Thursday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (4) A FEARSOME HANOVER rallied very nicely at Monti (off the barn change) then was excellent

here as well, possibly a winner last week if able to get rolling a little sooner – if he’s close turning for home, he may

be able to come out on top here. (2) DANCE ON THE BEACH is always dangerous in 15s and looms a big threat

tonight, as well – he does prefer the lead, though, and MAY have to race out of the pocket...playable as long as he’s

not overbet. (8) THIRD EDITION is as good as any of these, and the only knock is the draw – if you think Stratton

can find him a manageable trip, he’ll definitely be offering good value! (1) IM A POWERPLAY A was super here in

2024, but really struggled in his starts here 2025, through early May (vs. tougher) – he’s doing better since working

his way down the classes in PA, but does figure to be overbet in his Hilltop return. (3) CHECKONWILLIAM GB

has shown little in his 2 local starts but does get a decent draw – we’ll see if he can improve at all. (6) MASONS DE

LIGHT raced “ok” off the layoff but backed through the field last week and now drops right in for $15K – red flags?

(7) METAMAN picked up a 3rd last week, but only because of the trip – will be hard pressed to get close from out

here. (5) HEART ON MY SLEEVE was well back in all 3 starts since returning from the layoff.

RACE 2 – Short field, but a good race: (1) DIRE STRAITS has delivered some big miles this year, and that includes

a 2nd in his last start in NJ (behind standout AETOS KRONOS S) – he was Bartlett’s choice, but he’s also missed

almost 3 weeks...don’t take too short a price if using on top. (6) DRIBBLING BI is in career form right now, and

more than capable of holding his own with these – if you think he can find a winning trip from Post 6, he should be

a decent price here. (3) TACHYON was a bit overmatched in the Invitational but certainly didn’t embarrass himself

– could see him doing some damage tonight if the trip goes to his liking. (4) AUSTRAL HANOVER also drops out

of the Invitational but MAY find these a little tough as well – willing to consider if the price is juicy enough. (2)

ORDAINED was a strong earner at 2 and 3 and has continued to race well as a 4YO, though he does lack experience

vs. tough older foes – he’s also missed almost 4 weeks, and that’s definitely a concern. (5) MISSISS IPPI STORM

came up with back to back front end wins vs. easier, but may have too much to do when they turn for home tonight.

RACE 3 – (5) TIPSY MONI was forced to back off at the start last week and raced conservatively from there,

finishing with good trot (but too late) – Bartlett fills in for Yannick tonight and the draw should give him a chance to

handle her more aggressively...giving her a good chance to get back to the winner’s circle. (6) QUEEN OF ALL

made an uncharacteristic miscue 3 back but just missed to the top choice in her next, then was a sharp winner last

week – remains a very serious threat, even with the worst of the draw. (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY has also been

super, though not quite as fond of her trip last week – she could be next in line should the top two falter. (3) DIAMA

NTE TRIO IT almost was able to steal one of the lead last week, and is still capable of big efforts (though more

unreliable this year) – ok to use underneath (and congratulations to Ridge Warren, who picked up his first Yonkers

victory on Tuesday night)! (2) MA ISABELLE is a notch below the top ones, and likely looking at only minor spoils

(1) LUCKY MUM N just hasn’t been on top of her game lately.

RACE 4 – (2) ALWAYS BE CITY perked up significantly 2 back – she was well meant in her last, and probably

would have won IF she had been able to clear the favorite to the final turn (she couldn’t cross over, and was left

battling into that bend) – chance to get it done tonight in what shapes up as a well matched affair. (3) MACHS LEG

ACY A was a sharp winner here on 6/20, raced a few starts out of town then came up a solid 2nd best to #8, returning

last week – another more than capable of taking this with the right trip. (1) EMDOUBLEAKAY turned in a better try

last week, rallying from 7th to 3rd – she moves all the way inside for a hot trainer/driver team, and has to be respected

