Thursday Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, April 17, 2025 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) TWIN B DELUXE charged home last week to be right there 3 rd behind a pair that would be heavily

favored in here (and who finished 1-2 again on Tues. night) – he’s already beaten better this year, and we’ll give him

the nod in tonight’s opener. (5) C BET HANOVER was an ok 4 th last week and may have even been hurt a bit by an

equipment issue – maybe he can add some value to the exotics? (6) TWIN B RISENSHINE raced a bit better with

the class drop last week, even if helped by an easy trip – he drops again, and could grab a decent chunk, despite the

draw. (4) PURPLE POET has only managed one 3 rd from 6 starts this year so it’s hard to justify that 9/5 ML price –

his barn is capable of waking one up at any time (like WOODMERE HARRIET on Tuesday!) but he just won’t be

offering any value in here. (3) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N hasn’t clicked yet in the U.S., though facing better – the

26 days off are a concern, but at least he’ll be a juicy price – maybe 3 rd/4 th? (1) ALEX TYE hasn’t been able to get

going this year, with just one 3 rd from 10 starts – needs to be a lot better. And (7) CHANTEE is in that same boat,

with just one 2 nd from HIS 10 starts (and a bad post tonight). (8) OZARK was way back off the claim last week and

seems buried once more

RACE 2 – (2) SOUTH POINT has 10 starts this year and he’s won 6, and been 2 nd in the other 4 – he goes for a new

barn tonight, but he’s been able to thrive for many trainers along the way – pretty hard to go past. (5) CONTACT ZO

NE has raced well in a bunch of his starts this year, often at good prices – his odds will come down in this spot, but

he’s still a solid candidate for a piece of the exotics. (3) JOHN THE BAPTIST lost all chance when he was forced to

abort early on last week but he’s looking at a close up trip tonight – needs to finish better for a chance at a bigger

slice, though. (7) SIP OF BOURBON fits well with these types but he’ll need some trip luck to overcome tonight’s

draw. (6) SHOCK TROOPER took some $$ for his local debut but was dull throughout the mile – has a new trainer

listed for tonight, and we’ll see if he’s any sharper. (4) PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE adds Lasix but that may not be

enough to help a horse that’s 10-0-0-0 here at Yonkers. (1) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER was very good here in 2023

but is 12-0-0-0 since then (for different connections) – he’s off a bad date, and hard to consider, even from the pole

RACE 3 – Good race: (2) ARCHERY SEELSTER has been solid all year long and comes into this off a sharp 2

nd last week behind AUSTRAL HANOVER – Zeron stays on board, and he may be able to use his post advantage to

work out a better trip than his main rivals in here – narrow edge. (7) BULLY BOY HILL rallied nicely for 2

nd in his first local start of the year and looked loaded with trot in the lane last week, while stuck behind a ton of traffic – he

could really outperform his 20-1 ML price if Siegelman is willing to handle him more aggressively. (5) MAHONE

SEELSTER isn’t the handiest horse on the planet but he’s been a rock solid performer in this class – he has 2 recent

victories, with a chance for another tonight if things go his way. (3) OVER AND BACK seemed way overbet last

week but landed on a dream trip, and was able to squeeze out a victory – it’s possible he could repeat, but he won’t

be offering any value at that 8/5 ML price. (4) PAPA DOC took 4 tries just to get requalified but was still able to win

his first start of the year (at Pocono) – he was 0 for 15 at Yonkers last year, but did race well here many times in the

past – mixed feelings. (6) MOHATU AS has been a good price in all 4 starts at this level, hitting board 3 times (and

lacked room in the other) – tough draw, but still a chance for a piece. (1) CREATE MYSTIQUE hasn’t been bad

since arriving on the local scene but still will need to prove that he can contend at this level

RACE 4 – (4) ON ACCIDENT rallied nicely for 3 rd in both starts after arriving from Pocono – feels like a good spot

for a more aggressive try, but he’s sharp enough to win from off the pace, as well– worth a shot here (5) GREG THE

LEG experienced a significant dropoff from 2023 to 2024, and has become even more even more unreliable in ’25 –

that being said, anything close to his best would make him a big threat here...suppose it all boils down to price. (1)

JACKS LEGEND N raced much better than expected (at 31-1) two back, then was in a no-chance spot last week –

the millionaire moves all the way inside, and could have a big say tonight. (3) FREQUENT IMAGE had been

struggling, showed some better life 3 back, won his next but then tired in the lane off a pocket trip last week – which

version will we get tonight? (2) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A had a pretty magical 2023 season, winning 15 Yonkers

races and banking $274K – he only made 8 starts in 2024, however, and is having trouble finding his groove in the

current year. (6) GALANTE A is another from the barn that has missed time – the bad draw is just another knock.

