Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – Good opener to start off the week! (3) PEACE OUT POSSE was sharp prior to being claimed on 3/10

and has been just as good ever since, delivering strong miles, week after week – he lost the tightest of photos last

start to the classy SMIFFYS TERROR N, he handles any trip, and he’s one of several in here with a legitimate

chance to come out on top. (6) KOPI LUWAK threw a bit of a dud when claimed on 4/14 but he shrugged that right

off and came back with his sharpest mile of the year last week, a blowout victory upon joining our leading barn

(currently 37 for 107 in April) – hard to leave him off your tickets, though he is likely to be heavily backed. (4) SCR

IBBLERS moved up in class last week off the claim, threw the kitchen sink at HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N on the back

side and can be forgiven for tiring a bit after being unable to get by that tough rival – he’s capable of big miles, and

Siegelman has driven him a bunch of times in the past – possibility. (1) CURBSIDE PICKUP can be forgiven for

coming up a little short vs. DEETZY two back, when racing off a bad date – just give him a pass for his last, and

look for a strong effort from the pole tonight. (2) GENTLE GIANT seems a bit below a couple of the main players

in here, but has proven that he can grab pieces when things go his way. (7) VICI appears to have been sold after his

last start – brutal spot tonight for his new connections. (5) GAMBLINGTERROR isn’t bad right now, but would

probably appreciate facing a bit softer stock.

RACE 2 – (2) CENTURY ENDEAVOR has been very sharp for weeks, and was quickly re-claimed from his last by

a barn he’s really thrived for– we’ll give him the narrow edge over a couple of other very sharp rivals. (1) LYRICAL

GENIUS A has raced well in almost all of his starts this year, and certainly has the speed to take advantage of the

rail draw – very logical threat. (5) MACH N CHEESE had been hampered by some tough trips this year but got

away close in his last 3 starts and went home with a 2nd and a pair of wins – legitimate threat to win his 3rd straight,

even drawing a bit outside of the top pair. (4) RICARDOSHILYSHALLY was just 1 for 32 last year but he’s a

perfect 3 for 3 since recently being claimed by our leading trainer – he’s certainly taking a big step up in class here

and while he MAY be able to beat these too, he’d be hard to endorse on top at that 9/5 ML price. (3) ITALIAN LAD

N remains winless on the year but does grab decent pieces when things go his way. (6) DELESTON probably needs

a much better post in an easier field to be a more serious player.

RACE 3 – (3) BULLVILLE FRANK was just 2 for 34 last year but he was recently claimed at Pocono by our top

barn and he’s won 3 of 6 since then – should be a very good fit with the locals, and getting Gingras on board can

only help his chances of extending his current winning streak to 3. (4) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH has been facing

some solid stock at Stga., and he did win 10 races last year – gets Bartlett for his local debut, and could be a big

player tonight. (1) THAT DOG WILL HUNT conceded at the start from Post 8 last week but will surely be a big

part of the action with the move inside – he’s been 1st or 2nd in 23 of his 42 local starts, and he’ll have a good chance

to add to that total tonight. (2) BUGABOO LOU took a step in the right direction last week and his barn did send

out an eye-popping winner on Friday night (MISS DOTTIE MAE) – could be a good value option if not a fan of the

other main players. (5) FINAL CHEESERECIPE pounced on a beautiful trip to win 3 back, faltered on the lead in

his next then never got involved last week – we’ll see if he can turn things back around tonight as he joins another

new barn. (6) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL draws outside and hasn’t been sharp lately.

RACE 4 – (3) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK was very sharp two back when 2nd to SCRIBBLERS in a hot mile, then

well meant again last week, when his chances were ruined by an unfortunate trip – he moves to a new barn tonight

and would seem to be in a good spot to control the action – gets top billing. (2) MULLINAX has been good for

some time but lost all chance last week when shuffled all the way to last (same race as #3) – could have a big say

here with a better journey. (1) MOVIN ON UP doesn’t jump out on paper but his barn has sent out their share of live

ones recently, and this guy may be able to make some noise from the pole. (6) TWO FACED is still winless on the

year but was easier to make excuses for when he was going some big efforts in defeat – he feels like he may have

tailed a bit lately. (4) SHAKESPEARE hasn’t been a threat in some time and would need a major wake up call to be

a threat tonight. (5) AROUND MIDNIGHT likely needs to be in a bit easier to seriously threaten.

RACE 5 – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 5: (1) COACHES CORNER has 2 series wins and a pair of 2nds, coming up

just short both times to (7) FOR ONCE INMY LIFE – he has a major post advantage tonight, and that should give

him the edge to come out on top this time. (3) SHERLOCK N is a notch below the top players in this series but he’s

remained sharp, and generally finishes well – he may be a good value horse for exotics as he could sit a close up trip

if there aren’t many leavers, OR he could benefit from some tough trips for the others if several do try to leave the

gate. (7) FOR ONCE INMY LIFE has been on an extended form spree, starting off the year at 9-6-3-0 (while 4 for 4

here at Yonkers) – as noted, he did beat the top choice the last 2X they hooked up, but tonight’s draw may result in a

more conservative steer, especially with a spot in the Final already locked up. (2) BINGE ON YANKEE is currently

sitting at 8th in the standings, with a 25 point lead over the next closest horse – he’ll probably look to just sit close

and grab a decent piece, hoping to preserve his position. (5) WHY NOT NOW grabbed a trio of 3rds in the first 3

legs and can be forgiven for tiring last week after getting hounded by MOSSDALE BEN N a long way – he may

prefer to race from off the pace, and that could help him grab a piece. (6) HELLABALOU won the Final of this

series the last 2 years but right now he’s 9 points shy of a spot in the Consolation – we’ll see if Yannick can work

some magic to get him there. (4) DUNKIN is still trying to find his best from in 2025.

