Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (3) JETT STAR N doesn’t have the most exciting out of town form right now but he did win 3 of 5 starts

here earlier in the year, and a return to Yonkers (especially in this very modest field) may be enough to perk him

right up – should be a very live player. (4) HP MOMENTUM shows wildly mixed form from his 9 Ohio starts this

year – if he brings one of his “good” efforts tonight, he’ll be very tough in his local debut...but he does figure to be

a pretty short price! (5) JD CAMDEN GB tailed off significantly early in the year – he took some time off, but his

first start back (at PcD) doesn’t look all that encouraging – still, not often you’ll see a horse from the leading barn in

the nation listed at 20-1 ML...worth a look? (1) MOVIN ON UP has been dull lately, along with much of his barn –

in need of a wake up call. (6) FIZZING N is a bit better than his lines might look but the draw figures to leave him

looking at only a minor share. (2) REAL WILLEY had 2 dull tries off the layoff, and now missed another month.

RACE 2 – (2) PASSIONATE PROMISE had been struggling for some time but did turn in a MUCH better effort

last week, dropping to this level – if he can build off that mile, he can be a serious threat tonight. (1) P C FREE

WHEELING did excellent work for a while after being claimed early in the year for $40K – she did start to tail off,

however, and some tough recent trips have hurt in her quest to revive her form – tonight’s class drop (and the pole)

will give her every chance to strut her best stuff...if she’s up for it. (6) FULL RIGHTS gave it a decent try on the

front end 2 back (at 30-1) and he was very good from OFF the pace last week (at 47-1), sustaining his wide bid

solidly to the end – his price figures to come down at least a bit, but he’s worth a look here if not confident in the top

two. (3) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE just hasn’t been finishing his miles well enough – willing to use underneath, but

sticking with others on top. (4) R NO MERCY used an easy trip to last for 3rd off the drop last week, and is likely

looking at only a smaller piece tonight, as well. (5) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is 0 for 27 here over the last 2 yrs.

RACE 3 – Tough race: (3) LLOYDS LOVES feels like she’s slipped a bit since a new trainer was listed 3 starts

back but it’s not like she’s just fallen apart – she had good pace finishing last week (behind the very talented group

in front of her), and may be able to work out a good trip in this overall weaker field. (6) LIT DE ROSE turned in

what was likely her sharpest mile of the year in that victory 2 back, but got stuck in an impossible spot last week and

didn’t fire at all – always willing to give her a shot if the price is right. (1) CHIAPANECAS wasn’t at her best last

week, though still 2nd best to the pace-controlling DOUGS BABE A – she’s been rock solid for ages, but that “even

money” ML price just seems way too low...and will keep her from offering any real value. (4) IDEAL COVER is

one of the few bright spots in the barn the last few weeks – a big price makes her worth a look, at least for exotics.

(5) GOLDEN QUEST N had gone a long time without throwing a “big” mile before last week’s hard fought victory

– not sure what the chances are that she can repeat that mile, especially facing a tougher bunch here. (7) TALENT

TO SPARE A was rewarded for her aggressive try 2 back with the 10-1 victory then gave it all she had on the front

end last week, holding a long way at 64-1...another class jump AND another bad draw may slow her down tonight.

RACE 4 – (1) PASS AND STOW was a steady 4th in her first try at the Open level last week, her first time ever off

the board at Yonkers (she was an amazing 10-8-2-0 prior to that) – she still faces tough ones tonight but this is an

overall “easier” field, and the rail draw may give her the edge she needs to get back to her winning ways (for a barn

that’s an incredible 17-8-5-2 here this year). (6) SILK CLOUD A has hit board in 7 of her last 8 starts, the other

being when she got completely roughed up in the Matchmaker Final – she’s a major threat any time she’s in to go!

(4) FRONT PAGE STORY is a proven player at this level, but she may need to be aggressive tonight to have a

chance to knock off the top pair – a good trip gives her a shot at the mild upset. (2) DOUGS BABE A was somehow

the only leaver last week and was more than happy to wire the field at 17-1 – much tougher task tonight, but a piece

is still within reach. (7) SEASIDE DIVA’s local form has been mixed, though clearly more than capable when at her

best – the issue tonight is the draw...especially if the starting car is STILL letting them go 3 seconds later than it

used to. (3) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY has been very steady lately, but faces a tougher bunch tonight – may have

to settle for minor spoils. (5) COACHELLABOUND N has thrown more bad ones than good ones lately.

RACE 5 – (6) BONTONI DEGATO S was making his 2nd start off the layoff last week and held ok for 4th after

being used hard a couple of times – he should benefit from that mile, and maybe can pull of an upset here with the

right trip. (1) BROOKVIEW DARIUS was terrific for a long stretch early in the year, hit a rough patch, but seems to

be coming back around a bit in his last couple – could be ready for a bigger try with the class drop and the pole. (2)

MUSICAL RIDE made an uncharacteristic miscue last week, perhaps as she was trying to let in a parked rival – she

fits well enough to be worth at least a look at that 15-1 ML price. (3) CAL MILES N SHELL disappointed on the

lead last week but he did carve out a hot clip – he’s another that could come out on top here if things go his way. (5)

HOOLIE N HECTOR seems to have benefited from a recent short break, returning with wins at Monti and then

here at Yonkers last week – he’s facing tougher, but still has to be respected. (4) CHINESE WHISPER took 7 weeks

off after beating cheaper here on 4/11 and has to be seen as at least a bit suspect for tonight. (7) DROP THE MIC

and (8) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO lands outside and either would be a major surprise.

