Friday, October 23, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, October 23, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) BULLY BOY HILL has been no factor in his last few but he was also racing from the back of the pack, vs. better – gets a class drop, a young aggressive pilot, and possibly a winning spot. (1) DURANTE HANOVE R wasn’t “great” last week but it was definitely a step in the right direction – moves all the way inside, and looms the main danger to #4. (2) FASHION FOREVER threw a dud in NJ last week but drops right back in the box (seems like a good sign) – he went a solid effort when 3rd here on 10/18, and anything similar to that would put him in the mix for a decent piece of this. (5) SENSI AMNESIA would be a good fit here on her best effort but her last couple of starts saw her way back at the end – chance for a piece if she can rebound with a better try. (6) EXCALIBUR BI lands in our leading barn for his first local try of 2026 and he did have some success here last year – just seems too far off his game to endorse right now. (8) AIRMANS JACKPOT made an uncharacteristic miscue last week and now draws Post 8 – keep an eye for next time. (3) BONTONI DEGATO S has been struggling, and is 1 for 29 at YR over the last 2 years. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR is also struggling, and has just one start in the last 7 weeks

RACE 2 – (3) TH CHECK ME OUT was an ok 4th vs. better in her local debut then just seemed to lose interest at the back of the pack last week – the class drop (and move inside) should allow Brennan to handle her aggressively tonight, and that could work against this group. (2) PURAMERI has been extremely camera shy the last few years and a tough one to endorse on top at a short price– still, she IS sharp, and did pick up a win 2 back– have to respect. (4) ALTA MADEIRA N gets post and class relief and does fit with this bunch – another that has been historically camera shy here at Yonkers, however, and probably better used underneath. (8) BETTORS TICKET rallied crisply last week, even if into a slow final quarter – he’s usually not as good if used early, however, and that limit’s her options from out here. (6) JORDANNA HANOVER is just 1 for 21 this year and 0 for 13 here at Yonkers – ok for a piece, but sticking with others on top. (7) YS SENSATIONALCITY has a mixed bag of tries since returning from the layoff – she’s won many times here in the past, so it wouldn't be unreasonable to consider her at a big price. (5) DIVIDED WE FALL improved in PA after the barn change but still seems a bit cheap. (1) CANNERY ROW is 0 for ever here at Yonkers…and hasn’t even been picking up many small pieces this year

RACE 3 – (7) COMMODUS A has seen his form pick back up with the current drop down the class ladder and he gave it a good 8 hole try at this level last week – Boyd is never afraid to give one a chance (even from bad posts), and this guy may be able to get the job done with a bit of trip luck. (3) HAND DOVER DAN has been plagued by bad posts and miscues lately but has more than enough ability to be a big threat here – if he gets away trotting, he can be a dangerous player. (4) VINNY DE VIE was right there 3rd one level up last week and actually beat a NW15000 field not that long ago – he fits here for sure, and worth a look if the price is right. (1) RADIO LAB dropped to this level last week but was dull throughout – he’s capable of better, and perhaps we’ll see it from the pole – ok underneath. (5) COMMUNION MONEY is 0 for 7 here this year but all of her recent starts were solid – another one to use in exotics. (2) STORMY KROMER hasn’t embarrassed himself with this comeback attempt but he’s still nowhere close to his “millionaire” form – leaning elsewhere. (8) BE DIFFERENT will likely be too far back to be a serious player but he may be able to pass a few late for minor spoils. (6) TACHYON is one of several in the barn having a tough 2026 season – still watching for better signs

RACE 4 – (2) TALL DARK TEQUILA has looked in both starts since changing hands, 2nd to the streaking DANCI NG DRAGON 2 back, then full of pace from a hopeless spot last week – worth a try tonight in this wide open field. (5) SUNBURST just missed to a classy winner 2 back, then raced well last week despite being used early on – upset chance with the right trip. (1) BECKONING YANKEE steps up off a loss (where she raced well) but has also faced better than these not too long ago – can be part of the action from start to finish from this spot. (7) WAITFOREVER N was off a bad date (scr. injured) to her last but still was an excellent first over 2nd – she fits very nicely here, with the draw being the only real knock. (8) NAPALM is ending the year strong, with 3 wins and a 2nd from her last 5 starts– hard to say if she can find a way to overcome tonight’s brutal draw, however. (4) ANNA LOVES BANANAS easily wired a much easier field last week but this spot is much tougher – no value with that 2-1 ML price. (6) LUC KY ARTIST A was no factor in her last pair but has a long history of wake up calls – never a bad one for longshot fans. (3) IM A BELIEVER is just 14-0-1-0 at Yonkers this year – sticking with others

