Monday, October 5, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, October 5, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) WELL THATS MARKY ended up in a good spot vs. a weak field last week but that doesn’t mean that HE didn’t race well (in an easy victory) – he’s been sharp for a while, moves to a barn that tends to improve any horse they acquire, and we’ll give him the narrow edge over (3) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER. The latter usually doesn’t make a peep vs. 20s but he’s won 4 straight at this $15K level…hard to not respect his chances, especially drawing inside of his main rival. (7) SMOOCH IN THE DARK has been racing well out of town, gets a class drop and big driver switch but does get stuck with Post 7– wouldn’t be any great surprise, but still leaning more to the top two. (4) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE usually struggles from bad posts so we’ll give him a pass for last week – should be able to make at least some noise from tonight’s better spot. (1) DANCININTHEFIRE would be a real threat if even close to his best game but things just aren’t really clicking right now – maybe would use underneath if the price was tempting enough. (6) ITS MAHOMES A is in an unlikely spot but not a terrible bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) BELLS DAVID drops to 15s but is in poor form and lands all the way outside. (2) SARANAC BLUE CHIP finishes distanced every week yet is never asked to qualify – hopefully he just stays out of the way tonight.

RACE 2 – (2) MUSIC HALL was amazing in 2025 (16 wins!) but struggled through much of this year until really upping his game about a month and a half ago – he was claimed from his last but the BIG angle in here is that Bartlett takes him over a couple of barns that he generally will automatically drive for (#4, #5) – we’ll trust his judgment, but that 9/5 ML price probably will kill any possible value! (1) ODDS ON CAPITALISM saw his form get dirtied up a bit thanks to some terrible spots but he moves all the way inside tonight and was a sharp pocket winner 4 back – possibility. (6) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH was surprisingly passive from the pole last week and it may have cost him a better chance to win (though he did finish 2nd, for the 4th straight start) – he’s obviously an excellent fit, but the bad draw could hurt his chances tonight. (3) ORLANDO BLUE A finished well after being driven conservatively last week (after making breaks in 2 of 3 starts) – has the ability top pull off an upset, if things fall apart in here. (5) TYPHOON BANNER N lost a step in 2025 and lost a couple more in 2026…then went on the shelf for 5 months after his start on 4/25 – have to believe Bartlett would have taken him if he thought he’d be ready off the layoff. (4) LYRICAL GENIUS A has 6 wins and over $100K this year yet it still feels that he disappoints at least as often as he delivers – another that Bartlett opted to pass on this week. (7) JUST ENUFF STUFF needs a better draw in an easier field to be a legitimate threat these days

RACE 3 – Good race: (2) ZEBS KRAFTY was full of pace 2 back after shaking free, in his first start back after a month off – he paced a solid last half (from a tough spot) last week, rallying for 4th just behind 3 sharp ones…he’s usually a good price, and worth using tonight. (3) PAXAMILLION just folded badly last week but it was is first start on Lasix, and sometimes it takes a couple of tries to find the right dosage – too soon to dismiss him off that one clunker, as he has several recent tries that would absolutely beat these. (5) SHIPMASTER is just 1 for 17 at Yonkers this year but he’s been 3rd seven times, usually facing a bit tougher than these – willing to use him, as long as the price is fair. (1) ALL ALONE was struggling here for a while but seemed to perk up with a few starts out of town, and was a decent 3rd last week in his Hilltop return – chance to grab another share, from the pole. (4) GEORGES WI SH picked up his first local victory last start (he was helped by hard used leaders, but also sustained a long bid all the way to the wire) – the 3 weeks off are a bit of a concern, though. (6) SIMPLY FAST raced well vs. the 40s several times and the drop to 30s wouldn’t feel as suspicious if he hadn’t been scratched sick from his last – mixed feelings, especially from Post 6. (8) COALFORD HITMAN GB has proven that he belongs with these but his best work comes when on/near the pace…tonight’s draw may really compromise his chances. (7) MUFFERAW JOE’s local efforts have been all over the place but even his best would likely fall short from out here

RACE 4 – (1) THENU CAME ALONG A is a disappointing 1 for 15 at Yonkers this year but he’s raced big (vs. much better) in a bunch of his losses, and has also been victimized by some bad racing luck mixed in – he should be able to control the action and handle this modest group…but likely at a very short price! (2) THONG CONTROL may benefit from the top choice scaring off most/all the others from leaving, and that could leave this guy with an easy trip – may be able to complete the exacta. (6) JETT STAR N drops to a level right in his wheelhouse but he gets a bad draw and has thrown in some awkward steps at times in his last couple of starts – needs to leave the gate and hope for some trip luck if he wants to have a say here. (7) CAPTAIN FEAR is sharper than he looks on paper but likely looking at another impossible trip – he’ll be a big price, but he may also already be looking at class relief (and better post) for next week. (5) THE MIKI TAKER A tends to race ok most weeks but he’s incredibly 0 for 41 over the last 2 years and very tough to consider for more than minor spoils. (3) BENHOPE RULZ N is on the upswing, currently sporting a modest 2 race winning streak– but this is a much tougher spot! (5) MY ULTIMATE BYRON is light in the win column the past 2 years and his barn continues to struggle – leaning elsewhere

