Friday, April 17, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, April 17, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE has been facing MUCH tougher in NJ and returns to Yonkers in a very soft spot – really feels like an assignment he should be able to handle in tonight’s opener. (6) FASTING added Lasix for his last start at PcD but threw a complete clunker – perhaps it was just a bad night, or perhaps his medication needs some adjusting…regardless, anything close to his best effort would make him a big player against these. (4) BONDI SHAKE N is camera shy both here at Yonkers and everywhere else…but he’s still racing well enough to at least land somewhere in the exotics. (1) RAYRAY was no threat last week but hung in ok for 3rd – may be able to tow along for a small piece here too. (2) GINGRAS BEACH ended 2025 on a sour note and hasn’t offered much in his 4 starts since returning in 2026 – the good draw at least gives him a chance for a minor share. (3) CUT N RUN N was facing much tougher not too long ago but just hasn’t been close to “good” in several weeks – needs to improve just for a chance at a small slice. (7) TWIN FURY is just 3 for 34 lifetime, mostly vs. NWPM types – tonight’s draw won’t help his cause. (8) MY ULTIMATE STAR A is now 23-0-0-0 at Yonkers over the last 2 years

RACE 2 – MGM Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #4: (2) SILK CLOUD A delivered a much sharper try two back when she rallied to be a close 2nd, then proved it wasn’t a fluke with another sharp try in her last – she’s very versatile, and perhaps can pull off an upset here if things go her way. (3) COASTAL BABE N had the luxury of taking last week off after grabbing a pair of wins to start off the series – she’s now won 4 of her 5 U.S. starts, and looms a major threat once more. (4) AARDIE B MIKI N probably felt like she hit the lottery last week when nobody else left, and she was able to waltz to the lead from Post 7, and score the 9-1 upset – we’ll see if she built some more confidence off that mile and is ready to defend her series title, or if she struggles a bit tonight with what figures to be a tougher trip. (5) ELUSIVE N kicked home with plenty of pace from an impossible spot last week – she often will outrace her odds, and could grab a good piece here with some trip luck. (6) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE hasn’t had the best of trips so far and that has resulted in a trio of 3rds… and also has her on the outside looking in, as far as making the Final – she may end up with another tough journey tonight, after getting the worst of the draw! (1) DOUGS BABE A benefited tremendously from a ground saving trip to take home 2nd last week – draws the pole tonight, but still may be a touch below a few of the others.

RACE 3 – (8) SUNDAY SHOES qualified nicely after arriving from Canada to our leading trainer and was a very sharp winner in his Hilltop debut – usually the combination of a class jump AND bad draw would be a disqualifier, but this guy looked so good last week that we’ll try him on top…even from out here. (3) ESCAPER is used to facing (and beating) tougher than these, but he just hasn’t found his top form yet in 3 2026 starts – dangerous for sure, but maybe a bit vulnerable? (1) IM OUT has been taking home smaller pieces in some tough $40K fields – faces an easier (overall) bunch tonight, gets Tetrick and the rail, and has a solid chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (4) P C FREE WHEELING’s miles have been inconsistent all year, but any of her better efforts could land her a decent chunk tonight. (2) ENERGY KING has been off his game for a while, and moves to new connections for tonight – inclined to just observe, for now. (5) VOSS BLUE CHIP had things all his own way last week at the bottom level but still came up 2nd best to (6) VALI HANOVER – both are facing considerably tougher tonight, and will be hard pressed to replicate last week’s performances. (7) DARK MIND draws poorly after making a break last week – will give him a longer look when he drops down to NW5000 next start.

RACE 4 - MGM Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #4: (3) TARAPASTA’s first leg 2nd looks strong on paper but she raced even better than that, overcoming both some early adversity AND a very tough trip – she came back and jogged in her next pair, and will be tough once more in her current raging form. (1) MILLWOOD BLISS N was a complete shocker when she was a first over winner (at 52-1!) in the 2nd leg, but showed it wasn’t just a fluke when she was sharp again last week (from an impossible spot) – a better trip puts her right back in the hunt tonight. (2) HUNTRESS resented coming off the gate last week, got way too hot and gave Dunn all kinds of misery from early on – give her a pass for that mile, and look for a much better effort tonight (ok for exotics). (5) TICK A LOCH N trailed all the way last week but did look fine hitting the wire – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) BATH BOMB got beat at 1/5 in the first leg with no real excuses, was a solid 2nd to #3 in her next but never could get in play last week – tonight’s draw may cause her some difficulty as well. (4) FEARLESS GINGER may not get to use her speed in here and doesn’t seem to appreciate racing from off the pace.

