Friday, October 16, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, October 16, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) POST PAINTER N took a few starts to find her stride in the U.S. but she’s been a very solid player for a while now, and usually vs. considerably tougher than these – deserves top billing from the pole. (4) DANCING DRAGON is one of endless additions to the barn this year that quickly elevated their games, then remained sharp right up the class ladder – she comes into tonight riding a 4 race winning streak, and that surely won’t come to an end without a major fight! (3) ULTIMATE SPEED threw a dud last time but she drops right back in the box, and has otherwise been good lately – could rebound with a much better effort tonight…at a good price. (7) CHERYLS SHA DOW was having a dismal season but blowout wins in her last 2 starts have at least helped her totals look more reasonable – she did benefit from great trips in each of those wins, so we’ll see if she can continue to be as effective with tonight’s tougher draw, and stronger competition. (5) MILLWOOD BLISS N took 3 weeks off after a weak front end try in her last – she has too much class to ever discount too quickly, but she’s also disappointed in quite a few of her starts recently. (6) MAYBEMABEL used her big brush to perfection in overpowering a softer group last time – maybe she can rally for a piece in here? (2) TWIN B ECHO just struggles too much on turns to endorse vs. these types – minor spoil? (8) SAMMY JO HANOVER is goods now, but lands Post 8 while up in class

RACE 2 – (4) TREGARON landed in a soft field last week, was well backed and proved the easiest of winners – this field is a bit tougher for sure, but he may have built enough confidence with that last win to take another. (1) KASHA V turned in an improved try 2 back (even if helped by a very easy trip) then kicked home crisply for 3rd from an impossible spot last week…if he’s as good tonight, he’ll have a big say from the pole. (7) DURANTE HAN OVER had a good 3YO campaign (including a 9-4-3-1 local slate) but he’s suffered in 2026 from the dreaded “four year old blues” – tonight’s class drop MAY be enough to propel him to victory, but he also could be vulnerable at a short price. (2) AIRMANS JACKPOT definitely feels a bit below the top ones but she stays trotting, should get a decent trip, and could grab a small share. (3) BIG CHARLIE MORAN feels way off his game right now – he does go back to Stratton, and might at least race well enough for a small slice. (5) BONTONI DEGATO S is 1 for 28 at YR the last 2 years and just 2 for 40 overall – leaning elsewhere. (6) BACKSTREET PLAYER was dull off the sick scratch last week but wasn’t all that great even prior to that – tough draw won’t help. (8) MR KNOWITALL was well back from a similar spot last week

RACE 3 – (7) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ usually struggles with outside posts but she’s used to facing tougher than these, and she may be able to overcome the draw with even a touch of racing luck – willing to give her a try tonight, even if she’s unlikely to go off at that 12-1 ML price. (5) PURAMERI had been racing well for a few starts and finally broke a LONG Yonkers losing streak last week – hard to accept a short price hoping she can make it 2 in a row, but she IS a legitimate contender. (2) ONEDERFULBEACH gets a good draw in an overall soft field and is likely a good fit – she’s also 0 for 29 this year, finished 8th in her last 2 starts and is listed as the 2-1 ML favorite – would only consider on top if the price is better than that! (6) BETTORS TICKET lacked room last week or might have ended up closer – her form isn’t all that appealing right now but she did grab a win not too long ago, and isn’t a bad one for longshot fans. (4) CHILLIN BYTH POOL was an “ok” 4th last week but way too camera shy to consider for more than a smaller piece. (1) FORTUNADA has her moments, just not nearly enough of them – wouldn’t shock, but still looking elsewhere. (8) CATNAP drops but squandered a pocket trip last week and now draws the 8 hole. (3) COWGIRL LILLY was dismal in her YR return and is 1 for 61 here since 2024

