Friday, October 2, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, October 2, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) DANCING DRAGON is just one of seemingly endless horses over the last several months to have improved dramatically upon moving her current barn – her local debut was outstanding, overcoming an extremely difficult trip to win easily…she can handle tonight’s class jump in her current raging form. (7) BECKONING YANK EE was brutally parked last week but that doesn’t mean Holland will be shy about leaving again from Post 7 tonight – more than capable of being a big player with a kinder journey. (5) SUNBURST has raced better in her 4 local tries than she looks on paper – gets a much better draw, and could make her presence felt tonight. (4) ANNA LOVES BA NANAS may have been bothered a bit on the final turn last week but she really wasn’t sharp regardless – she’s capable with these, but only if she brings her best effort. (3) MISS DOTTIE MAE was a good 2nd to the top choice 2 back but that effort is sandwiched between a pair of duds – which version tonight? (6) TH CHECK ME OUT ships in for a live barn from Canada but it’s a little hard to gauge how the 3YO stacks up vs. the locals – suppose we’ll get a better picture after tonight. (1) SAMMY JO HANOVER returns in good form from PA but she was likely facing much easier in her recent starts– not sure the rail draw will be enough to make her a player. (8) FASHION TERROR was pacing ok late after being well back in her last – unfortunately, she lands outside once more.

RACE 2 – (4) GOO FOR BROKE was in MUCH tougher last week and just wasn’t sharp regardless – she gets major class relief and is in a spot that should be much more comfortable for her…would still want a fair price to use her on top, though. (2) KASHA V has been struggling for weeks but does produce a few form reversals every year and the barn did send out a big longshot winner on Thursday night (MARIN COUNTY) – not the worst bomb you could come up with in a race filled with iffy contenders. (1) LUCKY MUM N will attract plenty of attention with the class drop, rail, and Holland…she’s also extremely quirky, and very camera shy the last couple of seasons – be careful about taking a short price on top. (8) SENSI AMNESIA has Post 8 and is 1 for 27 at Yonkers but she does have enough speed to leave hard and get into play, and that gives her a chance for at least a piece. (3) FASHION FO REVER outraced his 30-1 odds last week with a very legitimate 2nd – a similar effort could land him a share tonight as well. (6) INCANTATION is unreliable at best but she does return off a close 2nd in PA, and would not be a total shock. (5) COMMUNION MONEY was a solid 2nd last week but in a very weak field – not sure she can replicate that effort tonight. (7) SHOW THE WILL gets important class relief but that may get offset by the horrible draw

RACE 3 – (6) YS SENSATIONALCITY was dull in her first start after missing almost 3 months but looked a lot more interested last week – she lands in a very soft spot tonight, and could come out on top with even a little more improvement. (5) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ gets a rare “not terrible” post and the only other time she didn’t draw poorly in the last 8 starts she picked up a win (and was a winner 10 starts back from Post 2, as well) – not the worst bomb you could consider. (3) ADALECIA was well meant in her last but was used on a quarter move to make the lead then was forced to battle hard with the clearly well-meant winner, CRUISE ALERT...logical player here. (4) PURAMERI comes off a strong 2nd last week but she’s winless in 25 starts here in 2025-26, and just 1 for 49 over the last 3 years – tough one to take on top. (8) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL throws a decent one from time to time and wasn’t bad last week – gets Holland tonight, and that could make her a good bomb for 3rd/4th. (2) CANNERY ROW is one of several in here with dismal local records – races well enough for small scraps at times. (1) FORTUNADA is capable at times but has been coming up empty in her last several starts. (7) KNOCK TWICE moves outside after a no factor 5th from Post 2 last week – she has no wins and one 2nd from her 18 starts here in 25/26

