Monday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, August 4, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR was an excellent 2 nd two back (off the claim) so while last week’s victory was

hardly a surprise, the 22-1 price was certainly unexpected – he moves all the way inside and is clearly the one to

knock off...but he’ll likely be the odds-on favorite tonight. (4) ROCKIN N TALKIN was well backed last week, and

rallied solidly in the stretch for 2 nd behind the top choice – he may be able to complete the exacta once again. (2) BE

CHERS BROOK A was no factor dropping down to 30s last week but he could be looking at a pretty good trip from

this spot, and that would give him a decent chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES

was a nice 2 nd to a stickout winner in his YR return last week, and was re-claimed by a barn he’s done well for in the

past – he’s up in class from a horrible post, but maybe he can add some value to the ticket, with some trip luck. (3)

WHY TOMORROW RAY finally got a win last week, but he pretty much “stole” that victory– faces a much

tougher field now, and likely looking at a smaller share. (5) GALANTE A outraced his odds last week when he

rallied late for 4 th – ok bomb for 3 rd/4 th tonight too. (6) BURNHAM BOY N could use a class drop, and better draw.

RACE 2 – (1) SHAKE IT has been on a seemingly endless form spree (for multiple barns) but came up 2 nd best last

week to an equally sharp TWIG – he’s clearly the one to beat from the pole, but he does face a couple of pretty sharp

rivals in here, and figures to be very heavily backed...don’t take TOO short a price! (2) ALTA CLASSIC A picked

up solid 3rds in his first 2 starts off the claim but came out breathing fire for his last, hitting the top and never

looking back in an outstanding 1:52 romp – he could be dangerous here if he’s feeling as good tonight! (6) SHAKES

PEARE has upped his game significantly since moving to his current barn on 5/20, and he was right there 3 rd last

week despite coming from way back – he’s facing another very tough spot tonight, but he can at least be considered

IF the price is good enough. (4) MIND HUNTER has turned in some strong recent efforts but he exits one of our

leading barns, and his new trainer was just 1 for 38 here this year before picking up a victory on Friday night –

leaning towards a few others. (3) PINE BUSH ITALIANO suddenly got much sharper recently but did come up dull

last week – leaning elsewhere. (5) KIMBLE A probably needs an inside draw to hang in there at this level

RACE 3 – (3) NONE BETTOR A had a pair of promising starts off the long layoff but was no factor last week – he

finally moves inside, and MAY be cranked up for a more aggressive effort tonight...worth a look, assuming he’s not

overbet. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK was in the pocket when the leader got outbrushed to 3/4s last week, and

could only pace evenly after shaking free – on the flip side, he’s delivered THREE big-priced victories over the last

2-3 months, and remains a real threat...if the trip goes his way. (1) VENTURESOME ARDEN N took some time off

after falling off form but that qualifier wasn’t bad at all- he has lots of back class, and it really wouldn’t be a surprise

to see him ready to roll tonight. (4) THE IDEAL DANCER A would hardly be a shock but he hasn’t won in some

time, and tends to get overbet most weeks...same could happen tonight, thanks to that 2-1 ML price. (5) BOSTON

BOUND raced huge (vs. cheaper) in NJ off the barn change – he was handled conservatively in his local debut, and

debuts on Lasix tonight, after being scratched sick last week – check the tote board for clues, but the guess is that he

may be handled conservatively (again) this start. (6) KINGSVILLE would normally be a big threat dropping to this

level but a tough draw in a solid field could limit him here. (7) LEVINE is also getting a drop, but will likely need to

wait for a better spot to make his presence felt.

RACE 4 – (3) TWIG was winless in 16 starts here last year but already has 5 victories in 2025, along with 6

seconds – he won for a new barn last week, and now moves to another one for tonight...but still figures to be very

tough! (4) LYRICAL GENIUS A has struggled to get his picture taken this year, but seems to hit board almost every

week – his last try was excellent, and maybe he can get the job tonight if some racing luck comes his way. (2) ALL

