Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (5) SCRIBBLERS got used very hard vs. the 50s two back then had no chance last week – drops back

down to 40s, may be able to head right to the top and he did beat this class twice 3 and 4 starts back – he was

Gingras’ choice (over #) and we’ll give him the narrow call in this competitive opener. (1) JUSTASEC N recently

went through a major rough patch but he did look good finishing last week, even if at the back of the pack – he may

be ready to deliver one of his better efforts now, and that would make him a serious threat. (2) ILIKEMEBETTOR A

failed to get involved vs. the 50 last week (same race as #5) but won 2 straight just prior to that – logical player. (4)

KOPI LUWAK finished 3rd in his first 3 starts off the claim then broke through with a victory last week – add him to

the list of possible winners, if the trip goes his way. (3) ITALIAN LAD N usually isn’t a threat to win but is never a

bad one for the bottom of exotics. (7) I DRAINTHSWAMP A is definitely at a winning level, but may need to wait

for a better draw to be a serious threat. (6) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK is listed on the bottom mostly due to the bad

draw, but note that he does have a couple of wins this year – will probably have trouble getting involved tonight.

RACE 2 – Another well matched field: (5) TWO FACED has been a bit snakebit this year, winless in 11 starts but

2nd in 5 of them– he’s raced very well in a bunch of starts, and way overdue to get his picture taken – maybe tonight?

(3) RENAISSANCE DEO is in a similar boat to the top choice, winless in 9 starts but hitting board in 6 of them – he

was full of pace finishing last week, and worth a look here if the price is fair. (2) CURBSIDE PICKUP was an after

thought in 15’s last year...but after moving to his current barn, he rattled off a 5 race winning streak, culminating

with a victory here on 2/25 vs. the 60s – willing to forgive his last 3 starts (no chance spots) and the drop tonight is

significant...but he’s missed 3 weeks and that makes him a major question mark! (1) GENTLE GIANT is sharp

right now, draws the pole, and is only a good trip away from being a legitimate threat tonight. (6) PEACE OUT

POSSE dropped back down to 50s last week, got to control the action and was a sharp winner – may have trouble

matching that effort here, though, with the move from the rail to Post 6. (4) DEETZY did beat this class 2 back (his

3rd win in 4 starts) and while he’d hardly be a shock in here, we’re still leaning elsewhere. (7) MULLINAX is on a

long form spree but figures to have trouble overcoming tonight’s terrible draw.

RACE 3 – (1) CENTURY ENDEAVOR’s last 3 starts in this class have produced a pair of wins and a 2nd – he gets

to call the shots once more, and that stamps him as the one to knock off. (2) MACH N CHEESE did everything right

last week but ran into a stubborn MIND HUNTER when he popped out of the two hole to 3/4s and both ended up

sitting ducks for the perfect trip winner – he’s been sharp for a while, and looms a very legitimate player tonight. (4)

LYRICAL GENIUS A is having a solid year and fits well at this $40K level – if he can land on the right trip, he can

be a late threat for a good piece. (7) MIND HUNTER was able to loop BB LUCKY BOY from Post 8 last week then

went on to park that same rival, got a major test from #2 to 3/4s and battled right to the wire, despite being used very

hard the entire mile – don’t dismiss him too quickly just because of the draw. (5) SHAKESPEARE has an excellent

local history but his recent form hasn’t been up to par – leaning elsewhere right now. (3) MOVIN ON UP could

probably use some class relief. (6) SAULSBROOK HERO won his last pair but with perfect trip vs. easier – won’t

be nearly as easy in 40s, starting from a bad post.

RACE 4 – MGM Borgata Pace Leg #3: (2) DESPERATE MAN hasn’t been in “beast mode” yet but while he’s not

at the point where he’s just “automatic” in spots in like this, he still deserves top billing – his efforts in the first 2

legs (2nd and 3rd) may not have been up to some of his incredible miles in the past, but they were still very sharp. (4)

VERDUN was content to get away 4th last week, resulting in a tough first over trip (and a 3rd place finish) – he

remains dangerous any week he’s in the box, and always worth considering when the price is fair. (3) AARDIES

FLASH N came into the series off a clunker on 3/17 but quickly made amends in the first leg, scoring the 17-1 upset

– was an okay 4th of a less than stellar trip last week, and remains waiting in the winds should the top two falter. (6)

HELLABALOU was a no threat 4th last week but did race a bit better – willing to consider for the bottom of exotics.

(1) HUNGRY ANGEL BOY had excuses in both legs but still needs to prove that he can be any kind of real player

with these. (5) ROCKNROLL RUNA A is in need of a big wake up call – maybe reuniting with MacDonald helps?

