Monday, May 11, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, May 11, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Good opener! (1) ODDS ON CAPITALISM just missed here on 4/13 off the barn change, beat a pretty nice horse from the pocket in his next but then came up short at the end of his last, after an easy trip - he DID grab very hard to let a rival go to the quarter that night, and it MAY have affected his performance – could be tough here as he drops in for a tag. (4) SHIPMASTER got a little weak at the end after cutting the mile in his last 2 starts, but he adds Lasix for tonight and that may help his cause – worth a look, at a fair price. (5) MUSIC HALL struggled for a bunch of starts before bringing a much better effort 2 back – his last mile was much sharper than it looks on paper (each of his last 2 quarters paced in :26.4), and that 15-1 ML makes him mighty tempting. (3) KOPI LUWAK threw an unexpected dud last week after several excellent tries – his new barn is on quite a roll lately, and he’ll be very dangerous here if he can bounce right back. (6) BET ON BIG JOE is always in the hunt but is now 0 for 11 on the year, and draws poorly for his new connections – small piece? (2) BRUTALLY HANDSOME lost interest in the back last week after winning the week before – sticking with more reliable players tonight. Both (7) THE IDEAL DANCER A and (8) PEACE OUT POSSE are good right now…but will struggle to get close from out here

RACE 2 – (2) MANFERNO was hampered by terrible cover last week but still kicked home alertly in the stretch – he drops, gets a good draw, and could be a bug threat tonight. (1) OURMATEMENKO N tried to take on the 40s last week (after beating the 30s the week before) and held very well for 2nd after getting passed by the very sharp winner – deserves plenty of respect from this spot. (6) AMERITRIC is listed at 20-1 ML despite rarely going a bad mile (even his last is much better than it looks on paper) – couldn’t blame anybody looking to give him a shot. (5) OVER THINKING was stuck in the back last week and never had a chance – his prior starts were all sharp, Bartlett is back on board, and he’s another possibility (with the right trip) (3) SAMHARA N struggles to win races even when sharp, with last week being a great example – sticking with others for the top slot. (4) ALTA CLASSIC A was incredibly sharp in last week’s victory but not sure the move up to 40s is warranted – could be better value with others tonight. (7) ALL ALONE pounced on the post and class relief last week but quickly moves back outside – brutal spot

RACE 3 – (1) HEZA RISK TAKER A had good pace from an impossible spot 3 back, went a big mile to just miss to the classy SOHO DOW JONES A in his next, then finished alertly from an impossible spot last week – drops, draws the pole, and seems ready for the aggressive effort that’s likely coming his way. (4) COALFORD TOPGUY GB wasn’t at his absolute best when 4th two back but rebounded to be a solid 2nd best to the very sharp HAMMERIN G HANK in his last – he’s been ultra-consistent for the last few months, and looms the main danger. (5) MACS MAR VEL hasn’t been bad, but he also hasn’t been on his best game – he’ll be rallying late, but may have to settle for a smaller piece here. (2) VENTURESOME ARDEN N picked up a win in his 4th start of the season but it was helped by an easy trip, vs. lesser – will need to step up his game a bit more to be a threat with these, (3) INTIMIDAT ION is sharper than he looks on paper, and may very well be able to outperform what figures to be pretty long odds – ok for underneath. (6) KIMBLE A sat to the stretch last week then rallied nicely for 3rd – may be able to rally for a small slice here too, with some trip luck. (7) STELLAR YANKEE was very game scoring on the front end last week but faces a MUCH tougher trip tonight, up in class. (8) ROYAL DESIRE will look better with some class drops.

RACE 4 – (2) ORLANDO BLUE A has been very good lately, and last week’s 13-1 win payoff was a major overlay – his price will come down for sure, and he does face some very solid competition here…but the odds should still be juicy enough to keep using him on your tickets. (1) SINBAD N couldn’t sustain his first over bid vs. the sharp $50K winner last week but he drops back down to 40s, and did beat these 2 starts back – may do so again. (3) MY ULTIM ATE BYRON A wasn’t a bad 4th in his first start since November – more than eligible to be tighter tonight, with a chance to come out on top, with the right trip. (4) BE DAZZLED LOU A drops down to the level he beat from Post 8 three starts back, after his first dull try in ages last week – would obviously be no surprise to see him bounce right back. (5) QUOTE ME NOT is racing well but he steps up in class after failing to beat cheaper– minor share only. (6) CURLY JAMES A drops to 40s after missing 3 weeks – he recently tailed badly, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (7) SHAKESPEARE gave it a good try vs. 30s last start but now moves up AND lands all the way outside

RACE 5 – (5) SHINE A LIGHT has won so many in a row it’s hard to remember the last time he lost (and the most he’s paid in the last 6 weeks is $2.28!) – pretty hard to NOT list him on top but he did have to work a little more to prevail in his last couple, and he does have some speed inside of him tonight – maybe not the week to bet the rent money? (4) SARANAC BLUE CHIP sat pocketed to #5 last week (dropping to 15s) and stayed close all the way – maybe he can pull off the upset tonight? (1) GOTHIC ROCK was invisible for his first 7 starts this year before a form reversing win in his 8th try – he was very good again in his next, and now drops back to 15s after weakening a bit vs. the 20s – maybe HE can sit the pocket with a chance to knock off the big favorite? (1) ALADDIN turned in a major form-reversing 2nd on 3/30 and has some excuses since then – may be able to add some value to the exotics. (8) COWBOY CARGO wasn’t on his game last week but most of his other recent efforts would at least give him a chance for a piece, even from Post 8. (6) HUGH HESTON is ok at times but a better post would really be helpful. (3) DEEDENUTO A is looking at minor spoils only. (7) MANALOU makes his first start in a year – pass for now

