Friday, August 14, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Friday, August 14, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (2) R LADY W added Lasix 2 back and raced super, then added a choke plate last week and raced even better – she’s actually dropping in class off those big miles, and looms the one to beat as she looks to make it 2 in a row. (1) BJMS LIL MAN looked like he was going to charge on by to victory last week but the winner was still very fresh, and able to hold him off in the two horse sprint to the wire – looking at a very good trip here, and in line for another good chunk. (6) BLOCKCHAIN has behaved in 3 straight since the miscue here on 7/9 and raced very well each time – chance to have a say here, even with the bad draw. (4) COMMODUS A was handled conservatively from Post 8 last week (after a miscue the start before) but had plenty of trot finishing – ok to include underneath. (7) HIGHLANDSTARBURST was already being handled fairly conservatively last week even before the miscue on the final bend – may take a similar approach after drawing Post 7 tonight. (3) VINNY DE VIE picked up a rare win 2 back but made a break last week – just seems a bit below several of these. (5) STORMY KROMER became a millionaire in 2024 but made only one start in 2025 – he just requalified, and we’ll just observe, for now
RACE 2 – (1) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM returned from Ohio and qualified solidly after 3 months off, turning in a very nice try in his first start back to rally for 3rd from well back – catches a field with some questionable favorites, and may be worth a try from the pole. (2) STREET GOSSIP goes plenty of big miles vs. better than these, but he’s just way too camera shy to ever endorse on top with very much confidence…especially at a short price! (6) DU RANTE HANOVER was facing much better when last seen here, but was starting to tail off – perked up to beat a softer group at Pocono last start, and he could have a big say here if he regained some confidence with that effort. (8) BULLY BOY HILL has enough ability to be a player here, but only if Holland is able to manufacture a decent trip from Post 8– not impossible! (5) ZENMEISTER S has struggled in most of his recent starts and drops in tonight after taking 4 weeks off – hard to take a short price on top. (3) SUNDAYS BRUNCH has been a little better lately, but still not ready to use her on top. (4) COMMUNION MONEY actually fits cheaper, and we’ll consider her when she’s in easier. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR draws poorly after a month on the shelf (and qualifier) – pass for now
RACE 3 – (2) NYMERIA qualified nicely after a month off but was stuck in the back in last week’s FM Open while the half was crawled in :58.2– she did finish up solidly, and that should have her ready to take advantage of tonight’s MUCH easier spot. (8) SAINT K might be a bit of a stretch from Post 8 but he ships back sharp from PA, and the barn has definitely been sending out live ones lately – could be worth a stab! (5) WARRAWEE YANG really wasn’t bad from Post 8 last week, but that’s little consolation to those who sent him off at 1/2 from Post 8, only to see him lose to a trotter that lost 63 straight local starts – still should be able to have a say tonight, even vs. this better bunch. (7) LUCKY MUM N is still looking for her first 2026 victory and gets a terrible draw for tonight – ok underneath. (6) OURMOMENTINTIME has been sharpening vs, cheaper in PA but steps up in class tonight, with a bad draw, after being scratched injured from his last – would need a pretty big price to consider on top. (3) SHOW THE WILL has added consistency to his game, even if racing primarily in amateur events – we’ll see how that translates vs. these. (4) YO SHELDON had a good year at 3, but has struggled out of town (so far) in his 4YO campaign
RACE 4 – (3) BAY BREEZE HANOVER was handled very aggressively last week and only weakened very late – she takes on the boys tonight, but still feels like the one to beat (though the 8/5 ML price is admittedly a turn off). (2) SEA CAN isn’t at his “best” right now but he’s turning in solid efforts every week again, and definitely can come out on top if things go his way. (4) BRONZER re-qualified after a month off but had his fate sealed early on in his first start back at Tioga – he’s won here too many times to ever ignore in a spot like this. (6) VANDY LANE had several sharp tries not long ago but feels like he’s tailed a bit – he’ll be a good price if you think he may get a wake up call. (1) SONGS IN THE WIND won the battle between a pair of very camera shy rivals last week – faces much tougher now, and likely looking at only minor spoils. (5) KHAOSAN ROAD has been inconsistent at best this year – another hoping for a wake up call. (7) MUSICAL RIDE would need things to fall apart for even a small piece
RACE 5 – (7) MILLWOOD BLISS N isn’t on her best game right now but she raced well enough in her last pair to pick up 2nds to total standouts – might be the spot for her to get over the hump, even with the bad draw. (4) ILLUSI ON SEELSTER found consistency out of town that she had never shown here before and was an excellent 3rd in her Hilltop return last week – could end up the main danger. (5) ELEGANT A hit board in her only 2 local tries this year, and should be able to contend for a decent piece tonight, with any decent trip. (1) BECKONING YANKEE got hit with the deck trip-wise last week, and was able to capitalize with an opportunistic victory – faces much tougher here, but the good draw may help her grab a small share. (2) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT finished just behind #1 last week, also benefitting from a miracle trip – and like #1, may be able to use tonight’s good draw to grab a piece. (8) NILA MAREE N gets some class relief but still figures to struggle from out here – keep an eye for next week, with a drop to NW10000 looming. (6) CRUISE ALERT isn’t bad right now, but this just isn’t a spot she figures to appreciate. (3) FASHION TERROR came off the cones in her YR return and went in reverse – local woes continue
RACE 6 – (7) BRI EXPRESS N held very well to the wire last week despite having to put in a very long first over move (in a better field) – won’t be easy to overcome the draw, but the prospects of a good price still make her worth using. (5) LLOYDS LOVES found a field she can handle at Stga. last week but has struggled overall the last few months – anything close to her best would make her very tough here, but she does figure to get way overbet, and may not be the mare (right now) that we’re used to seeing here at Yonkers. (4) ULTIMATE SPEED picked a bad spot to be aggressive last week but wasn’t beaten all that badly, considering how hard she was used – can see her grabbing a piece in here. (3) CERISE RAINBOW A won her U.S. debut in NJ but hasn’t been a threat in a pair of local starts – we’ll see if the move inside boosts her chances. (1) HUNTING HULA has disappointed on several occasions this year, last week being the latest – ok for a piece, but be careful about taking a short price on top. (2) BRONX MIXER is an in-and-outer that took advantage of a quick start last week to finish 2nd – this is probably a tougher spot. (8) GLITTERING HOPE was empty last week and just seems off her game right now – may perk up soon, though, as some big class drops are on the horizon. (6) DISTANT LOVER just hasn’t had much success here this year for this barn.
