Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, April 3, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Spring Fling Series – Leg 3: (3) FANATIC returned from NJ last week and raced super, beaten

only a length and a half (in 3 rd) after getting parked every step of the way – could be very dangerous tonight with an

easier journey. (2) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE gets major post relief this week and is a proven player with these

types – good value horse to consider at that 8-1 ML price. (4) BIG LIMO has been racing ok across the river and

should be a good fit with these (for Kleinhans, who makes his first local drive of the season) – not sure he should be

the ML favorite, however. (5) ALL RISE is usually in the thick of things but really had no excuse to get beat last

week – still willing to include him underneath. (8) LIONHEAD landed on a perfect trip last week and was able to

pick up his first victory of the season– he’ll need a lot to go his way to replicate that from post 8, though. (1) AWOL

HANOVER had been really struggling for weeks before an improved try in his last – we’ll see if he can build off

that and race well here too. (6) BBC SPORTSBOY won 11 races in Canada last year and makes his local debut

tonight for new connections – he’ll have to overcome a bad date, and a tough draw to be a player here. (7) SWISS

HOUSE ONFIRE draws Post 7 after making just 1 start in the last 7 weeks

RACE 2 – (3) SHADOW CAT was actually well meant from Post 8 three back but lost all chance when forced to

retreat to last early on – he had no prayer in his next, then was actually was a very good 4 th from an impossible spot

last week – have to believe he’ll be very well meant tonight with the move inside. (2) MOVIN ON UP gets both post

and class relief, and this is definitely a level where he can make some noise – definitely could outperform his odds

tonight. (5) ON ACCIDENT has some solid out of town form but has become a bit camera shy the last couple of

years – ok to use underneath. (6) PURPLE POET started off the year with a 3 rd in NW20000 but has continued to

regress since then – this could be a wake up spot, but hard to accept too short a price to find out. (1) UNDRTHSOU

THRNSUN N had a couple of better efforts 3 and 4 back but then reverted to his lesser form in his last pair – needs

to bring his best if he hopes to contend for a piece here. (8) VULCAN STAR N probably needed his last at PcD (off

the bad date) – he does fit with these, but may be limited by tonight’s draw. (4) CHANTEE continues to struggle,

and just hasn’t been close to his best in a long time. (7) ALEX TYE has struggled all year – Post 7 won’t help his

cause

RACE 3 - NAADA Spring Fling Series – Leg 3: (1) VELOCIRAPTOR definitely disappointed a bit last week (off a

really good trip) but he’s still the most consistent of these, and did pick up a win here earlier this year – we’ll give

him the edge tonight, but that 6/5 ML price makes it hard to get excited about a wager. (3) HOBBS usually can be a

player when he draws inside and that’s the case tonight – logical contender, but note that he’s just 1 for 17 here over

the past 2 years. (5) HUNTERS GAL tends to lag for too long these days but this is a fairly soft group, and she may

be able to be a late threat IF she’s not too far back when they turn for home. (2) PETERS ROYALTY hasn’t been a

player for some time but perhaps he can grab a share tonight with an easy, up-close trip. (7) MUSKINGUM is

4-0-0-0 to start off the new year but did have a good 2024 season – bad draw, but maybe he can rally for a small

share? (4) ZLATAN is just 1 for 41 over the last 2 years and is 5-0-0-0 at Yonkers – minor spoils? (6) LIL DAY

DRINKIN has shown little across the river, going 7-0-0-0 to start the year – sticking with others. (8) ARCHIBALD

has been away for 3 months and draws post 8 for his return

RACE 4 – (3) SAULSBROOK HERO got very sharp in NJ after the recent barn change and brought that fine form

here to Yonkers, scoring the pocket victory last week – he could be looking at a tougher trip tonight, but we’ll still

give him the narrow edge. (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N already has 3 wins this year and becomes a very dangerous

player when he can sit close to the pace...as should be the case tonight. (5) J B GRAM recently endured an extended

rough patch but flashed a glimmer of life when 3 rd last week – if he can build off that, he may be able to have a real

say here. (7) IM A POWERPLAY A usually bounces back from poor efforts and that was the case last week (when

2 nd best to a very sharp winner) – would absolutely consider using him at that 15-1 ML price. (8) HAMMERING

HANK picked up a pair of 3rds since dropping to this $35K level but will have to contend with another bad post. (6)

TWIG throws his share of good efforts but he draws poorly and he’s 0 for 24 locally over the past 2 years – maybe

underneath? (4) BECHERS BROOK A has been ok lately, but vs. easier – may find these a little too tough right

now. (2) JACKS LEGEND N seems overmatched, even with the inside draw

RACE 5 – Good race! (4) BARN HALL shipped in from The Meadows, landed in a very high % barn and was

ultra- impressive in his first Yonkers start since 2023, powering on by the field in the stretch to score the 10-1 upset

– his price will come down tonight (and he IS facing a stronger group), but he still has a legitimate chance to repeat.