RACE 5 – (5) PEDAL ON METAL returned from the layoff for a new barn (plus hobbles), qualified nicely, had a good tightener then was a sharp winner last week – chance to take another, even up a peg. (6) L DEES MARIA left the gate on 10/2 (first time for new barn) but grabbed hard into the first turn and was suddenly well back in last – still managed to be trotting strong at the wire, and is an intriguing option with that 20-1 ML price. (4) STMIKES KERRYBLUES looked like a winner at the top of the lane last week but switched over to a pace, losing the lead and resulting in the DQ – possible if you think that was a one-time blip! (7) AQUARIUS FACE S drops again and has been trotting strong at the end for weeks – may be coming from too far back once more, however. (1) CREDIT TO FRANK still isn’t the smoothest trotter on the planet but he jogged 2 back and had trot in traffic last week – chance for a piece from this spot. (2) LAURENS CHAPTER went some big miles this year but she’s a 3YO filly and seems well off her game right now – better value elsewhere. (3) SAINTS PRESERVE US has been stuck on minor pieces in most of his starts. (8) NYMERIA lands outside after squandering a perfect trip from the pole in her last

RACE 6 – (3) LYDEO is tough to back with too much confidence (she’s just 1 for 24 this year) but she’s been sharp vs. better lately, and really seems to have found a winning spot (6) BRI EXPRESS N got some class relief last week, secured the lead and was a sharp winner – moves up tonight (with a tough draw), but can still have a say here if Stratton puts her in play. (5) IDEAL COVER outraced her odds in 2 of her last 3 starts and has also done that many times in the past – never a bad bomb to include in your exotics. (2) TWIN B ECHO is a nice mare and tries hard but her struggles on turns always hurt her chances against these types. (4) TIME TO STRIKE should appreciate the class relief but may need to be in a little cheaper to threaten for the top spot. (1) TALADEGA EXPRESS has enjoyed a productive 3YO campaign but she’s a 3YO filly taking on tough older foes tonight (for her new barn), and she’s also missed a month. (7) MAYBEMABEL was an ok 4th from a tough spot last week but faces what may be an even tougher spot tonight – would need things to really fall apart up front. (8) BLUE CHIP LOU N has gait issues since arriving in the U.S. – now adds to that with Post 8 off a sick scratch

RACE 7 – (6) MASSIVE DESIRE can be prone to miscues but he has plenty of ability when he behaves himself (and doesn’t need a particularly “good’ trip to succeed) – it’s a concern that he gets a new pilot tonight but the barn has been really clicking with their trotters lately, and we’ll give this guy the slight nod. (3) OLIVER THE GREAT was handled conservatively last week (after a miscue the week before) and was an ok 4th – he drops to a spot where he figures to be very dangerous tonight. (5) VANDY LANE has been off his best game lately but is another that may benefit from tonight’s class relief – wake up call possible. (2) MY MAN PETER wasn’t “good” last week but he did race a little better – may be ready to contend for a piece now. (4) WARRAWEE YANG is another getting a class drop but he may need to drop a bit more before he can be a more serious player. (8) EXQUISITE TASTE made up for a few disappointing efforts with last week’s win but now has Post 8, up in class. (7) CIVILIAN DRONE arrives sharp from upstate but tonight’s draw may slow him down a bit. (1) THEOBALD may be happy with a clean effort

RACE 8 – (1) HARLEEQUIN A clicked quickly after arriving in the U.S. and has gone efforts that suggest she can be a legitimate Invitational mare – she got tormented with Post 8 last week but still delivered her usual good finish, and now can be handled more aggressively with the move inside – feels like a spot to grab her first local victory. (8) RASPALIA N won for Boyd at Tioga on 9/11 then the pair teamed up for a big mile here last week, just missing to SILK CLOUD A – legitimate chance here, even from Post 8. (4) SHESGOTTHEJACK has really thrived since coming to Yonkers, currently 9-4-2-1 and right there behind #8 last week – can be right there again tonight. (7) WO RKLIFEBALANCE was off a bad date to her last (sick scr.) and wasn’t bad at all – she’s a proven player with these, and will offer good value if you think Stratton will give her a shot (3) AMBUSHED steps up off a pair of sharp wins and while she does her most damage vs. a bit easier, she can still grab a piece here too. (5) CHERYLS SHADOW is on the upswing for sure but steps way up in class – minor share? (2) DANDYS MERCY would like to be in a bit easier but the draw could help her take home a small slice. (6) FRONT PAGE STORY figures to be hurt by the draw

RACE 9 – (5) SHEER ARTISTRY N didn’t function on 9/25 (off the claim) but rebounded with one of her typically sharp efforts last week – willing to hop on board tonight against these. (6) COACHELLABOUND N is more than classy enough to handle tonight’s class bump and her barn sent out a couple of very sharp ones on Thurs. night – worth a look with that 20-1 ML price. (4) VEL CINDERELLA was well backed and victorious in her YR debut (beat #6) – gets Dube tonight (as she moves up in class) and may be able to be a big player here too. (2) CHANCE OFLIGHTNING drops a bit, draws inside, and may be able to have a real say with this bunch. (3) POST PAINTER N really had no excuse last week, though she did lose to a mare that’s won 5 straight – logical player. (1) DOU GS BABE A is moving up 2 classes off a dull 5th yet listed as the 2-1 ML favorite – wouldn’t be shocked to see her contend here, but she certainly won’t be offering any value. (8) OAKLEY SHARD N’s has had mixed results in the U.S. – her last was very good, but the move outside could really sting. (7) YOULLFINDOUT is racing well but draws Post 7 off a sick scratch.