Monday, December 1, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, December 1, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was in impossible spots the last couple of weeks but gets the potent combination of both post and class relief for tonight, and that should make him a serious threat with any decent trip. (8) BENHOPE RULZ N has held his own with much better than these in many of his starts this year and was a crisp 3rd last week making his 2nd start for his current barn – not sure if Kelly can find him a way into the hunt from out here, but he’s worth a try if the price is juicy enough. (4) ESCAPE TO AMERICA gets some class relief but the key for him is getting motivated a little earlier in the mile – he can make some late noise if close enough to the action when they turn for home. (1) PEACE OUT POSSE had a nice winning streak this summer but then hit a rough patch when stuck up at the higher levels – he perked up to beat lesser 2 back, and certainly looms a live player for exotics from this spot. (2) QUALITY BUD did have some pace finishing from a tough spot last week– willing to include for 3rd/4th. (7) MR HUGGINS is a talented 3YO and has been racing well vs. older foes at Stga. recently – would be giving him a longer look had he not drawn so poorly tonight. (6) TWIN B DELUXE just hasn’t been close to top form in some time – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (5) LENNON HANOVER was a solid front end winner 2 back but that was vs. (much) easier – not sure this field is within his comfort zone

RACE 2 – Sharp field of 40s: (6) MUSIC HALL has won an incredible 14 races this year, including victories in his last pair – he bounces around from barn to barn while thriving in all of them, and has already been successful for tonight’s connections – deserves the narrow nod, despite the tough draw. (1) HAMMERING HANK takes a step up to 40s after beating the 30s last week but he’s really been sharp since joining this barn in October, and the rail should help offset the class jump – figures to have another big say. (2) MAMBA took a confident bump up to 40s after a sharp try in 30s two back, and was a sharp 3rd place finisher – draws inside, and a good trip can put him right in the mix. (5) SPEAKER OF PEACE has been the definition of “model of consistency”, hitting board in 12 of his last 13 starts (parked the mile from Post 8 in the other!) – he was scratched sick from his last, however, and may be a little more risky tonight. (3) PYRO finished crisply for 3rd last week, even if helped by a good trip– eligible to outperform his 20-1 ML price, and grab a piece here too. (4) CUT N RUN has been a solid player week after week, though usually settling for a small piece – faces the same scenario for tonight. (7) ITALIAN LAD N has been a new horse since joining this barn mid-October, but tonight’s draw will necessitate some major racing luck to be a threat for the top slots! (8) OUTLAW MAN N needs a much better post to be a serious player at this level.

RACE 3 – MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series, Leg 2: (2) MOSSDALE BEN N was hard to gauge after finishing well back in his 11/14 qualifier but he certainly finished full of pace in last week’s first series leg, even if not a part of the action – he should only improve off that mile, and we know what he’s capable of when on his game…catches a modest spot tonight, and seems worth a play. (3) ENDOFSTORY can be very inconsistent, but is capable of big miles (especially on the front end) – becomes dangerous here if able to call the shots. (6) JAMAICAN ROCK A was incredibly impressive after arriving in the U.S. and that includes some big miles here at Yonkers – he was scratched sick on 10/27 (after a couple of rough outings), and came up well short in his start last week– he’s obviously capable of better, but does seem at least a little iffy at the moment. (1) RACING REBEL still feels a bit overmatched vs. the better players in this series but he’s likely looking at an easy trip from this spot, and that could help him grab a share tonight. (5) THE GREEK FREAK raced much better than expected last week, but may have trouble working out a decent trip tonight – still a bit of a question mark against these types. (4) HEMSWORTH N came into the series off back to back wins over cheaper, but was empty from the back last week

