Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (7) LEONIDAS A was sharper 2 and 3 back than he looks on paper, making it a surprise when he sat in

last week (and lost any chance) – he’s certainly had a pretty dreadful season overall, but maybe he can pick up a late

season victory to help him gain some momentum heading into next year. (1) BENHOPE RULZ N landed on a on a

dream trip last week and was able to cash in with a victory – with tonight’s draw, there’s a chance he can trip out yet

again– possibility (6) TWIN B DELUXE was well backed in his last pair and raced “well”, though only well enough

for a pair of 3rds – tough draw for tonight, so make sure to get a fair price if trying him on top. (2) SPLASH BROT

HER was a bit better in his last couple than he may look on paper- moves inside and has plenty of back class –

possible upsetter? (3) CAVIART SARGENT only has 2 wins this year but he’s outraced his odds for pieces on many

occasions – decent one to include underneath. (4) HUNTING ZONE finished well off the layoff 2 back but was no

threat last week – needs to find more if he hopes to contend for a piece tonight. (5) PHOENIX OF FLUZZY has

missed 2 months (after a sick scratch on 10/26) and it’s hard to justify him being the ML favorite. (8) ESCAPE TO

AMERICA has been lagging badly much of the way in recent starts – hard to like his chances from Post 8.

RACE 2 – (1) LOUS THE ATTITUDE came up 2nd best to a razor sharp TWO FACED two back but bounced right

back with a very sharp front end score of his own last week – he’s hit board in 8 straight (5 wins), and looms the one

to knock off from the pole (but won’t offer much of a price). (3) BAD BOY TOO has enjoyed plenty of success of

his own at this level, and that last effort (a close 3rd after being wide a long way) was excellent– the main danger? (2)

UP THE CREEK has been using his gate speed to his advantage lately, including a 3rd from Post 8 in his last –

logical threat to sit close all the way, and be part of the exotics. (6) TO THE HUNT just wasn’t sharp last week and

draws poorly for tonight – leaning to others for sure, but he probably shouldn’t be 20-1 ML either. (7) WE BE

JAMMIN shows out of town lines that suggest he’ll be a good fit with the locals – may need a better post before he

can seriously threaten, however. (4) AMERICAN WARRIOR has been racing well in PA but may be a bit on the

cheaper side. (5) HARD TO CATCH crushed much easier 2 back then lost all chance last week with a pre-start

miscue from Post 8 – even assuming he has no issues tonight, he still needs to prove he can go with these. (8) SIP

OF BOURBON has grabbed small pieces in all 6 local tries but may be hard pressed to do so from Post 8 tonight.

RACE 3 – Excellent race, with all of these being Open-type horses: (1) CARABAO A was a little disappointing

when 2nd last week but it’s possible that he’s just a better horse racing from OFF the pace – he’s gone some big

efforts here, and could be a good value option in a race with may possibilities. (5) AARDIES FLASH N steps up

one more notch after winning all 3 U.S. starts (the last at 6/5 from Post 7, against a couple of solid foes) – the gate

speed he showed last week could definitely come in handy tonight. (7) BINGE ON YANKEE won 3 back when

getting a drop out of the 3-5YO Open the finished 2nd in his last pair to HUMBLE A, who is unbeaten in 7 U.S.

starts – brutal draw, but still worth a look at that 20-1 ML price. (2) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR has 2 wins and a

close 2nd in his only 3 “non-Open” starts since early September – if they mix things up in front of him, he can be a

legitimate late threat. (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was used VERY hard last week and still was game enough to rally

late for the win – he's hitting on all cylinders right now, and would hardly be a shock. (6) ITS A ME MARIO can

hold his own with top level pacers, and is 2 for 2 in his only “non-Open” recent starts – the only knock here is the

draw, but it may limit him just a bit. (4) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has been inconsistent lately and that’s why he’s

listed on the bottom – but he would never be any kind of real surprise against these.

RACE 4 – (1) MIND HUNTER went on an outstanding form spree after joining this barn in August – he finally hit

a brief rough patch recently but rebounded with a better try 2 back then was just terrific again in his last, forced to

change tactics early on (because of circumstances) but still a VERY powerful, blowout winner – gets a confident

bump back up to 50s, and we’ll make him the top choice tonight...but that 4/5 ML listing will surely result in him

being severely overbet! (4) OPTICAL ILLUSION N (Kakaley’s choice over #5) should appreciate moving into a

claimer, and should have a big say here with any decent trip. (3) SURFSIDE BEACH has been very sharp for some

time, but hurt in his last few by very unaggressive drives – a better trip gives him a chance to be right there. (6) ORL

ANDO BLUE A has hit board in 5 straight, and 6 of his last 7 – he also draws poorly tonight while moving to a new

barn, so insist on a good price if using him on top. (5) PEACE OUT POSSE was just an “ok” 2nd last week, and his

form has been a little inconsistent recently – always a threat on his best effort, though. (2) SHAKESPEARE has the

ability to beat these, but has been highly inconsistent all year long – leaning more to others. (7) DEETZY will enjoy

the class drop, but not the draw – may have to wait for a better spot to strut his best stuff.