RACE 5 – (5) ODDS ON NO LIMIT may be worth a try tonight – he was charging home in the lane last week with far more pace than would have been expected, and he did just miss to a tough one 3 back – maybe Boyd can find him the trip he needs to pull off an upset here. (3) LAMANDIER A might have been listed on top had he not been scratched sick from his last – he’s raced well whenever NOT in an impossible spot, can handle a variety of trips, and this trainer/driver tandem is always dangerous when paired up together (4) PRAIRIE ROCKNROLL has been facing some solid competition at Stga. and doing his fair share of damage – these shippers haven’t fared as well as they have in past years, but this guy does look dangerous in this spot. (2) DELE ROW A was able to wire softer last week after coming up 2nd best the start before – have to respect his chances tonight, but he may end up overbet. (1) SOHO DOW JONES A delivered a blowout qualifier after 2 months on the shelf but has tended NOT to be the most reliable performer, even when racing every week – would be shocked to see him race well off the bench, but still leaning to others. (8) BANDERAS returns off a couple of sharp Pocono miles but lands Post 8 and is just 1 for 10 here at YR. (7) THE IDEAL DANCER A pounced on a perfect trip to beat much easier last week – tough to like his chances from this spot, however. (6) PRINTVILLE wasn’t as sharp last time, and lands in a very tough spot tonight.

RACE 6 – (3) MOSSDALE BEN N didn’t “crush” the competition last week but he was more than good enough to get the job done, despite making only his 2nd start in 5 weeks – he ends up getting a free ride (as the class was re-written to fit him in), and he deserves the edge here (especially since he’s not listed as the ML favorite). (1) STER LING CHOICE gets to decide whether to cut the mile or sit the pocket tonight, and he’ll be very dangerous either way – Bartlett’s own looms the main danger, but that 8/5 ML price is a bit of a turn off. (2) MACS DELIGHT has leveled off a bit after that outstanding run after changing hands this summer – still figures to make his presence felt from start to finish from this spot. (4) GORGEOUS BIG GUY was able to get the job done off the class drop 2 back, but was just “ok” that night – solid contender for a piece from this spot. (5) HIMSELF N was surprisingly sharp from an impossible spot last week, after exiting a pair of high % barns…not sure how long he can maintain that top form, however. (7) HAZEVILLE has been good, but not THAT good that he can do any real damage from out here. (6) MOONSHINER N is off a month (sick scratch), and unproven against these tougher foes

RACE 7 – (1) SON OF THE SHARK A is owned by the hottest trainer in the Northeast….but ironically, he didn’t start to thrive in the U.S. until moved to a different barn – wouldn’t say he’s a stickout in here, but he’s certainly the one to beat with Bartlett and the rail. (2) AMERICAN DEALER N steps up a notch off a pocket victory in his last but he’s very comfortable at this level too – a close up, easy trip could make him a legitimate stretch threat. (4) SOU THWIND CELSIUS has been a streaky horse this year and clearly he’s back on a major upswing (with easy wins over cheaper, in his last 2 starts) – Bartlett does opt for #1, though, and we’re leaning that way too. (7) WHICHWAY TOTHEBEACH may have already had tonight’s class drop in mind when he toured the oval at the back last week – the draw definitely isn’t what they were hoping for, however, and it’s hard to say if he’ll be aggressive tonight – at 20-1 ML, he’s worth at least a look. (3) BETTOR BY SEASIDE has become a legitimate $50K claimer, after racing in 20s not that long ago…feels a notch below the top ones in here, however. (5) MAJOR HOTHOOVES N beat this class back in August but just doesn’t feel quite as sharp right now. (7) VENGEANCE BLUECHIP was no match for #4 when sent off at 2/5 last week and now draws Post 7, in a much tougher (overall) field. (8) TWIN B POWERBA LL is forced to move up even higher after he was no factor from a similar spot last week

