Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (1) TWO FACED hasn’t won in some time but he’s also held form nicely despite a stretch of bad posts

and tough trips – he stayed right with last week’s fire-breathing winner in that scary 1:51.2 mile, and figures to be

very tough tonight...assuming he avoids any mishaps. (4) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK was caught in a terrible

shuffle last week so just ignore that mile – he can grab a decent piece tonight with a kinder journey. (2) ILIKEMEB

ETTOR A comes out of the same race as the top choice and he actually raced pretty well considering the mile he ran

into his FIRST start of the year – he could have a serious say tonight. (5) I DRAINTHESWAMP A usually does his

best racing at the end of the mile – chance to rally late for a piece. (8) BILL HALEY N raced super for 3 straight

starts (2 wins and a 3rd) but he took no $$ from Post 8 last week and wasn’t heard from at all – we’ll see if he can get

himself into the hunt tonight from the same horrible post. (3) BAD BOY TOO has struggled since the recent claim –

we’ll see if the post relief can help him grab some minor spoils. (7) JUSTASEC N was off almost 4 weeks to his last

start and folded badly in that 1:51.2 mile – hard to get excited about his chances from Post 7. (6) BUGABOO LOU

seems ambitiously placed for a $40K tag.

RACE 2 – (2) PEACE OUT POSSE was a sharp winner 2 back and came into his last having hit board in all 5 starts

this year...but he ended up getting involved in a “suicide duel” that left him with no chance, and was well back in 4th

at the end – obviously he deserves a pass for that, and he debuts tonight for a barn hitting on all cylinders right now

– could be a good value play. (7) BB LUCKY BOY didn’t seem that all good in NJ recently but he was a scary

winner shipping in here on 3/3, his 1:52.3 blowout mile the fastest of the night – he stepped up to 40s last week and

was even sharper, overcoming a brief miscue off turn one to hit the top and scorch the oval in 1:51.2 – the move up

to 50s isn’t nearly as much of a concern as the draw, though, especially if a couple leave to his inside. (1) SHAKESP

EARE has been consistent lately and his barn is winning races again – could become very dangerous here if he trips

out. (6) CENTURY ENDEAVOR was 31-1 last week but he was driven (from Post 7) like a 3/5 shot and was a

pretty safe front end winner – new barn tonight, and a bad draw up in class....could slow him down a bit. (5) QUAL

ITY BUD is good right now for a barn that’s thriving...but he still seems more likely to contend for a smaller piece,

rather than a larger one. (3) TWIN B DELUXE is a little tough to gauge, coming off a no-chance 7 hole trip and a

sick scratch – leaning elsewhere. (4) RENAISSANCE DEO has solid recent form overall, but was a little dull last

week off a sick scratch – maybe some minor spoils?

RACE 3 – (3) FLIP MY CHIP showed a new dimension last week, winning from OFF the pace – he moves from

age-restricted 30s to the “open” 30s, but it really shouldn’t matter much – he loves to win races and deserves the nod

once more. (1) TWIG, on the other hand, is somewhat camera shy (though he does have 8 seconds from his last 22

local starts) – could see him as a big threat with an easy trip. (5) REAL PEACE only raced 4X last year but he’s

been a steady performer (so far) in 2025, compiling an 8-0-3-3 record – a live trip would give him a chance to be a

serious player. (6) JUST PLAIN LOCO has two 2nds and a 3rd from his 3 local Yonkers starts this year and surely

fits with these – he also gets his first bad draw in a while, and that could hurt his chances. (4) MAXIMUS RED A

dropped to 30s for his 2nd start of the year and raced a bit better – not sure if he’s ready to threaten for the top prize,

but he does seem playable underneath. (2) BETTORBUCKLEUP finished 2nd moving up from 20s to 30s but he

broke in his next then started from Post 7 last week – the move back inside could make him a bigger player here. (7)

BUCHANNON HANOVER did have pace finishing from a tough spot last week, but gets no help with draw tonight.

RACE 4 – (1) HAZEVILLE added Lasix last week but understandably just toured the oval from Post 8 (after

getting parked the mile the week before) – he drops, moves all the way inside, and looms a very short priced favorite

tonight (4) HUNTING ZONE was an easy winner here at this level back on 1/20 and returns from Dover tonight off

a series of solid tries – he hails from an eternally hot barn and looms the main danger...but he’s always tended to be

at least a bit camera shy. (2) YOROKOBI N has been solid in all 3 starts this year, figures to be sitting pretty close to

the pace and also figures to be able to take home a nice chunk of this. (6) WALKINSHAW N was “sneaky good” vs.

better in several of his recent Yonkers starts – tough draw as he returns from PcD, but he does have a chance to pick

up a piece at that 20-1 ML price. (3) BENHOPE RULZ N was no factor last week but he moves inside a bit and may

be able to follow along for a small share. (7) MACS MARVEL was super in back to back powerful wins but he’ll be

facing much better tonight, and forced to do it from well outside – may have trouble reaching. (8) MISSED THE TR

UTH A fits nicely at this level but the draw is a killer. (5) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N was no factor in 2 U.S. starts.