ALONE got the job done last week but was helped by an easy half, the favorite clogging the outer flow, and a 30-1

shot in the pocket – he CAN repeat, but he surely won’t offer any value with that 8/5 ML price. (6) JETT STAR N

had some sneaky pace from a no-chance spot last week – this spot isn’t much better, but he’ll be a juicy price if you

think there could be a heavily contested pace. (1) SCRIBBLERS will attract some attention with the move inside

and likely be handled very aggressively – he hasn’t been sharp at all, though, so it’s hard to say if he’ll be able to just

turn things around here. (5) SIX DEGREES has been “ok”, but may need to be in easier to be a bigger threat

RACE 5 – (5) SHERLOCK N is hard to “love” (as he’s just 1 for 20 this year) but he’s held his own vs. MUCH

tougher than these on many occasions, and is actually much sharper right now than his lines might suggest – he’ll

likely try to be much more aggressive in this spot, and could be very tough if he works out a decent trip (2) TOBINS

CHESTER made an unexpected miscue last week but assuming he can shake that off, he figures to be a major threat

in this spot (he won at this level, and also in NW15000, in early June). (7) BONDI LOCKDOWN A has been very

good for an extended period and picking up Bartlett for tonight certainly won’t hurt his chances – he does draw

poorly off a bad date, however, so make sure to get a fair price if using him on top. (1) THONG CONTROL has

been pacing evenly in the back from hopeless spots in his last few starts – drops, moves inside, and may be able to

take home a piece tonight. (8) SPECULATING A looked impressive in his U.S. qualifier for a barn that has enjoyed

some success with imports – he does get a horrible draw, however, and the tote board may offer some clues to his

“seriousness” for tonight. (3) FIZZING N has been using his speed to work out good trips and may try to do the

same tonight – may need to be in a bit cheaper to be effective, though. (4) RITCHIE ALPHA is an interesting

pickup for the nation’s leading barn as he’s 6 years old and earned just $50K from his 17 career wins – he must have

impressed in that last Canadian try, and we’ll see how he fits with the locals. (6) FUNATTHEBEACH N hasn’t been

“bad”, but he also hasn’t been good enough to recommend from this fairly difficult spot

RACE 6 – (1) COPPERFIELD raced well from a no-chance spot last week, finishing with good pace between

horses to take home a 4 th place check – he gets Bartlett back on board tonight, will be calling the shots, and he’s

6-4-1-0 here at Yonkers – the one to knock off. (2) CARABAO A is always finishing strong and picks up his fair

share of victories – could be next in line should the top one falter. (6) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A is on a roll, and

comes into this riding a 3 race winning streak...he moves up in class and draws poorly (and loses Bartlett), but if he

ends up being the only outside leaver, he may find another good trip...and be part of the equation once more (4)

ROCK THE BELLES had a chance to sit the pocket to the heavily favored #6 last week but instead elected to just

drive on and seat that one – he battled very hard and finished 2 nd , but may have won had he sat the two hole...could

grab a piece here with an easier trip. (5) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N was helped by a live trip last week but still

raced very well to be 2 nd behind the blowout winner – not ready to jump on his team just yet, but he’s definitely

landed himself on the radar with that mile. (3) WINDSUN RICKY moves inside, and that may at least give him a

chance at minor spoils. (7) BENHOPE RULZ N will be hard pressed to get into the hunt from this brutal spot.

RACE 7 – (1) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N couldn’t quite hold on last week (after blitzing to the lead) but can be

forgiven for losing to a sharp MACS DELIGHT – he has a wicked brush in his arsenal, and can be very dangerous

when he uses it just right – could happen here. (3) HIMSELF N can be a little inconsistent but still can throw a

winning effort when things go his way – could benefit tonight if there’s some battle in front of him, and his price

should be pretty good. (5) STREET HAWK N has leveled off just a bit since moving up to the higher levels, but is

still a solid fit with these – he can be a big player for sure, but that 8/5 ML price is definitely a turn off. (4) DIEGO

N left with a couple of others into the first turn last week and made an unexpected miscue – if he can shrug that off

and bring his best effort here, he can be a threat...worth considering if the price is fair. (7) AMERICAN DEALER N

has a bunch of 2nds and 3rds (in some very good fields) but hasn’t WON in some time – he’s not impossible from

out here, but will need a lot to go his way to get his picture taken tonight. (2) CADILLAC BAYAMA probably needs

to be in a little easier to threaten for the top slot, but he’s capable of taking home a decent piece if he ends up with an

easy enough trip. (6) WASA HEAT SEEKER N has 2 local wins, but both were on the lead, vs. easier

