Monday, September 28, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, September 28, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (8) THEFLYINGROCK was solid in his first 2 starts back off the layoff but absolutely terrific in his last, using a sustained move to power by a pretty solid bunch – he’s been known to string top efforts in the past, and he’s worth using even from out here, as long as the price is fair. (7) MISSED THE TRUTH A couldn’t kick home with the top one in the lane last week, rallying for 2nd (after winning the week before, thanks to an excellent drive) – he has a chance to turn the tables tonight (despite his own bad draw), but that 9/5 ML price just seems a bit low. (3) MU FFERAW JOE has some mixed effort since arriving here in July but any of the better ones would put him in the mix – could add some value to the exotics. (4) ZEBS KRAFTY was full of pace after shaking free last week, though the easy trip didn’t hurt – he’s another “in and outer” that needs to show up on his best game. (1) KOMODO BEACH probably moved too soon last week and it cost him a chance for a better piece – an easier trip from the pole could help him land a better share. (2) BOILING OAR doesn’t win often enough to consider on top tonight but the move inside definitely increases his chances for a small piece (6) YOROKOBI N will likely revert to his more comfortable off-the-pace tactics after getting parked last week…and that may leave him too far back to be a threat. (5) PEACE OUT POSSE just hasn’t been showing up often enough lately – leaning elsewhere.

RACE 2 – (1) WELL THATS MARKY has been very good lately, and can certainly be forgiven for coming up 2nd best to a very sharp SHINE A LIGHT last week – tough to beat tonight, at a very short price. (2) MINOTAUR had success here early in the year, but struggled in most of his recent his starts – his last effort was a bit more encouraging, so maybe he can improve a bit more and add some value to the exotics. (7) BLACK HAWK JOE finished 2nd and 3rd in his first 2 starts off the claim then was a solid front end winner last week – legitimate player, even from out here. (3) DISMAS hasn’t been on his best game lately but he did hit board the last 4 weeks and would be hard not to include underneath tonight. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP moves from rail to 8 hole but Bartlett is never shy about trying to get one in play – chance for a small piece if he can improve a bit at the start. (5) HURRIKANEK INGJAMES drops back down to 15s and he did win in this class 2 back, even if it was a “fall apart” race – another with a legitimate chance to grab a piece. (4) IM TALKING HUNGRY will hope to save ground and pick up some minor spoils. (6) DIAMONDBEACH draws poorly and just isn’t clicking right now

RACE 3 – (1) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH has been on a scary form spree, with 6 wins and 4 seconds from his last 11 starts – he was an excellent 2nd to HIMSELF N 2 back (who came back to crush a field in 1:51 the next week), then was 2nd in his last to REGAL IDEA, who stepped up to 60s and was an excellent 3rd in his next start – deserves top billing from the pole. (2) MUSIC HALL struggled through much of 2026 (after winning an incredible 16 races in ’25) but he’s come to life over the past month, and should be right in the mix for another big piece tonight. (6) CO ALFORD TOPGUY GB was a very sharp winner 3 back, raced well from a tough spot in his next then was terrific last week, battling with the winner to the top of the lane (despite being parked every step of the way), then holding dead game for 4th – brutal spot tonight (up in class), but he does go to a barn that is back improving fresh stock by leaps and bounds…good one for longshot fans. (5) ODDS ON CAPITALISM fits nicely with these, but still figures to be limited to a minor share from this spot. (7) STELLAR YANKEE is sharp enough to be a player, but isn’t usually the best leaver…his chances go up if somehow nobody else leaves, and HE is able to really improve at the start. (4) AMERITRIC has been solid for most of the past 2 seasons but others in here are just much sharper lately. (3) ORLANDO BLUE A is capable on his best, but breaks in 2 of his last 3 make him a risky commodity right now

