Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (8) MOMENT IS HERE has been 2nd in 4 of 8 local starts this year, finishing behind some nice horses on

a few occasions – he’ll likely have #7 blasting right to his inside, but that shouldn’t stop this guy from also getting

away to a fast start...should offer enough value to be worth using even from out here. (2) BOILING OAR conceded

at the start in his last pair after drawing Post 8 both times – he moves back inside and if you look 4 starts down,

you’ll see that he actually beat #8 – good spot to look for an aggressive try from him. (4) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS

was a little disappointing here 3 starts back but should be feeling pretty good about himself after a pair of Pocono

victories – logical threat, but may end up a bit overbet. (7) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP has been a player every week

lately, even if he still hasn’t gotten back to peak 2024 form – leaning to others for the top slot, but he certainly can

be used in exotics. (3) GAMBLINGTERROR may be moving up out of his comfort zone but he’s good right now,

and gets a good draw – maybe 3rd/4th? (5) YOROKOBI N is solid right now, but faces an uncertain trip tonight –

may have too far to come. (6) KINGSVILLE is feeling good right now but the combination of a (double) class jump

and bad post may slow him down here. (1) BRUCES VO N COKE displayed ability at 3 but may have landed in a

tough spot for his local seasonal debut.

RACE 2 – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg #2: (5) ITS A ME MARIO turned in a razor sharp qualifier on 3/7, rallied for

an excellent 2nd (behind VERDUN) in his first start of the year then raced super last week, turning in an eye-popping

brush to the front from before the half (3rd quarter in :26.2), opening a clear lead then losing only to a horse that has

yet to taste defeat in the U.S. – very hard to go past tonight in this modest division. (2) HEMSWORTH N tired in his

first start of the year but finished well the next week, and was also solid in his last – draws inside, and may be the

right one to complete the exacta (1) CARABAO A had no prayer from Post 8 last week but moves all the way

inside, and that may help him take home a small piece of this. (6) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR had alert pace

finishing last week for connections that did very well overall that night – maybe he can rally for a small piece

tonight? (4) HUNG RY ANGEL BOY was moving way up in class last week but didn’t tire all that badly after a first

over trip, on a very soupy track – we’ll see if he can build off that tonight, especially with an easier journey. (3) ACT

FAST was dull 2 back then just caved badly last week (after going 6-0-2-0 here in ‘24) – leaning elsewhere right

now. (7) CAMARA MOMENT was no factor last week and now had to contend with Post 7.

RACE 3 – Good race: (1) PEACE OUT POSSE was a solid 3rd last week behind Borgata entrant MIKI SHAN N,

and the always tough ROCK DIAMONDS N– he drops back down to 50s, draws the pole, and we’ll give him the

narrow edge. (3) TWO FACED is 0 for 10 this year and is moving up a notch off the (re) claim...he’s also razor

sharp, moves inside, and may be able to get over the hump with the right trip. (2) ALL ALONE was a winner in this

class 3 back but he also landed on a perfect trip that night – he drops back in for a tag after a poor try last week (at

3/5), and does feel at least a bit vulnerable. (6) SCRIBBLERS was used much harder (while up in class) last week

and came up a little short at the end – tough draw for tonight, but he’s been very sharp and could be a decent value

horse to consider. (7) ILIKEMEBETTOR A returned very sharp in 2025 and brings a 2 race winning streak into this

– he could be looking at a very tough trip, but he’s worth at least a look at what figures to be a pretty good price. (4)

MULLINAX beat a cheaper field in NJ on 2/22 and has maintained excellent form ever since, even as he’s climbed

the class ladder – maybe a minor share? (5) RENAISSANCE DEO is 0 for 8 to start off 2025 but he’s hit board in 5

of those losses – one of many with a chance for at least a piece with the right trip. (8) DEETZY has taken 3 of his

last 4 starts, stepping up to win in this class last week – will need plenty of racing luck to win from out here, though.

