Wednesday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (4) HESA KINGSLAYER N was racing well with better (in PA) at the end of 2024 – he was scratched

sick from his first scheduled start of 2025 (on 2/22) but qualified back in early April and raced very well (at PcD) on

4/13, dropping in for a $20K tag – a similar effort may be enough to handle the locals. (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER A

has been racing ok, and gets a big barn and driver change for tonight – he’s likely to improve, but also likely to

attract plenty of tote action. (1) PRETTY HANDSOME didn’t even pretend to be interested from Post 8 last week

but his 4 previous starts produced a win and three 2nds – look for one of those better efforts tonight. (8) HELLO GO

RGEOUS has done excellent work since changing hands 4 starts back, picking up a pair of wins and a close 2nd –

brutal spot tonight, but a big price makes him worth at least a look. (2) GINGER TREE PETE is pretty good right

now but will have to deal with a new barn, class jump, and new pilot – maybe he can grab a small piece? (6) THRA

SHER recently banged out 3 in a row but got parked 2 back and failed to threaten last week – another bad post may

limit his chances once more. (7) DANCE ON THE BEACH can probably be a player at this $20K level but may

need a better spot to do so. (5) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM may need to be in a bit easier to really thrive.

RACE 2 – (1) JUST ROSAS LUCK has been on an extended form spree, hitting board in 6 straight (and 7 of her

last 8 starts) – she catches an overall soft division here, and will get to call the shots– the one to knock off. (3) PURE

SILKY was away for a long time, returned at a much reduced level this April and has raced ok in her 3 starts– looms

the main danger, especially with an easy trip. (2) JILLIAN JIGGS really hasn’t clicked for her new connections yet,

but she’s looking at an easy trip from this spot and may be able to parlay that into a decent piece (5) TYRA MAKES

BANK hit the top at 35-1 last week and took ‘em a long way before finally getting overtaken late – she’ll probably

have to race from off the pace here, but is still a possibility for exotics. (6) CANNERY ROW just hasn’t been the

same since changing barns 4 starts back – needs to find that previous form to have any real say here. (4) TUAPEKA

JESSIE N pulled off a 27-1, form-reversing stunner 2 back but quickly reverted to her “no factor” form last week –

still leaning elsewhere. (7) IRIS SEELSTER had a good streak not long ago but is struggling now – brutal draw too.

RACE 3 – (4) WAIMAC ATTACK N made his first start in 8 months a winning one, then followed that up with

another victory last week – he’ll be a very short price here, but it’s hard to make a strong case against him right now.

(1) VESPA N dropped down to 15s last week, got Zeron in the bike and turned in an improved effort – not sure he’s

ready to threaten the top choice, but he’s definitely a good candidate for exotics. (5) ARTIST BEST had been

struggling but did look more alert finishing last week – he’s listed at 20-1 ML, and may not be a bad one to include

underneath. (3) SAILBOAT HANOVER has 9 starts this year and still hasn’t hit the board – needs to be better if he

hopes to have a bigger say. (2) ON THE VIRG was unbeatable in this class for a while but has really hit the skids

lately – another looking for a big wake up call. (6) MASTER MIKI probably needs an inside draw just for a chance

at a small piece. (7) MAJESTIC KIWI N was 0 for 19 here last year, and lands all the way outside for his YR return.

RACE 4 – John Brennan Trotting Series Consolation: (1) GOLDEN RAIN S came into this series razor sharp (off

an easy win in the FM Invitational), jogged in the first leg (1:55.1), was bet right into series stickout ANTOGNONI

S in Leg 2 but did weaken a bit in the stretch and had to settle for 3rd (after sitting the pocket) – she skipped the last

leg and returns tonight adding Lasix, so that may explain her last somewhat disappointing try – hard to go past her!

(4) BLOCKCHAIN beat lesser in 3 straight local starts heading into the series but was far less dominant against the

tougher competition (he picked up an opportunistic win, an “ok” 2nd and an ok 3rd) – still looks like he could be next

in line tonight. (5) OPTRIX was in a no chance spot the first week, was a game first over 3rd in his next, then just

missed 2nd (behind #4) last week – a good trip puts him in play for a nice piece of this. (2) MEETMEATTHEBAR

hasn’t been a serious threat in any of the legs but she still raced better than expected, taking home a pair of 3rds and

a 4th – the good draw gives her a chance for some minor spoils once more. (3) DEADLINE HALL is another that

was limited to smaller pieces the last 3 weeks, and with a chance for more of the same tonight. (1A) CANTSTOP

YANKEE (entrymate to GOLDEN RAIN S) has been inconsistent, and gets stuck with Post 8 tonight – leaning to

others. (6) FULL SCALE has been a very steady performer all year but is struggling a bit with these better ones and

draws poorly tonight. (7) CHEF ROCCO was a decent 3rd in the first 2 legs and had a chance to sit the pocket to the

clear favorite in Leg #3 – but he elected to park that horse instead, tiring badly as a result of the “suicide drive” –

now has to contend with Post 7 tonight.