(7) BUCHANNON HANOVER is 19-0-0-2 locally over the past 2 seasons – another horrible post won’t help!

RACE 5 – (2) LAZ picked up 7 wins last year and is already 2 for 7 in 2025 – he should be able to find a pretty

good trip from this spot, and his price should be pretty good as well – one of several with a chance in here. (8) FLIP

MY CHIP has 4 wins and 4 seconds from his 11 starts this year, and was really roughed up in the other outings – he

has the speed to blast from out here, and belongs on your tickets even going for a new barn, from a terrible post. (7)

IM THE PRINCE is scary sharp right now but likely to be coming from well out of it – if you think he may get

enough action up front to make his big move pay off, the price will certainly be juicy. (6) J B GRAM finally woke

up 3 back, was a bit disappointing in his next but full of pace again last week– his chances to be a real player tonight

go way up if Stratton can improve position at the start. (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE should be able to work out a

good trip from the pole but he still seems more likely to be chasing a smaller piece, rather than a bigger one. (4) CA

MOUFLAGE MONEY was dismal in his first start in from Ohio but Bartlett still takes him over #8 – perhaps he’s

expecting a much better effort tonight? (3) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL hung in ok at this level upon arrival from

Dover – still leaning elsewhere, but will keep an eye for improvement. (5) AVENGER FORCE showed ability at 2 –

he missed his entire 3YO campaign, however, and makes his way into a claimer in just his 4 th start back as a 4YO –

feels iffy, at best

RACE 6 – (3) AUSTRAL HANOVER has been solid pretty much every start in this class, and that includes last

week’s very sharp first over victory – legitimate chance to make it 2 in a row, but that 8/5 ML price will make it hard

to get much value tonight. (2) ROGER RABBIT had been struggling for a while but perked up a bit 3 back, was an

excellent 2 nd in his next and a strong 3 rd last week, showing good trot at both ends of the mile – major player again.

(5) INFINITY AS is a quirky horse that’s capable of throwing some big miles, while also looking pretty ordinary on

other weeks – he makes his first start off the claim tonight, and it’s anybody’s guess as to what we’ll see from him.

(1) PASSIONATE PROMISE shipped in sharp from The Meadows and picked up a 2 nd on 3/27 but he got parked in

his next, and was dull in his last – needs to bring his best if he hopes to take advantage of tonight’s draw. (6) KOVU

AS was a very good 3 rd last week, and might have been listed higher tonight if not for the very difficult draw (4) ICE

BREAKERS K had a few good recent efforts vs. softer but made a break last week returning to this $40K level –

prefer others right now. (7) LOS BALLYKEELAMIGO gets a bad draw, off a bad date, off a pair of weak efforts

RACE 7 – (3) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES returns from a successful stint at Stga., and he’s certainly done plenty of

good work here at Yonkers, as well – Yannick hops on board, and we’ll give him top billing. (4) MUSIC HALL

struggled in 4 of his last 8 starts...but he WON the other four – hard to bet him with confidence tonight (especially

with Gingras opting for #3) but it would also be hard to leave him off your tickets! (1) REAL PEACE only made 4

starts last year – he’s been racing steadily in 2025 and usually right in the hunt...but he’s yet to find the winner’s

circle – playable, but be careful about taking too short a price on top. (2) BECHERS BROOK A hit board in 5 of his

last 6 starts but he’s another that’s struggled to find the winner’s circle – certainly very playable in exotics. (7) KAR

LOO BRADLEY N is a solid player at this level but may need a (much) better draw to be a threat for one of the top

slots. (5) REIGNING DEO has always been somewhat camera shy so it’s not really all that surprising that he’s still

winless in 2025 – one of many with a chance to grab a decent piece, depending on trip. (8) BIG DREAM FELLA

hasn’t been “bad’ lately, but he also hasn’t been nearly good enough to consider from out here. (6) BILL HALEY N

was going strong then started to fall apart 4 starts back – drops tonight, but not ready to hop back on his team