(8) DEFININGTHE MOMENT was both sharp AND smooth in a pair of back-to-back front end scores – she does

face a potentially MUCH tougher trip from Post 8, so insist on a decent price tonight if using on top again. (4) FORT

UNADA looked good in her first start off the layoff but regressed in her last pair – needs to rebound with a better

effort. (7) SUNBURNT had been “sneaky ok” recently so last week’s perfect trip, 49-1 score wasn’t that shocking –

she does figure to be coming from too far back tonight, however. Both (5) RACIN FOR ROYALTY and (6) QUICK

MENU have plenty of good starts at this level, but both seem to be off their best games right now.

RACE 5 – (2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is solid at this level when he gets a decent trip and that should be the case

tonight – we’ll give him the narrow edge in a modest field of 40s. (5) RADIO LAB was an excellent 2nd (at 29-1!)

in his first try at this level and now drops back in for $40K tag after a hard charging 3rd behind 2 sharp ones last

week – absolutely worth a look at that 12-1 ML price. (1) WARRIOR ONE is far too classy to ever just dismiss from

a spot like this but his last 2 local victories (vs. much easier) were helped by very slow fractions, and he’ll need to be

a lot sharper to beat these better ones – could be vulnerable at that 9/5 ML price. (3) PEDAL ON METAL used an

easy trip to rally for 2nd in this class last week, and could grab another piece tonight, if the trip comes up as kind. (7)

FULL OF MUSCLES drops in for a tag and has shown good trot finishing in 2 of his 3 local starts– he hasn’t shown

any early speed, however, and that could hurt his chances tonight. (4) PAPA DOC is a little hard to gauge class-wise

right now, but an easy enough trip could see him take home a small share (6) WILLY WALTON has disappointed in

too many starts since being claimed back on 5/15 – leaning towards others. (8) FOR A DREAMER likely needs a

much better draw these days to have any real say against these types.

RACE 6 – Another good race: (6) MAJOR POCKET A has been holding his own in recent weeks with his trainer

driving, even vs. better – he reunites with Kelly tonight, and the pair teamed up for an easy win back on 6/28 – déjà

vu? (3) EVER M moved to a barn known to improve fresh stock immediately, and significantly...so it’s no surprise

to see that he’s 3 for 3 since then, including last week’s pocket victory in his Yonkers debut – draws inside his main

rivals, and looms a legitimate threat to extend his streak to 4. (8) GARDYS LEGACY A made an unexpected

miscue before the start 2 back but rebounded with a sharp win last week – he has 4 wins and 2 close 2nds from his

last 7 starts and deserves major respect, even racing from Post 8, for a new barn. (4) MOTIVE HANOVER was no

factor (in NJ) in his first start off the layoff but he used a sustained wide move to come out on top here on 8/2,

followed by a 3rd at PcD last week – another possibility, with the right trip. (5) ROCK THIS WAY just re-qualified

after missing some time after a sick scratch – maybe he can rally for some minor spoils? (7) CENTURY IGLESIAS

has some ok recent tries, but tonight’s draw is brutal. (2) DIAMONDBEACH throws a few good ones every year,

out of the blue – hard to make a case that we’ll see one tonight, though. (1) SWEET TROY deteriorated rapidly after

turning in a promising try off the layoff.

RACE 7 – (3) GHOSTLY CASPER was 0 for 7 here last year but trotted some solid miles in his MGM Grand Prix

legs, facing much tougher – he lands in a very sharp barn for his Hilltop return, and lands in a spot he can handle. (1)

MYCROWNMYKINDOM had good trot finishing from an impossible spot last week and has been very solid in his

recent climb up the class ladder – maybe he can add some value to the exotics? (4) RITSON just qualified back

nicely after taking 5 weeks off, and was racing very well just prior to that – can be a player here if he returns as

sharp as he left. (2) CRAZYLAND had been on a nice roll before struggling in his last – if he can shrug that off and

bounce right back, he can grab a piece of this. (6) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS is 1 for 7 since changing hands, with

a few other good efforts included – tough spot tonight, though. (5) THE HAZLETON really tailed off for a while,

and has been “ok” since returning from a freshening – still leaning more towards others in here.