RACE 4 – Good race: (4) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE has hit board in 5 of 6 starts in his most recent Yonkers stint, and facing some very good horses – hard to predict his trip tonight, but he has a chance to pull of an upset here if it’s a good one. (6) CHRISTOPHER DANCE N won his last pair as the prohibitive favorite and remains in the same class tonight (and was Bartlett’s choice once again) – he MAY land on a more difficult trip, however, so this may not be the best week to fall in love with him at another very short price. (1) NONE BETTOR A has elevated his game recently and gets the benefit of the rail draw tonight– he would definitely look better in a bit cheaper, but may be sharp enough right now to still do damage from this spot. (2) MACS MARVEL will sometimes look a little lazy during the mile but always seems to have plenty in reserve once they hit the stretch – he’s been enjoying a long form spree, and can make some late noise again tonight, as long as the trip works out okay. (5) COPPERFIELD is capable of some big efforts but he does face a strong bunch tonight, and unlikely to be able to get away with an easy trip – can be part of the equation, but leaning a bit more to a few others. (3) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has lost a few miles off his fastball, and hasn’t been able to get his picture taken (out of town) in some time – may be looking at only minor spoils in here. (7) ODDS ON WILDFIRE has done excellent work in his first year of racing and is sharp right now – he’s also taking on a very solid field, from the worst post!

RACE 5 - MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series, Leg 2: (1) SOHO FIRESTONE A has been outstanding since arriving in the U.S., and last week’s opening leg victory (in a career best 1:50.4), improved his local slate to an outstanding 18-7-7-1 – despite his success he rarely gets overbet, and he’s absolutely worth using on your tickets again tonight. (4) DESPERATE MAN was handled very conservatively last week, but still easily rallied for 2nd behind the runaway COACHES CORNER – his resume (especially at Yonkers) is well known, and it would be no surprise to see him bring one of his outstanding efforts tonight. (5) SPRING INHIS STEP A raced well in his first 2 local starts and brought his best effort yet in the first round of the series, picking up a strong win despite a tough trip – he has a new trainer listed for tonight but that seems unlikely to slow him down, and a good trip would put him right back in the hunt again. (7) REDWOOD HANOVER looked super in all 3 local wins and raced just as well in his two losses (despite dealing with tough trips) – he’s proven that he can beat top horses, but will need some trip luck to come his way after another terrible draw! (3) CAPTAIN MOORE A hasn’t embarrassed himself at all at these top levels, and can rally for another piece tonight…as long as he lands on a manageable journey. (6) CALICOJACK HANOVER gave it a big front end try in his YR debut but tonight’s draw may make his life a bit more difficult! (2) SHERLOCK N seemed overmatched heading into last week and still seems very unlikely

RACE 6 - MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series, Leg 2: (4) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR came up big in the first leg and it took a huge mile from CAPTAIN ALBANO to beat him – he’s now an amazing 19-12-2-2 here at Yonkers, and clearly the one to knock off tonight. (5) ALWAYS A THRILL took a while to kick in last week but was really pacing hard at the wire – maybe he can add some value to the exotics with some trip luck? (2) BLAZING HOME N is still winless at Yonkers but he did go a pretty good mile last week, finishing 4th but not far off 2nd – he gets a good draw and deserves a little more attention after that last solid try. (1) COURTS ON FIRE is a 3YO taking on classy older foes but he didn’t embarrass himself in the first leg and should be sitting a decent trip tonight – chance for a small piece. (7) CATALPA RESCUE A is one of two horses from the barn (along with JAMAICAN ROCK A) to come up short last week racing off a sick scratch – eligible to be sharper tonight, but he may also have trouble handling the awful draw. (3) SOHO DOW JONES A does his best work vs. easier but can sometimes grab a share vs. these too when an easy trip comes his way. (6) NANDOLO N actually raced much better than expected last week, but figures to be coming from too far back to make too much noise tonight

RACE 7 - MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series, Leg 2: (2) CAPTAIN ALBANO hasn’t been “as beastly” at 4 as he was at 2 and 3, but he still has nearly $500K on his card this year, and was victorious in both Yonkers starts (in the Aria Pace, along with last week’s first leg score) – we’ll give him the slight nod in here over main foe (5) COACHES CO RNER, in what could turn into a two-horse battle. The latter is making his 50th start over the last 2 years tonight and has come up super in nearly ALL of them – his local slate is an incredible 34-18-13-0, and that includes last week’s demolition victory…would obviously be no surprise to see HIM in the winner’s circle again. (7) MIKI SHAN N got insanely hot on the lead last week and that left him a tired horse in the lane as he weakened to 3rd – he may get ignored in the wagering tonight, but he’s not a bad bomb to consider for exotics. (3) TIP TOP CAT is winless in his 15 local tries but he actually raced very well for 3rd last week – chance for a minor piece again. (6) VERDUN has gone way too many big miles to ever just ignore, but he does seem to be facing an uphill battle tonight trying to get in play from out here. (4) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has been rock solid for a long time, but was in a no-chance spot last week – may find himself in a tough spot tonight, as well. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N has picked up more than his share of pieces this year but may be a little overmatched tonight, even starting from the pole

