Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (1) SHAKE IT is just insanely sharp right now, crushing the 40s the last 2 weeks with absolute ease – his

run started about 2 months ago down at the $20K level, and he’s just gotten even sharper at these higher levels – he

gets a new pilot tonight, but Kelly is off to a good start since arriving at Yonkers, already picking up 8 wins. (3) CE

NTURY ENDEAVOR already has 7 wins this year but got his doors blown off by the winner’s brush last week –

he’ll be a decent price tonight if you think he can bounce right back, and avenge that last defeat. (4) NUTTIN BUT

FINESSE took a couple of starts to find his form (after missing almost a year!) but really started to click in his last

few, and returns from PA in very sharp form – could easily grab a good piece tonight. (8) MIND HUNTER was a

solid front end winner over easier 3 back, came up with an excellent 2nd from Post 7 in his next, then was excellent

again last week, despite a very tough 8 hole journey – he’s sharp enough to be a player here, but will need plenty of

trip luck after another horrible draw. (7) LYRICAL GENIUS A hasn’t won in a while but somehow finds a way to

hit board every week, even from terrible spots – good bomb for the bottom of tris and supers. (2) WOODMERE

ROLLNPOP has 16 wins over the last 2 years (mostly in Canada) but does seem a bit on the cheaper side – he’ll

have to prove he can compete with these tougher ones. (6) SLING SHOCK is 0 for 14 at YR this year, but hit board

in a lot of those starts – Post 6 may slow him down a bit. (5) CURBSIDE PICKUP won his first 2 starts off the barn

change but then struggled in his next 4 – waiting for better signs.

RACE 2 – (4) FLIP MY CHIP buried the field (this class) 3 back and was claimed that night – he moved up to 40s

the next week and was an excellent 2nd (7 hole) behind the streaking SHAKE IT....he had license to tire last week

after getting really roughed up early on (as the favorite), but he drops back down to 30s tonight, and his barn picked

up a pair of wins on Sat. night – the one to beat. (1) GRETZKY THE GREAT returned from an 8 month layoff on

6/30 and went a huge mile to score the 13-1 upset– he immediately reverted to bad habits in his next, however, going

offstride before the start – if he minds his manners tonight, he could be a player once more. (3) TOPVILLE

SOMEBEACH appreciated the easy trip last week and finished well for 2nd – his barn has been particularly strong

lately, so perhaps he can take home another good piece tonight. (5) MUSIC HALL is a tough call – he drops back

down to a level where he won his last 3 starts, but it also feels like he’s fallen off form...it would be no surprise to

see him perk up tonight, but you’ll still want a decent price to consider him on top. (2) PINE BUSH ITALIANO has

some better efforts lately but it’s still hard to ignore his 31-0-1-1 local slate! (7) THUNDER HUNTER JOE was

sluggish in both starts since the recent claim, and now starts from Post 7 – leaning elsewhere. (6) EMINEM

HANOVER just has too many recent duds to consider right now, especially from a bad post.

RACE 3 – (3) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N hurt his chances significantly after making a brief miscue into the first turn

last week, but still raced pretty well under the circumstances (first over into the sizzling :54 final half, and still not

far off 2nd) – his prior two were both very sharp, and he could benefit here by being allowed to relax early – better

price tonight for those willing to stay on his team. (1) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH has nearly $900K on his card

and arrives at Yonkers off a blowout win at Buffalo (preceded by several solid Canadian lines) – the classy 7YO

actually won a Borgata leg here in 2022, and raced in the Aria in 2023...figures to be a very big player from the

pole, though he’ll also likely be overbet. (4) SHAKESPEARE has won 3 of 5 starts since recently changing barns

and his last victory was pretty powerful (even if helped by a hot early pace) – his best effort could put him right in

the mix. (2) HP MOMENTUM was moving up 2 classes (off a bad date) last week but was able to convert a perfect

trip into a 34-1 stunner...gets another good draw, and may be sharp enough to contend for a good piece here too. (6)

HI CKFROMFRENCHLICK has 2 recent 20-1 victories and almost pulled off a 36-1 shocker 4 back – if he can

leave quick enough to grab himself a trip, he may be able to add some value to the exotics. (5) NIGHT HAWK

recently had a nice run but it feels like he’s cooled off in his last few starts – leaning elsewhere. (8) SWEETHOMEA

LABAMA N has sharpened for sure, but the combination of the class hike AND 8 hole figures to slow him down

tonight. (7) FUNATTHEBEACH N was no factor in his last pair, and draws poorly tonight.

