The Empire Report – Thursday, February 6, 2025 – Race Analysis
The Empire Report – Thursday, February 6, 2025 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – NAADA Winter Fun Series, Leg 3: (6) IMA STANDUP GUY made the top two back and just kept
rolling, absolutely crushing the competition with a 5 length score – he ended up parked every step from Post 8 last
week but somehow kept battling right to the wire, beaten only a length and a half despite never seeing the cones –
hard to resist here at that 10-1 ML price. (2) LIONHEAD had good trot finishing 2 back then rallied very nicely for 2
nd last week (in NJ) – gets a good draw, has a good pilot, and looms a very logical player. (3) FASHION FOREVER
used a ground saving trip to rally late for 2 nd last week, and could grab a piece tonight too with another good journey.
(7) RACEACE was no match for the top choice last start but kept trying hard in the pocket and did hold 2 nd –
tougher spot tonight, but still willing to include underneath, at a good price. (4) NEVER MIND N gets some post
relief after making an early miscue from Post 7 in his local debut – too soon to write him off, but also hard to get
excited about a wager at that 3-1 ML price. (1) AWOL HANOVER was going well at the end of last year but hasn’t
looked sharp so far in 2025 – needs to be better. (5) PETERS ROYALTY recovered last week after an early break
but then tired badly – waiting for better signs. (8) EXCHEQUER just seems too far out to be a serious player this
week
RACE 2 – Short field, but competitive race! (4) ENOLA has been very solid since being claimed back in August,
and returned from the winter break with a sharp 2 nd last week – Bartlett will steer her for the first time tonight, and
we’ll give her the slight edge...but that 9/5 ML price definitely is a turn-off. (3) QUEEN OF ALL was an even 4 th
last week in a race that should serve as a decent tightener – she’s had enough success against these types to be worth
a serious look at that 8-1 ML price. (6) ALL STAR SWAN was on an extended form spree to close out 2024 – she
was just a little short in her return last week, but should be that much tighter now – may need some racing luck
(starting from Post 6) to come out on top. (5) DIAMANTE TRIO IT was super for a LONG stretch last year before
tailing a bit late in the season – she was a little short in her 2025 return, but can’t be taken lightly with that start
under her belt – another legitimate threat. (2) YO BETH D ended ’24 with a disappointing try and it’s a bit
concerning that 2025 didn’t start out any better – sticking with others, for now. (1) LADY JETER was away since
May and her qualifier and start don’t inspire much confidence for tonight
RACE 3 – Lot of sharp horses in here! (2) BLUEBIRD BISHOP can be very tough any time he lands on a good
trip, and last week was a good reminder – he may go off a fair price here (despite coming off a victory), and he does
have a chance to repeat from this spot. (1) MAHONE SEELSTER seems to be camera shy on the surface, but his 0
for 18 local record is largely in part to repeatedly coming up 2 nd best to OTHER very sharp rivals – would absolutely
use him on top here if the price is decent. (6) ROGER RABBIT is another that seems to race well almost every
week, though often coming up 2 nd best – goes for another new barn tonight, and we’ll see if that changes his luck a
bit. (3) MEADOWBRANCH NOBLE gave it a big go from Post 8 in his YR debut, coming up 2 nd best before being
placed first, via disqualification – he did make a costly miscue last week, but could easily bounce right back tonight.
