Friday, April 10, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, April 10, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) LUCKY ARTIST A comes into this off a pair of “puzzling” efforts, where she just looked ready to quit completely by the final turn, only to find good life in the lane (after losing all chance) – the classy 13YO can still leave the gate, and does feel tempting at that 20-1 ML price. (4) ALLEGRA HANOVER has never hit board in 5 local starts but has legitimate excuses in most of them (tough spots upon arrival at the end of her 3YO season, then away 8th in her 2026 return last week) – logical spot to look for a big wake up call. (5) ODDS ON ACES FULL was handled too conservatively to have any chance last week but she’s definitely capable of better – Dunn gets the call tonight, and she’s another that could find a much bigger effort. (1) RACIN FOR ROYALTY doesn’t have the best recent lines but it’s not that long ago that she was doing good work, when she was getting better draws – we’ll see if the move inside can help her grab a share. (2) MACHS LEGACY A is having a tough start to 2026 after doing great work the last few months of ’25 – minor spoils only. (8) IDEAL COVER handled a MUCH softer spot last week and while she may be able to have an impact vs. these as well, that 4-1 ML price makes it hard to consider her for a wager. (6) SCHNAPPS reverted to her typical bad habits last week, losing action on the final turn – just has never clicked since joining her current barn. (3) PURAMERI went 27-1-0-3 at Yonkers over the last couple of seasons

RACE 2 – The Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #3: (2) ROCKET DEO has been a model of consistency at Yonkers, sporting a 12-6-2-2 record – she looked super in her first start of the year, did a nice job holding 2nd in her next (after LOUIES GIRL N blew by her), then finished a solid 3rd behind a pair of razor sharp mares last week – we’ll try her on top tonight, even if Dunn opts to stay with #5. (1) SEASIDE DIVA was a sharp front end winner in the opening leg but was worn into submission last week by the shocking effort from MILLWOOD BLISS N– figures to have a big say, once more. (5) MILLWOOD BLISS N had never really impressed at Yonkers but despite her 52-1 odds last week, had no trouble wearing down #1 with her first over move, taking over into the stretch and kicking home in :27 to seal it – Dunn stays on board and her price will come WAY down…but can she replicate that scary effort? (4) SILK CLOUD A followed #5 last week and paced home strong for 2nd, at 35-1 herself – the classy 8YO can still throw big efforts when things go to her liking. (7) AARDIE B MIKI N hasn’t been “bad”, but she also isn’t looking like the mare that won this Series Final last year – tonight’s draw won’t make things any easier! (6) TICK A LOCH N was a first round winner but threw her first U.S. dud last week – this is a tough spot, even if she’s able to bounce right back. (3) STAYINGWITTHEWIND saved ground for an even 4th last week, and will have trouble doing any better than that tonight

RACE 3 – (5) VOSS BLUE CHIP always had ability but his form tends to be pretty erratic – he added hopples and qualified nicely in NJ on 3/21, and his start after that is encouraging (was stuck in the back and bothered a bit in a quick mile, and still trotting ok late) – lands in a field well within his comfort zone for his Yonkers return, and gets Bartlett on board. (1) VALI HANOVER picked up 4 thirds from his 8 starts this year, and draws the pole with Gingras as he exits a pair of amateur races – should be a very good fit here. (4) ENERGYSOURCE won at this level on 2/6 but weakened on the lead in his last pair – he can be part of the equation, but won’t offer any value with that 2-1 ML price. (3) WANIA should be closer to the action with tonight’s post relief but his 11-0-1-0 record here (past 2 years) is hard to ignore. (2) BARN CREDIT is another with a dismal local history but he did pick up 2nds in two of his starts at this level, so perhaps he can grab a small piece, with an easy trip. (6) ROGER RABBIT hasn’t been sharp in some time, and has always been camera shy at Yonkers (even when he was racing better) – tonight’s draw is just another strike against him. (7) ALL TOO WELL draws outside after a weak qualifier and poor 2026 return

RACE 4 - The Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #3: (4) TARAPASTA was outstanding in the first leg, bobbling to the quarter, somehow recovering quickly enough to drop back in 4th, then pacing her final half in :54.3 (first over) to be a strong 2nd best – she was no-doubt wire to wire winner in her last, and her 1:52 mile is the fastest in the series so far…sticking with her. (6) ELUSIVE A wasn’t on her best game 3 back but other than that night, she’s been excellent for weeks – she’s landed in the exotics several times at big prices, and may be a good bomb to add some value to the ticket tonight. (3) FEARLESS GINGER was empty in the first leg (her first local try) but was a much better 2nd last week, after securing the pocket to COASTAL BABE N – seems like she needs to be on/near the lead to be effective, so we’ll see if Zeron can get her there again. (7) BATH BOMB was sent off at 1/5 in the first leg but was probably a little short off the layoff, and weakened to 2nd – she was much sharper in her last, an excellent first over 2nd to #4 – not sure how SHE was installed as the 9/5 ML favorite tonight, but she’d have to be a better price than that to consider on top (after drawing so poorly). (2) MY RED SEA was sharp for months but does feel like she’s tailed a bit lately – we’ll see if an easy trip from this spot can help her grab a share. (1) COACHELLABO UND N raced better than expected 2 back but reverted to her lesser form last week – not sure she’s sharp enough right now to handle the aggressive drive she’ll likely be getting. (5) DOUGS BABE A will need to be sharper than in the first 2 legs for a chance at a piece of this.