RACE 4 – (1) TWIG returned to his favorite barn last week and was undeterred by both the move up to 40s and

Post 7, still turning an excellent effort to be 2nd to the razor sharp SHAKE IT – avoids that foe tonight, draws the

pole, and they’ll have him to catch and beat. (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF has been finishing well in all of his recent

starts – solid chance for a good piece here...and maybe even the top slot if #1 doesn’t bring his best. (4) SIX

DEGREES is one of several horses recently added to this barn to see their games pick up considerably, right off the

bat – he comes into tonight off a pair of 2nds to blowout winners, and has definitely earned plenty of respect. (5)

WALKINSHAW N was hurt by both a shuffle and chasing a hot early pace last week – this is a tough spot, but he

may offer a decent late rally if things go his way. (2) MACH N CHEESE was used too hard to the quarter last week

and it hurt him late – he’s not on his best game right now, but an easy trip could help him grab some minor spoils.

(7) RENAISSANCE DEO is 0 for 12 here this year and just 1 for 19 overall – the terrible draw won’t help his cause.

(8) SCRIBBLERS has been having trouble finishing his miles, even in the race he won – faces a tough task starting

from out here. (6) JIMMY CONNOR B has been better lately, but may need to be in a bit easier.

RACE 5 – (3) SWEET BEACH LIFE had a terrific 3YO season, banking $371K (including a win here at Yonkers,

in the Messenger Stakes) – it took him a couple of starts to get rolling at 4, but he soon turned in a couple of close

2nds behind classy DIEGO N, just missed to CHIMICHURRI N two back then was a blowout 1:51.4 winner in his

last – solid chance to make it 2 in a row. (1) MANFERNO has certainly thrived since recently joining this barn,

beating a pair of sharp, prolific winners in his first 2 local tries – he hardly embarrassed himself in the Open last

week, and looms a legitimate danger dropping down, and drawing the pole. (2) THE IDEAL DANCER has been

stuck on smaller pieces for a while and is probably looking at a similar fate tonight vs. the top two...good spot to

take home another nice chunk, though. (6) CARABAO A appreciated the class drop and pocket trip last week,

picking up his 3rd win of the season – he figures to be coming from too far back tonight, but may be able to rally for

a piece with his usual late kick. (7) FINVARRA A has enjoyed a terrific season so far but does feel like he may be a

bit off his top form...tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (5) STELLAR YANKEE has held form beautifully in a

recent climb up the class ladder but will need a lot of trip luck to make his presence felt tonight. (4) SHERLOCK N

hasn’t looked sharp in his last few, and Stratton opts off for #5. (8) VICI has been very solid for weeks/months, but

faces an uphill battle trying to get into the hunt tonight.

RACE 6 – (7) MULLINAX disappointed in his first start off the claim but quickly started to sharpen for our leading

trainer, and is now in absolute career form – his last pair have been visually sensational victories, and Bartlett elects

to stick with him tonight, despite Post 7...so will we! (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is one of many from this barn

that suddenly came to life over the last couple of months, and this guy has held that form beautifully – he was

absolutely flying through the lane for 4th last week, and now moves all the way inside...chance for a mild upset. (3)

HEZA CHARTTOPPER A was unable to get in play from the back in last week’s Open but that was on the heels of

2 front end jogburgers – an easier trip tonight puts him right back into the mix. (4) RACING RAMPAGE has never

quite gotten back to last year’s “top” form, but he’s been a steady weekly player over the past couple of months –

prefer others on top, but can see him grabbing a piece, with a good trip. (5) JUMPINGJACKMAC N arrives from

Down Under with quite a resume, closing in on $700K in earnings and still racing in Group 1 events this Fall – he

shows a solid prep for a trainer with a barn full of top performers, but he MAY need a start after drawing into this

sharp field...perhaps check the tote board? (2) TWIN B POWERBALL was able to hang on for 2nd last week behind

runaway MULLINAX, but may have trouble replicating that effort in this tougher group. (6) TOBINS CHESTER

seems a bit buried in this spot.

