Monday, August 10, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, August 10, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) SHIPMASTER had no prayer 2 back but was racing well just prior to that, and was actually VERY sharp last week – could offer some decent value in tonight’s competitive opener. (1) OURMATEMENKO N is a solid $40K claimer and moves to a barn that has been a pleasant surprise here in 2026 – very dangerous with a live trip. (4) AMERITRIC was in a no-chance spot 2 back but rebounded last week with his 3rd victory in the last 6 starts – legitimate chance to repeat. (3) PAXAMILLION has been doing good work since the recent barn change and comes into this riding a 2 race winning streak – this is probably a tougher spot, but he still deserves lots of respect. (2) ALTA CLASSIC A threw one of his huge efforts last week but it’s hard to say if that warrants tonight move up to 40s – would consider on top if the price was juicy enough. (7) LYRICAL GENIUS A added Lasix last week, landed on a golden trip and was able to get his picture taken – may not end up with quite as good a journey from this spot, however. (6) GDS THUNDER GB is racing ok, but will need lots of trip luck from this tough spot. (8) ROCKIN JU KEBOX is more than capable with these…but maybe not from out here.

RACE 2 – Tough race! (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A steps up in class but when he does bring his best effort, this is still a level well within his comfort zone – one of many with a legitimate chance in here. (5) BLUE LOU hasn’t found the winner’s circle in some time, despite racing well almost every week (even vs. better than these) – he’s been going off fair prices, and he’s worth a look if that’s the case tonight. (4) FINVARRA A lost all chance 2 back when forced to go behind a longshot off turn one but he was hammered at the windows last week (with Bartlett hopping on board) and delivered the sharp victory – license to repeat for sure, but he’ll likely be getting a driver change (with Bartlett getting injured on Thurs. night), and he’s listed at 6/5 ML! (3) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A hasn’t been on his best game for some time but still was able to squeeze out a victory last start – leaning more to others, but it would be no shock to see him repeat. (6) SPEAKER OF PEACE does his best work vs. a bit easier but he could still rally for a good chunk vs. these, if the trip goes his way. (8) MATAI PHIL N appreciated the class relief and was able to pick up a win at Tioga, but lands in a brutal spot returning to YR. (2) ROYAL DESIRE is pushing his limits up at this level. (7) SPECULATING A is another better suited to be taking on easier

RACE 3 – (7) FEDERER was facing MUCH better in his last 2 starts here and actually wasn’t bad, despite horrendous spots – he returns to a much softer spot, adds Lasix, and has a solid chance to come out on top – even with another awful draw, and a driver change coming (guessing it’ll be Holland). (4) TWIN B POWERBALL was short in his return from the long layoff but could benefit from that start – may add some value to the exotics in a race where a bunch of the players seem a little shaky. (3) COLLECTIVE WORKS just went in reverse after coming off the cones last week but has otherwise picked up a bunch of good pieces, at big prices – could grab a share with a quick bounce-back effort. (1) FEELIN WESTERN just seemed disinterested in the back last week (over the off track – his prior pair were sharp, and a return to those efforts could land him a share. (2) NANDOLO N is always a threat for a wake up call but his current form has been lacking, to say the least – maybe tonight? (5) MUFFERAW JOE tried aggressive tactics last week (after a dull local debut) and quit badly – sticking with others, for now. (6) TASTE OF HONEY started to struggle after moving up and landing in tough spots – drops, but also gets another bad draw

RACE 4 – (6) SWEET BEACH LIFE was shooting for his 6th straight last week and the race was basically over after the first few strides, when HE was the only leaver and was able to just dominate on the front end – maybe looking at a different trip tonight, but he’s also shown that he can win in different ways! (5) MOSSDALE BEN N’s last line may not “look” very goon on paper, but consider that he still paced his final half in :53.3 after being stuck trying an impossible 1st over move from 5th– he drops right back in the box, and may be back to his more aggressive tactics tonight. (4) SOHO FIRESTONE A added Lasix last week and actually gained ground into the sizzling :26.4 final quarter – he’s always in play, but it’s been a long time since he’s visited the photographer! (1) EVILEYE FLEE GLE underwent a complete transformation after joining the nation’s leading barn on 6/12 – he got involved in a suicide mission here on 7/20 (after winning 3 straight), then was in a hopeless spot last week – should be a lot closer to the action tonight. (3) YOUNG BLUEY A has been very consistent but he’s also been coming up a bit light vs. easier fields. (2) BOURBON COUNTY was a winner in his YR return but faces tougher now, and will lose Bartlett