RACE 4 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg #2: (1) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR sat the pocket to CHASE H HANOVER

last week, squeezed between horses into the stretch, got by and can be forgiven for getting collared by the charging

VERDUN at the wire – he’s won 4 of 6 local tries, and we’ll give him the edge tonight. (3) CHASE H HANOVER

arrived razor sharp for this series but just wasn’t able to hang on after cutting the mile last week – remains a very

real threat. (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A was surprisingly aggressive last, barely avoided a bad shuffle, and

wasn’t beaten all that badly at the end – not a bad bomb to consider if looking for an upsetter in here. (6) AMMO

had been doing good work this year (for a new barn) but really folded last week after getting blown away by ITS A

ME MARIO – we’ll see how quickly he can bounce back after getting his feelings hurt so badly. (4) PLEASELETM

EKNOW was clearly short for his 2025 return and the guess is that he’ll need at least another start before we see his

best. (5) HIMSELF N was a sharp 2nd best on 3/24 but was scratched sick for the opening leg last week and remains

a question mark for tonight. (7) BLAZING HOME N finished alertly for 4th last week but he’s 0 for 5 at Yonkers (so

far) and gets stuck with the worst post for tonight.

RACE 5 – (3) ALWAYS A THRILL held on for the win on 2/22 at Pocono and hasn’t lost since, currently riding a 5

race winning streak that has seen him knock off some pretty nice horses, often effortlessly – he’s earned his way up

to the Invitational ranks, and still remains the one to knock off. (1) FUNATTHEBEACH N is feeling pretty good

these days and the classy 11YO has worked his way back up to the top class for the first time in a while – the rail

draw could set him up with a pretty nice trip here, with a good chance to take home a big chunk. (4) HEZ ALLTHE

RAGE N has been on a long form spree, and showed last week that he’s sharp enough right now to hold his own

even at this high level – the switch to A. Nap won’t hurt his chances, and that 10-1 ML price does give him appeal.

(2) BLUE LOU sat the pocket to the top choice last week and proved no match, though safely 2nd best – likely will

have to settle for a smaller piece tonight, as well. (5) SMIFFYS TERROR N has been very consistent since arriving

in the U.S. – he’s in tough tonight, but may still be able to rally for a minor share. (6) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has

won 5 of his last 6 and 6 of his last 8 – he’s also looking at a much tougher trip tonight than he’s become accustomed

to, and that may leave him with a smaller slice than usual. (8) NANDOLO N was unable to get into the hunt last

week and another terrible draw may leave him in the same boat tonight. (7) HOWLENTHEHILLS comes off an

outstanding 3YO campaign but lands in a brutal spot for his 4YO return – good week to just observe.

RACE 6 – (1) FINVARRA A seemed overmatched against the Borgata types so it was probably a smart move to

drop out of there this week, especially when he fit this NW20000 class – his last 5 starts in the Invitational yielded a

win, a 2nd, and two 3rds...and that’s probably why Bartlett (who hasn’t even been driving this guy) hops off ALL CL

ASS, to drive him tonight – will be a pretty short priced favorite in here. (5) ALL CLASS only made 9 starts as a

4YO but did race well in most of them – he returned from a long layoff in February and has been racing well this

year, coming into this off a win in his last – as noted, Bartlett does opt to drive #1, though, and the 3 weeks off are a

bit of a concern as well. (4) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A is a talented sort but he can get a bit lazy, and that’s

probably why he got lost in the back last week – steps up a bit, but he also moves inside...and that could put him in

play for a good piece here. (3) ORLANDO BLUE A was invisible last week but he was racing off a month from

Post 7 (off the claim), and was adding Lasix for the first time – eligible to have a bigger say tonight. (2)

MARLBANK ROAD has leveled off a bit since bumping all the way up to thjs class, but is still racing ok – the good

draw gives him a shot at a piece. (8) ROCK THE BELLES had a new trainer listed on 1/28 and has raced very well

ever since – tough task getting in play from out here, though. (6) SPORTY M THREE exits the nation’s leading

barn, moves up in class and draws poorly – leaning elsewhere. (7) VENGEANCE BLUECHIP was making his 4YO

debut last week and was looking a bit sluggish even before the equipment break.