RACE 4 – (6) COACHELLABOUND N was on a really nice roll before getting in a bit too tough for a few starts – she came up with a BIG effort off last week’s class drop, and drops another peg for tonight…could be worth a shot, even with the bad draw. (1) PROMISING MOMENT doesn’t have the greatest overall local slate but she had some good starts here recently, draws the pole, and races for an always dangerous trainer/driver team…look for a strong effort this week. (4) NILA MAREE N was winning a bunch of races earlier in the year but hasn’t visited the photographer in some time- tonight’s class relief might help her become a much bigger player. (2) CHERYLS SHA DOW will take lots of $$ thanks to the 3/2 ML listing and last week’s blowout victory – she did land on a perfect trip for that start, however, and she’s been fairly camera shy over the last couple of years…maybe a bit vulnerable? (5) TRUE BLUE HANOVER wasn’t bad at all last week, especially racing off a bad date…and as noted, her barn sent out a big priced winner on Thurs. night – ok to include underneath. (7) SPIRITUAL BLISS N finished 2nd to the outstanding FRANCENT N in her last 2 NZ starts so clearly there’s plenty of ability here – she just hasn’t clicked so far in the U.S., but that’s change eventually…not sure tonight will be the night, however. (3) IM A BLIEVER may need some class relief to be a serious threat again. (8) SHEZ THE REASON A doesn’t figure to be able to get close to the action starting from out here

RACE 5 – (2) MISSISSIPPI STORM went a strong mile (as expected) last week and can be forgiven for coming up 2nd best to MASSIVE DESIRE (who can trot some big miles when on his game) – drops a bit more, draws inside, and will get his chance for going down as the heavy favorite last week. (7) FRANK LEAHY has been inconsistent lately but he’s facing a easier tonight, can probably leave well enough to work out a manageable trip, and should offer some decent value. (3) SEVEN LAYER is also an “in-and-outer”, but capable of being part of the equation here if he shows up in the right mood. (1) OPTRIX didn’t win at Pocono in his first start off the big barn change but he did finish a close 2nd– he was victorious the next week, and we’ll see if he can handle the big class jump returning to Yonkers tonight. (4) MA ISABELLE drops to a level where she can certainly make some noise – belongs on the bottom of your exotics. (5) CHAPHEART is working his way back up the class ladder – he does lose Jordan, and that may hurt his chances. (6) STMIKES KERRYBLUES hasn’t been bad but he’s been coming up a little light at the end of his miles – starting tonight from Post 6 isn’t going to help that. (8) HAND DOVER DAN gave it a good try to steal one on the front end last week (at 67-1!) before coming up 2nd best – brutal spot tonight, though

RACE 6 – (5) AMBUSHED was way out of it and trapped in the back at 3/4s last week, finally shook free and made up enormous ground to be right there 4th at the wire – she’s a little risker with Cory filling in for Jordan, but that also means a better price…willing to give her a try. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A usually doesn’t take too long to rebound from bad efforts and that’s what she did last week– definitely has appeal with that 8-1 ML price. (1) HERS HUNGRY had some solid recent PA form and made her local debut a winning one – faces a bit better now, but the another rail draw could help offset that…no reason she can’t be a big threat tonight too. (2) CERISE RAINBOW A added Lasix 2 back at Chester but made a break (while well intentioned) – she came up 2nd best to #1 here last week, and could have a say here too, with an easy trip. (4) TIME TO STRIKE has 4 wins here this year including one 3 back – leaning a bit more to others, but wouldn’t be shocked to see her right in the hunt. (6) MAGGIE Q N struggles with inconsistency – a tough draw (facing more experienced mares tonight) doesn’t figure to help her chances. (7) BLUE CHIP LOU N really struggled on a couple of the turns here in her U.S. debut then got rough at Pocono in her next start – she’s still a work in progress, and tonight’s draw isn’t going to make things any easier. (8) MIKI IN LUV is just 1 for 17 here at Yonkers and ands behind the 8 ball

RACE 7 – (1) LYDEO has just one win this year but it did come recently, and she’s been racing well ever since – may be able to double her win total from this spot. (3) RECKLESS ABANDON put in a nice brush into the final turn last week before flattening in the lane – she was racing off a bad date that night but drops right back in the box for a barn that’s been white-hot…possibility. (7) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A was handled aggressively last week and put in a big try before eventually being worn down by the classy RASPALIA N – brutal draw, but still worth a look at a big price. (2) BRI EXPRESS N has her moments, gets post relief and could add some value to the bottom of exotics. (5) FRONT PAGE STORY ended up with a perfect trip last week and used all of it to squeeze out a win – tougher spot tonight, and will need to be a bit sharper if she hopes to repeat. (6) SHESGOTTHEJACK has been super since arriving at YR but she was scratched sick from her last, draws poorly for tonight, and that has us leaning more towards others…at least for tonight. (8) PREMIER DESIREY has been facing the best mares in Minnesota but it’s hard to say how that’ll translate against these, especially starting from Post 8. (4) IDEAL COVER seems to be in considerably tougher than she’s comfortable with.

