Wednesday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (6) IM J BEE N has been more consistent lately and was particularly sharp in last week’s (well backed)

victory – if he can bring that same kind of effort tonight, he’ll be very tough...even with the bad draw. (4) SNOUZE

U LOUZE had several good tries in this class before heading to Pocono for a few starts – lands in a good spot for his

return, and should be able to have a real say here. (1) ROCK THIS WAY perked up with a better one last week, and

would have been 2nd to #6 had he not drifted a bit in the lane – the inside draw makes him a candidate for another

good piece tonight. (2) SQUADRON SEELSTER failed to hit board in his first 5 starts this year (out of town) but

he’ll be closer to the action tonight, and gets a big switch to Gingras – playable in exotics. (5) TWIN B SPEED

DIAL delivered a very sharp mile off the layoff to upset at 16-1 in his first start of the year – he weakened a bit in

his next (bit overdriven?) but it’s the month off since then that causes some concern – hard to know what to expect

from him tonight. (3) HURRIKANE GEORGIE continues to struggle but at least has a chance at some minor scraps

here thanks to the post relief. (7) SWEET TROY has yet to be competitive in 3 starts this year. (8) DEEDENUTO A

sports a 15-0-0-1 local slate and starts from Post 8.

RACE 2 – (5) PEACE TALKS has PLENTY of ability ($435K at 2 and 3) but was definitely struggling with some

inconsistency at the end of her sophomore season – she was freshened up, and that Pocono qualifier suggests she’ll

be ready to roll right off the bench (1:52.2, last quarter :26.3 & 2nd to a horse that’ll be racing in the Borgata Series)

– Bartlett also jumps off 2 main clients to drive her tonight. (1) PUSSYCAT DOLL GB was a close 2nd and 3rd in her

first 2 U.S. starts before dominating on the lead here last week – major player once again. (3) MISS PERIGNON N

makes her U.S. debut for connections that have been enjoying success with imports recently – would be no surprise

if she can hang with these tonight. (2) ACCESS GRANTED hails from top connections, qualified back nicely and

while her lines look solid, it’s hard to ignore that she was just 1 for 20 last year, and 2 for 29 overall – playable

underneath. (4) VARSITY BLUE CHIP paced evenly at the back in her first start of the year – she’s eligible to be

tighter tonight, but this is still a tough spot. (6) IM A BELIEVER hit board in both starts since returning at 4 but

tonight’s draw may hurt her chances a bit. (7) OBJ lands outside for her season return – prefer to just observe.

RACE 3 – (2) HIPPIE SHAKE has become a reliable weekly player in this class, moves back inside and may get to

call the shots tonight – should be a big threat against this crew. (6) BAR KEEP DE VIE did take a shot leaving from

Post 8 two back but broke on the first turn – trotted evenly last week (after being hurt by dull cover to 3/4s) and is

worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (7) MEETMEATTHEBAR was an opportunistic winner 3 back, trotted

evenly from a tough spot in her next then tired badly last week after being overdriven – she’s won a couple of times

here at Yonkers, and that makes her worth considering if the price is juicy enough. (5) DEVILLE HILL was no

factor in either local try but seems capable of better – could be a wake up spot, but that 5/2 ML price does make it

tough to get excited about a play. (4) STAR HAIRDRESSER has been struggling at Saratoga – we’ll see if he can do

any better here at Yonkers with a new trainer listed. (1) ACT ACCORDINGLY was off to a horrible start in his first

lifetime start and never recovered – will need a much better getaway if he hopes to be a bigger player the 2nd time

around. (3) JAKEY JUMPUP has shown little in 2 starts since returning in 2025. (8) WISTERIA HANOVER is the

outsider, both literally and figuratively.

RACE 4 – (3) BILL HALEY N was super 3, 4, and 5 starts down, but never got close to the action (from 8 holes) in

his last pair – it’s possible he’s tailed off, but it’s also possible we could see a big wake up call with the move inside

– one of a few viable options in here. (2) MIND HUNTER had been “ok” recently but that last start was very good –

if he brings that “A Game” tonight, he could have a big say. (1) MADELINES BLK JACK was a solid 2nd best to a

razor sharp winner 2 back, then was left with no chance in his last (stuck in the back into a fast final half) – figures

to be a much bigger player with the move to the rail. (6) MACH N CHEESE was a dullish 4th last week but his

overall recent form is excellent, particularly at this $40K level – if he can bring his best tonight, some trip luck could

make him an upset candidate. (5) ITALIAN LAD N rarely throws a bad one, but also struggles a bit to WIN at this

level – always playable underneath. (7) KOPI LUWAK picked up a pair of 2nds since the claim and obviously fits

with these – the draw could hurt his chances significantly, however. (4) C BET HANOVER isn’t bad right now but

may need to be in easier to threaten for one of the top slots. (8) VIVA LAS VEGAS N will have a tough time getting

anywhere near the action tonight (8 hole, way up in class).