RACE 7 – (1) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING is a different mare when she’s on/near the lead and she’ll get that chance with the big move inside – may be able to take these wire to window. (3) LYDEO’s tough year continues, now 0 for 14 here at Yonkers (with just one 2nd) – she’s still usually right in the hunt, though, and could easily land somewhere in the exotics. (4) TWIN B ECHO is terrible on turns and being so far back the last few starts has left her with no chance at all – she should be at least a little closer to the action tonight, and that could help here grab a piece. (6) FE AR DANIE was well backed for her local debut but drifted and weakened in the lane, a disappointing 4th – she raced much better last week, however, going by first over and reporting home an easy winner – tough draw in a better field here, but can still make her presence felt with a decent trip. (5) POST PAINTER N was no threat in either of her U.S. starts – too soon to write her off, but also tough to like her chances right now. (7) TRUE BLUE HANOVER looked like a possible 17-1 upsetter last week once she made the lead but just wasn’t sharp enough to finish the job – won’t be any easier tonight with another bad post. (2) IM A BELIEVER is another from the barn that just hasn’t thrived in her local starts this year. (8) IDEAL COVER pops at big prices sometimes, but would be a serious surprise from this very tough spot
RACE 8 – (8) FRANCENT N didn’t win either of her U.S. starts but she looked like an absolute beast both times, charging through the lane with reckless abandon – gets stuck all the way outside yet again but it feels like it’s time for Lachance to cut her loose a bit earlier (or maybe even improve at the start) – good week to hop on board. (4) LO OKLIKEDIAMONDS A is a talented mare that found herself in tough spots the last 2 weeks – may be able to grab a good piece tonight with a better trip. (5) RECKLESS ABANDON has just a 4 starts as a 4YO but quickly showed that she has the ability to hang with good older mares – might be a good spot to get aggressive at the start, but she showed last week she can race from off the pace as well. (2) SHEER ARTISTRY N has been good for weeks, and can bring home another good piece tonight with the inside draw. (1) WAITFOREVER N may be a notch below the better ones in here but she’s been solid for some time, and is another with a chance at a share if the trip goes her way (6) OAKLEY SHARD N is the latest import for connections that have been enjoying success with Down Under stock for the past year or so – hard to fault her qualifier, but we’ll see if tonight’s spot may be a little too tough…at least right out of the box. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW has struggled all year, often vs. easier than these. (7) TIME TO STRIKE gets a terrible draw and will be hard pressed to be part of the action this week
RACE 9 – (3) SILK CLOUD A got included in the 3-8 draw and ends up with the best post possible – she’s been razor sharp lately (vs. some of the sharpest mares racing here) and gets the nod to take another. (1) STAYINGWITH THEWIND recently was right there in a trio of Invitationals so assigning her an inside post was generous, to say the least – she should be able to capitalize with a contending effort! (2) WORKLIFEBALANCE was content to tour the oval after drawing Post 8 last week but she moves back inside, is looking at a good trip, and that could help her grab a nice chunk. (4) FRONT PAGE STORY usually relies on trips up at this top level but she’s always capable of grabbing a piece when she gets one – ok underneath. (5) RASPALIA N has been quite a find for her connections, already registering 12 victories this year and over $150K in the bank – she’s trying to make it 3 in a row tonight, but losing Holland to #7 tonight does figure to hurt her chances. (7) TICK A LOCH has just one start in 5 weeks and it wasn’t a good one – Holland does stick with the talented mare, but this may not be a week where we’ll see her best. (6) ROSE acquitted herself nicely when 3rd in her local debut but the 4YO certainly shouldn’t have had to draw with some of the others for posts 3-8, and landing Post 6 definitely won’t help her chances. (8) COACHELLABOUND N is good right now but absolutely should have been assigned the rail – her connections must be scratching their heads as to how she ended up out here!
RACE 10 – (5) SHEZ THE REASON A raced ok adding Lasix in NJ last week – lands in a beyond blank field returning to Yonkers, and shouldn’t have any excuses vs. these. (1) MORE GOODA N wasn’t “good” last week, but at least she kept trying and was able to squeeze out a 3rd place finish – she’s struggled for a long time, but may still be the main danger in this field. (4) HUGS AND KISSES has less than stellar Ohio form but she’s a fresh face, and we know what to expect from the locals…chance to be a player, even if by default! (2) CANNERY ROW remains “0 for ever” here at Yonkers after tiring on the lead last week– maybe she can pick up a small piece with a sit in trip? (7) SUNBURNT never clicked at all after the 6/11 claim but may be able to pass a few of these for a small share. (3) COWGIRL LILLY is 1 for 58 at YR over the last 3 years – remains a pass. (8) PARTY CRUISER was behind a tiring leader last week but then empty herself when clear – now Post 8! (6) HARPER SEELSTER looked well short last week returning from 3 months off – watching for better signs.