RACE 5 - The Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #3: (3) ALWAYS BSTUNNING N was handled very conservatively in the first leg (her first start of 2026) but kicked home in a manner that suggested she could be a big player in this series – last week Tetrick worked her to the front end to the quarter, felt the 1/10 favorite coming to her from 3/4s but kicked home in :27 and handed that one her first U.S. loss – has a big post edge tonight, and deserves top billing. (8) LOUIES GIRL N won her first 7 U.S. (and Yonkers) starts, showing tremendous speed in several of them – she was sent off at 10 cents on the dollar last week but despite pacing her final half in :54.2 (first over), it wasn’t enough to knock off #3…won’t be any easier tonight starting from Post 8! (2) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE sports an outstanding 18-11-4-2 local record, but has the misfortune of drawing in with the top pair – she’ll be waiting in the wings should either/both of those two falter. (1) LYDEO was no threat in either leg but paced solidly for small pieces – the rail draw gives her a chance for a similar effort tonight. (5) HUNTRESS came up a little short at the end last week, weakening to 3rd in her first start since 1/14 – she could be tighter now, but she’s also in a much tougher spot! (4) TURN THE PAGE wasn’t up to the top ones the last 2 weeks but dug in late for small pieces each time – those starts from the rail, and she may have a tougher time grabbing a share tonight. (6) PEACE TALKS has over $600K on her card but she’s 9-0-1-2 at Yonkers over the last 3 years – more importantly, her overall current form is lacking, to say the least. (7) SQUARE DEAL probably needs some class relief to be effective

RACE 6 – (3) DANDYS MERCY was racing very well against these types (and a little better) at the end of the 2025 season – she’s been holding her own recently vs. some tough competition at Pocono, and is definitely worth a try in her Hilltop return. (2) TURN ON THE CHARM was a sharp front end winner last week in her first local try since 2023 – she steps up 2 classes tonight, but a good trip could make her a big player with these too. (5) NILA MAREE N has won 5 of her 7 U.S. starts with 2nds in the two losses – she did get beat with no excuse last week, however, and still figures to be very heavily backed tonight…better value with a couple of others? (1) SHEZ THE REASON A looked like she might be struggling a bit at this higher level but then she came through the stretch full of pace last week, with no room to roam – worth including in exotics at that 10-1 ML price. (4) BRI EXPRESS N can be a little in and out but does bring strong efforts when on her game – she was a well backed front end winner in her last, but this is definitely a much tougher field – leaning a bit more towards some others. (7) PETROL QUEEN has been much smoother lately and that has resulted in a pair of wins and last week’s 2nd (to #4) – may have trouble getting in play from out here, though. (6) GLITTERING HOPE has done good work (overall) since arriving here last winter but she’s missed 3 weeks, draws poorly, and may be looking towards a class drop for next week. (8) ULTIMATE SP EED had an awful 2025 but her ’26 comeback is going well – brutal spot for tonight, however

RACE 7 – (4) BLACKHAWK ZETTE ended his 2025 season competing in the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series – he was stuck in the back with no chance in his 2026 return but was an excellent 3rd last week, finishing behind a pair of trotters that would be prohibitive favorites in this field – the one to beat! (2) NYMERIA was struggling for a while but started to regain some confidence at the lower levels at Pocono, and she’s continued to sharpen in her last pair here at Yonkers – moves up a bit, but can still have a big say. (1) KASHA V was no factor in his last pair but did trot evenly from impossible spots– he’ll be much closer to the action tonight, with a chance to take home a piece. (6) CAL MILES N SHELL shocked at 30-1 four back then was 2nd at 29-1 two weeks later – suppose he’s a good bomb to include underneath in his current form. (7) PEDAL ON METAL is off to a great start in 2026, already winning 4 races (including last week) – he may have to settle for a smaller piece tonight, though, starting from out here. (5) MADE OF DREAMS had a recent stretch of 3 breaks, sandwiched around a sick scratch – she behaved in her qualifier and last start (after adding hopples), but seems a little risky now to consider at a short price. (3) VINNY DEVIE has been an infrequent winner the last 2 years and probably needs some class relief to show his best.

