Tuesday Empire Report

RACE 1 – Excellent opener! (6) TOBAGO TIME has been very sharp for some time, moves from one top barn to another, and MAY land on a live trip in what figures to be a hotly contested affair – could offer some good value, even with the bad draw. (1) COALFORDSNSHINE GB has now won 6 of her last 8 starts, including her last pair – her barn has been winning at a nearly 30% clip since early August, and she deserves plenty of respect from the pole! (5) YS SENSATIONAL gets Bartlett to opt off BOTH of the top two choices as she takes a significant drop from 50s to 30s – she’s obviously one to fear, but also figures to get overbet in this very strong field. (3) LADYCORONA is another that has been very good for weeks, and actually was very sharp in her last after an uncharacteristic early miscue – she’s listed at 8-1 ML, and definitely worth a look. (2) STORMY SERENA was right there 2nd and 3rd in her last pair after winning in this class the week before – leaning more to a couple of others, but she’d certainly be no real surprise. (4) DELITFULCATHERIN N has been stuck on smaller pieces for weeks, and seems likely for more of the same tonight. (7) ATREACHEROUS A was ok last week after being road tested (off a bad date) for her new barn – another brutal draw, however. (8) STAY HAPPY looked better last week, but lands behind the 8 ball 

RACE 2 – (3) TRENDY TEEN picked up wins in 2 of his last 3 starts, with a close loss to VICIOUS in the other – he can race on or off the pace, and deserves the narrow nod in this short, but well-matched field. (6) VICIOUS has 2 wins and 2 seconds since arriving at Yonkers 4 starts back and his barn is really clicking again…he’s at disadvantage post-wise, but any decent trip would still make him a big threat. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A moves inside after a mile last week that was better than it looks on paper – he is a bit camera shy, however, and may be better used on the bottom exotics. (4) TWIN B DELUXE is having a terrific season but he’s been forced to settle for smaller pieces in his last few, and will need to bring a bit sharper effort tonight if he hopes to battle for a top prize. (2) JMS FINAL TREASURE is a much better horse when he draws inside but does feel a notch below the top ones in here at the moment – needs to bring his best (5) LAMBORGHINI LOU had Post 8 off a bad date last week and was never close – drops right back in the box, gets a better draw (while 2nd time Lasix), but we’re still leaning towards others tonight 

RACE 3 – (3) DANCININTHEFIRE (like most of these) shows a mixed bag of lines – he did make a break here in May (1st start back at 3) but has been behaving since (out of town), and may have found a field he can outrun. (1) FURNEAUX has been stuck in the back in better fields in his last few starts but he did just miss 4 back at PcD (in a NW2), and gets both a big driver change and the rail for tonight – possibility. (6) MATA PHIL N was conservative in his U.S. qualifier but did finish crisply, on his own – he’d be no surprise in this very modest field, and that 10-1 ML price does give him appeal. (4) VICTORY JOE seems no better or worse than several of the others – he has a legit chance to win, but that 3/2 ML price guarantees he won’t offer any value. (2) ALBAMA LUCKY is 0 for 14 this year and just 1 for 21 lifetime – still, a small piece is possible! (5) STEAL AWAY THUNDER seems to need to be in easier to be a player. (7) GANSBAAI, like every horse this barn ships in here, shows a ton of minor pieces while rarely, if ever winning – tonight’s draw may make it tough to even grab his usual small slice 

RACE 4 – (6) ITZA DANGEROUS ZONE A qualified very comfortably for connections that are no strangers to successful imports – he picked up 13 wins and $160K Down Under, catches a pretty modest field for his U.S. debut, and it’s safe to say he’ll be shorter than that 15-1 ML price if ready to win tonight. (1) STELLAR YANKEE drops to a more comfortable level, and the rail will surely help him get a decent start – logical player. (2) BOILING OAR is having a tough year (2 for 26) but is also used to facing tougher – might be a spot where he can have a legitimate chance to come out on top. (4) HEAVEN ON HIGH is just 1 for 21 this year and has struggled at times over the YR oval in the past – he does debut for a new barn, however, and is eligible to show up with a much better effort tonight. (3) MYSWEETBOYMAX jogged at the bottom level off the big barn change, had no chance from Post 8 in his last, but now has to move up another class…barn too hot to just ignore at that 10-1 ML price (8) GINGRAS BEACH was the beneficiary of a perfect Bartlett drive last week as he ran and hid from a soft bunch – the class hike and 8 hole do figure to slow him down tonight, though. (7) YOROKOBI N actually fits NW5000 right now – wait for an easier spot. (5) EUPHORIA N is off his game, and would be a surprise 

RACE 5 – (1) RENALDO N qualified sharply upon arrival from NZ at The Swamp, then crushed a field by 7 lengths in his U.S. debut (in 1:50) – he catches a few solid rivals for his Hilltop debut, but still has to get the nod. (3) BETTORS DESIRE, like the rest of his barn, has come around in a big way recently – that last win was especially impressive as he just blew past the favorite at 3/4s like he was standing still – look for another big mile tonight. (5) FEDERER was more serious in his 2nd start back at Yonkers but ran into a very tough trip and could only manage a tiring 4th – an easier trip could help him grab a piece here too…at a good price. (2) TEXAS HOLDEM was an ok 4th last week after a few weeks off – he may be able to just tow along tonight and stick around for a share. (4) INVICT US was promising at 2 but has been in and out (so far) at 3 – his best effort could see him land somewhere on the ticket. (6) CRUSH KILL DESTROY (for whom this class was expanded from NW2-4PM to NW2-5PM) has been facing older horses and should appreciate the “drop”…but the draw may still hurt his chances a bit. (8) COLLECTI VE WORKS A had an eventful U.S. debut (bobbled early, shuffled at ¾) but was still an excellent 2nd – the ability is there for sure, but will he have any opportunity to get in play tonight? (7) DUNE BUGGY was very good earlier in the year (NYSS) but struggling now – Post 7 won’t help his cause. 

