The Empire Report – Thursday, March 13, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (2) BE DIFFERENT has been good in all 8 local tries but especially sharp in his last two (a pair of first
over victories) – he faces a couple of other sharp foes here, but does deserve top billing. (4) MAHONE SEELSTER
charged home crisply for an excellent 2 nd two back then was even sharper in last week’s first over score – he would
have been the clear choice if not for #2, but still should be able to give that one a serious tussle. (7) ARCHERY SEE
LSTER hit board in 4 of 5 local starts, was very good last week and his barn has been hot all year...absolutely worth
using in exotics at that 10-1 ML price, even from out here. (1) WARRAWEE XALT came up a little short at the end
after cutting the mile the last 3 weeks – still deserves plenty of respect, and may finish a bit better if allowed to race
from just OFF the pace tonight. (6) INFINITY STONE used a good trip to take home a decent 3 rd last week but the
tough draw tonight may limit him a bit more. (3) DOO WOP KID got fumbly early on last week and was well back
to the quarter after he smoothed out – could be better tonight, but still may be overmatched vs. a few of the top ones.
(5) PERRON was just 1 for 36 last year and may need to be in easier to be a serious player. (8) ROGER RABBIT
won a “fall apart” race 4 back and has been dull ever since – hard to like from Post 8
RACE 2 – (3) SIP OF BOURBON held his own with the tougher 3-5YO 30s in several starts here, and definitely
faced better in his last pair at Pocono – tonight’s drop should suit him well, and give him a chance for his first YR
victory. (6) HARD TO CATCH has been much better since adding Lasix, hitting board in 3 of 4 starts – if he can
land on a decent trip tonight, he can be a serious player. (1) ROSE RUN X CON was 0 for 33 last year but only took
2 starts to find the winner’s circle in 2025 – he’s been killed by outside draws in his last few starts but moves all the
way inside now, and may find a much better effort. (2) SPEED SNIP has been stuck on smaller pieces in all 5 local
tries and likely looking at more of the same tonight. (5) PONDAMERI has been (much) cheaper for most of his
career but recently landed in one of our top barns and may start to improve significantly – would still need a “fair”
price to use him on top, though. (7) ON DAYBOO had a new trainer listed last week but raced pretty much the same
– tough spot to expect more than minor spoils. (4) VICTOR CRUISE hasn’t earned a cent in his 3 starts winning a
total fall apart race on 1/23
RACE 3 – (6) OVER AND BACK has some mixed Ohio form but his “good” efforts would make him a nice fit
here (and he can be expected to improve considerably with the trainer and driver switches for his local debut) – not
an easy spot (and facing a few sharp ones), but this has been a winning angle many times over the past couple of
years! (1) AIRMANS JACKPOT wasn’t at her best in her first few local tries this year but her last 3 have been much
sharper – should be a serious player starting from the pole. (5) BROOKVIEW DARIUS came up 2 nd best to a pair of
very sharp ones 3 and 4 back, won 2 weeks ago then was 2 nd again to another very sharp winner in his last – figures
to have a big say once more. (2) INTL BLOCKADE hasn’t been great lately (and comes off a break) but his small
barn had two winners on Tuesday night, so maybe this guy’s chances should be upgraded a bit? (4) BEERTHIRTY
K feels a bit off his best game right now and catches a few sharp ones tonight – could be looking at a minor share
this week. (3) ICE BREAKERS K gets his best post in a while and that could put him closer to the action – still
prefer others, but he’s not a bad bomb for 3 rd/4 th . (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU probably needs a much better draw to
be a serious player at this level.
