The Empire Report – Thursday, January 30, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Solid opener! (1) BLUEBIRD BISHOP had a useful tightener last week and was a solid 17-4-4-1 here in
2024 – he’s not as flashy as a couple of the other major players in here but he figures to be a good price, and may
land on a nice trip – one of several with a chance in here. (5) INFINITY STONE added Lasix for that last qualifier
and rattled off a 1:52.4 mile (in NJ), with a :27 kicker – he’s wildly inconsistent, but capable of these types of BIG
efforts when in the right mood! (2) MEADOWBRANCH NOBLE was handled aggressively from Post 8 in his local
debut, hung a bit through the lane (after looking like a winner on the final turn) but was eventually placed first
anyway, via disqualification – has to be respected here, especially moving inside. (3) ROGER RABBIT was quickly
reclaimed last week by his previous barn and he’s a major player in this class virtually every week – he was also
22-2-11-2 locally last year, so perhaps using him underneath is a better idea. (4) DEADLINE HALL has been away
since 12/14 and likely will need a start or two before we see his best. (8) THE BALLYKEEL DEAL was an ok 4 th
last start but faces a very difficult task starting from Post 8. (6) JULA MUSCLE PACK has been away since July –
will just observe for now (7) HUNTING AS has been camera shy for some time, and lands a bad post in a good field
RACE 2 – (3) THE PRINCE added Lasix 2 back in NJ and reported home a winner – he came up 2 nd best the next
week in his Yonkers debut and while well behind the runaway winner, he did beat the others by several lengths –
won’t offer any value here, but he does seem the one to knock off. (4) MAHONE SEELSTER was too far back to
threaten last week but this is a much better spot for him – should have a big say, but it’s concerning that he was 0 for
16 here last year...with NINE 2nds! (7) STEALING appreciated the easy trip last week and finished solidly for 3 rd
(placed 2 nd) – he figures to have a tough time overcoming tonight’s terrible draw, but a big enough price could make
him worth a look. (1) LABYAD BROS S shows mixed lines in NJ (since arriving from Sweden) but he broke 2 back
then stopped badly in his last...making him hard to accept at a short price in his local debut. (2) MR KNOWITALL
seems a bit below the main players in here but is eligible to tow along for a piece with the good draw. Both (5) ICE
BREAKERS K and (6) PERRON looked dead short in their 2025 returns last week
RACE 3 – (4) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE returned to his previous barn last week and turned in a BIG effort...but
just couldn’t hold off the very sharp winner who was fortunate enough to sit right to his back – chance to make
amends tonight. (5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT finished off 2024 in the midst of a long form spree and wasted no
time picking up his first win of 2025...the main danger. (2) PORTERS MAN worked out a nice trip off the winter
break but came up light in the latter stages – could be tighter tonight, perhaps lasting for a better share. (1) BALLYK
EEL PAINTER looks like he may be a little cheaper (off his Canadian lines) but he also moves to a barn that has a
long history of improving fresh stock dramatically – we’ll see if this guy is good enough to be part of the equation.
(3) DONTTELLMENOW had some ok tries here last year but lost all chance in his ’25 return after an early miscue
–willing to throw in for 3 rd/4th . (6) THE BOSS SAID was racing well until the claim on 11/23 then seemed to regress
rapidly – waiting for some better signs before considering him again. (7) FULL SUPPORT was no threat last week
but at least stayed on to hold the well beaten show spot – could be on the upswing, but lands in a very tough spot. (8)
HOUND ON THE BEACH lands all the way outside after squandering a pocket trip last week
RACE 4 – (1) P C FREE WHEELING got very sharp at the end of the year but was scratched from her last
scheduled start on 12/19 – she returned last week (after missing 7 weeks) and finished with crisp trot up the rail for 4
th – willing to give her top billing over a couple of more “iffy” rivals. (3) AIRMANS JACKPOT was sent off at 4/5
last week (returning to Yonkers to her favorite barn, and in sharp form) but never looked good from the start, a dull
5 th place finisher – she MAY rebound with a winning effort (at a better price), but she’s definitely a little risky off
that last disappointing try. (4) INTL BLOCKADE was sharp before being acquired by the nation’s top barn and after
a miscue in his first start, delivered a close 2 nd and win in PA – feels like a very good fit at this $40K level, but the 5