RACE 5 – (1) CAPTAIN T HANOVER had an outstanding 2024 season but his big efforts in ’25 have been harder

to come by – he did deliver a very well meant score 3 back, and perhaps tonight’s change of scenery will help him

find another of those top efforts – worth a stab with that 10-1 ML price. (2) THAT DOG WILL HUNT was reliably

finishing 1st or 2nd every week (all year!) vs. the 20s, and going home in a new barn every time – he finally moved

up to 30s last week, but showed he can be just as effective one level higher – the good draw puts him right back in

play tonight. (4) FINAL CHEESERECIPE landed on a beautiful trip last week and knew what to do with it, picking

up his 4th victory of the season – another live journey makes him a threat to take another. (3) HARD TO CATCH

was claimed for $20K 4 starts back and has thrived at the $30K level in his 3 starts since then – remains a viable

candidate for exotics. (6) TWIGGS PUB was caught in the back with no chance last week but did finish full of pace

after finding a seam into the stretch – another bad draw could limit him to minor spoils once more. Both (8) HAMM

ERING HANK and (7) CLEVELAND B MIKI are proven players at this level but unless things just fall apart in

front, it’ll be hard for either of them to reach tonight. (5) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH hasn’t been bad – he’s listed here

at the bottom, but an easy trip would give him a chance at some minor spoils.

RACE 6 - MGM Borgata Pace Leg #3: (3) HEMSWORTH N is good right now, Scotty Z knows him very well and

probably isn’t afraid to come first over against any of these (if necessary) – came up 2nd best to a very sharp ITS A

ME MARIO last week and may have found a field he can beat tonight. (6) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR charged

home full of pace in both series legs so far and seems sharp enough to be a more serious threat in this somewhat

softer division – he could easily outperform his 15-1 ML price, and there’s even a chance that Holland could look to

leave tonight – consider! (1) RACING RAMPAGE has 2 starts under his belt, lands the pole, and may be ready for a

much more aggressive try – he’d be no big surprise in here, but he also isn’t all that appealing as the ML favorite.

(4) HIMSELF N was a solid 2nd on 3/24, even if helped by the easy pocket trip – he returned from a sick scratch

with an even effort last week, and is eligible to grab a piece of this with a live trip. (2) ACT FAST has plenty of back

class so he can never be dismissed too quickly...but he’ll need to improve on his current form if he hopes to start

having a bigger say in this series. (5) JANELLE GRANNY throws some big efforts at times but still needs to prove

he can do it at this level. (7) CAMARA MOMENT finished ok last week but still seems a bit overmatched against

these types.

RACE 7 - MGM Borgata Pace Leg #3: (1) BINGE ON YANKEE may have been helped a bit by an easy lead and

difficult track conditions in his Leg 1 upset but did prove last week that it wasn’t just a fluke by pacing home solidly

for 3rd behind 2 of the series favorites – he’s looking at a good trip tonight, and should be a major player from start to

finish. (5) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR found room at the cones in Week 1 and just missed to a flying VERDUN,

then was a safe wire to wire winner in his last – he’s won 5 of 7 lifetime start at Yonkers, and looms a clear threat

tonight. (7) CHARLIE MAY got a little tired late after a tough first over trip in the first leg, and can be forgiven for

getting mowed down late by MOSSDALE BEN N last week, after repelling VERDUN’s first over bid– terrible draw

tonight, but have to believe Miller will still try hard to get him in play...could offer some good value here. (6) HUM

BLE A made a couple of strong moves 2 back but came up a little tired late and had to settle for 2nd – he debuted for

a new barn in Leg 2 but failed to sustain his bid after being repelled by the frontrunning winner – we may not have

seen his best so far, but tonight’s draw won’t make things any easier. (3) AMMO has done good work this year for

his current connections and a good trip could help him grab a piece of this. (2) BLAZING HOME N gets post relief

but will need to up his game to be a real threat. (4) SHERLOCK N hasn’t been bad at all, but does seem at least a bit

overmatched by the better ones in this series.

RACE 8: MGM Borgata Pace Leg #3 – outstanding division! (3) MIKI SHAN N couldn’t have looked any better in

his 2 preps for this series (his first 2 U.S. starts) but he was scratched sick from the first leg – he certainly showed no

lingering effects in Leg 2, however, looking airborne through the lane after finally shaking free from the cones– he’ll

be the best price of the 3 big players in here, and that makes him worth a stab. (2) MOSSDALE BEN N was moving

on turn two from well back last week but when it was all over, he was charging by the leaders effortlessly in the lane

to record his 6th straight U.S. victory – he’s shown huge stamina and a big burst of speed when called upon, and

would be hard to leave off your tickets. (4) COACHES CORNER came up a little short when 2nd best in the first leg

but looked his best last week when he charged right on by the uber-classy DESPERATE MAN for the win – the 3rd

part of the “big three” in here, and demands tremendous respect. (1) WHY NOT NOW was a close 3rd in both legs

so far and draws the pole tonight...but still figures to be somewhat overmatched vs. the powerful top trio. Both (5)

VENTURESOME ARDEN N and (6) DUNKIN are off their best games AND get stuck outside in the toughest

division – not an enviable spot.

