Monday, August 3, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, August 3, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) AMERITRIC was caught in the back in a race with a fast final half last week and just had no chance – his form heading into last had been excellent, and now he moves all the way inside and gets reunited with Bartlett – probably the one to knock off. (3) SIMPLY FAST continues to hold his excellent form even as he sustains his climb up the class ladder– he’s shown that he can overcome tough trips and looms the main danger (2) OURMATM ENKO N raced ok last week vs. the 50s, off 3 weeks – drops down to his preferred $40K level, draws inside, and will be waiting in the wings should the top pair falter. (4) SHIPMASTER was never close from Post 7 last week but drops down to 40s, gets a better draw, and figures to be more aggressive tonight – chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) GDS THUNDER GB would prefer to be in a bit easier but he may be able to grab some minor spoils with an easy trip. (8) MUFFERAW JOE was no factor in his local debut but it’s way too soon to write him off – may need to wait for a (much) better spot to show his best, however. (7) MISSED THE TRUTH A broke a long local losing streak upon changing barns 2 back, but from a MUCH easier spot – feels overmatched here. (6) TASTE OF HONEY is another that seems to need easier to be a serious player

RACE 2 – (1) NONE BETTOR A finished with sneaky good pace from an impossible spot two back then the 13YO turned in a big effort last week, cutting a sharp mile and battling the heavy favorite very hard before giving way grudgingly into the stretch – a similar effort would make him very tough from this spot. (2) ROCK THE BELLES had a good recent run vs. easier in PA but really leveled off in his last couple – may perk back up tonight with a pretty good trip looming. (8) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N is clearly off his best form and never as good when forced to make multiple moves, regardless (as he’ll probably be tonight)– still hard to ignore his chances racing at this modest level. (4) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A gets Stratton back tonight and is very capable with these on his best efforts – logical one to use in exotics. (6) JON I LOVE DAT had no chance when forced to come off the gate last week but Kakaley may look to send him out of there tonight – chance to outrace his 20-1 ML odds if that happens. (3) NAND OLO N is also listed at 20-1 ML and that’s probably an accurate reflection of his current form – still, a form reversal can’t be dismissed. (5) HEZA RISK TAKER A finally won a race in the U.S. two back and it wasn’t pretty (and he paid $2.16!) – that 3-1 ML just seems way too low. (7) TWIN B POWERBALL makes his first start since February

RACE 3 – (4) IM TALKIN HUNGRY has a win, 2nd and 3rd from 5 Chester starts since joining this outstanding “turnaround” barn, and meets a pretty soft bunch of 15s upon arrival – could be the one to beat, even if seemingly “stepping up” in class tonight. (3) ROCKET FREIGHT flattened a bit in the lane last week but still raced ok, after enduring a terrible trip – shows up often enough to at least merit a look at a good price. (2) ARTIST BEST is a consistent performer at this level, and did pick up a win 3 back – possibility. (5) GOTHIC ROCK always “figures”, usually makes some noise, but just doesn’t WIN enough to justify a short price (on top). (6) CYRUS N hit the top in a weak field last week and picked up his first local victory since 2024 – a repeat is possible, but would also be tougher to accomplish from this spot. (7) BLACK HAWK JOE A got a perfect pocket steer from Holland last week and was able to collar the favored frontrunner – looking at a more difficult journey tonight, however. (1) DEEDENU TO A has early speed, but the finishing is the problem. (8) PINK FLOYD HANOVER lands behind the 8 ball again

RACE 4 – Short field, but still should be a great race...especially with the possibility of Holland inflicting pain from the rail! (5) MOSSDALE BEN N endured a trip last week that SHOULD have seen him finish well up the track, but he somehow had the stamina to still finish 3rd, despite the most brutal of journeys – he’s been super all year, and seems due to have some better luck! (6) SWEET BEACH LIFE wisely elected to back off at the start last week and that allowed him to avoid getting brutalized, instead rallying from last to extend his winning streak to 5 – hard to predict his trip for tonight, but he’s shown the ability to win from pretty much any spot – hard to leave off your tickets. (2) GORGEOUS BIG GUY was actually sent off favored vs. COACHES CORNER last week (finished 2nd), but that shows just how much respect he’s quickly earned here at Yonkers – the right pace set up could make HIM a winner. (1) CELTIC SPIRIT N caused all kinds of nightmares for the leavers 2 back when he had the rail and may create the same kind of havoc tonight – he still hasn’t won here at YR but he can be right in the hunt tonight if not overused. (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A has been so good for so long it’s surprising to see him adding Lasix tonight – still leaning more to others for the top slot. (4) STERLING CHOICE is a very nice horse but will need things to really fall apart for a chance to beat this bunch

