Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, May 29, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) DANCE IT OUT has used quick starts in his 3 local starts to grab good trips, and pick up a trio of 3 rd

place finishes...he figures to be able to grab another good trip tonight...maybe he can convert it to a bigger piece

this time? (7) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A is the “best” horse in this field, but he’s not all that handy and prone to

bad trips – make sure to get a fair price if using him on top from Post 7. (6) GAMBLINGTERROR squandered a

pocket trip last week (off the class drop) but gets another drop tonight, and usually perks up at some point at these

lower levels – consider if the odds are juicy enough. (3) FIZZING N had no prayer in his last 2 starts but shown that

he can be a player with these types when drawn inside – ok for exotics. (1) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N has only been

able to pick up three 3rds from his 13 starts this year – hard to make a case for him at that low 5/2 ML price. (4) RA

YRAY can throw a decent one from time to time – ok for 3 rd/4 th . (2) MY ULTIMATE STAR A is 9-0-0-0 at Yonkers

this year, and his barn has tailed off again

RACE 2 – (1) GREG THE LEG was used a bit harder than he might have liked last week, and wasn’t able to keep it

going vs. a better bunch last week – this is a softer spot and he feels like the one to beat...but that 3/2 ML price will

likely leave him way overbet. (7) JUST ENUFF STUFF can be pretty unreliable but he can throw a good late rally

when things get hot up front and that MAY happen tonight – worth a look if the price is right. (5) SOUTHBEACH

HANOVER throws plenty of duds but can also be a legitimate player when handled aggressively, in the right spots –

might not be a bad night to give him a try. (3) REGNING DEO is having a tough year so far but he gets post relief,

is used to facing better, and may be able to turn in a better effort with this crew. (2) ALEX TYE is having a dismal

2025 (14-0-0-2) but he’s at least looked a little better in his last couple – maybe a small piece? (4) ARTIST BEST

had some “okay” starts here so it wasn’t a great shock to see that he beat a soft amateur field in NJ last week (where

all of the final times have been incredibly fast lately) – he makes his 2 nd start for a new barn returning to YR tonight,

and we’ll see if he built some confidence with that victory. (6) MOVIN ON UP, like many of his barnmates, seems

to have gone cold in the last couple of weeks

RACE 3 – (6) TIPSY MONI’s connections must have been thrilled to see that the FM Invitational Trot (just) filled

again this week, as she’s used this class as her own personal ATM for much of the past two years – maybe this is one

of the (rare) weeks that she gets beat against the mares...but it’s hard to make a good case for that happening. (5)

QUEEN OF ALL was a very solid 2 nd best to the top choice last week, as her 3 race winning streak came to an end –

she remains the one with the best chance to knock off the reigning queen! (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY has been very

good vs. the 40s and was just claimed by the same barn that plucked P C FREE WHEELING for $40K and did some

good work (for a while) at this top level – can grab a good piece in her current form. (2) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has

been plagued by inconsistency but she’s looking at a good trip from this spot, and can threaten for a big chunk IF the

“good” version shows up. (3) P L NOTSONICE had a very strong 2024 campaign and is trying to get back into that

groove since returning for her ’25 campaign last month – chance for a piece with the right trip. (1) LUCKY MUM N

raced much better than expected last week, making her first start in this class (while off a bad date) – we’ll see if she

can replicate that effort, without Bartlett this time

RACE 4 – (2) PLATINUM AS was purchased after his 4/23 start in Ohio, added trotting hopples for his new barn

and scored back to back victories at Saratoga – he has more than enough back class to be comfortable in this field he

lands in, and we’ll give him top billing...but that 3/2 ML price likely eliminates the chance for any kind of value. (1)

INFINITY STONE much prefers to be on the lead and pretty much sealed his fate when he just let WARRAWEE

