Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, August 28, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) IM SOME GRADUATE has raced well since the recent claim, finishing 2 nd in all 3 starts – he draws

poorly once more, but has the right pilot to find him a manageable trip – hard to NOT give him a good look at that

10-1 ML price! (6) MINDTRIP made a break well before the start on 8/7 (not listed on the program) but won 2 in a

row here just prior to that– his qualifier suggests that he’s just fine, and he’s another that’s worth major consideration

with that 12-1 ML listing. (1) THIRD EDITION was no factor from Post 8 last week but his overall form is very

solid, and he has a couple of recent victories (with Cory S. on board) – very logical threat from this spot. (3) A FEA

RSOME HANOVER was horrible on the turns and it cost him a victory (as he still only lost by a head) – dangerous

late threat if things go his way, but don’t accept too short a price on top. (4) BULLVILLE TERROR has been sharp

at Monti but vs. cheaper – willing to include underneath. (2) BAD BOY TOO left hard last week only to make a full

retreat – an easier trip here could help him grab some minor spoils. (5) CONTACT ZONE has gone in the wrong

direction – waiting for better signs. (8) HEART ON MY SLEEVE is winless since 2023 and draws Post 8

RACE 2 – (6) CANTSTOP YANKEE has been popular at the claim box recently and his solid form in this class is

the reason why – he catches a fairly modest group tonight, and should be able to overcome the less than stellar draw.

(2) DEMONE DEIVENTI IT was no good in his only local try (in April) but was struggling in general at that point

– he’s been doing some very good work in PA lately, and may be able to hold his own vs. these better ones too. (4)

RA DIO LAB never fired at all last week but he drops right back in the box, and he has some recent tries that could

put him into the mix here – good value horse for exotics. (5) PEDAL ON METAL landed on nice trips the last 2

weeks and brought home a win and a 2 nd – chance to be right there once more if the journey is another kind one. (3)

WARRIOR ONE tried the same slow fractions last week that helped him beat (much) easier in a couple of recent

local starts, but he was gobbled up and tired vs. these tougher ones – will need to be much sharper if he hopes to be a

bigger player tonight. (1) BARRY BLACK can grab pieces in spots like this, and is a good one for the bottom of tris

and supers. (7) WILLY WALTON had good trot finishing last week but he has far more lesser efforts than good ones

over the past few months– leaning elsewhere. (8) DRYDEN HANOVER arrived from upstate and lands a brutal spot

RACE 3 – (4) SIR PINOCCHIO makes his first local start of 2025 after going 4 for 4 here in 2024, including wins

in the Yonkers Trot, and the NYSS Final (and banking about half of his $640K total for the year) – he’s used to

facing better, and while he loses his regular pilot (Bartlett), we’re confident that Stratton can handle the assignment.

(1) KEG STAND was strong here in 2024 (17-6-2-1) but only 4-0-0-2 to start off 2025 – hard to say if he’s on his

best game right now, but the rail draw should help him be a big player tonight. (3) MISSISSIPPI STORM figures to

be able to sit relatively close to the pace tonight, and the classy 10YO should be able to finish well enough to grab a

decent piece. (6) AUSTRAL HANOVER rallied with good trot for 2 nd last, appreciating the drop out of the Open –

tough draw, but it’s a short field and he may be able to rally for a share. (2) OVER AND BACK is an excellent

17-6-4-4 at YR this year but his best work probably came vs. a bit easier – goes for a new barn, gets a good draw,

and we’ll see if he can stick around for a piece of this. (5) HOT FLASH KIMMY has been very consistent for some

time, though not quite a sharp in her last couple – she’s also back in with boys tonight, and that could also hurt a bit

RACE 4 – (4) ANTOGNONI S has been outstanding since joining the leading barn in the nation, and is a perfect 6

for 6 here at Yonkers – he was freshened up after winning here on 6/12, qualified sharply (in NJ) on 8/8 but hasn’t

raced since then – the guess is that he’ll be ready to bring his best tonight, as he perhaps auditions for a spot in the

upcoming International Trot (September 13 th). (5) ARI FERRARI J is another that could be hoping for an invitation,

especially after winning the Miecuna Trot on International Day last year – he broke 2 back, but rebounded with a

sharp score last week – we’ll see how reacts to tonight’s new pilot. (2) QUEEN OF ALL has been on an extended

form spree, even if facing the girls in most of her recent starts – more than sharp enough to do damage here too. (1)

GOLDEN RAIN S is a strong 8-5-1-2 here at Yonkers but she’s been away since 8/1 and that may leave her a bit

short tonight. (3) BLACKHAWK ZETTE is a nice 4YO but seemingly a bit below the top ones in here– small piece.

