Monday, September 7, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, September 7, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) EVER HOPING A has been a new horse since being claimed by his current barn – crushed the 30s then crushed the 40s, had a tough trip 4th in his first try vs. 50s but then jogged in his next, then somehow finished 3rd last week (in a 1:51.4 mile) despite being parked every step…just seems the absolute sharpest in a field with several other very sharp horses! (1) INKNOWBETTER added Lasix last week and paced home in :26.4 from a no chance spot – he’s looking at a beautiful trip tonight, and may be right there from start to finish. (3) BETTOR BY SEASIDE continues to thrive, and delivered a sizzling 1:51.4 front end score last week – likely looking at a tougher trip tonight, though. (4) STELLAR YANKEE crushed the 30s (2nd start off the claim) 2 back then crushed the 40s last week (off another claim) – he’s sharp enough to handle tonight’s jump to 50s, but also has 3 very sharp foes to his inside! (5) DIAMOND RYDER has really improved since recently joining his current barn but tries to jump from 30s to a field of razor sharp 50s and that just seems a lot to ask. (8) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE dropped in for $50K two back and reported home a winner, then finished right behind #3 in his last – tonight’s draw IS an issue, however. (6) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A and (7) KIMBLE A both just seem totally buried this week

RACE 2 – (2) CAPT KARMA changed barns, added Lasix, and has been a different horse in his last 2 starts – steps up another notch but in his current form, it may not matter. (5) AMERICAN DEALER N failed on the lead at a short price last week but that doesn’t mean he won’t race well from off the pace tonight, at a much better price – use in exotics. (1) ARODA N has been a disappointment overall since arriving in the U.S. but he did pounce on a perfect trip to win here at the NW20000 level on 7/14, and he returns off a Tioga victory in his last – retains Boyd, and should be right there throughout from the pole. (4) ROYAL DESIRE continues to race well every week, and was a gutsy first over winner in his last – chance for another piece, even in this better field. (6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was used a bit early on last week and weakened late – maybe he can rally for a small piece? (4) CAPTAIN FEAR seems better suited for cheaper – minor spoils? (8) LAMANDIER A continues to race well, but will need to pass a lot of them from out here. (7) DELE ROW A has missed a month (sick scratch) and draws Post 7 – pass for now

RACE 3 – (4) CAPTAIN MOORE A was just obliterated at the windows at the end last week and turned in a bruising first over performance to score the very impressive victory – a similar effort would give him a chance to make it 2 in a row. (3) HOWLENTHEHILLS continues to race well and hit board week after week, even if victories have remained elusive…figures to have a big say once more. (6) MACS DELIGHT has been outstanding since changing hands on 6/30 but the public just ignored him in the wagering last week and he turned in his first dull try since the big switch – he should be a nice price if you think he can get back on track tonight. (2) PLAY ACTION PASS was up in class from post 7 last week and never part of the action– we’ll see if he can at least make his presence felt with the move inside tonight. (1) MATAI PHIL N has been doing better lately, perhaps benefiting from some confidence building Tioga tries – chance for a small piece from the pole. (7) STERLING CHOICE usually is forced to retreat to the back from these spots – guessing he’ll do the same here. (5) ENDOFSTORY would be a bit of a surprise tonight

RACE 4 – (5) THENU CAME ALONG A is just 1 for 12 here this year but he has a bunch of good recent efforts vs. much better fields than this one, and clearly has the speed to create a good trip for himself – feels like a good spot! (1) ODDS ON CAPITALISM sent up some red flags recently with assorted sick scratches, class drops, etc., but he did race solidly in last pair vs. 40s, and now draws the pole in a softer (overall) spot – should have a big say tonight. (2) CARABAO A was hammered to 1/5 last week after a big 8 hole wake up the start before but he was a pretty unimpressive winner– he’ll need to be better if he hopes to make it 2 in a row. (4) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N has been off his best game but tonight’s class drop and better post could help his cause – consider for exotics. (3) CA PTAIN LUFFY was just an ok 3rd off a good trip last week – ok for exotics, but definitely leaning more towards others. (7) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A’s overall recent form is solid enough that IF Holland is able to leave hard and improve at the start, he’d have a chance to pick up a decent piece, at a good price. (6) SOUTHWIND IRON did some good work at 2 (Excelsior Champ, $116K, etc.) but he must have blown a tire to have recently been sold for just $8600 5 starts into his 3YO season – he’s looking much better since joining our leading barn, but he’s really moving up in class tonight. (8) MARLBANK ROAD will have a hard time getting close to the action from out here