RACE 8 – Tough race! (6) STORMONT DIVIDE has struggled to get things going so far in 2026, although he has faced much better in several of his starts – he’s been racing on Lasix this year and tonight he’ll go without it…that can actually be a good angle, once in a while! (5) BJMS LIL MAN did excellent work at 2 then followed that up with a strong 3YO campaign as well – would normally prefer to just observe as he takes on older horses in his first start as a 4YO, but he’s also getting a pretty significant barn change…a good price makes him worth a look. (1) SEA CAN showed a ton of potential 2 years ago (through the John Brennan Trotting Series) but his career just never really took off, often plagued by inconsistency – he recently returned at Pocono with a pair of “ok” tries – he CAN win here, but he does figure to be overbet. (3) AUSTRAL HANOVER won 11 races and $172K in 2025 but is off to a more modest start in 2026 – he just requalified (after a month off), and exits a high % barn as well – mixed feelings. (2) DRAW THE LINE doesn’t win too often but consistently grabs pieces, especially in spots like this – the 3 weeks off could be a concern, however. (4) BONTONI DEGATO S had a steering issue in that amateur race 2 back but had no problems in last week’s pocket victory – hard to really say what his “proper” level is right now, however. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR really wasn’t bad in his ’26 return and might have been listed higher up tonight if not for the terrible draw. (8) DARK MIND could really use both a better draw AND a class drop

RACE 9 – (7) BAY BREEZE HANOVER may be worth a stab tonight – she’s raced very well in the majority of her starts this year, and put in a BIG recovery after an early miscue last week – if Holland can find her a decent trip, she may be able to spring the upset over this beatable field. (6) OLIVER THE GREAT has done good work here in the past vs. better than these– not sure why he came up short as the prohibitive choice in PA last week, but he’s certainly worth considering tonight at what figures to be a much better price. (2) SKY BOX hasn’t really been all that great since the 2/19 claim but he’s still a logical threat against these, especially with the inside draw – he may end up overbet, however. (3) IRA WHO broke here on 3/6 as the favorite, making his first start for our leading trainer – he was able to get the job done in his last, but was life-and-death to prevail over cheaper – seems vulnerable at that 2-1 ML price. (5) P C FREE WHEELING was running in early last start (ended up inside cones), then was drifting out to 3/4s– her efforts have been a real mixed bag, and it’s anybody’s guess as to what we’ll get from her tonight (4) IN CANTATION (new barn tonight) was a winner last week but it was a very soft field, with only 4 horses left trotting – leaning elsewhere. (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is 0 for 34 at Yonkers over the last 2 seasons and that streak seems safe for tonight – he does have enough speed to perhaps take home a small piece. (8) WINDSONG PIONEER will look more appealing with a drop to NW5000 next start

RACE 10 – (3) ACUSHLA MACHREE N is the tepid choice in here – she’s clearly not on her best game right now but she’s dropping off a cliff, and Bartlett gives her a vote of confidence by taking her – wouldn’t bet the ranch on her, however. (1) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING is feeling pretty good right now, an easy front end winner in her last pair – she steps up another peg but would be no surprise at all in her current sharp form. (7) FACTORY GIRL returns from Dover where she’s been racing in the top class for some time – she was a solid player here last summer at the NW20000 level, but the big question is whether she can overcome the bad draw. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED rallied nicely for 2nd last off a good trip – another good journey could help her grab a piece here too. (5) TH RIZZO changed strategy last week but was forced to battle a long way with the sharp winner, and did weaken a bit in the stretch – maybe just using one late rush would work best for her? (6) HUNTING HULA was dull in her 2nd start of the year, missed 3 weeks, but was able to win her last start thanks to a golden trip – she’ll need to be a lot better to be a big threat with these, especially with the outside draw. (4) WIN WITH LYNNLY has outraced her odds several times, and not a bad one for the bottom of exotics…even if listed on the bottom tonight.

RACE 11 – (3) SUNDAY SHOES shows some mixed Canadian form but he did win 8 races and $74K last years – more significantly, he joins our leading barn and he qualified very nicely, trotting a big final half and finishing closely behind a pair of pacers…willing to hop on board right off the bat. (2) B NICKING had some “sneaky ok” off the pace tries before getting way too hot on the lead last week – has a chance at the upset if he can cut this mile, while being (much) more relaxed. (4) ONCE IN A LIFETIME has struggled for a long time, and is just 1 for 18 at Yonkers over the last 3 seasons – he does have a ton of back class however, and goes back on Lasix tonight – can it help turn him around? (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is at a level where he can do damage and the draw certainly won’t hurt – good one to include in exotics. (5) MEMENTO MORI was the play here last week and while he LOOKED like a 6-1 winner all through the lane, he was still a nose shy when they hit the wire – this feels like a tougher spot. (6) NO DRAMA PLEASE was an ok 3rd last week and has a chance for a minor share if some trip luck comes his way. (7) THE THING IS squandered a pocket trip last week and moves from the rail to Post 7 – sticking with others. (8) WILLY WALTON has been facing better but has looked like he’s just going through the motions lately – keep an eye for some improvement as he drops down to the bottom level now.