Friday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (1) BEERTHIRTY K was forced to take the pocket behind KINDA LUCKY LINDY last week, lost

momentum waiting for room inside when that one tired, then just missed in a tight 3 way photo – guessing he’ll get

to call the shots tonight, and that could help him pick up his first win of the season. (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU

was a bit overmatched in all those starts vs. the 40s but it’s not like he embarrassed himself – he’s a perfect fit in

here, and could be the main danger...if McCarthy can find him a manageable trip from out here. (2) CAPRICIOUS

ONE threw a major dud last week but may have just disliked the off going – any of his more typical efforts would

give him a shot for a piece of this. (5) TEQUINI HANOVER was sharp at the end of 2024 but has struggled to get

back to form in ’25 – her best effort puts her in the hunt, but she does figure to be overbet, (3) WIN TOGETHER S

started to go the wrong way after a win at this level back on 2/7 – he’s missed 3 weeks, and we’ll see if the time off

has done him some good. (8) KINDA LUCKY LINDY gave it an aggressive try last week but was already tiring on

the final turn – won’t be any easier tonight, starting from Post 8. (4) J S HOPSCOTCH has been struggling for a

long time – major wake up call would be needed. (6) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is 1 for 40 at Yonkers (last 3 years).

RACE 2 – (1) GOLDEN QUEST N had some issue on 3/14 but requalified sharply a couple of weeks later – she

was completely blocked in the lane last week, and definitely appeared to have pace...willing to give her a try from

the pole tonight, with a couple of her main foes drawn outside. (5) BLOOD MOON A was making just her 2nd start

in 6 weeks last Friday but was handled very aggressively, and still a good 3rd– drops right back in the box, and could

be that much sharper tonight...decent value horse to consider. (6) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY went a big mile for

2nd last week, just missing to a classy mare that enjoyed a very easy trip – she should be a threat here even with the

bad post, but also figures to be overbet (8/5 ML). (4) LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK has been holding form as she’s

been climbing back up the ladder, and could grab a piece of this with a good trip. (2) MAGICAL MAYA was

overmatched in that Matchmaker try but this field may prove a little tough for her as well – leaning towards others.

(3) KAT used an easy trip to pick up 3rd for her new connections last week – chance for a small piece here too.

RACE 3 – Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4 – definitely a weaker division: (4) PROMISELAND A was invisible in

her stateside debut on 3/21 then skipped the first leg of the series – she sat last in Leg #2 but did hit the wire with

interest, then turned in a solid try last week, 2nd best after being used early on – maybe this is a field she can beat?

(2) GRACE HILL had high hopes coming into this series but failed as the 1/2 choice in Leg 1, was an ok 2nd behind

AARDIE B MIKI N in Leg 2, but came up totally flat in Leg 3 – needs a big effort tonight if she hopes to turn things

around. (1) DOUGS BABE A’s better days seem behind her but she can at least be in the hunt for a piece tonight

with the rail and Tetrick. (7) LLOYDS LOVES threw her first clunker in ages 2 back, then elected to just tour the

oval at the back last week (but finished ok) – seems like a tough spot, but she’s gone way too many big miles here to

just totally dismiss at that 20-1 ML price. (3) SEASIDE DIVA just hasn’t been able to finish strong enough in the

first 3 legs – needs to be sharper to contend for a bigger prize. (6) MY RED SEA hasn’t embarrassed herself at all in

the series but the bad draw figures to hurt her chances tonight. (5) LYDEO feels like she may need to get in a bit

easier before we see her best again.

RACE 4 – (3) TORRONE was in an impossible spot last week and actually did well just to finish 5th – he’s been

racing well for a while, and recently finished behind some pretty nice trotters (SEA CAN, BLACK MAGIC, and the

sharp BRAVO ANGEL S) – he’ll be a fair price here, and is worth a play. (1) SOUTHWIND ARTURO was a

dreadful 1 for 21 here last year but is returning from Pocono in what seems like much sharper form – draws the pole

with Bartlett, and figures to have a big say. (4) DULY RESOLVED shows a pair of very easy Pocono wins but note

that they’re sandwiched around a couple of less than stellar local tries – it’s possible that he’s just better at other

tracks, so be careful about taking a short price. (6) KASHA V had been on a good roll so last week’s weak try was

surprising – we’ll see if he can bounce back and rally for a small share. (7) BARRY BLACK was a 24-1 upsetter last

week when the leaders folded into a very slow final quarter – he lands all the way outside while up in class, and

that’s a tough combination to overcome. (5) B NICKING was an easy winner 2 back but just seems to need to be in

easier these days to be a serious player. (2) MUSICAL RIDE took a month off and qualified sluggishly.