RACE 5 – (4) MOSQUITO showed plenty of potential at 2 but then missed his entire 3YO season – he recently

returned as a 4YO (in a new barn) and while he was a dead-game winner here in his first start, he was very rough at

times and needed Kakaley to hold him together – he made a break in the first leg of the Brennan Trotting Series and

while he got parked (and lost all chance) the next week, he did LOOK a lot smoother – gets a major class drop now,

and will be very tough...IF he trots cleanly. (3) KELLYS GREATEST has been a consistent performer at this level

for weeks, and could be a serious threat...if the top choice fails to deliver. (5) STAR HAIRDRESSER just missed in

his first local try so the only thing that was really surprising about last week’s nose loss was that he was 90-1 –

legitimate player once more. (6) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN was 2nd in both local tries, one from the pocket and

one from well off the pace – clearly he fits well, and can grab another good chunk tonight – even with the bad draw.

(1) STOCKHOLM HANOVER looked good finishing last week and may have been listed a bit higher had Zeron

been listed once again. (2) HIPPIE SHAKE has become a steady player in this class – would hardly be a surprise if

he was able to take home a piece. (8) OLIVER THE GREAT has a couple of decent starts recently but he did make a

break last week and gets stuck with Post 8 tonight – prefer others. (7) NAUTILUS B is 0 for 10 this year and just 2

for 33 lifetime – figures to struggle a bit with the terrible draw.

RACE 6 – (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has won 3 of his last 4 starts, and hit board in 11 of 12 this year – he’s not

blessed with major gate speed but he’s quick enough to make his way to the top from this spot...and remains the one

to knock off. (4) HELSINKI worked his way through a recent rough patch and is sharp again...and did beat the top

choice 3 back (when he had the rail, and his rival started from Post 7) – looms the main danger. (2) ROCK THIS

WAY hasn’t been on his best game lately but he’s racing well enough to consistently bring home smaller pieces –

and that could be his fate for tonight, as well. (7) SHAKE IT has been racing well lately but faces obstacles starting

from all the way outside – if he can leave and grab a decent spot without being used too hard, he can probably grab

himself a piece. (5) IM J BEE N can be a big threat on his best effort but he’s been away for a month (after a sick

scratch) and that has us leaning elsewhere for tonight. (6) SHADOW IN RED had to requalify after being scratched

lame on 3/12 and struggled in his start after that – waiting for a better effort. (1) ROSE RUN X CON lands the pole

but may not be sharp enough to really take advantage.

RACE 7 – John Brennan Trotting Series Final: (7) ANTOGNONI S is now 8-7-1-0 since arriving in the U.S. and a

perfect 4 for 4 here at Yonkers – the ease with which he’s picked up those victories is beyond impressive, and he’s

shown that he can effortlessly handle any trip that comes his way – clearly the one to beat, even with the bad draw.

(1) BELLISSIMO FACE S has been 2nd in all 3 legs of the series, including once to the top choice, and twice to #5 –

the rail draw makes the talented 6YO the most likely to complete the exacta. (2) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM didn’t

fire his best shot last week but his overall form is solid, and he can even throw a big one at times – decent bomb for

the bottom of exotics. (5) BUSY MAKING MONI is now 7-5-1-0 here at Yonkers, even if he tends to get a little bit

steppy at times – he showed a lot of gameness when he edged out #1 last week, and it would be no real surprise if he

was the one to grab the place spot (4) GREEN PASTURES has ability for sure, but really benefited from “fall apart”

races in those last 2 victories – will need some trip luck if he hopes to make his late rally count tonight. (8) SCOTTI

SH was a blowout winner in his local debut, finished 3rd, then 2nd to #7 in the first 2 series legs but was simply

unlucky last week when senselessly parked out by a longshot leader – the ability is there for sure, but tonight’s draw

may seriously compromise his chances. (6) LUCKY MUM N somehow held 2nd last week despite losing by

double-digit lengths to ANTOGNONI S – seems unlikely to be as fortunate tonight. (3) SAPPHIRERAINSTAR has

some mixed local form but struggled in her last pair and figures to have a tough time tonight, as well.