RACE 4 – (1) VINNY DE VIE was racing off a sick scratch last week so we’ll give him a pass for that effort – he doesn’t win all that often, but he can be counted on for a solid effort from a spot like this – gets the narrow nod. (4) FRANK LEAHY was sent off favored dropping to this level last week, controlled the action but was worn down by the winner and weakened to 3rd – certainly a chance to make amends. (3) STREET GOSSIP has been no threat in a pair of starts since the 9/18 sick scratch but he’s definitely capable of better – willing to include underneath. (7) SEA CAN got a class drop and live trip last week and was able to charge home in the lane (with Ginsburg) to score the upset – much tougher spot here, but still a chance to make some late noise. (8) FARAH TRIO IT will be rallying late, but probably form too far back to be a serious (2) BE DIFFERENT feels like he may be heading in the wrong direction again but tonight will be a better test (class drop, and likely sitting closer to the action) – chance to perk up and grab a piece. (5) OPTRIX drops a notch off a dull try but may still need to drop a bit more to show his best. (6) PEMBROKE REGAL gets a tough draw in a field that may be a little too tough

RACE 5 – (4) BRI EXPRESS N has been in some tough spots lately and is probably sharper than she looks on paper right now – her last win (8/28) came one level up, and this might be a spot where she can have a big say – good value in a competitive affair. (5) HUNTING HULA had a good August but it left her stuck at some higher levels (where she really wasn’t bad) – she beat this class on 8/14 and has a chance to do it again tonight, with the right trip. (2) LUCKY ARTIST A’s last line may not look like anything to write home about but she was caught WAY back (thanks to a gapper) and really did make up a lot of ground – the ultra-classy 13YO can steal gives these a tussle when in the right mood. (3) NAPALM was handled aggressively last week and made up for a couple of losses here earlier this summer – she has talent for sure, but will taking on some tough older mares tonight, and that 9/5 ML price just seems too low. (1) SUNBURST gave it her best shot last week but came up 2nd best at the wire to a classy rival (#6) – good one to use underneath here. (6) DOUGS BABE A made her return from the layoff a successful one last week, but had to work hard to do so – she’ll need to be sharper tonight to beat this better field, from a tough post. (7) TALK DARK TEQUILA was a very nice 2nd for her new barn last week but she also landed on a very easy trip from the pole – may have a tougher time getting involved from out here. (8) BRONX MIXER came up weak off the scratch last week and really didn’t look good all – now Post 8

RACE 6 – (8) COMMODUS A benefited from the class drop last week, trotting home with good interest for 3rd – drops a bit more, gets a switch to Beckwith, and may be able to overcome Post 8 with a bit of trip luck. (4) BULLY BOY HILL was no threat in his last few but also had to deal with terrible posts, vs. much better…very logical spot to look for a much bigger effort from him. (1) PEDAL ON METAL returned from the layoff wearing hopples last week, and had a useful start from a terrible post – moves all the way inside, gets Boyd in the bike, and could have a big say tonight. (2) COMMUNION MONEY raced well in her last pair after a month off – gets a good draw, and is a good one to include in exotics. (3) RADIO LAB can hold his own in 40s when sharp but he struggled in his last pair and it remains to be seen if tonight’s class drop can help his cause. (5) HAND DOVER DAN has the ability to be a player with these but he’s reverted to bad habits lately, and feels a bit risky at the moment. (7) IN A TINY WAY was a close 2nd last week but benefited from an easy trip – may not be as fortunate from this spot. (6) ALL TOO WELL won an amateur race last week but feels a bit overmatched in this spot

RACE 7 – (3) STMIKES KERRYBLUES was a nice 2nd to TORRONE off the class drop last week and goes back to Kelly for tonight – he’s up a notch, but this isn’t the toughest NW15000 field…maybe he can turn the tables on his rival tonight? (4) TORRONE was a sharp front end winner over #3 last week – he’s also stepping back up, but this field should still be in his comfort zone – license to repeat. (1) NYMERIA hasn’t won in some time but she was racing well when back at these levels in August – could be a threat with the inside draw. (6) CANTSTOP YANKEE was scratched 2 of 3 weeks in June then went on the shelf until now – he takes a significant class drop for his return and while we’re inclined to pass for tonight, a quick glance at the tote board might be in order. (2) GOO FOR BRO KE will attract $$ from this spot but she just hasn’t been finishing her miles well enough – leaning elsewhere, at least for the top slot. (7) HONOLULU HANOVER struggled 2 and 3 back – he had some sneaky life finishing last week, but probably needs a better draw to be a serious player. (8) AQUARIUS FACE S has fallen into a pattern of lagging badly before finding trot at the end of his miles – could be a problem starting from Post 8! (5) BRONZER added hopples last week but didn’t show any benefit.

