Saturday, August 22, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Saturday, August 22, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) STELLAR YANKEE had no chance to strut his best stuff off the claim last week after drawing Post 7 – he moves all the way inside, gets Beckwith on board, and a much bigger effort is expected. (4) BOILING OAR raced very well from a bad spot last week and his overall form the past couple of months has been very good – can have a big say here too, with a decent trip. (6) YOROKOBI N will likely be stuck coming from way back but he’s been “sneaky sharp” for some time, and could be a great bomb for the bottom of exotics. (2) FEELIN WESTERN has been pretty steady lately and his barn has been perking up too…good spot to sit a nice trip, and grab a good share. (3) PEACE OUT POSSE won a fall apart race 2 back but his overall form has been “meh” leaning more towards others. (8) EVER M is having an outstanding year and was a winner the last time he was in today’s barn – the draw is an obvious roadblock, however. (5) BELLS DAVID gave it a good try 2 back but he’s in a tough spot here, and probably looking at only minor spoils. (7) CENTURY INSPECTOR was 2nd best to a blowout winner last time but today’s awful draw will make it hard for him to repeat that effort.

RACE 2 – (4) ALL MY LOVIN got a little tired at the very end last week and ended up 2nd best but he was a blowout winner the week before, and raced huge the start before that…moves from one top barn to another, and can get back to the winner’s circle today. (1) AINT NOSTOPN TIME was an upset winner upon arrival two back then finished 3rd last week, despite a bit of an “odd” effort – if he can get a better start from the pole today (pocket?) he can be right there again. (3) MAD RIVER is winless on the year and 0 for 11 at Yonkers…but he did finish 2nd in this class 2 weeks back, and a similar effort would put him at least in the hunt tonight. (5) ONYX BOVINO is an in and out type but that 20-1 ML listing makes him worth considering for a spot in the exotics. (8) HARD TO CATCH gets important class relief but he also lands Post 8 – he’s just 1 for 38 at YR over the last 2 years, and may need an easier spot to get back to the winner’s circle. (2) ENRIQUE HANOVER threw a complete dud last week but does drop right back in the box, and draws inside – maybe he can tow along for a piece? (6) LETSMAKELOTSAMONE Y fits with these but he draws poorly and his last couple were disappointing. (7) FERRAGAMO HANOVER may be worth a longer look when he draws inside again, but tonight’s draw does figure to hamper him considerably

RACE 3 – (3) PAPIS OPINION hurt her chances getting too hot for a couple of starts but has been racing much better since relaxing more in her last couple…catches a very beatable field, and we’ll give her top billing. (4) HAY BETH disappointed last week after getting such a good start – she’s capable of better, and maybe we’ll see it today. (1) MARTINI STAR is winless in 17 local starts but she’s more than good enough to grab a decent piece from a good spot like this. (2) MIDNIGHT LACE was no threat in either Yonkers try but she did grab 3rd each time, so there’s at least a chance she could do it again today. (7) DORAL DELIGHT just wasn’t right last week but she did pull off an upset 3 back, so has to at least be given a punchers chance to outrace what figures to be long odds in here. (5) GABBY SEELSTER didn’t fire in either start since joining her new barn – sticking with others, but not writing her off just yet. (6) RICH EILEEN was no threat at all last time but did hit board in 3 straight prior to that.

RACE 4 – (4) WALKINSHAW N came up 2nd best to the sharp winner dropping to 15s two back then jogged at 4/5 in his last – the 14YO should still have some wins left in those classy legs as he heads towards retirement at the end of this year! (1) LAST BEACH was a sharp front end winner in last week’s amateur race but is a rock solid player in this class every start – likely the main danger. (7) HANK THE HUNK was sharper last start than the line might look on paper and drops in class today – will need some major trip luck to reach from out here, but he’s a good bomb to consider underneath. (6) ROCKET FREIGHT has his moments but is another looking at a tough trip this afternoon – ok for 3rd/4th. (5) OZONE BLUE CHIP has been solid for several starts, picking up a win off the perfect pocket trip 4 back – another bomb with a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (8) MAXIMUS RED A’s qualifier shows that there are no ill-effects from that troubled start on 7/30, but tonight’s draw doesn’t leave Ginsburg with too many good options! (3) SQUADRON SEELSTER has struggled in the majority of his local starts the past 2 years. (2) DE EDENUTO A figures to be close early on…it’s the final 3/8ths that generally cause the problems!