RACE 8 – (5) TWIN B SPEED DIAL came into his last off a pair of wins, was sent off as the prohibitive choice

but couldn’t make it last on the lead – he rebounded from a similarly disappointing try on 2/26 with a win the next

week, and will look to do the same tonight. (1) YOUR BROTHER was an “ok” 3rd two back and a much sharper 2nd

last week – feels like the main danger. (2) OLLIES ZTAM ships in off a win over lesser in PA – he gets a good draw,

and could be waiting in the wings should the top pair falter. (3) LUCIANO N perked up with a better one at Stga.

last week, even if vs. softer – good draw could help him take home a piece of this. (7) MIGHTY SANTANA N

raced ok off a tough trip last week but tonight’s draw could lead to another difficult journey – minor spoils? (4) ME

MPHISTENNESSEE N had 10 starts this year and still hasn’t been 1st or 2nd – looking elsewhere. (6) WAR DAN

DELIGHT N picked up 3rds in his last pair but tonight’s draw may hurt his chances significantly.

RACE 9 – (2) DRAW THE LINE’s last local try saw her just miss to BLOCKCHAIN, then she raced well in a pair

of Pocono tries after that – she figures to have a tactical edge over her main rivals tonight, and that may help her get

her picture taken. (7) NOTINGHAM added Lasix last week, was well backed but lost any real chance with a break

before the start – he has the ability to beat these, and a good price makes him worth considering. (5) BRONZER was

a winner in his first 2 local starts – he was heavily backed to make it 3 in a row (despite moving up in class) but

could only rally late for 2nd – remains a legitimate threat. (6) THE THING IS sports a nice 7-3-0-2 local slate this

year and Karna has been driving with more confidence lately – could be a late threat if some trip luck comes his way

(4) ENERGY KING feels a notch below a couple of these but his barn is off to a good start this week and that makes

him worth a look...if the price is good enough. (3) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS shipped in sharp from NJ and was an

ok 4th in his local debut – prefer a few others, but wouldn’t be surprised to see him race well here. (8) PRINCESS JA

CKIE earned nearly $200K at 2 (10-5-1-3) from the same connections that developed TIPSY MONI – not sure how

serious she’ll be tonight, though, as she draws Post 8 for her 3YO return – may be content to use this as a “prep” for

bigger things. (1) IHAVEADREAM DE VIE seems up against it vs. these, even from the pole.

RACE 10 – (8) SS SUPERSTAR won 8 of 13 starts in 2024 (out of town) and is on an even more torrid pace in

2025, taking 6 of her first 10 – she ships in riding a 5 race winning streak and last week’s victory in the FM Open at

Stga. suggests she’s not just beating “cheaper” – willing to try her even from out here, assuming the price is fair. (4)

PARKAVENUELISA was a solid performer at 3 and her lone local start was actually very good – that qualifier

suggests she could be ready to do some damage in her first start of the season. (1) PUSSYCAT DOLL GB

rebounded from a disappointing try on 3/26 with a much-more-like-it effort last week – she draws the pole, and

should have a solid chance at a good piece tonight. (2) SHES EPIC has just one start in 6 weeks but the talent is

there, and she may be able to grab a share if tight enough off the sick scratch. (5) IM A BELIEVER is winless at

Yonkers but hit board in 9 of her 14 local tries – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (3) PROMISING MOMENT did some

good things at 2 and should be ready off a pair of PA qualifiers– one of several with a legitimate chance at a piece.

(7) LADY BLUE JAY is always capable of delivering a solid late rally, but may find herself a little too far out of it

tonight. (6) FLOWER SHOPS struggled in her seasonal debut – sticking with others tonight.

RACE 11 – (2) FIRST LADY TRIO IT made her U.S. debut here on 3/19 and was actually looking very good on

the final turn before she made that break (would have been 2nd to BLOCKCHAIN) – qualified back nicely at

Pocono, and raced well there for 3rd last week – willing to try her again returning to Yonkers. (3) YOUMEANDWHI

SKEY almost stole one on the front end last week and she figures to be on/near the lead once more – very logical

player. (4) ALEXANDER never wins but he stays trotting and leaves well– always ok to use underneath (1) MARIN

COUNTY was an even 5th in a useful 3YO return – could be sharper tonight, with a chance for a bit better piece. (6)

GI LYS DE VIE has been dull in his 2 starts since returning from the layoff but is capable of better – willing to

include underneath. (7) JAKEY JUMPUP has offered little so far in ’25 – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (8)

BAR KEEP DE VIE missed all of 2024 and is 9-0-0-0 to start off 2025. (5) JEANNIES ACTION is 11-0-1-0 at

Yonkers and returns from NJ showing some pretty dismal current form.