Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, March 27, 2025 – Race Analysis



RACE 1 – (1) SAMHARA N was handled aggressively last week and did everything right...other than getting

nipped at the wire by the tripsitter – he may get to sit the pocket himself tonight, and that may be the key to getting

him over the top. (3) SPEED MAN N was the worst kept secret on the planet last week as he was sent off favored

from Post 8 (despite his long ML odds), hit the top easily and won even easier – very legitimate threat to repeat, but

also figures to be an even shorter price tonight. (2) KINGSVILLE was heavily backed off the class drop last week

and responded with a sharp first over score – this class is well within his comfort zone too, and he’d be no surprise

at all. (6) BETTER B SIRIUS seems back on the upswing after building some confidence back at lower levels – the

tough draw does figure to limit him to a smaller piece here, though. (8) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER is another that

has done some better recent work with class relief and good trips, but he could be looking at a tough night starting

from out here. (7) MOVIN ON UP can do some damage at this level...but may need a much better draw before we

see him do so. (4) MASONS DELIGHT N can throw a big mile when in the right situation...but this doesn’t feel

like the right scenario. (5) UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N had a couple of competitive tries recently with cheaper, and

may need a drop back down to the bottom level before we see another

RACE 2 – (4) SOUTHWIND COORS was already a talented trotter before joining his current barn in December,

and he’s certainly elevated his game even more since then – he gave BENJAMIN HANOVER all he could handle 2

back, then kicked home full of trot from 8 th last week, a close 4 th at the end...not a bad week to try him on top. (3)

KEG STAND was used early last week and still full of trot late after shaking free – he’s held top form for some time,

and looms a legitimate threat tonight, especially with the good draw. (6) BENJAMIN HANOVER saw his 6 race

winning streak come to a thud last week, tiring badly after getting roughed up early on – he did recover from a

similar loss (at Chester) last December with a win the next week, and that’s certainly a possibility for tonight – the

price goes way up for anybody looking to stay on his team. (5) TIPSY MONI remains a winning machine, already 6

for 6 this year (after going 12 for 19 here LAST year)– she beat the boys last week, but also benefited from a perfect

trip...may be a little harder for her to keep her streak alive tonight. (1) SWANS EYE probably appreciated the very

conservative steer last week after getting parked the mile the week before (in her first start of the year!) – the rail

won’t hurt, but she may just be in a little tough vs. the boys tonight...and the same holds true for (2) P C FREE WH

EELING, who is undeniably sharp, but taking on tough males this week

RACE 3 – (5) RICARDOSHILYSHALLY gave the currently razor sharp SOUTH POINT a scare 2 back, then raced

super from Post 8 last week, rallying for 4 th from an impossible spot – Stratton has options with the better draw, and

this feels like a field he can handle. (6) METAMAN turned in a sharp mile with that win 4 back and has held his fine

form ever since – not a great draw tonight, but can still make some noise here with any decent trip. (4) LYONS BEN

JAMIN put in an excellent rally 3 back (his first local try) but never got close in his next pair – drops, moves inside,

and it could be a spot for a wake up call. (2) MONACO HANOVER was a dullish 5 th last week but he’s capable of

better – willing to include underneath. (3) THE WILL TO PLAY just ran off on the lead 3/5 with a sharp victory but

was scratched sick from his next then tired badly last week, after finding a good spot from Post 8 – tough call for

tonight. (8) SIP OF BOURBON is a proven player in this class but will need some trip luck to find a manageable

trip from out here. (1) HURRIKANE HUNTER returns from a long layoff and will go without Lasix (even though

he was racing well at the end of 2024 with the medication) – guessing he may need a start. (7) FUNKY BUNCH got

way too hot in the back last week but may just need to be in easier to succeed.

RACE 4 – (5) SEA CAN was terrific here last year (10-5-2-1) so while it wasn’t a surprise that he was able to come

back and WIN his 2025 return, the WAY he won it was what was so impressive – can see him stepping up a notch

and taking another. (8) RESOLVE TO WIN was an impressive blowout winner at Pocono on 2/22 then equally

impressive taking his last in NJ, easily knocking off BLACK MAGIC (who recently jogged in a pair of Yonkers

starts) – Bartlett gives him a major vote of confidence by taking him tonight, but he’ll be asked to win from Post 8,

after missing 26 days...don’t accept too short a price! (1) MISSISSIPPI STORM has been stuck on smaller pieces in

his last few at this level but he’s always finishing strong, and MAY have a chance tonight if the race unfolds in his

favor. (3) I GET IT is a very capable performer when he can race on or just off the lead – if he can find a way to get

that trip tonight, he can at least be a threat, at a big price. (4) CANTSTOP YANKEE came up short in the lane after

working out a trip from Post 8 last week – he’s missed 3 weeks since then, and Bartlett does opt to drive #8. (2) BR

