Monday, October 19, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, October 19, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH picked a terrible spot to try to leave last week and predictably ended up parked – he’s been stuck with a lot of bad posts (vs. better) for weeks, and this is a spot that could be well within his comfort zone…and a chance for a decent price with Ginsburg on board. (3) LYRICAL GENIUS A has been finishing right behind some very sharp 40s for weeks and is a very logical threat dropping to this easier spot – he also figures to be way overbet! (7) FORCE FULL A won his first U.S. start then struggled in most of his next 7 efforts – he appreciated the class drop and good draw last week and delivered a powerful victory, perhaps giving him the confidence boost he needs to be a player here too…even from this much tougher spot. (1) MACS MARVEL drops a bit and may at least get away a little closer after drawing the rail– a hot pace would help his chances to show up late. (8) VICIOUS has no shortage of ability but he’s clearly been struggling through some issues the last few months – nothing wrong with that qualifier (the winner is in tonight’s Open), but this still feels like an unlikely spot after 2 months on the shelf. (4) THE MIKI TAKER A never wins but grabs a lot of smaller pieces – not sure why he came up so dull last time, but that does make him iffy for tonight. (6) PRINTVILLE was good for a series of starts recently but seems to have leveled off – sticking with others. (5) LAMANDIER A was dismal last time off a sick scratch – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 2 – (4) TYPHOON BANNER N was dull in 40s 2 back (off the layoff) but an excellent 3rd vs. the 30s last week, despite a tough trip – maybe he can pull off the mild upset and pick up his first local victory of 2026. (1) MIS SED THE TRUTH has taken 4 of his last 5, 2nd to the also-sharp THEFLYINGROCK in the lone loss – the road to the winner’s circle goes through him. (5) BOILING OAR is very good right now but has the misfortune of drawing outside his two main foes– he’s also become quite camera shy, and better used underneath. (7) YOROKOBI N rarely wins and ends up all the way outside tonight -he’s never a bad bomb for 3rd/4th, though, as he’s usually full of pace at the end. (3) PEACE OUT POSSE just hasn’t been sharp in some time– minor spoils only (2) CAPTAIN AWESOME was a sharp winner off a good trip vs. cheaper last week, but will have to prove that he can hang with these too. (6) COALFORD HITMAN GB probably needs a better draw to contend for a piece against these

RACE 3 – (7) COALFORD TOPGUY GB has been outstanding since the claim, stepping up to 40s and taking 2 in a row – he may or may not be able to just go right to the top here but he’s still the one to knock off, even if he has to work a little harder tonight. (5) MUSIC HALL won an incredible 16 races last year – it took him a long time to start clicking again in 2026 but he’s now hit board in 7 straight (2 wins), and should have another big say here. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF has been struggling for some time, his lone recent win coming vs. much cheaper, on the lead – he DID race pretty well from a tough spot last week, however, and his barn has been dangerous all meet – include underneath. (4) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH was super for months then no factor at all in his last pair – suppose we’ll get a better picture tonight if he’s actually tailed off, or was just caught in bad spots the last 2 weeks. (3) HAMMERI NG HANK probably wasn’t as sharp in his last pair as the lines look on paper, and he’s missed almost 3 weeks since then – might be a little vulnerable right now. (6) ORLANDO BLUE A certainly fits well enough, but is likely looking at a pretty tough trip from this spot. (2) SUN OF A SHOW’s last suggests he may need to be in a bit cheaper

RACE 4 – Good race! (1) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY was never in it from Post 8 last week but he picked up a win 3 back and rallied from way out of it for 4th the next week – one of several with a chance in a race that can go a lot of different ways! (5) WARRAWEE XTREME picked up a win, 2nd, and 3rd in his first 3 local starts before having some issue on 9/21 – his qualifier suggests the problem wasn’t too major, and that 10-1 ML price is mighty tempting. (4) WALKINSHAW N is still banging heads with 2 months left in illustrious racing career – he tends to get overbet most week, and doesn’t always deliver (especially when the trip comes up tough) – a little risky, for sure. (8) SOUTHWIND IRON dropped to 15s last week, was hammered down to 3/5 and able to come out on top – won’t be so easy from Post 8, however, so insist on a good price if using on top. (2) ALADDIN wasn’t close in his last 3 starts but was in no-prayer spots each time…would be no surprise at all to see him rebound with a contending effort here. (6) SHAKE IT’s overall record the last 2 years has been outstanding but his RECENT efforts have produced just one win, while being heavily bet every time – another that could be vulnerable tonight. (3) BUCHANNON HA NOVER has been away since 6/28 and is 33-0-0-3 at YR the last 3 years. (7) MANALOU just qualified behind the outstanding FRANCENT N but wasn’t exactly close – he’s struggled in his 5 local tries

