Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – Well matched field in tonight’s opener: (5) PRICELESS BEACH was no factor in a hot 1:51 mile 2 back

but has otherwise taken 3 of his last 4 – he should be able to find a live trip here, and we’ll give him the narrow

edge. (3) CENTURY ENDEAVOR was a very sharp (big price!) winner 3 back, had no chance in his next then was

an excellent first over 2nd last week – a good trip tonight makes him a very live player. (6) TWO FACED hasn’t won

in a while but he’s raced very well in the majority of his starts – another that becomes a legitimate threat with the

right trip. (4) IDRAINTHESWAMP A has hit board in 6 of his last 7 starts, and 7 of his last 9 – add him to the list of

possible winners (and he figures to be a decent price). (2) SHAKESPEARE probably disliked sitting so close to the

hot fractions last week and folded badly – he’s eligible to bounce right back with a much better effort tonight, but

he’s facing a lot of sharp rivals here (1) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK did win in this class not too long ago but others

just seem much sharper right now. (7) LYRICAL GENIUS A probably needs an inside draw to be a serious player.

RACE 2 – (2) SCRIBBLERS steps up to 50s after a pair of wins vs. the 40s...but the ease with which he earned

those victories suggests that he may be sharp enough to beat these too! (1) TWIN B DELUXE can be forgiven for

being unable to rally last week into the hot :27.3 final quarter – he’s done plenty of good work this year, and we’ll

look for him to rebound with a big effort starting from the pole. (3) MULLINAX has been very sharp with cheaper

lately, and steps up off a nice pocket win last week – he does have the back class to be a player with these too, but

may be overbet after being installed as the 2-1 ML favorite. (4) DEETZY was an even 4th vs. better last week but did

pick up wins (over cheaper) just prior to that – a good trip puts him in play for a piece tonight. (5) BB LUCKY BOY

put together a pair of scary victories upon arrival from NJ but wasn’t able to make his speed show work taking on

the 50s last week – he may have that same trouble tonight (welcome back to Joe Bongiorno, returning to the driving

ranks tonight). (6) GENTLE GIANT is good right now but may find himself a little too far back to seriously threaten

this week. (7) RENAISSANCE DEO is another who fits well, but who may be post compromised.

RACE 3 – (1) SURFSIDE BEACH has held form beautifully for a long stretch, but has been settling for somewhat

smaller pieces lately (facing some tough competition) – this feels like a spot where Stratton may be able to handle

him a bit more aggressively...perhaps with a chance to come out on top? (2) LAYTON HANOVER was a no threat

2nd last week but he did start from Post 8 and the winner was ultra well meant – he’s had plenty of success here in

the past, and remains a legitimate threat for tonight. (8) ROCKIN JUKEBOX seems likely to race conservatively

from this spot and wait for a class drop (and better draw) next week...but IF the tote board suggests that he may be

“live” tonight, you may want to consider him on some of your tickets. Both (4) YOROKOBI N and (5) WINDSUN

RICKY are good right now and eligible to grab some smaller pieces here...but will need some racing luck to come

their way for a chance at the top slot. (3) CADILLAC BAYAMA is much better than he was earlier in the year but

still not close to his best...probably looking at only minor spoils. (7) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP is another that’s well

off his peak form, though racing “ok” at lower levels – tough spot for tonight. (6) GINGRAS BEACH will look

more appealing over the next couple of weeks as a win and a 2nd will be coming off the bottom of his card.