RACE 8 – (2) AMBUSHED kicked home loaded with pace from an impossible spot returning from Plainridge 2 back then won as the favorite the next week – steps up a bit but draws inside (and gets Jordan back), and the classy 6YO can win at this level too. (7) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A hasn’t won in a while but she’s still a very strong weekly player at this level – legitimate threat tonight, even from out here. (3) HERS HUNGRY won in NW10000 upon arrival from PA then was 2nd in NW15000 to #2 the next week – may be sharp enough right now to contend for a piece here too. (1) SHEER ARTISTRY N was a big player in this class for months but just didn’t function last start (off the claim) – she took 3 weeks off, and has to be labeled as a mystery for tonight! (8) LYDEO has been racing well for sure but gets stuck behind the 8 ball and is struggling through a 1 for 23 season – leaning to others for the top spots. (6) YOULLFINDOUT is racing very well right now but moves up another peg and gets another bad draw – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) OAKLEY SHARD N picked up a win 4 back (vs. cheaper) but has otherwise struggled in her U.S. starts. (5) TIME TO STRIKE does her best work vs. a bit easier – maybe minor spoils, with an easy trip

RACE 9 – (5) SILK CLOUD A just missed to the outstanding LOUIES GIRL N on 9/18, was away for 3 weeks but returned as sharp as ever, a razor sharp winner in last week’s FM Invitational – she somehow avoids being assigned Post 7 or 8, then “wins” the 5-8 draw she was assigned to – hard not to like her chances in this spot. (3) RASPALIA N has 14 wins this year and finished right on the wire with the top choice in her last Invitational appearance – she somehow gets to draw for Post 2-4 (despite her accomplishments this year), and that could put her in position to be a serious player here. (6) TICK A LOCH N has 9 wins and $237K on her card this year, but did come up a little shy trying to cut the mile last week (after being idle for 3 weeks) – she can race from off the pace if necessary, and avoiding Posts 7 and 8 does keep her in the conversation tonight. (2) SHESGOTTHEJACK has done excellent work here at Yonkers and wasn’t bad in her first Invitational attempt – willing to include underneath from this spot. (8) HARLEEQUIN A has developed rapidly and looks like she’s going to be a very nice mare – her lone U.S. WIN was in a NW4-8PM race, however, so forcing her to draw for Posts 5-8 is hard to explain (and of course, she ends up behind the 8 ball) – maybe she can rally for some minor spoils. (4) WORKLIFEBALANCE is putting together an excellent season but she’s missed a month (after a sick scratch), and seems unlikely tonight. (7) FRONT PAGE STORY is a borderline Invitational mare this year, and needs to be inside to be a real threat – her fate was likely sealed when forced to draw for an outside post. (1) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING rightfully gets assigned the pole, but still figures to struggle at this top level

RACE 10 – (2) MC ANGEL hasn’t clicked in her 3 starts since being claimed for $50K but she gets major class relief for tonight and that may help get her back on track. (4) WAITFOREVER N is used to taking on much better than these BUT she’s missed a month after being scratched injured at Plainridge from her last – hard to “love” her chances, but also hard to just assume she won’t be ready – tough call! (1) BECKONING YANKEE survived a tough trip to win at the bottom level last week – she steps up a bit tonight but she draws the pole and may have built back some confidence with that last victory – possibility. (3) TRUE BLUE HANOVER was an “ok” 3rd last week (dropping to this level) but she’s been camera shy the last couple of years and tough to take on top at a relatively short price! (5) ANNA LOVES BANANAS would be a player on her best effort but her most recent tries have been “meh” – would need a good price to try her on top. (6) FASHION TERROR forced #1 to move very early last week, tracked her all the way then came up 2nd best – tough draw, but an ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) ALTA MADEIRA N gets a bad draw for her Hilltop return and has been camera shy here for the last 3 years– sticking with others (8) KNOCK TWICE lands post 8 while up in class and has no wins and just one 2nd from her last 19 Yonkers starts.