Monday, October 26, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, October 26, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (8) BLACK HAWK JOE A did leave well from Post 8 two back but took a bad step and made a costly miscue – he’s otherwise hit board in 5 straight, including a pair of wins – worth a look tonight as Holland returns to action. (3) IM TALKING HUNGRY has been knocking on the door lately with three consecutive 2nd place finishes – he has no trouble racing from off the pace, and becomes dangerous here if there’s a bit of action up front. (6) SETH HANOVER crawled on the lead and stole one two back but wasn’t as effective when first over in his last (race won by #8) – he’s a threat for sure (for an owner/trainer/driver trio that wins a zillion of these races, at short prices), but could be at least a bit vulnerable. (7) FOXHUNT has been way off form and is hoping that a drop to 15s can get him back on track – he’ll be a big price if you think he can find a wake up call. (2) BUCHANNON HANOVER wasn’t bad off the layoff last week but has a horrendous local record…maybe 3rd/4th? (1) OVERTHINKING is listed at 9/5 ML but was distanced in his last (in PA) off the layoff and then re-qualified a month later – Bartlett opts for #6, and we’ll look elsewhere too. (5) ROCKET FREIGHT throws way more lesser efforts than good ones this year – leaning elsewhere. (4) EMINEM HANOVER is 24-0-0-2 locally over the last 2 years.

RACE 2 – (7) THEFLYINGROCK A has taken 3 of his last 4, the lone loss coming by a neck to the streaking MISSED THE TRUTH A – obviously not a great draw but he should still be able to create a manageable trip for himself – should offer some fair value despite his excellent form. (1) STELLAR YANKEE drops to 30s and draws the pole…the conditions that led to a 2/5 romp on 8/22 – certainly very dangerous tonight, but also figures to be overbet. (8) BOILING OAR has been extremely sharp but his difficulties finding the winner’s circle continue – at least he’ll be a big price for those who believe he can finally get over the top tonight. (2) POP IT is 2 for 2 since the big barn change, at miniscule prices both times – he faces much tougher tonight, but still can’t be dismissed from this spot. (5) CAPTAIN AWESOME moved up to 30s last week and rallied nicely for 3rd – maybe he can finish well enough for a small piece here too? (3) DRACARYS Z raced a bit better last time, even if he just towed along for 3rd – minor spoils? (4) COALFORD HITMAN GB has been able to take home small pieces with easy trips, but may just be a notch below too many of these. (6) TASTE OF HONEY was a little better last week, but probably will find himself too far back to have any real say tonight

RACE 3 – (2) MUSIC HALL struggled for much of 2026 but he started to click again in August and has been razor sharp in his last few starts – deserves the edge tonight off the re-claim. (1) MISSED THE TRUTH A is also on a major roll right now, winning 4 straight, and 5 of his last 6 – he is moving up to 40s, however, and we’ll see if that slows him down at least a bit. (4) HAMMERING HANK appreciated the class relief 2 and 3 back (win and a 2nd) but really wasn’t bad dropping in for the $40K tag last week (just a tough trip) – chance for a decent piece here with a kinder journey. (7) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH had been sharp for months before a couple of no-threat efforts 2 and 3 back – he did rebound a big try to just miss to #2 last week, but tonight’s draw may make it tough for him to replicate that mile. (6) SUN OF A SHOW rebounded from a disappointing effort 2 back with a much better 4th last week – he’s another that may be hurt by a bad draw, though. (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF just seems to need easier to be effective these days (5) GINGRAS BEACH drops in for a tag, but a cheaper one may have been more appropriate

RACE 4 – (1) SOHO FIRESTONE A gets a rare drop from the Invitational ranks and also moves all the way inside, after dealing with Post 8 in his last – very hard to go past in this spot, though likely a very short price! (4) RAILRO AD STATION has been very sharp the last few months, holding form beautifully as he moved up the class ladder – he gave MOSSDALE BEN N a tussle in the stretch 2 back, then just got nipped by favored BOURBON COUNTY in his last – the 3 weeks off could be a concern, but it still feels like he has a solid chance to complete the exacta. (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N hasn’t been as good in 2026 as he was last year but he’s still very solid with the right trip – no reason he can’t grab a big chink from this spot. (7) HEMSWORTH N was a sharp “pocket rocket” winner 3 back, flew home to win his next from an impossible and might have been even closer last week had he pulled to 3/4s – maybe he’s sharp enough to rally for a piece tonight, even from out here. (5) WHATS STANLEY GOT A has been good lately, but with easy trips vs. softer fields – minor share? (3) HEZA RISK TAKER A just requalified after a month off – he’s been camera shy all year, and we’re sticking with others. (6) LYONS FRANKY J is a different horse when Bartlett drive but tonight’s assignment may just be too tough…even with his favorite pilot

RACE 5 – (3) SHINE A LIGHT was unbeatable for months, finally went through a rough patch but has been back on his game again the last several starts – he draws inside his main foes tonight, and we’ll give him top billing. (7) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER struggles in 20s but he’s won 5 of his last 6 starts vs. the 15s, and he stays at that level tonight for new connections – have to respect his chances, even with the tough draw. (4) TRICKY CAPTAIN just didn’t function on 10/8 but he was up in class, from a bad post, with his owner/trainer on board – that’s his ONLY loss from his last 4 starts, and deserves plenty of respect tonight. (8) WELL THATS MARKY has been 1st or 2nd in 7 of his last 8 starts so it would be hard to dismiss his chances, even from out here – he does figure to land on a tough trip, though, so insist on a good price if considering on top. (6) ARTIST BEST was well meant last week and raced well – ok bomb to use underneath. (2) DISMAS has been in and out but even his best effort would likely not be good enough vs. some of these. (5) GOTHIC ROCK never wins, but does use his speed to take home pieces fairly often. (1) DEEDENUTO A hasn’t been an actual threat in a very long time.

