Tuesday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (3) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was a close 4th after a first over trip in NW15000 2 back, then finished full

of pace from an impossible spot last week (in NW10000) – drops another notch for tonight, draws inside a couple of

main foes, and should be a fair price. (6) TRENDY TEEN has plenty of ability but was limited to 2 starts last year –

recently returned off a 7 month layoff and ships in off a pair of encouraging tries across the river – would be no

surprise at all. (4) TWIN B DELUXE was used very hard last week and can be forgiven for tiring – he’s an excellent

fit with these, and should be able to have a big say in the outcome. (7) POP IT has been solid since returning as a

4YO but just got used harder than he’d like last week – figures to be handled conservatively tonight, but may still be

able to rally for a piece. (2) AROUND MIDNIGHT is racing ok right now but may need to be in a bit easier to

contend for one of the top slots. (1) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY arrives from Ohio, lands in a new barn, and has been

away for 3 weeks – leaning towards others tonight. (5) RAYRAY likely needs to be in a bit easier to have a serious

say. (8) PRINTVILLE lands Post 8 after a disastrous try last week – prefer to just observe for tonight.

RACE 2 – (1) ROCKNROLL ANNIE was hurt badly by terrible cover last week and did kick home strong, after the

fact – would prefer to see her one level down, but she can beat these too, with the right trip...may end up the best

price of the main players in here. (2) LAZIN ON THE BEACH won from Post 8 in her first start off the claim (at

19-1) then just missed from the 8 hole last week, this time at 7-1 – she moves inside now and her price will surely

come down...but she does have a solid chance to beat these. (6) JENDEN STRIKE A raced well in all 3 starts since

the claim, especially in last week’s victory – legitimate chance to win again, but she faces a somewhat uncertain trip

starting from Post 6. (4) CELCIUS races well week after week and always deserves plenty of respect – she also has

just one WIN from her last 9 starts, and that makes her 8/5 ML price seem just a bit on the low side. (5) PARADISE

ROCK L gave it a good try off the claim last week, leaving for a trip and pacing well up the cones to be a close 3rd –

no reason she can’t grab another piece tonight. (7) BOORAA N fits with these on her best game but she failed to get

in play from a similar spot last week, and may suffer the same fate tonight. (3) ILLUSION SEELSTER was a “drop

and flop” 7th moving down to 30s last week – feels shaky right now. (8) QUARREL lands all the way outside after a

dull try from the pole last week.

RACE 3 – (5) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N was sharp in his U.S. qualifier, kicking home in :27.4 and rolling by the

classy JIVE DANCING A – his connections have enjoyed more than their share of success with these imports, and

perhaps they’ve found another nice one. (3) AVENGER FORCE showed plenty of potential at 2 but missed his

entire 3YO season – he went a big try in his 2nd start back at 4 (after a long layoff), rattling off a hot pace and only

weakening late (but still a close 3rd) – may be ready to bring his best effort tonight. (2) BOOKEM DANNO was

reserved off the hot early pace last week and rallied to be a close 2nd, though benefiting from the slow final quarter –

mixed feelings about his chances for tonight. (7) JONES HANOVER feels like he’s on the upswing, but tonight’s

draw may derail him a bit – small piece? (1) KOBE HANOVER makes his local debut showing only a pair of 3rds

from 7 career starts – he does draw the pole and races with Lasix for the 2nd time – we’ll see how he fits. (6) LOU

VUITTON arrives for top shelf connections but after winning 4 races and over $200K as a 2YO, he was winless in

11 starts at 3 (for just $19K) – his current NJ form is hard to get excited about. (4) HURRIKANE JUSTIN is just 1

for 29 and seems to be trying to race himself back into shape after a long layoff.

RACE 4 – (5) REAL LADY SADIE has the speed to make her a player every week, loves to win races, and may

have won another last week had she found room at the cones – she faces several live rivals in here, but we’ll give her

the edge (1) DISARONNO HILL raced decently vs. better (from some tough posts) in several starts– she seemed

like she may be tailing a bit but rebounded with an excellent try last week, rallying crisply in the lane after being

hurt by dull cover – could be a big threat here with a good trip. (3) NIKASA N had been off her best game for a

while but wasn’t bad last week dropping down to 20s, finishing up alertly after sitting last most of the way – her best

effort puts her right into the mix. (2) ONEDEFULBEACH is always tempting because of her speed, and her ability

to hit board week after week...but she also seems to come up light in the crucial stages every start, and that has left

her winless on the year – good one for underneath. (4) PURE SILKY returned from a long layoff at a reduced level,

ended up with a really nice trip but came up weak in the lane – it’s anybody’s guess if she’ll be able to build off that

effort tonight, or if she just isn’t the same mare right now. (6) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT is just 1 for 26 over the last 2

years but that win did come last week (at PcD), in just her 2nd start off a barn change – would consider at a big

enough price. Both (7) BROOKDALE JESSIE and (8) YOU BEDA ROCK grab their share of minor pieces, but

both face difficult tasks tonight thanks to the draw.

