Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) RENALDO N is now 3 for 3 since arriving in the U.S., including a pair of very impressive victories here at Yonkers – gets a good draw, and will be tough to knock off…at a very short price. (2) WAR NO MORE made an early break 2 back in a weird race (where a few others were also offstride early on) – his form has been pretty steady otherwise, and the inside draw should make him a solid contender for a piece of the exotics. (7) BETT ORS DESIRE had a couple of recent “off” weeks but looked very good again in a “bounce back” effort in his last – tough draw, but could still add some value to the exotics. (8) DANCININTHEFIRE hung in ok last week, finishing just behind a few good ones in a fast mile – it’s tough moving from the rail to Post 8 but if you think Kelly may take a shot at leaving the gate, he’d be one to include underneath. (3) LENNON HANOVER throws his share of duds but he also can throw a good one from time to time – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) WHITE LOTUS won 2 straight out of town after adding Lasix but made an early break in his local debut after trying to leave the gate – he may be handled conservatively tonight after that last miscue. (5) CURRYS FLURRY hasn’t shown much lately, but he’s also been in some impossible spots – chance for minor spoils with a better trip. (1) JMS BEST BET will probably get a good start from the pole but he’s managed just one 3rd from his 10 local starts.

RACE 2 – (4) KAT didn’t even pretend to be interested in her first start off the claim last week (after drawing Post 8 vs. the 25s) – she drops down to a soft $20K field tonight, moves inside, and a much more serious effort is expected – but don’t expect much of a price if she wins! (1) GOT BEACH BODY has hit board in 7 of her last 8 starts (8 hole in the other) yet somehow goes off huge odds every week – her price will finally come down tonight, but she does have a good chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) CHARMING VIXEN had a good year here in 2024 but started off 2025 7-0-0-0 before heading to Pocono – she returns off a blowout and win (and solid form, overall), and should be able to grab a decent piece tonight. (6) ODDS ON SARA SARA was very good 2 back but her aggressive try in 25s last week fell flat – drops back down, and perhaps can rally for a nice slice. (2) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL hails from a currently hot barn, but has been beyond camera shy here at Yonkers – minor share only. (3) THAT’S A HUGE BEACH just requalified after taking a month off after a weak try on 8/26 – leaning elsewhere for tonight. (7) JUST ROSAS LUCK drops to 20s but draws poorly, and still feels up against it from this spot

RACE 3 – (2) TOBAGO TIME has been remarkably consistent for most of the year and has won 9 of her 25 starts (including her last pair) – she handles any trip, and deserves top billing, though this doesn’t feel like it’ll be any kind of cakewalk. (6) YS SENSATIONALCITY was doing excellent work vs. the 50s much of the year, and is still going strong at this $30K level – she came up 2nd best to the top choice in her last pair, and will need some racing luck to reverse that decision from Post 6. (3) MACHS LEGACY A was claimed by our leading trainer for $20K, just missed from Post 8 in the 25s then just ran off and hid from then last week – she earned a move up to 30s off that try, and we’ll find out if she can be as effective against these better mares. (1) TWIN B ECHO had no chance from Post 8 last week but was 3rd (behind the top pair) when she drew the pole 2 back – chance for a similar piece tonight. (4) KI SSIN JOE lands in a top notch barn upon arrival from Delaware but it’s hard to say if she’s classy enough to go with these – we shall see. (5) ATREACHEROUS A is probably looking at only minor spoils from this spot

