Monday, August 24, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, August 24, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH has taken 4 of his last 5 starts, and that includes last week’s 8 hole victory – he moves to another top barn for tonight, draws the pole, and the road to the winner’s circle goes through him. (2) SAILBOAT HANOVER has won 3 straight and looks to make a double-jump tonight – he’s gone on these form sprees in years past, and deserves plenty of respect, even taking on tougher. (3) C BET HANOVER wasn’t up for last week’s tougher trip but he moves inside, and is a very reliable player in this class – could bounce right back with a good effort. (5) CARRONSIDELEGCY GB was a nice 3rd in his YR return last week, even if he enjoyed an easy trip – could add some value to the exotics tonight with some racing luck. (6) MISSED THE TRUTH A landed on a pocket trip last week and bounced back with a much better effort – may face a difficult journey tonight, though, with the bad draw. (5) RAWTN TALE shipped in showing great Ohio form but was no factor in his first local try, then was scratched injured from his last…feels a bit risky! (8) SAMHARA N debuts for a new barn tonight after a pair of blowout wins (surprising for a generally camera shy horse) – not sure he can overcome the draw. (7) OURM ATEMENKO N was favored in his first start off the claim, tired, and drops below the claiming price here– red flags?

RACE 2 – (1) CURLY JAMES A stepped up to 40s seeking his 6th straight last week and was sent off at 1/5, elected not to retake from a longshot leader then found himself trapped behind that one at the top of the lane, shook free at the cones into the stretch but the winner (#6) got the jump on him and he had to settle for an unfortunate 2nd – deserves a chance to make amends tonight. (4) SIMPLY FAST was trapped inside in that same race and was loaded with pace at the wire after losing all chance – he’s been terrific lately, and couldn’t blame anybody looking to use him here. (5) LYRICAL GENIUS A is racing well since the claim (and Lasix), should be looking at a live trip and that puts him in play for a good piece of this. (7) MIND HUNTER was very sharp in his last pair (2nd to #1 two back then a winner last week), but he’ll need to handle both the class jump and bad post if he hopes to deliver for his new barn. (6) AMERITRIC was a big overlay when he won at 34-1 off the claim last week (beating #1) but he was also a bit opportunistic – may not be as fortunate tonight. (3) ODDS ON CAPITALISM took a suspicious double drop and wasn’t close last week – moves up a peg tonight, but would still rather wait for a better effort before considering. (2) ROCKIN JUKEBOX exits a pair of very sharp barns and was a little dullish in his last – leaning elsewhere. (8) SOH O SKYFALL A draws another 8 hole after failing to threaten last week

RACE 3 – (6) EVER HOPING A had been on a pretty long local losing streak before joining this barn but has now taken 3 of his last 4, easily handling the rise from 30s to 50s – gets a bad draw tonight, but just may be sharp enough to win anyway. (3) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A dropped in for the $50K tag last week and delivered the sharp front end score – legitimate threat to take another. (2) BETTOR BY SEASIDE finished well from an impossible spot last week, and has been rock solid for weeks – another possibility, with the right trip. (5) KIMBLE A landed on perfect trips 3 and 4 back and picked up a couple of wins over cheaper– 50s seemed a little ambitious for him but he showed that he CAN hold his own with these with last week’s nice trip 2nd…definitely ok for exotics. (4) OPTICAL ILLUSI ON N should handle tonight’s barn change just fine but losing Holland may hurt, especially in this pretty sharp field. (1) CAPTAIN LUFFY has ability but he’s still winless in 2026 and this field may be tougher than he can handle right now. (7) SUMOMENTSOMEWHERE A probably needs a much better spot to be a player at this level

RACE 4 – (7) SWEET BEACH LIFE has now won SEVEN straight, sometimes very easily and other times having to really earn it…he’s shown that he doesn’t need the lead to win, but tonight MAY finally be the time that he lands on a trip that could slow him down…hard to not give him top billing, but be careful about taking too short a price in here. (3) CAPTAINHAMMERHEAD A makes his first start since finishing 2nd on Hambo Day to the insanely sharp BEST CHIP, in that day’s fastest mile (a blazing 1:46.1) – he’s proven that he belongs with these, and may not be a bad one to take a shot with. (6) MOSSDALE BEN N was content to sit the pocket last week, may have gotten in tight in the lane when he made a bad bobble, did recover but never got back his full momentum– a good price makes him once to consider. (5) MACS DELIGHT has now won 5 of 6 since changing hands, the lone loss coming to BEST CHIP – he won this race last week, and would be no real surprise tonight. (4) YOUNG BLUEY A has been racing ok, though without a victory in some time – adds Lasix tonight, with a chance to land somewhere in the exotics. Both (1) RAILROAD STATION and (2) MATAI PHIL N just seem a bit overmatched in this field

RACE 5 – (2) MUFFERAW JOE took some $$ and raced much better dropping out of the 40s last week – if he can improve a bit more, he’d have a chance to come out on top in this seemingly very competitive affair. (3) JON I LOV E DAT was able to use his speed last week and was right there until late in the mile – he’s capable of a big effort at times, and getting Bartlett tonight can only boost his chances. (4) SHIPMASTER has been pretty inconsistent lately but he drops out of 40s and any of his better efforts would make him a very live player vs. these. (5) TWIN B POW ERBALL raced much better in his 2nd start off the long layoff – he should be even tighter now, and not a bad one to look at with his 20-1 ML price. (8) LITTLE LOUIE A was hammered down to 3/5 for his U.S. debut but failed to keep it going on the front end – guessing he’ll be handled conservatively after drawing Post 8, but a quick glance at the tote board wouldn’t hurt. (6) NANDOLO N wasn’t able to threaten last week but at least held together decently to salvage 3rd – maybe he can rally late for a small piece? (7) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A fits nicely with these but likely looking at a pretty difficult trip after the terrible draw/ (1) MARLBANK ROAD (new barn) hasn’t been bad, but does seem a notch below several of these