RACE 4 – (4) SOHO DOW JONES A (now 4-2-2-0 in the U.S.) has a nice burst of speed and he was able to use it

perfectly last week, shaking free in the lane and charging by BLUE LOU into the :27.4 final quarter – Gingras gives

him a vote of confidence (sticking with him over #1) and we’ll give him the edge too. (1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER

A was definitely a bit opportunistic last week, taking advantage of an early pocket breaker, tiring frontrunner, and

somewhat indifferent VERDUN – that being said, he’s now won 4 of his last 5 starts, and is 8-6-1-0 here at Yonkers

– deserves plenty of respect from the pole, with Zeron taking over tonight. (3) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N has been

sharp for a long time, yet never seems to get much action at the windows – never a bad one for exotics, and maybe

even on top? (5) I DID IT MYWAY hasn’t had much success in a handful of local starts, but that was for a different

trainer – the 6YO does have 30 career wins and nearly $1.4M on his card, and his last couple at PcD suggest he may

be a player here too. (7) NANDOLO N has been terrific his year but he’ll likely be coming from last tonight, and

Bartlett did opt to drive #2 – maybe he can rally for a piece? (2) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been a very steady

performer since joining this barn last year but his last was a little dull, and he may prefer to be in just a bit easier. (6)

FUNATTHEBEACH N is feeling good right now, but the class jump and poor post may slow him down a bit.

RACE 5 – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (4) CHARLIE MAY has been prepping nicely for this series at Pocono (for

his new barn), and ships in off a sharp front end 1:49.1 score – he’s certainly no stranger to half mile tracks, and was

2nd here in The Messenger in 2021 (and sent off favored in the Aria Pace, in 2022) – he gets a good draw, Dave

Miller is in to drive, and we’ll give the $2.2M earning homebred top billing tonight. (6) VERDUN looked like his

best self as he powered the by the field with authority 2 back, and probably would have won last week as well, had

Lachance not waited until the final turn before letting him pace – he’ll need a little trip luck with the bad draw, but

he's absolutely worth using if the price is decent. (3) CHASE H HANOVER changed barns to start the new year and

has hit board in all 7 starts – he makes his first local start of the year tonight, and seems more than sharp enough to

have a major impact. (1) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR was a winner in his last 2 local starts and is 4 for 5 overall

here at Yonkers – hard to gauge just how ready he is off that one tightener in NJ, but he can have a say here if ready

to bring his best. (2) SHERLOCK N is unproven against these types but his sharp connections felt he was good

enough to enter the series, and he’s actually looked good in his last pair, when allowed to relax and rally – maybe a

good bomb for 3rd/ 4th? (7) HELLABALOU had a rough (overall) season in 2024 but still was able to win this series

for the 2nd year in a row – not sure he’s sharp enough right now to beat these from out here, but you wouldn’t want to

dismiss the reigning champ too quickly, either. (5) JANELLE GRANNY was heavily supported and a very sharp

winner vs. easier last week, but will still need to prove he can hang with these tougher ones. (8) CARABAO A is

coming around, and so is his barn – brutal spot for tonight, though.

RACE 6 – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (7) COACHES CORNER conceded at the start in his first start of 2025 (in

NJ) but that race should serve as a useful tightener as he was only beaten by a couple of lengths – after going 7 for 7

here as a 3YO he really elevated his game as a 4 year old last year, putting together an outstanding 25-7-11-3

season, banking $645K– willing to give him a try tonight, even from out here. (4) FOR ONCE INMY LIFE has been

hitting on all cylinders out of town for a long time, and was a winner in his only local start as well – hard to leave

him off your tickets in his current raging form. (5) HEMSWORTH N was a surprise leaver in his first start of the

year but tired badly – it must have tightened him up, though, as he did kick home full of pace last week...decent

bomb for the bottom of exotics. It’s hard to say (3) PLEASELETMEKNOW had a “bad” year in 2024 (he earned

$236K) but he did seem to disappoint as often as he delivered – hard to say how tight he’ll be, even after the 3

qualifiers. (1) FINVARRA A has been a model of consistency this year, and gets another good draw – could be

enough to help him take home a minor share. (2) DUNKIN can be forgiven for last week’s miscue (he’ll do that at

times) but the fact that he’s still winless this year is a bit more of a concern – not ready to use him on top at this

point. (6) LYONS STEEL should appreciate the switch to Gingras but still seems up against it with these.