RACE 6 – (7) IMA PERFECT CHOICE is a 3YO facing older, from Post 7, that can sometimes be his own worst enemy – he also has a ton of ability, and is worth using tonight as long as the price is fair! (3) IKNOWBETTER was a close 2nd (twice!) at Pocono to JAMAICAN ROCK A and we know what HE has done since then – he battled most of the mile with #7 on 8/26 before ending up a very close 3rd…we’ll see if he can reverse that decision tonight (as he also takes on his elders this week). (2) WINDSUN RICKY has been solid overall lately, gets a good draw, and could add some value to this ticket. (6) NANDOLO N didn’t fire at all last week and is looking at a difficult trip tonight – still, it’s a rare chance to get a good price on the classy millionaire and he may be worth a look. (5) SPECULATING A added Lasix last week, was used hard but came up short in the end – maybe a small piece? (1) HUNTINGFORCH ROME has missed a month after a disastrous outing in his last – good week to observe, for future consideration. (4) THIS IS THE PLAN had a few good starts vs. easier in PA but had little to offer last week in his YR return. (8) SWE ETHOMEALABAMA N is sharp for sure, but faces a tall task from tonight’s brutal post 

RACE 7 – (1) FORWARD FLASH didn’t race at 2 but performed well right from the start of this year’s 3YO campaign, and has continued to get better all season long – he was right there with IKNOWBETTER last week, and may have had a better shot to beat that one had he not briefly got a little steppy on the back side – solid threat from this spot. (3) INFLATION PROOF was well backed for his local debut, left to the top from Post 7 but then ended up hopelessly shuffled behind a tired leader to 3/4s – he should have a big say tonight, but that 7/5 ML price just feels too low. (5) ALL OUT HANOVER has been hitting board every week, can race from on or off the pace and should be a good one to include in exotics. (7) MOOD CONTROL debuted for a new barn last week, was handled aggressively and gave the odds-on winner a good scare at the end – would have liked his chances a lot more with a better draw, however. (8) OOGLEVILLE has had some good moments on the NYSS circuit this season and was a good trip 3rd here last week – tonight’s draw could slow him down quite a bit, though. (4) LENNON HANOVER raced pretty well after recovering from an early miscue last week – he’ll be a big price here, and he’s not a bad one for 3rd/4th. (2) YANKEE CLOUT spots a 73-4-16-13 record and that’s similar to many of his barnmates – the good draw gives him a chance for some minor spoils. (6) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER would be a surprise in this spot 

RACE 8 – Tough race! (6) ONEDERFULBEACH was good earlier in the year, hit a rough patch, but is back on the upswing – not a great spot at first glance, but she MAY end up with a live trip if they mix things up a bit up front (a possibility) – one of several with a chance in here. (3) YUENGLING moved up to 25s last week and came up just short after a tough trip – very sharp for an always hot barn. (1) BOUT DAMN TIME A had no chance off the drop last week (8 hole) but the move inside could produce a much bigger effort – the concern is that she was 11 for 19 last year, but just 1 for 22 in 2025. (4) FORTUNADA is feeling good right now, but may end up overbet – consider if the price is fair. (8) MACHS LEGACY A has been very good recently and debuts tonight for our leading barn – she’s also just 1 for 26 at YR over the last 2 years, and starts from Post 8…don’t accept a short price on top! (5) PU RAMERI has always been camera shy on the local scene – minor share only. (2) BEANTOWN BABE hasn’t been a threat for months. (7) JUST ROSAS LOOK may need a class drop AND better post 

RACE 9 – (1) DEFININGTHE MOMENT was sharp for several starts prior to being claimed on 8 /28 but was no factor at all in her next start– she draws the pole tonight in a soft field, and an aggressive try is expected. (5) QUICK MENU hasn’t been all that great but she may use her speed here to grab a good trip…and that gives her a chance. (2) VIRTUAL KISS was outkicked in the lane last week but still wasn’t terrible – she should be sitting close to the action, and seems logical for exotics. (6) RACIN FOR ROYALTY hasn’t been on her game and draws poorly here – could really use a wake up call. (7) EMDOUBLEKAY has mixed form since arriving here in July and will need to bring one of her best efforts if she hopes to get close to the action from out here. (4) MIKI THE CLOWN wasn’t close in her last after a dullish 4th the week before – another hoping for a wake up call. (3) BROOKDALE JESSIE pulled up on 7/22 and is making her first start since then – pass for now. (8) SUNBURNT blew up the tote board at 49-1 four back…and hasn’t been close since then