RACE 4 – (4) SIX DEGREES has held his own vs. much better fields than this one– with the likely favorite seeming somewhat vulnerable, this guy could be a good value play. (6) T H TYSON was heavily backed off the class drop last week and able to hold off a very stubborn rival to pick up the win – the poor draw is a bigger concern than the one class move up, but a good price makes him worth considering. (2) DIEGO N is a legitimate Open performer so anything close to his best effort will make him very tough to beat – he’s clearly well off his top form, however, and he made a break in his first start for a new trainer last week – hard to take a very short price right now. (5) MIND HUNTER just re-qualified after being scratched lame from his 9/15 start – he’s more than capable of beating these when on his game, but he’s just another question mark in this difficult race. (3) BONDI SHAKE N is racing as well now as at any time since he arrived in the U.S. BUT he remains eternally camera shy AND he’s missed time off a sick scratch – another question mark! (1) COVERED BRIDGE actually came close to winning a race last week, but was overtaken late by a rival that had been winless in 2025 – tonight’s double class-jump isn’t going to help! (7) PRI NTVILLE was no factor at all from similar spots in his last pair

RACE 5 – (2) NO TRESSPASSING followed up his sharp win here on 9/9 with a very solid pair of heats at the Little Brown Jug– he rallied well for a piece in the Bluegrass in his last and gets a good draw for return to local overnights – the one to beat, but wouldn’t say that he’s a cinch! (4) INFLATION PROOF is razor sharp right now, and comes into this off a pair of very easy wins and a close 2nd to the very promising RENALDO N (Race 1) in his last 3 starts – expect him to give #2 a real tussle. (1) TWIN FURY was no match for #4 last week but was still a very nice 2nd in his Yonkers debut – gets another good draw, and should be in the hunt for another good piece. (6) COLLECTIVE WORKS A has raced well in all of his U.S. starts, even if still winless…tonight’s draw may leave him looking at another smaller share. (5) KWICK SAND A was right there 3rd in his stateside debut, even if facing a bit easier crew – has to be worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (7) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE came up 2nd best at 2/5 last week despite multiple breakers in the race – tonight’s draw really figures to hurt his chances. (3) MATAI PHIL N beat #7 in that race marred by all the breakers, but showed little in his 2 other local tries. (8) OOGLEVILLE draws Post 8 off 3 weeks after blasting, and tiring, from the same post last start

RACE 6 – (2) HOWLENTHEHILLS has been finding wins harder to come by as a 4YO (he was 13 for 17 at 3!) but he’s raced well in top company for most of the year, and usually held his own – he got some class relief last week, but had the misfortune of running into a fire-breathing REDWOOD HANOVER…we’ll see if he can make amends tonight. (1) TRENDY TEEN comes out of the same race as the top choice and was 3rd all the way that night – he’s been razor sharp for weeks, and should be right in the hunt once more. (6) BOURBON COUNTY seemed way overbet 2 back for his YR debut but he turned in an ultra-impressive first over victory – he had no prayer last week (same race as the top pair), but he can be a much bigger player tonight if Bartlett can find him a manageable trip. (3) JUMP INGJACKMAC N is now winless in 8 U.S. starts but he’s certainly paid his way, hitting board in 6 of them – he’s been on the upswing and definitely racing well now…but may still be a bit below a couple of the others in here. (4) MYSWEETBOYMAX has been a new horse since recently joining this barn, but that can be said for several others in his barn as well – can’t fault his current form, but it’s hard to say if he can bang heads with these tougher foes. (5) MACS DELIGHT missed a month after a disappointing try on 8/11 and really hasn’t found his best form since then – waiting for better signs. (7) THE IDEAL DANCER A gets the worst draw in a strong field – he drops a win off his card after tonight, and will look a lot better with some class relief, and a better post!

RACE 7 – (5) BETTING ON CAESAR gave it a good try in his first local try, making up good ground just to come after the winner to 3/4s (#7), then battling gamely right to the wire – might be a spot where he can pick up his first Yonkers victory. (3) LASER SPEED was a barnmate to the top choice in KY, though much more erratic – he made a break in his first local try, but did finish well last week after being handled very conservatively – not a bad bomb to consider. (7) BIG EGO was up the track at a zillion to one in his first 2 lifetime starts (in NJ) – he changed hands, was sent off at $2.10 at Monti and won by 7 lengths (1:54.3), following that up with a win in his first YR appearance as well – the turnaround has been astonishing, but he still may be in some trouble starting from a much tougher spot tonight. (4) JOHNNY LAW ships in sharp from MN but is hard to gauge class-wise – leaning towards the locals for now. (1) ALABAMA LUCKY moves back inside and that may help him take home some minor spoils. (2) FURNE AUX finished 3rd in his first Yonkers start then made a break last week – chance for a small share if he behaves tonight. (6) QUOTE ME NOT N was sent off 55-1 for his local debut and finished well back – inclined to pass, but will at least glance at the tote board. (8) STEAL AWAY HANOVER is the outsider…literally and figuratively

