Tuesday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (6) PARADISE ROCK L raced well in both starts since the recent claim, can handle a variety of trips and figures to be a decent price in a well-matched field – decent value play in a race with many possibilities. (1) RACIN FOR ROYALTY was parked every step of the way last week yet somehow almost was able to pull off a victory– she moves back up to 25s tonight, but still has to be seen as a serious threat. (4) QUICK MENU was right there 2nd in both local tries – hails from top connections, and looms a legitimate player once more. (2) GINGER TREE LIZ has 2 recent wins (and a nose loss 2nd) – she may prefer being in 20s, but still deserves consideration with that 15-1 ML price. (3) ROCKNROLL ANNIE was handled aggressively in 30s last week and not quite up for it – dangerous with the drop back down to 25s. but she also figures to be overbet. (7) MORNING HAS BROKEN has been solid for a while, but could be looking at a tough trip to overcome from out here. (6) EBONY LADY has done her best work vs. 20s – sticking with others. (8) AT THE HOP is another that could use a class drop (and better post).

RACE 2 – (6) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N qualified sharply for his U.S. debut then didn’t disappoint as the 1/5 favorite in his first start, winning effortlessly – he’ll face a bit tougher group tonight, but Bartlett sticks with him (over #5) and we will too. (5) AYR CORLEON GB hit board in all 3 local tries – he adds Lasix tonight (after weakening at PcD last week) and should be able to be right in the mix once more. (7) BALLARD EINSTEIN won 10 races and $100K at 2 and 3– he changes hands for his 4YO campaign and shows a pair of nice qualifiers for his seasonal debut –hard to say how aggressive he’ll be after drawing Post 7, though (especially with both rivals to inside likely leaving the gate). (3) ROYAL DESIRE does have speed/ability but is often his own worst enemy – he qualified nicely after 4 months off, but would need to be a pretty good price to consider tonight. (1) BOOKEM DANO was lazy much of the way in his last pair but still managed to finish 2nd both times – guessing he’ll be looking at a small slice tonight. (4) AMERICAGREATAGAIN was no factor in either 2025 start so far – waiting for better signs. (2) HURRIKANE JUSTIN is now 1 for 30 and off to a slow start in ‘25.

RACE 3 – (3) BET A BUNDLE shipped in sharp from NJ and finished full of pace from an impossible spot – moves inside, and is worth a stab in a very beatable field. (4) PRINTVILLE was sent off at 9/5 two back but never seemed comfortable when asked to move early and ended up finishing way back – he rebounded with a solid mile last week (sat last and finished alertly), and he definitely fits with these – possibility. (7) AIR FORCE HANOVER has 5 starts here this year – he was no factor at all (at big prices) in 4 of them but took all kinds of $$ on 4/1and went a big front end mile to finish 2nd – suppose a check of the tote board would be a good idea. (6) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER won 7 races last year but is off to a slow start in 2025 – he needs to be on/near the lead to be effective, so consider him if you think Holland may look to leave the gate this week. (5) ALADDIN drops another notch as he tries to get back to his better form from earlier this season – not ready to hop back on his team just yet. (2) FIZZING N has been away for 25 days – prefer to just watch, for now. (8) AUSIE HANOVER turned in a good one last week but is facing a much different trip tonight. (1) MUSCLE BART A failed to make the gate in his last 3 starts.

RACE 4 – (3) SALE EL SOL has been 1st or 2nd in every start since 1/29 (except when hopelessly trapped 2 back) – she faces several very legitimate rivals in here, but her own outstanding work stamps her as the one to knock off. (2) WILDCAT ANTONIA has been solid all year for a barn that continues to thrive – if things get a little testy up front, she may have her chance to make her presence felt...at a good price. (4) WHOS PERFECT wasn’t on her best game last week and saw her 3 race winning streak come to an end – would hardly be a surprise if she was able to get back into the win column tonight. (1) NUTTINBUTHEBEST gave it a good try last week, tangling with the top choice before coming up 2nd best – always a threat when she brings her best, though she does tend to be a bit inconsistent. (6) LAZIN ON THE BEACH has been on our tickets in many of her starts this year, often with good results – she’s not afraid to leave from any spot, and a good price makes her worth considering tonight. (5) BADDITUDE was struggling recently but seems to have built some confidence back facing softer in PA – not ready to jump back on her team, but will definitely keep an eye on her. (7) PINE BUSH MAGA took 43 starts to get her first Yonkers win and now has become a hot commodity at the claim box – tough draw up in class tonight, however. (8) NIKASA N also draws horribly off the claim – sticking with others tonight.

