Monday, April 6, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, April 6, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) VANDERBILT N was sent off at 3/5 in only local start (1/20) and came up a close 2nd to DELE ROW A (who picked up a 2nd in a Borgata division last week) – he raced well several times at Stga. after that, and last week’s effort at PcD was encouraging, considering he had missed 5 weeks, and sat last in a field with some pretty nice horses – worth a look in his Hilltop return. (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A will be very tough here IF he brings his best…but he’s disappointed in “winning spots” too many times to ever back with complete confidence. (5) ROC KET CITY A has an impressive Down Under resume, winning 16 races and $162K (and competing in a Group 1 event vs. the likes of LEAP TO FAME and THE JANITOR last December) – he paced a very strong final 3/8ths in his U.S. qualifier, and that 12-1 ML does make him pretty tempting! (8) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE finished well from an impossible spot in a “fall apart” race last start – he has the ABILITY to beat these, but maybe not from out here. (6) BLAZE ON N definitely has some talent but he doesn’t always navigate Yonkers all that smoothly, and tonight’s draw won’t help his cause. (7) SKYLOU N wisely drops out of the Borgata Series but he’ll still need to be better to have a chance even at this lower level. (1) JAHAN HANOVER’s only recent win came vs. much easier – leaning elsewhere, even with the rail draw. (3) ITZA DANGERZONE A has been solid overall lately, but faces much tougher here than he’s used to.

RACE 2 – MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #2: (5) SOHO FIRESTONE A was sent off at 1/5 in his division last week, gambled on sitting the pocket (in his first start back in 2026) and found room at the cones just in time to outkick AYE AYE CAPTAIN N to the wire – there’s not much speed to his inside here so Bartlett should be able to get him right where he needs to be- the one to beat. (6) CAPTAIN MOORE A came into the series off a pair of sharp Invitational efforts, looked like a winner as they turned for home but allowed the classy CHASE H HANOVER to battle back in the lane and nip him on the money – tonight’s draw definitely hurts, but he’ll be a fair price if Gingras can get him away to a good spot. (1) HOWLENTHEHILLS was a big earner as a youngster but had a so-so 4YO campaign, winning just 3 of 20 starts – his first start of 2026 wasn’t bad at all, he could be looking at a very good trip and may have a chance to scoring a mild upset. (3) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N landed on a beautiful trip last week, rallied in the lane but just missed to #5 (after that one shook free at the cones) – hard to say if he can get a good enough trip tonight to make his sharp brush pay off. (2) MATAI PHIL N has been a pleasant surprise in 2026 but still needs to prove that he can threaten at this top level. (4) WHY NOT NOW was no factor in his seasonal debut after a disappointing 2025 season

RACE 3 – (4) SHINE A LIGHT has won 6 straight at this level, for multiple barns, and mostly by blowouts – he may face a bigger test tonight, but is still clearly the one to knock off. (1) SMOOTH LOU had that one clunker 4 back but has otherwise been a rock solid player himself at this level – seems the one with the best chance to knock off #4. (5) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK stung the top choice before yielding last week and that may have cost him 2nd at the end – doesn’t help drawing outside that one tonight, but still a possibility for a piece. (3) LONG SHOT BUCK ETS tracked the odds-on choice all the way last week and was able to pull off the form-reversing 32-1 upset with his late surge (an overlay, considering his trainer has been en fuego lately) – logical player for a good piece tonight too. (8) TIN ROOF RAIDER A always has good pace finishing, but may just be coming from too far back tonight to do any serious damage. (2) DIAMONDBEACH moves inside but has really gone in the wrong direction lately after a long form spree. (6) METAMAN had trouble chasing the hot pace from the pole last week – won’t be any easier from Post 6! (7) MR PROFETA drops from 20s, but that may be offset by the horrible draw.

