Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (4) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP picked up a 3rd here vs. better 4 starts back – she had major excuses in her

next 2 starts, and now returns from PcD after a just-miss 3rd last week – lands a very soft spot, and we’ll give her top

billing. (6) COWGIRL LILLY was an afterthought for many months but showed some better life when 4th three

back, then raced well in her last 2 starts (pair of 3rds) – could grab another piece tonight, even with the poor draw.

(3) ANNELIESE HANOVER rallied a bit for 4th last week despite a less than stellar trip – she’s always been

unreliable, but any of her better efforts could give her a chance at a piece of this. (1) IM A BELIEVER is struggling

but she draws the pole and gets Gingras at the lines...and that could help produce a more competitive effort. (2) FRE

ESTARFLIGHT had an excellent 2024 season but has yet to get going at all in ’25 – she’s probably no worse than

most of the others, though, and a good trip could result in a small piece. (5) KAIRAKICONFIDNTL N took plenty

of $$ in her last 2 starts but got no better results than in any of the weak tries prior to that – in need of a major wake

up call. (7) UNCONTROLLED probably needs a much better post to be any kind of serious player.

RACE 2 – (3) CHIAPANECAS seemed to be leveling off a bit after a LONG form spree but was back on her best

game last week, a sharp 2nd best to PASS N STOW – we’ll give her the narrow edge tonight, as we’ll assume that her

new listed trainer won’t suffer any drop-off in form with the barn. (2) EASY TO PLEASE didn’t embarrass herself

in all those Matchmaker legs and it was no surprise to see her jog with the class relief last week – she can be a big

threat against these too. (1) DONEGAL SPIRIT looked MUCH sharper in her 2nd start as a 4YO, easily wiring the

field – she steps up to face some much more seasoned mares tonight, but may still be able to have a big say, with the

help of the inside draw. (6) LYDEO was overmatched in the series, though hanging in there until a dud in last week’s

Consolation – she’s good enough to be a big threat with these, but may be handled conservatively tonight after

drawing outside. (5) LAURIE LEE prefers to be on/near the lead, and facing cheaper – feels like a tough spot here.

(4) STAY HAPPY had a nice 4 -race form spree but definitely leveled off in her last pair – in tough tonight.

RACE 3 – (1) DRAW THE LINE’s last 2 efforts were disappointing, but the addition of Lasix tonight may explain

that – worth a look tonight, if the price is fair. (5) DIRE STRAITS ships in sharp from NJ and has more than enough

ABILITY to handle these...he also struggled in his only 2 Yonkers starts, making a break in one, and no factor in the

other...have to respect his chances, but be careful about falling in love at a very short price. (4) WINDSONG PION

EER comes into this off a pair of 2nds and is always a threat when he gets to cut the mile – possibility. (2) NO DRA

MA PLEASE is winless in 11 starts this year but did hit board in half of them – the right trip makes him a candidate

for a mild upset. (6) IMMIGRANT AM S has been just “ok” so far, and gets a tough draw for tonight – leaning to

others for the bigger prizes. (3) LOVE THIS BAR has a pair of amateur victories here this year and gets a big switch

to Gingras tonight – still seems a notch below these, however. (7) BARRY BLACK drops to a level where he’s a

bigger threat, but tonight’s draw may limit his opportunities.

RACE 4 – (4) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE got used really hard trying for the lead in the Matchmaker Final,

especially when shoved wide by the eventual winner before getting the top (:26.1) – she deserves a pass for tiring

(and then breaking) in the lane, and it seems like a good sign that she drops right back in the box for tonight – we’ll

give her the narrow edge in this easier spot. (1) SEASIDE DIVA was starting to sharpen heading into last week’s

Final and took full advantage of a cone-skimming trip to be able to rally all the way from last to 2nd – she’s looking

at an up close journey tonight, and looms a very real threat. (5) FRONT PAGE STORY didn’t try her luck in the

Matchmaker but did plenty of strong work in overnights during that time – she did win an Invitational here in the

past, and isn’t a bad value play to at least consider. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW was solid throughout the series and

was able to “steal” the Consolation when NOBODY left the gate (in a $100K race!), allowing her to control the

action with an easy :57.1 half – she’ll be a player here, but things won’t be nearly as easy tonight. (2) TAKE YOUR

PICK is 7 for 11 this year and won her only local start, albeit vs. cheaper – her barn always deserves respect, but this

is definitely a tougher spot than she’s been facing. (6) PROMISELAND A was a nice winner vs. “Matchmaker

Eligibles” at 1 1⁄4 miles last week...but tonight’s draw is brutal.

