Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (1) SEMI TOUGH qualified back solidly for his 2025 campaign and can be forgiven for coming up a bit

short in his first start of the year (caught a 1:49.1 mile behind CHARLIE MAY, and a couple of other sharp ones) –

that mile should have plenty tight for tonight, and Yannick usually can coax a good getaway out of him – we’ll give

him the narrow edge over the streaking (8) RHYDS SUPERFLY GB. The latter is now 6 for 6 at Yonkers, and

handled last week’s big class jump seamlessly – he moves up even more tonight, gets stuck all the way outside, and

may be at least a bit vulnerable for the first time in weeks. (2) ROCK THE BELLES really upped his game after a

new trainer was listed back on 1/28, and has held form nicely even moving up the ladder – could benefit from an

easy trip here, and take home another decent piece. (3) YOROKOBI N has been solid since returning for the 2025

season, and a good trip could see him rally late for a piece. (7) WHATS STANLEY GOT A is well off his best form

but IF Stratton leaves the gate here, he can probably improve at the start (and could also hurt #8 a bit) – would use

underneath if the price is decent (4) MEA CULPA A had no prayer in that 1:51 mile 2 back then found his best

stride too late in his last – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) BRAKE AHEAD did much better work when in cheaper – could

look better with a class drop next week. (6) GINGRAS BEACH weakened in his last pair off easy trips.

RACE 2 – (4) WHY NOT NOW is coming off a 4YO campaign he’d like to forget but he qualified back nicely here

on 3/7, and actually raced super last week in his seasonal debut, swinging wide from the back and putting in a

sustained stretch rally for 4th – look for a more aggressive try tonight as he looks to peak heading into the Borgata

Series. (2) THE IDEAL DANCER A would probably like to be in just a little easier but he’s become a very reliable

performer for our leading trainer, and a good trip could put him right in the mix tonight. (3) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N

has added consistency to his game, picking up 2 wins, a 2nd and two 3rds from his last 7 starts – deserves respect,

even in this solid field. (5) ACT FAST had mixed results in his local starts last year, grabbing a pair of 2nds from his

6 starts – his 2 NJ efforts should have him tight for tonight, but you’d still want a decent price if looking to use him

on top. (1) HIMSELF N is a proven player with these when sharp, but he’s come up short in both 2025 starts (so far)

– waiting for better signs before hopping on his team. (6) HEMSWORTH N showed surprise speed in his first start

of the year but did tire – guessing he’ll be handled pretty conservatively tonight.

RACE 3 – (1) PRINTVILLE was no factor in his only local start this year but he was off 6 weeks and facing better

– he picked up a 2nd and a 3rd from his 2 local appearances last year, and his current PA form suggests he can be a big

player here, especially starting from the pole. (5) PATRONUS STAR N has plenty of back class and after making

only 6 starts last year, he’s at least racing every week now – he’ll likely be handled more aggressively tonight and id

a very logical player...but that 7/5 ML price will likely result on him being overbet. (4) WALKINSHAW N had a

dull try last week and may just be off form right now – on the other hand, this field is definitely within his comfort

zone (when on his game) , and a good price does make him worth a look. (2) BENHOPE RULZ N would normally

get a good look from this spot but his last pair were definitely a bit off – can be in the mix IF he brings his best. (3)

MYSWEETBOYMAX used all of a perfect trip to get the job done vs. cheaper last week – probably looking at a

smaller piece tonight. (6) SAVE ME A DANCE has done plenty of damage here in the past but he only raced 4X last

year and seems to need a bit easier at this point. (7) MAXIMUS RED A is still trying to find his form in 2025 – Post

7 won’t help. (8) ALWAYS ROCKIN has earned $525 in his last 5 starts and draws Post 8 – pass.

RACE 4 – (6) VERDUN was hurt by a poor drive 2 back (cost him a chance to win AND ended up in a DQ) but

Lachance gave him a chance to do his thing last week and he certainly looked the powerful performer we saw so

often in 2024 – he faces an uncertain trip from this spot (and with the Borgata Series starting up next Monday) but

we’ll still stay on his team. (2) DUNKIN has finished 2nd in all 4 starts this year, but did run into a couple of razor

sharp performers in his last pair– would be no surprise at all if he finally gets into the win column here. (4) BINGE

ON YANKEE has been very sharp for a while, and even his “lesser looking” lines have excuses – a good price

makes him worth a look. (1) BLAZING HOME N seemed a little disappointing when a no-threat 2nd to ALWAYS A

THRILL 2 back but that horse is just scary sharp right now (and beat DUNKIN last week) – has a chance here IF the

trip goes his way. (5) RACING RAMPAGE is capable of some big miles but his last effort (first start of the year)

suggests he may not be 100% just yet. (3) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A had a tougher trip (up in class) last week and

wasn’t as effective as he had been – he’s a very nice horse, but still needs to prove he can beat these types.