RACE 4 – The locals must be happy to NOT see either BEST CHIP or CHASE H HANOVER this week but the same connections roll out (1) WORLD OF WISHES for tonight – he wasn’t doing anything of note for much of this year but after being obtained by his current team after his 8/9 NJ start he delivered a pair of (lifetime best) 1:48.4 front end scores, with final quarters of :26 and :25.4 – he had to grab up to let others go at Chester last week after a :25.4 opener, and then may have been significantly hurt by broken equipment…we’ll see if he can wire this bunch. (4) GO GO GRASSHOPPER (a barnmate to the top choice for a couple of weeks) has continued to thrive in his last 3 starts after changing hands – solid threat once more. (2) MACS DELIGHT was used very hard before finally weakening last start – he should be looking at a nice trip here, with a chance to be a part of the equation. (5) STERLI NG CHOICE will likely have to race from off the pace tonight, but still may be able to rally late for a share. (3) KW ICK SAND A has enjoyed an excellent season but still has to prove he can hold his own up at this top level. (6) HOWLENTHEHILLS hasn’t won in a long time and doesn’t seem to have too many options with the bad draw.

RACE 5 – (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A may not “bring it” on a weekly basis but he’s still very dangerous when in the right spot – he drops back down to the level of his DH win 2 back, figures to be sitting a pocket trip to (4) PIN NY TIGER A and he may be able to run him down at the end. The latter is back to being a strong weekly player, though not at the same higher levels as before he went on the shelf for 4 months – he was a game winner 2 back, just missed from the 8 hole last week, and a serious threat again tonight. (3) THE MIKI TAKER A is an ugly 0 for 40 over the last 2 seasons but he’s also finished 3rd in 7 of his 20 local starts this year – maybe he can complete the tri once more? (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A’s recent efforts have been mixed – an easy trip from this spot would help him battle for a small piece. (6) JUST ENUFF STUFF has struggled quite a bit but he certainly appreciated being on the lead in a soft field last week – his trainer/driver team has been on fire for a while, but may have trouble negotiating this much tougher spot. (7) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR fits well, but figures to be coming from too far back to make much noise. (5) BETTOR NOT qualified ok after 2 ½ months off – keep an eye for next time. (8) KIM BLE A draws Post 8 after failing with no excuses on the lead last week (vs. easier).

RACE 6 – (1) SPEAKER OF PEACE had a strong 2025 campaign then stayed sharp all through 2026, at even higher levels – he’s much sharper than he may look on paper right now (impossible spots in his last few) but tonight’s class drop and move inside should allow him to strut his best stuff! (2) JETT STAR N was excellent early in the year, hit a rough patch for a while but has been back on top of his game recently – he might have been even closer last week if not for a brief bobble to 3/4s, and he should be able to have a big say tonight as well. (4) RIO looked like a winner in his local debut but just got tired right near the wire and let it slip away – give him a pass for last week (8 hole) and look for him to be part of the action once more. (3) PRINTVILLE is hard to use on top (just 1 for 27 this year) but he’s racing very well right now, and he has a chance to land a decent piece, with an easy trip. (5) SUITE UP BRO was a dullish 5th off the big barn and driver change– too soon to write him off, but leaning to others for now. (6) CAPTAIN FEAR isn’t bad right now but he’s been in some tough spots and is likely in another tonight – minor spoils? (7) TWIN B POWERBALL took advantage of a soft spot with last week’s front end score but will be hard pressed to replicate that tonight. (8) ITS A ME MARIO is having a tough year…Post 8 isn’t the cure

RACE 7 – (4) TH COLBY has been sharp for the last few months, beat this class in his last and was full of pace for a close 3rd the start before that – the guess is that he WON’T be favored here, and that makes him attractive to use on top. (3) CAPT KARMA is just one of seemingly endless recent acquisitions for this barn that improved dramatically upon changing hands – he’s 3 for 3 for his current crew, including a pair of local jogburgers (at VERY short prices) – solid chance to extend that streak to 4! (1) MAJOR HOTHOOVES won here at this level 4 back, but hasn’t been able to do much out of town since then– draws the pole for his Hilltop return, and that could make him a solid player (5) SMOOTH DREAM really appreciated last week’s easy trip, full of pace to the wire after shaking free – in line for a piece here too, with another kind trip. (2) DUNKIN doesn’t look too smooth most nights but the classy veteran continues to try hard – chance for a piece. (6) MR MCLAREN N has enjoyed success at Stga. for “The Bomber” but will have to prove that he can hold his own with the locals. (7) XPERT is sharp in NJ and gets Bartlett for his first local try of the year – he’s also moving way up in class, and draws Post 7. (8) ODDS ON NO LIMIT lands behind the 8 ball and that figures to compromise his chances significantly