RACE 5 – (1) CAVIART LOTUS beat one level down in his local debut but the WAY he did it suggests that today’s class jump really shouldn’t slow him down…especially after drawing the pole! (4) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A was no threat vs. better in his last few but he didn’t embarrass himself either – could have a bigger say today with some class relief. (3) SON OF THE SHARK A is the “x factor” in here – his U.S. career has been off to a rocky start, and his owner/trainer (who has outstanding success of his own) has elected to give this guy to another top outfit to figure out – maybe he’s ready to put it all together? (5) BONDI SHAKE A never wins, but does grab a ton of pieces – always ok to consider underneath. (2) LOTTO MAX picked up a 2nd at huge odds 2 back – no prayer in last, but maybe can stick closer and bring home a piece today? (7) BOOKEM DANNO couldn’t hang on last week after cutting the mile and now draws Post 7 up 2 classes – leaning elsewhere. (8) CAPTAIN FEAR is another with a bad post, after failing on the lead vs. softer. (6) FUANTTHEBEACH N has at least managed to start being competitive at Monti, but he’s 7-0-0-0 $0 here at Yonkers this year.

RACE 6 – (5) MISTY BLUE got a big barn change, dropped in class and crushed across the river as the 3/5 choice – will be heavily favored to do the same thing in her Hilltop debut. (1) PINE BUSH MIRACLE has been racing well out of town to start off his 3YO campaign – he’s missed 3 weeks but he adds Lasix and draws the pole, and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (4) B TOTALLY NUDE bobbled then broke in her local debut but behaved nicely in her next, and easily broke her maiden last week – could have a say here too. (6) FOREIGN XCHANGE may be a notch below but he stays trotting, can leave the gate, and that alone could help him land a share. (8) ZUZU ZOOM hit board in 5 of 6 local starts (4th in the other) but today’s draw may make it tough for her to get into the hunt. (3) YOU AND ME AS makes her local debut for a sharp barn but she broke in KY last start, and shows other miscues as well – could be risky trying the half today. (2) CTM was dull in both local starts – needs to be better. (7) RAUCOUS has been stuck on minor spoils and likely looking at no more this afternoon.

RACE 7 – Good race! (5) WHOS PERFECT turned in her best mile in ages in last week’s front end blowout – if she brings that same effort today, she may be able to take another. (4) TALENT TO SPARE A hit board with good efforts in her last pair, outracing her long odds both times – she’ll probably still be a good price today, and is worth using on your tickets. (8) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ was brutalized from the 8 hole last week and still an excellent 3rd – if she can find some better luck this afternoon, she can be a threat to upset! (6) SWEET SANDY has been a very consistent player in this class, but gets her first bad draw (in a good field) – could slow her down a bit. (2) KISSIN JOE usually races “well”, but she’s just been way too camera shy the past couple of years to be installed as the ML favorite – ok for underneath. (3) BETTORS TICKET drops in for a tag after struggling a bit in “NWPM” races earlier this season – prefer to just observe, for now. (1) FORTUNADA has been on a decent streak before coming up weak in her last – we’ll see if that indicates that she could be heading in the wrong direction. (7) PRINCESS AM ERICA wasn’t terrible last week, but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from out here.

RACE 8 – (5) MOVIN ON UP has been very solid for a while, and can be forgiven for coming up 2nd best to the streaking CURLY JAMES A in his last – good value choice with that 6-1 ML price. (4) SHAKE IT got too hot on the lead last week, and can be forgiven for tiring after getting outbrushed at 3/4s – very tough in this class with any decent trip. (6) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER has won 3 of his last 4, albeit vs. 15s – he’s too sharp to ignore, but he’s also up in class and with a tough draw – insist on a good price if using on top. (2) FOXHUNT took 3 weeks off after getting lost in the back off the claim – eligible to have a bigger say today, at a good price. (1) KOMODO BEA CH looked awful from the start last week, and quickly drops below the level of the recent claim – red flags? (7) AL ABAMAJAMMA raced as well he could from an impossible spot last week but tonight’s spot isn’t any better – maybe he can grab some minor spoils. (3) CAPTAIN AWESOME just feels off his game right now – in need of a wake up call. (8) AUSSIE HANOVER is 0 for 45 at YR (last 2 years) and draws Post 8

RACE 9 – (3) THAT DOG WILL HUNT has been racing in the Monti Open, enjoyed success here in the past and gets a big switch to Dube…worth a shot in the finale. (4) DECISION DAY rallied for 3rd from an impossible spot in last week’s amateur race after winning back to back starts just prior to that – legitimate threat! (2) CYRUS N was 2nd to the heavy favorite last week, and a winner 3 back – draws well again, and has a solid chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (6) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has been good for weeks, but he lacks early speed and will be coming from well back – maybe he can rally for a piece anyway? (1) ARTIST BEST will attract $$ from this spot but he’s been mostly “meh” lately, and will need to find a sharper mile to threaten for the top slot. (7) GOTHIC ROCK grabs plenty of pieces, but wins have been elusive – won’t be any easier starting from out here (though he CAN leave pretty well). (8) HES SPECIAL has been extremely camera shy the past 2 years and is burdened with Post 8 tonight – needs a better spot to have any real chance. (5) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY is still trying to find his game.