RACE 9 – (8) TICKERTAPE HANOVER came up terrible on 3/11 after hitting the lead – he took 4 weeks off and

returned sharp, an excellent 2nd last week behind very well meant frontrunner ULTIMAROCA – good value play

despite the terrible draw. (5) HAZEVILLE can be a little inconsistent but he comes into this off an excellent rallying

2nd behind the runaway winner, and this is a level within his comfort zone – possibility. (2) SHAZAM BLUE CHIP

still hasn’t found his 2024 top form but he’s still been right in the hunt every week – he’s looking at a good trip here,

but would still need to be a decent price to use on top. (6) CAVART SARGENT was really coming hard last week

and finished right behind #8 at the wire – he’s pulled off upsets in the past (for a barn that sends out their share of

good-priced winners) and is never worth considering at juicy odds. (7) SPLASH BROTHER’s only win this year

came 2 level downs but IF you think he can blast his way to a good trip, he’s worth considering, at least underneath.

(4) GAMBLINGTERROR is pretty good right now but may need some class relief before becoming a threat to win.

(3) LEONIDAS A has been away for 4 weeks and we’ll assume that’s not a good sign – prefer to just watch, for now

(1) ORLANDO BLUE A just isn’t clicking right now, even after adding Lasix – waiting for better signs.

RACE 10 - (4) HOWLENTHEHILLS clearly wasn’t all that serious in his first start of 2025 (61-1 from Post 7) but

he was less than 4 lengths back at the wire after sitting 7th – he won 13 of 17 starts at 3 ($558K) and that includes 3

of 4 here at Yonkers (including the NYSS Final, from Post 8, and a 2nd in The Messenger) – the GUESS is that he’ll

be ready for an aggressive try tonight, and we’ll give him a shot...as long as he’s not wildly overbet. (2) HEZ ALLT

HE RAGE N was no threat in his last but has otherwise been excellent for some time – deserves a chance to rebound

and a does figure to be a decent price here. (6) BLUE LOU has been very consistent, even if he’s only been to the

winner’s circle once this year – worth a look if the price is right. (7) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has now taken 6 of

his last 7 starts but that lone loss did come when faced with a much tougher trip - and that MAY happen tonight after

being assigned Post 7 – be careful about accepting too short a price here. (3) VENGEANCE BLUECHIP did a nice

job holding 2nd to the runway standout last week and may be even sharper in his 3rd try off the layoff – still leaning

more towards others, though. (1) ROCK THE BELLES really turned things around after a new trainer was listed on

1/28 and has held form beautifully ever since – not sure if he’ll be up for tonight’s class jump, however. (5) ENDOF

STORY had a terrific 3YO campaign, here and everywhere – he’s missed 5 months, though, and may need a start.

RACE 11 – (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been settling for smaller pieces lately vs. better but he drops back

down tonight to the level he easily beat twice back in February, and that stamps him as the one to knock off tonight.

(6) ROCK DIAMONDS N hasn’t been the winning machine we’ve become used to seeing but he can surely be

excused for coming up just a little light recently behind the likes of MOSSDALE BEN N, MIKI SHAN N, HEZA

CHARTTOPPER A, etc. – he’s missed 3 weeks and gets a tough draw, but never one to be taken lightly! (3) QUALI

TY BUD continues to rally nicely week after week for a barn enjoying another solid year – very playable in exotics.

(2) BONDI LOCKDOWN A was in a tough spot in NJ last week but has otherwise been very solid – gets a good

draw for his Hilltop return, and looms a threat for a nice chunk. (4) LUCAPELO A should be a decent price here

and he’s racing well enough for a chance at a small piece, with an easy trip. (5) CARABAO A picked up a pair of

3rds at this level before struggling in his last pair in the Borgata – chance for a piece, but will need to be a lot

sharper to threaten for a top prize. (7) COVERED BRIDGE has been well off his top form for some time, and now

has to deal with Post 7, after a month off – good week to observe, in anticipation of next week’s class drop. (8)

CADILLAC BA YAMA has found some much better form recently, but lands in a brutal spot for tonight.

RACE 12 – (2) SOHO FIRESTONE A makes his U.S. debut for a barn that has enjoyed plenty of success with

imports in the past – he was racing in Graded Stakes in Australia, and he couldn’t have looked any better in his

qualifier (which can be seen at the SOA of NY website, www.soaofny.com) – willing to hop on board right off the

bat. (7) COPPERFIELD only won twice as a 3YO but did earn $140K – he’s looked excellent so far at 4, winning

both Yonkers starts and easily handling older rivals last week – legitimate threat, despite the class jump and bad post

(4) ULTIMAROCA was no factor after taking back to last 2 and 3 starts down but he went right to the top last week

and delivered the solid front end score – more than sharp enough to handle tonight’s class rise and have a say here

too. (1) TWIN B POWERBALL is back on the upswing, and the rail draw can help him offset tonight’s double jump

– chance for a small piece. (6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A took some sneaky tote action last week, left the gate

from Post 8 and was able to convert a two hole trip to victory – he’s hard to predict from week to week, so perhaps

the tote board will offer some more clues tonight? (8) YOROKOBI N’s overall form has been good, and he was

really charging late last week– brutal spot, but still a chance for a minor share with some trip luck. (3) MARLBANK

ROAD is still racing ok but could use some class relief...which he’ll probably get next week. (5) SPORTY THREE

M finished well back in his first start for a new barn last week.