Monday, August 17, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, August 17, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) TACK ROOM CHATTER raced well vs. (much) better in his first 2 starts upon arrival then was used hard and caught behind a tiring leader in his last – terrible draw tonight, but the class drop and overall modest field could still give him a chance for the top prize. (6) DANCE PARTNER was just an “ok” 3rd in his first local try but a very sharp front end winner in his last– he steps up a bit, but may still be able to have a big say here. (1) NANDOLO N is obviously well off his best game right now but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a big say vs. these – hard to back with any real conviction, though, especially with that 9/5 ML price. (2) INTIMIDATION got way too hot on the lead last week and tired badly – a more conservative approach here may allow him to rally for a piece, at a big price. (4) MUFFERAW JOE figures to appreciate some class relief but he’d be hard to endorse with that seemingly low 3-1 ML listing – watch for some improvement. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM hung in okay last week chasing a hot pace, and is eligible to pick up a slice tonight as well. (5) COLLECTIVE WORKS A is just 1for 23 at YR but he does outrace his odds for pieces at times – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) TASTE OF HONEY is off form, and now 8 hole.

RACE 2 – (2) MIND HUNTER was heavily backed last week and gave it a BIG try on the front end before coming up 2nd best to the streaking tripsitter, CURLY JAMES A – gets Bongiorno at the controls tonight, and we’ll give him a try. (1) MISSED THE TRUTH A broke a long Yonkers losing streak in his first start off the claim 4 back but struggled in 3 starts after that – much better spot tonight, and much better effort is expected! (7) C BET HANOVER is very consistent against these types but will have to overcome the terrible draw – a good price makes him worth at least considering (4) QUOTE ME NOT N is just 1 for 21 this year but hits board often enough to include underneath in exotics. (5) RAYRAY hasn’t been first or 2nd all year but he HAS finished 3rd in half of his starts – suppose he’s never a bad one to include on the bottom of trifectas! (3) CARRONSIDELEGACY GB is on the cheaper side, but the good draw gives him at least a shot for a minor share. (6) HEAVEN ON HIGH N turned in back to back poor efforts and would be hard to use right now. (8) ODDS ON CAPITALISM raced once after being claimed on 5/25 for $50K, was scratched twice, and now drops in for $30k off a weak qualifier – red flags, for sure!

RACE 3 – (3) STERLING CHOICE got stuck sitting last into a :55 final half last week so he can be forgiven for being unable to get in play (despite pacing a pair of sub :27 quarters to close out his mile) – he’s in a much better spot tonight, and figures to have a much bigger say! (1) JUMPINGJACKMAC N was off his game for a while but is racing very well again, and looking at a very good trip tonight – could have a big say here! (4) KWICK SAND A has been super all year long, and put a good late scare into CHASE H HANOVER last week – handles any trip, and can be right there if things go his way. (2) BLUE LOU has been a “big player” seemingly every week, but continues to come up light in the crucial stages – underneath only. (6) AMERICAN DEALER N is actually very good right now but has been stuck in some terrible spots…unfortunately, this may be another. (5) SPEAKER OF PEACE is a hard hitter that rarely goes a bad one…but he may be pushing his limits at tonight’s higher level

RACE 4 – (2) MOSSDALE BEN N took off the gate last start and ended up with a completely impossible trip – he’s been super all year, and absolutely gets a pass for his last ...and we’ll hop right back on board tonight. (3) SOH O FIRESTONE A has raced well start after start all year, especially since adding Lasix recently – he’s a little light in the win column, but still worth considering on top here if the price is decent enough. (5) MACS DELIGHT saw his 4 race winning streak (since the barn change) ended last week, but it took a bit effort from the insanely sharp BEST CH IP to beat him – tonight’s draw may limit his chances a bit, but still hard to dismiss him in his current raging form. (6) CATALPA RESCUE A returns to Yonkers after a couple of stakes engagements out of town and gets the worst of the draw – maybe he can still pick up a small piece? (1) EVILEYE FLEEGLE has leveled off after going on a tear after the big 6/12 barn change – may need some class relief to get back going again. (4) CHASE H HANO VER has been doing terrific work but faces a tougher trip tonight while also in with tougher company

RACE 5 – Tough race! (7) FORWARD FLASH has been good all year and his last effort (off 3 weeks) was sharper than it may look paper – he faces an uncertain trip (at best) from out here, but he likes to win races and is worth a look if the price creeps up high enough. (6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A tends to be a bit unreliable but he can also throw big efforts vs. even tougher than these – definitely intriguing at 20-1 ML (after just missing at 50-1 last week). (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW has been away 3 weeks after a disappointing try in his last – he remains very capable at age 11, but also would be hard to take at too short a price. (2) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A finally was able to pick up an overdue victory last week, after coming up just short in his prior pair – he has a license to repeat, but that 8/5 ML price just seems way too low. (3) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS made an unexpected miscue last week, in a race where he was already overmatched – he was on a good roll prior to that, and we’ll see if he can bounce back quickly. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A is another that had an off-week in his last after a series of good starts – we’ll see if HE can rebound as well. (5) MATAI PHIL N picked up an easy front end win vs. cheaper at Tioga last week but his overall local form has been a bit below his best – needs to find more if he hopes to be a big player tonight. (8) RESI LIENT N’s best work has come when he’s been allowed to relax-and-rally – tonight’s draw makes that tough!

