Monday, May 18, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, May 18, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) ORLANDO BLUE A came up just a little short in the lane last week (close 3rd) but he does have a pair of recent wins, and debuts tonight (off the claim) for one of our most successful barns – may even get the hot pace he needs to make his late kick payoff. (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A wasn’t a bad 4th on 5/4 in his first start back off a long layoff, then was a game first over 2nd last week – should be plenty tight right now, and very capable here with the right trip! (5) ALTA CLASSIC A was super beating the 30s two back then brought an effort just as good (or better?) taking on the 40s in his last– he could be looking at a very tough trip tonight, but he’s sharp enough to win if things go his way. (4) SINBAD N has taken 3 of his last 4 starts (2 for 2 vs. the 40s) but did have to work hard just to hang on in his last – possible for sure, but also a bit vulnerable, at a short price. (1) BOILING OAR moves inside and his speed will be back on display…not sure he’s sharp enough right now to stick around in the latter stages vs. some of these sharp foes. (6) QUOTE ME NOT N moved up to 40s last week (without the benefit of a recent win) but had plenty of pace finishing – 3rd/4th? (8) AMERITRIC gets his 3rd straight bad post and figures to be hurt once more. (7) KIMBLE A is good right now (even if helped by easy trips) but this is a brutal spot.

RACE 2 – (1) MANFERNO dropped down to 40s last week, was stuck first over into a sizzling 3/4s (cut by a very sharp leader) but just kept coming in the lane to deliver a VERY impressive victory (after being “sneaky sharp” vs. the 50s the week before)– deserves top billing from the pole. (2) HAMMERING HANK was in a no-prayer spot last week after 3 consecutive sharp tries – he drops back in for the $40K tag tonight, and he suffered through endless bad posts in this class in the past – should be MUCH better tonight from this inside slot. (3) YOROKOBI N doesn’t win very often but he’s always pacing well late, and never a bad one for the bottom of exotics. (5) PEACE OUT POSSE drops from 50s and is racing ok right now – may have to settle for a smaller piece, though, with some solid players to his inside. (4) SAMHARA N squandered a beautiful trip last week to end up 4th – he’s definitely camera shy, but has a chance for a minor share. (6) LYRICAL GENIUS A has held his own at this $40K level but still hasn’t beaten them – won’t get any easier from Post 6. (7) OVERTHINKING hit board in 2 of 3 starts since moving up to his level but will need some racing luck just to grab a piece from this terrible spot

RACE 3 – (1) BET ON BIG JOE has been racing well this year without finding the winner’s circle but MAY be ready to get over the hump tonight – he finished full of pace from a very tough spot last week, and was right there all the way with a currently razor-sharp LITTLE WILLY the week before – playable as long as the price is fair. (4) OD DS ON CAPITALISM joined our leading barn upon arrival 4/13 and picked up 2 wins and a close 2nd from his 4 local tries since then – he moves to another very high % trainer for tonight, and still deserves plenty of respect. (5) SHIPMASTER added Lasix last week after weakening a bit to 3rd in his previous 2 starts and while he finished 3rd once again, he was actually loaded with pace in the lane, and probably wins if he shakes free – the draw hurts, but he’s still worth a look with that 8-1 ML price. (3) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been racing well for a while but his only recent WIN came vs. much easier – ok for the bottom of exotics. (6) ROCKIN JUKEBOX is good enough to threaten these, but maybe not from out here – may have more appeal with a class drop next week. (2) THEFLYING ROCK looked like his best self winning off the claim last week but the move from 25s to 50s does seem ambitious!

RACE 4 – (4) LITTLE WILLY just missed to the classy ENDOFSTORY 3 back, was a much easier winner in his next than the line might suggest then was supper again last week, somehow right on the wire 3rd (into a :27.1 final quarter), despite being well back at the half – more than sharp enough to pull off a mild upset. (5) VICIOUS has lived up to his name since arriving at YR, sporting a terrific 20-8-5-1 local slate despite often racing against fields tougher than this one – his draw (and racing style) MAY leave him at least a bit vulnerable tonight, though it would still be hard to leave him off your tickets. (1) IKNOWBETTER has been holding form beautifully in his recent climb up the class ladder, and he showed last week that he can race from off the pace, as well – he’s looking at a good trip tonight, and figures to be right there throughout. (2) JUST ENUFF STUFF can throw some BIG miles at times but even his best effort might not be enough against the top trio. (3) STELLAR YANKEE feels overmatched here, but at least he’ll be taking home at least a 5th place check!

