Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (2) ONE LAST WISH was very successful as a youngster but struggled through a difficult 4YO season – she’s started off MUCH better at 5, however, and her local debut last week was terrific, as she just got stronger as the race got longer, eventually drawing off powerfully in the stretch – steps up a notch, but seems more than up for it (5) MY RED SEA has limited local appearances but she’s been an Open mare in Ohio, and should be tight after 2 qualifiers and a start last week – could be ready to fire in her Yonkers seasonal debut. (8) CHIAPANECAS has been on an extended form spree – she’ll obviously need some trip luck to overcome tonight’s draw but IF she can work out a half-decent trip, she can still be a big part of the equation. (1) MIGHTHAVTIME N was able to rally for small pieces from bad posts in her last pair and now moves all the way inside – she should be able to be a bigger player tonight, with a solid chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (7) UTOPIA BLUE CHIP is another that has battled the top mares in Ohio and her last start here was actually better than it may look (only weakened late after a brutal trip) – unfortunately, tonight’s draw may limit her output once more. (6) TALENT TO SPARE A would prefer to be in a bit easier but she can hold her own with these too, if the trip goes her way – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) MY AUGU ST MOON A made a silly attempt to leave last week (well up in class and first start since December) and ended up having to retreat to last – she might look better NEXT week, with a bit of class relief. (3) ULTIMATE SPEED had that nice win 4 back, but has struggled ever since.

RACE 2 – (2) ICE BREAKERS K was finally in a spot where he could be handled more aggressively last week and may have had a chance at the upset had he not been blocked in the lane – gets some class relief for tonight and while his price will surely come way down, he’s still worth a play. (1) CANTKEEPMIASECRET has been away since a sick scratch back in December but her qualifier looks solid, and she could be ready to threaten right off the bench. (3) ABRUZZO was a solid 2nd in his last start but last week’s sick scratch does make him feel a little iffy for tonight – insist on a fair price if trying him on top. (7) KINNDER DANGERZONE has only 30 career starts at age 7 but he did win 12 of them – he’s hard to gauge class-wise off his Canadian lines, so perhaps the tote board will offer some clues as to his chances in his Yonkers debut. (4) THE AMERICAN EAGLE feels a little on the cheaper side, and was just 9-0-0-2 here last year – dangerous connections, but still leaning elsewhere. (5) BARRY BLACK seems to need much easier these days to be a player. (6) SEVEN LICK PRISE ships down from Stga. off a miscue, and draws poorly for his local debut – prefer to just observe this week.

 RACE 3 – (5) VICI hasn’t been able to get to “peak form” this form this year, but he’s still remained competitive vs. much better than these – this certainly feels like a spot where he can perk up and grab a victory…but he’s definitely not one to bet the rent money on right now. (2) AMERITRIC was facing better in his 4 recent starts here – he gets a nice drop as he returns from Pocono, and he could have a big say with this bunch. (1) LOORRIM LAKE A has been racing himself back into shape after returning from a long layoff – he hasn’t been all that sharp, but he hasn’t been terrible either – could be the week where he has a bigger say. (4) BECHERS BROOK A hasn’t been nearly as good in 2025 as he was last year, but he’s still more than capable at this level – playable in exotics. (3) ALWAYS A LOOK tired at short prices in his 2 local tries this year – he’s still capable of a big effort at times, but others are just more reliable right now. (6) INDICTABLE HANOVER was no factor here on 2/27 in his first start of the season, and now returns off a low-level win upstate – tough draw has us looking elsewhere. (7) DONTBOTHERMENONE N was super at the end of 2024 and to start off ’25…but he’s been gradually tailing, and tonight’s draw won’t help.

RACE 4 – Tough race! (3) LADY JETER was handled aggressively off the class drop last week and while she did weaken in the lane, it was definitely an improved effort – she gets Yannick at the lines tonight, and we’ll see if he can coax a bit more out of her. (6) KASHA V did try to leave last week but was forced to back off to 6th, losing any realistic chance– he did finish decently, and could be worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price (4) JULA MUSCLE PACK has shown little since returning from a long layoff, but may be able to have a bigger say with tonight’s drop to the basement – he does figure to end up way overbet, though. (2) R NO MERCY was an ok 3rd for a new barn in his local debut – eligible to be a player tonight with that start under his belt. (1) HAND DOVER DAN will attract lots of attention with the class drop and the pole but his current form has been lacking, and he’s another that could be vulnerable at a short price. (5) CAPRICIOUS ONE adds hopples after an even 4th last week – one of many with a chance in a race with the potential to fall apart. (7) FULL RIGHTS showed his first life of the year 2 back but quickly reverted to his lesser form last week – terrible draw tonight. (8) J S HOPSCOTCH held on for 2nd to the runaway winner last week, helped tremendously by the 2 hole trip – unlikely to be as fortunate starting from Post 8.