RACE 8 – (1) MOSSDALE BEN N hasn’t been in his best form of the season but it’s not like he’s been “bad” – gets a rare drop from the Invitational level, draws the pole, and would be hard to go against…even at what figures to be a miniscule price! (2) MATAI PHIL N is racing well right now, figures to be sitting no worse than 3rd, and may have a chance for a big upset if #1 just doesn’t show up tonight. (4) RAILROAD STATION had been on a serious roll before an unexpected dud 2 back – he finished with pace last week, and is another that could cash in IF the favorite falters. (3) NEVERSTOPDREAMIN N has been racing well but is still seeking his first win of the season – should be able to grab his usual good chunk. (6) HAZEVILLE is in excellent form right now but another class jump combined with a bad draw could slow him down a bit. (7) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH isn’t bad right now, but his 4th straight 7 hole does figure to compromise his chances once again. (5) CAVIART LOTUS continues to race well but his only local WIN came at the NW7500 level. (8) HIMSELF N is in his best form of the year but he exits a pair of top barns and draws Post 8…and that’s going to be hard to overcome

RACE 9 – (4) CAPTAIN MOORE A is in the best form of his career right now and comes into this off three straight bruising first over victories – he faces some equally sharp foes tonight, but that also means his price will be better – chance to make it 4 in a row. (7) SWEET BEACH LIFE ran into an impossible trip in the Aria Invitational and his incredible 9 race winning streak came to an end – he’s overcome these outside assignments many times already, and we’ll see if he can shake off that tough outing and get right back on track. (3) CHASE H HANOVER was strong at both ends of the mile when 2nd to the top choice 2 back, then picked up a sharp win of his own last week – he’s looking at a good trip here, and would be no surprise at all. (5) WEHADABABYETZABOY has been facing easier out of town but it’s hard to deny how sharp he’s been (including last week’s big effort in PA, where he stayed on tenaciously for 2nd after being stung :25.4 to the quarter) – couldn’t blame anybody willing to give him a shot if the price is good enough. (1) JUMPINGJACKMAC N likes to rally off easy trips – chance for some minor spoils. (6) BOURBON COUNTY just couldn’t make it hold up on the lead last week but his overall recent form has been excellent, and he may get a live trip following CAPTAIN MOORE A…wouldn’t dismiss him too quickly, at least for a piece. (2) GORGEOUS BIG GUY cashed in off the class drop last week but steps back up to face much tougher

RACE 10 – (5) BROTHER DICK got class relief for his last at Tioga, a big driver switch to Boyd and used an aggressive drive to deliver as the odds-on choice – he had some solid tries at the $20K level for his previous connections, and seems well suited to take on the 15s in his local debut. (7) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK was the choice here when he delivered at 9/2 last week – much tougher draw tonight, but he did look good taking his last and has been known to string good efforts in the past – worth considering. (2) ARTIST BEST was terrible on 8/22, took a month off then did finish with good pace last week (after an easy trip) – chance to be a player here if he can build off that mile. (1) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has been a steady player in this class since returning from Monti, draws the pole and is very playable in exotics. (3) ROCKET FREIGHT disappoints more often than he delivers but he does show up when things go his way, and not a bad choice if looking for a last race longshot. (6) FRANCO NANDOR N raced better in his last couple to take home small pieces – maybe 3rd/4th? (8) KARLOO BRADLEY N was reclaimed by the barn for whom he has his only recent win – that was a pocket trip from the rail, however, and he’s unlikely to be as fortunate from Post 8. (4) AVENGER FORCE is 0 for 29 this year, and 0 for 31 at YR over the last 2 seasons.