Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (1) SAILBOAT HANOVER failed to hit board in his first 10 starts this year but started to finally click,

hitting board in his last 12 tries (though disqualified to 4th, two back) – he’s handled the rise from 20s to 30s very

smoothly, and figures to be a major threat from the pole...though that 8/5 ML price does guarantee that he’ll be

overbet. (6) SOUTHWIND PETYR was quickly reclaimed by the barn for whom he just picked up a win, 2nd, and

3rd for – he’ll need some trip luck to win from this spot, but a good price makes him worth considering. (3) MOVIN

ON UP had been really struggling but Siegelman drove him last week like he KNEW he’d be better, and he went on

to deliver a razor sharp victory...at 36-1! – can be a threat here too (up in class) if he can replicate that effort. (4) SH

ADOW CAT is a good fit in this class but he’s missed 3 weeks, hasn’t won in a while, and is listed at 2-1 ML–

won’t offer much value on top. (2) REIGNING DEO wasn’t bad in his last pair but he has no wins and just 1 second

from 19 local starts this year...minor share? (5) CYRUS N is a weak 12-0-0-3 locally this year, but racing well

enough for a chance at 3rd/4th, with an easy trip. (7) ROCKIN N TALKIN has proven himself with these, but

tonight’s draw figures to really hurt. (8) BETTORBUCKLEUP is another that figures to have a very hard time

thanks to the draw.

RACE 2 – (2) KINGSVILLE raced super in his narrow losses 2 and 3 back but was a clear-cut, 2 move winner last

week – he steps up a bit, but is more than capable of handling these too. (1) LEVINE is sharper than he may look on

paper, finishing with pace (from impossible spots) in his last few starts – his anemic win % is well documented, but

he can still be a big part of the action from tonight’s excellent spot (5) PEACE OUT POSSE should be feeling pretty

good about himself after demolishing softer in his last 2 starts – still prefer #2, but would hardly be surprised to see

this guy come out on top. (3) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N had no chance from Post 8 last week but his recent form

is otherwise very solid – playable underneath. (4) WALKINSHAW N showed surprising speed last week and did

hold well for 3rd after getting put away by #2 – chance for a minor share. (6) CHANTEE remains winless in 2025

but his last start was his best of the year – bad draw, but a possibility for 3rd/4th. (7) ORLANDO BLUE A got a good

draw last week and was a good 2nd behind the top choice – may struggle to be part of the action from Post 7, though.

(8) KOMODO BEACH lands in a brutal spot for his 2nd start off the layoff – gets a class drop next week.

RACE 3 – (4) JUST ENUFF STUFF seemed to be tailing off but rebounded in a big way 2 back, charging home for

2nd at 35-1 (after moving to a new barn) – he raced ok in his last after losing any real chance early on (bothered by a

breaker), and should offer some decent value tonight with the move inside. (2) FLIP MY CHIP seems like he MAY

be a bit off his best game right now, but it’s possibly due to some bad racing luck – he gets a good draw for a new

barn, and figures to be handled aggressively...we’ll see if he’s up for it. (6) AMERITIRC drops back down to 30s

after facing a much tougher field of 40s last week – gets a tough draw, but still could do damage here if the trip goes

his way. (5) WHY TOMORROW RAY has been a player week after week at this level and his form figures to hold

up even after last week’s claim – possibility for sure, but he does tend to come up a little light at the end more often

than not. (7) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL used a perfect trip to pick up that win 2 back but is likely looking at only

minor spoils from out here. (1) LAZ hasn’t hit board in the six starts since his last claim. (3) EMINEM HANOVER

has managed just 1 third from his 12 local starts this year.

RACE 4 – (5) TWIN B POWERBALL was stuck racing a bit over his head for a few starts but has bounced back in

his last couple with the class relief – he could be the best price among the main players in here, and that makes him

worth a stab. (2) SPECULATING A got cooked two back but was given a patient drive last week and rallied nicely

into 2nd behind the impressive winner – another good trip would make him a dangerous player tonight. (1) OURMA

TEMENKO N picked up his first YR victory last week and was very impressive doing so, out from turn two and

finding his 2nd wind in the lane, after looking done on the final turn – would be no surprise at all, especially with the

rail draw. (3) RENAISSANCE DEO was used very hard last week but able to find the wire in time in a slow final

quarter – may have to settle for a smaller slice tonight (4) CENTURY HEINEKEN fits with these but he’s missed a

month and is listed as the ML favorite – better value with others. (6) FIZZING N has some ok recent tries but draws

outside a bunch of contenders, and that figures to hurt. (8) JACKS LEGEND N almost pulled off the upset last week

but is unlikely to find as kind a trip tonight. (7) MARLBANK ROAD feels buried in this spot.