RACE 5 – Tough race: (1) OZARK shipped in showing some ugly recent lines but raced very well in his local

debut, finishing alertly to rally for 3rd – draw the pole, and perhaps he’s sharp enough to beat these, with the right

trip. (5) DONTTELMENOW hasn’t had much local success but also faced better in most of his starts – he certainly

got along well with Zeron last week, as he rallied very nicely to be a close up 33rd – pairs with Zeron again tonight,

and we’ll see if the can continue to succeed. (6) THRASHER was a 10 hole winner in NJ two back, and was able to

find enough in the stretch last week (here at Yonkers) to make it two in a row – obviously he needs to be respected,

but he also draws poorly tonight, will be racing for a new barn, and isn’t always the handiest horse – could be

vulnerable at that 7/5 ML price. (7) ARTIST BEST returns to YR off a couple of ok tries at PcD and he’s raced well

here plenty of times in the past – he’s listed at 20-1, and he CAN leave the gate...longshot to consider. (8)

NOWHERE CREEK A is another bomb with a chance – he had some pace finishing here last week (3rd start back),

and seems ready to do some bigger damage...may have to wait for a better spot, though. (3) ROSE RUN X CON

has hit board a couple of times since picking up that win on 1/29 – he may be able to leave hard and grab a trip here,

and that would put him in the hunt for a decent piece. (2) LYONS PEGASUS has been struggling – not sure

dropping from 25s to 20s will help him turn things around. (4) THREE IN HEAVEN A just feels like he’s really

unraveled lately.

RACE 6 – (5) MOSQUITO flashed plenty of ability at 2 but didn’t race at 3 – he just requalified (for a new barn)

down in Florida and may be worth a stab in his 4YO debut in a race with a potentially vulnerable short priced

favorite. (1) FURST IGOR S made breaks in his last 2 local starts but avoided having to re-qualify by racing in NJ

instead (where he was an ok 4th in a quick 1:54 mile) – IF he stays trotting he figures to be a handful tonight...but

that’s a BIG “if”, and he’ll likely be a very short price – tread carefully! (8) FAST APPROACH has hit board in 6

straight but his last couple of starts (3rds) weren’t quite as sharp – things won’t get any easier from Post 8 but on the

flip side, his price will surely drift way up – not the worst stab you could make. (4) NAUTILUS B can be a little

inconsistent from start to start but she’s hit board in half of her 8 local tries and she could be part of this if she shows

up on her better game. (2) CAVIART IRISH LUCK was a little disappointing in his last couple of local tries but

seems capable of better – he may also land on a pretty good trip from this spot. (6) STOCKHOLM HANOVER

continues to pick up steady paychecks but needs to find a bit more if he hopes to contend for the top prize. (3)

PARTY AT SEVEN was no factor in his 2 local tries this year but he also had terrible posts – it’s possible he could

be a bigger player tonight with the move inside. (7) KELLYS GREATEST rebounded with a nice mile dropping

back down to this class last week but tonight’s draw may limit her options considerably.

RACE 7 – (5) IM THE PRINCE hadn’t been doing much of anything recently but he certainly showed up in a BIG

way last week, turning in a sustained move from the back of the pack to win in very impressive fashion – he steps up

tonight, but a repeat of that last effort could make him dangerous here too. (6) WICHITA LINEMAN has been “ok”

in his 2025 starts, picking up smaller pieces vs. better – he should appreciate the class drop to 25s and while he does

draws poorly, he may still be able to be a big threat tonight. (4) SAN DOMINO A is also getting a drop tonight, and

that may result in a more aggressive effort – when he sat the two hole trip 5 starts back, he was able to beat the 30s –

could be dangerous here. (3) BETTORBUCKLEUP is another hoping to benefit from some class relief, though his

last win came one level down from this (vs. the 20s). (8) ROCKABILLYSDREAM took to Yonkers in a hurry,

crushing the 15s in his first local try – he was an excellent vs. the 20s in his last (right behind #5), but now will have

to navigate both another class jump AND Post 8 for his new barn – hard to say if he’ll be able to find his way into

the mix. (1) VESPA N wasn’t bad in his last couple but he probably should have stayed in 20s off a pair of 5th place

finishes. (2) BUCHANNON HANOVER draws inside, but doesn’t have much else going for him right now. (7) DIA

MONDBEACH has struggled in 2 starts since the claim.

RACE 8 – (5) DRAW THE LINE may be worth a stab here – her last line may not look all that great but she

actually finished full of trot, and was only a couple of lengths off of 2nd at the wire (the winner won in a blowout) –

maybe she can pull off an upset with the right trip? (6) BLOCKCHAIN showed plenty of ability for his previous

(low %) connections and is now 2 for 2 (both blowouts) since joining the top barn in the nation – he’s definitely

facing much tougher here, and also gets a bad draw – we’ll learn more about him after tonight. (2) CHIPPER DALE

finished 5th in his first start of the year (8 hole, off a month) but he’s hit board in 6 straight since then, including 3

wins – obviously deserves plenty of respect for our leading trainer/driver tandem. (1) WALL STREET EDGE has

been doing good work at Dover and should fit nicely with these – he joins a very strong barn, but note that his

previous barn has been finishing 1st or 2nd with nearly 50% of their starters- another variable in this interesting race!