YANG cut the mile last week – he’s always capable of a big mile at any time, and he’s been looking good since the

recent claim...one to consider. (4) AUSTRAL HANOVER hit a rough patch with a couple of breaks in late April

but has been looking good lately, a blowout winner 2 back followed by an even 3 rd last week – chance for another

good piece if he continues to behave. (3) CHIPPER DALE has a strong local slate but he hasn’t faced older rivals

here yet – we’ll see how he fares as he gets class tested tonight. (6) TEXSONG SOPRANO hasn’t been on his best

game, despite some okay looking program lines – the outside draw isn’t going to help his cause tonight. (5)

SOUTHWIND ARTURO was off his game in his last pair, and that has us leaning towards others right now

RACE 5 – (1) MAX recently returned from a 7 month layoff and has been racing well (vs. a bit easier) at Pocono –

he’s technically moving up on class tonight but he’s done excellent work at this level here in the past...and while he

may have been idle for the last 3 weeks, others in the barn that recently were on the same vacation have thrived

since returning – willing to give him a try, as long as the price is fair. (2) OVER AND BACK is hard to fault, a winner in 5 of his last 6 starts which includes last week’s open-length demolition – he goes for a new barn tonight,

but the expectation is that he’ll continue to excel...hard to leave off your tickets. (4) WILLY WALTON hasn’t won

in some time but he was just taken by a barn that has picked up their claiming activity lately, with predictably strong

success – could be a bigger threat now. (6) AIRMANS JACKPOT raced very well in both starts since the recent

claim and the only real knock here is the post – she may be able to add some value to the exotics. (7) EPOS OSTER

VANG DK has been a model of consistency, though wins have been hard to come by – always playable underneath,

especially at a good price. (3) FOR A DREAMER has come back solid after a long layoff but does look a notch

below the main players in here – maybe some minor spoils? (8) FULL STRENGTH has been behaving himself and

also racing well– but he moves up in class and draws Post 8...and that could slow him down a bit (5) BROOKVIEW

DARIUS was super to start off the year but recently fell off form...waiting for better signs from him

RACE 6 – (5) QUALITY BUD hadn’t seen the front end in a while but certainly knew what to do when he got there

last week...figures to be looking at a more difficult trip tonight, but he may be good enough to beat these too (he

moves up a notch, but is used to facing better than these). (4) SHAKESPEARE seemed to appreciate the “trifecta”

of post relief, class relief, and a new barn last week and turned his perfect pocket trip into a very easy score – may

have built enough confidence to be very dangerous here too. (2) PRINTVILLE was a solid rallying 3

rd last week, even if helped by a very live trip – could grab a good piece here too if another good journey comes his way. (1) SPO

RTY M THREE raced a bit better the last 2 weeks (at the bottom level), picking up a pair of 2nds – another inside

draw could help him grab another piece tonight. (8) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE makes his first local start of the year

at a level much lower than we’re used to seeing him, and he appears to have been sharpening out of town (after

recently returning from a long layoff) – brutal draw, but could see using him at a juicy price. (3) DEALERS TURN

is still looking for his first win of the year, though he’s been grabbing his share of pieces– chance for another tonight

(6) LEVINE hasn’t won a race since 2023 and that streak figures to continue after drawing poorly in here – minor

spoils only. (7) CASINO ACTION N may need a good post in an easier field to be a serious player

RACE 7 – (2) KHAOSAN ROAD was making his first start in over 5 months last week and just missed, despite

both the time off AND being used very hard – he’s always thrived here at Yonkers, and we’ll hop on board tonight.

(5) BLACK MAGIC had been terrific in all his “non-Invitational” starts here this year so it was a surprise to see him

come up a disappointing 3 rd last week (he wasn’t as “sharp” as his line might look) – his price will definitely edge up

after that mile, and it may not be a bad week to include him on some tickets. (4) WARRAWEE YANG was super

here in his first bunch of starts last year, suddenly started to struggle in all his local outings but has certainly found

his best Yonkers form once more, stepping up another class after a pair of very sharp victories – he loses Bartlett, but

may be worth a look if the price really jumps up. (3) FERRETTI landed on a nice trip last week and it helped him to

pick up a win despite both a bad date and a class jump – willing to use underneath. (1) MISSISSIPPI STORM was

very good for some time but was a bit disappointing when a well beaten 2 nd two back, then just stalled badly on the

final turn last week after putting in a good first over bid – feels like he MAY be tailing a bit. (6) CHULO was an

even (no threat) 4 th lasty week, and gets the worst of the draw tonight – leaning more towards others

