he rallied nicely to be a close 3 rd...gets a good draw for tonight, was Kelly’s

choice, and has a chance to pull off a mild upset. (1) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY had a brief rough patch recently but

has been back on his game the last 3 starts, picking up a win and a pair of close 2nds – hard to leave off your tickets

from this spot. (6) LMC PEANUTS WATCHIN proved last week that he can beat these with a good trip – he’ll need

even more racing luck tonight (starting from Post 6), but he CAN be a big threat once more if that happens. (2) ON

DAYBOO saw his 3 race winning streak ended last week when he stepped up in class off the most recent claim – he

still needs to prove that he can WIN at this level, but he’s still playable underneath. (4) HARD TO CATCH has just

one local victory this year but he usually races well, and is never a bad one for the bottom of tris and supers, at good

prices. (5) ONYX BOVINO lands in a barn that can improve fresh stock in a hurry...but his Canadian lines suggest

he may be a bit ambitiously placed in this spot. (7) JUST ENUFF STUFF moves to a new barn after dropping to 30s

and tiring badly last week – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 8 - (5) ARI FERRARI J is no stranger to Yonkers going 7-4-2-0 here last year, which included a win in the

$250K Miecuna Trot– he’s used to tackling (much) tougher than these, and lands in a nice spot for his first local try

of 2025. (4) SOUTHWIND COORS picked up a win and a 2nd in his last 2 local starts but wasn’t at his “best”

either time – he’s been away 4 weeks since then, and it’s hard to say if he’ll be 100% for tonight...he’d hardly be a

surprise, as he’s 9-5-3-0 at Yonkers this year! (6) KHAOSAN ROAD is certainly a “Yonkers fan”, with an 8-3-4-0

local record – he’s been 2 nd in all 3 starts this year, lands outside his 2 main rivals, and has been away for 3 weeks

after re-qualifying on 7/15 – may have to settle for a smaller slice tonight. (1) BLACKHAWK ZETTE was a winner

in his last pair, but vs. easier – he’ll need to up his game that much more to have a shot against the top ones in here,

even starting from the pole. (2) AUSTRAL HANOVER has been on a long form spree but vs. easier – he steps up

off last week’s claim, and will need to show that he can contend with these types too. (3) TACHYON is another that

comes off a pair of wins vs. easier, that figures to have a much tougher time at this Invitational level

RACE 9 – Good race: (1) BLUEBIRD BISHOP was claimed for $40K on 2/20 but immediately went on the shelf

until qualifying on 7/25 – he was good in that return prep, and it seems like a good sign that he’s in for the same

$40K tag, even with the 5 months off – he won 7 of 22 local starts in 2024-25, and can be a big player tonight – IF

ready! (6) BARN HALL started the year 7-5-1-1 here at Yonkers before a rough couple of starts for his last barn –

he was claimed on 6/17 (the night he got parked, and finished distanced), and COULD turn in a quick form reversal

for his new connections – has to be worth at least a look with that 20-1 ML price. (8) MAX beat the 60s on 7/10 (off

the claim) but then dropped to 40s off that win, and definitely wasn’t close to his best that night – tonight’s brutal

draw obviously doesn’t help, but he’s 6 for 8 at Yonkers this year, with some HUGE miles among those wins–

would be worth using tonight if the price drifts up considerably. (3) ALL STAR SWAN was a good 3

rd on 6/19 racing off the layoff but wasn’t nearly as good in her next, and no good at all on 7/17 – would need a quick form

reversal to be a real threat here, but it’s not out of the question. (5) JAS BLUESTONE has been incredibly sharp at

Pocono but facing easier – hard to say if those efforts would make him as big a threat against these 40s, but we’ll

find out tonight! (4) KINDA LUCKY LINDY has some solid tries in PA but may find these a nit too tough,

especially having missed nearly 4 weeks. (7) BARRY BLACK won at this level 2 back but still feels up against

starting from Post 7 tonight. (2) PEDAL ON METAL may get a decent trip with the good draw but still feels a notch

below the top ones

RACE 10 - (8) MINDTRIP is 2 for 2 since coming to Yonkers, with dead-game first over victories each time – hard

to say if Marohn can work out a manageable trip from out here, but he’s worth using at what figures to be a pretty

good price (for a horse coming off back to back wins). (4) RECORD YEAR hasn’t been at his best in his last couple

but he’s won 15 races over the past 2 years, and catches a pretty modest field for tonight – dangerous if he brings his

best for his new barn. (5) WAR DAN DELIGHT N has been incredibly camera shy the past 2 years but his overall

form has been solid the past few months, he may be able to leave the gate here and he’s not a bad value play to

consider (in a tough race to decipher). (1) FULL SUPPORT got too hot and folded badly in his first start off the

layoff but was a good trip 2nd when more relaxed last week – would hardly be a surprise, but does figure to get

overbet with the rail and Yannick. (1) KEYSTONE DASH regressed significantly in his 3rd start off the layoff and

that was 26 days ago – would need a fairly big price to try him on top. (2) D A WICKED SHINE had no chance in

his local debut (8 hole) and moves inside tonight – prefer others, but wouldn’t be shocked to see him more

competitive this week. (7) ON THE VIRG used a very easy trip in a very soft field to come out on top last week –

much tougher spot now, but he has been known to string wins together in the past...still leaning elsewhere. (2) J B

GRAM has just one win and one 2nd from his 24 starts this year – hard to endorse from Post 6.