RACE 4 – (4) ALL WRAPPED UP was off a month before his first local start last December but still an excellent
2 nd for his new barn – he followed that up with a pair of 2nds (at Chester) behind the very talented BENJAMIN HA
NOVER before taking a couple of months off – just requalified sharply at PcD, and that 8-1 ML listing makes him
hard to resist, even facing some tough ones tonight. (1) BELLISIMO FACE S came up a little flat last start but the
addition of Lasix tonight may explain that – could easily be back on his better game tonight, and that would make
him a very live player. (2) THE PRINCE is certainly thriving here at Yonkers, now 7-4-2-0 (with a miscue in the
other start) – deserves plenty of respect. (5) MISSISSIPPI STORM is feeling good these days, and will be trotting
strong late – we’ll see if he’s close enough turning for home to have a big say. (3) TEXSONG SOPRANO leveled
off at these higher levels after winning 4 straight vs. easier – needs to find his best game if he hopes to threaten for a
top prize tonight. (6) I GET IT was super in defeat 2 back and a solid 3 rd last week – tonight’s draw may leave him
looking at a pretty tough trip though. (7) LUCKY MUM N has compiled a 12-8-2-1 local slate, but facing MUCH
easier than these – the outside draw will only make the class transition even harder tonight
RACE 5 – Bartlett was listed on FOUR horses in here and elected to hop on board (8) SPEED MAN N, who he
hasn’t driven in some time (and who hasn’t hit board in 5 tries this year) – we’re going to trust his judgment and hop
on board too, especially since this guy WAS a big “go” last week, only to get stuck behind a tiring leader. (3) CAVI
ART SARGENT wasn’t up for last week’s (very) aggressive steer but we’ve seen that from him before – a patient
drive could result in a much better effort tonight. (1) METAL MAN usually “figures” but he’s now 0 for 8 locally
over the past 2 years and running out of excuses – still playable underneath, though. (4) KIMBLE A was no factor at
all in his first start of the year but that was in a fast mile across the river – eligible to be a lot more involved here
with that start under his belt. (7) SAMHARA N couldn’t sustain his very long first over move last week but that
doesn’t mean he can’t rebound tonight, at a price – playable in exotics. (6) AROUND MIDNIGHT turned in a better
effort last week but would have had more appeal tonight with a better draw. (2) HUGH HESTON keeps hinting that
he could be better...but he’s now just 6-0-0-1 locally and running out of excuses. (5) CYRUS N continues to drop,
but without any real signs of improvement.
RACE 6 – (3) OZONE BLUE CHIP hasn’t been “bad”, but he certainly hasn’t been delivering the kind of miles
we’re used to seeing from him – he drops a notch, draws inside, and may have found a field he can handle. (6) SOU
TH POINT has been on an extended form spree, for a variety of barns – he’s stepping up a bit (off the reclaim) and
also draws poorly...but he’s probably sharp enough to still be a major threat. (4) WARRIOR FOR PEACE was an
improved 2 nd off the class drop 2 back (behind a ‘repeater” winner) and toughed out a 2 nd first over last week – a
good trip should put him in the hunt vs. these 25s as well. (8) DANCE ON THE BEACH gave it a go from Post in
his first start off the layoff but came up short and tired after a good start – he could be tighter now, he drops a notch,
and may be worth a look at a big price. (2) CERTIFIABLE was a pretty nice horse – but that was back in 2023, and
he only made ONE start in 2024 before going on the shelf for a YEAR – he returns as a much reduced price, and it’s
anybody’s guess as to what we’ll get from him tonight – maybe the tote board will provide some assistance? (7) VE
NIER HANOVER drops to 25s after tiring vs. the 40s last week – might have given him some more interest if not
for the terrible draw. (1) LYONS PEGASUS lands the pole but just hasn’t been clicking lately. (5) NOWHERE CRE
EK A was well back in both 2025 starts so far (in NJ) – sticking with others.
RACE 7 – (4) CADILLAC BAYAMA really struggled in his first few starts this year – he was a little better when he
finished 2 nd two back, and while still not his best, he did pick up his first victory of the year last week – we’ll see if
he can continue to improve and take another. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM landed on bad trips/posts for what felt like
an eternity but he certainly remembered what to do last week when he finally had things go more to his liking –
tough draw, but he can still be a player IF some racing luck comes his way once more. (3) DON’T JUDGE A BOOK
will be a good price here but he has some decent form in PA, and did pull off an upset here at Yonkers last year –
good one for longshot fans. (1) LOORRIM LAKE A wasn’t bad in either start this year, draws the pole tonight, and
may be ready for an even better effort – very playable in exotics. (2) DEETZY caught a very soft basement field last
start and simply outran ‘em – he’s missed 3 weeks since then, however, and it would be tough to take too short a
price off the bad date. (5) BECHERS BROOK A was a no threat 2 nd to #7 last week, helped by a quick start and
pocket trip – may not get the same kind journey tonight, though. (6) MULLINAX is shipping back in showing some
good form in NJ and PA, but vs. seemingly easier competition – wouldn’t shock, but still leaning more to others. (8)
RAYRAY caught a tightly packed weak bunch last week and was able to roll past them in the lane – tough draw
while up in class tonight, though.