RACE 6 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 5: (1) MOSSDALE BEN N has only one blemish on his record since arriving in

the U.S., and that’s when even his vicious :26.4 final quarter wasn’t enough to overtake COACHES CORNER 2

weeks ago – he’s won his other 7 starts (usually in ultra-impressive fashion), and will the odds on choice to pick up

another victory heading into the $516,000 Final. (4) CHASE H HANOVER has a win, a close 2nd and a close 3rd in

his 3 series efforts but skipping Leg #3 leaves him currently in 9th place in the standings, needing at LEAST a 2nd for

any chance to move up – the odds are against him making the Final, but he may actually be a better fit as one of the

favorites for the Consolation. (6) MIKI SHAN N seems to have plenty of ability but missing the first leg and coming

up short in Leg #3 has him needing a big chunk of this just for an outside chance at getting into the Consolation –

may not be a bad spot for Yannick to see how well he can fire off the gate, and at least try to create a trip for himself.

(3) HIMSELF N is peaking right now, picking up a win 2 back and a solid 2nd behind the top choice last week – he

would need to win this for any chance at making the Final, but he seems like a legitimate threat in the Consolation in

his current form. (2) AARDIES FLASH N sits 7th in the standings and seems a safe bet to qualify for the Final – if

he brings his best tonight, he’ll be in the hunt for a small piece. (5) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR has been rallying

well for pieces, and he’s probably looking at a similar scenario for tonight.

RACE 7 – (1) DIEGO N was handled very conservatively in the U.S. debut but was charging late, beaten less than a

length in 4th – the very classy 10YO earned over $600K Down Under, and he’ll surely be a lot more serious tonight

– don’t expect him to be 9/2, though! (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A may not show the greatest slate this year

(8-0-1-0, $15K) but he’s actually raced very well a bunch of times, vs. better than these – he gets Bartlett tonight,

but he’s off 3 weeks after a dull try and that makes him the big question mark in here (3) LEONIDAS A got hit with

the deck in that win 2 back but did respond and deliver – he was ok from a no-chance spot last week, and a good trip

puts the classy veteran in position for a good piece tonight. (4) LUCAPELO A hasn’t won since the claim on 2/24

but he has raced well in most of his starts – another that could make some noise with the right trip. (6) CARABAO

A was one of several to recently just come to life for this barn, and he stays in the same class off last week’s win –

he’s looking at a much tougher trip tonight, though. (7) QUALITY BUD drops a win off the card after tonight – look

for him next week, dropping in class (5) SWEET BEACH LIFE has plenty of ability but isn’t clicking just yet–

could use an easy trip after last week’s rough first over try. (8) SANTANA HANOVER will have a hard time

reaching from out here.

RACE 8 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 5: (4) DESPERATE MAN finally looked like his old self last week, making a

BIG rush to take over on turn two, then just rolling the rest of the way, a very safe 1:51 winner – if he can repeat that

mile, he’ll be very tough tonight...and in the Final, as well. (1) VERDUN continues to deliver big miles week after

week, and can be forgiven for coming up 2nd best to #4 in last week’s sizzling mile – he’ll be waiting in the wings to

turn the tables tonight if the top one can’t bring that same effort. (5) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR has answered all

questions as to whether he belongs with these, winning 2 series legs and racing well for 2nd and 3rd in his other starts

– would hardly be a shock if he was able to win again tonight, with the right trip. (7) CHARLIE MAY has been a

solid player in all his legs, though unable to grab a victory – tonight’s draw figures to limit him to a smaller piece,

but he’ll be a legitimate threat in the Consolation. (3) CAMARA MOMENT owns the final spot for the Consolation,

but is in jeopardy of slipping down if he fails to grab any points tonight. (2) AMMO will appreciate the class relief

after the series is over, as will (6) HUMBLE A.

RACE 9 – Good race: (1) WINDSUN RICKY appeared hopeless turning for home last week but he found a seam

into the lane and charged late to grab 2nd behind the stickout winner – he’ll be handled aggressively tonight, and

more than capable of a mild upset from this spot. (4) ULTIMAROCA couldn’t quite last on the lead last week but

his overall form is still solid and he may prefer to have something to aim at – very eligible in here. (2) GREG THE

LEG is moving up 2 classes off a loss but he does have the class to contend even at this level – Yannick sticks with

him, and the right trip could make him a serious player. (6) SLING SHOCK was off a bad date last week but still put

in a big try, coming up 2nd best to the heavily favored frontrunner – he’s as good as any of these and the only knock

is the draw – worth using as long as the price is fair. (5) SURFSIDE BEACH was ignored at the windows last week

(off a sick scratch) and came up dull – he’s more than capable on his best, so monitor the tote board for any clues.

(3) FAMILY RECIPE wired a NW5000 field 2 back but came up short trying the same tactics in NW7500 last start –

he now moves up TWO more classes, and seems more likely to be battling for a smaller piece, rather than a larger

one. (7) TWIN B POWERBALL was a decent 3rd last start but tonight’s draw will make it tough for him to replicate

that effort. (8) SINBAD N was short off the layoff last week and now gets stuck with Post 8 – Brennan sticks with

him, so keep an eye for the future.