RACE 5 – (4) ILIKEMEBETTOR A qualified sharply on 2/28 then raced ok for 4th in his first start of 2025, despite

catching a very hot mile – he was a very game first over winner last week, and he has a legitimate chance to make it

2 in a row. (6) I DRAINTHESWAMP A showed surprise speed last week and was a close 3rd behind #4 – faces an

uncertain trip tonight, but he’s worth considering if the price is right. (2) BUGABOO LOU seemed ambitiously

placed for $40K last week but he actually raced very well – another live longshot? (1) FLIP MY CHIP won 5 of 12

here in 2024 and is already off to an 8-3-3-0 start in ’25 – he’s undeniably sharp, but he’s stepping up in class (for

another new barn) and may be a bit vulnerable (at a short price) taking on tougher foes. (8) TWO FACED is winless

in 8 starts this year but has raced very well in defeat in many of those losses – he was reclaimed for $40K last week,

and Bartlett shows faith by sticking with him despite Post 8 – very tough assignment, though. (3) CENTURY ENDE

AVOR was no factor taking on the 50s last week but his last start at this level resulted in an impressive 7 hole win,

despite being 31-1 – wouldn’t count him out too quickly! (5) TUEFFENUFTOWEARPINK did win in this class 4

back but seems off his best game right now (and lands in a solid field). (7) CAPTAIN T HANOVER had been off

his game this year but was suddenly hammered at the windows last week, ended up the only leaver and was a very

sharp winner – he may get slowed down a bit tonight with the class jump and 7 hole, however.

RACE 6 – (5) HELLABALOU actually had an overall disappointing season last year BUT he did show up with his

best at the most important time, and was a winner (for the 2nd straight year) in the Borgata Final (in fact, over 1/3 of

his career earnings have come from that series!) – he seems to be quickly finding his better form heading into this

year’s Borgata, and feels like the one to knock off tonight. (1) SLING SHOCK had a rough couple of weeks early in

Feb. but bounced back quickly, and is very sharp right now (his last was particularly good) – should be next in line

should the top one falter. (2) WINDSUN RICKY can be pretty streaky, and he’s definitely good right now – the

good draw makes him a logical threat for a good piece of this. (4) HUNTING ZONE has been very consistent for his

ultra-high % barn but he’s always been a bit camera shy, and seems more likely to end up with a smaller piece here,

rather than a bigger one. (3) DEALERS TURN was strong at the end of his 2024 season but he lands in a very tough

spot for his ’25 return – keep an eye for future consideration. (7) ROCKMYSTER N was well meant last week but

came up a little light at the end – tonight’s draw won’t help his cause. (6) POP IT has been solid so far as a 4YO but

lands in a pretty tough spot this week. (8) KOMODO BEACH lands Post 8 for his seasonal debut and the guess is

that he’ll be pretty conservative the first time back.

RACE 7 – (2) SOHO DOW JONES A has shown high speed in his 3 U.S. starts but can get a little bit weaker at the

end of the mile – perhaps a well timed move could get him to the winner’s circle for the 2nd straight week? (5) MY

ULTIMATE BYRON A has been “sneaky sharp” for weeks, gets a class drop and also gets a big switch to Holland –

on the flip side, he’s missed 3 weeks and lands outside a few main foes...still a good value option to consider. (1)

BLUE LOU came up a head shy to a sharp tripsitter 3 back, won handily on the front end in his next but struggled a

bit with last week’s tougher trip – he figures to be cutting the mile tonight and looms an obvious threat...but also

figures to be heavily bet. (3) CARABAO A is a proven player with these types but MAY not be at his best just yet

(and his barn has been struggling to win races so far in 2025) – worth a look if the price drifts high enough. (4) SUR

FSIDE BEACH has held his form for a long time, and continues to pick up a piece every week...no reason he can’t

do the same tonight. (6) QUALITY BUD is razor sharp right now but he draws poorly while stepping up in class,

and that could slow him down a bit tonight. (7) SHERLOCK N hit board in 4 of his 5 local starts but hasn’t found

the winner’s circle just yet – tonight’s draw may leave him waiting for a better spot. (8) CURBSIDE PICKUP has

leveled off since a recent 5 race winning streak, and Post 8 isn’t the answer to turn him back around.

