Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, March 20, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) METAMAN found gate speed on 2/26 and was a dead game front end winner – he’s been sharp off

the car in both starts since then, and it has made him a much tougher player...big effort for 3 rd off the claim last

week, and may be able to get to the winner’s circle tonight. (2) CLEVELAND B MIKI ended up with a live trip last

week and rallied to win for his new connections – he’s now 7-3-1-2 on the year, and has become a weekly threat in

this class. (3) SIP OF BOURBON gave it a big try last week, only to come up a nose shy of his first local victory –

he'll get his picture taken soon...maybe even tonight? (1) HARD TO CATCH picked up a pair of solid 2nds before

losing all chance last week with an early miscue – he’s proven he’s a good fit with these and moves all the way

inside here – but he will also be racing for a new barn, and it’s hard to say how that’ll work out. (6) JOHN THE BA

PTIST is listed at 20-1 ML but he drops down to 20s and we know he can go with these – willing to include on the

bottom of exotics. (8) THE WILL TO PLAY was a sharp front end winner in his last but that was vs. easier, and he

now moves up, draws Post 8, and was scratched from his last – leaning towards others. (7) FUNKY BUNCH really

hasn’t been bad, but another terrible draw could slow him down again. (5) VANDALISM continues to struggle

RACE 2 – (5) KINGSVILLE wasn’t at his “best” last week, but he was a close 3 rd vs. better than these – he drops

another peg, and this is a logical spot to look for a winning effort from him. (1) FIZZING N got tested much earlier

than he would have liked last week, battled from turn three to the wire and was still battling at the end – should be

able to have a big say here too, especially starting from the pole. (3) JUDDY DOUGLAS A, like most of his

barnmates, can be pretty unpredictable from start to start – he just never fired LAST week, but that doesn’t mean he

can’t be in the mix tonight, IF he brings his best. (4) CHANTEE was finally much closer last week (after dropping

to the basement) but it’s hard to say how much “better” he really was – a couple of his also-struggling barnmates

seem to be coming around lately...maybe he’s ready to step up his game too? (7) DIAMONDBEACH moved to his

first new barn in ages last week and was no factor at all – if you think Yannick may take a shot at racing him more

aggressively tonight, the price will definitely be appealing. (2) FREQUENT IMAGE has missed 23 days after a trio

of weak local tries – hard to know when (if?) he’ll find that better form. (6) CYRUS N hasn’t earned a dime in his 5

starts this year – waiting for better signs. (8) ALEX TYE is the outsider...literally and figuratively

RACE 3 – NAADA Spring Fling Series: (2) ITSONEOFTHOSE certainly benefited from a dream trip in last

week’s blowout victory but he had been sharp for several starts prior to that – remains the one to beat. (5) HELPH

ASARRIVED had some issue at Dover on 2/18 but he qualified back well in NJ then trotted evenly last week in a

quick mile – he gets a pilot tonight that has enjoyed tremendous success in the amateur races, and looms the main

danger. (1) ALEXANDER has yet to finish 1 st or 2 nd in 12 local starts but he does have 5 thirds, leaves the gate well

and starts trotting – ok for a piece. (3) HOBBS usually can grab a piece when he draws inside and he’s another that’s

very playable underneath. (4) WINNERESS has missed some time, but he may be able to take home some minor

spoils if he sits relatively close to the action. (6) HUNTERS GAL was ok here 2 back, but struggled in her last

across the river – tonight’s draw does her no favors. (7) PERRON figures to have trouble with the terrible draw –

wait for a better spot. (8) FASHION CANTAB backed up badly here last week and now moves all the way outside.

RACE 4 – (7) IMA STANDUP GUY is hard to evaluate class-wise (as he’s been racing exclusively in amateur

races) but his form has been outstanding for some time, going BIG miles week after week, from terrible posts – he

MAY find these a bit tougher than he can handle, but that 10-1 ML price makes him worth a stab to find out. (3)

AIR MANS JACKPOT has settled into a good groove, picking up a trio of 2nds and a win from her last 4 starts–

remains a major threat. (5) INFINITY STONE picked up a pair of 3rds in this class the last 2 weeks, and does throw

some big miles at times – definitely worth at least a look at that 15-1 ML price. (4) WARRIOR ONE feels pretty

risky after a weak try and a sick scratch, but he’s bounced back from “bad” lines many times in the past – leaning

towards others, but this earner of nearly $800K can never be counted out completely. (6) OVER AND BACK was a

little disappointing in his first try for our leading trainer – he’s eligible to be sharper the 2 nd time around, but you’d

want a pretty good price to use him on top tonight. (8) WARRAWEE XALT is a strong weekly player with these but

he faces an uncertain trip starting from out here – another that would need to be a juicy price to merit using on top.