RACE 5 – (5) SOHO DOW JONES A finished right behind VERDUN in his U.S. qualifier, came up 2nd best to the

very talented MOSSDALE BEN N in his first start, then came up 2nd best again last week to the streaking HEZ ALL

THERAGE N – he’ll get over the hump very soon...maybe tonight? (6) SMIFFYS TERROR N raced well in all 6

U.S. starts, even if he has only one victory to show for it – he could be at a post disadvantage tonight, but a good

price still makes him worth a look. (4) ROCKNROLL RUNA A scored his biggest career victory when he upset the

classy field in the McKee last summer but wasn’t really the same after that, and ships in for his 2025 local debut off

a quartet of losses at Stga. – can never count him out at this level, but also can’t assume we’ll see the “old” version

right now. (8) ULTIMAROCA is very good at the moment, but faces obvious roadblocks after drawing Post 8 –

good one for longshot fans. (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A should be feeling good about himself after a pair of wire to

wire scores but he’s facing much better tonight, and that could curtail his output a bit. (2) SHERLOCK N hit board

in 3 straight but on the flip side, lost as the odds-on choice in two of them – leaning a bit more towards others for the

top slots. (3) NIGHT HAWK qualified back nicely for his seasonal debut but may need a start before we see his

best. (7) JANELLE GRANNY was empty in his first local try of the year, raced super in his next but was no factor

last week – even if he brings that better effort tonight, this would be a tough spot to overcome.

RACE 6 – (3) COVERED BRIDGE is clearly NOT the Invitational horse we’d grown accustomed to seeing (right

now), but he did finish alertly from an impossible spot last week – wouldn’t call him a “cinch” here, but it would

definitely be disappointing to see him get beat in this field. (4) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A gets the combination of

both post AND class relief tonight and that should help him turn in a much better effort – very playable in exotics.

(1) GINGRAS BEACH would likely prefer to be in a bit softer, but he’s looking at a pretty easy trip from this spot

and that could land him a spot in the exotics. (2) ROCK THE BELLES saw his form perk up after a new trainer was

listed on 1/28– he should grab a nice chunk here, with his trip determining just how big. (5) BRAKE AHEAD seems

more comfortable facing a bit easier but a kind trip could help him take home a share. (6) MEA CULPA A is another

that would like to be in cheaper...and tonight’s draw doesn’t help his cause. (8) POP IT is GOOD enough to hang

with these, but may need to wait for a better draw to do so. (7) TWIN B RISENSHINE seems a bit overmatched,

especially starting from Post 7.

RACE 7– (2) MOSSDALE BEN N is now 3 for 3 since arriving in the U.S. and the Borgata nominee quickly

moved right up to the top class – he’s shown the ABILITY to be a big threat to these as well and we’re willing to

give him a shot to come out on top in his first try at this level...while also recognizing that he HAS gotten steppy at

times in a couple of his miles, and won’t have much margin for error against these talented rivals. (7) TYPHOON

BANNER N was conservative in his first start off the layoff and it’s hard to say if Kakaley will be more aggressive

tonight – if the tote board suggests he’s more “live” tonight, you may want to pay attention. (6) NANDOLO N is

hitting on all cylinders right now, and has taken 4 of his last 5 stars (2nd by a neck in the lone loss) – tougher

assignment tonight, so make sure to get a fair price if looking for him to take another. (1) HIMSELF N has proven

that he can beat these, and has the benefit of last week’s tightener at PcD – a good price makes him worth a look. (5)

FINVARRA A landed on his first tougher trip in a long time last week and wasn’t up for it at all – leaning towards

others tonight. (4) THE IDEAL DANCER A continues to race well even at these top levels but a few others do seem

more likely for the top spots. (3) HEMSWORTH N figures to need a start, racing for the first time since 12/17.