RACE 5 – (2) CREATE MYSTIQUE made a costly early miscue last week, caught the pack, then was full of trot

finishing, almost grabbing 3rd – she’s still winless on the year (and moving up a bit in class), but feels sharp enough

to pull off an upset here, with a clean journey. (5) PASSIONATE PROMISE was a little better 2 back but then lost

all chance last week after going offstride early – he’s having a tough year, but this may be a level where he can do

some damage. (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE has speed from the pole and while he faltered after cutting the mile last

week, that doesn’t mean he can’t be a bigger threat tonight – needs to bring his best effort. (4) IMA STANDUP

GUY went a series of big efforts in amateur races not long ago – he hit a rough patch here for a few starts (moving

up to the 40s) but that last mile at Pocono is more encouraging – not a bad one for longshot fans to consider. (3)

STREET GOSSIP is used to facing tougher than these but he’s just 11-0-0-3 on the year and has just one start in 6

weeks – hard to endorse as the ML favorite. (7) FULL STRENGTH is behaving now and racing well...the draw

may leave him with a little too much work to do as they turn for home, however. (6) MUSICAL RIDE actually fits

NW5000 – we’ll wait until he’s entered at that easier level before giving him a longer look.

RACE 6 – (7) PASS AND STOW is now 9-8-1-0 here at Yonkers and raced as well in that lone loss as in any of her

victories – she’s facing tougher tonight and gets the worst of the draw...but we’re still going to stick with this

incredibly sharp 4 year old. (2) COACHELLABOUND N has been inconsistent for some time but still throws

enough big efforts to always make her a threat – she may be able to work out a winning trip from this spot. (5) LIT

DE ROSE managed to win one Matchmaker leg but used a perfect trip to do so – she’s clearly not close to “top

form” right now, but she should still be able to make her presence felt tonight. (6) MY RED SEA picked up some

small pieces in her Matchmaker legs and will appreciate the class relief – the poor draw may hurt her chance for the

top prize, however. (4) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY has been suffering from “seconditis” lately, the runner up in her

last 4 starts – may have trouble doing as well tonight, though, in this tougher field. (1) ELEGANT A lands the pole

for top connections but is probably a notch below the main players in here – still a chance for a piece, though. (3) ID

EAL COVER has several good recent miles but probably needs to be in a bit easier to be a real threat.

RACE 7 – (5) BLUE POINT was a decent 3YO and her 2 starts back at 4 suggest she may have gotten better after 4

months off – she catches a vulnerable field for her first local start of the year, and she figures to be offering a decent

price for a trainer that’s been winning her at a very high rate, and with Yannick at the lines...worth a stab? (2) FACT

ORY GIRL is a tough call – she was overmatched in the Matchmaker Series, and may pick up considerably with the

big class drop...but it’s also possible that she’s just not sharp at all right now, and won’t be able to thrive vs. these

either – suppose we’ll find out tonight! (4) KISS MY CHEEK has 2 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd since joining her current

barn and certainly has ability...she also seems a little “shaky” at times, and just may be a little bit vulnerable tonight

at what figures to be a very short price. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N has had a rough year so far, unable to get into any

kind of consistent groove – this is certainly a spot where she can do some real damage IF she can bring her best

effort. (3) TRUE BLUE HANOVER hasn’t been able to get anything going so far in 2025, not coming close to

hitting the board in her 6 starts – waiting for some better signs before hopping on her team. (7) LUCKY ARTIST A

figures to be somewhat conservative tonight after getting parked the mile last week (after a failed early move) –

leaning elsewhere. (6) TRICK OF THE LIGHT wasn’t bad last week but figures to be limited by another bad draw.

