Tuesday Empire Report

RACE 1 – NY Excelsior, 2YO Filly Trot: (5) ELQUEEN made a break before the start in Buffalo but was a winner

in her other 3 starts – we’ll give her top billing, but definitely wouldn’t bet the ranch on her with that 3/5 ML price!

(1A) MODESTY BLAISE drops down from NYSS races and that has always been a strong angle – she forms an

interesting tandem with entrymate (1) STEALING BANKSY, who picked up a 2nd at Tioga before making a break at

VD. (2) LUCKY ELLIE has done some decent work in the races where she was able to behave – possible value play

if looking to take a shot against the big favorites. (3) SC THATS MY WIFE gets a decent draw and goes from Cory

S to Jordan S – chance for a piece, if she stays trotting. (6) SEVEN RULES, (7) SHIRLY TEMPLE, and (4) PRINCESS ELSEPELLA

would all be surprises, from what we’ve seen from them so far.

RACE 2 – NYSS 2YO Filly Trot: (5) ILL HAVE THE RED qualified nicely in Canada then won a Tompkins division in her first

career start – she crushed ‘em in a NYSS race at Tioga but did come up 2nd best at VD, when she

waited a long time before moving against the sharp winner...chance to make amends tonight. (2) GRACE IN HEAV

EN finished 3rd in all 3 NYSS tries, and wasn’t too far behind #5 last week – maybe she can improve enough to be a

bigger threat tonight? (1) FLYING COOPER was well back in her qualifier but in a quick mile, vs, older rivals –

barn always has to be respected, and Ms. Svanstedt is a capable pilot...wouldn’t be a total shock. (3) OVERALLS

was ready right off the bat, winning her first 2 starts – she was well beaten in her next pair, however, and will need

to turn things around to be a serious threat again. (4) B EYELASH has a trio of 4ths from her 3 career starts.

RACE 3 - NY Excelsior, 2YO Filly Trot: (1) MAKEITTOTHEBELL finished 2nd to barnmate ELQUEEN (Race 1)in her first career

start, was 3rd in a NYSS the next week, then returned to Excelsior competition and crushed a pair of fields in her

last 2 starts – clearly the one to knock off tonight. (2) MYTHS AND LEGENDS was 3rd at Tioga then 2

nd at Vernon – she hails from top connections, gets Beckwith in the bike tonight, and we’ll see if she can

improve enough to give #1 a battle. (4) SAPARILLA SAL was about to challenge ELQUEEN at VD last week but

broke early in the stretch – she definitely has ability, and is a viable longshot if looking to take a shot against the top

two. (7) R RO picked up an Excelsior win at Tioga then finished 3rd in a Pocono overnight last week – would like

her chances a lot more (for a piece) if not for the terrible draw. (5) M R WANGS stayed trotting in all her starts, even

if she hasn’t been a serious threat – that alone gives her a chance at a minor share. (6) GIVE ME A KISS has been

behaving lately – another with a chance for minor spoils. (3) SENSATIONAL GIRL seems a notch below these, and

has her owner/trainer driving tonight.

RACE 4 – (1) DONTLIKEITLEAVE picked up narrow victories 2 and 3 back then finished full of pace for 4th last

week, despite moving up in class and racing from a tough spot – he draws the pole tonight in a beatable field, and

we’ll give him the narrow edge. (3) TWIN B DELUXE has been sharp for virtually the entire year, and he’s gone

plenty of miles that could beat these...he did come up surprisingly flat in his last, though, and has missed 3 weeks

since being quickly reclaimed by his previous barn – big threat on his best, but does feel at least a little iffy here. (7)

TRENDY TEEN is sharp right now, but has also benefited from some easy trips– moves to a new barn, lands outside

and may be in for a tougher journey tonight. (2) BONDI SHAKE N was an afterthought here at the lower levels in

2023-24, going 13-0-0-3 – he’s really elevated his game in 2025, however, and his recent form suggests that he can

hang with these right now, especially from this good spot – playable in exotics. (4) SAMHARA N raced ok off a

tough trip last week, while moving up 2 classes - the streaky 8YO is good right now, and not a bad bomb for the

bottom of exotics. (6) BOILING OAR gave it a shot on the front end last week and wasn’t up for that at all – he

hasn’t won in a long time, gets a bad draw, and likely looking at only minor spoils tonight. (5) QUALITY BUD

hasn’t been “bad”, but does feel like he could use some class relief. (8) JMS FINAL TREASURE draws Post 8 for

the 4th time in the last 5 weeks and was unable to overcome it any of the other times.

