Saturday Empire Report
The Empire Report – Saturday, August 2, 2025 – Race Analysis
The Empire Report – Saturday, August 2, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Tough opener! (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR had some mixed efforts after being claimed here on 5/10 –
he seems to have really sharpened recently at Tioga, however, and he does love to win races – worth a look if the
price is right. (5) HOOSIER CELEBRITY followed up a quartet of 2nds and 3rds with a trio of wins in his last 3
starts – he goes for his 6 th barn in 6 weeks tonight, but seems to be able to thrive wherever he lands...Brennan did
opt for #2, though. (2) BETTER MEMORIES raced big in his first 2 tries upon arrival from Delaware, but came up
very flat in his last – IF he brings that better effort tonight, he can be very tough from this spot. (7) TIN ROOF RAI
DER A lacked room last week and was sharper than the line looks – if there’s enough pace up front tonight, he may
be able to make his presence felt late...at a nice price. (8) DANCE ON THE BEACH has found his form and picked
up wins in 3 of his last 4 starts – he faces a MUCH tougher assignment starting from Post 8 tonight, however. (6)
HOPNROLL HEAVEN was a nice 2 nd off the claim 2 back but handled very conservatively last week – tonight’s
tough draw may limit his options. (1) TECHTOPIA HANOVER has been sluggish in his 3 local tries – we’ll see if
the rail draw can help his chances. (4) CHECKONWILLIAM GB arrives from KY and it’s hard to gauge just where
he’ll fit with the locals – prefer to just observe, for now
RACE 2 – (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N has been super for weeks so we’ll just give him a pass for his last (had to
back off hard into 5 th as others left, then was caught behind a tired one at 3/4s) – he was quickly reclaimed by the
barn he won for 2 back, and we’ll look for him to rebound with a big effort tonight. (3) GDS THUNDER GB had no
prayer in his first local try of 2025, stuck sitting 7 th in a 1:52 mile – drops in class, moves inside, has a terrific local
history, and could be a MUCH bigger player tonight. (5) SAWYERS DESIRE was “sneaky ok” two and three starts
back and that probably prompted last week’s claim by our leading barn – he steps up to 25s, but has plenty of back
class and shouldn’t be dismissed too quickly. (2) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N found form in May and has held it ever
since – his best work has come with lesser, however, and he may find the 25s a little tougher than he’d like. (7) SMO
OTH LOU does fit well with these but the draw puts him at a major disadvantage – may have trouble finding a trip
he can handle from out here. (4) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, but always possible for 3 rd/4 th . (6) OZONE
BLUE CHIP continues to struggle – waiting for better signs. (8) SIP OF BOURBON doesn’t seem nearly sharp
enough to be a player from Post 8, at this level
RACE 3 – (7) SOUTH POINT bumped up to 20s last week and might have pulled it off had he not left room at the
inside for the horse who beat him – drops back to 15s, and deserves the narrow edge despite the draw. (1) MAJOR
POCKET A drops back down to the level he beat 4 starts back, and held his own vs. the 20s in his next pair – his
trainer/pilot is not afraid to send him, and he looms the main danger from the pole. (3) VELOCITY KOMODO
finished with life after finding room last week, and could rally for a decent piece tonight, with an easy trip. (8)
VESPA N changed tactics and blasted from Post 8 last week, but backed right through the field (yes, of course he
should have been made to re-qualify of that effort, but that’s another story) – he’ll likely be dismissed here, but he’s
not a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (4) METAMAN won 3 straight not too long ago but has failed to hit board
in 6 starts since then– in need of a major wake up call. (5) MOTIVE HANOVER makes his 2 nd start off a long layoff
and looks like he still may not be in fighting shape...keep an eye for future consideration. (6) SWEET TROY went a
very promising mile in his first start off the layoff but quickly regressed in his last pair. (2) DEEDENUTO A’s
current local slate now stands at 20-0-0-1
RACE 4 – (6) IM THE PRINCE hasn’t been able to get back to his top form, at least with any consistency – he does
get some class relief tonight, so that may help his cause – one of several you could make a case for in here. (2) I B
LOVIN held gamely for 2 nd two back upon arrival from Ohio, then lacked any real room to stretch his legs last week
– would be no surprise at all. (5) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH found a clear rail last week and was able to win in this
class out of the pocket – he was solid at this level on 7/5 as well, and has to be respected tonight. (4) SPINDOCTOR