RACE 8 – (3) BOURBON COUNTY was off the board at Yonkers last week for the first time this year, largely due to sitting last in a very hot 1:51.4 mile– he won’t have that problem tonight and is hard to go past in this much easier spot! (5) VERDUN’s chances to be a big player here go up if he can improve at the start but he can still do damage vs. these if forced to rally from off the pace – good chance he can find his way into the exotics. (1) RESILIENT N has a potent finish when totally relaxed early on but he’s also doing solid work off his recent pocket trips (which he may secure tonight) – chance to grab a decent slice, even up in class. (7) RAILROAD STATION used a fast start to grab a pocket trip 2nd to MOSSDALE BEN N last week…if you think Buter may take a shot to leave again, he’d have a chance to be part of the equation. (4) YOUNG BLUEY A was an easy winner off the class drop in his last but that was a month ago (scratched sick on 9/20) – definitely a question mark for tonight. (2) ARODA N gets a good draw but has struggled at these higher levels – leaning elsewhere. (6) CAVIART LOTUS continues to overachieve even at these higher levels…brutal spot for tonight, though.

RACE 9 – (2) MANSOME got a late start on his 11YO campaign but he’s started to pick up his game (out of town) recently – he has plenty of back class, is looking at a good trip tonight, and gets a big switch to Bartlett – may be able to spring a mild upset. (1) MISSED THE TRUTH has been on a nice roll, was an excellent winner from Post 7 last week and moves all the way inside for his new connections – obviously a major threat, but also likely to be overbet (listed at “even money” on the ML) – (6) BOILING OAR lasted a long way on the lead last week before finally getting a little tired nearing the wire – he may be able to add some value to the exotics tonight with a similar effort. (3) SUMOMENTSOMEWHERE was struggling here in 40s and 50s but did race much better for $25K in PA last week – returns at the $30K level, and we’ll see if he can at least be in the mix. (4) SUNSHINE BOY is another that has been struggling vs. better, but could offer some improvement with some class relief tonight. (8) ALWAYS B ELITE N had some red flags dropping from 60s to 30s last week but he was able to pull off the “drop and pop” victory, helped by the lead and a :58 middle half…he loses Holland (to #1), lands all the way outside, and that has us looking elsewhere tonight. (7) CARRONSIDELEGCY GB does fit nicely at this level, but could really use a better draw. (5) PEACE OUT POSSE has enjoyed success at this level…but not recently

RACE 10 – (4) POP IT lost his first 21 starts this year before delivering the front end score in his last – that was nearly a month ago but he resurfaces tonight in a barn that has been improving fresh stock in dramatic fashion lately, and is arguably the top barn in the Northeast (leading trainer at The Meadowlands at 28%, leading trainer at Chester at 32%, winning at 20% this year at Pocono, and clicking at 28% here at Yonkers since the beginning of August) – won’t offer much of a price, but still likely the one to knock off. (2) BETTOR NOT is a solid performer and wasn’t bad last week in his first start since 7/7 – he does lose Bartlett to #4, though. (8) INVISIBLE N would normally be a very short price off tonight’s class drop but he’s missed a month (after a sick scratch) and draws Post 8…he’ll be a good price for those inclined to hop on board anyway. (7) AMERITRIC is used to facing better and has been a solid performer here the last couple of seasons – he’s off his best game right now, and we’ll see if the bad draw offsets the class drop. (1) COLLECTIVE WORKS A is as camera shy as they come but always a possibility for 3rd/4th from a spot like this. (3) DRACARYS Z has been tailing lately and loses Bartlett tonight– leaning elsewhere (5) CENTURY HEINEKEN was able to wire much softer at Tioga last time…won’t find things so easy tonight, however. (6) MAXI MUS RED A will get a more serious look when he’s back in 15s.

RACE 11 – (4) IM A POWERPLAY A was a convincing winner in his last after 3 straight tough beats – he moves to another new barn tonight and it seems significant that Holland opts to drive HIM, rather than (6) KARLOO BRA DLEY N (with whom he just won parked the mile, from Post 8) – we’ll trust his judgment! (6) KARLOO BRADLE Y N has 2 recent wins vs. 15s, the last being a huge parked the mile win from Post 8, and the previous being a pocket score over the top choice – couldn’t blame anybody looking to go with HIM, on top. (1) BLACK EDITION N doesn’t win very often but he’s a steady player at this level and a prime candidate to land somewhere in the exotics. (2) CYRUS N is another that thrives at this level – he gets major post relief, and will likely be battling for a spot on the board. (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR seems to have tailed off just a bit but remains a threat to rally late for a small piece, with an easy trip. (7) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N and (8) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY are a combined 1 for 43 at Yonkers this year, and generally need much better draws to contend for even smaller pieces. (5) BETTORBUCKLEUP’s lone win this year came in a race that just fell apart – remains an outsider.