(1) WILLY WALTON has plenty of wins and big miles over the last couple of seasons but he may not be on his best

form right now, and was even a bit hard to steer last week – feels a little iffy at the moment, even with his big speed

from the pole. (2) THE LAST CHAPTER seems ambitiously placed at this level

RACE 5 – (6) SOUTH POINT has been 1 st or 2 nd for what feels like a zillion straight starts, even when his trip has

been less than stellar – deserves top billing, even with the tough draw. (7) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has been

nearly as effective as the top choice, compiling a 7-3-3-1 record in 2025 – he does draw outside his main foe, but

that also means he’ll probably be a better price...couldn’t blame anybody for looking his way. (1) METAL MAN

was 4 for 6 here as a 3YO but has gone 0 for 9 at 4 and 5 – he usually races well enough for a piece, and is a logical

threat for a piece of the pie tonight. (3) MONACO HANOVER ran into some bad trips before hitting the top and

wiring the field on 2/13 – he had to re-qualify after having some issue on 3/20, but any of his typical efforts would

give him a chance at a piece here. (8) CONTACT ZONE has been delivering some excellent rallies from tough spots

but just couldn’t take advantage after getting a good start last week – guessing he’ll be handled conservatively

tonight (8 hole off the claim), but still a good bomb for 3 rd/4th . (4) SECTIONLINERACER raced a bit better than

expected last week – keep an eye to see if he continues to improve. (5) LYONS TREACHEROUS will surely take

$$ here but he drops in for a tag after being scratched lame, and has missed almost 4 weeks – feels risky. (2)

VICTOR CRUISE did little before the big upset on 1/23, and very little since then

RACE 6 - NAADA Spring Fling Series: (3) BEERTHIRTY K is used to facing much tougher in his regular

overnight races and his driver (Paul Minore) is 2 for 2 here this year, winning both starts for this barn – won’t offer

any value, but does seem like the one to knock off. (4) BIG CHARLIE MORAN has been extremely camera shy

here at Yonkers, but hasn’t really raced much in amateur races...anything Adamczyk drives in these events deserves

a look. (5) SHOEMAKER HANOVER’s recent efforts may not look all that appealing but he’s had some excuses,

and it’s possible that he could outperform that juicy 20-1 ML price. (8) ALL RISE is in danger of a pretty rough trip

from out here but he’s been good every week, and MAY be able to become a threat if some racing luck comes his

way – another viable bomb to consider. (6) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE drops back into an amateur race and he’s

done ok with Keppler in the past – maybe a small piece? (7) RACEACE tripped out and was a winner in his last but

he’s missed 3 weeks and draws poorly – leaning to others. (1) CALL ME THEFIREMAN makes his first start in

almost 3 months and figures to be a little rusty. (2) AWOL HANOVER just hasn’t been clicking at all

RACE 7 – (2) MULLINAX shipped in sharp from NJ and raced well here too, a solid 3 rd pacing well into a quick

final half – could offer some value against a potentially vulnerable favorite. (4) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP hasn’t come

close to his top form in 2025 but he’s still a legitimate player down at these lower levels – he’ll be a threat here for

sure, but he also could end up way overbet. (1) TROOPER L faced a bit better in his 3 Yonkers starts last year,

picking up some smaller pieces – barn always a threat with anything they ship in here, and a fair price makes this

guy worth a look. (5) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER appreciated the class drop and easy trip last week, finishing a

close 2 nd – may be looking at a smaller piece tonight, though. (6) REIGNING DEO has managed just one 2

nd and one 3 rd from his 7 starts this year, draws poorly, and seems more likely to contend for a smaller piece, rather than a

bigger one. (3) ROCKME ROLLME has yet to hit board in 6 local tries and that includes starts vs. easier – the good

draw seems like his best asset here. (7) RAYRAY failed to get involved from a similar spot last week and faces the

same dilemma tonight. (8) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N went his best mile in some time last week but now moves

up in class, while stuck with Post 8

RACE 8 – Since being claimed back in February (6) P C FREE WHEELING beat this class on 2/13, was 2

nd to TIPSY MONI in her next, won again on 2/27 then landed on an unlucky trip in her last, trapped too long and just

missing 2 nd – we’ll go with her tonight. (3) SWANS EYE does have legitimate ability but her connections couldn’t

have been happy with her trip last week (parked every step in her first start of the year) – a better journey (especially

with that start under her belt) could make her a much bigger player tonight. (2) DIAMANTE TRIO IT was way

overdriven last week (facing the boys), hurting a couple of other main players and leaving HER without a check –

she’s back in with mares, and any of her better efforts would put her in the mix. (7) GOLDEN RAIN S has won 4 of

her 5 starts since arriving in the U.S., including one here at Yonkers– she’s untested at THIS level, however, and also

gets the worst of the draw – would need a fair price to try her from this spot. (5) COUNTRY MAMMA made her

local debut a winning one (for her new barn), but that was vs. easier – she’s another that will need to prove she can

hang with these. (4) YO BETH D has been limited to rallying for minor pieces lately – needs to be a bit sharper. (1)

