Wednesday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (7) PURE SILKY was away since August then returned recently at a much reduced level – she was short

at the end in her first start back, but nearly got to the sharp REAL LADY SADIE last week – maybe she’s ready to

get over the hump, and back to the winner’s circle? (6) FORTUNADA has been very popular at the claim box lately,

though she hasn’t won in a little while – a good price here makes her worth considering. (3) JUST ROSAS LUCK

has been very consistent for weeks and was just reclaimed by the barn that won with her 2 back – remains a real

threat. (2) IRON MISTRESS really disappointed last time when she gave way in a very slow mile to a mare that

hasn’t been a threat in many months – we’ll find out if she just had a bad night, or if she’s starting to fall off her

game. (1) JILLIAN JIGGS tired after flashing speed 2 back (off the claim), but was an ok 4th last week – chance for

a piece from this spot. (5) TYRA MAKES BANK just seemed to lose interest at the back of the pack last week but

she gets a better draw, and can be considered for a small share. (4) CANNERY ROW just hasn’t been nearly as good

since the barn change 3 back. (8) IRIS SEELSTER has fallen off her top form – Post 8 isn’t going to help.

RACE 2 – John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #3: (6) SCOTTISH thrived immediately for his new barn, crushing his

rivals by 7 lengths in a very sharp 1:54.2 mile – he’s had to settle for smaller pieces behind the powerful ANTOGN

ONI S the last couple of weeks but avoids that rival tonight, and we’ll give him the nod...even with the bad draw.

(2) CHEF ROCCO had excuses here a few starts back – re-sharpened at Pocono, and has raced well in both series

legs so far – no reason he can’t grab a good piece here too. (1) GREEN PASTURES was handled very patiently in

the first leg (off a break the week before) but was still able to rally from last to first to pick up the victory – he

skipped Leg 2, however, so be careful about taking a short price tonight. (4) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM just

missed after cutting the mile 2 back, then rallied for 2nd last week – a good trip puts him in play for a good piece. (3)

BLOCKCHAIN was moving up in class coming into this series and could only manage an even 3rd in Week 1 – he

did pick up a victory in his last, but that was helped by an easy clip on the lead, with a couple of rivals either coming

up weak or getting locked in – he may be just a bit vulnerable tonight. (5) OPTRIX is listed here on the bottom but

the right trip could easily land him a piece of this.

RACE 3 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #3: (5) ANTOGNONI S is now 6 for 7 in the U.S., his lone loss being

a 2nd to Open trotter SOUTHWIND COORS – he’s looked outstanding in all 3 Yonkers victories, and just may get

sent off at 5 cents on the dollar tonight. (1) SAPPHIRERAINSTAR was 2nd to TIPSY MONI in a FM Invitational 3

back and picked up a 2nd in the first leg of the series – maybe she can complete the exacta here too? (2) CANTSTOP

YANKEE’s last 3 efforts have been all over the place - if he brings his best, then he’ll have a shot to complete the

exacta...but he’s definitely a little iffy right now. (4) LUCKY MUM N did have trot with no room last week but in

general, has struggled since leaving the “NWPM” ranks. (3) MEETMEATTHEBAR has actually raced better than

expected in the first 2 legs, but likely still the outsider tonight.

RACE 4 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #3: (6) BELLISSIMO FACE S was a very nice horse BEFORE adding

Lasix recently, and he’s been excellent since then (a win on 3/13 followed by a 2nd to ANTOGNONI S, and a 2nd last

week behind BUSY MAKING MONI, after being trapped most of the mile) – worth a shot tonight, even with

another bad draw. (5) BUSY MAKING MONI looked very shaky into the first turn last week but Yannick kept him

trotting, held the lead, and was able to deliver the victory (after finishing a good 2nd in Leg #1) – clearly he has

plenty of ability but he does get steppy at times, and could be at least a bit vulnerable. (4) THE PRINCE didn’t seem

to like being used at the start 2 back and threw a clunker – Stratton elected to just braven him back behind horses

last week, but he’s a much better horse than he’s shown in the first 2 legs – not a bad value horse to at least consider.

(3) FULL SCALE has been a very steady local performer, hitting board in 20 of 29 Yonkers starts – he’s a notch

below the top ones, but always possible for a piece. (2) DEADLINE HALL has been ok in the first 2 legs from well

back– he’ll be closer to the action tonight, but likely still looking at only a minor share. (1) CRAZY BROTHER JIM

just seems a bit overmatched...even from the pole.