RACE 5 – (1) ODDS ON NO LIMIT was a close 4th in back-to-back starts despite horrible trips, sustaining his bid both times – he retains his very live pilot once more, and maybe they can have some better racing luck and get the job done this time. (5) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A struggled more often than not after switching barns this summer but he’s now back with the trainer for whom he won all those races in the past, and Bartlett takes him tonight over several of his best accounts – maybe we should do the same? (8) FEDERER gets a horrible draw but he’s more than held his own vs. better than these and will be offering some good value IF you think Buter will try to get him in play. (4) ODDS ON CAPITALISM has maintained solid form for a while – chance to grab a piece if things go his way. (6) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N has held form beautifully since stepping up from NWPM races but he moves outside this week, and that may leave him looking at a smaller slice. (3) THONG CONTROL is better suited for cheaper but an easy ground saving trip gives him at least a chance for some minor spoils (he’s very good right now). (2) MARL BANK ROAD picked up a win and a 2nd recently but that left him racing vs. tougher than he’s used to – drops a peg, but still seems somewhat overmatched. (7) IN EXCESS N wasn’t bad at all last week (off a month) and would have been listed higher for sure, if not for the terrible draw

RACE 6 – (1) CAPTAIN FEAR had been “sneaky ok” lately in tough spots vs. better – got a class drop and good trip last week, and was right on the wire 3rd (behind a pair that would both be favored in here) – maybe he can call the shots tonight and pick up a win. (2) CARABAO A has always been talented but unreliable – he hasn’t made a lot of starts in 2026, but that trend has remained…IF he brings his best effort tonight, he could be very dangerous from this spot. (3) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N was a big “go” last week, was used hard into a hot 3rd panel but still able to eventually wear down the leader, only to get collared late by a form-reversing winner – steps up a notch, but can still be dangerous vs. these. (7) WINDSUN RICKY is a tough call – he hinted at some life 2 back, and was a pretty good 3rd last week – if Marohn races him aggressively he could be in the mix, but there’s also a chance he’s looking forward to a class drop (and better draw) next week! (5) ROLLING WITH SAM is always eligible to take home a piece but he’s just been way too camera shy to use on top at a shortish price. (4) BET ON BIG JOE had been in a major downward spiral for some time before taking a month off and re-qualifying – not ready to hop back on his team just yet. (6) DREAMBOAT HANOVER is 15-0-0-3 locally and draws Post 7. (8) PINE BUSH ITALIANO is the outsider..,both literally and figuratively

RACE 7 – (7) ARODA N may be worth a try here – he was a disappointment for quite a while after arriving in the U.S. but he crushed a bit cheaper 3 back, had plenty of pace finishing from an impossible spot in his next, and was right on the wire with BOURBON COUNTY and RAILROAD STATION last week – maybe he can find a way to overcome the draw and beat this modest bunch? (3) NEVERSTOPDREAMIN N loved last week’s easy trip, kicking home full of late pace after staying buried on the cones most of the mile – he’s a very logical player here but he’s 0 for 6 here at Yonkers, and likely to be a pretty short price. (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N hasn’t been as reliable in 2026 as he was last year but he’s still dangerous when the trip goes the way he likes it – worth a look if the price is fair. (1) SOHO DOW JONES A didn’t take much $$ last week (off 2 months) but he landed on a picture perfect trip and was able to deliver – leaning towards others, but this is a tough barn to ever ignore, especially from the pole. (4) TE NZING BROMAC N has ability but he’s never been better than 3rd in his 7 Yonkers starts – minor piece only. (5) SP EAKER OF PEACE usually does his winning vs. a bit easier but he’s a hard knocker and does grab piece seven at higher levels – ok for 3rd/4th. (6) ESCAPE TO AMERICA isn’t bad right now, but he also doesn’t seem sharp enough to reach from this tough spot. (8) YOUNG BLUEY N had good pace 2 back (off a month) but was unable to get involved after getting away 8th last week and may face that same dilemma tonight.

