Monday, August 31, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, August 31, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 - Well matched opener! (2) SIMPLY FAST looked like he was going make a big brush to the lead on the back side last week but got unlucky when the (sharp) winner was able to slip out in front of him – he still finished 2nd (for the 3rd time in his last 4 starts), and perhaps he can finally get over the top tonight. (4) STELLAR YANKEE moved inside and was able to dominate the 30s last week – steps up in class tonight off the claim and while he usually does not have the quickest gate speed, he does get a pilot who seems able to motivate these types into much better starts…dangerous even in 40s. (3) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A has been no threat in 50s the last 3 weeks but tonight’s class drop (and better draw) could result in a much better effort – possibility. (5) LYRICAL GENIUS A was used very hard last week, gave way to the winner to 3/4s but still stayed on for a very game 3rd place finish – he’s been sharp for most of the year, and could be a big threat here if the trip goes his way. (7) TOPVILLE SOMEB EACH has won 5 of his last 6 starts (and 6 of 8) but he’ll be asked to overcome both a rise to 40s AND Post 7 now – make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (1) ODDS ON CAPITALISM wasn’t terrible last week, and may be able to pick up a small share with an easy trip. (6) PAXAMILLION has won 4 of his last 6, and has shown that he belongs in 40s right now – not sure he’ll be able to reach from out here, though. (8) AMERITRIC wins his fair share of these, but would probably need things to fall apart completely to win coming from last.

RACE 2 – NY Excelsior 2YO C&G Trot: (1 PP2) BETELGEUSEBLUECHIP made a break at Monti but has otherwise won 4 of his last 5 starts – lands in an overall soft division, and will be very tough, at a very short price. (7 PP8) DEVIOPHELIA finished 2nd to the top choice at Batavia then was a winner at Tioga in his last – the draw is the obvious issue, but he still seems to be the one with the best chance to knock off #1. (3 PP2) AMARETTO FELIX hit board in 4 straight, but usually not close to the winner – ok for the bottom of exotics. (5 PP5) MORMONT has been able to stay trotting every week, and that alone gives him a chance for a piece. (6 PP6) GOLIATH was a close 3rd in an Excelsior start at Batavia but that effort is sandwiched between a pair of miscues – tough draw an issue as well. (4 PP4) LEADER KRONOS has struggled in the majority of his starts so far. (1A PP7) BESTA BLUE CHIP and (2 PP1) LUKA MIL just feel like outsiders at this point.

RACE 3 - NY Excelsior 2YO C&G Trot: (2) TELLING TALL TALES won his first 3 career starts without incident, at very short prices – he made breaks before the start in his next pair, but still managed to turn in huge recoveries and still win both times (extending his streak to 5 in a row) – he did have to re-qualify, then got away 6th at Tioga before rallying beautifully to be 2nd to OCEAN STORM….who just won the Grade 1 Wellwood in Canada this weekend…very tough to beat, unless he completely self destructs! (1) FOOLS GAME has flashed real speed and ability when he behaves…could have a big say IF he minds his manners. (5) SUPREME CHAPTER was 2nd a couple of times to BETELGEUSEBLUECHIP, hails from top shelf connections, and should be able to land a piece of this. (4) SPLASH PAGE has been solid other than the miscue at Batavia, and is another in line for a decent share tonight. (3) CHAPTER DARBY also has stayed trotting other than at Batavia – gets a good draw and can contend for a good piece. (7) KOUFAX has raced well overall since the move to the Excelsior class, but tonight’s draw could hurt quite a bit. (6) BLEU ROYALE seems a bit below the others.

