Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, September 11, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (8) DISTANT LOVER was no threat three back vs. the 25s but a drop back to her preferred 20s resulted

in victories in her last pair – goes from one top barn to another, has the speed (and driver) to overcome Post 8, and

deserves top billing, as she seeks her 3 rd straight. (3) DISARONNO HILL chased the top choice 2 nd best last week

after a very well meant try the week before (when parked every step) – good chance she can be part of the equation

once more. (2) SUNTAN CITY has some very good form in Maryland but is hard to gauge class-wise – the bigger

angle is that she was picked up by an owner/trainer that has been buying “cheaper” stock in bunches for the last

couple of years, and routinely making them much better, in a hurry – she’d be no surprise at all. (7) AT THE HOP

wasn’t bad 2 back and did try to leave last week (before having to back off) – she’s in another awful spot, but still a

decent bomb for 3 rd/4 th . (4) ANNELIESE HANOVER is in and out, but always capable of grabbing a small slice

when in the right mood. (6) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK has been unable to replicate that sharp victory from 4

back in her last 3 starts, and draws poorly tonight – leaning towards others. Both (1) FOREVER A FLIRT and (5)

PINK RUBY are way off form, and would be major surprises right now

RACE 2 – (2) CECIL HANOVER was off to a slow start in 2025 but his talent has started to come through again,

and he should have no trouble handling this class jump – looks to make it 3 straight, and his 2 nd since last week’s

barn change. (3) ORDAINED took a sizable class jump for his first local try and hung in beautifully for 3 rd – he was

2 nd best to the classy GHOSTLY CASPER in his last, and should be able to grab another nice chunk tonight (4) KEG

STAND has 6 wins and $126K on his card this year, but he’s actually struggled a bit here at Yonkers – he’s not on

his best game right now, but still a threat to land in the exotics with these. (7) DIAMANTE TRIO IT would seem to

be in an impossible spot but IF you think that Warren will gamble on leaving from out here (after getting parked last

week), she could be a great bomb for 3 rd/4 th . (1) BEAT BOBBY BAYOU is 6 for 7 here at Yonkers but strictly facing

age restricted “NWPM” types – he may prove to be able to troy with these too, but he still needs to prove it

(especially after struggling a bit out of town in his last few). (6) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS will likely sit back and

rally late, but that may leave him looking at only minor spoils tonight. (5) RITSON was on a good roll when he took

a few weeks off from the beginning of July...and he’s still trying to get back to that peak form.

RACE 3 – NAADA Fall Series: (4) IMA STANDUP GUY is certainly risky right now (breaks in 2 of his last 3

starts) but he returns to amateur races where he went some beastly efforts last winter – willing to give him a try, IF

the price is decent. (6) BACKSTREET PLAYER was one of several horses badly jammed up to the quarter last

week and really wasn’t bad after that – his overall current form is very solid, and he should be a dangerous player

here, even with the tough draw. (2) VELOCIRAPTOR has mostly poor efforts lately but he’s won 3 of 9 local starts,

draws inside, and has to be respected – hard to endorse on top at that 5/2 ML price, though. (3) KILIMANJARO NL

ships in off a nice Monti win, gets a very capable pilot, and could be part of the equation. (1) ALL TOO WELL

stays trotting and has speed from the pole – he also just 20-1-1-1 this year, and probably more likely to take home a

smaller prize, than a larger one. (5) DROP THE MIC has a win here this year but would be hard to consider right

now off a long string of disappointing tries. (7) CREATIN HAVOC draws outside, and is just 20-0-1-1 in 2025

RACE 4 – NAADA Fall Series: (1) THE LAST CHAPTER may be able to hold the lead here and if not, he’ll likely

sit the pocket behind LOS BALLYKELAMIGO...either way, he can get the job done with AA in the bike. (4) DOO

WOP KID had to work to avoid getting lost in the very fast 3 rd quarter last week but he stayed with it, and rolled on

by easily in the lane – he can be prone to some clunkers, but anything close to his best puts him right back in the

hunt tonight. (2) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO just dropped anchor hard to the quarter last week and caused all kinds

of jam ups behind him (resulting in his disqualification) – he did bury one of these fields 3 back, but we’re still

leaning more to the top pair. (7) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE actually made a pretty good recovery last week after an

early miscue – he’s some good miles in these amateur series, and isn’t a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (6) MU