RACE 8 – (1) MAXIMUS RED A has been stuck settling for smaller pieces lately, but most of the ones he’s been

chasing would be heavy favorites in here – drops, draws the pole, and should be a very tough player tonight. (2)

BLACK HAWK JOE held gamely for 3rd off a first over trip last week, and gets a class drop tonight – could easily

outperform that 8-1 ML price. (3) DONTTELLMENOW was super most weeks vs. 20s, but struggled a bit in his

last pair (for a new barn, vs. 30s) – drops a bit, and is another that should be able to make his presence felt. (6) BUR

NHAM BOY N is yet another class dropper, and gets Bartlett at the lines tonight – he also gets a tough draw, but a

“decent” price makes him worth a look. (4) OSTRO HANOVER is just 2 for 40 locally over the past 3 years but he

usually finishes with decent pace, and remains a good option for 3rd/4th. (5) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL is good at

grabbing minor spoils off sit in trips – another that’s playable for 3rd/4th. (7) ON DAYBOO gets a terrible draw, and

may need to wait to move inside for a realistic chance. (8) KARLOO BRADLEY N failed to threaten from an

identical spot last week, off the claim.

RACE 9 – Interesting race: (4) BARN HALL was an excellent 2nd (off the claim) 2 back, but hounded into

submission last week – he was claimed that night by a barn that he did well for back in May, and is listed at 15-1 ML

(despite going off FAVORED, last week) – has to be worth a look here! (3) MAX went some insanely good miles

here this year, but did show some major signs of wear and tear 2 and 3 back – he rebounded with an easy win last

week, but that was a bit of a “fall apart” race – if he’s back on track, he’ll be very dangerous...but if he’s not 100%,

he could be a vulnerable favorite! (8) CANTSTOP YANKEE was forced to race from the back last week, and still

almost trotted over the field in the lane – he draws another brutal post, but a big price makes him worth considering.

(5) BLUEBIRD BISHOP was a powerful winner 2 back (off almost 6 months!) but was nowhere near as good last

week – he was claimed that night, and it’s hard to say which version we’ll see tonight. (2) BARRY BLACK can do

damage in this class when things go his way – would consider underneath, since he’s generally a pretty big price. (1)

P C FREE WHEELING is hard to get a read on right now – she would be a threat on her best game, but she may not

be at that level right now. (7) JAS BLUESTONE scored off a perfect trip last week, but now lands outside – unlikely

to be quite as fortunate. (6) EVER CLEVER has talent when he behaves, but seems oddly spotted in a $40K claimer.

RACE 10 – (3) HEAVE AWAY drops back down to 20s after being hurt badly by terrible cover vs. the 30s last

week – he should be able to rebound with one of his more typically big miles, though that 6/5 ML price is a turn off.

(1) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH was well backed off the claim last week but had his chances compromised when

forced to park an unexpected outside leaver – he still held well for 2nd, and should be a big player for another new

barn. (2) SOUTH POINT was claimed by a red hot barn, landed on a beautiful trip and responded with his first

victory in some time – he strung together several wins earlier this year, so it would hardly be a surprise to see him go

back on another good roll. (5) LOCKDOWN LOUIE N hasn’t been much of a threat in his 4 local tries but the

switch to Holland may help him contend at least for a better piece. (7) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE always seems to

find himself way too far back and that figures to be the case tonight as well – he may be able to pass a few late, for a

small piece. (4) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER failed to hit board in his 17 local starts over the past 2 years before

picking up a 3rd last week – not sure he can replicate that tonight. (6) BAD BOY TOO returns to YR where he was

just 7-0-0-1 earlier this year – the bad draw won’t help his cause. (8) ROCKET FREIGHT figures to be way too far

back to have any kind of say tonight.