RACE 7 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (8) HUMBLE A was crushing NW2-4PM fields with ease last Fall – he took

a big step up on 11/19 and trounced a much tougher NW20000 field (from Post 7), won the 3-5YO Open the next

week, beat another strong NW30000 field after that then concluded his year with a win in the Preferred at The

Swamp – his 2 qualifiers suggest he’ll be ready right off the bench and more significantly, Bartlett takes him over

#3, despite Post 8 – we’ll hop on board too. (3) AARDIES FLASH N threw an unexpected clunker last week, but

has otherwise been a solid player – can bounce back and have a big say here, even if Bartlett opts for #8. (4) HIMSE

LF N was one of a few from the barn to perk up last week, 2nd best to the favored front end winner – if he steps up

his game a little ore tonight, he can make some late noise. (1) ACT FAST hasn’t found his best form yet in 2025 and

his efforts here last year were mixed – has to at least have a chance at a piece tonight, though, starting from the pole.

(2) WISH YOU WELL was tiring last week before the stretch miscue, and he’s a 4YO taking on top older foes –

minor spoils? (7) VENTURESOME ARDEN N hasn’t been “bad”, but he also hasn’t been close to last year’s top

form – 3 weeks off and Post 7 are a couple of more obstacles he’ll need to overcome tonight. (6) CHURCHVIEWF

RANKL IR’s only win this year came on the lead in NW10000 – hard to like his chances from this spot. (5) CAMA

RA MOMENT just seems buried against these.

RACE 8 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (3) DESPERATE MAN has enjoyed incredible success at Yonkers the past 2

years, going 19-15-1-3 (ironically, one of his BEST efforts was in last year’s Borgata, a race that he lost!) – hard to

be 100% certain that he’ll be ready to win off the 3 qualifiers, but history says he will be. (6) MOSSDALE BEN N

hails from connections that are no strangers to Borgata success, and the import has done nothing but impress in his 4

U.S. starts (all wins, as he shot right up the class ladder) – he does get a bad draw, and has thrown some bad steps at

times...but still deserves plenty of respect tonight, and likely all through the series. (4) ITS A ME MARIO qualified

back sharply then charged home full of pace for 2nd in his seasonal debut – definitely a chance for a good piece here,

and possibly a chance at the upset should the top two falter. (2) AMMO has upped his game since changing barns 4

starts back, and is very playable in exotics. (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A was dull last week but racing off a bad

date – he’s a viable longshot for 3rd/4th from this spot. (5) BLAZING HOME N feels a bit below the top ones in here,

and seemingly looking at only minor spoils. (7) COMBUSTION qualified impressively but has to prove that he can

bang heads with these top performers.

RACE 9 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (8) MIKI SHAN N is unproven against these types in the U.S. but his two

local victories (one on the lead, one charging from off the pace) suggest that he might be a good fit – he catches a

somewhat suspect division, and may be able to come out on top (even from Post 8) if Bartlett can work out a decent

trip. (5) WHY NOT NOW qualified sharply for his 2025 return, kicked home full of pace from an impossible spot in

his seasonal debut then was a game, well-backed front end winner last week– he had a disappointing 4YO campaign

so we’ll see if he can be a bigger player in ’25. (1) TYPHOON BANNER N was handled aggressively last week but

tired badly – not the effort his connections were hoping for heading into the series, but he’s too talented to ignore

from this spot. (4) ADMIRAL HILL (back on Lasix) has the ability to be a player in this series, but did look a bit

short in his qualifier – may need a start or two before we see his best. (7) BINGE ON YANKEE was doing good

things but was scratched injured from his last, and now draws Post 7 for the first leg of the series – feels a little iffy

for tonight. (2) HUNGRY ANGEL BOY won 3 of 4 in an abbreviated 4YO campaign, and just hasn’t been in top

form since returning for his 5YO season – prefer to just observe, for now. (6) ROCKNROLL RUNA A has earned

nearly $700K but the 8YO veteran does seem well off his top form these days. (3) BIRTHDAY would be a surprise,

based on his 2 starts (so far) this year.