RACE 5 – (3) IRON MISTRESS has been able to cut the mile 3X this year and was victorious on each occasion –

she may get the opportunity to control the action tonight, and that would make her very dangerous (5) JUST ROSAS

LUCK has been very sharp for weeks, for multiple barns – goes for new connections once more, and looms the main

danger. (2) ELLAS REASON N has been limited to smaller pieces in her recent starts and could be looking at the

same tonight, unless she can up her game a bit. (4) IRIS SEELSTER took a suspicious drop last week and turned in

a disappointing effort – feels risky at the moment. (1) TUAPEKA JESSIE N just hasn’t been a serious threat in a

long time – we’ll see if the rail draw can at least help her pick up a small share. (7) BOUT DAMN TIME A won 11

of her 19 starts last year but appears to have fallen on some hard times at Stga., and will debut for a new barn tonight

after missing 3 weeks – she’ll be a big price, if you think the change of scenery may help her. (6) LADY WISHES

was racing well here at the end of last year but has hit the skids in NJ in 2025 – waiting for better signs. (8) DASH N

CACHE won off the claim on 2/11...and has failed to beat a single horse in the 4 starts since then.

RACE 6 – (4) FAMILY RECIPE was very well meant last week but landed in a tough spot, finishing full of pace

late after shaking free between horses – catches an overall soft field tonight (dropping to NW5000) and deserves top

billing. (7) AIR FORCE HANOVER attracted plenty of tote action last week, aired it out on the front end and

battled hard in the lane before settling for 2nd best – could be a player again tonight with another fast start. (8) ROC

KMYSTER N is sharper right now than his lines might look – gets the worst of the draw, but may still be able to do

damage if his trip works out...not a fan of that 5/2 ML price, though. (5) ALWAYS ROCKIN doesn’t have the

greatest Yonkers overall history but he certainly raced very well last week – a similar effort could land him in the

exotics once again. (6) ALWAYS A LOOK had no real pop last week but at least was a close 4th – maybe he can beat

some of the struggling ones for a small piece. (1) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N just hasn’t been able to get anything

going in 2025 – we’ll see if he can find a better effort from the pole. (3) DUVAL STREET is another that’s been

struggling all year, and hoping for a wake up call. (2) AUSSIE HANOVER has disappointed in most of his starts for

some time – leaning elsewhere.

RACE 7 – (2) RACEY RACH N has been having an incredible year so far, going 9-6-2-0 to start off 2025 and

currently riding a 4 race winning streak – she faces some other sharp foes in here (so it would be tough to call her a

“cinch”), but she’s certainly earned top billing. (1) AMBUSHED has been no worse than 4th in her last 5 starts and

that comes right after a 3 race winning streak - she finished just behind the top choice in her last pair, and it would

hardly be a shock if she was able to turn the tables tonight. (3) STAY HAPPY has earned herself another class jump

off back to back blowout victories – it’ll be harder against these for sure, but hardly impossible in her current raging

form. (4) BEE OKAY A was very sharp for a while, hit the skids for a few starts and now her latest efforts have

been mixed – not a bad bomb to throw in underneath. (5) BEANTOWN BABE was on a major form spree but did

hit a speed bump last week trying to make the jump to this $50K level – she draws outside a few very sharp mares,

and will need to bring her absolute best to have any chance at one of the top prizes. (6) YS SENSATIONALCITY

rattled off 4 straight recently but has really leveled off in her last few starts – leaning elsewhere at the moment. (8)

TWIST LITTLE GIRL can hold her own in this class but may need a much better post in order to do so. (7) VILLA

GE JADE seems better suited with easier these days – Post 7 certainly doesn’t help.

RACE 8 – (3) COMBUSTION can be forgiven for not having any say last week, as it was his first start since

November and he was racing from Post 7 in the Borgata Series – this is a MUCH more reasonable spot, and he

should also benefit from last week’s mile – the barn sent out FINVARRA A to victory on Monday night, also

dropping out of the series. (1) SPIRIT OF STLOUIS N earned $1M Down Under but really struggled to find his

game in the U.S. – he finally seems to be on the right track, and could be a threat tonight, even moving up in class.

(4) FEARFUL INTENT has been sharpening with easier at Pocono, and does have an excellent Yonkers history –

deserves plenty of respect for his high % barn. (2) ESCAPE TO AMERICA was well backed last week, driven

aggressively and almost got the job done – definitely ok for a piece here, but the double class jump could slow him

down a bit. (5) HAZEVILLE can hold his own with even better than these when sharp, but his current form is hard

to really gauge – mixed feelings. (6) LUCKBEWITHALEX returns from PA and he does have a terrific local record

– hard to say if he’s sharp enough right now to do any real damage, though. (7) WINDSUN RICKY draws poorly

and is likely to be handled pretty conservatively. (8) SANTANA HANOVER drops a bit but also draws all the way

outside after a weak first over effort – may need to wait for a better scenario.