RACE 8 – Competitive race! (4) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH was in a no chance spot 2 back then lost all chance last week when hung out to dry after attempting to quarter move – he had several excellent starts prior to that, however, and the last time he paired up with Brennan they came out on top…despite being parked the mile – decent value option in a race that can go several different ways. (1) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL was running over the leader a long way last start and it may have hurt his chances at the end after finally shaking free – his overall recent form is very solid, and he’d be no surprise here at all. (2) TWO FACED is somehow 0 for 19 this year despite MANY big efforts, vs. better than these – he qualified super after missing 3 months and returns at a reduced level – would be more interested in a wager if not for that 9/5 ML price! (6) DONTLIKEITLEAVE showed some better efforts 2 and 3 back so last week’s perfect trip victory wasn’t a real “shock”, despite the 27-1 price – will need some battling up front to reach from out here, though. (8) HARD TO CATCH is just 1 for 20 at YR this year but he did race well in a bunch of those losses – he’s looked good (out of town) since a recent claim, but faces a tall order trying to reach from out here. (5) MOOD CONTROL certainly didn’t like cutting the mile 2 back, then was caught behind traffic last week – the guess is that he IS actually off his game right now, but could see giving him a look if the price turns out huge. (7) GOLIATH HANOVER draws poorly off a weak try – leaning elsewhere. (3) DEALERS TURN has just one win this year and lands in a field with several sharp foes

RACE 9 – (1) DANCIN SANCHO finished 4th from the 8 hole in his first local try and his 7-3-3-1 since then, right there week after week in this class – he was a dead game winner from the pole last week, and deserves the edge tonight, as he draws Post 1 for the FIFTH straight start! (4) THENU CAME ALONG A qualified ok for his U.S. debut but his connections have enjoyed such unfathomable success with their imports over the last couple of years that it would be hard NOT to include this guy on your tickets. (3) ROCK THE BELLES hasn’t been the best finisher lately but he still should be in line for a good piece from this spot. (2) HIMSELF N gave way to HEMSWORTH N in the lane without much of a fight 2 back but last week’s empty 2nd over effort is at least a bit concerning – he’d normally be a great fit in this spot, but MAY be heading in the wrong direction at the moment (7) BET ON BIG JOE is 2 for 2 here at Yonkers with a pair of sharp scores (as the favorite) vs. the 40s – steps up and lands outside, and we’ll see if he’s up for tonight’s (much) tougher assignment. (6) TRENDY TEEN was SO good for SO long that last week’s unexpected clunker really stands out – prefer to just watch this week, and see if he can shrug it off and bounce right back. (5) WINDSUN RICKY drops a win off his card after tonight and the guess is that he’ll be a lot more attractive with class drops in the next couple of weeks. (8) SPECULATING A gave the barn it’s first winner of 2025 last week with a sharp first over score – he’ll be hard pressed to replicate that effort from out here, though!

RACE 10 – (4) PERFECT PROMISES finished with plenty of pace from the 8 hole in his local debut, for a barn that has had very good success bringing in horses that they pick up out of town – he’s been a bit camera shy the last couple of years, but still worth a look tonight…as long as he’s not way overbet. (3) BLOWIN SMOKE raced well off the claim in PA last week and seems like a very good fit with the locals – he did exit a very high % barn, so we’ll see if that good form continues to hold up. (2) SARANAC B LUE CHIP gave it a good try at a huge price when 2nd last week, and has shown some better signs in general lately – chance to grab another good piece (at another big price!) tonight. (5) REIGNING DEO has struggled to win races this year, and is just 28-2-1-5 at Yonkers this year – still, he does fit with these, and can be in the hunt with a good trip. (1) HEAVEN ON HIGH has a new trainer listed this week and it’s hard to know if that’ll affect his performance in any way – the “x factor” from the pole. (6) SADD LE UP was an ok 3rd last start but still seems far off the form that produced an outstanding 14 wins (so far) this year – leaning elsewhere. Both (7) SMOOTH LOU and (8) ROCKMYSTER N would be surprises from out here, both needing things to just fall apart to overcome the terrible draws.