(5) PASSIONATE PROMISE was used early last week and still finished strong (once free late) to pick up 2

nd – he won 5 of 18 local starts last year, and deserves plenty of respect tonight. (7) BE DIFFERENT saw his 3 race winning

streak snapped last week but he was used hard early (on an off track), and the winner has been razor sharp himself –

if Bartlett can find him a manageable trip, he’ll have a chance...even from out here. (2) P L OSCAR has been pretty

good vs. some tough ones recently, but last week’s sick scratch is at least a bit concerning – willing to include him

on the bottom of exotics. (3) ROGER RABBIT had been off form for a while but his finish last week was more

encouraging – ok bomb for 3 rd/4  th. (6) WARRAWEE XALT has strong overall recent form but did make a break

trying to loop from Post 8 last start, and draws another tough post tonight – not impossible, but leaning elsewhere.

(1) IMA STANDUP GUY just seemed to lose interest when taken off the gate last week and probably just deserves a

pass for finishing so far back – he COULD rebound quickly, but landing in this very strong field isn’t going to help

his chances. (8) KOVU AS lands his 3 rd straight 8 hole, and it figures to compromise his chances once again

RACE 6 – Another good race: (6) IM THE PRINCE has elevated his game tremendously lately, turning in a big

mile to beat the 20s two back, then equally sharp in handling the 25s last week – steps up another notch AND draws

poorly, but a good price makes him worth considering. (4) LAZ was no threat off the claim last week but he was in a

pretty solid field and never got into the action – he likes to win races, figures to be a fair price, and could be

dangerous here with the right trip (5) CAPTAIN T HANOVER had been struggling a bit this year but got hammered

at the windows 2 back and delivered a very sharp victory – got caught battling too hard vs. the 40s last week but

drops back down to the level of that victory and could be a threat again. (2) FLIP MY CHIP has been terrific here

the last 2 years, going 21-8-5-0...he found things a little too tough at the $40K level last week but drops back down,

and has to be seen as a major threat – he also figures to be overbet in this very competitive affair. (7) LYONS BENJ

AMIN dropped down to 20s last week, was pummeled at the windows and delivered a decisive victory – he moves

back up, gets stuck outside, and may have a tough time replicating that last effort (but the price WILL be good). (1)

COLD CREEK FELIPE has speed from the pole but really does his better work one level down. (3) EMINEM HAN

OVER can grab a piece here and there but does seem a bit below the main players. (8) C BET HANOVER should

appreciate the class drop but the horrible draw will likely offset that benefit

RACE 7 – (6) CHULO is now 3 for 3 since arriving on the local scene, looking sharp each week and very powerful

at the end of every mile– the class jump shouldn’t slow him down, and we’ll give him the nod over his unpredictable

main rival. (4) LEXUS KODY has FFA speed and ability but even at age 7 (after 69 career starts), he’s still prone to

miscues at any time – his qualifier suggests that he’ll be more than ready to go in his 2025 return, but he’s just a

tough horse to accept at a short price, especially over the half miler. (1) FERRETTI is feeling good right now, and

comes into this off a solid 2 nd behind the top choice – he can have a big say here too, especially starting from the

pole. (3) ON HIGHER GROUND has been away since July, but does show a pair of solid qualifiers – seems ready

to at least contend for a piece. (5) RITSON tailed off for a while but has found better form at the lower levels and

seems to be holding it as he climbs back up the class ladder – the 3 weeks off does cause at least some concern. (2)

INFINITI STONE rattles off big miles a few times every season and last week was one of them – figures to have a

much tougher time trying to run and hide from these, though. (8) YO BETH D was a little better in her last couple

but figures to be sitting too far back to make any real noise tonight. (7) I GET IT draws poorly off a sick scratch and

the guess is that he’ll be handled conservatively tonight.

