The Empire Report – Thursday, February 27, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Good opener! (4) BROOKVIEW DARIUS races well start after start, can handle any trip and should be
feeling pretty good about himself after last week’s victory – one of several tough players in here with a chance at the
top prize. (5) AUSTRAL HANOVER has been sharp for weeks (months?) and finally picked up an overdue victory
last week (as a big 9-1 overlay) – he should still be a pretty fair price tonight, and could easily repeat with the right
trip. (1) WARRIOR ONE is a different horse when involved in the action and the move inside (with the Yannick
back on board) should put him right in the hunt – can never be ignored from a spot like this. (3) BE DIFFERENT
may not be quite as sharp as when he first arrived here in December, but it’s not like he’s tailed significantly – his
price does figure to drift up a bit, and that makes him worth at least a look. (2) WILLY WALTON feels like he may
not be on his absolute best game right now but he’s capable of BIG miles when in the right mood, and a big price
makes him reasonable to consider. (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU likely needs a much better draw to be a threat vs.
these types. (8) CHINESE WHISPER N used an easy trip to pick up a 2 nd last week, but he’ll be coming from way
out of it tonight. (7) J S HOPSCOTCH has been asking for a class drop for a long time – now a bad draw too
RACE 2 – (5) P C FREE WHEELING (who has proven to be a very astute claim!) was a sharp winner in her first
try in this class, then came up 2 nd best to winning-machine TIPSY MONI last week – she avoids that rival tonight,
and we’ll give her the edge as a result. (2) DIAMANTE TRIO IT beat this class on 2/6, qualified (nicely) adding
Lasix the next week but then just threw an unexpected dud here last Thursday – she drops right back in the box, and
may rebound with one of her better efforts...playable as long as the price is fair. (6) ALL STAR SWAN turned
things around at the beginning of November and has been on a long form spree ever since – gets the worst of the
draw, but still can be a very dangerous player. (4) ENOLA threw an uncharacteristically weak effort last time but is
another that drops right back in the box, with license to rebound with a good one. (3) QUEEN OF ALL just hasn’t
been able to find her best form yet in ’25 – leaning towards others. (1) YO BETH D is another still trying to find her
game (for a barn that’s off to a rough start in 2025).
RACE 3 – NAADA Winter Fun Series: (8) IMA STANDUP GUY has been stuck with terrible posts in his last 4
starts but still managed to win 3 of them, with a huge effort for 4 th in the other – he gets a very capable pilot for
tonight, and may just be too good for these right now, even with another 8 hole. (6) ALL RISE almost pulled off a
big 8 hole upset 2 back, then was 2 nd to the top choice in his last – not sure why he’s listed at 15-1 on the ML, but he
certainly figures to be a bigger player than that. (3) LIONHEAD usually “figures”, is usually in the hunt, but has
struggled to WIN races lately – remains a good one to use underneath, though. (4) HOBBS usually races ok when he
draws ok, and that’s the case for tonight – playable for the bottom of exotics. (2) MUSCLE DAN has been getting
good starts but needs more at the end to threaten for a bigger piece. (1) RACEACE has some mixed form, and just
hasn’t been as reliable lately– he’ll have to deal with several likely leavers in here, and that could hurt too (7) LOVE
THIS BAR picked up a win here on 2/6 and certainly is a good fit...but may just have too far to come tonight. (5)
FASHION FOREVER will sit back and hope to pass a few tired ones for some minor spoils
RACE 4 – (5) BENJAMIN HANOVER comes of a terrific 4YO campaign and is already 3 for 3 in 2025 (at Dover)
– hard to call him a “cinch” after missing 23 days, but he certainly deserves top billing in this modest Invitational
field. (4) SOUTHWIND COORS is a perfect 3 for 3 since the barn change and that includes a win here on 2/6 – tries
this level for the first time, but seems more than sharp enough to handle it– main danger? (3) CANTSTOP YANKEE
came up a little disappointing as the favorite last start (2 nd best) and moves up a bit off that effort – on his best, he
can be a threat here. (6) STORMONT DIVIDE seemed a little flat in his seasonal debut and gets a tough draw for
tonight – would need a good price to consider him on top. (2) TEXSONG SOPRANO has leveled off at these higher
levels after recently winning 4 straight vs. cheaper – will need to up his game to threaten for a top prize. (1) FOUR
SIXES makes both his 4YO and Yonkers debut tonight – guessing he’ll need a start (and perhaps a class drop).