OOKVIEW DARIUS has been sharp for some time but may be a bit overmatched against this crew, stepping up off

last week’s $40K claim. (6) ENOLA raced well off a bad date last start but gets a tough draw tonight while taking on

boys. (7) LUCKY MUM N finished up well last time, but will be coming from way out of it once more

RACE 5 – NAADA Spring Fling Series: (3) VELOCIRAPTOR won an amateur race here on 1/23, and just missed

in another 2 starts back (in NJ) – he’s certainly familiar with his pilot, and may offer some value in a race with a few

possibilities. (1) BEERTHIRTY K lost all chance when offstride before the start last week (at 1/5!) but he’s

rebounded from breaks in the past – his trainer/driver team was 2 for 2 this year before that night, so we’ll see if

they can get back on track tonight (at a much better price)! (4) LOVE THIS BAR hit board in 4 of his last 5 amateur

races including 2 wins (with Baker on board) – absolutely one to include on your tickets. (5) FANATIC has some

solid overall recent form and gets a live pilot as he tries his luck in this amateur event – he was also just 1 for 28 last

year, so make sure to get a fair price if considering him for the top spot. (2) ALEXANDER carved out the fractions

last week but did get tired into the stretch – he’s winless in 13 Yonkers starts and seems better suited to use on the

bottom of exotics, rather than on top. (7) RACEACE hung in decently for 4 th after a tough trip last week and does fit

well with these – another bad draw could hurt his chances again, however. (8) HOBBS generally needs an inside

draw to be any kind of player. (6) CALL ME THEFIREMAN came up well short last week (first start off the layoff)

and gets a bad draw for tonight

RACE 6 - NAADA Spring Fling Series: (2) ALL RISE landed on no-chance trips in his last pair but turned in a trio

of sharp efforts just prior to that – gets his best draw in a long time, and they should have him to catch and beat. (4)

HUNTERS GAL shows some mixed form but should end up closer to the pace tonight, and that could help her grab

a piece of this. (6) LIONHEAD hasn’t won in a while but at least he’s not getting beat at very short prices anymore –

a live trip would put him in play for a decent share. (8) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE was a steady 3 rd returning to

amateur events last week and he’s also done well in these in the past – definitely a chance to have some say, but hard

to endorse on top at that very low 5/2 ML price. (5) FASHION CANTAB’s form has been mixed at best this year,

but he did win 9X in 2024 – decent bomb to include underneath. (7) PETERS ROYALTY throws a good one here

and there – brutal spot tonight, but ok to consider for 3 rd/4 th , a big odds. (1) LIMERENCE ships back in off a form

reversing victory across the river but that was with Zeron at the controls – his amateur races have been less effective,

and he’s likely to get overbet from the pole. (3) AWOL HANOVER just hasn’t been clicking at all lately

RACE 7 – (1) MAHONE SEELSTER tried to manufacture more early speed last week, had to back off and it just

seemed to throw him off his game...he had been very sharp just prior to that, and may end up with a trip to his liking

tonight – decent value option in a competitive affair. (4) PASSIONATE PROMISE loves to win races (12 last year),

and was 5 for 18 here at Yonkers – he returns sharp from The Meadows, is at a winning level, but the 3 weeks off is

at least a bit of a concern. (6) P L OSCAR was caught chasing some good ones in his last few and really didn’t

weaken badly – if he’s allowed to control the action tonight without much difficulty, he could be a serious threat. (3)

ARCHERY SEELSTER has been very solid since arriving from NJ and his last was better than it may look (brutal

trip, and only weakened late) – solid chance he can outrace his 15-1 ML odds. (5) EMBRACE THE FUTURE

struggled trying to make the big jump from NW2-4PM to NW15000 – she drops in for a tag (after missing 3 weeks),

and may find herself in a bit tough here too. (2) WILLY WALTON hasn’t been on his best game lately, and would

need to pick things up considerably to be a serious threat tonight. (7) WARRIOR ONE will bounce back eventually,

but would be hard to back in his current form. (8) ROGER RABBIT would be a surprise, to say the least.