RACE 8 – (1) REAL PEACE hasn’t won in some time but he’s been solid in 30s for weeks, and now drops down to

meet a modest field of 25s (from the pole) – he won’t be offering much value, but he’s the one they have to beat. (4)

WICHITA LINEMAN has similar recent form to the top choice, and he’ll be going for a new barn tonight – feels

like the main danger. (2) DANCE ON THE BEACH drops back down to 25s, draws inside and should be able to

stick close enough for a piece of this. (7) THRASHER was re-claimed last week and steps up in class while putting

his 3 race wining streak on the line – he could end up with a much tougher trip tonight, and that could slow him

down a bit. (3) OZARK picked up a 2 nd and a 3 rd in his first 2 local starts but tonight’s move up to 25s could hurt his

chances a bit – he’ll need to be a bit better to have the same success with these. (8) PASS A GRILLEBEACH has

had some success here in the past but lands in a very tough spot upon arrival – maybe he can grab a piece if Gingras

can find him an easy enough trip. (6) CLEVELAND B MIKI was unable to rally for his new connections moving up

in class last week – he drops a bit, but another bad draw could slow him down once more. (5) BUCHANNON HAN

OVER is 0 for 17 here over the last 2 years, and 1 for 42 over the last three

RACE 9 – (7) BENJAMIN HANOVER could be worth a play tonight – he recently saw his 6 6 race winning streak

snapped but bounced back with a solid off-the-pace effort for 3 rd last week – he’ll be a good price here, and he has

talent to overcome the draw IF some trip luck comes his way. (6) SOUTHWIND COORS was always a nice trotter

but he’s really flourishing since joining the nation’s leading barn recently – he won at this level as the odds on

favorite last start, and his price will be better tonight – possibility. (4) TIPSY MONI is virtually unbeatable vs. the

girls but she’s proven that she can trot with the boys as well, picking up a win and a 2 nd the last 2 starts – has to be

considered a threat in her current raging form. (5) KEG STAND wasn’t up for last week’s tougher trip but he’s

capable of being right there with these when on his game – consider if the price is right. (3) BLACK MAGIC is 2

for 2 since returning from NJ but those wins were on the lead, vs. easier- it helps that he draws inside his main foes

tonight, but he’d need to be a good price to use for the top slot. (8) HERODOTUS ended 2024 with a win in this

class but this is a brutal spot to be returning off a 3 month layoff. (2) P C FREE WHEELING has done terrific work

since the claim but really would like to be in a bit easier. (1) EYE OF A TIGER AS has plenty of back class but still

seems somewhat overmatched against these, even with the inside draw

RACE 10 – (4) WILLY WALTON recently struggled in a few starts but did look much better last week, even if

weakening a bit to 4 th – he’s visited the winner’s circle plenty of times, and may be able to get there tonight...if he

continues in the right direction. (1) AIRMANS JACKPOT has been using her speed to be a big player every week,

though she’s had to settle for 2 nd in 3 of her last 4 starts – very logical threat, but does sometimes get overbet. (6)

MAHONE SEELSTER has been good for a long time, and comes into tonight with wins in 2 of his last 3 starts –

he’ll need some trip luck to win from out here, but a good price makes him worth using. (7) OVER AND BACK

was a bit disappointing in his local debut, then a no threat 3 rd last week – may be limited to a smaller piece once

more with the bad draw. (3) MOHATU AS picked up a 3 rd in this class 2 back, then lacked room in the lane last

week – still prefer others for the top spot, but he is playable underneath. (8) ARCHERY SEELSTER enjoyed a

beautiful trip last week and probably should have been 2 nd (he ended up 3 rd) – his overall form is solid, but he faces

an uphill battle trying to get in play from out here. (5) BULLY BOY HILL has some good recent tries at PcD but vs.

easier – may find things a little tougher than he’d like in 40s. (2) MANCLANE has been away since September and

his qualifier doesn’t look all that encouraging

RACE 11 – (3) RICARDOSHILYSHALLY has been very good lately and can be forgiven for flattening a bit last

week (after pacing a big 3 rd quarter just to rally up into 2 nd) – maybe he can pull off the mild upset tonight? (7) SOU

TH POINT is having an outstanding year, going 8-5-3-0 so far – he goes for another new barn tonight and draws

poorly as well...but he’s shown that he can overcome these things in the past – remains the one to knock off. (2) MO

NACO HANOVER got caught in a bad shuffle last week but did pace well at the end after shaking free – maybe he

can sit a close up trip tonight and land somewhere in the exotics? (8) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM picked up a win

and a 2 nd in his first 2 local tries but was unable to get into play from a bad post last week – drops a bit, but may

have trouble once more with another terrible draw. (6) ONE OF THE GUYS is hard to gauge class- wise but he’s

been sharpening at Rosecroft and moves to a barn which used to have major success with these types of acquisitions

– reasonable stab for longshot fans. (4) HOUND ON THE BEACH hasn’t been bad out of town lately but he’s just

11-0-1-0 on the local scene over the last 2 years. (5) VANDALISM just hasn’t been a player for a long time. (1) PIN

EBUSHDRAGONLIFE is 9-0-0-0 here at Yonkers.