weeks off are definitely a bit concerning. (5) AUSTRAL HANOVER beat this class twice in October and was racing
well to close out the season after a barn change in December – he’s been away for 6 weeks, and is another that’s hard
to really gauge for tonight. (6) CHAPOLIER arrives from Ohio for the same barn that sent out MEADOWBRA
NCH NOBLE last week but this one hasn’t raced since 12/17 and draws poorly as well. (2) J S HOPSCOTCH was
short in his ’25 return and may also want some class relief. (7) UNFORGETTABLE was claimed from her last from
our leading barn AND was beaten by 22 lengths in that start – hard to get on her team tonight
RACE 5 – (6) MONACO HANOVER was used hard off the bad date and still only tired in the latter part of the mile
– he was claimed that night, and could improve quickly for his new barn...seems very eligible to outperform that
15-1 ML price. (4) CLEVELAND B MIKI returned sharp from the winter break, rallying nicely through the lane to
be a close 2 nd – he’s a very logical threat, but he’s also listed at 9/5 ML after going 26-1-1-6 here in 2024! (5) MAN
HATTAN ARTIST had a useful tightener, finishing well off an easy trip – his connections should always be feared,
and he did beat this class back in November – possibility. (7) COLD CREEK FELIPE was our choice last week but
he couldn’t keep it going well enough on the front end – this is a tougher spot, but he does have appeal at that 20-1
ML price (after going off at 2-1, last week). (2) JOHN THE BAPTIST ships in from Stga. showing lines that could
make him a player here...he’s also been away since 12/14, so that’s a concern. (1) FUNKY BUNCH wasn’t terrible
last week but still seems a bit on the cheaper side. (8) VICTOR CRUISE had never been 1 st or 2 nd in 18 previous
local starts so last week’s 44-1 field-sweeping upset was a shocker for sure – he’ll have to pass the whole field once
again if he’s hoping to repeat those heroics. (3) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER has been struggling for some time
RACE 6 – NAADA Winter Fun Series, Leg 2: (1) BACARDI was handled conservatively off the bad date last start
but finished alertly for 3 rd – could be poised for a winning effort starting from the pole tonight. (5) CLASSIC PLAY
TER picked up a 3rd for his new connections last week after a few good amateur tries prior to that – worth at least a
look at that 20-1 ML price. (4) BIG CHARLIE MORAN certainly fits well with these but he’s listed as the 8/5 ML
favorite and he was just 1 for 35 at Yonkers over the past 2 years – just not much value on top. (2) AWOL HANOV
ER threw a dud last week but may have been hurt by the bad date – many of his other recent efforts would at least
make him a player here. (3) FASHION FOREVER failed to get into the hunt last week but gets a much better draw
for tonight, and that could keep him closer to the action. (7) CONGRESS HILL EVA has enough ability to be a
player with these but will need a chunk of racing luck to overcome the bad draw (& listed at 3-1 ML). (6) MUSCLE
DAN has been away for 3+ months and gets a tough draw for his return. (8) HOBBS lasted for a piece last week but
it’ll be tougher to replicate that effort starting from out here.
RACE 7 – (3) SOUTH POINT shipped back in off a pair of wins at Dover and was just as sharp here at Yonkers,
sitting the two hole trip then grabbing his 3rd in a row – decent chance he can extend that streak to 4 tonight. (1)
UNDENIABLEBLUECHIP endured a tough trip at Monti for his new barn but still held well for 4 th – barn is off to
an excellent start this year, and may have another live player in this one. (5) CHIP IN BLUE was 0 for 14 here last
year but did rally for pieces at times – may be able to do that tonight. (4) TWIGGS PUB probably benefited by
racing at Monti during the winter break – chance for a minor share tonight. (6) METAMAN was sent off favored last
week and really had no excuses, getting run down to the wire by the longest shot on the board – his lazy starts often
create tough trips for him, and that may happen tonight, as well. (2) ON DAYBOO broke off the qualifier last week
so it would seem that he’ll likely be scratched...but suppose he has a chance for a piece if he’s allowed to race. (8)
CONTACT ZONE was a dull 4 th last week and now has to contend with Post 8. (7) SECTIONLINE RACER seems
to be on the cheaper side...and Post 7 isn’t going to help his cause
RACE 8 – (3) BE DIFFERENT joined our leading barn at the end of last meet and somehow paid $59 when he won
his first start – stayed idle during the winter break but returned just a sharp, winning again (though as the even
money favorite, this time) – he faces some legitimate competition in here, but we’ll give him the slight edge to get