RACE 8 – (4) CARABAO A isn’t always the handiest horse and he’s usually racing at the higher levels…and that’s largely why he has just 3 wins this year, but has been 2nd or 3rd 12X – he’s in a bit easier tonight, and this may be a spot that he can handle. (3) IMA PERFECT CHOICE continues to be a hard horse to drive, but his natural ability has helped to overcome his issues and continue to thrive – he was terrific beating this class last week and is a big threat to do it again tonight…but he’s also likely to be overbet! (1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has held his form nicely through a recent climb up the class ladder, though his last WIN did come at the bottom level – can stay close all the way and take home another good piece. (2) STELLAR YANKEE benefited from perfect trips in his last pair, leading to a win 2 back and a close 3rd last week – may be able to work out another easy journey and grab another nice share (6) SPECULATING A had legitimate excuses 2 and 3 back so it was no surprise to see him race well last week (2nd) when the trip was much better – may have trouble finding a decent journey from Post 6, however. (7) MACS MARV EL returned sharp from “The Aces”, charging home late to be 2nd – he moves up a class and draws outside here, and may find himself a little too far out to threaten this week. (5) TEXAS HOLDEM is good right now, but he’s moving up two classes. (8) PINEAPPLE CRUNCH blasted from Post 8 last week and went right to the top, giving his fans a good 27-1 root before weakening late – maybe he’ll try it again, but this is an overall much tougher field!

RACE 9 – (7) COALFORDSNSHINE GB drops back down to 25s and reunites with Bartlett…for whom she’s won the last 3 times he’s driven – gets the nod even from out here. (3) DELITFULCATHERIN N has only managed smaller pieces in all of her starts in 30s, but can be a bigger player dropping down to 25s tonight – look for a good effort. (2) YUENGLING is in the hunt week after week and tonight should be no exception – belongs in your exotics (5) STORMY SERENA was sent off favored dropping down to 25s last week but came up short at the end, much like she had been doing in the 30s – we’ll see if her new barn has any better luck at getting her back to the winner’s circle. (1) ONDERFULBEACH has been “ok” lately, drops back down to 25s and has a chance at a small piece with the good draw. (6) SHEZAHUNGRYGIGI probably shouldn’t be 20-1 ML but she’s still more likely looking at a smaller piece, rather than a bigger one (from Post 6). (4) DWS DARLENE was on a nice roll until being scratched injured on 8/26 – waiting for better signs before hopping back on her team. (8) ILLUSION SEELSTER could use a class drop…and much better post

RACE 10 – (3) WASA HEAT SEEKER N was well meant in his last pair but got parked 2 back, then trapped behind a quitter last week – he drops to the basement and perhaps this is a spot where he can hit the top, and be a big player. (1) VICI gets his first good draw in an eternity and he’ll surely look to take advantage – major threat for sure, but also figures to be way overbet. (2) EUPHORIA N offered some better life last week and now drops to the basement – could easily contend for the top spot in this modest field. (8) TWIG has been struggling for a long time but did at least hit the wire with some life last week (from an impossible spot) – would have been more likely to give him a shot in here had he drawn a bit better! (4) CAPTAIN BATBOY probably isn’t a threat for one of the top slots, but he draws well enough for a chance at a minor prize. (6) KOMODO BEACH is 6-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year and draws poorly for tonight. (5) OZONE BLUE CHIP hasn’t been sharp in a very long time. (7) GAMBLINGTERROR has a wake up call at times, but this doesn’t feel like a spot to look for one