RACE 5 – (5) ROCK DIAMONDS N sharpened quickly after returning from a freshening – he was flying 2 back to

just miss to ITS A ME MARIO, then absolutely jogged last week – he moves back up a class, but it really shouldn’t

slow him down. (1) SOUTHWIND PETYR has really struggled to WIN races here this year (1 for 24), but he did hit

board in half of his losses – could take home a nice piece starting from the rail tonight. (2) HAZEVILLE landed on a

hopeless trip from Post 8 2 back but has otherwise been sharp, including a game 2nd behind the top choice last week

– no reason he can’t contend for another nice slice tonight. (3) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A was 2nd to HUMBLE A

three back then raced ok in his last pair, from tough spots – may be able top add some value to the exotics. (4) FUN

ATTHEBEACH N has been all-or-nothing lately, winning 3 of his last 8 starts while no factor at all in the other 5 –

this may be a spot where he comes alive, but he’s just tough to predict these days. (6) BURNHAM BOY N has come

solid since a recent layoff but tonight’s draw may limit him to minor spoils. (7) WALKINSHAW N has Post 7 off a

sick scratch, and probably could use some class relief too. (8) CYRUS N figures to be coming from too far back.

RACE 6 – (1) STONEBRIDGE REX was a razor sharp winner last week vs. the 50s and now drops to 40s and starts

from the pole – it would be hard NOT to go with him on top...but it would also be logical to be at least a little

suspicious of this drop – proceed with caution before taking too short a price. (3) MACH N CHEESE came to life 3

back when he just missed at 14-1 – he wired the field in his next, and raced super when 2nd best to a razor sharp

MIND HUNTER last week – should be a big threat in his current form. (4) AROUND MIDNIGHT can be a little

inconsistent but he’s also capable of big miles, like his winning effort last week – he’s usually a good price, and

never a bad one to consider. (6) THE BIRD DANCE N dropped to 40s last week, was handled aggressively and

came up a sharp 2nd best to #4 – his price figures to move up from this spot, and he could be a threat with the right

trip. (5) GENTLE GIANT wasn’t “great” last week but it was an improved effort, for sure – maybe a small piece?

(2) VIVA LAS VEGAS N never wins, but the move inside gives him at least a chance to tow along for minor spoils.

(7) CENTURY ENDEAVOR has a win, 2nd, and 3rd from his last 3 starts in this class but all from inside posts – may

struggle here from Post 7. (8) ALEX TYE is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.

RACE 7 – (4) OUTLAW MAN N started his local career strong with a pair of wins and a pair of 2nds, as he began

to climb the class ladder – had a brief blip with a miscue at PcD on 11/16 but his last pair here have been solid,

especially last week – the two likely favorites in here have some question marks, so perhaps this guy could prove a

decent value play? (1) BIRTHDAY would be a major threat from this spot if anything close to his best but his last 3,

though with some excuses, just haven’t seemed as sharp– could end up wiring these, or MAY prove a bit vulnerable.

(2) BLUE HUNT has no shortage of ability but his “lazy” habit has plagued him lately, leaving him with too much

to do from the final turn – if he’s close entering the homestretch tonight, he’ll be a handful to hold off. (3) SLING

SHOCK gets a full pass for his last (parked by the impressive AARDIES FLASH N) but he’s been very good

otherwise – in tough here, but can still have a say. (8) LOUS SWEETREVENGE has been off his game and will be

coming from way out of it– still, he’s reversed form many times in the past, and isn’t a bad one for longshot fans. (5)

TWIN B RISENSHINE has been camera shy locally though often races well– minor spoils? (7) WINDSUN RICKY

is a dangerous horse when in the right spot...but this probably isn’t that spot. (6) BRAKE AHEAD gets some class

relief but likely could use a bit more.