RACE 5 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4: (2) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE came into the series with a 3 for 3

Yonkers record, jogged in the Leg #1 to make it 4 for 4 but she shockingly got collared the next week at 5 cents on

the dollar, then was a no-threat 2nd best last week (to the ultra-impressive AARDIE B MIKI N) – clearly she’s lost at

least some of her luster, but remains the one to knock off against these (though no longer a “cinch”, by any means).

(3) MILLW OOD BLISS N was sent off at 3/5 last week but clearly wasn’t a fan of the change in tactics and backed

through the field – her trainer wouldn’t be dropping her back in the box if there was a serious issue and she may just

rebound with a big effort tonight – good one for exotics. (6) TURN THE PAGE N gets a bad draw but she’s proven

to be a hard knocker and may be able to make some noise here IF Cushing can find her a manageable trip. (4) LIT

DE ROSE was a Leg 2 winner but definitely used all of a perfect trip to get it done – she was clearly on the dull side

last week and while she’s way too classy to ever ignore, she may just be a bit vulnerable right now. (8) TALK

CURDY TO ME raced hard in all three legs and the guess is that McCarthy will at least try to blast tonight, even

from out here – could add some value to the ticket with some racing luck. (1) TARAPASTA had some life finishing

2 back and was up for last week’s aggressive try, in a softer division – she’ll be facing a tougher bunch tonight but

the rail draw could help offset that a bit – playable underneath. (5) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON picked up a 3rd in

Leg 2 but still feels at least a bit overmatched against the better mares in here. (7) ONE LAST WISH draws poorly

off a sick scratch – sticking with others.

RACE 6 – (3) AQUARIUS FACE S added hopples 3 back and has been getting better every week, culminating with

last week’s VERY impressive victory– he moves up a bit more, but this feels like a field he can handle right now. (5)

MISSISSIPPI STORM has just one win so far this year but has raced well in virtually all of his starts – should be

able to have a big say in this field. (4) DWS POINT MAN may be ignored in here off the miscue but he was a

winner the week before (vs. cheaper), and the barn took both halves of the late double on Thursday night – could

add some value to the exotics. (2) ABRUZZO has been very consistent lately, though he may be pushing his luck up

at this level – maybe 3rd/4th? (1) DONATO PATRIOT K has been struggling to get going this year and comes into

tonight off a month (after a sick scratch) – leaning elsewhere. (7) P CHICO was on the dull side last week but had

been doing very good work leading up to that – may be hampered by the draw here. (6) THE HAZLETON just

hasn’t been clicking at all – looking for some better signs before hopping back on his team.

RACE 7 - Blue Chip Matchmaker Leg #4: (1) ROCKET DEO was a good 2nd in the first leg behind SILK CLOUD

A (in her first start of the year) – she got beat at 1/10 the next week (the same night that WALKIN ON SUNSHINE

got beat at 1/20!) but bounced back with last week’s very powerful victory – she may be peaking now, and deserves

the nod from the pole. (6) SILK CLOUD A seemed a little iffy form-wise coming into the series but perked up at the

right time, beating the top choice in the first leg, a good 3rd in her next and back to the winner’s circle last week –

remains a serious threat. (4) UPTOWN HANOVER made her first start of the year in Week 1 and raced super to be a

close 2nd – wasn’t as sharp when 4th in her next, but was a solid 3rd last week – very playable underneath. (2) HIGH

FLYIN FILLY disappointed in the first leg, upset ROCKET DEO the next week but reverted to that lesser form last

week – hard to know which version we’ll get tonight. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW is an overachiever, and has shown

that she can hang with these when the trip comes up easy – not sure she’ll be so fortunate tonight, though. (7) COAC

HELLABOUND N was “sneaky better” 2 back so it really was no surprise to see her turn in a big one last week (2nd

to the top choice – tonight’s draw MAY present some problems, though. (5) EASY TO PLEASE hasn’t been terrible

but still seems a bit below the main players. (8) FACTORY GIRL is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.

RACE 8 – (1) DOROTEA TRIO IT was in tough spots for her first 2 U.S. starts but probably benefited from the

experience, and was certainly ready for business after that, winning back to back starts in dominant front end

performances – she steps to face a bit tougher now but seems more than capable of handling it...especially after

drawing the pole. (2) WINDSONG PIONEER does his best racing when on/near the lead and he should be able to

get a trip like that tonight – could stick around a long way. (6) TACHYON is off to a slow start this year (after a

$170K season in 2024) but his last start was promising, and he definitely has a chance to outperform that 12-1 ML

listing. (8) QUEEN OF ALL perked up with a crisp finish 2 back then was “ok” from another tough spot last week –

she may be sitting on a good mile right now, but may need to wait for a better spot before we see it. (3) TEXSONG

SOPRANO is a streaky sort and really feels like he’s gone the wrong way – could end up overbet here. (7) VINNY

DE VIE seemed to be a winning spot last week, had things well under control but then just let it slip away in the

lane, crawling home in the final 1/16th of a mile – hard to back him with much confidence from post 7 tonight. (5)

FULL RIGHTS landed on a perfect trip last week but still came up just shy of a 32-1 upset – faces better now, and

may struggle. (4) BUCKTOBER threw a dud on 3/21 and his qualifier doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence.

