The Empire Report – Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (1) BLUEBIRD BISHOP paid a nice price when he won 2 back, and a “decent” price last week – his
odds will probably drop even lower tonight, but he’s razor sharp and does have a solid chance to extend his winning
streak to 3. (3) BE DIFFERENT won his first two starts in this class (after joining our leading barn) then raced well
from tough spots in his last pair – wouldn’t hesitate to use him on top here IF the price is decent. (2) WILLY WALT
ON was a scary winner in his first 2 starts of the year but did weaken a bit last week after paying a much heavier
price for the lead – obviously he’d be no surprise here. (4) PERRON doesn’t figure to be a real threat to the top three
but the good draw good help him tow along for some minor spoils. (5) CHINESE WHISPER N just missed here to a
classy winner on 1/24, but failed to threaten at all in his last pair – he’s capable of better, and may be able to rally for
a small piece. (6) THE BALLYKEEL DEAL figures to be hampered by the draw – may look better with a class drop
next week. (7) ICE BREAKERS K turned in his best mile in a long time last week, nearly scoring at huge odds – not
sure he can get close to the action tonight, though. (8) HAT TRICK MARLEAU used an alert start to grab a two
hole trip last week (finished 2 nd) but tonight’s draw does figure to limit him
RACE 2 – NAADA Winter Fun Series: (3) DRACO S did all the hard work in one of these legs (1/23) and just
missed to the perfect trip winner – he definitely feels like the one to beat tonight, but it’s hard to get excited about a
wager with that 7/5 ML price! (6) DWIGHT HANOVER finished with trot from an impossible spot last week – he
did win 1 of his 2 starts here last year, and would be worth a look at the right price. (8) SHOEMAKER HANOVER
was very good when 2 nd here 2 back and was trapped with no room at the back last week – a lot would have to go his
way to win from out here, but at least he’ll be a big price. (2) MUSCLE DAN has the speed to be an up close player,
but needs to finish better to be a late threat. (7) PETERS ROYALTY had some trot finishing last week but Beltrami
will need to find him a better trip for any chance at one of the bigger prizes tonight. (1) LIMERENCE gets major
post relief and should get away decently – minor share? (4) ITSONEOFTHOSE was 9-4-2-0 here in 2023-24 but
just doesn’t seem all that sharp right now. (5) AWOL HANOVER was going well for a while, but not nearly as sharp
in his last pair.
RACE 3 - (4) BRAKE AHEAD got a nice wake up call dropping to NW7500 last week, collaring the favorite
before getting nipped late himself by the perfect trip winner – drops another peg tonight, and looms the one top
knock off. (5) TWIN B RISENSHINE was much sharper last fall but he wasn’t terrible in his last couple, and may
be able to grab a decent piece here...with a decent trip. (1) ALTA CLASSIC A came up a little short when 3
rd in his first local start of the year and has missed 3 week since then – if he’s anything close to 100%, he should be able
contend for a large chunk. (3) VIVA LA VEGAS N is still trying to find his best form in 2025 – maybe he can rally
late for a piece? (6) REIGNING DEO’s last line LOOKS much improved, but he did benefit tremendously by having
fresh legs into a :30.4 final quarter – not quite sold that he’s ready to repeat that effort. (2) MARLBANK ROAD was
sent off at 88-1 from the pole for his first start of 2025 and was clearly short (as expected) – suppose he could be a
bit more competitive tonight. (7) RAYRAY threw duds in his last pair and now lands all the way outside
RACE 4 – (2) ENOLA was a strong 2 nd behind the streaking TEXSONG SOPRANO 2 back, then was full of trot
last week, settling for a close 3 rd after shaking free late – Bartlett gets the call tonight, and she should be looking at a
very good trip. (3) YO BETH D was dull in her first start off the layoff but was charging late last week – not sure
what her trip will be here, but a good price makes her worth considering. (4) ALL STAR SWAN has raced well
every start since 11/1, and that includes last week’s close loss in this class – remains a very real threat. (5) P C FREE
WHEELING makes a logical move to this FM Open after being claimed for $40K last week – tonight’s draw may
really hurt her chances, however, with #2 and #3 likely leaving hard inside of her. (6) QUEEN OF ALL lands all the
way outside and doesn’t seem sharp enough right now to overcome that. (1) LADY JETER gets assigned the rail but
it doesn’t seem like it’ll matter right now
RACE 5 - NAADA Winter Fun Series: (3) LIONHEAD is racing well right now, and Yogi Sheridan should be able
to find him a decent trip from this spot – we’ll give him the narrow edge to pick up his first victory of 2025. (8) IMA
STANDUP GUY is almost certain to land on another tough trip from out here....but he’s in scary good form right