RACE 6 – (2) OPTRIX returned from Pocono at a comfortable level last week, made his way to the top and just left

‘em in the dust by the top of the lane – he faces tougher here, but this group is still within his comfort zone – we’ll

stay on board (3) THE PRINCE has been a major bust since the $60K claim on 3/13 but finally showed much better

life last week – if he can build off that mile, he can threaten here. (6) RITSON is finally getting some needed class

relief after a bunch of decent tries vs. better – he could add some value to the ticket here if the trip goes his way. (4)

TORRONE hadn’t been on his best game in his last few local tries but a class drop (and the lead) at Pocono saw him

perk up with an easy victory – he can be a player here too, if he built back some confidence with that mile. (1) DWS

POINT MAN has been struggling but he gets a drop and the rail, and that may help him with a wake up call –

willing to include underneath. (5) KASHA V has been unpredictable for a long time – if he’s in the right mood, he

can grab a piece here...but he’s always hard to predict. (8) YANKS DUGOUT can throw big miles when on his

game, but he also throws a lot more duds in the last couple of years – he appreciated the class drop and the lead at

PcD last week, but this is a much tougher assignment. (7) TACHYON went several big miles despite tough trips

recently, but then disappointed on the lead last week – looking at another tough trip after drawing Post 7.

RACE 7 – (6) DJIMON won 4 straight here last summer, including a couple of Invitationals – he hasn’t quite settled

into a good groove since returning in April for his 5YO campaign (in Canada) but that last mile at Chester suggests

that he’s ready to start doing some damage – this is a field he’s really supposed to handle. (3) CACTUSTOTHECLO

UDS finally gets an inside draw after racing well week after week from bad posts – no reason he can’t be a big part

of it again tonight. (1) SEVENSHADESOFGREY went an encouraging mile 2 back but then regressed again last

week – he’s tough to gauge right now, but he’s in a great spot to pick up a nice chunk IF he shows up in the right

mood. (5) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM hasn’t been on his best game lately but this a field where he can make some

noise – willing to use underneath this week. (7) STREET GOSSIP looked good beating much easier 3 back, then

raced very well in this class when 3rd last week, despite a less than stellar trip – good bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) VINNY

DE VIE hasn’t been at his best but he used an easy trip to grab a small piece last week and perhaps can do the same

tonight. (8) TEXSONG SOPRANO drops a notch but that may be negated by Post 8 – the barn did light up the tote

board with LEVINE (on Thurs. night) if looking for an excuse to use this guy at a big price. (2) B NICKING may

get a decent trip here...but may not be sharp enough right now to take advantage.

RACE 8 – (5) FACTORY GIRL perked up as soon as she got away from the much tougher Matchmaker mares,

picking up a 3rd, then a 2nd, then a win last week – she steps up a peg but seems capable of handling these too. (1)

LAURIE LEE couldn’t sustain her first over bid well enough last week and weakened to 4th – she could end up with

a much easier trip tonight, and that would make her a legitimate threat. (7) UPTOWN HANOVER drops to a level

she should be able to beat pretty soon...but tonight’s draw MAY force her to settle for a bit smaller piece – playable

on top IF the price creeps high enough. (2) KATIES UP hit board the last 3 weeks but is still seeking her first win of

2025 – she would hardly be a shock here, but a couple of others seem more appealing for the top slot. (6) CRUISE

ALERT is actually pretty good right now, though hurt by a terrible trip last week – good bomb to try to get onto the

ticket somewhere (4) BETTA WATCH OUT N has a couple of good efforts mixed in with some lesser tries– sticking

with more reliable players tonight. (8) RESURRECTION DAWN raced better than expected when 2nd two back and

wasn’t terrible last week, even if 8th – probably needs a much better spot, though. (3) CATIE FAYE HANOVER is

actually pretty good (for her) right now, but probably in too tough in this field.

RACE 9 – (3) DEFININGTHE MOMENT moved to a barn that has been doing outstanding work with fresh stock

recently and improved immediately, winning easily in NJ – at 15-1 ML, she’s worth a try in her YR debut. (2) LAD

YCORONA was handled aggressively last week, hounded hard and weakened late – could be much tougher here

with an easier trip. (7) HURRIKANE LADY LOU draws horribly returning from NJ but she held her own with

better here, and is worth a look if the price is fair. (6) TWIN B ECHO raced ok last week from Post 8, off a bad date-

eligible to be sharper tonight, at a nice price. (4) KNOCK TWICE is good right now, and worthy of including in

exotics. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A is eligible for a wake up call at any time but is definitely off her game right now,

and does figure to be overbet. (1) TARGARYEN EMPRESS threw a dud last week after a few ok tries– leaning to

others (8) IM A BELIEVER has all weak tries other than that blowout as the favorite 3 back – brutal spot tonight.