RACE 8 – (5) MACS DELIGHT’s last margin of victory is a little deceptive because it turned into a 2 horse sprint and they trounced the others – he’ll likely end up overbet in here, but he remains the one to knock off. (2) HEMSW ORTH N was no surprise when he pounced on a perfect trip to win 2 back but last week’s stretch heroics were definitely unexpected – deserves plenty of respect in his current form! (1) HAZEVILLE was no factor up at this level 2 and 3 back (from bad posts) but last week’s move inside put him right on the wire (at 44-1!) – his price will surely come down now, but a repeat of that last effort could put him in the picture once more. (3) EVILEYE FLEEG LE has been “good” recently vs. cheaper but he steps up tonight off a bad dare, and seems destined for a minor piece only. (7) VERDUN was unable to threaten from the back last week and may need a better draw before we see his best again. (4) CHECKNOUTHETALNT A delivered a powerful, perfectly times brush to score handily one level down last week – we’ll see if this bunch is a little beyond his comfort zone. (6) THENU CAME ALONG A is good right now, but gets a bad draw facing much tougher. (8) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A (like most horses) improved dramatically upon joining this barn…but this is another brutal spot

RACE 9 – (7) CHASE H HANOVER has been going big miles week after week, even if he sometimes comes up a little short, vs. some razor sharp foes (SWEET BEACH LIFE, CAPTAIN MOORE A, etc.) – gets a horrible draw tonight, but may still be able to overcome it…and pay a decent price. (5) MOSSDALE BEN N should be feeling pretty good about himself as he steps back up to the Invitational off a pair of wins vs. a bit easier – he may not be in his absolute best form right now, but remains a very formidable foe. (4) BOURBON COUNTY has thrived since returning to Yonkers this summer, hitting the board in 8 of his 9 starts (impossible spot in the other) – the right trip could land him in the winner’s circle. (2) CATALPA RESCUE A has been on a serious form spree, and has earned his way back up to this top level – still leaning elsewhere, but could see him taking home a good chunk from this spot. (3) AMERICAN DEALER N is another that has worked his way up to the Invitational – may be able to rally for a small piece, with an easy enough trip. (1) STAR CASINO N may prove to be a legitimate top-class performer but he’s off a sick scratch and qualifier and we’ll just observe, for now. (8) SOHO FIRESTONE A has proven himself week after week at this level but tonight’s draw may be tough to overcome. (6) KWICK SAND A probably needs a much better draw to be a serious player with these

RACE 10 – Tough finale! (6) CHESTERMAN was off to a horrible start in his local debut, looked like he was going to be distanced, but came to life from the final bend and was picking off horses at the wire – decent bomb in a tough race to gauge. (8) ACAPULCO SUNBURN has come to life since Dube took over – brutal draw, but he becomes a legitimate player with a fast start off the car. (1) BROTHER DICK has some up short at the end of both local tries but an easy trip from the pole may boost his chances tonight. (3) FERRAGAMO HANOVER came into his last with a 18-0-0-1 Yonkers record (last 3 years) but rallied crisply in the lane to finish 2nd – his barn has sent out some live longshots recently and Bartlett hops on board tonight…the down side is that he’ll be one of the favorites, after going off big odds in ALL of his recent starts! (4) THAT DOG WILL HUNT had been a bit disappointing recently but hit the top last week and never looked back – can’t rule out the chances of a repeat performance. (2) SOLESSEO MAT UCA A was a nice 2nd in his local debut but was already tiring in the lane before last week’s miscue – which version will we see tonight? (7) FULL SUPPORT had been racing pretty well recently but didn’t appreciate last week’s aggressive try – maybe he can rally for minor spoils? (5) MINOTAUR has been struggling but gets a new trainer listed tonight…we’ll see if that helps.