RACE 4 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #2: (3) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR always had success at Yonkers, was 10 for 17 here last year and had no trouble wiring his Borgata division last week, delivering as the 2/5 favorite in his first start of the year– wouldn’t say he’s a “cinch” tonight, but the road to the winner’s circle still goes through him. (1) CELTIC SPIRIT N arrived from Ohio showing some very impressive efforts, took plenty of $$ for his local debut but had his fate sealed early on when forced to make a hard retreat to 5th after looking to leave hard – he’s looking at a much better trip tonight, and he’ll have every chance to show his best. (4) MOSSDALE BEN N elected to use his speed last week, worked out a pocket trip and was a clear 2nd best to a sharp front end winner – he’ll likely have to race from off the pace here, but that’s certainly not an issue for him – he’ll have a chance, if he brings his “A Game”. (2) ALWAYS A THRILL gave it an aggressive front end try last week but couldn’t finish the job – guessing he’ll be more conservative tonight, with a chance for a small piece. (6) VERDUN secured the pocket to #3 last week and was able to chase him 2nd best all the way – looking at a much tougher trip tonight, however. (5) DELE ROW A ended up with a pocket trip behind heavily favored REDWOOD HANOVER last week and while no threat to that one, did manage to cling to 2nd (at 51-1) – don’t think he’ll be as opportunistic from this spot, though.

RACE 5 – (3) MACS MARVEL usually doesn’t make his own luck, but he’s always finishing crisply and very dangerous when in striking position at the top of the lane – good value play in a race that MAY see some action. (2) BLUE LOU came up just a little flat at the end of his last start, fishing 3rd when it looked like he’d easily be 2nd – he’s no stranger to the Yonkers winner’s circle, and he’s another that could become dangerous if things go his way. (4) COPPERFIELD was well backed for his first local start of the year (after winning in NJ the week before) but just couldn’t make it hold up on the front end – he’ll get every chance to make amends tonight, but he does figure to end up overbet. (6) CURLY JAMES A had been very sharp for several starts but just wasn’t as crisp last week, racing from off the pace – tonight’s draw may put him in a similar spot, and he just may be better on/near the lead. (7) VICI OUS was terrific here in 2025 (10-5-3-0) and he’s off to a good start in ’26 as well, with last week’s game first over victory bringing his current slate to 7-2-1-1 – he drops in for a tag (to stay in the same class), but he’ll need some things to really go his way to be able to reach from out here. (1) TENZING BROMAC N used a quick start to earn a two hole trip last week, then raced well to be 3rd – he could be in line for another good trip tonight, and that could help him land another good chunk. (5) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A was hard to gauge off his U.S. qualifier (landed in a blistering mile) but he really wasn’t bad in his first U.S. start last week – gets Yannick, is 20-1 ML, and may be worth using if looking to spread this race. (8) JABBAR is in career form right now but he’s way up in class and will have to pass ‘em all to win from out here

RACE 6 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #2: (4) REDWOOD HANOVER was sent off at 5 cents on the dollar for his first start of 2026 and he certainly did not disappoint, winning in effortless fashion – he figures to have to work a bit more vs. this better field, but he’s still clearly the one to knock off. (1) SHERLOCK N has been very good for some time but he REALLY elevated his game that much more last week, just missing at the wire despite racing first over, up in class, in a hot 1:51.2 mile – can definitely have a say with another good draw. (6) CAPTAIN ALBANO has over $2M on his card and he didn’t earn that by accident – he has enormous ability but did look a bit short in his first start of the year, and tonight’s draw does him no favors – he’ll need to really be much sharper here to win from this spot, but it’s certainly not impossible! (5) CATALPA RESCUE A is still looking for that first win of the season but he’s hit board in all 6 starts, and raced very well in the first leg (despite a very tough trip) – likely be chasing only minor spoils tonight. (3) ARODA N wasn’t able to replicate his excellent qualifying form in the first leg, weakening after a pocket trip – way too soon to write him off, but also tough to endorse off that effort. (2) SWE ET BEACH LIFE wasn’t bad in his first start of the year but may be in a little tough with these.

RACE 7 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #2: (2) DONEGAL LUTHER N was impressive in his U.S. qualifier, hinted at serious ability in his first pari mutuel start (even if losing by a nose), then kicked his game up another notch in the first leg, driven aggressively and delivering a convincing front end score – we’ll give him the slight edge to repeat, after drawing inside a main rival. (3) CHASE H HANOVER has shown in the past that he’s capable of BIG miles when on his game, and last week was one of them (had to work for the lead, looked beat for sure as they turned for home but then battled back all through the stretch to get his nose back up at the wire) – a similar effort would make him very dangerous here! (5) TWISTED DESTINY had a terrific 3YO campaign, often facing the best and winning his fair share (including the Messenger, right here at Yonkers) – he should only benefit from his sharp first start, and could be a legitimate threat here if Dunn can find him a decent trip. (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has always shown real ability and has elevated his game even more as a 4YO – the good draw gives him at least a chance, if the top ones all fail to deliver. (4) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A is having a tough time so far in 2026 after winning an incredible 13 of 28 local starts in 2025 – leaning elsewhere, for now. (6) ENDOFSTORY is capable of big miles when in the right mood, but even his best effort may leave him short starting from out here.