RACE 8 – Tough race: (3) JUST PLAIN LOCO hit board in 3 of 4 local starts this year, all in this class – he figures

to be a good price, and is one of several with a chance in here, depending on how the race plays out (2) PRICELESS

BEACH drops in for a tag (rather than be stuck in a much tough field) and it’s probably the right move – he can still

summon up his back class when close to the action, and tonight’s draw should give him that opportunity...not all

that attractive at that 8/5 ML price, though! (6) THEFLYINGROCK is very capable in this class but faces a fairly

unpredictable trip with another bad draw – he’s also a little light in the win column the past 2 years, so be careful

about taking too short a price. (5) IM A POWERPLAY A was no factor at all last week but he usually bounces back

from tough outings – he also likes to win races, has speed, and picks up Gingras for tonight – worth a look, at a good

price. (7) FINAL CHEESERECIPE is off to a quick start with 3 wins already this year – if the race somehow goes

his way, he CAN win from out here...but some luck will be required. (1) DANCE ON THE BEACH will surely use

a lot more of his speed this week but it’s hard to say if he’s anywhere near sharp enough right now to be a serious

threat at the end. (4) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH is solid at the moment but the move up to 30s seems a bit ambitious.

(8) TWIG is more than capable at this level...but maybe not from out here.

RACE 9 – (6) SMIFFYS TERROR N flattened a bit in the lane last week but pacing a 3rd quarter in :26.2 can do

that to you – he’s been rock solid ever since arriving in the U.S. and while he’ll need some racing luck tonight (after

another tough draw), a good price still makes him worth using. (5) NIGHT HAWK qualified nicely behind the

talented ITS A ME MARIO then had a useful start last week, pacing home solidly after a conservative trip – may be

ready to strut his best stuff now. (8) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A woke up a big mile in NJ three back when 2nd to

the streaking MAD MAX HANOVER – he was super here the next week in winning from Post 8, then a VERY

sharp brushing winner in his last – could be sharp enough right now to still be a big threat tonight, despite the class

jump and another 8 hole. (7) BLUE HUNT has shown little so far in his 2 starts this year but it’s only a matter of

time before he pops off a big one – not sure THIS is the spot for it, but he’s still a viable candidate for longshot fans.

(3) CADILLAC BAYAMA still isn’t in “top” form, but at least he’s back racing competitively again – a good trip

puts him in play for a piece of this. (1) SPLASH BROTHER has been ok recently, though he’s missed 3 weeks and

in pretty tough (2) LOVERS TROUBLE has offered little at PcD in his 3 starts this year. (4) TWIN B RISENSHINE

probably needs easier to be effective.

RACE 10 – (8) LAYTON HANOVER was a winner here on 2/3 in NW20000 (after a 2nd in the Invitational the

week before) – he returns at a much lower level tonight after just missing to SAULBROOK VICTOR in NJ last

start, and that one was a winner in Sat. night’s Winners Over at The Swamp – has the speed to overcome the draw in

tonight’s finale. (2) DEETZY is feeling pretty good again and steps up looking 3 in a row – no reason he can’t have

a big say if as sharp as he has been. (4) JANELLE GRANNY’s local efforts this year have been mixed, but he gets

post and class relief tonight and that may result in him bringing his best – he’ll be a big player if that’s the case. (1)

BLANK STARE will attract plenty of $$ because of his connections and the draw, but he was dull in his seasonal

return (across the river) and does seem vulnerable at the moment. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM steps up a notch but

also moves inside...and that could help him rally for a small piece. (5) FAMILY RECIPE can normally be a threat at

this level but he does seem well off his game lately – needs a wake up call. (6) JUST ENUFF STUFF is pretty good

right now but another 6 hole could leave him with a tough trip...and stuck with minor spoils. (7) CASINO ACTION

N seems unlikely to be part of the equation in a spot much tougher than he’d prefer.