The Empire Report – January 23, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT closed out 2024 by hitting board in 7 straight starts, his last pair being
2nds to a streaking LAZ – his barn has sent out several live ones to start off the new meet, and we’ll try this guy on
top in tonight’s opener. (7) WOLFTRAX picked up a pair of 3rds in December after arriving from KY and stayed
sharp racing in PA for a start during the winter break – terrible draw, but worth a look if the price is right. (6) MAN
HATTAN ARTIST is extremely inconsistent but capable of being a threat IF he brings his best effort – a “fair” price
makes him worth considering. (4) CLEVELAND B MIKI usually has some pace at the end but was still just
26-1-1-6 here in 2024 – small piece only. (3) HUMAN COCKTAIL was a solid 9-3-1-3 in local starts (2023-’24) but
hasn’t looked sharp since returning from an extended layoff – seems shaky at that 5/2 ML price. (2) PORTERS
MAN was racing well after first arriving on the local scene but really leveled off at the end of the year – makes his
first in 6 weeks tonight. (1) VANDALISM was really struggling before ending last year with a sick scratch
RACE 2 – (3) ROGER RABBIT went a big mile to close out the year and it was somewhat fitting that he ended up
a nose shy in 2 nd , as he landed in the place spot 10 times previously in 2024 – he was reclaimed that night by a barn
that has done well with him in the past (as MOST have), and we’ll see if he can start of the new year on a winning
note. (5) BE DIFFERENT nipped the top choice on 12/19 and it was pretty shocking to see him pay 28-1 (as he was
making his first start for our leading barn)– would obviously be no surprise at all tonight, though his price will come
WAY down this time! (6) BLUEBIRD BISHOP was no threat in his last start of the season but was racing well just
prior to that – could be a good value alternative, despite the tough draw. (7) BEERTHIRTY K fits ok with these, but
the outside draw may limit his production in his seasonal return. (4) THE BALLYKEEL DEAL was no threat at all
in that Monti tightener last week and may need another start or two before we see his best. (1) J S HOPSCOTCH
wasn’t all that sharp in the latter part of 2024 – waiting for some better signs before hopping on his team. (2) MUFA
SA AS made 65 starts here over the past 2 years and managed just 3 wins and one 2 nd – prefer others
RACE 3 – (3) COLD CREEK FELIPE has a solid local history, raced well enough in a couple of out of town starts
during the winter hiatus and it feels like a good spot for him to take these wire to wire. (5) METAMAN was a solid 2
nd in his last local try, even if helped by a very easy trip – if things fall apart a bit on the front end tonight, he could
be the one to pick up the pieces. (7) MONACO HANOVER was one of the only bright spots for the barn at the end
of last year, but he’ll have to overcome both Post 7 and 5 weeks off to get it done tonight. (1) VALENTINO OF LE
DA will use his speed to grab an up close trip tonight but he was struggling to finish his miles at the end of the year
– hard to say if the time off will help, or hurt his cause. (2) HOUND ON THE BEACH was just 1 for 32 last year,
and 9-0-1-0 locally...the good draw appears to be his best asset here. (4) FUNKY BUNCH has been racing well at
Monti but likely vs. much easier...hard to say how he’ll fit with this tougher crew. (6) VICTOR CRUISE (2
nd time Lasix) has never been 1 st or 2 nd in his 18 local starts, and was really struggling to close out ‘24
RACE 4 – (6) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A hasn’t been a major threat lately but he hasn’t been terrible either – he’s
used to facing (much) tougher, and did win back to back starts not all that long ago – could offer some value in a
fairly wide open affair. (4) ALADDIN finished pretty close in all 3 local starts, rallying from well back to miss by a
head in his last start of the year – another that could win here at a decent price. (2) JETT STAR N is still seeking his
first U.S. win and he does feel like a good fit with this bunch – possible for sure, but may end up a bit overbet. (5)