RACE 5 – (1) ONE OF THE GUYS finished with alert pace (from an impossible spot) in his local debut – his barn

is starting to win some races again, and this guy may end up with a pretty nice trip in here – not sure he’ll be 8-1,

though. (4) PRINCE OF TIDES seemed iffy coming into his last start (dropped below the claiming price off a 21

length loss at Pocono) but he hit the top, and was a sharp winner – has to be seen as a serious threat to repeat. (3)

DANCE ON THE BEACH hasn’t been able to get back to last year’s good form in his first 4 starts this year, but he

wasn’t terrible in his last pair and does drop another peg – maybe he can help get Dube to the winner’s circle for the

first time this year? (5) RECORD YEAR was well backed from Post 7 last week (off the claim) but never really

looked right and eventually made a break – it seems like a good sign that he drops right back in the box, and he may

even be a fair price tonight – possibility. (6) THRASHER drops back down to 20s after getting parked last week in

25s – he faces an uncertain trip tonight but he did just win 3 in a row, and a good price makes him worth a look. (8)

PRETTY HANDSOME is clearly sharp right now but faces a lot of obstacles from out here – maybe 3rd/4th? (7) RO

CKINBILLYSDREAM lands another bad post and may need to wait for a better draw before we see his best again.

(2) MEMPHISTENNESSEE N has managed only a pair of 3rds from his 9 starts this year.

RACE 6 – (4) WAIMAC ATTACK N was sent off favored in his first start since last August and was able to dig in

tenaciously to preserve the victory – should only be tighter tonight, and looms a short priced repeater. (6) GINGER

TREE PETE is probably the biggest threat, but the draw does him no favors – if Holland can hustle him away to a

quick start, his chances would go up significantly. (5) MIGHTY SANTANA N is now just 1 for 38 at Yonkers over

the last 3 years, but he does grab his fair share of decent pieces – never a bad one to include underneath. (1) YOUR

BROTHER looked shaky in the 3 hole for much of the way last week but somehow managed to cling to the (no

threat) show spot – chance for some minor spoils here too. (2) MASTER MIKI hasn't had a lot of local success but

the inside draw gives him a chance for a small check. (7) THE WILL TO PLAY gave it a shot when he blasted from

Post 7 last week but he ended up giving way to #4 and backing through the field – have to believe he’ll be very

conservative tonight. (8) ON THE VIRG was unbeatable in this class for a while but that form has deteriorated

significantly. (3) PINE BUSH UP DRAFT just seems overmatched (and can be a hard \horse to drive at times).

RACE 7 – (2) HILLOOKIN was a no threat 4th here on 3/12 (first start in 10 months and behind BLOCKCHAIN)

but he quickly sharpened, and was the easiest of winners in his next 2 local tries – he’ll probably be the 2nd choice

tonight, but he may prove the right one. (1) SUPERNOVA HANOVER certainly has ability (he made $100K at 3,

and just recently beat HERODOTUS in a hot 1:53.1 qualifier – on the flip side, he tired badly in his first start after

that qualifier, and did look rough at times in his only start here last year – just may be a bit vulnerable. (4) STAR HA

IRDRESSER just missed in his first local try – he added Lasix for his next, got away to a good start but lost all

chance after making an early miscue – worth using in exotics at that 20-1 ML price. (5) FAST APPROACH always

“figures”, usually ends up in the exotics but his 1 for 13 record this year means he’s burned a lot of $$, at short

prices – underneath only. (3) HIPPIE SHAKE has been a steady player in this class and the good draw gives him a

chance for a small slice. (6) CHASING CRYSTALS is a bit below the top ones but has the right pilot for a chance to

save ground and squeeze out a minor share. (7) KELLYS GREATEST fits well in this class but tonight’s draw is a

killer. (8) ALEXANDER finished 2nd in his last 3 starts but Post 8 is going to put that streak in serious jeopardy.