RACE 5 – (1) MALUKA MISS N dropped in for this $50K tag last week and turned in a sharp try, rallying nicely for 2nd behind #8 (who got the jump on her) – lands in a very competitive field but draws the pole and that may give her the edge she needs to beat these. (2) AMBUSHED has been sharp for a long time and got back to the winner’s circle after cutting the mile last week – Brennan opts for #1 tonight, but Kakaley is familiar with her as well – license to take another. (3) RACEY RACH N saw her 4 race winning streak come to an end last week, failing to bring her best effort – would surely be no surprise if she bounced right back to be a big threat tonight. (5) STAY HA PPY crushed the 25s and the 30s before settling for 3rd at this $50K level last week – she MAY be able to win in this class too, but for now we’ll use her underneath. (8) CRÈME DELIGHT got a better draw last week and converted it into a victory – may be looking at a much tougher trip with the move back outside, though. (7) ATREACHEROUS A drops in for a tag and would have liked her chances more had she drawn inside – tough spot. (^) ULTIMATE SPEED just hasn’t been hitting on all cylinders in some time – sticking with others. (4) MC ANGEL was scary for a long stretch last year but tailed off and struggled to find that form again – been freshened up, and we’ll watch, for now.

RACE 6 – (1) RAISE THE ANTE was 3 for 3 here last year but is off to an 0 for 8 start in 2025 (though hitting board 5X) – this is a very logical spot for her to pick up a victory…but that EVEN MONEY ML pretty much guarantees she won’t be offering any value at all. (3) YOU BEDA ROCK lost interest while sitting 8th last week but has otherwise been pretty solid lately – has to be worth a look at that 15-1 ML price. (2) DWS DARLENE is hard to like off her current Canadian form but she moves to a barn that was winning with a bunch of these types last year, and this mare did win 15 starts in 2024 – not a terrible bomb if looking to try against #1. (7) WOODMERE HARRI ET has now drawn Post 7 or 8 in SIX straight starts, racing well in a bunch of them – she gets a class drop, and would have more appeal if not for her 1 for 26 local record (last 3 years)/ (4) PLEASURE SEEKER had a good ’24 season but has struggled to get things going this year – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) SUNBURNT can throw a good one here and there but may need a better draw before we see that again. (8) BOUT DAMN TIME A arrived struggling from Stga. and was empty upon arrival last week – watching for signs of life. (5) DASH N CACHE was no factor at all last week but at least she didn’t finish last…as she did in her 4 previous starts.

RACE 7 – (4) AMERICAN DEALER N made his Yonkers seasonal debut at a level well below we’re used to seeing him, was sent off at 1/5 and while not a particularly “powerful” winner, he did handle business efficiently – he moves up a notch but is still racing well below his usual levels, and remains the one to beat…though he may need to exert a bit more to knock these off tonight. (2) WALKINSHAW N kicked home full of pace for 3rd last in the same race the winner comes out of – he was a sharp winner himself 3 back, and could definitely make his presence felt at the end if he gets a trip he likes. (7) TAIPO N shipped in sharp from Pocono and was a good looking winner (vs. cheaper) 2 back – he kicked home full of pace from an impossible spot last week (behind #4 and #2) and definitely fits here…it’ll all boil down to whether or not he lands on a decent trip tonight, from this seemingly tough spot. (1) SPEAKER OF PEACE ships in for sharp connections showing wins in 2 of his last 3 across the river – he’ll face tougher now, but can still be part of the equation. (7) WHY TOMORROW RAY overcame Post 8 to handle softer arriving from PA two back, then raced well again last week in his 2nd place finish to VICI – he faces tougher now, could be looking at a tough trip, and that 3-1 ML price just seems a little short. (8) PRINCIPLE INTEREST is sharp in PA but lands in a tough spot for his local debut, and may need to wait for a better scenario. (5) WINDSUN RICKY drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight and will have more appeal as he starts dropping in class next week. (3) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A has been idle for 3+ weeks – sticking with others tonight.

RACE 8 – (7) SHADOW CAT was sharper than he looked coming into his last so that sharp blowout score wasn’t all that surprising – he moves up in class and gets a bad draw for tonight, but he also lands in a fairly suspect field – chance to take another. (3) FAMILY RECIPE perked up with a better effort 2 back then built off that with last week’s victory – he moves up a notch, but this level is well within his comfort zone when sharp. (1) THUNDER HU NTER JOE was an excellent performer at 2 and 3 but struggled through a disappointing 4YO campaign – he was off to a slow start in 2025 but did pick up a victory vs. cheaper at PcD last week – we’ll see if it sends him on a little form spree, or if he just appreciated the class relief. (2) HICKFRROMFRENCHLICK has been camera shy the past 2 years though his overall current form is pretty solid – playable underneath. (8) JUST ENUFF STUFF was a sharp winner vs. easier last week but he’s more than capable at this level too – the draw may limit him a bit, though. (4) AMERITRIC was able to get up late and nip VICI last start but was scratched sick on 3/31 and comes into this having been away for 24 days – tough call. (6) ROLLING WITH SAM doesn’t win too often but often can rally for a piece – maybe 3rd/4th? (5) BETTOR B SIRIUS is one of the few from the barn NOT thriving right now.