the “threepeat”. (5) WILLY WALTON was super in the last few months of 2024 and clearly a month off didn’t
bother him at all, as he returned to totally demolish his rivals last week – deserves plenty of respect! (2) BEERTHIR
TY K was handled conservatively last week (7 hole, bad date) but still finished full of trot – good value horse to
consider. (1) WARRIOR ONE often looks like he’s ready to fall apart...but the $774K earner always seems to
bounce back quickly, and last week was a prime example (even if he ended up being disqualified for causing early
interference) – leaning towards others here, but it’s hard to ever just count him out. (4) BROOKVIEW DARIUS was
wiped out by #1 last week and gets a full pass...but he may still be in a little too tough here for more than a smaller
share. (6) ABBRUZZO picked up a 3 rd in his YR return but was 16 lengths behind the winner – prefer others. (7)
MUFASA AS could really used a much better post, in a much easier class
RACE 9 - NAADA Winter Fun Series, Leg 2: (4) I GOT THE TAB had been racing well prior to last week’s break
before the start– willing to give him a chance to bounce back here, as long as the price is fair. (3) LOVE THIS BAR
is used to facing tougher, gets a good draw and a competent pilot...legitimate threat. (1) SHOEMAKER HANOVER
caught a sizzling qualifier (1:52.4!) and can be forgiven for finishing pretty far back – he’s had his share of good
efforts in these races, and a good price makes him worth a look tonight. (2) LIMERENCE has solid overall form but
has missed 5 weeks – maybe some small scraps? (8) IMA STANDUP GUY kept going until finally reaching the
lead last week then never stopped, easily crushing the competition– gets a horrible draw for tonight, though, and
Beltrami (who filled in to win with him that night), will be driving #6 – minor spoils? (5) EXCHEQUER trotted ok
at the end for a 4 th place check last week and has a chance for a similar result tonight, with some trip luck. (6) ALL
RISE wasn’t up for last week’s aggressive speed try, and now moves out to Post 6 from the rail. (7) NEVER MIND
N was racing well in Chicago but hasn’t been nearly the same in his 2 starts since shipping east to his current barn
RACE 10 – Tough race! (4) ALL STAR SWAN was going big efforts week after week for the last couple of months
of 2024 – she’s been away since 12/19, but the barn has sent out so many live ones off the winter break, we’ll guess
that this mare will be ready to fire too. (6) BUSY MAKING MONEY shipped in sharp from Pocono and won both
local starts here in December – finished up the year with a 3 rd in the Chester Open, and will be a big threat here if
ready to roll. (2) YOU GOT IT was just 2 for 26 locally over the past 2 seasons but did hit board plenty of times –
he’s been racing very well in NJ, and that conditioning edge could put him right in the thick of this. (1) FERRETTI
lost all chance in his last local start after a back side miscue – he’s done some other good work in the past, though,
and that last Dover start could have him tight for tonight. (3) STREET GOSSIP was in the hunt in most of his 2024
starts but he’s been away for 6 weeks and may not be primed for his best just yet. (5) YO BETH D threw a clunker
to close out the year but was racing well prior to that – yet another in here that’s been on the shelf the past 6 weeks.
(7) I GET IT does his best work on/near the lead but the bad draw (off the bad date) may see him handled pretty
conservatively tonight
RACE 11 – (6) IM THE PRINCE has been a pretty solid player in this class at Chester and gets a significant trainer
and driver change for tonight – he hasn’t raced in a month, but may still be worth a play in the finale. (3) FINAL CH
EESERECIPE was surprisingly aggressive last week and parlayed that into an upset win over the heavy favorite –
he goes for a new barn tonight (off the claim) and should be a big threat once more. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES
was a decent 3 rd facing 30s last week, and now drops a bit to 25s – belongs in your exotics. (7) WOLFTRAX draws
poorly again (while moving up in class a bit) but he’s been racing very well, and may still be able to grab a good
piece. (1) RONALDO N is capable of handling these types when sharp, but he’s been off his game for some time
(and hasn’t raced since 12/31) – iffy, for sure. ($) BUCHANNON HANOVER doesn’t feel like a threat for a top
slot, but an easy trip could help him grab a small slice. (8) VESPA N raced well last week for 3 rd but benefited from
an easy trip – may not get as fortuitous a trip tonight. (5) LYONS PEGASUS was just 2 for 36 last year and has been
away for 6 weeks.