RACE 9 – Tough race: (2) JUST ENUFF STUFF recently put together a few good starts but then was slowed a bit

by bad posts in tougher classes – gets a good draw for tonight (for a strong barn) and this may be a good week for a

more aggressive try. (3) STAY GROUNDED was 9-0-0-0 here last year but generally facing much better – he’s been

3rd in both local starts this year, and seems very comfortable at this NW5000 level – chance tonight with the right

trip. (5) POINTOMYGRANSON seems far removed from the horse that won 17 races here in 2023-24 but he had

some sneaky life 2 back and just no prayer last week – consider if the price is decent. (6) CYRUS N struggled in his

first 5 starts this year but did rally for 3rds in his last pair – definitely ok for exotics. (4) EVER HOPING A would

be threat here on his best effort but his current form is a little questionable, and that 2-1 ML just seems too low (7)

BET A BUNDLE could be a decent fit here (off his recent NJ lines) but he may need to wait for a better spot after

landing Post 7. (1) MY ULTIMATE STAR A lands the pole but is 7-0-0-0 locally in 2025.

RACE 10 – (6) WHY TOMORROW RAY was used hard twice from Post 8 upon arrival from Ohio/PA but still able

to pull off the victory for our leading trainer – faces a bit tougher now but most of these are fairly iffy right now, and

he may be able to take another. (5) VICI is now winless in 8 starts this year, though usually a big part of the action –

remains a very viable candidate for exotics but also remains tough to use on top at short prices. (2) ALADDIN is

back down at the levels where he thrived earlier in the year – his current form is questionable, however, and he did

make a break before the start last week – one of several “question marks” in here. (3) KIMBLE A got beat in a

cheaper field at Pocono 2 back but at least he showed life, at a short price – he built off that win a win here last week

(NW5000), and we’ll see if he’s built enough confidence to be a player here too. (4) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK

gave it a decent speed try when 3rd on 3⁄4 - he missed three weeks, but was solid again last week, cutting the mile and

finishing 2nd – seems sharp enough to have a say here, but he’s also just 1 for 21 at YR over the last 2 seasons. (1)

TWIN B RISENSHINE has been inconsistent at best, and his lone recent victory came in a “fall apart” race – on the

positive side, he draws the pole and his barn is starting to heat up. (7) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER likely needs a

better draw to be a serious player.

RACE 11 – (1) AMERICAN DEALER N is used to facing much tougher than these, and he’s earned $300K locally

over the past 2 seasons – those 2 NJ efforts should have him more than tight enough to handle this assignment. (3)

PATRONUS STAR N was ok when 3rd in his first local start, landed on a bad trip in his next but was a sharp winner

last week – logical horse to use underneath. (5) GREG THE LEG is definitely sharp enough to be a player in here

and Gingras has driven him a couple of times – some trip luck could help him bring home a nice chunk. (4) WALKI

NSHAW N landed on a beautiful trip 2 back but was still very sharp in that victory – give him a pass for last week

(stuck in the back on a terrible track) and look for him to rebound with a much better try tonight. (2) BENHOPE RU

LZ N wasn’t into that first over trip in last week’s hot mile but an easier journey could help him take home some

minor spoils. (7) TAIPO N shipped in sharp and was able to charge home to beat easier last week – in a tough spot

tonight, but could still see him rallying for 3rd/4th. (8) SAVE ME A DANCE is “ok” lately, but figures to have trouble

overcoming tonight’s draw. (6) CASINO ACTION N will look better with some class relief next week.

RACE 12 – (3) VEL IM A WINNER was very good in her first local try despite a bad trip, while racing off a bad

date – she had some trip luck come her way last week, and charged home in the lane to score the victory – she

moves up in class, but may be sharp enough right now to take another – good value horse to consider. (4) SALE EL

SOL had been 1st or 2nd for 7 straight weeks before getting totally blocked last week and losing all chance – deserves

a chance to make amends. (6) WHOS PERFECT is hitting on all cylinders right now and is seeking her 4th in a row

– hard to leave her off your tickets. (1) NUTTINBUTHEBEST seems off her game at the moment but a good trip

from the pole may cure some of her ills – worth a look if the price is decent. (5) GINGER TREE LIZ is unreliable

from start to start but she’s charged home for upset victories twice this year, and just missed in one other – not sure

the move up to 25s is really warranted, though. (2) AT THE HOP had been on a nice form spree before throwing last

week’s clunker...and that has us leaning elsewhere tonight. (8) WOODMERE HARRIET has solid overall form but

she couldn’t get in play from a similar spot last week, and has several sharp ones inside of her once more. (7) EBON

Y LADY is yet another that was doing lots of good work lately – but she failed to get close after drawing Post 8 in

her last (up in class, off the claim) and tonight’s scenario feels very similar.