Friday, September 25, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, September 25, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) CHERYLS SHADOW is struggling through a tough season but she’s still more than good enough to be a big threat against these types, especially when in a spot to work out a good trip (as she is tonight) – certainly wouldn’t bet the rent money on her at a short price, but she’s still likely the one they have to beat in here. (7) BECK ONING YANKEE’s local efforts have been mixed, but she’s shown that she can battle better than these, when on her game – worth a look if the price is fair. (6) LUCKY ARTIST A threw a total clunker last week but she’s bounced back from these types of miles many times in the past – that 20-1 ML price does give her some appeal! (8) SUNBU RST disappointed 2 back when seemingly in a good spot but that mile is sandwiched between a pair of good efforts – would have liked her chances a lot more with a better draw. (1) IM A BELIEVER is 0 for 11 here in 2026 and her barn is struggling at 3% this year – still, she could be in the hunt from start to finish from this spot. (3) SHEZ THE REASON A moves inside and that may give her at least a chance to rally for a small piece. (2) PARTY CRUISER arrives from PA and looks overmatched (besides being scratched sick from her last).

RACE 2 – (4) EXQUISITE TASTE was sent off at 1/2 vs. better last week but made an uncharacteristic miscue before the start – deserves a chance to make amends. (2) CHAPHEART figured to be handled very conservatively from Post 8 last week (despite his 2-1 price) once Stratton opted off to drive RITSON instead – this week he hops back on board, suggesting a much more serious try from the classy veteran. (1) CREDIT TO FRANK was never in play last week but was trotting well through the wire – moves all the way inside, and could have a much bigger say this time. (3) FARAH TRIO IT sustained her bid nicely last week despite being wide a long way – could grab a decent piece from this spot. (7) JESSES DOLL has raced well since returning from Monti, even if only for smaller pieces – if Dube can get a quick start and land near the leaders, she’d have a chance to grab another good chunk. (8) RITSON was an odds-on front end winner last week but wasn’t overly “impressive” that night – moves up, lands Post8, Stratton opts off, and that all has us leaning elsewhere. (6) HAND DOVER DAN draws poorly after making a break leaving in his last – guessing we’ll see a conservative trip tonight. (5) IN A TINY WAY took no $$ and was no factor in her first try off the barn change – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 3 – (3) STORMY KROMER hasn’t been competitive in his qualifier or two starts (since the long layoff) but catching three 1:55 miles didn’t help – this is definitely a field where the classy millionaire may suddenly come to life! (4) COMMUNION MONEY has been pretty competitive in his last 3 starts and almost pulled off a 31-1 upset two back – logical threat in this weak field. (1) PEMBROKE REGAL lands the pole after finishing 3rd at PcD last week, and did win 2 of 14 starts here last year – has a chance, even if by default. (5) FOR A DREAMER is used to facing much better, but usually isn’t all that competitive – he can’t help but at least have a say here, but he’d be very hard to endorse as the 8/5 ML favorite with his 0 for 25 record this year. (6) MELISSA P draws outside returning to Yonkers and has struggled here from even easier spots in the past. (2) INTL BLOCKADE has raced here 30X and never been 1st or 2nd…and broke in his last 2 local starts

RACE 4 – (1) ANNA LOVES BANANAS land on a brutal trip (vs. better) in PA last start and deserves a pass for tiring late- she’s gone some big miles here too (vs. better), and we’ll give her a try from this spot. (5) GOING AWAY moved to a barn that is once again improving fresh stock by leaps and bounds so it’s no surprise to see that she quickly won 2 in a row (including last week’s 3/5 score here at Yonkers) – faces tougher as she moves up another rung, but can still be a big player. (2) YOULLFINDOUT was a sharp 2nd when first over to #5 last week, draws inside again and should find herself right back in the mix. (3) MISS DOTTIE MAE was well meant last week, went a big mile but came up 2nd best to one of #5s barnmates – logical player in here too. (8) FASHION TERROR is her own worst enemy to ever bet with confidence (especially from Post 8) but she’s not the worst big bomb for longshot fans. (4) IDEAL COVER perked up enough to beat the bottom level 2 back but reverted to her lesser form moving back up last week…this field is even tougher. (6) JORDANNA HANOVER has been overbet in a bunch of her local starts this year despite being 0 for 11– she IS capable of grabbing a small piece, though. (7) BRONX MIXER throws a good one from time to time, but this doesn’t seem the spot to look for one

RACE 5 – (3) TORRONE was well meant from Post 8 last week and left hard, but seemed to spook on the first turn when a horse broke in front of him, then broke himself – he can throw some big miles when in the right mood, and could be a good value play tonight. (5) STORMONT DIVIDE only made 4 starts last year and had trouble getting back to top form in 2026 – his last couple of at Tioga (both wins) are very encouraging, however, and he may be returning with enough confidence to do some damage here too. (7) KILIMANJAROFACE DK was a big earner in Europe and displayed a ton of talent…so far in the U.S. she’s been plagued by both bleeding and breaking issues but IF you think she might bring her best tonight, the price should be very fair! (2) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S loved the patient trip last week and was an easy winner vs. a bit softer– can have a say here too with another kind journey. (4) SEVEN LAYER throws his share of duds but any of his better efforts could land him a piece of this. (1) STMIK ES KERRYBLUES is on the cheaper side but he has speed, stays trotting, and that gives him a shot for at least some minor spoils. (6) BULLY BOY HILL drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight and will be more attractive with some upcoming class relief. (8) HOWLINGATHEMOON DK was no factor at all from a similar spot last week