RACE 7 – (7) DESPERATE MAN’s night was made much easier last week when CHASE H HANOVER broke

before the start, allowing him to make an easy lead, and wire the field (despite 23 days off) – he lands outside again,

but should still be able to work out a pretty manageable trip...we’ll stay on board this winning machine, especially

since he probably won’t be favored. (1) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR was stuck with Post 7 off a bad date last week,

but still put in a useful effort for 4th – he won his previous 3 Invitationals, and was a player all through this year’s

Borgata Series – very dangerous here, but also may end up a bit overbet. (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A has proven

himself at this top level, especially when he lands on a good trip – solid chance for a good piece, and could be

waiting in the wings should the top pair falter. (2) AMERICAN DEALER N has used easy trips to pick up SIX

seconds from his last 7 starts – still prefer a few others, but obviously it would be no surprise to see him grab a

decent share. (4) DIEGO N was somehow able to take a solid field to the half in :58 seconds last week (racing for

$30K!), and they might as well have put the “OFFICIAL” sign up at the half – it’s unlikely that he’ll see such a

favorable trip tonight, however. (5) STREET HAWK took off the gate in that DIEGO N mile last week and never

had any chance of getting in play – faces a tough trip tonight, as well. (6) HIMSELF N figures to get away last

tonight – wait for a better spot.

RACE 8 – (3) LAYTON HANOVER was no match for SOHO DOW JONES A when 2nd to that one last start, but

he definitely had a much tougher trip – gets the post advantage this week, should be a decent price, and we’ll give

him a chance to turn the tables tonight. (6) SOHO DOW JONES A went a very sharp mile on 6/30 (with a tough

trip, off a bad date), so it was no surprise to see him dominate his rivals from the rail last week (dropping in class) –

he’s more than capable of stepping up and beating these too...but the possibility at least exists for a tough trip, and

he’ll likely be a pretty short price (he was Bartlett’s choice of SIX in here)! (7) T H TYSON showed ability at 2 but

then made just 2 starts as a 3YO – he’s been making up for lost time since returning at 4, and shows some very nice

recent efforts out of town...has to be worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price, even from Post 7. (1) THE BIGBO

SS A picked up a win, 2nd, and 3rd in his last 3 starts but the recent import is still a bit of a question mark regarding

his upside – would be no real surprise here, but you’d still want a “fair” price to try him on top. (4) LOUS WORLD

was a solid 2nd from the pocket to a currently very sharp ALL CLASS two back, but struggled in his last – could

have a say here if he bounces back to that better form. (5) SEMI TOUGH did a nice job (somehow) holding 2nd to

SWEET BEACH LIFE last week but he faces a solid field tonight, and may end up with a less than stellar trip from

this spot. (2) ORLANDO BLUE A appreciated the class relief at Tioga the last few starts but is likely looking at just

minor spoils against this much tougher crew. (8) COPPERFIELD made the most of a tough spot when 2

nd in his YR return last week, but he lands all the way outside tonight, and Bartlett opts for #6.

RACE 9 – (7) LYONS BENJAMIN came into his last riding a 4 race winning streak but just couldn’t hang on (at

2/5), after being used pretty hard – he was reclaimed by the barn for whom he jogged on 6/7, and reunites with Buter

(for whom he recently won back to back starts) – his price will be much better tonight, and we’ll give him the

narrow edge in a very competitive finale. (3) WELL THATS MARKY made two moves from Post 7 last week (vs.

the top choice) and was still an excellent 3rd– he’s very good right now, and looms a very legitimate threat. (1) WHY

TOMORROW RAY is right in the mix every week, and will surely attract plenty of attention going from Post 8 to

the rail– he also has been coming up a little light at the end of his recent miles, and may find himself a bit vulnerable

tonight, as well. (5) AMERTRIC got a better draw, a MUCH better trip, and was able to capitalize last week with the

$13.80 victory – would hardly be a surprise tonight, but he may not be quite as fortunate with his trip. (2) IM THE

PRINCE can be pretty inconsistent, but he’s a dangerous player when he brings his best effort – not a bad one for

longshot fans. (4) BLUE COLLAR MAN almost pulled off a wire to wire 29-1 upset in his local debut – he steps up

to face tougher tonight, but has at least some appeal with that 20-1 ML price. (6) HARD TO CATCH is a reliable

player in this class but tonight’s draw could leave him too far back to really threaten. (8) THAT DOG WILL HUNT

will be hard pressed to get in play from out here.