RACE 6 – (1) UDDERLY SWEET A steps up a notch but this bunch is well within his wheelhouse too – remains the one to knock off, at another short price. (4) VICIOUS has a lot of weeks where he just doesn’t look (or race) very well but he also has a ton of back class, and always dangerous when he shows up in the right mood – would have a chance tonight on his best effort. (2) LILLBLISS adds Lasix, moves inside, and was Bartlett’s choice over #8 – chance for a good trip tonight, and a decent piece of the purse. (3) IN EXCESS N drops and moves inside, and is more than capable with these types – good one to include in exotics with that 20-1 ML price. (6) CARABAO A is back on the upswing, but gets a tough draw while up in class – may not find the trip he needs to battle for one of the top slots. (7) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N was sharp when he just missed 2 back, then got the job done last week – another one in fine form that may get slowed down by tonight’s draw. (5) THE MIKI TAKER A is somehow 0 for 28 at YR, but does grab plenty of smaller pieces – always ok for 3rd/4th. (8) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has been a little better since rejoining his favorite barn but will look better NEXT week with a class drop, and better draw

RACE 7 – (1) CAVIART LOTUS had been overachieving for some time and would have looked that much tougher in here if not for a dud last week – IF he bounces back to any of his other recent efforts he’ll be very tough here – but that’s a big “if”! (3) FORCE FULL A won his local debut then quickly started to struggle – he perked up with that easy win 2 back, then was good again from Post 7 last week…threat here, despite stepping up a peg. (4) LOUS ALBANO toured the oval from Post 7 in his local debut (new barn, off a bad date) – not sure if he’s good enough to beat these, but expect a much more serious try tonight. (7) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH hit the top last week and took full advantage of the class drop – steps back up a notch, but would have a chance to beat these too with another fast start. (5) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been sharp for a while but has missed 3 weeks and is 1 for 25 this year – only if the price is juicy. (2) BALLROOM AFFAIR has speed for sure but his 2 local wins have come in NW2-4 PM and he’s facing much tougher tonight, with just one (bad) start in 7+ weeks – no value. (8) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N has struggled from recent outside posts but WOULD have a chance here if Stratton puts him in play – good one for longshot fans. (6) VENTURESOME ARDEN N would be a surprise, to say the least

RACE 8 – Good race! (2) ODDS ON NO LIMIT raced super in those losses 2 and 3 back, done in by terrible trips – he had smooth sailing in his last and delivered an eye-catching 1:51.3 jogburger…maybe he can step up and beat these too? (3) MENEMSHA A arrives from Australia with an excellent resume (11 wins $256K), and debuts for very high % connections off a good-looking qualifier – don’t expect anything close to that 12-1 ML price, though. (4) CA PT KARMA won 4 straight after moving to a barn that has been elevating fresh stock significantly, and routinely – he had to settle for 3rds in his last pair, and his gait isn’t the greatest – still, a very real threat. (1) PINNY TIGER A has been climbing back up the class ladder after overcoming a rough patch – in tough tonight, but HE can be pretty tough himself – possibility. (8) ARODA N may end up stuck in the back once more but he’s deceptively sharp, and not a bad one if looking for a bomb. (7) BOSTON BOUND has been very sharp for a while but also hasn’t WON in a while – another bad draw isn’t going to help. (6) SPEAKER OF PEACE will be pacing well late, but likely from too far back. (5) CHECKNOUTHETALNT A did beat this class 2 back but still feels a notch below

RACE 9 – (2) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A was a no-threat last week but chasing a sizzling 1:51.3 mile – that’s not happening here, and this feels like a spot where he can be very dangerous. (8) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A is used to facing much better than these – hard to know if Marohn can get him into a contending spot from out here, but he’ll have a chance to pull off the upset if he does. (4) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR was in an easier spot last week and able to get there at the wire over (6) TEXAS HOLDEM – no reason he can’t have a late say here, as well. The latter got a big barn change last week and almost pulled off the wire to wire score – tougher spot here, but he may also be sharper the 2nd time around. (1) OURMATEMENKO N has been “meh” overall since the $40K claim on 8/3 – chance to take home a piece from this good spot. (7) JETT STAR N has the ability to beat these, but may be hurt by 3 weeks off and Post 7. (3) KOPI LUWAK has upped his game lately, but still may find this field a little too tough. (5) DOWN THE LINE has a couple of nice recent efforts vs. cheaper – feels a bit overmatched here, though.