RACE 5 – (1) HEZA RISK TAKER A has been on the upswing since his start on 4/14 and might have won last week had he not allowed the winner to take over so easily on the 2nd turn – he can handle the small class bump, and may be able to pull off a mild upset against a few questionable main rivals. (7) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A was no factor throughout the Borgata Series but it’s not like he was embarrassing himself – he may or may not be able to capitalize on tonight’s big class drop, but Bartlett will give him every chance to succeed. (5) HEMSWORTH N remains ever- unreliable – he’s CAPABLE of beating these types any week, but he has only one victory this year and will likely get overbet tonight. (4) BONDI LOCKDOWN A has been sharp for some time but is another that tends to be on the camera-shy side – would hardly be a surprise here, and may even be a decent price. (2) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A was a game first over winner 2 back but has been mostly “sluggish” in his other 5 local tries – prefer to use underneath. (6) HIMSELF N looked super beating cheaper 2 back but quickly reverted to more disappointing form last week, losing at 1/5 – leaning elsewhere. (3) GINGRAS BEACH would be a major surprise, even with the good draw. (8) OPTICAL ILLUSION N is probably already looking forward to a class drop next week

RACE 6 – (6) CATALPA RESCUE A is technically moving up in class tonight but since he effortlessly sprinted home in :27 to easily handle VERDUN last week, this hardly feels like a “tough” spot for him – may have a little tougher trip tonight, but the classy import seems more than up for it. (1) BOSTON BOUND cut ridiculously slow fractions last week, allowing him to sprint home in :27 to prevail – he’s been sharp for a long time, moves to a very sharp barn, and does seem the main danger. (4) JABBAR had been “sneaky sharp” for some time so his 50-1 “stunner” two back really wasn’t all that shocking – no chance spot in his last, but Holland figures to be aggressive again after finally getting a good draw – can be in the hunt. (2) SOHO DOW JONES A was sent off at 50-1 last week (after 3 sharp tries) and raced accordingly – moves inside, and may have a bigger say tonight. (8) IMA PERFE CT CHOICE raced admirably through the Borgata Series but lands in an awful spot despite the class relief – still may be able to rally for a piece. (3) ESCAPE TO AMERICA may be able to save ground for minor spoils. (7) BOX ER SEELSTER is having a good year, but is unlikely to get close to the action here. (5) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE would be a shocker, to say the least

RACE 7 – Tough race! (6) DONEGAL LUTHER N drops back in the box quickly after a disastrous outing in the Borgata Final (maybe he shut off his air letting CAPTAIN ALBANO go to the half?)– the quick turnaround suggests it was nothing too major, and Gingras has always raved about this one’s ability – could offer some value in a wide open race. (1) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N (2nd time Lasix) races best when allowed to relax early, and use his one big brush at the right time – maybe he can land on that trip tonight? (5) LOU HILL is off to a great start in 2026, now 9-5-3-0 – the lone off-the-board finish did come here at Yonkers (when he was roughed up a bit in the Invitational) so while he’s clearly a big threat tonight, perhaps he can be a little vulnerable too. (4) SOHO FIRESTONE A got roughed up hard in his last Borgata leg then lost all chance in the Final after a shuffle – a good trip tonight makes him another dangerous player. (3) THE GREEK FREAK can throw some big efforts but doesn’t seem up for these right now. (7) WHATS STANLEY GOT A should have been allowed to draw for an inside post, is forced to draw for 4-7 instead and off course lands all the way outside – maybe he can rally for minor spoils. (2) JOEMIKIYOURS OFINE has failed many times here vs. much easier than these

RACE 8 – (4) ALADDIN woke up out of the blue on 3/30 to be an excellent 2nd behind the weekly stickout SHINE A LIGHT, had excuses in his next few then was an excellent 2nd best to that same standout last week – may be in a spot tonight to grab his first win in a long time. (3) SARANAC BLUE CHIP came up 2nd best to SHINE A LIGHT two back then finished 3rd last week– legitimate threat. (7) WHY TOMORROW RAY will appreciate the drop to 15s but it’s hard to say if he’ll be able to overcome the likely tough trip he’ll be facing from out here – ok, at a price. (5) GOTHIC ROCK is a very infrequent winner, and was unable to build off that rare victory 4 starts back – chance if the top ones falter. (2) ITS MAHOMES A has been going off big prices out of town every week, is 1 for 27 over the last 2 years and just 6-0-1-0 at Yonkers (2024-25) – minor share only. (1) DEEDENUTO A has been well off form – we’ll see if the rail can help him grab a slice. (8) MR PROFETA won at this level 2 back but that was from the pole – figures to struggle from out here. (6) MANALOU finished well back making his first start after a year layoff

RACE 9 – (7) MUSIC HALL won an incredible 16 races last year so it’s somewhat shocking to see him off to an 0 for 14 start in 2026 – he’s certainly been facing better, however, and he’s sharper right now than his lines might suggest – look for an aggressive try with Bartlett on board. (8) SPEAKER OF PEACE has also been facing much tougher, and does have 4 wins this year – his chances go way up if he can improve even a bit at the start. (2) VICI had been on the upswing and was rewarded with a solid victory last week, vs. easier – chance to grab a decent piece vs. these too. (1) HUNTINGFORCHROME had a (short) dismal 2025 season and is trying to turn things around after recently returning to the races – might be able to have a bigger say this week. (6) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A is winless since arriving in the U.S. and draws poorly tonight – still on the “watch list”. (4) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A won his first local start of the year last week, but vs. much softer – leaning elsewhere. (3) TASTE OF HONEY makes his 2nd start back after missing a year – another still under “observation only”. (5) ROYAL DESIRE drops again after showing little in his first 3 starts of 2026.