LYONS SURFING went a HUGE mile the night he was claimed here (won by 5 from Post 8 in 1:51.1!) but then
never clicked at all for his new connections – ended up back with his previous team last week, and kicked home
strong for 2 nd across the river – could be a major threat here, but not a fan of the 2-1 ML price. (3) C BET HANOVE
R picked up a 2 nd in his last Yonker start of 2024 but may be in a little tough tonight – small piece? (1) COTTON
ON N was a little better in his 2 nd try off the layoff but that was 5 weeks ago – prefer to just watch tonight. (7) MOV
IN ON UP just hasn’t been sharp in a long time, and now lands Post 7 after a 5 week break
RACE 5 – NAADA Winter Fun Series: (3) PETERS ROYALTY shows a few good recent efforts and he gets a pilot
that won these races in bunches last year (after joining our amateur driving colony) – have to give him the edge on
that angle alone. (1) IM THE MUSCLE built off a pair of 2 nd place finishes with last week’s victory at Fhd. – he’s no
stranger to the Yonkers winner’s circle, and deserves plenty of respect starting from the pole. (6) IMA STANDUP
GUY has been behaving in most of his recent starts and picking up plenty of good pieces as a result– certainly worth
including in exotics tonight. (2) RACEACE was just 1 for 13 here last year but hit board in 7 of the losses – always
willing to include him underneath. (7) FASHION FOREVER has been in very solid form at Fhd. but may have
trouble replicating that tonight with the loss of Smith, and move outside. (5) EXCHEQUER won with Stillwell 2
back (at Fhd.), but most of his other recent efforts would probably not be enough to beat this bunch. (4) HOBBS had
some good tries here last year but his recent form is lacking – leaning elsewhere. (8) FEERIEDESBROUETSFR has
some good recent miles but lands in an awful spot for his new connections
RACE 6 – (5) WILLY WALTON was a strong player in this class for much of last year, ending the season with 7
wins and $116K – he went out a winner in his last start, and several of his barnmates have returned ready off the
winter break...maybe he will too! (2) UNFORGETTABLE was on a good roll to close out 2024 and her trainer has
started off 2205 as hot as ever – major danger. (1) ABRUZZO was a very talented, but erratic performer when last
seen here – he went on the shelf for 9 months, returned for a new barn, and has been very much the same horse in
his 6 recent NJ starts – playable IF the price is right. (6) THE PRINCE added Lasix in NJ last week and rallied
nicely for the victory – takes on tougher here, and we’ll see if he can maintain that form against these. (7) ICE BRE
AKERS K probably needs a better draw to have any real say against these types – minor award? (3) MR CONTEST
ANT is racing ok upstate but may find this crew a bit tougher than he’s comfortable with. (4) PERRON was just 1
for 36 last year and seems ambitiously placed for his 2025 return. (8) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO would need a
major wake up call to have any say from all the way out here
RACE 7 – NAADA Winter Fun Series: (2) DRACO S was just 1 for 33 last year but he hit board in 13 of his losses
and generally faced much better than these – Victoria Stratton has proven herself quite capable in these amateur
events, and we’ll give her top billing tonight...though there won’t be much value with that 7/5 ML price! (4) AWOL
HANOVER has been AWOL from Yonkers since 2022 but he used to have some success here through the years –
he’s been a very steady performer for his owner/trainer/driver, and should be able to have a real say tonight. (5) VEL
OCIRAPTOR can be a little inconsistent at times but he was a blowout winner in PA on 12/29, and he did win 8X
last year – worth a look if the price is good. (3) BACARDI will be handled by Adamczyk tonight and as noted
earlier, that was a winning angle in 2024 – wouldn’t shock at all. (1) ALL RISE has speed from the pole and should
be an up close factor from the start – worth including in exotics. (6) LIONHEAD had a strong (busy) 2024 season
but managed just one 2 nd from his 4 local starts...tonight’s draw won’t help his cause. (7) ITSONEOFTHOSE is an