(3) FULL SCALE is yet another sharp player in here, hitting board in 6 of 7 starts this year (and racing well in the

other) – a threat to land somewhere on the ticket with any decent trip. (8) KOVU AS will probably be completely

ignored in the wagering but he’s shown looping speed in the past, and MAY be able to grab a trip if Kakaley is

willing to take a shot off the car. (4) CRAZY BROTHER JIM got a major driver change last week, was handled

aggressively and beat a cheaper bunch – will have to be even better to hang with the tougher ones, however. (7)

NOTTINGHAM has done damage in this class but he struggled last week, and lands in a brutal spot for tonight.

RACE 9 – (4) SADDLE UP is hitting on all cylinders, coming just a nose shy last week (from Post 8) of extending

his winning streak to 3 – deserves a chance to make amends tonight. (1) SAULSBROOK HERO has a poor 2024

season (1 for 25 with only $16K in earnings) but he’s completely elevated his game after a recent barn change, and

arrives at Yonkers in raging form– has to be given major respect, especially starting from the pole (3) REAL PEACE

made only 4 starts last year but he’s racing on a regular schedule in 2025, and generally right in the mix every week

– belongs in exotics. (5) KARLOO BRADLEY N was a little sluggish for a while last week, hung in there and

wound up with a perfect trip, nipping the harder used SADDLE UP right on the wire – may not have the same good

fortune from this spot, but he’s more than sharp enough to grab a piece even with a tougher journey. (7) HAMMERI

NG HANK dropped to 30s last week and turned in a much sharper mile, finishing right behind #5 and #4 – tonight’s

draw may leave him with a lesser piece., however. (2) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL seems a notch below a few of the

main players right now but the good draw (and a kind trip) could help him grab a minor share. (6) BARON MICHA

EL wasn’t terrible last week...but also not “good enough” to like his chances from this tough spot. (8) COLD CREE

K FELIPE seems damned if he leaves, and damned even more if he doesn’t – prefer others.

RACE 10 – (6) BRONZER arrives from Canada and appears to have as much (and probably more) ability than most

(all?) of these – he adds trotting hopples for tonight, gets a soft pair of hands for his local debut and we’re willing to

give him a try. (3) MA ISABELLE shows 2 recent wins & 2 recent 2nds over the half in Canada, lands in a barn that

typically does well with these types, and definitely has appeal at that 15-1 ML price. (2) WAVERLY HANOVER

tends to be camera shy but she has speed, stays trotting, and does land in more than her share of numbers. (8) CUST

OM FIT jogged here on 10/30 upon joining his current barn but then tired in his next pair – was freshened up, and

his 3 (out of town) starts since returning have been mixed, as well – his best effort makes him a big player here...but

will he bring it? (4) IHAVEADREAM DE VIE got away in the pocket and was easily 2nd best behind last week’s

stickout winner – should be able to take home a slice tonight, as well. (5) PAPA JOE LOZITO turned in a much

improved effort 2 back but last week’s mile was a little strange, as he blasted very hard, had to grab up to release the

blowout winner, seemed to come off the bit through the middle half but was still trying to dig in and hold 2nd to the

end – suppose a good price makes him worth using in exotics. (1) SHIV won both of her local starts last year but

with slow miles, over weak fields – really hasn’t impressed all that much since then. (7) BARN CREDIT figures to

have a hard time getting into play from out here.

RACE 11 – (3) GINGER TREE PETE showed no lingering effects after being scratched lame on 2/26, kicking

home full of pace for 2nd last week after finding a seam into the stretch – he loves to win races, and never a bad one

to have on your ticket. (5) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has been hitting board every week, picking up a pair of wins

from his last 6 starts – he’s also caught a few sharp winners, and looms a dangerous threat here if things go his way.

(4) ITALIAN DELIGHT N just never got involved last week in a rare “no factor” effort for him – he was claimed

from that mile by a low-profile barn, so we’ll see if he can bounce right back for his new connections. (2) WAR

DAN DE LIGHT N has failed to threaten in a majority of his starts but he moves back inside, gets a new pilot, and

perhaps that can help him grab a small piece. (1) ALOTBETTOR N is a winning machine when sharp, but hasn’t

been close to “right” in some time – no real indications that a turnaround is imminent. (6) SHAKE IT was good for a

while but is having trouble getting back to that form – staying in 15s should help him, but he could probably use a

much better post too. (8) ON THE VIRG is just a completely different horse when he’s in for $15K (instead of

$20K) but tonight’s draw may leave him struggling even back at his preferred level. (7) HELSINKI threw a pair of

clunkers since the claim and gets another terrible draw for tonight.