RACE 5 – (5) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH had been beastly for weeks in 30s but showed that he can handle himself in 40s too, turning in an excellent 2nd behind the 1/5 front end winner last week – he probably won’t be 15-1 this time, but the price could still be decent (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A hasn’t BEATEN the 40s in a while but he’s always right in the hunt – has to have a very real chance to come out on top tonight with Bartlett and the rail. (3) AMERITR IC can be a bit in and out but he’s won 4X since mid-June, and twice at this level…always deserves a look, at a price. (8) PAXAMILLION has been on a long form spree through bad posts cost him a chance for even bigger pieces in his last pair – may suffer the same fate tonight, but still worth considering at what figures to be a juicy price. (4) HIMSELF N got way too hot on the lead last week (:55 middle half!) and was left short at the end – he’s been pretty inconsistent all year long, and it’s hard to endorse him on top as the 5/2 ML favorite. (2) ROCKIN JU KEBOX towed along for a small piece off the claim last start and may be able to do the same tonight. (6) COAL FORD TOPGUY GB dropped in for a tag, made the top, and that allowed him to pick up his game and deliver the sharp victory last week– new barn tonight, bad post up in class, and could be looking at a lesser outcome (7) MUFF ERAW JOE saw his game really pick up in the last 3 starts but now moves back up to 40s (from Post 7) and that’s where he struggled upon arrival at Yonkers.

RACE 6 – (1) HEZA RISK TAKER A has been a total enigma, winning just 2 of 18 local starts this year while also turning some big efforts (like last week!) against good horses – we’ll go with him on top tonight, but never one you can play with a lot of confidence. (4) KWICK SAND A races well week after week, handling whatever trip comes his way – very eligible in this spot. (3) WISH YOU WELL finished with pace from an impossible spot last week and continues to be solid every start – moves inside, and is another legitimate contender. (6) STAR CASINO N is as good as any of these, and was full of pace (from a hopeless spot) in the Invitational last week – the only knock is the draw, but it could hamper his chances. (5) RESILIENT N has thrown a mixed bag of efforts since arriving – he does like to sit back and rally late, and that could make him a late threat tonight. (2) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has more bad than good lately, especially at these higher levels. (7) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH struggled to get close from a similar spot last week. (8) SPEAKER OF PEACE just continues to race well even at this lofty levels, but Post 8 is going to make it hard for him to get anywhere contention tonight

RACE 7 – (3) YOUNG BLUEY A added Lasix 2 back but hasn’t been in any realistic spot until tonight – look for an aggressive try, and major wake up call (though it is odd that Kelly would opt to drive #2 instead)! (4) TH COLBY has really been clicking lately and may be able to have a say here too, even stepping up off last week’s win. (6) FOR WARD FLASH is always a solid player vs. these types, though tonight’s draw is less than stellar – at least his price will be solid. (1) ALWAYS A THRILL deserves plenty of respect from this spot but note that his 2 most recent wins came one level down, with easy trips – could end up a bit overbet. (2) UDDERLY SWEET A moves back inside and was Kelly’s surprising pick (over #3) – maybe we should give him some extra attention too? (5) JETT STAR N raced much better than expected last week, finishing well at the wire – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) VEN GEANCE BLUECHIP fits nicely at this level but may need a better draw to be a serious threat. (7) FORCE FULL A just seems to need easier to be a real player.

RACE 8 – (5) CATALPA RESCUE A is a streaky horse and couldn’t have been any better than in last week’s 8 hole victory (with a scary :26.2 kicker) – willing to stay on his team, even stepping up a notch. (4) VERDUN may have lost a step this year, but he’s still extremely dangerous in a spot like this– he still wins his share, and the price should be decent enough. (2) NEVERSTOPDREAMIN N was a BIG earner Down Under and finally settling into a good groove here in the U.S. – he just missed to the top choice last week, and has a very real chance to reverse that decision tonight. (6) RAILROAD STATION has been on an excellent roll, and gets to stay in the same class as last week’s victory – drawing outside some very tough foes may hurt his chances quite a bit, though. (1) FINVARRA A steps up off last week’s 2nd over victory but may look to be conservative with these, even with the rail – minor share? (3) HEMSWORTH N couldn’t make it last on the lead last week and now moves up in class – may be able to rally late for a piece with an easy trip. (8) LUE LOU picked up an overdue victory last week but lands behind the 8 ball vs. better now. (7) FEDERER is very sharp, but this is just a much tougher spot tonight.

RACE 9 – (1) IM A POWERPLAY A did everything right last week but still got nipped by the tripsitter in a quick mile – deserves a chance to make amends tonight. (4) WELL THATS MARKY was a no threat 4th chasing the top one last week but his overall form is very solid and he gets a big barn change for tonight – the main danger. (3) THE MASKEDCRUSADR N had been on the upswing before a blip last week – good spot to rebound with a better effort, and a chance for a good piece. (2) DIAMONDBEACH got lost in the back last time but will be closer to the action tonight, possibly landing somewhere in the exotics. (6) FRANCO NANDOR N may be able to beat out a few for minor spoils. (8) BETTORBUCKLEUP grab a piece here and there but has few good options from Post 8. (7) J B GRAM has quickly started to regress after a couple of ok tries off the qualifier. (5) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was already struggling before being scratched sick from his last.