RACE 8 – MGM Grand Prix Invitational Pacing Series Final – 1 1/16th miles - $250,000: (7) COACHES CORNER

delivered 2 wins and a close 2nd behind DESPERATE MAN in his 3 Series legs, and sports an amazing 23-12-9-0

local record – he’s as sharp (or sharper?) to end this year as he was to start it, and comes into tonight with nearly

$600K on his card – the added distance should help him get a good start, and that stamps him as the one to beat! (2)

SEVEN COLORS used a powerful first over move to pick up his first Series win last week, and recently was 2nd in

NJ in the Breeders Crown (then 3rd in the Fan Duel) – if things get a bit hot up front, he figures to be very dangerous

in the latter stages. (5) TYPHOON BANNER N was another Series winner from last week, and looked very sharp

on the front end – he won’t be able to just “steal” this one tonight, but he’s sharp enough to be right in the mix with

another good trip. (3) ADAM TWELVE is a barnmate to the top choice and while not quite as classy as that one, he

still has an impressive $217K on his card this year – a quick start (and easy trip) puts him in play for a small piece.

(4) EL REY won his first Series leg and finished right there in Leg #2 – he wasn’t quite as sharp last week (with a

tougher trip), but could rebound for a share with an easier journey. (6) AMERICAN DEALER N finished well last

week for 3rd but could be looking at a tough trip tonight from this spot – leaning more to others. (1) NANDOLO N

figures to be quickly outleft (despite the rail) and probably in a tough spot against these top players. (8) WHATS

STANLEY GOT A has more than his share of big efforts this year, but the draw puts him in a brutal spot.

RACE 9 – (3) SADDLE UP has looked super taking his last 3 starts, and goes tonight for a barn that has been stellar

off the claim all year long – faces some sharp foes in here, but still remains the one to knock off. (8) TWO FACED

has been claimed in 7 straight starts, and a quick look at his current form makes it easy to understand why – he’s

won two of his last starts (just missed in the other) and has a chance to take another tonight...even from out here. (4)

IM A POWERPLAY A picked up his 8th win of the season last week, and that victory put him over the $100K mark

for the year – he can do it from on or off the pace, and is worth a look if the price is decent. (1) MAXIMUS RED A

just missed to #4 last time, unable to complete the wire to wire try dropping down to 30s – he’s another that’s had an

excellent year, and will surely make his presence felt from this good spot. (2) REAL PEACE was making only his

2nd start of the year last week and wasn’t bad at all – he hails from our leading barn, and will be a decent price for

anybody looking to hop on board (6) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N has a couple of recent wins (his only 2 of the year)

but he hung a bit off a beautiful trip last week, and now faces a tough field from a bad post. (7) TWIG throws a good

one from time to time but he’s 0 for 15 locally this year, and gets an awful draw for tonight. (5) MOONLIGHT SHA

DOW wasn’t bad last week, but still feels a bit buried in here.

RACE 10 – (4) HAMMERING HANK was sneaky good 2 back at the end of the mile – he was well backed (into

the classy MY ULTIMATE BYRON A) last week, and came up an excellent 2nd best, off a tough trip – feels like the

one to beat in here, even if Brennan goes to #6. (2) LYRICAL GENIUS A landed on an impossible trip last week but

picked up a win, 2nd, and 3rd in his prior 3 starts – should be a very live player tonight. (6) I DRAINTHESWAMP A

had Post 7 last week while racing for a new barn, off a bad date, off a 21 length loss – he was a very encouraging 4th,

however, and Brennan hops on board tonight...good value play at that 20-1 ML price. (7) SHINE A LIGHT benefits

from some class relief here but that may be offset by the bad draw – small piece? (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N

draws the pole but has been a bit dull in his last pair and will need to be sharper to be a threat tonight. (3) DP

REALORDE AL has some big efforts in him but his general inconsistency has us leaning elsewhere. (5) JUSTASEC

N has some mixed form lately, but has been hard to steer even when “good” – others look more appealing right now.

RACE 11 – (4) DONTBOTHERMENONE N hung in for 4th at Plainridge 2 back despite being parked the mile

returning from Ohio – he should have built some confidence when easily defeating softer in his next, and gets a big

switch to Brennan upon arrival here at Yonkers – worth a try in the finale. (8) ALWAYS A THRILL was Bartlett’s

selection (over the top choice, and also #1), and that’s a major vote of confidence for the 3YO, starting from Post 8 –

he’s looked since recently joining his current barn, and may be worth using on your tickets, even from out here. (3)

SPORTY M THREE hasn’t been on his “best” game but he drops in class, and draws well for ever-dangerous

connections – possibility, but also figures to be overbet. (7) TRANSPARENCY has the ability to beat these, but will

need plenty of trip luck after another bad draw – ok to consider at a big price. (2) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK

wasn’t terrible last week after a bad trip– leaning towards others, but he’d hardly be a shock (1) THEFLYINGROCK

draws the pole for our leading trainer and Bartlett still opts off to drive #8...and that doesn’t inspire a lot of

confidence in his chances for tonight. (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF hasn’t been on his best game, though capable with

these if he decides to bring a good one tonight. (6) SAN DOMINO A has been dull, and gets another bad draw.