RACE 5 - (2) HARPER SEELSTER had a recent rough patch but has bounced back in her last pair, finishing 2nd

each time – she’ll be a big threat tonight if she brings that same kind of effort, especially after drawing inside all of

her main rivals. (5) QUICK MENU should be able to use her speed tonight and seems destined for a good trip – she

was a winner 2 back, and looms a legitimate threat. (4) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL hasn’t won in a while but she’s

gone her fair share of big efforts, always at big price – never a bad one to consider. (7) ONEDERFULBEACH was

holding her own vs. the 30s recently, and was just claimed last week for $20k...the level where she’s most dangerous

– the concern tonight is the draw, but she’d still be worth a good look if the price is good enough. (6) ALWAYS BE

CI TY was moving way too early last week (turn two) and really cost her any chance of being a bigger player – she’s

done some good work here in the past, gets Jordan in the bike tonight, and could have a much bigger say...at a big

price. (8) YUENGLING raced ok in both local tries but figures to be coming from too far back to have any serious

say tonight. (3) SUNBURNT is “ok” right now, but lands in a pretty tough field. (1) DEFININGTHE MOMENT

draws best (2nd time off the claim) but has never looked too fond getting around the Hilltop oval.

RACE 6 – (1) JENDEN STRIKE A elected to try the 50s last week after picking up 4 wins and a 2nd from her

previous 5 starts – she was left with no chance after being parked the entire way, but still only lost by 5 lengths –

drops back to 30s, draws the pole, and would be hard to go against from this spot. (3) STORMY SERENA has been

very good, but lost all chance last week when caught behind a tiring leader – look for her to be a big player tonight.

(2) WOODMERE HARRIET was a different horse off the claim last week, blowing by the leader to the final turn

and crushing her rivals with a snappy 1:52.4 mile – she’ll go for another new barn tonight, moves up in class, and

we’ll see if she can deliver a mile as sharp as the last one. (7) DELITFULCATHERIN N moved to 30s last week

after beating the 20s in back to back starts – she finished solidly for 4th from a tough spot, but tonight’s draw may

leave her coming from too far back once more. (6) LADYCORONA used a live trip last week to take home 2nd but

may not be as fortunate tonight – she’s been a good fit in this class, but faces an uncertain journey here. (4) STAY

HAPPY went an excellent mile 3 back off the claim, when she just missed to #1 – her last 2 weren’t sharp, though,

and she comes into this as a real question mark. (5) BEANTOWN BABE dropped back down to 30s last week, got

shuffled back and was no factor – just doesn’t feel sharp right now. (8) BOUT DAMN TIME A is holding her own

since moving up to 30s but probably needs a better draw to be a serious player.

RACE 7 – (1) AMMO hasn’t won in a while but he’s certainly been a much better horse (in general) since joining

this barn earlier this year – he just missed by a nose last week, and a similar effort would make him very tough

against these. (4) LOUS WORLD came from a long way back to end up a close 4th last week, gets a much better

draw for tonight, and is absolutely worth a look at that 8-1 ML price. (5) LAYTON HANOVER was a 10X winner

last year (4 for 12 here at YR) but is having trouble finding a good groove in 2025 – he’s been unable to build off the

good efforts he does throw, but he CAN be a threat here if he brings his best – a quick start would really help his

chances. (6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A landed on what could have been a winning trip last week but lacked the 2nd

move he needed in the lane to take home the top prize – he’s too classy to ever dismiss to quickly at this level, but

he’ll also need to be sharper than last week for a chance to get his picture taken. (3) SHADOW CAT has been solid

overall, but also a bit camera shy – he MAY be able to beat these, but seems like a better one to use underneath in

exotics. (8) VICI had a bunch of sharp efforts in a row and does feel like he may be tailing a bit – Post 8 isn’t going

to help his chances! (7) CHANTEE has been more competitive lately, but still feels like a reach from this spot. (2)

MARLBANK ROAD gets a good draw, but may find these a little tougher than he can handle right now.