RACE 6 – (3) GO GO GRASSHOPPER paced his final half in :53.1 last week but it wasn’t even enough to get a check…as he was in the same race that his barnmate BEST CHIP paced in an eye popping 1:56.1 (the fastest mile of the afternoon on Hambletonian Day) – he probably could have won the start before that (here at Yonkers) if Bongiorno didn’t let MACS DELIGHT cut the mile, and he was also an excellent 2nd the week before that – maybe he can pick up his first local victory tonight. (1) BOURBON COUNTY never really thrived in KY this year but was super in both local starts since returning to YR – major threat from the pole tonight. (6) GORGEOUS BIG GUY made a break here on 6/15 (his first local try) but has gone 6-3-2-1 since then, clearly enjoying his stint at Yonkers – may have to settle for a smaller piece tonight, however, as he gets the worst of the draw. (4) HOWLENTHEHILLS has been a player every week but continues to come up light – will need to find more if he hopes to get back to the winner’s circle. (5) VERDUN is always dangerous if things go his way but a few in here are definitely sharper right now – minor share? (2) AMERICAN FLING lands in a brutally tough spot for his new connections

RACE 7 – (1) HEZA RISK TAKER A was an underachiever here for much of the year but he overcame a terrible trip to just miss 2 back, then went a HUGE first over mile to take his last – a similar effort would give him a chance to step up and beat these too. (2) SUNSHINE BOY had become an afterthought in bottom classes in Western Canada but immediately underwent a transformation upon landing in his current barn, and that last Pocono effort suggests he may fit here too – plenty of appeal with that 12-1 ML price. (5) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE has been a non-factor for the last few starts vs. tougher but drops to a level well within his wheelhouse tonight, and improvement is expected – another listed at 12-1 that could be a player. (7) VICIOUS raced light years better in his 2nd start off the qualifier and even LOOKED 1000% better…can’t be overlooked, even from out here. (4) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A may be off his game or he may just have conceded from impossible spots the last 4 weeks – a wake up call is not out of the question. (3) ROCK THE BELLES looked empty on the final bend last week but came back to life into the stretch and pulled off a 16-1, form reversing upset– it’ll be tough to match that vs. these, though (8) THENU CAME ALONG A is sharper than he may appear on paper, but may already be looking forward to a class drop next week (after drawing Post 8). (6) SWEETHOMEALABAMA is “ok” right now, but still leaning towards several others

RACE 8 – (1) ALTA CLASSIC A was parked every step of the way 2 back and somehow still right there 4th – he moved up to 40s last week (off that big effort) and raced super once again, battling a long way (after popping out of the pocket) and a close 3rd on the wire – maybe he can get it done tonight (at a decent price) for the Minister of Speed! (3) SIMPLY FAST has been on an extended form spree as he’s moved up successfully from 20s to 40s – remains a big threat, even if Kelly stays with #4. (2) ROCKIN JUKEBOX was a little disappointing when 3rd last start but was a pocket winner the week before – dangerous tonight with the right trip. (4) CURLY JAMES A extended his winning streak to 5 last week but had to work for it, finding things a little harder stepping up to 30s – he makes another jump to 40s tonight, and may prove a bit vulnerable. (5) AMERITRIC has been a little in and out lately but his best effort makes him dangerous – we’ll see how he does for his new barn. (6) SHIPMASTER was excellent 2 back but not quite as crisp last week, perhaps hurt a bit by having to back off at the start – wish he had a better post! (7) PAXAMILLION has taken three straight, all by small margins – tonight’s draw definitely puts that streak in jeopardy. (7) SOHO SKYFALL A gets greeted by Post 8 for his first YR start of the year – brutal spot

RACE 9 – (2) HEMSWORTH N hasn’t won in a while but he’s hit board a bunch of times vs. tougher than these – logical spot for him to get back to the winner’s circle, but he’s also likely to end up overbet! (6) FEDERER added Lasix last week and easily disposed of a (short) easy group at $2.10 – this is obviously a much tougher task, but hardly out of the question. (4) JUSTCALLMEBUCK raced much better than expected in his local debut (new barn) and could add some value to the exotics if he builds off that nice effort. (8) COPPERFIELD had the class opened up to fit him in but that may be offset by yet another horrendous draw – if you think Kakaley may take a shot at leaving with him, the price will surely be pretty generous. (5) JON I LOVE DAT is more dangerous on/near the lead and Kelly may try to get more aggressive tonight – another with a chance to make some noise, under the right circumstances. (3) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A throws a good one from time to time but overall, has disappointed in the U.S.– ok for longshot fans. (1) THE MIKI TAKER A isn’t a “bad” horse but he’s 0 for 19 at Yonkers, often facing easier than these. (7) HAZEVILLE was on the shelf for 3+ months but raced well in a pair of PA starts since returning – not sure there’s a path for him to get into the race tonight, however.

RACE 10 – (6) DISMAS had an 8 hole vs. 20s last week and deserves a pass for the non-effort – he had been doing GOOD work just prior to that vs. the 15s, including a very sharp win 2 starts back – can take another, even with the bad draw. (3) WARRAWEE EXTREME had some issue and pulled up on 7/5 in his first start after joining arguably the best “turnaround barn” in the country…he re-qualified and somehow paid 37-1 at Chester last week…no reason he can’t be a player here too. (8) BLACK HAWK JOE A gets the worst of the draw but he’s good right now, and may be able to be a player (at a big price) with a bit of racing luck. (4) J B GRAM was good 2 back off the short layoff but just a “meh” 3rd in his next – he’s a player with these (even if by default), but won’t offer any value with that 9/5 ML listing. (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N drops and draws the pole – while that’s normally a strong angle, he really hasn’t been sharp and there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to turn things around tonight. (5) GREAT SOMEWH ERE has been settling for smaller pieces and seems destined for similar tonight. (7) FRANCO NANDOR N picked up a 3rd last week, largely due to saving ground – looking at a much tougher trip here. (2) ACAPULCO SUNBURN drops below the level of the recent claim after a pair of dismal efforts – remains a pass.