RACE 8 – (3) THE LAST MARTINI was completely blocked in her first local try of the season 2 back so it was no surprise to see her come up with the victory last week – it was the first win of 2026 for this very classy mare, and we’ll see if she’s ready to go on a little tear after getting off the schneid! (4) RASPALIA N was handled aggressively off the class drop last week and responded with a very sharp victory – she has 14 wins this year (half of them here at Yonkers), and has to be taken very seriously. (5) DANDYS MERCY had been racing well in a lot of her starts this year and finally got her picture taken 2 back – she raced well again last week (from a tough spot), and can grab a piece tonight if the trip goes her way. (1) DAISY DIANA N picked up a nice 3rd at Chester taking on older mares for the first time in the U.S. – draws the pole, but the 3 weeks off are at least a bit concerning. (6) POST PAINTER N has continued to improve since starting her U.S. career in June, and the recent addition of Lasix seems to have helped her even more – would have liked to see her get a better draw, however. (7) WORKLIFEBALANCE is putting together an excellent season and a proven player with these types – she’s also stuck all the way outside, and it’s hard to say if she’ll be able to be part of the action. (2) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING has been holding her own even at these higher levels, but may be a bit up against it tonight

RACE 9 – (2) TORRONE wanted the lead last week but was forced to grab up and eventually take the pocket, perhaps hurting his chances later on – he drops and lands in a very beatable field, and worth a shot IF he’s not overbet. (4) EXQUISITE TASTE broke as the odds on choice 2 back (uncharacteristic) then was disappointing when 3rd at 3/5 in her last – she’s much better than that and may rebound with a winning effort tonight…but she’s need to be a better price to consider on top! (6) L DEES MARIA has been facing a bit easier at The Meadows lately and she gets a tough draw for her Yonkers debut – she also moves to a barn that does great work with fresh stock, gets a switch to Kelly, and has a real chance to outperform those 20-1 ML odds. (3) FARAH TRIO IT raced ok in both starts after returning to Yonkers and is worth including underneath in exotics. (8) BULLY BOY HILL drops a bit and does fit with these – he may prefer to wait for a better draw (and class drop) next week, however. (5) THE HAZLET ON would be a threat here on his best effort but he’s just 1 for 13 at Yonkers this year, throwing more bad ones than good ones…leaning elsewhere. (7) STREET GOSSIP draws poorly after a sick scratch and has missed a month – prefer to just observe this week. (1) TACHYON has struggled all year – not a fan right now, even from the pole

RACE 10 – (5) MEETMEATTHEBAR finally showed life 3 back when she blasted to the top from Post 8 (even if she ended up tiring badly), she followed that up with a 3rd at Chester with a very inexperienced pilot on board then wired ‘em from the 8 hole at Chester last week with Dube back in the bike – may be worth a try against this shaky bunch too! (3) CREDIT TO FRANK hasn’t made a break in 3 starts since re-qualifying but he still looks like he’s running behind for much of the mile – this field may be easy enough to overcome his flaws and come out on top. (1) MR KNOWITALL is just 1 for 29 this year but he did hit board locally a few times last year (at big prices, with his owner driving) and he draws the pole with Kelly…could at least contend for a piece. (7) THE LAST CHAPTER fits with this bunch but the draw may hamper his chances quite a bit. (4) FOR A DREAMER was no factor 3rd in a weak field last week, and is now 0 for 26 on the year – he may contend for a piece, but he’s hard to suggest on top with that 5/2 ML price. (2) AIRMANS JACKPOT has struggled in many of her starts – needs to be better. (8) REMARK ABLE DE VIE is racing ok in amateur races in PA but hard to say how that’ll translate from Post 8 against these. (6) NICCOLO won his last in NJ but likely vs. much easier - he’s 4-0-0-0 here at the Hilltop