now, and may be able to overcome it, as he looks to pick up his 3 rd win from the last 4 starts...still playable, as long
as he’s not wildly overbet from this tough spot. (2) NEVER MIND N got parked every step last week and still lasted
for 4 th – an easier trip could make him dangerous tonight. (5) ALL RISE made it to the top from Post 8 last week and
it took the favorite most of the stretch to reel him in – his price will surely be much lower than last week’s 52-1, and
he’s definitely playable in exotics. (1) ZLATAN was just 1 for 35 last year but his current form is solid, and he has at
least a chance to grab a piece from the pole. (7) HOBBS picked up 3rds in 2 of his last 3 starts (8 hole in the other)
and is sharp enough to have a say here – not a bad bomb for 3 rd/4 th , hoping Stratton can find him a manageable trip.
(4) RACEACE has a good local history but his current form is lacking – needs to bring his best if he hopes to battle
for a share. (6) FASHION FOREVER draws poorly, and that figures to hinder his chances considerably
RACE 6 – Wide open: (3) BALLYKEEL PAINTER showed major improvement in his 2 nd local try – he knows how
to win races, and is listed at 15-1 ML for a very strong trainer/driver team – will need some pace up front, but just
may get it. (5) JOHN THE BAPTIST wasn’t overly impressive in last week’s victory but he may be better racing
from a bit off the pace – assuming his price goes up, he may be worth sticking with. (6) THAT DOG WILL HUNT
has been hitting board every start for months – hard to ignore his chances, but he does draw a tough post and may be
in line for a similarly tough trip as last week – be careful about taking a short price. (1) CLEVELAND B MIKI has
been solid since the meet restarted, draws another pole, and is just another good trip away from being right there at
the end. (8) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE is sharp for sure, but gets stuck behind the 8 ball – if you think they may
really mix things up tonight, he’s worth considering. (2) CONTACT ZONE is probably a notch below the top ones
but he’s good enough to rally for a piece if the trip is kind enough. (4 UP THE CREEK would be a threat on his best
effort, but he’s hard to endorse off his last couple of starts. (7) SPEED SNIP doesn’t figure to get into the hunt
RACE 7 – (4) WARRAWEE XALT finished right behind TEXSONG SOPRANO 2 back then built on that with last
week’s front end score – the good draw gives him a legitimate chance to repeat. (8) AUSTRAL HANOVER was
sharp before the recent barn change, and racing very well ever since – it won’t be easy to overcome Post 8, but he’s
still worth using at a juicy price. (2) ROGER RABBIT threw a very rare dud last week, and will look to rebound for
yet another new barn – would want a decent price to try him on top tonight, but it would hardly be a surprise to see
him bounce right back with one of his better efforts. (6) WARRIOR ONE was outleft last week but being forced to
drop in actually created the dream trip that led to victory – he has his issues, but is one that can never be counted out
(1) QUIKSILVER BLUECHIP returns from NJ in solid form and draws the pole – he was also 0 for 25 here over the
last 2 seasons, so perhaps using him underneath is the way to go. (3) SWEET SOUL DAVID had a useful tightener
last week but Brennan does opt for #8 and that suggests he may need another start. (7) PINEWOOD HANOVER
ships in off a nice Stga, victory but probably needs a better draw to contend in this class. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER
looked well short in his first start off the layoff – still in “watch mode”
RACE 8 – (4) FULL SUPPORT has finally found his better form and has become a consistent player so far in 2025
– he almost pulled off a huge upset 2 back, then went a big mile from Post 8 last week – he’ll be the better price of
the 2 main players in here, so we’ll give him the narrow edge. (2) SOUTH POINT saw his 4 race winning streak
come to an end last week but he still raced very well, and was an excellent 2 nd best – moves to another new barn
here, and remains a very dangerous player. (6) WOLFTRAX failed to get involved last week (up in class from a bad
post) but he should appreciate tonight’s class drop – it doesn’t help drawing outside the top two, though. (1) GOOD
INVESTMENT is hard to like “on paper” right now but a few of his barnmates have perked up recently so perhaps
this guy will be next – willing to include underneath. (7) PORTERS MAN was a bit overdriven last week but still
stuck around to be 4 th – might have liked his chances a bit more if not for the terrible draw. (3) VICTOR CRUISE
reversed form in that 44-1 shocker 2 back (fall apart race), but showed little before that, and was nowhere close last
week. (5) BORN BRILLIANT would appear overmatched arriving from Monti.
