Saturday, August 29, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Saturday, August 29, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) DRUNK DIAL was sent off at 25-1 at Stga. on July 21 and never got close – she got a big barn change after that, was sent off at 5/2 for her next start at The Swamp and romped home by 6 lengths – she did get beat by a nose in her next, but to an impressive winner that’s 3 for 3 herself since recently changing trainers… she faces a talented mare in her in YR debut, but figures to have a major trip advantage over that one! (6) GOLDEEN N has shown PLENTY of ability (and speed) but remains a work in progress, seemingly still a little too unsafe to handle more aggressively…and that could really hurt her today vs. #5! (1) SANDO arrives with recent Ohio lines that would make her a good fit with the locals, but her 0 for 24 career slate suggests she may be better used on the bottom of exotics. Both (2) MIDNIGHT LACE and (3) RICH EILEEN have been picking up smaller pieces and seem destined for more of the same today, after drawing in with a couple of talented rivals. (8) COME ON BARBIE is definitely a good fit, but the draw does figure to limit her opportunities. (4) GABBY SEELSTER was no threat in her local debut and broke (equipment) trying to leave last week – prefer to just observe today. (7) JK SASSY LADY draws horribly for her local debut after struggling out of town in most of her recent starts

RACE 2 – (6) ALWAYS B LAYLA took a couple of months off, qualified sharply, then was an excellent 2nd last week behind the streaking FIGHT NOT FLIGHT– tough draw, but a decent price makes her worth a play (3) WHOS PERFECT was used hard early last week and can be forgiven for tiring a bit near the end – she’s good right now, and could have another big say. (5) BOUT DAMN TIME A tired in her last pair but she blasted hard from 8 holes in those miles – better draw tonight, Holland in the bike, and an opportunity for a much better effort. (2) DISARONNO HILL picked up an overdue victory 3 back but she’s come up a little light more often than not the last few months – prefer to use her underneath. (4) GABBYS WISH should be able to make the switch from NW2-4PM to 20s but her 0 for 15 record this year makes her more attractive underneath, rather than on top. (7) SP DANCINWITSTARZ did well just to take home 5th from last week’s impossible spot…unfortunately, tonight’s spot isn’t much better. (8) RAC EY seemed to be on the right track after a long layoff but then leveled off– brutal spot tonight. (1) TRICKY WICKY does some good work out of town but her 10-0-0-0 local slate is hard to overlook

RACE 3 – (4) APEX TRACKER arrived sharp from Tioga and delivered a game first over victory in his local debut – short price here, but a solid chance to take another. (3) IN YOUR HEART AS makes his local debut for a barn that always has great success with these types – he’s also missed 3 weeks (after being scratched sick from his last start in KY) and could be at least a little risky at a short price. (2) ZUZU ZOOM never got close after drawing Post 8 last week but tonight’s move back inside does put her back in play for a decent share. (6) LONG HILL just hasn’t been able to get his act together since arriving from Ohio – maybe he can have a say with this bunch? (5) RAUCOUS was a decent 3rd last week and usually gives an honest effort – always a chance for a small share. (1) FOREIGN XCHAN GE is listed on the bottom but he’s racing well enough to at least contend for a piece today

RACE 4 – (2) DOLLAR DRAFT was doing good work before recently changing barns, was a strong 2nd in a 1:53 mile at Pocono right after that, then beaten only 3 lengths in in a Muscle Hill division across the river in his last – we’ll try him on top in his local debut. (1) RICO TUBBS was an even 5th in his first local try, 2nd best to a standout in his next, then right there 3rd last week – could sit a good trip and be a big part of the action. (3) VERSE NINE was sent off favored in his YR debut and kicked home with good trot between horses to just miss – logical player here too. (7) CHASINGSTARDUST AS was a solid winner in a Buckeye Stallion leg (in Ohio) on 7/18 before winning her first Yonkers try on 8/12 – the ability is there for sure, but the bad draw could hamper her chances for today. (4) SISTER WINE has been right in the mix in almost all of her PA starts but is light in the win column – catches a solid field in her YR debut, and may have to settle for a smaller slice. (5) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO is still winless on the year but takes home her share of pieces when the trip goes to her liking. (6) TREGARON is definitely on the upswing for his current connections but may have landed in a spot that could curtail him a bit