RACE 6 – (2) HIMSELF N served notice 2 back that he might be ready to turn things back around and he followed that up with last week’s blowout victory – steps up a notch, but this field should still be we;; within his comfort zone (3) THE BIGBOSS A has a few solid recent starts, gets a good draw and could land somewhere in the exotics with a decent trip. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM has been pretty camera shy the past couple of years and is still winless in ’26 – he does race well more often than not, however, and is a logical threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (8) MYSWEETBOYMAX was 5-0-0-0 locally earlier this year but was facing much better – he’s done some good work in PA over the last couple of months, and may have a chance to outrace his 20-1 ML odds…even from Post 8. (6) GDS THUNDER GB used a good trip to take home a no-threat 2nd last week but his overall recent form has been somewhat lacking – tonight’s tough draw could hinder his chances considerably. (1) ITZA DANGERZONE A would prefer to be in a little easier but the rail may help offset some of that – chance for 3rd/4th. (5) TEXAS HOLDE M just missed at a big price 2 back but that was one his only real bright spots this year – minor spoils? (7) MAJORC ROWDCONTRL A just never clicked in the U.S. after arriving from Australia last Fall – we’ll pass, off the layoff

RACE 7 – (2) MATAI PHIL N produced never-before-seen gate speed from Post 8 last week and it was basically all over once he made the top off turn one– he’s blossomed into a very good horse this year, and he can handle tonight’s small step up…especially with the inside draw. (1) BOSTON BOUND was 5-0-0-0 here in ‘25 but has raced well in virtually all of his 7 local starts this year – it seems like a pretty good sign that Bartlett stays on board (after winning with him last week), and he’s probably the main danger. (6) LITTLE WILLY has done terrific work since claimed here for $30K in Feb., including last week’s VERY sharp 7 hole victory– he faces a bit tougher now, but still a threat to grab a big chunk. (4) RENALDO N raced well 2 back (at 2/5) but simply ran into a razor sharp winner – he had no prayer from Post 8 last week, but can have a much bigger say with tonight’s kinder draw. (7) SOHO DOW JONE S A has some pretty sharp recent form for a horse listed at 15-1 ML – Bartlett does opt for #1, however, and this guy will need a lot to break his way to threaten from out here. (3) BOXER SEELSTER has been a solid performer ever since arriving here late last year but he steps up in class, and will have to prove that he can hang with these types. (5) ESCAPE TO AMERICA is listed on the bottom, but can still rally for a small piece if the trip happens to go his way

RACE 8 – Excellent race! (5) TWISTED DESTINY didn’t have the best of luck throughout the Borgata legs but he certainly wasn’t bad, and did deliver a sharp victory with last week’s class drop – he faces a better field tonight, but a good trip may give him a chance to repeat. (4) COPPERFIELD threw a dud at PcD 2 back (in the slop) but did look good finishing last week, from a no-chance spot – back to Bartlett tonight, and the two have paired up for some big efforts in the past. (3) VICIOUS continues to thrive here at Yonkers, including last week’s crisp rallying 2nd – another that can be dangerous late with the right pace scenario. (1) ENDOFSTORY still doesn’t feel like he’s brought his absolute best so far this year, but still comes into tonight with a win and close 2nd in his last pair – has to be respected from the pole (6) ITS A ME MARIO has no shortage of ability but makes just his 2nd start after missing a year, and may need some more work before we see his best. (2) THE GREEK FREAK really disappointed last week and does seem off his game now – still, dangerous if he does bring his “A Game”. (7) KWICK SAND A is having a terrific year so far, but may have to go conservative from this spot. (8) JABBAR was a 50-1 winner last start thanks to Holland gambling on leaving from Post 7 - don’t think he’ll catch THESE off guard, though!

RACE 9 – (1) VERDUN wasn’t able to have any impact in this year’s Borgata, but he was also stuck in some impossible spots – gets the call tonight over the other Borgata dropper, (5) CATALPA RESCUE A . The latter also struggled vs. the top pacers (from some brutal spots), but looms the main danger with the major class relief. (4) HE MSWORTH N is not the most reliable horse on the grounds but if he looks to just sit back and rally here, he can probably bring home a decent chunk. (3) YOROKOBI N would definitely like to be in a bit easier but he’s racing well enough for a chance at a piece, with an easy trip. (6) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has a lot of recent efforts that could see him grab a piece here – chance to outperform his odds if Bongiorno puts him in play. (8) HAMMERING HANK is very sharp right now but gets the double whammy of drawing Post 8, while up in class. (2) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A went his best U.S. mile to beat easier last week – we’ll see if he can build off that. (7) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE kept coming to get there in time last week – tough post vs. much better tonight, however.