RACE 5 – (4) PAXAMILLION benefited from a beautiful trip last week but that doesn’t mean that HE wasn’t very good – gets Bartlett at the lines tonight, and that certainly won’t hurt his chances to repeat! (2) INVICTUS had impossible spots in his last pair at Monti but crushed the Open the start before that – he feels like a good fit here, and may have a big say. (1) ZEBS KRAFTY is a tough call – his last pair suggest he MAY have gone off form, but he also drops and draws the pole tonight, creating the possibility of a quick wake up call – could go either way! (5) TH ONG CONTROL would have a chance to win if things went completely his way but he seems more likely to rally for a smaller piece. (3) PRETTY LOU was no threat in either local try and Buter opts off – we’ll trust his judgment. (7) CAPTAIN AWESOME took no $$ and was nowhere to be found last week – inclined to pass tonight from a similar spot. (6) DIAMOND RIVER makes his 2nd start for his new barn – wouldn’t shock, but still sticking with others. (8) CRUSH KILL DESTROY can’t get Bartlett to drive even though he won with him recently – bad sign?

RACE 6 – (4) FINVARRA A was well meant last week (and left well) but was forced to go behind a longshot who then grabbed up to give the lead to the favorite, leaving this guy in a bad spot – Bartlett takes him tonight (over three very live rivals), and we’ll go with him on top…though that 9/5 ML price is a turn off, for sure. (1) PLAY ACTION PASS arrives from HoP and we’ve seen this barn have tremendous success here with these types– deserves plenty of respect, even if seemingly moving up in class. (6) BLUE LOU has only been worse than 4th once since late March but he also hasn’t WON in some time – tough draw hurts as well, but that 12-1 ML price does give him some appeal. (2) THENU CAME ALONG A hasn’t won in some time but he’s picked up some big pieces behind some very nice horses – Bartlett opts for #4, but this guy DOES have a real chance. (3) PANETTONE HANOVER threw a dud last time, but may have already been looking forward to tonight’s class drop – still may be looking at a smaller piece vs. these, though (5) HEMWORTH N seems to have leveled off lately– needs to be better. (7) COPPERFIELD draws poorly once more– sticking with others. (8) HIMSELF N wasn’t up for last week’s aggressive try– now Post 8

RACE 7 – (3) JUMPINGJACKMAC N drops back down to the level he beat 4 starts back and his 3 starts since then were better than they may look on paper – he should be able to be a serious threat tonight, and probably won’t be the favorite. (1) PAPIS ROCKET likely WILL be favored, but he steps up two classes off last week’s victory and while the rail draw will definitely help, he could be at least a little bit vulnerable. (6) UDDERLY SWEET A comes into this off back-to-back wins over cheaper – can’t rule out the possibility that he can beat these too, but he’ll likely be looking at a tougher assignment this time. (4) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been holding form for some time, and always pacing well at the end of his miles – good one to include underneath. (2) LASER SPEED was surprisingly conservative last time but able to pick up 2nd thanks to a very easy trip – could grab a piece here too with a similarly kind journey. (5) SPECULATING A was incredibly 100-1 last start but still turned in his usual solid try for 3rd – chance for a minor share here too. (8) SPEAKER OF PEACE rarely goes a bad one, but may be too far out to threaten, up in class. (7) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he doesn’t.

RACE 8 – (1) VERDUN drops down and draws the pole, and that will likely result in the others having to try to catch HIM tonight – the one to beat. (2) YOUNG BLUEY A hasn’t won in a while but he’s been racing well week after week in tough fields – may have a shot at the top one if the trip falls in his lap. (3) KWICK SAND A has been very good all year, and last week was certainly no exception – he routinely outraces his odds, and probably will here too. (6) AMERICAN DEALER N was sneaky good from an impossible spot last week and he’s been doing good work for a while now – could add some value to the exotics. (7) PINNY TIGER A needed his first start back off the layoff but not really sure what happened last week (when he just folded in the middle of a big move) – prefer to just watch, for now. (5) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH is “dropping”, but would still need to be much better to have a big say here. (8) BETTER B BOLD is super right now, but gets the worst of the draw – will look better dropping back to NW2000 next week. (4) VICIOUS’ two qualifiers suggest he’ll need a start or two before firing his best shot

RACE 9 – (2) DECISION DAY finally picked up his first victory of the year last week and gets extra points for knocking off the usually unbeatable SHINE A LIGHT – draws inside, and a strong chance to repeat. (4) LAST BEA CH finished well here 2 back after a final turn shuffle then came up 2nd best in NJ last week – he won twice here this Spring, and looms a live player tonight. (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP is back on his better game right now, and might have had a chance for a big upset last week had he been more aggressive early – back to Bartlett tonight, and has a legitimate chance. (1) ROSE RUN ASTRO moves back inside, has 3 wins here this year and is worth at least a look, at a price. (3) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY has been disappointing lately, and would need to perk up for a chance to be a real player. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW was good at a big price last week and the barn has sent out a couple of other live ones recently as well – ok for longshot fans. (8) HES SPECIAL lands Post 8 after faltering off a pocket trip from the rail last week. (7) WASHEDUPONABEACH still seems badly overmatched.