(4) BROOKVIEW DARIUS was wiped out early in his seasonal return but did finish with good trot last week after a
conservative trip – he’s beaten these in the past, and could be a live longshot to consider. (7) BE DIFFERENT won
his first 2 local starts (after landing in our leading barn) and raced well again last week, when 3 rd – only real knock
here is the draw. (5) P C FREE WHEELING was solid off the bad date 2 back, then pounced on a perfect trip to win
her last – she’d be no surprise at all (if things go her way). (8) STEALING has shown that he CAN hold his own
with these under the right conditions, but another bad draw does figure to compromise his chances
RACE 4 – (4) AUSTRAL HANOVER was racing well before changing barns in December and has certainly looked
good since then, including last week’s crisp-finishing 2 nd (racing off the bad date) – we’ll give him the slight edge
for tonight. (7) WILLY WALTON was a winner to close out 2024 then delivered a pair of total blowouts since
returning in 2025 – he puts his 3 race winning streak on the line for a new barn tonight, and figures to be a handful
once more. (5) WARRIOR ONE fought tenaciously to hang on two back, though ultimately disqualified for causing
interference early in the mile – he stayed on gamely for 2 nd behind #7 last week, and is too classy to ever be counted
out (although we’re leaning more to the top pair, for tonight). (8) LABYAD BROS S shows 2 breaks and a terrible
line between them in his last 3 starts BUT he might have been right there last week (if not for the final turn miscue)
and he does added trotting hopples tonight – not a bad bomb to include underneath. (1) P L OSCAR may not be on
his best game right now but he’s looking at a good trip from this spot and that may help him grab a share. (2) MR
KNOWITALL feels a bit cheap, but his last start wasn’t bad – maybe 3 rd/4 th? (3) ICE BREAKERS K was no factor
last week but at least was more competitive – we’ll see if he keeps heading in the right direction. (6) J S HOPSCOT
CH picked up a 3 rd last week but mostly thanks to an easy trip – much tougher spot tonight
RACE 5 – (3) JOHN THE BAPTIST was off nearly 7 weeks to his last start but raced very well in his Yonkers
debut, kicking home alertly in the stretch (after avoiding trouble at the top of the lane) – assuming he can build off
that effort, he’ll be a serious threat here. (1) ODDS ON LIQUIDITY struggled in a couple of recent starts (when out
the entire way) but otherwise has out of town lines that would make him a good fit here...especially from the pole.
(4) FUNKY BUNCH was a question mark coming in from Monti but he’s held his own in both local starts, and may
be able to grab a piece tonight too. (6) TWIGGS PUB gapped a bit to the final turn last week but battled back in the
lane and wasn’t too far off the heavy favorite at the end – he clearly fits, but will need to find a way to overcome the
tough draw. (7) DONTTELLMENOW rebounded from the miscue 2 back with an even 4 th last week – he gets
Gingras in the bike tonight, but he’s another that will have to contend with a terrible post. (8) BALLYKEEL PAINT
ER was dull in his first local try but hails from a very sharp barn and is eligible to improve – may need to wait for a
better draw, though. (2) SPEED SNIP tired in his last start (at Chester) and that was back on 12/29 – may need a
start before we see what he can do. (5) SECTIONLINE RACER still needs to prove that he can hold his own here
RACE 6 - NAADA Winter Fun Series, Leg 3: (5) DWIGHT HANOVER might benefit from last week’s start in NJ
and he did win here with Hechkoff back in September – worth a try in a wide open race. (6) SHOEMAKER HANO
VER was well meant off the qualifier last week, holding position from the rail to earn a two hole trip, but struggling
to shake free in the lane – attractive at that 10-1 ML price. (4) MUSCLE DAN actually raced pretty well last week,
almost holding 2 nd after getting blown away by BACARDI to 3/4s – worth a look at the right price. (1) LOVE THIS
BAR ended up with a good trip last week (while overbet at 3/5!) and could only manage a 3 rd – might be vulnerable
again at another short price. (2) HOBBS was an ok 3 rd two back and finished ok from an impossible spot last week –
moves inside, and would hardly be a shock. (3) ITSONEOFTHOSE raced well here the past couple of years but his
current form seems lacking – mixed feelings. (7) LIMERENCE tends to do his best racing when drawn inside – wait
for a better spot. (8) ALL RISE will be hard pressed to work out a manageable trip from out here
RACE 7 – (2) STRIKING IMPACT was last seen here in April 2024 when he was beating the 50s in back to back
starts as the odds on favorite – he disappeared from the scene after that, however, and now resurfaces 10 months
later at this reduced level– his qualifier looks solid, and we’ll roll the dice that he is ready to roll (5) SOUTH POINT
moves to a new barn for tonight and puts his 4 race winning streak on the line – can’t blame anybody that wants to
stay on his team. (6) CAUGHTINALANDLSIDE was handled very patiently last week and that probably cost him a
chance at the top prize (after the leaders enjoyed a very easy half up front) – he’s sharp now, but will need some
action up front to be a threat from this spot. (1) CLEVELAND B MIKI benefited from the leader making a break to