RACE 9 – (6) ELEKTRA A raced here twice in March, picking up a blowout win and a 2nd to LLOYDS LOVES –

she probably needed her last start (in NJ, off a month), and now drops right back in the box in a field that’s right up

her alley – attractive play at 6-1 ML. (1) PASS AND STOW clicked immediately after joining her current barn last

November, winning 5 straight to close out the year – was freshened up, returned on Lasix, and made her first start of

2025 a winning one, extending her local streak to 6...obviously a major threat!. (5) FRONT PAGE STORY was a

winner in her last 2 Yonkers starts and even beat an Invitational field this year – as noted, the barn won the last 2

races on Thursday, and this mare deserves plenty of respect right now. (2) CHIAPANECAS had been a model of

consistency...making her last mile stick out like a sore thumb – seems like a good sign that she drops right back in

the box, and deserves a chance to rebound – playable underneath. (3) REC TIME was way off the gate at the start

and just lost interest last week – eligible to use her late rally tonight for a small piece, at a big price. (4) TWIN B

SUNKISSED squandered a live trip last week, but may have disliked the wet surface – another with a chance for a

small share. (7) RESURRECTION DAWN used a good trip to pick up a 2nd last time but tonight’s draw may leave

her with too much work to do.

RACE 10 – (6) YS SENSATIONALCITY has been off her game recently but returns tonight to the barn for whom

she won 4 straight (and 5 of 6) not too long ago – willing to give her a try, as long as the price is fair. (3) TALENT

TO SPARE A has suffered through terrible posts in 5 of her last 6 starts and finally gets a reprieve – seems like she’s

held her form well enough to have a say tonight with the better draw. (4) IDEAL COVER rattled off sizzling

fractions last week (over a surface not really conducive to that) and only tired late – her barn seems to be heating up,

and she could be a decent value play. (5) KISS MY CHEEK debuted for a new barn last week and thrashed a

NW2-4PM field – she’ll be taking on older mares tonight, but may still be able to have a big say. (2) PRIDEFUL has

been “ok”, but her lone victory came vs. easier – small piece? (1) IM A BELIEVER is another trying to make the

jump from NWPM races to this tougher class – not as enthusiastic about her chances. (7) MISS DOTTIE MAE

picked up an overdue victory in her last but that a month ago – brutal draw for her return.

RACE 11 – Tough race: (7) LUCKY ARTIST A was used hard as part of last week’s hot pace and left empty late as

a result – she gets a fresh set of hands tonight (Bartlett), and that may help the classy 12YO find one of her better

efforts – one of several in here with a legitimate chance. (1) PARISIAN BLUE CHIP was reserved off last week’s

sizzling fractions and that allowed her to finish well for 3rd – she lands the pole with the hot Scotty Zeron on board,

and looms a very logical player. (6) VIBRANCE has been struggling for weeks and last week was just terrible –

she’ll go WITHOUT Lasix tonight, and that can sometimes be a winning angle – worth considering! (5) HARPER

SEELSTER has a solid Yonkers resume and should be plenty tight off those 2 quick NJ miles – could be a serious

player. (8) MAN DONTFORGET ME is going to perk up and win one of these nights...but may need to wait for a

better spot for that to happen. (4) CRUISE ALERT was 3rd last week, but mostly by default – prefer others. (3) PUR

AMERI was off to a terrible start in her first mile of 2025 – thinking she may need another start or two. (2) COWGI

RL LILLY would be a surprise (1 for 52 last 2 years).

RACE 12 – (3) EVER HOPING A carved out the fractions last week before coming up 2nd best to the perfect trip

winner – chance to make amends tonight. (7) ROCKMYTSER N was well backed and well meant in his last pair but

came up light at the end – logical player once more, but also figures to be overbet. (1) RAYRAY has his moments –

the move inside may help him grab a piece tonight. (2) MAXIMUS RED A had a terrific 8 win, $128K season last

year but has struggled to get going in 2025 – this could be a spot where we can see some improvement, but note that

he’s racing off a sick scratch. (5) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING had plenty of ugly looking lines before perking up in a

weak Chester field last week and picking up a win – we’ll see if it boosts his confidence enough to have some say

here too. (5) MAJOR SHOW is just 1 for 21 at Yonker – minor spoils only. (8) POINTOMYGRANSON continues

to struggle while trying to find any of that old top form. (6) GRITTY was never close at 52-1 in his local debut.