RACE 6 – (1) BACKSTREET SHADOW was on a line and off to a poor start last week, but did kick home very crisply late up the cones from a no-chance spot – the 11YO obviously isn’t as reliable as he once was, but still looms a major danger vs. these, starting from the pole. (7) EFFINGHAM doesn’t show too many leave attempts lately in NJ but that doesn’t mean that Bartlett can’t fire him off the car tonight – more than sharp enough to be a threat with a live trip. (3) DELE ROW A has consistency issues but he does have the ability to be a threat here IF he shows up on his “A game”. (4) LAMANDIER has been holding form very nicely even as he climbs the class ladder, and almost upset at 37-1 last week – steps up even more tonight, but still a reasonable stab for longshot fans. (2) THE MIKI TA KER A is tough to consider on top (0 for 20 at Yonkers), but he does grab pieces…and may grab one here too. (6) HAZEVILLE gets another tough draw and will remain in “watch mode” for now. (5) DANCE PARTNER may have had some equipment issue last week but feels like he’s in too tough here, regardless. (8) ALWAYS B ELITE has talent and did qualify nicely for his new trainer…tough spot after being away since February, however.

RACE 7 – (1) RESILIENT N has turned in some SHARP finishes from way off the pace but did falter the one time he was handled aggressively – willing to give him another try tonight, as long as the price is fair. (4) WHICHWAYT OTHEBEACH perked up off the class drop last week, cashing in on a two hole trip – very dangerous against these too! (7) BLUE LOU races well every week, vs. better than these…on the flip side, he hasn’t WON in some time, and draws horribly tonight…another worth a look if the price is decent enough. (6) FINVARRA A had been racing in some tough luck since returning from the layoff this summer but did get to the winner’s circle when Bartlett was on board 2 starts back – the pair get reunited tonight, and deserve plenty of respect. (2) SUNSHINE BOY shipped in very sharp from PcD but was just an “ok” 3rd here last week – steps up even more now, and will need to be better. (3) FORCE FULL A won his U.S. debut, disappointed a bit in his next then was no threat last week – leaning to others. (5) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS got very sharp recently but broke 2 back then was never in play last week – not really sure what to expect tonight. (8) ROCK THE BELLES has taken 2 straight but tonight’s spot is just brutal

RACE 8 – (4) BETTER B BOLD just wasn’t on his best game last week and weakened a bit on the lead – his overall form has been excellent, however, and he may be able to bounce back with a winning effort, getting some class relief tonight. (6) BANDERAS won as the favorite here one level up on 6/30, and is definitely getting class relief returning from Pocono – tough draw, but well worth a look at that 8-1 ML price. (3) HEMSWORTH N is moving up a peg but this level is well within his comfort zone when sharp – chance to make it 2 in a row if the trip goes his way. (7) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N is racing well, even if not in “peak” form – the draw is an issue, though, and likely to curtail his involvement tonight. (2) PANETTONE HANOVER wasn’t sharp at all in his last pair – sticking with others, but always a chance he can rebound with a much better effort. (5) IN EXCESS N has been ok since recently changing barns but does feel a notch below these. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A was very good for a nice stretch but his last couple have definitely shown signs of wear and tear. (8) HIMSELF N can be a player at this level….with a better draw

RACE 9 – (1) BOURBON COUNTY gets the race opened up to fit him in (it’s usually NW 12 PM, but NW 13 PM races for tonight), and then draws the pole on top of that – he’s very sharp, gets reunited with his owner, and looms a very tough player! (6) VERDUN gets a bad draw and faces an uncertain trip, but still may be able to make his presence felt and land somewhere on the ticket dropping back to NW30000. (2) SPEAKER OF PEACE has been sharp for ages and actually holding that form even at these higher levels (plenty of pace in traffic last week) – might be able to grab a nice piece even vs. these. (3) KWICK SAND A almost never goes a bad mile, handles any trip, and could make his presence felt at some point. (7) EVILEYE FLEEGLE got off to a horrible start last week, lagged much of the way but wasn’t far back at the wire – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) WISH YOU WELL is a solid 4-1-2-0 since arriving here on 7/20 – leaning towards others, but wouldn’t be surprised if he was able to grab a piece. (5) AMERI CAN FLING drops a bit but may still be in too tough. (8) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A draws post 8, up in class, off a weak try – pass for tonight

RACE 10 – (4) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE got lost in the back in his last couple but he’s generally solid at this level, and does try hard when closer to the action – good spot to look for a return to form. (6) THEMASKEDCRUS ADR N is 0 for 24 on the year but he’s hit board often enough and seems much better since dropping to this bottom class – could be a player tonight. (8) SHINE A LIGHT has come up short in 3 of his last 4 starts (all 2nds), though his incredible 16 wins this year are hard to ignore…still think he can get in some trouble from the 8 hole tonight. (2) SARANAC BLUE CHIP has been no good at all since the most recent claim but if ever there was a spot for a wake up call, this would be it. (5) BLACK EDITION N has some ok recent tries vs. similar in PA but he’s just 2 for 65 over the last 2 years, and never been 1st or 2nd in 9 Yonkers starts. (1) SHORE NOT BEACH may be more competitive with the major post relief but he hasn’t earned a check in his last 6 starts, and is listed at 3-1 ML – just no value here. (3) ITS MAHOMES A is 1 for 35 in 2025/26 and 14-0-1-1 lifetime at YR. (7) FULL SUPPORT’s lone win this year came in a race that just fell apart – maybe he can grab some minor spoils?