(6) DIRE STRAITS prevailed vs. easier from the pole last week, but faces a tougher assignment for tonight

RACE 5 – (1) WELL THATS MARKY is strictly a stab in here – he was claimed last week despite some weak

recent form, and his new connections immediately take him OFF Lasix (he was racing well in Ohio WITHOUT the

medication) – if that was the key, he’s definitely good enough for a chance to beat these, on his best effort. (3) SOU

TH POINT was very camera shy last year, won a bunch of races early in 2025 but has just ONE recent victory

(along with a bunch of 2nds and 3rds) – remains a good one for exotics, but hard to take on top, at a short price. (2)

ROCKET FREIGHT was “sneaky good” last week, offering a sustained rally from before 3/4s to the wire (even if only for 5

th) – moves inside, and could add some value to the ticket. (5) ARMED BANDIT was “ok” 2 and 3 back

but very good last week, taking a tough beat near the wire - a similar effort puts him in play for another good chunk

tonight. (6) MY PLAYMATE GB hasn’t been “great” since arriving from KY, but he’s been “solid” – a live trip

gives him a chance for a piece. (8) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH picked up his first win of the year 4 back in his 18 th

start of the year – he was claimed in all 3 starts since then, and picked up a pair of 2nds and a 3 rd...not sure he can

work his way into the hunt tonight, however. (4) KINGSTON PANIC has missed some time since picking up a pair

of “meh” 4ths after arriving from Canada. (7) CAPTAIN T HANOVER likely needs a better draw to be a threat

RACE 6 – (2) BLACK HAWK JOE A just missed in 30s 2 back despite a first over try then was super last week

dropping to 25s, used early and still charging late after shaking free...we’ll give him the edge tonight. (4) KARLOO

BRADLEY N got stuck with a pair of 8 holes after being claimed by a small barn and had no chance – he was taken

last week by one of our leading outfits, moves inside, and should have a big say tonight. (3) ON DAYBOO got very

sharp at the end of June and rattled off 3 straight vs. the 20s – he’s held his own vs. better in his last 4 starts (3 of

them from tough spots), and could have a say here with the right trip. (5) DONTTELLMENOW is another that

thrived in 20s, but showed last week he can battle with a bit better too – a good trip could help him land somewhere

on the ticket. (7) BURNHAM BOY N was a winner off the class drop last week (beating #2) but also ended up with

a perfect trip – he could be facing a much more difficult journey tonight. (1) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins,

but CAN tow along for a piece, at times. (8) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES drops back to the level of the claim after a

couple of disappointing tries, but may have to wait for an easier spot to strut his best stuff. (6) IM THE PRINCE

moves to a new barn after backing through the field and finishing distanced last week – pass for now

RACE 7 – (3) BLUEBIRD BISHOP came back razor sharp off a long layoff, winning here on 8/7 – he was a little

disappointing (when claimed) from his next, but bounced right back for his new connections with a front end score

last week – a repeat of that mile will make him tough again tonight. (6) BARN HALL got roughed up and tired 2

back but rebounded with a “steady” try for 4 th last week, racing conservatively – he gets a bad draw but may still

have a bigger say tonight. (2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU doesn’t win that often but he gets fair share of decent pieces

when he draws well in this class – playable in exotics. (7) PAPA DOC had trot at both ends of the mile last week –

he’s at a major post disadvantage for tonight, but that 20-1 ML price makes him worth using on the bottom of

exotics. (4) FOR A DREAMER gets some post relief, and that could help him grab some minor spoils. (1) JUST

LIKE MAGIC just never clicked after joining our leading barn – feels like he would benefit from some class relief.