HANOVER finished with pace from a tough spot on 7/12 then was very game for 2 nd in his next, despite being used
pretty hard – dangerous here with the right trip. (3) BLUE COLLAR MAN throws a mixed bag of efforts, as you
can see just from looking at his last 2 starts – his “good’ version could make him part of the equation tonight, but it’s
hard to know what to expect from him! (1) ROCKET FREIGHT debuts for new connections but has missed 3 weeks
and his “class” is hard to evaluate off his PA form – suppose we’ll get a clearer picture after tonight. (8) SINGFORY
OURSUPPPER remains a bit of a question mark as he’s been hampered by horrible draws in all his local tries...and
gets another for tonight! (7) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N fits ok, but figures to have a hard time finding a decent trip
RACE 5 – This race is billed as a $25K FM claimer but it’s basically a gathering of the sharpest 20s in one field –
totally wide open: (6) JIVE DANCING A has been racing mostly at Stga. and looking pretty sharp these days –
she’s had a ton of local success over the years, and may be able to come out on top in her Hilltop return. (5) FIGHT
NOT FLIGHT has been very sharp for weeks, and that’s why she’s been claimed in 5 straight starts – her price
should be good tonight (with Cory S. on board) but she’s more than capable of delivering an upset. (3)
NUTTINBUTHEBEST took a few weeks off, qualified back nicely and wasn’t bad last week – she can throw a
winning effort at any time, and is another that should be offering some value here. (3) COALFORDSNSHINE GB
has won 4 of her last 5 and taken 3 straight for 3 different trainers – goes to another new barn tonight, and it would
certainly be no surprise to see her extend her winning streak. (2) NITE TIME DEAL has been sharp, and used an
aggressive steer from Post 7 last week to score a 31-1 upset – her price will come down tonight, but she remains a
legitimate player. (1) GINGER TREE LIZ jogged off the claim last week and was quickly taken back by her
long-time connections – always a chance, but leaning towards others. Both (7) I LOVED HER FIRST and (8) DWS
DARLENE have been very successful at this level, but will need all kinds of racing luck to win from out here, with
so many sharp ones inside
RACE 6 – (7) SONCANDO would be hard to endorse off his last few at PcD but he moves to a barn that has won
their first start with horses looking FAR less appealing than this one, and that 20-1 ML price makes him hard to
resist – worth a stab. (8) JEFFERY J trotted a BIG final half to rally from 7 th in his local debut, even if helped a bit
by a “fall apart” race – he’ll likely be aggressive here (despite Post 8), and looms a very real threat to take this. (1)
MARIN COUNTY draws his FIFTH straight rail here at Yonkers, and has shown the ability to grab decent pieces –
in line for more of the same tonight. (3) ALL OF A SUDDEN has been improving in PA and the lightly raced 3YO
feels like a decent fit here – could add some value to the bottom of exotics. (5) H L OLMAYA is 0 for 14 at YR but
usually can hold her own at this level – returns in solid form from Stga., and remains another viable option for
exotics. (2) CHECKMATE HALL raced ok in both local tries, picking up a 2
nd and a 4 th – leaning towards others, but wouldn’t be surprised to see her take home a piece. (4) CREATIN HAVOC was too sluggish for too long in his local debut – needs to get motivated a lot earlier. (6) WISH LIST hasn’t been sharp, and draws poorly tonight
RACE 7 – (4) I DRAINTHESWAMP A was very well backed on 7/16 and came up with his sharpest effort in
weeks, crushing his rivals on the front end – he was super again last start (first over 2 nd in a hot 1:52 mile), and
looms the one to beat tonight, with a similarly sharp performance. (5) SAILBOAT HANOVER started the year
10-0-0-0 but has gone 10-6-3-1 since suddenly finding his form – he makes the jump to 3-s tonight (after last week’s
re- claim), but seems more than sharp enough to remain a major threat! (1) PYRO has had major success here over
the years but he’s been away since November and returns at a reduced level – maybe the tote board will offer some
clues? (Holland did take him over #5) (7) FLIP MY CHIP wasn’t at his best last week but he’s won 11 of 33 local
starts and can never be taken lightly – tough draw tonight, and loses his regular pilots. (3) C BET HANOVER tends
to be camera shy but he’s capable of grabbing pieces when things go his way – ok to use underneath. (6)
DONTTELLMENOW is in his best form all year, moves from a pair of hot barns to another but also tries to move
up TWO classes, from a tough post, while losing Holland – leaning towards others tonight. (2) THE BIZZNESS N
has struggled with getting too hot in his local tries – Dube may not be the best pilot for him. (8) CYRUS N draws
Post 8 off a sick scratch and hasn’t been 1 st or 2 nd in 10 local starts this year.