RACE 8 – (3) TWIGGS PUB did an excellent job holding 2 nd behind BB LUCKY BOY on that sizzling 1:52.3 mile

three back – he just missed to the oft-winning FLIP MY CHIP in his next, then was an excellent 2 nd in last week’s

CAPTAIN T HANOVER blowout – he’s overdue to get the job done himself. (2) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE was

too far back to threaten last week but he packs a good late punch & can be dangerous any time he’s within shouting

distance turning for home...as he may be tonight. (8) MUSIC HALL recently rattled off 3 in a row but found things

too tough against the 40s in his last few – he’s back at a more comfortable level now, but also stuck with Post 8 –

playable as long as the price is fair. (7) CLEVELAND B MIKI has been on an excellent roll, winning 3 of his last 4

(with a break, from an impossible spot, in the other) – moves up in class off the claim tonight, lands outside, and will

need a good chunk of trip luck to get it done from out here. (1) HARD TO CATCH was a solid 2 nd to #7 last week in

his first start off the claim – he bumps up a notch to 30s, and may find a few of these a little tougher than he’d prefer.

(6) BIG DREAM FELLA drops back in for a tag and was a good 3 rd in his last try at this level – tough post tonight,

though. (4) AUSSIE HANOVER was an improved 4 th last week, but still seems up against it vs. these. (5) J B

GRAM finally gets post relief...but may be too far off his game right now to take advantage

RACE 9 – (1) AUSTRAL HANOVER was stuck in the back when he made an uncharacteristic miscue on 3/6 – he

was in an impossible spot again last week but actually put in a wide, sustained move before understandably

flattening a bit in the lane – he’s been a strong player in this class for some time, moves all the way inside tonight,

and may be able grab a win, with the right trip. (3) EPOS OSTERVANG DK found things a little tough in NW15000

last week and opts to drop in for a tag tonight – he should fit perfectly here, and looms a very serious player. (2) AIR

MANS JACKPOT has been ultra consistent, picking up a win and 4 seconds from her last 5 starts – figures to have a

big say, once again. (4) DRACO S had a rough 2024, winning only once from 36 starts (though grabbing a dozen

2nds and 3rds) – he seems a notch below the main players in here, but an easy trip could help him grab a minor

share. (6) BARN HALL has been racing ok in PA, and moves to a very high % barn for his first local try since 2023

– he probably fits ok, but it won’t be easy to overcome the draw. (5) MOHATU AS used an easy trip to pick up a 3

rd last week but it’ll probably be tougher to replicate that in this field. (7) THE LAST CHAPTER is questionable at

this $40K level, and even more so starting from out here. (8) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO was able to win at the

basement level off a pocket trip 2 back, but figures to struggle to get near the action tonight

RACE 10 – (4) AROUND MIDNIGHT perked up with a much sharper try 3 back off the class drop, then raced well

again in his next pair– catches a modest group tonight, and it may be a field he can handle. (3) FREQUENT IMAGE

was no good at all in his first 3 starts back at Yonkers but turned in a much more encouraging effort last week – if he

brings anything close to his best tonight, he could be a serious threat. (2) CYRUS N struggled for weeks before

finding some life last week, using a live trip to rally for 3 rd – he’s another that could be ready for better, but that 6/5

ML price does take away from his appeal. (7) SHADOW CAT was actually very “live” from Post 8 two back but

had to back off hard after a leave attempt, and wasn’t involved after that – was in a no-chance spot last week and

while tonight’s draw may stop him here too, he may be worth at least a look, at a big price. (5) CHANTEE is having

a rough year but some other barnmates have started to come around recently so maybe he will too – willing to

include on the bottom of exotics. (8) PURPLE POET hasn’t been able to find his form this year even as he’s dropped

through the classes – he’ll wake up eventually, but hard to predict it’ll be tonight, from he 8 hole. (6) ALEX TYE is

another having a tough start to 2025...and tonight’s draw won’t help. (1) COTTON ON N has done little lately and

has just one 2 nd from 12 career Yonkers starts

RACE 11 – (4) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has been right there week after week for seemingly forever, and now

lands in a pretty soft division for this class – hard to go past, even at what figures to be a very short price. (3) CONT

ACT ZONE has outraced his odds several times recently – gets his first good draw in a while, and should be able to

be part of the equation tonight. (8) JOHN THE BAPTIST got a little tired after blasting to the top last week , then

battling to 3/4s – if he can leave hard again (but grab an easier trip), he can be part of the exotics. (2) KINGSTON

PANIC had a bunch of good start here last year – qualified nicely after a 3 months off, and may be tight enough to

contend for a piece. (1) MAN RAY was sharp in Ohio to close out 2024 but has struggled significantly since

returning in 2025 – we’ll see if a change of scenery (and new barn) can help him get back going again. (6) ON DAY

BOO picked up 4ths in his last 2 starts and is likely looking at only more minor spoils tonight. (7) SECTIONLINE

RACER finally showed some life 2 back but quickly regressed again last week. (5) HURRIKANE JOKIC shows a

lot of lines but only ONE career start – seems like an odd place to make his 4YO return when he seems more suited

for a maiden race, at a smaller track.