RACE 4 – NYSS 2YO C&G Trot: (1A, PP6) ARCHON started off his career with a 2nd and a 3rd – made breaks in his next pair, re-qualified nicely with hopples, then was a very sharp 1:54.4 winner at Tioga last week – we’ll give him the narrow edge for tonight, as well. (5, PP4) UNCLE ROB broke at Monti but otherwise has 3 wins and 3 seconds from his other six starts – came up 2nd best to ARCHON in his last, but will get his chance for revenge tonight. (6, PP7) BAILEY J picked up a pair of wins and a 2nd from his first 3 starts but made a very costly miscue at Tioga, before recovering nicely for 4th – has the ability to be right there tonight, but the 9/5 ML price (from Post 7) is a bit of a turn off. (2, PP1) BIGTIME CHAPTER won his career debut at VD, broke in his next pair, re-qualified with hopples and was an ok 3rd at Tioga in his last – at least a chance for an upset with the rail and Kakaley. (3, PP2) MAGIC MUSK is a bit below the top few, but his ability to stay trotting could help him grab a small slice. (4, PP3) has a couple of ok tries when he’s managed to behave – maybe 3rd/4th? (7, PP8) CELEBRITY DUBAI moves back to NYSS after a couple of Excelsior tries…the draw is not going to help! (1, PP5) IT MONEY has struggled to behave but does have ability…useful entrymate for ARCHON.

RACE 5 – (1) JUMPINGJACKMAC N was a sharp winner 3 back and his other 3 most recent starts saw him finishing just behind Open performers like STERLING CHOICE, and CHASE H HANOVER – very dangerous from this spot. (4) RAILROAD STATION recently won 3 of 4 starts then finished with good pace to be 4th in last week’s 1:50.4 Invitational – drops back down, and looms the main danger. (3) FORWARD FLASH has been solid all year long, even at these higher levels – he sports a strong 20-6-7-3 local slate, handles any trip, and can make his presence felt tonight. (2) BETTER B BOLD came up a little short at the end after cutting the mile the last 2 weeks – he steps up in class off those losses, but may still be able to race well enough for a good piece here, with an easy trip (8) YOUNG BLUEY A added Lasix last week but had no prayer after sitting last in the Invitational – he drops to a much more comfortable level tonight, but the terrible draw may see him electing to wait for a better spot (with a class drop on the horizon). (6) WISH YOU WELL is a solid 5-1-2-1 at Yonkers this year, but tonight’s draw may leave him without too many good options. (7) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH saw his game pick up after dropping out of the Invitational but is another looking at a tough trip tonight. (5) HEZA RISK TAKER A throws some big miles but his only 2 wins this year came vs. much easier

RACE 6 – (2) AMERICAN DEALER N is sharper than he looks on paper, his form obscured by a series of bad posts, vs. much tougher…drops to the level he beat on 6/30, and a big effort is expected for tonight. (4) FEDERER added Lasix 2 back and crushed cheaper (at $2.10), just missing in his last to the always tough HEMSWORTH N – moves up 2 classes tonight, but still could be a major player. (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was doing some good recent work as he climbed back up the class ladder – if he’s on his game tonight, he can be a threat from this spot. (5) FINVARRA A finally picked up his first win of 2026 three back, couldn’t hang on his next then wasn’t up for last week’s tougher trip at all – wouldn’t shock, but no value as the 5/2 ML favorite. (3) SUNSHINE BOY really perked up at PcD after moving to his current barn but may be in a little too tough right now – chance for a minor share. (6) LAMANDIER A has done some good work since arriving at Yonkers in July but may be better suited with easier – the draw certainly doesn’t help his cause. (8) ALWAYS A THRILL was able to cash in on a perfect trip last week but the class jump and 8 hole figure to slow him down considerably. (7) JETT STAR A broke in his last, has missed almost 3 weeks and draws Post 7 while up TWO classes – would be a surprise, for sure

RACE 7 – Good race: (6) MACS DELIGHT has compiled an outstanding 7-5-1-1 record since the recent purchase, and raced very well in the 2 losses – he’ll need some racing luck to overcome tonight’s bad draw, but he also may offer some pretty good value for a horse as sharp as he is! (1) STERLING CHOICE has proven he can be a big threat with these when he’s close to the action, and he figures to be right there tonight…he also could end up overbet in this very competitive field. (5) CAPTAIN MOORE A paced his final half in :52.4 at Pocono last week but still finished 7th (in a race where the outside flow horses were left with no chance) – he’s won way too many times here at Yonkers to ignore at a good price (and his last win did come with Holland on board). (2) HOWLENTHEHILLS has hit board in 10 of his 13 local starts this year but only visited the winner’s circle one time – hard to dismiss, but also hard to accept too short a price on top. (4) ENDOFSTORY remains ever inconsistent, and has made only 9 starts this year – wouldn’t be a shock, but you’d want a pretty good price to use on top in here. (3) SPEAKER OF PEACE has been strong all year long, and even doing damage at higher levels than he’s used to - THIS field may be a bit of a stretch, though. (7) PLAY ACTION PASS is clearly in outstanding form but will have his work cut out trying to overcome the big class jump AND terrible draw. (8) MAJOR HOTHOOVES N is the outsider, both literally and figuratively