RACE 5 – (5) ZUMA BEACH really started to blossom at the end of her 3YO campaign and she’s certainly continued to thrive since returning at 4 – she takes a big step up tonight as she’ll be facing older mares…but she seems more than up for it, and gets a vote of confidence from Bartlett (who opts off #3 to drive her). (3) ATREACH EROUS A hit a rough patch recently but was a little better 2 back then finished 3rd last week – could still be a big player here, even if Bartlett takes the top choice. (2) WAITFOREVER N was 3rd here in this class 3 back, and gets major post relief from her last – logical player for exotics. (4) RACIN HUNGRY weakened off a pocket trip last time but that was only her 2nd start of the year– could be tighter now, with a chance to contend for a piece. (6) TWIN B SUNKISSED tends to be in-and-out but any of her better efforts would give her a chance at a chunk of this, even from Post 6. (1) KAIRAKICONFIDENTL N drops a notch but may need to drop a bit more to be a more serious player (though the rail draw can’t hurt). Both (7) LADYCORONA and (8) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP likely need better posts to contend at this level right now.

RACE 6 – (1) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS was definitely well backed/well meant last week but his aspirations were derailed after an early miscue (after dropping nicely into 3rd) – he should be a little better price tonight, and probably deserves a chance to make amends. (4) SCOTTISH has been banging heads with top stock in Ohio recently, moves to a barn known for their success with fresh stock and gets Gingras at the lines for his local debut – lots to like! (6) TORRONE got stung hard before making the top last week, and didn’t weaken badly after being overtaken in the lane– the draw is the concern tonight, and it may leave with a smaller piece. (3) DWS POINT MAN had been racing solidly so last week’s dud was unexpected – it seems like a good sign that he drops right back in the box, and any of his more typical efforts would put him in play for a piece. (5) P CHICO had been sharpening in NJ and was able to dominate a soft bunch here last week – this is a big step up, and may have him looking at only a minor share. (2) DO ROTEA TRIO IT is another Italian import for these connections and the first 2 made breaks on Wednesday night – we’ll just observe this mare, for now. (8) P L OSCAR is racing ok right now, but faces an uphill battle tonight thanks to the draw. (7) ROGER RABBIT has been struggling…and lands another terrible post.

RACE 7 – (1) BUCKTOBER overcame an early miscue to just miss in his local debut then built off that (sharp) mile last week, effortlessly crushing a NW5000 field – this is a considerably tougher crew but this guy does have 28 career victories, and seems to be thriving in his new barn…we’ll stay on board. (6) FULL STRENGTH reverted to bad habits with that miscue 3 back but hit the wire with “sneaky trot” from impossible spots in his last pair, and is probably sharper than he looks on paper – maybe he can bring some value to the exotics tonight? (4) B NICKING fell apart in the lane last week but he also had the heart yanked out his chest when the fire-breathing winner trotted by him on the final turn (despite a strong 3rd panel) – he could stick around for a better piece tonight. (3) STREET GOSSIP will often save ground and finish with trot vs. better, but then really disappoint when raced “harder” in seemingly easier spots – a conservative steer may help him grab a decent piece tonight. (5) LOS BALLYKEELAMI GO scored the form-reversing victory off the two hole trip last start, but just feels too unreliable these days to back vs. these tougher foes. (2) RODEO HILL is now 0 for 19 at Yonkers, and likely needs class relief before he can be a serious player again. (8) NO DRAMA PLEASE hit board in his last couple but with easy trips from inside posts – figures to have a tough time getting into play tonight. (7) BLACK TIE BASH used a perfect trip to beat easier last time but is another that figures to struggle getting close tonight.