RACE 9 – (1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N came into his last race sharp, took plenty of $$ but just wasn’t able to finish job, getting collared late by the tripsitting TRENDY TEEN after taking heat for much of the way – deserves a chance to make amends tonight. (2) ESCAPE TO AMERICA just missed to a very sharp TAIPO N 2 back, then just missed 2nd last week in NW15000 – drops, stays inside, and should be able to have a big say here. (4) VICI finally got over the hump and was able to get his picture taken last week – he’s good enough to handle the class bump, but really shouldn’t be the ML favorite – prefer to use him underneath. (6) TRENDY TEEN landed on a perfect trip in his first local start of the year, watching #1 take all the heat and then collaring him near the wire – he’s in a more difficult spot tonight, and may not land on the same kind of trip – still belongs in exotics, though. (3) LUCKBEWIT HALEX still hasn’t found his stride in 2025 – watching for better signs before considering. (5) TEXAS HOLDEM was doing better work when in those NW2-4PM races – needs to show that he can battle at this level too. (7) GING RAS BEACH drops a notch but that figures to be offset by the poor draw. (8) EUPHORIA N is stuck with Post 8 after missing a month.

RACE 10 – (5) SMIFFYS TERROR N may not be the handiest horse on the planet but he has plenty of ability and has raced well in virtually all 10 starts this year – he drops down from the Invitational (where he was right there 4th) but still figures to be a decent price…maybe Siegelman can find him a winning trip. (1) BOILING OAR was an excellent 1st over 2nd to the sharp frontrunning winner last week – he should land on a good trip tonight, and can be right in the hunt…even moving up a class. (2) FEARFUL INTENT shipped in for his first local start of the year last week and simply outran ‘em, an open length easy winner – steps up a notch, but still should be able to have a big say. (6) FUNATTHEBEACH drops out of the Invitational to a more comfortable level, but also gets stuck with a tough draw – willing to include underneath. (4) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A can get a bit lazy at times but does have talent and does finish strong – chance for a piece. (3) SOLID CHARACTER had some success at 2, banked $174K at 3, and is starting to sharpen after recently returning at 4 – he takes on tough older foes here, so we’ll see how he responds to that. (7) MACS MARVEL has 3 recent local victories but does feel up against it from this spot.

RACE 11 – Tough race: (4) AROUND MIDNIGHT was well backed and turned in a sharp try (for 2nd ) on 3/27, then was an ok 4th last week – he lands in a group that seems beatable, and perhaps he’s the one that can do it. (1) STAY GROUNDED has been a player every week lately, though vs. a bit easier – he should have a big say here, and is worth using IF the price is fair. (7) ALWAYS ROCKIN left hard from Post 8 two back and almost pulled off the 14-1 upset, then rallied nicely from off the pace last week – has plenty of appeal at that 20-1 ML price, even if Bartlett opts for #5. (8) POP IT has done some good work this year but does draw Post 8 after tiring on the lead 2 back and getting parked the mile last week – the likelihood is that he’ll be handled pretty conservatively. (5) LOUS SWEETREVENGE will surely wake up one of these weeks with a form reversing win but it’s hard to get excited about a wager TONIGHT when he’s listed at 7/5 on the ML – he does move to a new barn, so we’ll see if a change of scenery helps his cause. (2) BENHOPE RULZ N is normally a solid player at this level but it feels like he may be off his best game right now – make sure to get a good price if he’s your choice. (6) SAVE ME A DANCE picked up a couple of smaller pieces lately, but may need a better draw to replicate that here. (3) JUDDY DOUGLAS A is an infrequent winner, and probably would prefer to be in a little easier.

RACE 12 – (2) REAL LADY SADIE has won 2 of her last starts and it may have been 3 in a row had she found room on 4/1 – she’s easily the sharpest of these right now, draws inside and looms the one to beat in the finale. (3) FI GHT NOT FLIGHT changed hands at Pocono 3 back and has been much improved ever since, including last week’s rallying 4th here at Yonkers – very playable in exotics. (5) VEL IM A WINNER was a good 3rd in her local debut, won her next then came up a little light when 4th vs. the 25s last week – she drops back down to 20s. and that could make her a very live player. (1) BROOKDALE JESSIE moves all the way inside and while she’s as camera shy as they come, she does grab her share of smaller pieces – chance for that to happen here. (4) ONEDERFULBEACH just hasn’t been finishing her miles well enough for some time – always possible for the bottom of exotics, though. (6) DISARONNO HILL turned in an improved try 2 back but reverted to her lesser form last week – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help her cause. (7) TUAPEKA JESSIE N turned in a 27-1 form-reversing win last week but she would have been tough to play at twice that price – moves from the rail to Post 8 tonight, and we’ll see if that last mile was just a fluke, or if she’s actually turned things around completely. (7) HARMONY OF NOTES seems totally buried at the moment.