RACE 8– Good race: (4) TYPHOON BANNER N hasn’t come close to his best form yet in ‘25 but he was “sneaky

good” last week, hitting the wire with interest from a no-chance spot – he moves inside, and the guess is that we’ll

see a very aggressive try tonight...and we’ll find out if he’s up for it! (8) HEMSWORTH N delivered a powerful

victory last week, using a mega-blitz to blow by the leader & crush the field (pacing his back half in an eye-popping

:53.4) – history tells us there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to replicate that effort for a 2 nd straight week...but he’ll be

very tough (even from Post 8), if he does! (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A dug in to rally for 2 nd behind the

streaking SWEET BEACH LIFE last week, and has several excellent recent tries – legitimate threat here. (6) JUMPI

NGJACKMAC N was much better behaved last week (with Bartlett), and kept trying hard after looking like he

might fold in the pocket earlier on – he’ll need to improve quite a bit more to win from this spot, but it wouldn’t be

shocking if that happened. (3) ESCAPE TO AMERICA was no factor last week, but did pace home decently for 5 th

– chance for some minor spoils here too. (1) PANETTONE HANOVER was good last week but he moves up in

class and gets a new driver...and can be a hard horse to drive here at Yonkers, at times. (5) TWIN B POWERBALL

will look better when he starts to drop in class...next week. (7) HAZEVILLE lands outside off a sick scratch

RACE 9 – Very tough race! (4) AMERITRIC was hurt by both a very slow opening half AND dull cover last week,

but still kicked home with plenty of pace to be right there 3 rd on the wire – he seems to handle any trip that comes

his way, and that may come in handy in a race that could have plenty of action.(6) TO THE HUNT earned a two

hole trip from Post 8 last week and may have been able to deliver a 27-1 upset had he been able to shake free sooner

– he’s always a nice price, and never a bad one to consider. (2) DRAGON YOU ALONG hasn’t been a threat in his

3 local tries but he did finish with some pace each time – he’s not a bad bomb to consider for exotics, in a race that

may have a bunch of leavers. (3) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH threw a dud last start but was pretty good in many of

his other local races – another that could add some value to the ticket. (5) TWIGGS PUB finally picked up his first

Yonkers win 2 back (in his 29 th start!), then was a solid 2 nd last week – he’s definitely sharp now, but also moving up

in class, for a new barn. (1) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL was away sluggishly in his last couple, and it resulted in

tougher trips – could end up in that same boat tonight with another poor getaway. (7) FREQUENT IMAGE jogged

in this class off the claim last start, but he really does his best work on the lead and there figures to be several

leaving to his inside tonight – may end up with a tougher trip than he can handle. (8) BETTOR MAKE A WISH has

been “meh” most starts, and now finds himself behind the 8 ball

RACE 10 – Another tough race! (7) STELLAR YANKEE has been in a bit too tough in recent starts but hardly

embarrassing himself – he drops to a level where he’s always dangerous, but he’s not super-handy and gets a terrible

post – hopefully Bartlett can improve enough at the start to find him a manageable trip. (5) RENAISSANCE DEO

was no threat last week but he also wasn’t bad, off a month (sick scratch) – he’s worth at least a look at that 10-1 ML

price. (2) EUPHORIA N hasn’t won in a while but he’s used his speed to be close in a few recent starts, and may do

the same tonight – possibility. (6) MACH N CHEESE has been struggling, but at least offered a bit more “life” last

week – if he can improve a bit more, he can have a bigger say tonight...not a bad one to consider at that 20-1 ML

price. (1) CAVIART SARGENT, as noted here many times, is the type that will race super (at big prices) vs. better,

then disappoint at short prices, when in “easier” spots – he did hang on last week (barely), but he’ll have a much

tougher time trying to wire these! (8) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL N was solid off the barn change 2 back, but never

got in play last week – he may face that same dilemma tonight, starting from all the way outside. (3) ROYAL DESI

RE has been more consistent lately, no longer his own worst enemy – chance for a piece here, with an easy enough

trip. (4) AROUND MIDNIGHT just has too many recent duds to endorse right now.