SKINGUM was one of several that got “accordioned” last week, and did race ok after things settled – chance for a

small piece, but the draw does figure to hurt. (3) KILAUEA has shown some trot at times in a couple of his miles

but will still need to be a lot better to be a serious threat tonight. (5) J S HOPSCOTCH is 0 for 26 this year, with half

of those losses coming here at Yonkers – he’s also racing off a sick scratch

RACE 5 – (1) LYONS BENJAMIN is having a terrific year (8 wins, over $80K) but feels like he MAY be slightly

off his best form – he’ll get to call the shots tonight (or sit a pocket, if Siegelman chooses to), and that may be what

it takes to get him back to the winner’s circle. (4) UP THE CREEK started off the tear losing his first 24 starts but he

picked up wins in his last pair (at PcD), and may have built back some of his lost confidence – his barn is clicking

again, and Bartlett takes him over a couple of others – guessing he’ll bring a good one returning to YR. (3) C BET

HANOVER is listed at 20-1 but he ‘s shown that he can battle with these with the right trip, and he has a chance

here to outrace his odds. (7) WHY TOMORROW RAY had a tough trip last week but was still able to finish a solid 3

rd – he faces more obstacles tonight from Post 7, but he’s certainly capable of landing in the exotics with some trip

luck. (2) PINE BUSH ITALIANO was an afterthought for 2+ years, suddenly got good for a while (out of the blue!),

started to tail back off, and now is seeking his proper level – the good draw may help him grab a slice. (8) AMERIT

RIC beat these last week, but that was from a pocket trip (starting from the rail) – he’s a perfect fit fir sure, but

facing an uphill battle starting from out here! (6) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL has his moments in this class but is

another that could be done in tonight by an unfavorable draw. (5) LUXURY VIRGIN drops in for a tag after a no

threat effort vs. NW2-4PM – hard to say how he’ll fit here

RACE 6 – (5) CAVIART ACT TWO went two sharp miles at Chester after joining our leading barn, but vs. softer –

he’s was a question mark coming into his first Yonkers try last week but went a big effort, used early, avoiding a bad

shuffle, then rallying to be right there 3 rd – willing to give him a try in this pretty well matched field. (4) WELL TH

ATS MARKY changed hands 2 back, went OFF Lasix, and delivered a well-backed, first over victory – he was

somewhat overbet in his last, but still a very solid 2 nd best (to #6) – changes hands once more, and looms a threat

once again. (3) SCRIBBLERS never clicked at all after being claimed for $40K on 6/30 and a drop to 30s really

didn’t help much – he plunges to 20s tonight, his barn has come to life again, and we’ll see if he can find a better

effort tonight. (2) TIME CRUNCH is hard to gauge off his Monti lines but his barn has been shipping ‘em in sharp

(small sampling), and he’s certainly playable underneath. (6) MY PLAYMATE GB was able to rush past a stopping

leader to 3/4s last week then swelled up after reaching the top, digging in bravely to hold off #4 – may not land on as

good a trip tonight, with the tougher draw. (8) CONTACT ZONE found some life 2 back, then was in a hopeless

spot last week – he MAY be coming back around, but tonight’s draw does figure to slow him down considerably. (7

I B LOVIN is one of a few in the barn that’s just fallen apart over the last few weeks

RACE 7 – (4) MISSISSIPPI STORM is having another of his typically rock solid seasons, and he catches a very

modest field (for this class) tonight – deserves the nod as he looks to pick up his 7 th victory of the season. (5) THE