RACE 6 – (2) FRONT PAGE STORY had been sharp coming into her last so it was surprising that she couldn’t fire a lot better in the stretch – drops another peg, and is worth another try. (5) MILLWOOD BLISS N had no prayer in her last pair but she moves inside tonight while dropping down to the level she beat (as the favorite) 3 starts back – logical player. (6) COACHELLABOUND N hit the top and kept on rolling hot fractions last week, was outbrushed by the winning tripsitter at 3/4s but really didn’t quit, only surrendering 2nd nearing the wire – tough draw, but still could have a real say. (4) ILLUSION SEELSTER gets a pass for her last (just in WAY too tough) but her previous start saw her finish 2nd here to #5 – good value horse for exotics. (8) AMBUSHED returns to Yonkers after racing out of town for a couple of months and her success here over the last couple of years is well documented – she MAY prefer to wait for a better draw before showing her best, however (check the tote board). (1) TIME TO STRIKE drops down a peg but may need to be in a little easier for a shot at the top slot. (3) TRUE BLUE HANOVER missed a month and was starting to tail just prior to that – pass for now. (7) LAURIE LEE has 2 wins and a 2nd from her last 3 starts out of town but she just hasn’t been able to succeed much here at Yonkers over the last 2 years!

RACE 7 – (1) MISSISSIPPI STORM drops, draws the pole, and this is the kind of spot where the 11YO is still very reliable – the one to beat. (2) MASSIVE DESIRE has gone some big miles since arriving earlier this year but he just took a month off (and re-qualified) after back to back breaks – dangerous IF he behaves…but that’s a BIG if! (2) AQUARIUS FACE S has developed a bad habit lately of taking way too long to kick into gear – would be more dangerous tonight if Lachance can get him motivated a bit earlier. (5) COMMODUS A was getting way overbet for several starts without delivering efforts to justify it – his price has finally started to move back up, and he really wasn’t terrible last week…ok for underneath. (4) HIGHLAND STARBURST is listed here as the 2-1 ML favorite but her recent form doesn’t stamp her as the one to beat here – definitely feels vulnerable. (7) HONOLULU HANO VER threw a surprising dud last week, and draws Post 7 tonight – leaning elsewhere. (6) BRONZER was a “me” 3rd off an easy trip last week and is likely looking at a less favorable journey for tonight

RACE 8 – (1) THE LAST MARTINI won nearly $1.2 M at 2 and 3 but is still seeking her first win as a 4YO – she’s shown some better signs lately, and was raging with pace (with no room) in last week’s Invitational – time for her to call the shots and get into the win column. (2) HARLEEQUIN A feels like she’s improving with each start since arriving in the U.S.– gets another good draw, and that should put her right back into the mix. (5) DANDYS MERCY may have taken a while to finally pick up her first local win of the season but she certainly looked doing so last week – can grab a good piece here too with a similarly sharp effort. (3) SHEER ARTISTRY N has been good start after start for months but she’ll have to do it for a new barn tonight – we’ll see how she handles the change of scenery. (4) POST PAINTER N is another import that’s been improving and she has license to keep getting even better now on Lasix – a good trip could put her right in the hunt. (6) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING dug in bravely last week to earn 2nd behind the dominant #5 – up in class now, along with a bad draw. (7) SURFINMAKESCENTS A has done some excellent work out of town vs. cheaper, but gets a brutal draw as she looks to take on much tougher in her Hilltop debut.

RACE 9 – (2) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A races well more often than not, could be sitting closer to the pace tonight and is overdue for a victory – could offer some decent value in a race that looks very competitive on paper. (5) SHE SGOTTHEJACK has certainly thrived here at Yonkers with 3 wins and 2 seconds from her 6 local starts (a close 4th after cutting the mile in the other) – she handles any trip, and will be a whole lotta trouble if things go her way. (4) HUNTING HULA has been good lately, and way more pace last week than she was able to show – good bomb to try to get onto the ticket somewhere. (1) OAKLEY SHARD N was no factor in 3 of her 4 U.S. starts but charged home to win the other – can’t be dismissed moving in from the 8 hole to the rail. (3) LYDEO is hard to recommend on top (just 1 for 21 this year) but her overall recent form is solid, and any decent trip puts her in position to land on the ticket somewhere. (7) RASPALIA N has beaten better than these this year but does tend to struggle when stuck in the back of the pack – she’s at a winning level for sure, but may struggle with the poor post. (6) RECKLESS ABAN DON threw a disappointing try on the lead last time then took a month off – prefer to just observe this week. (8) BRI EXPRESS N is a nice mare, but this figures to be a tough spot to overcome

RACE 10 – (1) ADALECIA was well meant last week but broke early after leaving hard – draws the pole in a pretty blank field, and may be able to take the finale if she can avoid any mishaps tonight. (6) EVELYNA ITIS gets a bad draw but was competitive in her last couple and may be able to have a say if Holland can coax her to a good start. (8) CRUISE ALERT didn’t even pretend to be interested from Post 8 last week even though she was clearly a great fit in that field – gets the same awful draw for tonight but IF she attracts some more tote action this time, she may be worth considering. (5) PURAMERI is racing well enough to merit a look but she’s also 24-0-1-2 at Yonkers over the last 2 years, and 48-1-1-4 over the last 3 – tough one to call out on top! (2) KNOCK TWICE hasn’t really been “good” here since 2024 but tonight’s draw (in this field) at least gives her hope for a piece. (3) CANNERY ROW is 0 for 59 locally over the last 3 years, and another that would be tough to consider. (4) STAY HAPPY has been good here in the past but she’s 15-0-1-1 locally in 2026 and struggling mightily at the moment. (7) QUICK MENU is 1 for 23 here this year, is off form and draws Post 7.