RACE 7 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg #2: (1) FOR ONCE INMY LIFE came into this series razor sharp and was

outstanding in the first leg, holding of COACHES CORNER in a sizzling 1:51 mile (the pair left the others in the

dust) – he’ll get to call the shots again tonight, and will be tough to overhaul if as sharp as last week. (4) HUMBLE

A was 7 for 7 here last year, effortlessly shooting up the class ladder after arriving in the U.S. – he was sent off at

1/5 in the first leg (despite Post 7 and 3 months off) but came up 2nd best, after an aggressive try – he was apparently

purchased right after that race, and debuts tonight for his new connections...and looms the main danger. (2) WHY

NOT NOW was handled conservatively in Week 1,rallying nicely for 3rd off a ground saving trip – he should be

looking at a pretty nice trip tonight, and could be a viable option if looking for an upsetter. (5) ADMIRAL HILL

won 12 of his 18 starts last year, and has won 21 of 45 overall – he was WAY overbet in the first leg (first start in 4

months and over an extremely wet track), but still overcame a tough trip to be a close 4th – seems ready for a big

effort, but may not land on the best of trips tonight. (6) MIKI SHAN N was hammered at the windows in both U.S.

starts, an impressive winner (over easier) each time – he probably would have been favored in the first leg had he

not been scratched, and now is faced with a tough draw - insist on a good price if trying on top tonight. (7) VENTU

RESOME ARDEN N hasn’t been sharp, and now draws Post 7. (8) ROCKNROLL RUNA A is another that has

been struggling, and also has to deal with a terrible draw. (3) BIRTHDAY doesn’t seem up for these at the moment.

RACE 8 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg #2: (1) DESPERATE MAN was left uncovered into a eye-popping :26.3 third

panel last week but never stopped trying, only about a length back in 3rd at the wire – the mega-classy 7YO figures

to be tighter for his 2nd start of the year, and will surely get a much easier trip – he’s won 15 of his 20 local starts,

and we’ll give him the edge tonight. (7) COACHES CORNER raced super in Leg #1, pacing a mile in 1:51 only to

come up 2nd best to a razor sharp FOR ONCE INMY LIFE – he’s definitely at a post disadvantage tonight, but still

looms a very dangerous threat. (4) BINGE ON YANKEE was sent off at 20-1 last week (thanks to a bad post after

being scratched injured) but he showed up on his best game anyway, and was able to prevail to the wire after making

an easy lead – sharp enough to rally for a good piece tonight. (5) DUNKIN was an ok 3rd last week, though well off

the top pair – still trying to find his best form in 2025. (2) HELLABALOU doesn’t feel like he’s in top form, but the

2X Borgata winner can at least contend for a piece with a fairly easy trip looming. (3) SHERLOCK N is likely a

notch below these, but is sharp enough for a chance at 3rd/4th with a kind journey. (8) WISH YOU WELL was a nice

trip 3rd last start, but looking at a rough trip tonight. (6) LYONS STEEL feels a bit overmatched.

RACE 9 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg #2: (1) VERDUN served notice 3 back that he was ready for Borgata action,

would have won his next had he not waited too long to move and simply exploded through the lane to take his last,

looking as good through the wire as he has in any of his big wins from last year – he’s facing a strong division

tonight, but we’ll give him the narrow edge. (6) MOSSDALE BEN N is now 5 for 5 in the U.S. and has looked

exactly the same whether beating a NW10000 field, or last week’s Borgata division – the guess is that Stratton MAY

finally try to leave with him tonight...and he’ll be a major handful if able to at least improve a bit at the start. (2) CH

ARLIE MAY was stuck first over last week and ended up outmuscled late by a few others – it’s way too soon to

write the classy 7YO off, and he’ll be a decent price tonight for those looking to stay on board. (7) AARDIES FLAS

H N was ignored in the wagering last week (after a clunker the week before) but he was right back on his best game

to score as the 17-1 overlay winner – IF #6 doesn’t leave the gate tonight HE probably will...and that could make

him a player once again. (4) TYPHOON BANNER N wasn’t bad last week, but he’s clearly still trying to find his

best form – this is a tough field for that to happen. (3) JANELLE GRANNY still needs to prove he can hang with

these. (5) RACING RAMPAGE still looks short with 2 starts under his belt.