RACE 9 – (5) CANTSTOP YANKEE was off 7 weeks to his last start and that solid effort should serve as an
excellent tightener – he went some big miles here in the latter part of 2024, and could be worth a shot tonight. (3)
TEXSONG SOPRANO went through a rough patch but he’s been building back confidence on his climb back up the
class ladder and carries a 4 race winning streak into tonight – legitimate chance in his “drive for five”. (1) YOU
GOT IT has never been a prolific winner here at Yonkers but he’s in very sharp form right now, and MAY have a
chance at a mild upset if he sits close, and a couple of the others fail to deliver. (7) THE HAZLETON is 3-2-1-0 here
at Yonkers and more than capable against these types – he also draws Post 7 in his 2 nd start of the year, and may need
some trip luck to be in position for a chance to come out on top – would consider if the price was juicy (15-1 ML).
(4) I GET IT does plenty of damage at this level but his best work comes when he can race on/near the lead, and that
may or may not be possible here – mixed feelings. (6) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS had steady trot in the back in his
first start of the year but will likely be coming from well out of it tonight, once more. (2) STREET GOSSIP is a
solid earner but probably needs an easier spot to threaten for one of the top slots
RACE 10 – (4) BROOKVIEW DARIUS has been for some time, and comes off an excellent 2 nd last week to a very
sharp (tripsitting) BLUEBIRD BISHOP – he can handle a variety of trips, and will give him top billing for tonight.
(5) THE PRINCE was a good 2 nd behind a blowout winner in his local debut, jogged in his next start, but lost any
realistic chance last week after an early miscue – a clean effort makes him a very dangerous threat. (2) AIRMANS
JACKPOT was very disappointing in her local return – she was “better” last week, but still not “good” – she’s
capable of beating these if she finds ger best effort, but it would be hard to take another short price on top right now.
(1) ABRUZZO has always had ability, but always been very unreliable – hard to know what to expect from him, but
he’s certainly worth using underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (8) MAHONE SEELSTER is very camera shy, but still
a steady performer in this class – decent bomb for 3 rd/4 th even from out here. (7) INTL BLOCKADE stayed trotting
for his new barn last week but was a dullish 3 rd – will need to be sharper if he’s hoping for more than a minor share.
(6) MR KNOWITALL seems a notch below the main players, and the bad draw won’t help his cause. (3) J S HOPS
COTCH would really appreciate some class relief.
RACE 11 – (3) MONACO HANOVER just missed in his last 2 starts of 2024 but has been plagued by bad trips to
start off 2025 – gets a better draw, and hopefully that can lead to a better result. (1) OVER THE HORIZON moves
all the way in from Post 8, and did win 4 of 7 starts here last year...logical spot to look for significant improvement.
(2) ENTRENCH is hard to gauge class-wise off his Monti lines but he’s clearly in fine form, and gets a new trainer
listed – interesting at 10-1 ML. (4) MANHATTAN ARTIST was probably already tiring before he broke 2 back,
then disappointed last week– his connections always deserve respect, but he does figure to be overbet here (8) ROSE
RUN X CON was 0 for 33 last year but only took 2 starts to find the winner’s circle in 2025 – he does fit nicely, but
Holland will need to “blast and hope” after drawing Post 8. (7) FUNKY BUNCH hasn’t been bad since arriving
from Monti but he loses A Nap and lands a terrible draw. (6) METAMAN will sometimes offer a late rally – maybe
3 rd/4 th? (5) SECTIONLINE RACER has shown little in his 4 local tries.