HAZLETON was struggling then took some time off but has been pretty solid since returning in July – he’ll likely

have the top choice leaving to his inside, but may still be able to get away to a quick start...and that would increase

his chances of landing on the ticket. (3) HOT FLASH KIMMY got a bit lost in a quick mile last week but has

otherwise been consistent for weeks – could rebound here with a better effort, and rally for a piece. (6) TACHYON

gets a bad draw after missing 3 weeks, and does drop a win off his card after tonight (and then another one, the

following week) – he may take a conservative approach from this spot. (2) CREDIT CON hasn’t been able to get

into any kind of good groove this year for his long time barn and will try it for a new trainer tonight (our leading

conditioner) – still prefer to observe, rather than hopping on board right now. (1) NYMERIA is making just her 2 nd

start of the year, and the 4YO mare may need a couple of outings before she’s ready to deliver her best

RACE 8 – (5) BURNHAM BOY N came to life with the drop to 25s and has turned in a trio of excellent efforts for

a barn that suddenly is winning races in bunches – he won’t offer much of a price, but he looms the one to knock off.

(2) SHADOW CAT gets a drop to 25s, gets a good draw, and should be able to make his presence felt here (even if

Bartlett understandably opts for the top choice). (4) ON DAYBOO gets a pass for his last (8 hole, up in class) but

drops back down, moves inside, and that should result in one of his more typically solid efforts. (3) MEDOLAND

BOSA sat the cones and made no moves last week for his new barn, but seems capable of better – willing to include

underneath. (6) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES has been struggling, but did have some sneaky pace finishing last week

– another one worth including in exotics. (1) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is never really a threat to win, but the rail

draw at least gives him a chance for some minor spoils. (7) IM THE PRICE is always capable of a big effort here

and there, but his “duds” have been much more common lately. (8) JACKS LEGEND N is another that can throw a

good one at times, but this doesn’t feel like a realistic spot for one of those.

RACE 9 – (4) CHIPPER DALE has disappointed here at times but he certainly brought his best in last week’s

blowout victory (first time in for a tag) – anything close to that effort would likely allow him to make it 2 in a row.

(1) DRYDEN HANOVER rallied nicely for 4 th from a tough spot in his local debut, and was trotting well late again

last week – belongs in your exotics. (6) BLUEBIRD BISHOP has been a bit inconsistent since recently returning

from a long layoff but he does have 3 wins from his 5 starts – if he brings that good version tonight, he may be able

to at least give #4 a tussle. (2) YOU GOT IT hasn’t done a lot of winning here the last 3 seasons but he does hit

board fairly often, and remains a good option for the bottom of exotics. (3) RADIO LAB moves back inside and has

proven that he can hang with these with the right trip – add him to the list of possibilities for a piece of this. (7) PED

AL ON METAL hit board in his last 4 starts but never had to deal with getting away near the back of the pack – he’s

sharp for sure, but may just have too far to come tonight. (5) BARRY BLACK usually needs to be in a much easier

division of this class to be a serious player – probably in a little too tough tonight. (8) LOVE THIS BAR has solid

form out of town, but vs. considerably cheaper – big jump up in class, and Post 8

RACE 10 – (2) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM came into his last showing some pretty dismal form, having not been

better than 5 th in months – he was, however, moving to a trainer that has performed many miraculous (instant)

turnarounds with fresh stock over the past couple of the years, and the public was clearly aware of this....sending

him off at 6/5, despite months of poor form, at big prices – he actually won more like a 1/5 shot, easily taking the

lead and effortlessly trouncing the competition – hard to go against him tonight after that last, form-reversing mile!

(4) CHECKONWILLIAM GB went a big effort for 2 nd from Post 8 last week, but had the misfortune of running into

#2 that night – could be the main danger once more. (6) ROCK THIS WAY was off multiple sick scratches and

qualifiers last week, got away horribly from the pole but was still pacing ok late for 5 th – decent bomb to use on the

bottom of exotics. (3) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER has a dismal record here over the past couple of years but seems

to be a bit better late, and gets some post relief tonight – maybe 3 rd/4 th? (1) FULL SUPPORT was well meant in his

first start back off a layoff but backed up badly – he was ok in his next pair, but then started to quickly tail off –

we’ll see if the rail can help him grab a piece. (5) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N picked up a 3 rd last week, but largely due

to an easy trip – may not be as fortunate tonight. (7) SEIZE CONTROL is hard to gauge off a long series of amateur

races (in NJ) but tonight’s draw figures to really limit him.