RACE 8 – (1) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY was actually a “go” last week but had to make a full retreat (thanks to a few inside leavers) and lost all chance – she gets to call the shots tonight, and we’ll see if she’s sharp enough to deliver. (5) PROMISELAND A makes her U.S. debut off a pair of solid Pocono preps – she shows 10 wins and $148K Down Under, and likely a pretty nice mare (as she’s been made eligible to upcoming Matchmaker Series) – hard to say how serious she’ll be tonight, though. (2) FRONT PAGE STORY gets both a class drop and post relief, and is likely to be sitting a pretty good trip here – look for an improved effort, with a chance for a good piece. (3) TA KING THE MIKI A was a winner in her only local try last year and made her Hilltop return last week a winning one as well (though helped by a :58.3 half) – she’ll be facing tougher now, and we’ll see if she can be as effective with these. (6) A FEW CHOICE WORDS had some life off the class drop last week and may be ready for a bigger effort – she may need to wait for a better draw, though. (4) MALUKA MISS N wasn’t up for last week’s first over trip but an easier journey tonight could help her rally for some minor spoils. (7) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON parlayed last week’s pocket trip into a 2nd place finish (behind #3) but may have trouble getting in play tonight.

RACE 9 – (5) CHULO is 2 for 2 since arriving from Canada and was very impressive in each victory – he steps up to face tougher here, but seems equipped to handle it. (4) YOU GOT IT was 2nd to the talented SOUTHWIND COO RS in his last local try, and now returns from Pocono in fine form – very logical player, but note that he’s just 2 for 29 at Yonkers before taking a short price on top. (1) VINNY DE VIE was never involved last week but he was making his first start of the year and was stuck in the Invitational – drops, draws the pole, and may be able to bring a much more competitive mile tonight. (2) CREATIVE VENTURE seems to do his best racing when he can sit close to the action and that could be the case tonight – good one to use underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (7) ALL WRAP ED UP has no shortage of ability but he was clearly short in his seasonal return (while taking no real tote action) – could be tighter now, gets a class drop, and may be a bigger player, even with the outside draw. (3) TACHYON has his moments but MAY be off his best game right now, and has missed 3 weeks. (6) FERRETTI was a sharp winner last start but that was in NW10000, and it was a month ago (scratched sick from his last) – definitely feels risky. (8) CAL MILES N SHELL just seems buried against these from out here.

RACE 10 – (3) JIVE DANCING A was definitely struggling at the end of 2024 but the recent qualifier (for a new barn) suggests the time off has served her well – she lands in a very beatable bottom class field and more notably, Bartlett hops off MCMARKLE SPARKLE to drive her…we’ll take his word for it! (5) BRI EXPRESS N has been away since August but did qualify twice (in NJ), the last one looking pretty promising – maybe she can have an impact right off the bat? (4) MCMARKLE SPARKLE tired badly last week as the odds-on choice and Bartlett opts to jump off tonight, even with the drop to the basement – she MAY be vulnerable at a short price. (2) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL raced ok last week off a good trip, and seems better than a bunch of these – use underneath. (7) SWE ETSOUTHRNLASS N has failed to function in about 90% of her U.S. starts – if you think she may respond to Yannick’s touch, she’ll certainly be offering a big price. (1) SMOOTH DEBATE N draws the pole but has been void of any real life this year – sticking with others. (6) COWGIRL LILLY failed to threaten at all from a similar spot last week and is already 0 for 6 this year, after going 1 for 43 in 2024. (8) ANNELIESE HANOVER has her moments, but we’re not likely to see one from out here.

RACE 11 – Very tough finale! (4) ALTA MADEIRA A is an infrequent local winner but she has a bunch of decent tries vs. better, gets post relief, and seems as possible as any in this wide open affair. (1) CRUISE ALERT has been disappointing for some time but a few of her barnmates have perked up recently so perhaps she can be next – this would certainly be a good spot for it! (2) TWO PISTOL ANNIE was wildly overbet last time but she benefited from an absolute dream trip and was able to get it done late as the 1/5 favorite – another good draw gives her at least a chance to repeat. (5) MISS DOTTIE MAE has been a “chronic disappointer”, going down at very short prices several times over the last couple of years – be careful if she’ overbet (as she often is). (7) TRICK OF THE LIGHT wasn’t “great” last time, but at least she rebounded from a disastrous start the week before – would have liked her chances better with an inside draw. (6) MACHS LEGACY A actually went a big effort last week when parked every step but she’s moving up in class, draws poorly, and is 0 for 18 here over the last 2 years. (8) FREESTARFLIGHT hails from a hot barn but she draws Post 8 off 3 weeks and while seemingly struggling. (3) IDEAL COVER moves inside but would still need a major form reversal after a couple of duds.