RACE 5 – (2) SHAKE IT has been on a long, impressive form spree...making last week’s uncharacteristic miscue

all the more surprising – he’s looking at a very good trip here and we’ll give him a chance to make amends...but

wouldn’t take too short a price this week. (5) TWIG got roughed up last week and can be forgiven for getting a little

tired at the end – he’s won 3 of his last 6 starts in this class (including one for the barn that just reclaimed him), and

merits plenty of respect! (4) GOLIATH HANOVER seems a bit ambitiously placed for his local debut but he was

just acquired by the nation’s leading barn (from a 3% trainer at The Meadows), and probably shouldn’t be dismissed

too quickly! (1) PYRO went a HUGE mile to beat the 30s two back, after missing 8 months...he was no factor at all

vs. the 40s last week, but moves to the rail and may have more to say tonight. (7) ALTA CLASSIC A is in career

form and would have been considered for the TOP spot tonight...but he’ll need some trip magic to get it done from

out here. (3) KIMBLE A had some good recent tries in this class but was no threat at all last week – leaning towards

others. (8) LYRICAL GENIUS A has found ways to grab pieces from impossible spots before – ok bomb for 3

rd/4th.  (6) ROCKMYSTER N has elevated his game in his last couple, but lands in a seemingly brutal spot tonight.

RACE 6 – (2) ADMIRAL HILL picked up his first victory of the season with a sharp front end score 3 back – he

was no threat in the Invitational the next week, but did charge home full of pace for 3rd in his last (after being

trapped for too long) – he’ll look to control the action tonight, and the road to the winner’s circle goes through him.

(1) TIP TOP CAT will attract plenty of attention dropping from the Opens and figures to be a big player here – but

note that he’s winless in 13 local starts before taking a short price! (4) CARABAO A has just 3 wins this year, but

has been 3rd 9X...and that’s largely due to his off-the-pace racing style...can rally for a piece tonight too. (7) SOHO

DOW JONES A always looks like a “good” horse when he hits the lead vs. cheaper, but he’s struggled much of the

year when faced with these tougher scenarios – a quick start would help his chances to be a bigger player. (5) ESCA

PE TO AMERICA often looks sluggish during the mile but finds a way to finish well at the end, even vs. better – ok

for the bottom of exotics. (3) DONTLIKEITLEAVE hasn’t been “bad” at these higher levels, but will look better

with the class relief that’s looming. (6) YOROKOBI N has just one win this year and seems buried tonight. (8) ROC

KIN JUKEBOX has some sharp PcD efforts but couldn’t get in play returning to YR last week and draws Post 8.

RACE 7 – (1) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N is in career form right now and was still able to rally for 3rd last week,

despite some (surprisingly) poor cover behind DUNKIN – he can be very dangerous in this Open-like field, with any

decent trip. (4) HEMSWORTH N steps up in class but he can be extremely dangerous at ANY level when the trip

goes his way – he’s used explosive rallies to crush in 2 of his last 3 starts, and may do so again tonight. (3) STREET

HAWK N was the 3rd winner of the night last Monday for this deadly owner/trainer team and he was razor sharp –

he hasn’t beaten a field quite this good yet but acts like he might be able to (7) VERDUN was handled aggressively

last week, avoided any pressure and reported home a sharp winner– he gets to stay in the same class (with a win

dropping off the bottom of his card), but does face a much tougher trip tonight. (5) DIEGO N has made breaks in 2

of his last 4 starts and while the ability is still there, he feels a little risky right now. (2) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A

had a recent form spree but is probably pushing his limits at this level. (6) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK has been

holding form beautifully for some time, but this spot just seems way too tough.

RACE 8 – (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A elected not to pop out of the two hole to come after JAMAICAN ROCK last

week and it left him with no real chance to run him down into the :27 final quarter – he’s been super start after start,

and maybe he can get back to the winner’s circle tonight. (1) DUNKIN was well backed last week (2nd time Lasix

off a big try in Ohio) but just didn’t bring his best effort...that doesn’t mean he won’t bring it tonight, though! (4)

JAMAICAN ROCK A was moving WAY up in class last week but still was able to beat an Invitational field, even if

helped by an easy lead and no pressure – he figures to have a tougher trip tonight, as he puts his perfect 4 for 4 U.S.

record on the line. (2) ALL CLASS loses Bartlett to #4 but he’s very sharp right now, and could be right there late

with a good trip. (6) MOSSDALE BEN N (this year’s Borgata winner) is 10-8-2-0 at Yonkers and a confirmed

“beast- he’s also been away for 10 weeks, and will be asked to pass ‘em all tonight...probably vulnerable this week.

(5) HP MOMENTUM was a 35-1 jogburger last week but will have to prove that he can do it at THIS level.

RACE 9 – (8) CATALPA RESCUE A was one of the owner and trainer’s THREE winners last Monday night, and

he couldn’t have looked any more impressive taking his stateside debut – worth sticking with, even with the horrible

draw. (2) NO CONTROL gets a big drop from last week’s Open, and this spot is well within his comfort zone – look

for a strong effort here. (3) LAYTON HANOVER has a bunch of solid starts, but still has just one win in ‘25 – good

one to use underneath. (1) DEETZY just hasn’t been on his best game lately, but still has to be considered a threat

for a decent piece starting from the pole. (7) JUMPINGJACKMAC N continues to sharpen a bit more each week –

tough spot, but not a bad one to try if you’re looking for a last race longshot. (4) MAMBA has improved since the

recent barn change but is moving well up in class from those Tioga fields– not sure he’s up for this. (5) ROLLING

WITH SAM has been ok since that (rare) win 3 back but still seems below the main players in here. (6) EUPHORIA

does his best work on/near the lead, vs. softer.