the top of the lane last week but was still sharp, and well meant in his victory – no reason he can’t land somewhere
on the ticket starting from the pole. (3) UP THE CREEK’s overall recent form is solid but he comes into tonight off
a sick scratch, and has missed almost 4 weeks – could be at a disadvantage. (8) FULL SUPPORT showed some life
2 back then picked up 2 nd (at a big price!) last week after a quick start – may have trouble finding that same good trip
from Post 8, though. (4) KING OF ACES feels like he may be a little on the cheaper side – sticking with others. (7)
GOOD INVESTMENT has some good efforts but draws poorly off a sick scratch and has been away since 12/27
RACE 8 – Lot of struggling horses in this bottom condition event: (2) THEBEAUDENBLUES N has some mixed
form at best lately (with some real clunkers sprinkled in) but it’s not that long ago that he was racing very well here
at Yonkers – at that 12-1 ML price he may be worth a flyer tonight. (1) CALIBER has some poor looking form
recently but he also rattled off 3 in a row in November – another that could produce a wake up call tonight. (5) MA
MBA was doing good work at MUCH higher levels not too long ago but clearly his form has deteriorated out of
town recently – would hardly be a surprise at this level, but it would also be hard to take too short a price just hoping
that he’ll perk up. (6) TWIN B RISENSHINE is another capable of battling better but he’s just 1 for 20 at Yonkers,
and tired in his last couple– tough to take a short price from a bad post (3) BIG SIR was an ok 3 rd with an aggressive
steer last week – maybe a piece tonight too? (4) VIVA LAS VEGAS N figures to come around eventually but he
really showed little in his first 2 starts of 2025. (7) BETTOR B SIRIUS hails from a top barn but was a dull 6 th last
week and draws horribly tonight. (8) REIGNING DEO would be hard to recommend off his 2 starts in the new year
RACE 9 – (4) SOUTHWIND COORS wasn’t bad in his only local try, especially since it was in the Invitational,
and he was making his first start for a new barn, off a bad date – he came back to crush in his next in NJ, and lands
in a field he should beat tonight. (3) YOU GOT IT is sharp right now, even as he’s climbed to these higher levels –
may be able to grab a good piece of this. (1) STREET GOSSIP missed 6 weeks to his last and was still beaten less
than a length – tighter now, draws the pole, and may be able to take home a decent chunk. (5) LAVA FIELD beat
cheaper in NJ at a HUGE price 2 back, then was an easy NW15000 winner her last week – he’s feeling good right
now, and may be able to be in the hunt, even with the class jump. (2) I GET IT is a much better horse when
aggressive early and able to race on/near the lead – a quick start is essential if he hopes to be a serious player. Both
(6) CANTSTOP YANKEE and (7) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS are more than capable in this class, but both have
been away since 12/19 AND draw the outermost post positions
RACE 10 – Softer of the $40K claiming trot divisions: (1) THE PRINCE has been getting sharper every week and
followed up a distant 2 nd (to WILLY WALTON) in his first try at this level with last week’s sharp victory – his main
rivals in here are iffy, and he feels like the one to knock off. (3) WARRAWEE XALT has held form as he’s been
climbing the classes, and a was a solid 2 nd best to the streaking TEXSONG SOPRANO last time– should be a player
once more. (2) INTL BLOCKADE was sent off favored in his local debut and made a break – was claimed that
night, and it’s hard to know what to expect from him in his new barn – make sure to get a good price if considering
on top. (4) CHAPOLIER was no factor at all last week but had missed over 6 weeks since his last start in Ohio –
could easily produce a much better effort tonight. (6) JULA MUSCLE PACK had a useful tightener after being away
since July – could have a bigger say tonight, although the post is an obstacle. (5) HAT TRICK MARLEAU doesn’t
seem to be clicking right now, and would need a wake up call to be a player. (7) SWEET SOUL DAVID and (8)
THE LAST CHAPTER are the outsiders...both literally and figuratively
RACE 11 – (5) CONTACT ZONE finished alertly for 3 rd last week and he’s hinted at more ability in the past – if
things go his way, maybe he can pull off an upset in tonight’s finale. (4) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has hit board
every week for months, and is 2 for 2 to start off the new year – chance to extend that streak to 3 for his new
connections. (7) MONACO HANOVER is listed at 15-1 ML but he raced well (despite tough trips) in his last pair,
after just missing in two starts to close out 2024 – can’t blame anybody looking to give him a try tonight. (8) OVER
THE HORIZON won 4 of 5 starts at this level at the end of last year – he added Lasix for his 2025 return (in NJ)
and was a decent 4 th...another possible upsetter, even from out here. (3) MANHATTAN ARTIST gave it an
aggressive try last week but broke on the final turn under urging – Bartlett opts off tonight (to drive #4), and so will
we. (1) PORTERS MAN was scratched from his last after tiring in his first start of the year – leaning elsewhere. (2)
HUNTED HOUSE just re-qualified after being scratched lame on 12/20 – guessing he’ll need a start or two. (6) SH
UFFLE UP HANOVER has been struggling for some time.