RACE 8 – (4) AARDIES FLASH N certainly benefited from a beautiful trip 2 back but he also was loaded with

pace when opportunity came knocking and he delivered the victory, despite a month off – he was mired in 8th all the

way last week, but was still full of pace at the wire, pacing his back half in :54 and finishing only a length back in 4th

– look for a much more aggressive try tonight. (2) VERDUN was driven poorly last week and left with no real

chance to win...and to add insult to injury, ended up disqualified for causing interference in the lane (largely caused

by being in a bad spot to begin with) – he’ll be a much better price tonight, and should probably be on some of your

tickets. (1) BINGE ON YANKEE has been sharp for some time – he hasn’t won at THIS level yet, but may have a

chance to do so starting from the pole (and with some trip luck). (5) IT’S A ME MARIO served notice in that last

qualifier that he may be ready for business in his first start of 2025 – it’s probably more likely, however, that he’ll be

handled conservatively tonight, looking to sharpen up for the upcoming Borgata Series. (6) AMMO has really upped

his game for his new barn but tonight’s draw does figure to leave him looking at a smaller piece. (3) RACING RAM

PAGE makes his 2025 debut and we’ll just observe, for now.

RACE 9 – (2) RHYDS SUPERFLY GB is taking a big step up after crushing the NW2-4PM fields for 5 straight

weeks – but he LOOKS like a horse with a ton of upside, and he’s really meeting nothing too scary in here – won’t

offer any value, but he should be able to extend his streak to 6 against these. (1) PATRONUS STAR N only made 6

starts last year but he’s been racing regularly in 2025, even if the results have been mixed – the classy import should

at least sit close enough to have a chance in the lane. (6) JUST ENUFF STUFF improved significantly 3 back when

a tough trip 2nd to (repeater) DEETZY – he was full of late pace in his next, then turned in an excellent rally again

last week – could bring some value to the exotics. (3) EVER HOPING A gets a good draw and can hold his own at

this level with a decent trip – maybe 3rd . 4th? (4) WINDSUN RICKY has been turning in form reversals for years and

we saw another last week – chance for a piece, with an easy trip. (7) ROCKMYSTER N has been a disappointment

(overall) in the U.S. but he did race a bit better last week – would have been listed higher tonight if not for the

terrible draw. (8) FAMILY RECIPE is more than capable of winning at this level, but may have limited options

tonight starting from Post 8. (5) SARANAC BLUE CHIP recently won 4 straight (out of town, vs, cheaper) but was

no factor in his last 3 starts – sticking with others.

RACE 10 – (5) TWIGGS PUB did a nice job holding together for 2nd in a fiery mile 2 back (behind BB LUCKY

BOY) then just missed last week to the oft-winning FLIP MY CHIP...may be ready to pick up his first victory since

the 2/6 claim. (6) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE races well every week but can be hurt by his lack of early speed – IF

there’s enough pace up front, he can be a serious late threat. (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE steps up a peg after scoring

off the claim last week – he can threaten these too IF he brings his best effort. (2) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL was just

1 for 41 last year but it only took him until 2/17 to pick up a win in 2025 – a good trip puts him in play for a nice

piece of this. (7) LYONS BENJAMIN turned in an excellent rally for 3rd in his local debut but was invisible in his

last – he’s been away for 3 weeks, draws poorly, but at least will be a big price tonight. (4) CAPTAIN T HANOVER

just hasn’t been the same horse in ’25 that he was last year – he goes back to one of his old barns tonight and we’ll

see if that helps him find a better effort. (3) AUSSIE HANOVER seems a bit below the main players right now. (8) J

B GRAM has been stuck in the wrong direction lately after a long form spree.

RACE 11 – (4) ALWAYS A THRILL may have been ready to pace over the field here on 1/21 (at 26-1) when he

made a costly miscue in the lane – he was scratched sick from his next, re-qualified, and has been on a tear ever

since, posting 2 sharp wins at Pocono before last week’s effortless 1:51 romp here at Yonkers – suppose we’ll find

out tonight if he’s good enough to step up and beat a few of the classy rivals he’ll be taking on here. (3) ROCKIN JU

KEBOX was sold vs. better in his last pair, and loves to win races when sharp - legitimate threat here, especially if

the top choice is unable to maintain his amazing current form. (5) DUNKIN was an excellent 2nd in his 2025 return

(despite being parked the mile from the 8 hole!) – he did disappoint in his next, however, then was a “good” 2nd last

week– he’s way too classy to ever ignore in this class, and certainly playable if the price is fair (6) WHY NOT NOW

earned $700K at 2 and 3 but suffered through a 1 win, $40K season at 4 – he qualified back sharply as he looks to

have a much better campaign at 5, but may need a start before we see his best. (1) CARABAO A has proven that he

can hold his own with these but was no factor in his first start of the year in PA...maybe he needs another? (2) WHA

TS STANLEY GOT A is a streaky sort that doesn’t seem to be clicking right now – a big wake up call is needed. (8)

CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR just doesn’t seem sharp enough right now to have any real say from out here. (7) ALL

ALONE is really stepping up in class after using a perfect trip to win his last – just a very tough spot!