RACE 5 – (4) BLACK HAWK JOE A beat a sharp frontrunner from the pocket 2 back, then turned in a pretty nice effort in his last, rallying steadily from a very tough spot – may be sharp enough to pull off a mild upset here, with some trip luck. (2) IM TALKIN HUNGRY was well backed for his first local start of the year, made his way to the top and delivered a sharp front end score – possible repeater. (3) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER was a wire to wire winner his last 2 starts at this level – he remains in for $15K tonight off the claim, and his chances to take another have to be respected. (7) J B GRAM wasn’t bad in his first start off the month layoff but was a disappointing (dull) 3rd in his last – won’t be easy to improve tonight starting from Post 7, with 3 live rivals all drawn inside. (1) SOUTH POINT recently returned from a long layoff and failed to threaten in 4 Pocono starts – drops a bit for his first local try of 2026, and may be able to at least contend for a piece. (5) GREAT SOMEWHERE was well backed for his last but faltered badly on the lead – maybe he can grab a small slice with an easy trip? (6) FRANCO NANDOR N and (8) PINK FLOYD HANOVER draw poorly once more, and both would be surprises tonight

RACE 6 – (6) TACK ROOM CHATTER gave it a decent try on the front end upon arrival 2 back (for his new barn) then kept trying hard in the lane last week after being wide a long way, and struggling on the final bend – good value option in a race with some question marks. (5) HEZA RISK TAKER A is just 1 for 15 here this year, despite racing well in a bunch of starts – his last effort was pretty sharp, and his only victory this year did come with Holland – possibility. (4) LITTLE LOUIE A qualified sharply upon arrival from Australia, but was scratched sick from his U.S. debut – added Lasix and re-qualified nicely, but the uncertainty over who will be driving tonight makes him a bit of a question mark. (7) HEMSWORTH N isn’t bad right now, but he also hasn’t been at his best - he faces an uncertain trip from out here, but it would be hard to leave him off your tickets, even if spreading just a little. (1) SW EETHOMEALABAMA N would be a real threat from this spot on his best effort but he just hasn’t been 100% lately – would consider if the price was good enough. (2) MISSED THE TRUTH A changed barns on 7/14 and instantly ended his long Yonkers losing streak – not close in his next, but finished ok from an impossible spot last week – ok if a big price (8) JON I LOVE DAT seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he doesn’t (3) JUSTCALLMEBUCK moves to a new barn for his local debut…prefer to just watch tonight.

RACE 7 – (4) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH hasn’t been the same since returning from the layoff (in a new barn) but he’s certainly been facing tougher, and he did have some better life finishing last week – maybe he can perk up enough with tonight’s class drop to get the job done? (2) FORCE FULL A (Holland’s choice over #4) was a game winner in his U.S. debut, but just a bit disappointing when 3rd in his next (coming up a little light at the end) – still a threat vs. these, even moving up a bit. (2) BETTER B BOLD failed to threaten from 8 holes in 2 of his last 4 starts but his OTHER starts have all been excellent – certainly worth a look here, assuming the price is decent. (1) UDDE RLY SWEET A came up 2nd best to the tripsitter last week after winning 2 straight – have to respect his chances from the pole. (5) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE was an easy trip winner in this class 4 back but that was an easier spot – he’s missed 3 weeks, and we’re leaning more towards others. (8) PINNY TIGER A was right there on the final turn in his last pair, only to completely fall apart – waiting for a better effort before considering. (3) VICIOUS just never looked good at all returning from the layoff last week – remains on the watch only lost for now. (7) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A was hurt by bad posts in his last pair and draws another for tonight

RACE 8 – (1) CHASE H HANOVER was a razor sharp 1:51 winner 3 back, gave himself no chance in his next when Bongiorno inexplicably failed to retake the lead, then went a monster effort in his last, carving out vicious fractions from Post 7 before losing to the perfect trip STERLING CHOICE – the one to beat tonight. (5) VERDUN took full advantage of the class drop and lead to easily pick up his 4th win of the season last week – facing a tougher task here, but still a real threat for a big piece. (2) KWICK SAND A continues to race well even at this higher level, picking up 3rds (at good prices) the last 3 starts – chance for another good piece here too. (3) BOSTON BOUND has found his game again after a frustrating rough patch – steps up another level, but a piece is still within reach. (7) AMERICAN DEALER N is sneaky sharp right now – he lands another awful post, but remains a good bomb for exotics. (4) JUMPINGJACKMAC N was a sharp “pocket rocket” winner last week but faces tougher here, and likely looking at a smaller share. (8) STERLING CHOICE has plenty of ability and beat #1 two back – he also draws Post 8, and will be losing Bartlett. (6) FORWARD FLASH is a nice horse but draws poorly off a bad date

RACE 9 – (1) PLAY ACTION PASS was a little lazy in his local debut but was pacing well at the end, once Buter asked for more – eligible to be sharper the 2nd time around. (3) ALWAYS A THRILL had a useful PcD tightener off a bad date last week and this is the kind of spot where he can find a winning effort– worth using tonight. (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N put himself in a perfect spot last week but came up short when it mattered most – has a chance, but will need to be a bit better! (7) COPPERFIELD fits nicely here but he’s listed at 5/2 ML, draws poorly (again) and won’t have Bartlett – insist on a good price if considering on top. (4) HIMSELF N would be dangerous on his best effort but his big miles have been too few and far between this year. (8) THENU CAME ALONG A has been good for some time, but faces an uphill battle starting from out here. (5) DELE ROW A seems to need to be in easier to be a serious threat - minor spoils? (6) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK wasn’t bad last week but lands in a bad spot