RACE 8 – (2) BARN HALL has been outstanding since arriving here in late March, compiling a 6-4-1-1 record –

he’s missed three weeks but as noted before, others from the barn have come back super from the same vacation...

wouldn’t bet the rent money on him at a very short price, but he certainly deserves top billing. (1) MAHONE SEEL

STER didn’t have his usual late pop from the back last week but his overall form has been excellent – he should be

sitting much closer to the action from this spot, and looms a legitimate late threat on his best effort. (3) CANTSTOP

YANKEE had fallen off form for several starts but his last try was more encouraging – playable underneath. (7) BE

ACON BEACH was off a month for a new barn last week (arriving from Buffalo) but held very nicely for 3

rd after a tough first over trip – he does seem to be a good fit, but the draw figures to leave him at a significant disadvantage.

(4) INTL BLOCKADE seems ambitiously placed at this level – maybe he can beat a few for a minor share. (8) BE

DIFFERENT was terrific 2 and 3 back but failed to fire at all last week, and is one of several from the barn that all

seemed to tail off at once – tonight’s draw is a killer, even if he can rebound with a better effort. (5) MR KNOWITA

LL seems overmatched with these, and (6) VELOCIRAPTOR even more so

RACE 9 – (4) MUSIC HALL took on the much tougher 40s off the claim last week and was a solid 3

rd – he drops back down to the age-restricted 30s tonight, and he was a winner in 4 of 6 at this level – figures to be very tough in

here. (2) FREQUENT IMAGE has been very solid since dropping in for this $30K tag 4 starts back, and looms the

biggest threat to #4...he’ll also be the better price, and can’t blame anybody looking to use him. (1) TWIGGS PUB

just hasn’t been able to win a race for our leading trainer, though he’s raced well plenty of times – may have to settle

for another smaller prize tonight. (3) SPINDOCTOR HANOVER’s last line doesn’t look all that impressive at first

glance but he really did pace a big final 3/8ths – ok for exotics, and not a bad one for longshot fans. (8) LAZ is rock

solid at this level and even beat the 40s three back – the only issue is the draw, but it may be enough to limit him to a

bit smaller piece tonight. (7) MOSES caught a hot mile debuting for new connections last week and was a well

beaten 4 th– too soon to write him off, but he may need a much better draw before he can strut his best stuff (6) HIGH

ON ROCKNROLL has been limited to minor spoils lately, and may have a tough time doing even that well tonight.

(5) VILLAGE BLUE CHIP arrives from Stga. and it feels like he could be overmatched

RACE 10 – Wide open: (2) WHY TOMORROW RAY landed on a tough trip last week but was still close at the end

– it was his first try down at this $30K level, and it seems to be a good class for him...one of several with a chance

to take this, with the right trip. (4) BURNHAM BOY N hit board in 3 of 4 starts so far since returning from the

layoff – his barn remains eternally hot, and maybe this guy can get it done if things go his way. (3) FLIP MY CHIP

faltered vs. 40s off the claim, but quickly drops back down to his preferred class – he’s won 10 of 27 Yonkers starts,

and always deserves respect. (1) THRASHER was no threat at all last week, trying to make the jump from 25s to

30s – he’ll be closer to the action tonight, and could have a bigger say. (5) CAPTAIN T HANOVER had some life 2

back and finished well again last week – he seems to be on the upswing, and that 15-1 ML price does give him some

appeal. (6) OSTRO HANOVER is even longer on the ML (20-1), and he generally finishes with pace – if you think

things could get very testy up front tonight, he could be worth a stab, at a huge price. (7) ALTA CLASSIC A was a

“one and done” winner off the claim last week – he draws horrible for his new connections, and may need to wait

for a better scenario to be a serious threat again. (8) HOPNROLL HEAVEN draws Post 8 after missing 24 days.