RACE 5 - MGM Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #4: (5) LOUIES GIRL N tasted defeat in the U.S. for the first time when 2nd to ALWAYS BSTUNNING N in Leg 2 but she certainly returned with a vengeance for Leg #3, flying to the top from Post 7 then effortlessly pacing her back half in :54.2, crushing her rivals – lightning-quick mare remains the one to beat! (2) ALWAYS BSTUNNING N has plenty of talent herself and as noted, is the only mare to have beaten LOUIES GIRL N in the U.S. so far – we’ll see if she can knock her off her pedestal once more. (3) ROCKET DEO did a nice job holding 2nd in the 1st leg after getting blown away by #5 at 3/4s, finished 3rd to the top two in her next, but weakened after a first over try last week – she’ll need to be much sharper if she hopes to beat those razor sharp mares tonight. (4) LYDEO has picked up smaller pieces in each leg and seems destined for a similar outcome tonight. (6) SEASIDE DIVA was a front end winner in Leg 1, got worn down by MILLWOOD BLI SS N in her next then came up 2nd best from the pocket to AARDIE B MIKI in her last – tonight’s draw will leave her looking for some racing luck, if she hopes to do as well. (1) COACHELLABOUND N raced a bit better than expected the first week but quickly regressed in her last pair – not sure the rail draw will be enough to make her a player. (7) TURN THE PAGE N has been picking up small pieces, but will be hard pressed to reach from out here

RACE 6 – (7) BRONZER last 3 local starts produced a win and a close 2nd and 3rd at the NW20000 level – he was facing MUCH tougher in his last pair in NJ, and returns to Yonkers in NW15000 – deserves top billing, despite the terrible draw/ (4) PEDAL ON METAL was very sharp at the beginning of the year, cooled off a bit but is back on his game once more – any decent trip could help him grab a nice chunk. (1) BONTONI DEGATO S steps up off a loss (2nd) but is pretty good right now, and the good draw may put him in play for a piece. (5) DURANTE HANOV ER sat in and was no threat last week but he drops a bit for his 3rd start of the year and may be able to have a bigger say tonight (6) MADE OF DREAMS was an ok 2nd returning to Yonkers last week but gets a tough draw for tonight and that has us leaning more towards others. (3) VINNY DE VIE is an infrequent winner - he drops a win off his card after tonight, and may get a longer look when he can get some class drops. (8) SCUDO HANOVER has some ok tries at Pocono but he hasn’t shown any early speed and he draws Post 8 for his Hilltop debut. (2) SUNBURNT SILVERADO needs some class relief

RACE 7 – (1) BAY BREEZE HANOVER hasn’t won in a while but she’s certainly trotted some big miles (including last week, when wide a long way and still 3rd) – maybe she can find a winning trip moving all the way inside. (6) ONCE IN A LIFETIME isn’t usually on of our favorites (just 1 for 19 at Yonkers over the past 3 years) but he raced much better adding Lasix last week, and he has no shortage of back class…could have a big say tonight (5) OLIVER THE GREAT really disappointed at PcD two back when 2nd by a nose (at 1/5), but he turned in a good one here last week, overcoming a less than stellar trip to be narrowing in on the loose leader at the end – his best effort makes him a real threat here. (3) HOOLIE N HECTOR was “sneaky ok” two back making his first start off the layoff, then was solid again in his last– willing to include underneath. (2) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been struggling in her recent efforts – she’ll attract attention off the class drop, but just may be too far off her game to beat these right now. (4) INCANTATION beat up on a very weak basement field 2 back then was an “ok” 4th last week – seems a bit below the main players right now. (7) FATHER MIKE has a good late kick but he’s made breaks in 2 of his last 3, and will be coming from well out of it. (8) IRA WHO was life and death to prevail over lesser 2 back, then broke in the pocket off turn 3 in his last– moves up in class here, and also gets stuck behind the 8 ball.