RACE 8 – (4) NOTTINGHAM struggled in his last couple but he’s was also facing better (and tonight’s addition of

Lasix suggests he may have been bleeding) – hard to know how he’ll respond racing off 3 weeks, but he could prove

best in here if anywhere close to 100%. (5) BRONZER shipped in with promising, but mixed Canadian form – he

hit the top and jogged in his local debut then was able to sit patiently and blow by his rivals the next week – he’ll be

facing tougher now, but may be sharp enough to still be a big threat. (3) ENERGY KING is off to a slow start this

year, managing just a trio of 3rds from his 9 starts– he MAY be in a spot where he can be handled more

aggressively, though, and that could make him a legitimate player. (2) THE THING IS will be rallying well at the

end but it’s hard to predict where he’ll be coming from tonight – chance to beat these, but a smaller piece seems

more likely. (6) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS immediately picked up his game dramatically in NJ after arriving from

Canada to his current barn, finishing 2nd in his first start then winning 2 in a row, at very short prices – the big

question is how he’ll fit with the locals CLASS wise, and we’ll get a better picture after tonight. (1) IHAVEADREA

M DE VIE pulled off a big upset vs. softer last start, but will need to improve a lot more to have that same success

with these.

RACE 9 – (5) MA ISABELLE was well backed for her local debut (3/26) but made a break – she was handled

carefully the next week and finished with trot, then picked up a 3rd last week behind a couple of better ones – may

have landed in a field she can handle. (6) SHE SPICY had license to be short last week (first start of the year) but

she really wasn’t all that great either – she hails from top shelf connections and has to be respected with that mile

under her belt, but she’s also not one to bet the rent money on tonight. (1) MARIN COUNTY finished way back in

his qualifier but he was facing pacers (in a fast mile), and probably trotted as fast as most of these do on a weekly

basis – really wouldn’t be a shock. (4) NAUTILUS B had a pair of decent 2nds not too long ago but her current form

is less than stellar and she’s just 2 for 32 lifetime– that 5/2 ML price seems a little low. (3) YOUANDMEWHISKEY

is hard to like on paper, but at least she gets a good draw with Gingras – small piece? (2) BAR KEEP DE VIE

missed all of 2024 and has now gone 8 starts without hitting the board in 2025. (8) BARN CREDIT picked up a few

minor pieces recently but he’s 0 for 15 at Yonkers and starts from Post 8. (7) WISTERIA HANOVER hasn’t been

part of the equation in some time.

RACE 10 – (4) TWIN B SPEED DIAL has won 3 of his last 4 starts, all with Bartlett on board – solid chance he

can take another tonight. (3) HELSINKI has found his form again, and may loom the main danger...especially if the

trip goes his way. (1) SHAKE IT isn’t necessarily “sharp”, but at least he’s competitive every week – logical threat

to land somewhere in the exotics from this spot. (5) SNOUZE U LOUZE is 0 for 12 on the year but often races well,

hitting board in half of those starts – remains a good one to include underneath. (2) VESPA N gets an appropriate

drop to this $15K level but the 3 weeks off are a concern – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) ROSE RUN X CON finished 4th in his

last 3 starts and is likely looking at only minor spoils for tonight. (8) NOWHERE CREEK A flashed some life 2

back but quickly was back struggling again last week – sticking with the more reliable players. (7) ARTIST BEST

just feels like he’s been regressing lately – the poor draw isn’t the answer.

RACE 11 – (1) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has hit board in 10 straight and that includes 4 wins – he draws the pole in

a modest field, will likely be controlling the action, and will be a tough (heavy) favorite to knock off. (4) VELOCIT

Y KOMODO did pull off an upset here 2 back and may land on a good trip tonight – can lightning strike twice? (2)

WAR DAN DELIGHT N came up with a better than expected effort for 3rd last start – if he can race as well tonight,

he’d be in line for a decent piece from this spot. (3) ROCK THIS WAY has been consistent lately, picking up 3rds in

his last 3 starts – he’s actually been sharper in the past, but he’s good enough now to be a late threat, with the right

trip. (5) SAILBOAT HANOVER wasn’t all that great last week, but at least he put in a move dropping down to 15s

– willing to include him underneath. (7) THREE GRAND is as camera shy as they come but he does have a pilot

that’s never afraid to leave the gate, and he could be worth throwing in for 3rd/4th at a nice price. (6) LOU ON THE

BEACH perked up with a couple of nice tries vs, lesser in NJ recently, but failed to threaten at all upon arrival last

week and draws poorly for tonight. (8) DEEDENUTO is now 17-0-0-1 locally...and draws Post 8.