impressive 9-4-2-0 locally over the past 2 years but may have trouble overcoming tonight’s awful draw. (8) WINNE
RESS is winless in his 18 Yonkers starts the past 2 seasons, and now has to contend with Post 8
RACE 8 – (3) FINAL CHEESERECIPE isn’t the handiest of horses and that put him in some bad spots (in tough
fields) in a bunch of his 2024 starts – he does try hard, owns a recent victory, and figures to be the best price of the 3
main players – worth a play? (2) PRINCE OF TIDES missed by a nose as the odds on choice in his local debut
(12/4) but he made amends in his next with a blowout victory – his 2 out of town starts during our winter break
should have him ready for his best tonight, and that would make him a very dangerous player. (1) UP THE CREEK
was no factor in his last (in NJ) but hit board in 6 straight prior to that – this field should be right in his wheelhouse,
and he’s a very legitimate threat from the pole. (5) PRETTY HANDSOME has missed 5 weeks and draws outside 3
very solid foes...still, he does have a chance to outperform that 20-1 ML price, and maybe even land somewhere on
the ticket. (4) SAN DOMINO A is one of many from this barn that just fell apart towards the end of last year –
waiting for better signs before considering. (7) KOUNT BLASTER had some solid efforts last year but threw far
more lesser efforts, than top ones – very tough spot to return off the 6 week layoff. (6) VESPA N returns at the same
$25K level that seemed a bit out of his reach at the end of 2024
RACE 9 – (3) AIRMANS JACKPOT ships in razor sharp from The Meadows and only figures to get even sharper
returning to one of the top barns around – she’s enjoyed success here in the past, and we’ll look for a big effort in
her Hilltop return. (1) BROOKVIEW DARIUS was no threat in his last start of 2024 but he was on a very good roll
(for 2 different barns) just prior to that – gets a great draw for his seasonal debut, and could be a threat from start to
finish. (2) STEALING can be a bit inconsistent, but he’s also capable of throwing some big efforts – a good price
makes him worth considering. (8) MEADOWBRANCH NOBLE shows Ohio lines that suggest he can be a good fit
with these types...not sure how serious he’ll be tonight, however, starting from the extreme outside. (5) WARRIOR
ONE threw more than his share of disappointing tries in ’24 but the classy 9YO can never be dismissed too easily –
prefer others right now, but he’s eligible to pop off a big mile at any time. (7) MAHONE SEELSTER was racing
well before the 12/5 claim and has continued to do good work since then – the post is the only real knock, but it may
limit him to a smaller slice for tonight. (4) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was pretty unpredictable from start to start last
year – this just doesn’t seem like a great spot for him right now. (6) P C FREE WHEELING started to really come
around for new connections but she was scratched sick on 12/12 and has been idle ever since – prefer to just observe
RACE 10 – (5) CONTACT ZONE turned in a series of good efforts to close out 2024 – he catches a field with no
stickouts, and that 15-1 ML price makes him worth at least a look in tonight’s finale (despite the missed time). (3)
SOUTH POINT returns off a pair of Dover victories and has hit board in 9 straight starts – on the flip side, he’s
listed as the 7/5 ML favorite, and was winless here in 18 starts last year...definitely some mixed feelings! (2) CAUG
HTINALANDSLIDE never really worked out after the 9/19 claim and now lands back in his previous barn – could
be in for a wake up call. (1) GOOD INVESTMENT turned in an encouraging try on 12/27 when 2 nd in NJ but hasn’t
raced since – would need a decent price to try him on top tonight. (7) HES HALF NAKED had some good starts
here last year and ended 2024 with a pair of wins in NJ – he was scratched sick on 12/31, however, and now has to
start from Post 7 after being away for nearly 5 weeks – may not be fully cranked for this. (4) FULL SUPPORT never
clicked after returning in October from a long layoff– waiting to see some better signs (6) SHUFFLE UP
HANOVER was 9-0-0-0 here last year and feels like he’s just fallen apart recently.