RACE 10 – Something clicked for (8) ALWAYS A THRILL 4 starts back at Pocono and he hasn’t lost since (and

that includes going off at 1/5 vs. DUNKIN last start, and beating him handily) – probably wouldn’t want to bet the

rent money on him tonight (at a short price, from Post 8), but it would be hard NOT to give him top billing, in his

current raging form. (2) BLUE LOU couldn’t hang on after cutting the mile last week but he did kick home in a

snappy :27.3, losing only to a very sharp SOHO DOW JONES A – definitely a very live player once more. (4) SMI

FFYS TERROR N roared home to victory in the lane last week, and is capable of handling tonight’s class jump –

not sure he’ll get a good enough trip for a chance to win it, but he can surely rally for a nice piece. (1) QUALITY

BUD would prefer to be in easier but he’s solid right now, and the good draw could keep him close enough to take

home a share of this. (5) LUCAPELO A would look better one level down, but an easy trip could help him grab

some minor spoils. (3) SANTANA HANOVER struggled with tougher in his first couple of starts this year but still

catches some tough ones tonight, even dropping in class – not ready to hop on his team just yet. (7) ORLANDO

BLUE A is 4 for 6 this year but he’s missed a month since the last claim, and draws poorly in a good field (adding

Lasix) – sticking with others tonight. (6) VENGEANCE BLUE CHIP takes on older as he begins his 4YO campaign.

RACE 11 – Tough race! (2) SPLASH BROTHER was racing off a bad date last week but kept trying hard and

wasn’t a bad 3rd behind a pair of nice horses – he drops right back in the box, and may get to control the action

tonight – one of several with a real chance to take this, (6) WALKINSHAW N was once of several in the barn to

come alive last week, and he certainly did so in a big way – he’s more than sharp enough to handle the class jump,

but it’ll all boil down to what kind of trip he lands on. (7) ULTIMAROCA took NO $$ last week (8 hole) and never

got close – he drops tonight and while he draws poorly once more, he MAY take a shot at leaving here – becomes a

player if that happens. And if HE doesn’t leave, perhaps (8) WHATS STANLEY GOT A will – he’s been struggling

lately, but this is a spot where you can at least look for a possible wake up call. (1) BRAKE AHEAD raced a little

better last week and may land on a good trip tonight – chance for a piece. (4) KOMODO BEACH makes his 2nd start

off the layoff and was no factor at all last week – perhaps the tote board will offer some clues? (5) MYSWEETBOY

MAX used all of a perfect trip to beat softer 2 back, but will need to elevate his game to threaten these. (3) CASINO

ACTION N gets some post relief, but others in here just seems sharper right now.

RACE 12 – (2) MISSED THE TRUTH A could be a good value play in the finale – it wasn’t long ago that he was

just missing to the likes of SMIFFYS TERROR N, SURFSIDE BEACH, etc., and this is definitely a much easier

spot – if he lands on a good trip, perhaps he can pull off an upset? (6) ROCKMYSTER N is winless in his 7 local

starts but showing better signs in his last couple – another that could be offering some decent value here. (1) VICI

seemed headed for his first victory of the season last week but he was nipped late by #8 (as the 1/5 favorite) – he

may be able to make amends here, but another short price is looming. (3) TAIPO N showed some promise here last

winter after arriving from Down Under – he took some time off, and returns from PcD off a close 2nd last week –

possible, at least for exotics. (4) ESCAPE TO AMERICA fits with these, but was 0 for 11 here last year – maybe use

underneath? (7) CAVIART SARGENT came up 2nd best to repeated SPEED MAN N two back then got up at the

wire for pocket win last week – would have liked his chances a lot better with an inside draw, though. (8) AMERIT

RIC nipped #1 last week, but that was with a pocket trip – looking at a much tougher journey from Post 8! (5) RAY

RAY may have trouble getting in play tonight.