RACE 8 – (5) ROCKIN JAMES was a winner at 2 but the latter part of his freshman campaign (and early parts of

his 3YO season) have been dominated by miscues and scratches – it FEELS like he’s starting to put it all together

(based on those last 2 Tioga blowouts) and will give him a cautious nod in his Hilltop debut. (6) P A PIPER showed

good signs in his first few local tries but then really disappointed last week after making an easy lead – feels like he

has the ABILITY to beat these, but he’ll have to bring a much better effort than last week. (4) CURRYS FLURRY

added Lasix 2 back in PA but made a break before the start – his start here last week wasn’t bad, as he rallied solidly

for 4th into a quick mile...could be a player tonight. (7) ALL OUT HANOVER has ability, but seems like he may

still be a bit of a work in progress – would have liked his chances a lot more with an inside draw, but he’s still not a

bad one for longshot fans to consider. (1) BEANZY FRESH has a couple of local wins, but facing much easier – the

good draw puts him in play for a piece, though others may offer better value on top. (2) BETTORS DESIRE has just

one win and one 2nd from his 17 starts (out of town), he’s been a slow starter and makes occasional miscues – prefer

to just observe in his local debut. (3) HURRIKANE MIKI is now 0 for 20 at YR, and is 13-0-0-2 here this year. (8)

JMS BEST BET was a good trip 3rd last week, but tonight’s draw is a killer.

RACE 9 – (2) FORTUNADA was scratched injured in late April, came back and re-qualified 7/16 then was a very

good 2nd in her first start back – she could be handful tonight if she builds off that effort, even if Holland opted for

#6. (3) DISTANT LOVER is rock solid at this $20K level and was a good 3rd last week, after a tough first over trip

(vs. the sharp winner) – she loses Stratton, but won’t be hurt getting the talented young Mr. Beckwith in the bike –

major danger. (6) RACIN FOR ROYALTY is another very strong player in this class and was Holland's choice off

the claim – she does get the worst of the draw, though, so insist on a decent price if trying her on top. (1) WILDCAT

ANTONIA continues to lag way too long early on in her miles to be a serious late player – hard to say if she'll be

able to stick closer starting from the pole. (4) NORTHERN HALO was helped by an easy trip last week but

definitely raced better dropping in for the $20K tag – should be able to have a say again tonight with the decent

draw. (5) YOU BEDA ROCK had no chance in her first start off the claim (7 hole) but gets a better draw tonight and

some of her better efforts could put her into the mix for a piece. (8) EMBOUBLEKAY was a solid 2nd to a standout

winner on 7/4, making her local debut (for a new barn) – wasn’t quite as sharp when 4th last week, and now has to

contend with the 8 hole. (7) CELCIUS was empty last week making her first start after being scratched injured on

5/13 – waiting for better signs before hopping back on her team.

RACE 10 – (1) PEACE OUT POSSE hasn’t won in a while but he’s been racing well most weeks, from impossible

spots, vs. much better – no excuses from this spot, though the price will be very short. (7) SPEAKER OF PEACE

has been stuck with horrible posts vs. much better, and he definitely finished his last couple with sneaky pace – he’d

have a solid chance in here with even a “decent” draw...but make sure to get a fair price if looking for him to get it

done from out here. (2) SPORTY M THREE has missed 3 weeks (after a sick scratch) and is 0 for 13 here this year

– that being said, he still may be able to take home a small piece, thanks to the draw. (3) COVERED BRIDGE

seems to sink to new depths each start lately, failing to beat a single horse at the bottom level last week – it’s sad to

see him racing this way, and perhaps it’s time to at least consider some time off for a horse that’s raced so many

times over the past few years, and earned nearly $1.5 million dollars. (4) MASTER OF THE HOUSE at least

flashed some life last week, even if helped by an inside trip and a very slow final quarter – would consider including

underneath. (5) CASINO ACTION N is 1 for 21 at Yonkers this year, after going 1 for 23 in 2024 – he did race ok in

his last, so he’s another one with a chance at a small piece, depending on the trip. (6) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER

was 3rd by default 2 back, and while he did have some pace finishing last start, it was into a very slow final quarter –

the tough draw has us leaning elsewhere. (8) ALADDIN has been really struggling, and now has to deal with Post 8.