RACE 8 – (6) BENJAMIN HANOVER was off 23 days to his last start but still made his local debut a winning one,
extending his winning streak to 6 with a VERY sharp 1:53.4 score – he draws inside the horse he beat last time (#8),
and we’ll stick with the hot hand. (8) SOUTHWIND COORS (who elevated his game significantly since changing
hands in December) came into his last off a trio of blowout wins and gave the top choice all he could handle before
coming up 2 nd best – maybe he can reverse that decision tonight, but it won’t be easy after getting the worst of the
draw. (4) KEG STAND couldn’t handle the top choice the last 2X they faced each other in Dover, and he comes into
tonight having missed 23 days – he can still be a big part of the action, but it doesn’t seem like HE should be the ML
favorite. (5) STORMONT DIVIDE just went through the motions in his first 2 starts this year but he was hammered
down to 3/5 last week and scored the easy dropdown victory – he may be ready to have a bigger say at this Open
level too. (7) TIPSY MONI has an incredible win record vs. the mares and while she CAN hold her own vs. boys
too, tonight’s draw does figure to put her at a major disadvantage. (1) DONATO PATRIOT K wasn’t involved at all
last week (1 st start of the year) but he could be a bit tighter now, with a chance for some minor spoils from the rail.
(2) VINNY DE VIE gets stuck in the Invitational making his first start since December – at least a win comes off the
bottom of his card after tonight. (2) DIAMANTE TRIO IT is another mare taking on the boys here, and her current
form is spotty, at best
RACE 9 – (4) METAMAN hadn’t shown any kind of early speed until pairing up with Gingras 2 back, going to the
top that night and holding off the tripsitter for the game victory – he left quickly again last week, this time ending up
with a pocket trip and finishing 2 nd to a sharp front-end winner– goes for a new barn tonight (while up a bit in class),
gets Yannick on board again, and we’ll look for another sharp effort. (5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was claimed in
each of his last 6 starts, compiling a 6-3-2-1 record along the way – he’s a threat in this class any week he’s in the
box! (3) I AINT NO MACK lost by 14 lengths last week but can be forgiven as he caught an insane 1:52.3 mile,
making his first start of the year – his barn has sent out some very live performers (at prices), so don’t dismiss this
guy too quickly. (1) CLEVELAND B MIKI has suddenly become very popular at the claim box, taken in each of his
last 3 starts – he was actually putting in a nice rally from way back when he made that break last week, and it would
be no surprise to see him make his presence felt tonight. (7) CONTACT ZONE always seems to be ignored at the
windows but he’s now hit board in 4 of his last 5 starts – another terrible draw, but still a good value horse for the
bottom of exotics. (8) RICARDOSHILYSHALLY felt like he may be starting to go the wrong way but bounced
back in a big way last week, giving the favorite all he could handle before coming up 2 nd best – would have been
listed higher if not for the unfortunate draw. (2) SECTIONLINE RACER seems buried in this strong field. (6) VAN
DALISM hasn’t been a player in a long time
RACE 10 – (5) JUDDY DOUGLAS A was very good 2 back despite a tough trip then followed that up with another
solid effort last week – he’s never been a prolific local winner but he lands in a suspect group tonight and could be
worth a stab in the finale. (1) MYSWEETBOYMAX was an even 4 th in his first start off the layoff then had pace
finishing from an impossible spot last week – he moves back all the way inside tonight, and may be ready for his
best effort. (4) FIZZING N has probably raced better than his line looks on several occasions recently – Siegelman
took him over the top choice, and he does deserve respect in here. (6) DIAMONDBEACH now has 153 career starts
and he still has several of the same bad quirks that have sometimes plagued him throughout his career – he was
claimed last week and will reside in a new barn for the first time in a long time...it’s anybody’s guess how he’ll
react to that. (2) ALEX TYE is off to a rough start in 2025 but an easy, up close trip may help him grab a small piece
of this. (8) SHADOW CAT just never thrived after joining our leading barn a while back – Post 8 definitely won’t
help his cause. (7) CHANTEE broke his streak of 7 th place finishes when he finished 8 th last week – still not ready to
hop on his team. (3) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N seems over his breaking issues from earlier this year – but he just
hasn’t gotten sharp enough yet.