RACE 8 – (3) JENSVILLE A was a prolific winner Down Under (14 for 36) but must have been racing at cheaper venues, as she only shows $51K on her card – on the flip side, her U.S. qualifier was excellent, finishing up full of pace after being cut loose from 3/4s…willing to give her a shot in her stateside debut. (4) MISS PERIGNON N come into this off back to back wins, and is 4 for 8 on the season – she handles any trip, and looms a real threat to get the “threepeat”. (6) NILA MAREE N has certainly thrived since arriving in the U.S., compiling an 8-5-3-0 slate – she also lost her last pair as the prohibitive favorite, and was 2nd in 3 of her last 4 starts – maybe a bit vulnerable once more? (5) PETROL QUEEN didn’t fire her best shot last week but has otherwise been on an excellent roll – could rebound at a price tonight. (8) BRI EXPRESS N is sharp right now, but faces an uphill battle starting from out here – still worth using in exotics as she’ll surely be a juicy price. (2) DANDYS MERCY broke briefly early on last week, recovered quickly and made the top but wasn’t able to keep it going in the stretch – she looked a little shaky at other times as well, and that has us leaning elsewhere for tonight. (7) STRUTSVILLE drops out of the Series but may struggle against these too, especially from out here. (1) YS SENSATIONALCITY has some sharp recent miles but moves up in class here, and may be overbet.

RACE 9 – (1) LUCKY ARTIST A had a couple of “weird “ recent efforts that saw her seem to quit on the final turn, only to come back hard once into the lane…there were NO such issues in her last, however, when the 13YO just blasted to the top from Post 7 and never let up, the 1:52.3 win time her fastest since 2024 – we’ll gamble that she can outrun these better ones too. (2) SHEZ THE REASON A has some mixed recent form but the class drop has to help, and a decent trip may be forthcoming…could add some value to the exotics. (3) JK PEARL STONE returns from NJ after a pair of sharp tries (vs. cheaper) to start off her 4YO campaign – anything this barn sends out deserves a ton of respect, but she won’t offer any value with that 7/5 ML price. (4) IM OFFNGONE N has disappointed more often than she’s delivered, but still seems like a good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (8) FACTO RY GIRL didn’t even pretend to be interested in her Hilltop return last week, just touring the oval at the back after drawing Post 7 – the GUESS is that she’ll take a similar approach tonight (with class drops on the horizon), but let the tote board help you make a decision. (7) OVER ICE wasn’t a bad 2nd behind a currently sharp rival last start. But her 0 for 14 Yonkers slate is hard to ignore (especially when she’s just 2 for 41 overall, over the last 2 years). (5) HUNTING HULA was able to squeeze out a win off a dream trip 2 back but her overall form so far in 2026 has been “meh” – leaning towards others. (6) IDEAL COVER beat up on a very weak field 2 back but is another that has struggled in many of her starts lately

RACE 10 – (2) THE HAZLETON hasn’t been on top of his game for some time but at least he seems competitive again – he was racing in the Invitational here right on the program and it would be pretty hard to go against down at this bottom level…but he’s probably not a great 2/5 shot to fall in love with, either! (1) NO DRAMA PLEASE hasn’t done much winning the past 2 years but the classy 10YO is still more than capable of being right in the hunt with this type of field…especially from the pole. (4) RADIO LAB just re-qualified after a 4 month break and finished right behind a pretty nice trotter – maybe he can fire a decent effort right off the bench and add some value to the exotics? (3) ENERGYSOURCE finished poorly in back to back speed tries so perhaps last week’s off the pace effort helped him regain some confidence – one of several with a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is always capable in fields like this but he’ll need some trip luck to find his way into the hunt from out here. (6) WIDSONG PIONEER’s best efforts this year have come in amateur races – his chances for a piece go way up if Kakaley leaves the gate tonight. (8) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has been off his game for some time – not really a spot to look for him to show up with a big one. (5) BAR KEEP DE VIE is 21-0-1-0 at Yonkers