(5) KASHA V can be wildly inconsistent, but even one of his better efforts may only be enough for a small piece of

this. (8) PEMBROKE REGAL seems ambitiously placed...and has the 8 hole

RACE 8 – (1) MR JOE COOL was acquired by a trainer known for improving horses quickly and significantly, so it

was no surprise to see him jog on 8/10 in his first start (at Chester, in an amateur race) – he shipped in to Yonkers for

his next start and just missed off a pocket trip – maybe he can get over the hump tonight in this pretty well matched

field. (3) DANCE ON THE BEACH had some traffic issues in the stretch last week that may or may not have hurt

his chances – he’s a much tougher horse on the lead, and worth a look here if you think he’ll be cutting this mile. (6)

MOTIVE HANOVER is 2 for 2 at Yonkers this year, putting in sustained rallies in both victories– if they mix things

up a bit up front, he’ll have a chance to take another. (4) IM A POWERPLAY A had things his own way on the lead

in his YR return last week but was outmuscled at the end – possibility, but prefer a couple of others a bit more for

the top slot. (2) SULLIVAN has a good local history but his current Monti form seems just “meh” – will need to

perk up a bit more for a chance to be a prime player. (7) CHECKONWILLIAM GB moved inside last week and was

able to dig in for a brave 16-1 upset victory – not sure he can replicate that effort starting from Post 7, though. (8)

MEMPHISTENNESSEE N drops below the level of the claim after a couple of no threat efforts – leaning

elsewhere. (5) GOOD INVESTMENT has no wins and no 2nds from his 23 starts this year.

RACE 9 – (3) ORDAINED made his local debut taking on older foes (off a bad date) but acquitted himself nicely,

showing good speed and sticking around to be a close 3 rd – willing to give him a try tonight, as he drops right back

in the box. (2) MAZEPPA N arrives from Down Under into a strong trotting barn, qualified nicely, and the guess is

that he’ll fit well in this field. (5) GHOSTLY CASPER was sent off at 1/10 for his first local start of the year, got to

call the shots and still got beat, with no excuses – he’s way too classy to write off after just one disappointing try, but

it’s also tough to accept another short price this week. (1) CREDIT CON was a solid weekly Open performer when

sharp for the previous 2 years, but he has just 8 starts in 2025 and the efforts have been all over the map – if you

think the “good” version will show up tonight, he can add some value to the ticket. (8) DIAMANTE TRIO IT can

hold her own against these when things go her way, but will be hard pressed to find a manageable trip starting from

out here. (6) CRAZYLAND had a good recent run but does seem to have tailed off – tonight’s draw won’t help. (4)

MYCROWNMYKINGDOM does his best work with (much) cheaper – look for him when he starts dropping, as a

win and a pair of seconds will be coming off his card over the next 3 weeks. (7) BRONZER figures to be coming

from too far back to really threaten tonight

RACE 10 – (6) DEFININGTHE MOMENT really turned things around with that sharp victory 3 back, won easily

in her next then gave it all she had from Post 8 last week, only to come up 2 nd best to wake up call winner

FORTUNA DA – we’ll give her a chance to reverse that decision tonight. (5) FORTUNADA made the top last

week, took heat from the top choice for a LONG way but never let her by, digging in to record the form-reversing

victory – wouldn’t be any surprise if she was able to take another. (2) QUICK MENU has been a little disappointing

lately but should get a quick start (and a good trip) tonight, and that could help her grab a better piece. (3) EMDOU

BLEAKAY has been in and out in her 5 local tries, still looking for her first Yonkers victory – leaning towards

others, but could see her grabbing a decent chunk. (7) SUNBURNT was a 49-1 perfect trip upsetter 2 back, but

failed to get close from Post 7 last week...and now gets that same bad draw tonight. (8) ALWAYS BE CITY hit

board 2 and 3 back but failed to threaten last week – will be hard to get in play from Post 8 tonight, even if she

brings her “sharper” version. (1) FOREVER A FLIRT and (4) PINK RUBY would be surprises, given their current

weak form.