RACE 5 - NAADA Winter Fun Series: (6) ITSONEOFTHOSE raced very well since Adamczyk took over the
driving – he catches a pretty modest field tonight, and we’ll give him top billing...despite the draw. (7) DEFCON
SEELSTER ships in sharp from upstate and definitely fits ability-wise – hard to say if he’ll be able to get into the
hunt, but he can make some noise (at a nice price) if he does. (8) LOUIS has been in some tough spots out of town
and may end up in a similar boat tonight – he does have the ability to be a player, though, and could be worth a look
IF the price is juicy enough. (3) HUNTERS GAL draws well and gets a barn and driver change – may be able to be
a player with these. (5) NEVER MIND N has been stuck on smaller pieces lately – he fits okay here, but may end up
overbet (with that 5/2 ML price). (1) DROP THE MIC just hasn't had very many encouraging efforts lately – not
sure the draw is enough to help him become a bigger player tonight. (4) LIMERENCE has 26 starts here over the
last 3 seasons with no wins, and just 1 second
RACE 6 – In a field of sharp horses, (4) SOUTH POINT has been the sharpest, winning 5 of his last 6 with the lone
loss being a 2 nd to the currently sharp CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE – he goes for a new barn tonight, but seems just
as effective in any barn he performs for...gets the nod over a few other very solid rivals. (3) OVER THE HORIZON
is listed at 10-1 ML despite coming off a pair of very good efforts, and having won 4 of 7 local starts last year – has
to be worth considering. (6) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has been a long form spree (for multiple barns) and even
showed that he can race OFF the pace, if necessary – the draw is the only real knock. (2) WOLFTRAX has gone
some solid miles since arriving from KY and finally gets a good draw – another who could outrace his odds tonight.
(8) CLEVELAND B MIKI was sent off at 2/5 off the big barn and driver switches last week and was able to reward
his backers – moves to another new barn for tonight, lands all the way outside, and may be looking at a smaller
piece this time around. (1) SHAKE IT has 2 recent wins (and the rail) but does seem to have tailed since the recent
claim – leaning towards others. (5) VICTOR CRUISE pulled off a 44-1 shocker 3 back but failed to beat a horse in
either start since then. (7) ENTRENCH hasn’t impressed in his 2 local tries, and now draws Post 7
RACE 7 – (8) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A gets no luck with the draw returning from NJ but he’s been doing some
decent work vs. better, and certainly catches no “killers” in here – a good price makes him worth a look, even from
out here. (4) REIGNING DEO rallied nicely in 2 of his last 3 starts and is a logical player in here – he also figures to
be overbet, and has always been a bit camera shy at Yonkers. (1) GINGRAS BEACH was an all out winner over
easier last week – steps up, but the rail draw could help offset that – would be no surprise to see him contend here
too. (3) VESPA N seemed to be struggling but woke up with a much better effort last week, a rallying 2
nd at a big price – we’ll see if he can turn in another solid one tonight. (6) ALWAYS ROCKIN has a poor local record
(26-1-2-2 last 3 years) but his overall current form is ok, and he may be able to add some value to the exotics (2)
SPEED SNIP raced evenly for small pieces in his 3 local tries – maybe he can do that here too? (7) BECHERS
BROOK A was strong here in 2024 (13-4-5-1) but is off to a slow start in ’25 (5-0-0-0) –he draws poorly yet again,
but we’ll see I Brennan tries to handle him more aggressively dropping out of 40s. (5) THREE IN HEAVEN A
wasn’t bad in his last couple but still seems a bit below the main players in here
RACE 8 – (4) COLD CREEK FELIPE hit board in 4 of his last 5 starts (7 hole in the other) and gets a new trainer
and driver for tonight – wouldn’t bet the rent money on him at a short price, but he does deserve top billing. (1) BO
RN BRILLIANT doesn’t have the most appealing lines but he does get a big switch to A Nap and may be able to
stay close to the action from the pole – perhaps can add some value to the exotics? (6) HARD TO CATCH is in a
tough spot but he did hit board in 2 of 3 starts since adding Lasix and may be able to do so again...if he can land on
a decent trip. (5) DONTTELLMENOW has managed just one 3 rd from his 6 local starts and has missed a month