RACE 8 – (4) CAPTAINHAMMERHEAD A took plenty of $$ into SWEET BEACH LIFE last week, got away in the pocket and was a strong 2nd best in the sizzling 1:50.4 mile – maybe he can take advantage of tonight’s post edge and come out on top? (8) SWEET BEACH LIFE in on an incredible roll, winning 8 in a row (some in effortless fashion) – would be hard to leave him off your tickets, but he MAY be willing to take a more conservative approach tonight with the Aria Invitational right on the horizon…be careful about taking too short a price! (5) BOURBON COUNTY has done excellent work since returning from KY, and absolutely fits with these – the right trip may give him a chance at pulling off a mild upset. (7) CAPTAIN ALBANO has banked $2.5M in his career, over $500K of it right here at Yonkers (where he’s won 7 of 11 career starts) – he’s another that MAY be looking ahead at 9/12, when he’ll likely be battling in the $200K Aria. (1) VERDUN hasn’t been at his “best” for much of the year but he’s still a very classy competitor, and could land on a very nice trip from this spot– not impossible. (3) CHASE H HANOVER is banging heads week after week, and always right there – might end up with a tougher trip (in a better field) tonight, though. (6) GORGEOUS BIG GUY did finish with pace up the cones into a blistering final half at Pocono last week – ok bomb for longshot fans. (2) STAR CASINO N is a nice horse and always pacing well late – he’s unproven vs. this caliber, however

RACE 9 – (2) EVILEYE FLEEGLE elevated his game dramatically after a big barn change in June, winning 3 straight – he tailed off a bit after being used very hard in the Invitational on July 20th, but has been finishing with good pace (vs. better) after slow starts in his last few…tonight’s class drop and good draw should perk him up considerably! (4) KWICK SAND A has been a rugged performer all year long, regardless of trip – he hasn’t won in a while but he gets some class relief tonight, and looms a very live player. (1) BLUE LOU usually “figures”, but has coming up a little short in a lot of his starts (2 wins this year, but second 7X) – possible, but insist on a “fair” price on top. (3) HEMSWORTH N won his last two starts, but with perfect trips, facing easier – he may be able to make it 3 in a row, but that 3/2 ML price just seems a bit too low against this better field. (5) DUNKIN certainly has some issues but his enormous class is still on display lately – prefer others, but he would never be a complete shock. (6) AMERICAN FLING drops, but may still find this bunch a bit tougher than he’d prefer. (7) UDDERLY SWEET A failed to threaten from a similar spot last week (at 30-1). (8) FORCE FULL A wasn’t a bad 3rd last time but figures to have a hard time getting close to the action after drawing out here

RACE 10 – (5) CAPT KARMA changed barns after his last start in KY, added Lasix, went from 42-1 to 5-1 and instantly established a new lifetime mark at Chester, winning easily in 1:50.2 (despite missing 39 days) – goes from Carter to Bartlett for his Hilltop debut, and we’ll give him a shot to take another. (2) VICIOUS raced, and LOOKED terrible on 8/3 off the layoff, but then charged home to just miss his next – too far back to threaten in his last but the “good” version would certainly have a real chance in here. (4) THE GREEK FREAK isn’t in “top” form right now but he’s sharp enough to at least have a chance to wire these, if things go his way. (6) BANDERAS was never close last time but did finish up with interest – drops to a winning level, but tonight’s draw may leave him with a little too much work to do. (1) MUFFERAW JOE was able to cash in off a perfect trip last time and gets a great draw for tonight – may be a notch below a few of the other main players, however. (3) BOOKEM DANNO gets a good draw, giving him at least a chance to tow along for minor spoils. (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N drops out of 50s but lands a terrible draw in a good field – wait for a better spot. (8) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N doesn’t seem nearly sharp enough to have any real impact from out here.