RACE 8 – (2) KOPI LUWAK was off 3 weeks to his last at Pocono, and was a still a close 2nd to a sharp horse that just came back to win again (up in class) on Saturday – his overall recent form is solid, and he reunites with Yannick (for whom he won here on 2/5)– should be a major threat returning to Yonkers. (4) BE DAZZLED LOU A has really thrived since being claimed by this crew on 2/4, and still raced well for 3rd last week, even if his 3 race winning streak came to an end – belongs on your tickets. (6) JUST ENUFF STUFF may be winless in 8 starts this year but he’s actually raced super in most of them – gets a tough draw, but also gets some class relief…can be dangerous if the trip goes his way. (5) GDS THUNDER GB had been in career form recently but may be tailing a bit at the moment – leaning a bit more to a couple of others, but he’d hardly be a surprise! (1) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A lands the pole but isn’t blessed with the greatest speed (he’s more about the stamina) – definitely ok for exotics, but others have more appeal for the top slot. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM is pretty good right now and Bartlett hasn’t been afraid to leave with him – would still need a lot of trip luck to win from out here! (3) VICI exits a very high % barn and joins a much smaller outfit – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 9 – (2) LUCAPELO A was forced to make a LONG first over bid last week, engaged the well-rested frontrunner to the top of the lane but was still (easily) the strong horse in the lane, pacing his last quarter in :27.1 to score impressively for a very hot barn…he’ll be tough once more with that same kind of effort! (3) ALL ALONE was overdriven 2 back and probably could have been a much closer 2nd (behind the odds-on winner) with a more patient steer – he rebounded last week with an excellent 2nd to a very sharp loose-lead winner, and may prove the main danger tonight. (4) AMERITRIC has been very consistent, and may be waiting in the wings should neither of the top pair deliver. (7) LYONS BENJAMIN is following up last year’s excellent season with another one in 2026, but may need to be in a little easier to be at his best – the outside draw doesn’t help his cause, even though he has plenty of speed. (1) ORLANDO BLUE A pulled off a 30-1 8 hole shocker on 2/3, then almost beat the 40s on 2/25 at 40-1…never a bad one for longshot fans. (6) HAMMERING HANK is sharper than he looks on paper but has been hurt by a string of bad draws – unfortunately, he gets another one tonight! (8) LYRICAL GENIUS A was incredibly camera shy for almost all of 2024-25 but he’s now won 4X since 1/13, and would have been listed higher if not for the brutal draw! (5) EVER HOPING A was no factor returning from Dover (despite 2 wins just prior) and he’s winless in 17 local tries over the past 2 years

RACE 10 – (3) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N has been in some impossible spots vs. much better recently, but just 2 months ago picked up wins at both the NW20000 and NW30000 levels – drops, moves inside, and may be able to be part of a late Stratton Family daily double. (2) SOHO DOW JONES A is generally very dangerous with a good trip vs. better than these, and may be able to cash in tonight…he’s also been a little unreliable lately, and may end up quite overbet in tonight’s finale. (1) BOILING OAR is feeling pretty good right now after a recent claim, outrunning easier in a quick mile last week – he’ll have a much tougher time escaping from the top pair, however. (6) FRISCO BAY N has shown legitimate ability out of town when things go his way, but has also shown a tendency to land on troubled trips – he moves to a barn that can improve one in a hurry, and is a viable option for those not in love with the inside three. (5) THE IDEAL DANCER A is used to tacking tougher but he catches a strong field off the drop, and hasn’t raced in 3 weeks – minor share? (4) AVENGER FORCE is racing well lately but vs. much easier – may struggle with this stronger bunch. (8) CHEVRON ART N drops to a much more comfortable level but also lands Post 8 in a good field – may prefer to take a conservative approach, and wait for an even bigger class drop next week. (7) CASINO ACTION N used his rail draw to tow along for 3rd last week, but seems unlikely to replicate that success from out here.