after a sick scratch – hard to get excited about a wager when he’s listed as the 5/2 2 nd choice...despite the negatives
just mentioned. (3) PORTERS MAN has been an overall disappointment since arriving here but he COULD have a
chance for a piece IF he can bring one of his better efforts. (7) GOOD INVESTMENT seems to be getting better but
tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his progress. (8) ROSE RUN X CON had been doing good work (and even picked
up a victory) before struggling a bit in his last – he may go more conservative here after another awful draw. (2) SE
CTIONLINE RACER still feels like he may need to be in a bit easier
RACE 9 – (6) PLATINUM AS has been a very solid performer at Dover lately, finishing behind some nice trotters –
he last raced here in 2023, winning 1 of his 3 starts – he reunites with Kakaley for the first time since 11/9, and the
pair were a strong 2 nd at Pocono that night – maybe he can land on a live enough trip to trot by ‘em late? (3) TORRO
NE was doing excellent work here at the end of 2024, and was a nice 2 nd here on 2/14, in his first start of ’25– worth
a look at a decent price. (5) BELLISSIMO FACE AS won his last 2 local starts, and is 7 for 11 overall at The Hilltop
– would surely be no surprise here. (1) THE PRINCE has taken a liking to Yonkers, winning 3 of his 5 local starts –
he does step up tonight, but his efforts suggest he can be a player with these too. (4) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS
wasn’t all that sharp last week (even if his line looks good) but he goes back to Stratton, and can never be counted
out for a piece. (2) I GET IT also wasn’t as good last week as his line may look, and could struggle a bit if his trip
doesn’t go to his liking
RACE 10 – (3) MACS MARVEL was a good 2 nd vs. better 3 back (even if DQd) – no chance 8 hole in his next,
then hurt by awful cover after waiting too long to move on the back side last week – gets a good draw, a fresh set of
hands, and may be able to pull off a mild upset. (2) METAL MAN came charging on 2/11 to just miss in his first
start off a long layoff – had no chance after getting away 8 th last week, but wasn’t all that far back at the end – moves
inside, and seems the one to beat...but also figures to be heavily backed! (6) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH was caught
wide a long way last week and really didn’t flatten that badly – he drops, gets Bartlett on board, and may be able to
have a say here with a decent trip. (1) AUSSIE HANOVER has far more lesser efforts than good ones lately, but a
close up trip from the pole could at least put him in the hunt for a small share. (5) SAILBOAT HANOVER wasn’t
bad off the layoff 2 back but seemed to quickly regress last week – it’s anybody’s guess as to which version we’ll get
tonight. (4) INDICTABLE HANOVER has been away since September and the guess is that he’ll need a start. (7)
RAYRAY draws his 5 th straight poor post and it figures to hurt once again. (8) VIVA LAS VEGAS N picked up 4ths
in his last 3 starts but tonight’s draw may leave him too far back to match that
RACE 11 – (4) WARRAWEE XALT made a costly miscue 2 back but has otherwise picked up a win and 2 seconds
from his 3 other local starts this year – he moves to another new barn tonight, and the expectation is that he’ll
continue to thrive – gets the nod in the finale. (1) DRACO S seemed to be moving way up last week but used an
easy trip to be a very solid 3 rd – has to be respected from the pole off that effort. (2) AIRMANS JACKPOT had been
disappointing since returning from The Meadows but did race better last week – could be dangerous tonight if she
can find her best effort. (5) MAHONE SEELSTER was no threat last week but did keep trying hard to grab 4
th after a tough trip – always playable underneath (0 for 21 at Yonkers). (3) ROGER RABBIT was the beneficiary of a fall
apart race in that win 2 back, then was never in play last week – maybe some minor spoils? (7) ICE BREAKERS K
almost shocked at 81-1 3 back and really wasn’t bad in his next – never got close last week, though, and draws
poorly again tonight – maybe Gingras can help? (6) INTL BLOCKADE grabbed a couple of smaller pieces since the
recent claim and will have trouble doing better than that tonight. (8) SWEET SOUL DAVID lands Post 8 after a
very weak effort last week.