RACE 10 – (4) MUSIC HALL won three straight at the $30K level in February, had a tougher time for a few starts

in 40s but got right back to the winner’s circle last week upon dropping back down (despite Post 8) – stays in the

class, and remains the one to knock off. (3) FINAL CHEESERECIPE has 3 wins this year and also has legitimate

excuses in his last couple – gets a good draw, and looms the main danger (and will be a better price). (1) CAUGHTI

NALANDSLIDE is often hurt by a lack of early speed but is usually finishing up strong– logical one for exotics. (5)

HARD TO CATCH is thriving since the recent claim and just missed to the top choice last week – another one very

playable underneath. (6) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has been claimed in ALL 9 starts this year, going 9-4-4-1...he

does try to move UP to 30s for the first time here, and that may slow him down at least a bit. (7) TWIGGS PUB has

been knocking on the door with five 2nds from his 8 starts this year – tonight’s draw figures to leave him in a bad

spot, though. (2) IDEAL PAR drops in for a tag in his 2nd start of the year but may still find this a little too tough. (8)

WARRIOR FOR PEACE has been ok lately, but may need a better draw in an easier field to be a serious threat.

RACE 11 – (1) MACH N CHEESE is sharper than he may look on paper, and getting parked in 2 of his last 3 starts

certainly hasn’t helped – Bartlett (who hasn’t been driving) takes him tonight over a horse he recently won twice

with (#6), and we’ll look for a big effort from the pole. (2) KOPI LUWAK has been very consistent since the recent

claim, picking up a trio of 2nds – figures to be right in the mix once more. (8) MIND HUNTER is on his game again

but will have to contend with Post 8 – if you think Holland can find him a manageable trip, the price will be pretty

good. (3) SHAKESPEARE remains ever-inconsistent – last week’s drop to 40s didn’t produce the desired results,

but that doesn’t mean he can’t throw a better one tonight. (5) BB LUCKY BOY rattled off a couple of scary sharp

wins after arriving from NJ but he tired 2 back and broke in his last – wouldn’t shock, but that 5/2 ML isn’t all that

appealing. (4) ITALIAN LAD N is still winless on the year but is always capable of a small piece with a good trip.

(6) BILL HALEY N was super for 3 straight starts not all that long ago – he was invisible from a couple of 8 holes,

then caught in a suicide duel (with #1) last week – guessing he’ll be pretty conservative here. (7) JUSTASEC N

switched barns after a couple of major clunkers – waiting for better signs before hopping back on his team.

RACE 12 – (2) SPEED MAN N was the worst kept secret on the planet two back when he easily wired the field (at

8/5) from the 8 hole – he followed that up with another sharp front end score last week, and the mega-classy 11YO

seems quite capable of extending his streak to 3. (6) ULTIMAROCA elected to take back to last for the 2nd straight

week last start, and was no threat once more – it’s only a matter of time before we see a much more aggressive try

from him, and that MAY happen tonight– worth using on some tickets. (1) JETT STAR N won 3 straight here earlier

this year and lands in a nice spot returning from Stga.– should be right in the hunt from start to finish. (5) CAVIART

SARGENT can sometimes rally for pieces at good prices– good one to use for 3rd/4th (3) TICKERTAPE HANOVER

just gave way last start and tired badly, then took a month off – feels a little risky for tonight, especially with that 5/2

ML price. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM will be pacing well late, but likely from too far back to have much impact. (8)

SEMI TOUGH just came up empty off a pocket trip last week, and now draws Post 8 – he has a ton of class, but just

doesn’t feel up for this assignment right now. (4) TEXAS HOLDEM was dull last week moving up to this level.