RACE 8 – (1) JAKEY JUMPUP had gone some good miles here this year so while his 8 hole victory two back (at
71-1) was a “surprise”, it really shouldn’t have been a “shock” – he followed that up with another excellent 8 hole
try last week (2 nd to the solid front-end favorite), and has earned top billing for tonight...though obviously his price
will come WAY down! (6) DURANTE HANOVER showed some promise/ability at 2, and has done some good
work since recently beginning his 3YO campaign (out of town) – should be a good fit in his local debut, and picking
up Holland won’t hurt his chances at all! (3) SHOW ME was sent off at five cents on the dollar last week and you
could see heading to 3/4s that he was in trouble – that was his first try on Lasix and sometimes there needs to be
some tinkering with the right dosage...can’t write him off after that one mile, but hard to get too excited about using
him on top tonight! (5) FLIGHT OF FRITZ was 2 nd to #1 two back, and a steady 4 th last week – could easily grab a
piece tonight too, and should be a decent price. (4) MICHELONS TOTAN broke on turn three while uninvolved last
week – she has some ability, but also a bit risky, (2) CHASING CRYSTALS is a bit below the main players but the
inside draw may help him grab some minor spoils. (8) HIPPIE SHAKE failed to get close from a similar spot last
week – wait for a better draw. (7) ROANDOVER was empty in both local tries and now draws outside
RACE 9 – (1) HEAVE AWAY moved up to 20s off the claim last week, was sent off at 2/5 and had no trouble
scoring the wire to wire victory – catches a pretty soft group tonight, and looms a big threat to take another. (6)
SKYWAY HOUDINI may have shut off his air 2 back but has otherwise raced well/very well in several recent starts
– definitely has appeal at that 20-1 ML price, especially in this pretty modest field. (2) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE
was sluggish as always last week but did manage to rally late for a close 3 rd as things fell apart up front – if he can at
least stay reasonably close to the action tonight, he can take home another decent slice. (3) CAPTAIN T HANOVER
wasn’t “great” last week, but at least he had some life – it’s been a disappointing year for him, but he may be able to
grab a piece tonight. (4) THUNDER HUNTER JOE has been no good at all since the 6/12 claim and drops below
the price he was claimed for tonight – hard to say how much it’ll help, and he’ll likely be overbet. (7) MOSES raced
much better last week, only weakening at the very end– he would have been listed higher up tonight if not for Post 7
(5) ARMED BANDIT wasn’t “good’ in his last pair, but he also wasn’t as bad as he was on 7/12 – waiting for some
better signs before considering, though. (8) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER needs a better draw to be a player with these
RACE 10 – (6) THIRD EDITION made a big recovery after an early miscue 2 back and may have won last week
had he found room into the stretch – the price will be fair tonight, and he did win with Cory on board on 5/24 – good
value play in the finale. (5) GARDYS LEGACY got nipped as the 3/5 choice last week but the winner was very
sharp, and won his previous start as well – he’s been on his game for weeks, and that trend should continue for
another new barn – major threat. (4) GOTHIC ROCK weakened a bit in the lane and lost 2 nd last week but that was
after leaving from Post 8 – he certainly belongs in your exotics with the move inside, and switch to Holland. (1) CE
NTURY IGLESIAS has been a little different in each recent start but anything close to his “A Game” would put him
right in the hunt for a piece of this. (2) WAIMAC ATTACK N just hasn’t been on his game lately – even the inside
draw may not be enough to make him a serious player right now. (8) GINGER TREE PETE turned in his best effort
in ages last week and made his way back onto the “watch list”...unfortunately he may need to wait for a better spot,
after landing Post 8 for tonight. (3) OUR CORELLI N has struggled in all his recent starts. (7) MAURIES BONUS
A moves outside after a no threat effort from Post 2 last week.