RACE 8 – (5) QUEEN OF ALL has been hitting on all cylinders and was our clear choice last week (but was

scratched sick) – we’ll still go with her on top here...but with a bit more caution, due to the uncertainty of how the

week off will affect her. (1) TORRONE hasn’t been on his best game lately but it’s not like he’s been “bad” – figures

to be a solid player from this good spot. (4) THE PRINCE just never clicked for his current barn in the 3 starts after

the claim – he’s missed a month and has to be seen as extremely risky ... .but the talent is there, and a big price

makes him worth at least a look. (8) TACHYON is listed at 20-1 ML but he’s been racing well lately (despite some

tough trips) and he may be able to find a way to at least grab a small piece, at a big price. (3) NOTTINGHAM has

been good lately, albeit with easier – we’ll see how he handles tonight’s class jump. (6) ABRUZZI was a nice 2nd

last week, even if helped by the very easy trip – could be looking at a much tougher journey from this spot, however.

(2) BONTONI DEGATO S has been idle for 4 months – watch mode only for tonight. (7) RITSON has been holding

good form but he draws poorly tonight and will go from Zeron, to trainer Petter Engblom.

RACE 9 – (7) TALENT TO SPARE A charged home for 3rd off the class drop 2 back so it was no surprise to see her

take her last easily, with the much better draw – she steps up in class tonight (while moving back outside), but lands

in a fairly soft field and may be able to beat these too...at a much bigger price. (5) KATIES UP came to life in a big

way last week, turning in her sharpest effort (by far) of 2025 – she would have felt like a stickout here IF Bartlett

was driving...but trainer Petter Engblom will be in the bike tonight, and that makes her a much less certain

proposition – at least the price will be better if you think she can still get it done. (1) VIBRANCE got a big wake up

call and was a jogburger winner in her last – she’s missed three weeks since then, however, so she’s another with

some uncertainty around her for tonight. (2) LADYCORONA was 4 for 11 here last year but still winless in 11 local

tries in 2025 – ok to use underneath. (8) REC TIME just didn’t have her good stretch pop the last couple of starts

and now will likely be coming from way out of it – will need to be a lot sharper if she hopes to contend for a bigger

prize tonight. (4) BETTA WATCH OUT N just hasn’t been on her best game, and is another in this field that is still

winless on the year – a good trip puts her in play for a piece. (3) BIG BETTOR HANOVER was very live last week

(as expected) but failed to get the job done vs. easier (2nd best) – steps up in class, and will need to be sharper

to be a serious player. (6) KAT just hasn’t purring since exiting the nation’s leading barn 5 starts back.

RACE 10 – (4) CREATIVE VENTURE perked up with a much better effort 2 back – he got hammered at the tote

board in his last (as a result), but was collared in the lane by a couple of rivals that would probably be favored

against these – deserves a chance to make amends, but definitely not one to fall in love with at too short a price. (1)

THE LAST CHAPTER has enjoyed a fine career ($639K) but has obviously lost a step or three at age 11 – this is

the type of field where he can be a big player, though, and he looms a very logical threat. (3) DROP THE MIC is on

the cheaper side but he’s also been very consistent lately, and returns off a win in NJ – playable in exotics. (2) ENER

GY KING hasn’t been 1st or 2nd in his 13 starts this year but he does fit reasonably well in this field, and gets major

post relief – ok for exotics. (5) FULL RIGHTS is another going through a tough year (12-0-2-0) but he may look to

leave here and a close up trip would give him a chance at a minor share. (6) CAVIART IRUSH LUCK is 0 for 6 at

YR and that’s in the NW2-4PM class – tonight’s draw won’t help his cause. (7) HALOA adds hopples after breaking

in her Yonkers debut...but she also lands Post 7, and loses Bartlett. (8) BARN CREDIT picked up 2nds in his last

pair in PA (vs. cheaper) but is 0 for 16 at Yonkers, and just 2 for 39 lifetime (and starts from Post 8).