ENOLA feels risky, having missed a month after a sick scratch

RACE 9 – (3) BLACK MAGIC went a few very big miles after shipping in here last year – he recently sharpened in

NJ, and was an easy winner in his Hilltop return...steps up a bit, but feels ready to handle these too. (1) DONATO

PATRIOT K was handled conservatively in his first 2 starts of the year and may be ready for a more aggressive

effort tonight – not a bad week to consider him for your tickets. (2) THE HAZLETON came up 2 nd best to the top

choice in his last, and is another that feels like he’s sharpening – could easily land somewhere on the ticket once

more. (4) TEXSONG SOPRANO recently had a 4 race winning streak as he made his way back up the class ladder

– he leveled off for a couple of starts after that, but did race better in his last couple – playable on the bottom of

exotics. (6) MISSISSIPPI STORM has been racing well but the draw figures to leave him with too much to do as

they turn for home – maybe he can rally for some minor spoils? (5) EYE OF A TIGER AS picked up a pair of wins

and a close 2 nd in his own ascent back up the class ladder, but did come up flat at this level last week – the recently

turned millionaire will need to be sharper to have a say here. (7) LUCKY MUM N put together an outstanding slate

against softer, but was no factor at all bumping up to this class last week

RACE 10 – Interesting bottom condition field as several of these are used to facing better, when sharp: (4) SAMHA

RA N hasn’t hit board in his 5 starts this year but he also hasn’t been finishing too far back, vs. better – he did finish

well from an impossible spot last week, and may be able to pull off an upset tonight if the race goes his way. (1) CA

VIART SARGENT faltered badly trying to cut the mile 2 back but he rebounded with a very good first over 2

nd in his last, behind the worst kept “secret” of the week (SPEED MAN N) – he has a shot here, if he can land on a trip he

likes. (2) THUNDER HUNTER JOE was a big earner as a youngster but struggled through and up and down 4YO

campaign, banking only $64K – he started off his 2025 season with a couple of decent tried (vs. cheaper) at PcD,

and he may be at least a bit vulnerable at a short price tonight. (5) SHADOW CAT’s last line doesn’t look like much

but he DID take plenty of $$, and DID try to leave from Post 8 (before having to retreat to last) – don’t toss him too

quickly. (3) STAY GROUNDED has been facing tougher across the river and gets a big switch to Zeron – he was

also 9-0-0-0 here last year, and that’s a tough stat to just ignore. (6) AROUND MIDNIGHT is on the upswing, but

lands in a very tough spot here

RACE 11 – (7) BE DIFFERENT is razor sharp right now, and riding a three race winning streak – he draws well

outside his main rival tonight, but a quick start (very possible) could negate that – we’ll give him the narrow edge,

despite Post 7. (3) BROOKVIEW DARIUS is also very sharp, with a pair of wins and 3 seconds from his last 5

starts – he has a significant post advantage over his main foe, and we’ll see if that’s enough to help HIM get home in

front. (1) INTL BLOCKADE has been just “ok” lately but his small barn has been doing good work lately, and

perhaps the rail draw will be enough to help this guy land on the bottom of the tri/super. (6) AUSTRAL HANOVER

has done plenty of strong work in this class but he was a little dull 2 back, then made a break last week – he MAY be

off his best form right now, but still a threat to take home a decent chunk. (5) HAT TRICK MARLEAU has just one 2

nd from his 8 starts this year and that was when he was able to work out a two hole trip – he may still be able to beat

a bunch of these for a small piece, though. (2) MUFASA AS has some ok current form but facing much easier – he’s

also just 1 for 36 locally over the past 2 years (3 for 72 last 3 years), and will go with an amateur pilot here– suppose

the good draw at least gives him a chance for some minor scraps. (4) MOHATU AS is just 1 for 17 at Yonkers and

seems to do his best work vs. easier. (8) MR KNOWITALL has no wins and just one 2 nd from a dozen Hilltop starts 

and also has to deal with Post 8 – wait for a better spot.