RACE 8 – Tough race: (6) SEVENSHADESOFGREY blasted to the top last week then went offstride (something

he’s done a few times, in the past) – he recovered and caught the pack, then was full of trot in traffic to the wire –

he’s sharp enough right now to win with the right trip, especially with Bartlett back on board – decent value horse to

consider (4) DIAMANTE TRIO IT was very sharp in that win 2 back but just didn’t bring her best last week, despite

finishing 2 nd – she likes to win races, and never a bad one to consider at a decent price. (5) EYE OF A TIGER AS

would probably like to be in just a bit easier but he’s loaded with class, and becomes very dangerous if the right trip

comes his way. (1) P C FREE WHEELING had done nothing but good work after being claimed on 2/6...until last

week’s clunker – the big question is will she shrug it off and quickly go back to being a big player, or is she starting

to tail off. (3) BE DIFFERENT was a beast in 40s for our leading barn but remains a question mark for his new crew

at this higher level. (7) RITSON is very good these days but will need plenty of trip luck to reach from out here. (2)

WHEELZABLAZIN seems to race a bit better out of town...and may need to be in a little easier.

RACE 9 – (3) OVER THE HORIZON returns off a sharp win at Stga. and he has won races here in the past – picks

up Bartlett, gets a good draw, and we’ll try him on top. (4) DONTTELLMENOW dropped into this aged-restricted

claimer last week and dug in determinedly through the stretch to pick up his first win of the year – logical player

again tonight. (1) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE often hurts his chances with slow starts but is always pacing hard at

the end – if Siegelman can keep him a bit closer to the action tonight, maybe he can have a bigger say in the latter

stages. (6) ON DAYBOO roared up to #4 on the final turn last week, looked like a winner but never found enough to

go by to the wire – won’t be any easier tonight with the tougher draw. (7) METAL MAN took $$ as always last

week, left hard, but lost all chance with an early miscue – he’s been burning $$ for the last 2 years, but at least he’ll

be a decent price tonight for those inclined to stay on his bandwagon. (2) METAMAN was a no threat 3

rd behind #4 and #6 last week – chance for another smaller piece tonight. (5) HURRIKANE CHEYENNE made no impact in his

local debut – will just observe this week. (8) MONACO HANOVER can be a player with these with a good trip, but

tonight’s draw figures to really slow him down.

RACE 10 – (4) EPOS OSTERVANG DK added Lasix last week, did all the heavy lifting first over then was

outkicked home by the sharp winner (who sat to his back) – willing to stick with him tonight. (2) WARRAWEE

XALT broke 3 back, rebounded with a ground saving effort for 3 rd in his next start then was too far back to have any

chance last week – Stratton can be more aggressive with him here, and he should definitely be offering value with

that 10-1 ML price. (3) BROOKVIEW DARIUS has been super for weeks in this class, making it all the more

surprising when he faltered on the lead last week (as the odds-on choice, having things his own way) – moves to a

new barn tonight, and we’ll see if he can bounce right back. (5) LOUS GAMBLER broke in the first leg of the John

Brennan Trotting Series then caught a 1:54.2 mile last week – he may find these more to his liking, but the jury is

still out as to what his “proper” local level will be. Both (6) WILLY WALTON and (7) P L OSCAR do their best

racing on/near the lead but there’s definitely speed on the inside and both of these guys figure to have a tough time

overcoming their terrible draws. (1) IMA STANDUP GUY may have just lost interest when caught in the back on

3/20 but after a much better getaway last week, he struggled on the back side and finished well back once more –

will wait for a better effort before hopping back on his team

RACE 11 – (3) SAN DOMINO A dropped down to 25s last week and picked up a 2 nd behind an exceptionally sharp

winner – he gets a big barn change after being claimed that night, Bartlett takes him over a couple of others, and

we’ll look for a big mile from him tonight. (5) HOOSIER CELEBRITY has some solid form in PA, gets Gingras on

board for his local debut, and the barn sent out a sharp 10-1 winner earlier this week– decent value horse to consider.

(6) BETTORBUCKKLEUP hit board in both starts since dropping to this level – tough draw, but still can grab a

share with some trip luck. (4) VIVA LAS VEGAS N used an easy trip to pick up a 4 th at the $30K level last week,

and now drops down a notch – playable on the bottom of exotics. (8) THEFLYINGROCK threw a dud on 3/24 but

rallied stoutly in his last, upon dropping to 25s – would have been listed higher here if not for Post 8. (2) MOONLIG

HT SHADOW had been struggling for a while before picking his game up a bit in his last couple – not sure moving

him up to 25s is going to work out, though. (7) WICHITA LINEMAN never really found his form this year for his

previous barn, and continues to struggle since the recent claim – Post 7 is not going to help his cause. (1) UNDRTH

SOUTHRNSUN N has struggled all year long – not sure the rail is enough to make him a contender.