RACE 5 – (4) HIGHLANDSTARBURST wasn’t herself 2 back but rebounded with a much better try in her last, finishing nicely from an impossible spot – anything close to her best effort would make her very dangerous here. 92) DWOOD has done good work since arriving here in June, and picked up victories in 2 of his last 4 starts – he’ll make his presence felt here too. (3) I TAKE THE CAKE is a talented filly, and hitting on all cylinders right now – she does take on older foes in her local debut, however, and we’ll see if she’s able to be quite as effective. (6) MONI MAN raced better in his last couple after adding hopples – tough draw, but a chance he could rally late for a small share. (1) BOOM CHICKA BOOM returns off a decent few starts in PA, but will need to improve on the form she showed here this summer to be a significant player. (5) WISH LIST has picked up her share of decent pieces recently, but may be in a little tougher here than she’d prefer. (7) CREDIT TO FRANK re-qualified after a pair of miscues – looking for a pretty conservative try tonight. (8) JAKEY JUMPUP would be a surprise, to say the least

RACE 6 – (2) CAPTAIN AWESOME dropped down to 20s last week and delivered a very impressive “brush and crush” victory – he can take another if he brings that same kind of effort this afternoon. (1) ALWAYSCUTTINSCH OOL struggled all summer after returning to Yonkers but he definitely looked a lot better in his last pair in PA and may be ready to turn things around here as well – great spot if he shows up in the right mood. (7) MOVIN ON UP threw an unexpected dud last week but was also racing off 3 weeks – he’s listed at 20-1 ML and eligible to bounce back with a much better effort. (3) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER wasn’t close moving up to 20s last week but he didn’t really have a trip he could work with – suppose he could have a better say in here. (6) MAD RIVER races ok at ties but he’s 0 for 14 on the year and winless in 12 career Yonkers starts – leaning elsewhere. (5) FOXHUNT picked up a no-threat 3rd in his last but he’ll need to find his better game to be a bigger player this afternoon. (4) GDS THUNDER GB dropped to 30s last week but came up terrible – takes another drop to 20s now, and it does feel like a red flag. (8) GEORGES WISH exits NW2-4PM races and this doesn’t feel like a very good spot for him

RACE 7 – (5) THEFLYINGROCK dropped a bit suspiciously to 30s on 6/10, never looked right and backed up badly – he was claimed that night, took a couple of months off, and qualified back nicely behind an import that may be very talented – willing to give him a try in this modest field. (2) DIAMOND RYDER was very well meant in his 2nd local try, coming up an excellent 2nd to a very sharp winner – logical player off that effort. (1) PEACE OUT POS SE’s best recent effort was that win 3 back (in a fall apart race), but his overall form has otherwise been “meh” – this is a spot where he does figure to have a say, however (3) CENTURY INSPECTOR held 2nd behind a blowout winner 2 back, then held on for 4th after a quick start from Post 7 last week– chance for a piece here too. (6) BOILING OAR fits very nicely with these but the draw could be an issue – still willing to include underneath. (4) OVER THE HORI ZON loves to win races but tonight’s bump up to 30s (off the most recent claim) may be asking a little too much from him. (7) AINT NOSTOPPN TIME was sharp in last week’s airmail victory but that was from the pole, vs. 20s – much tougher spot now. (8) HEAVEN ON HIGH N is struggling…Post 8 isn’t the answer

RACE 8 – (5) WALKINSHAW N was a sharp winner 2 back but had to settle for 2nd best to a very sharp LAST BE ACH last week – feels like a spot where he can get back to the winner’s circle. (1) HANK THE HUNK gets major post relief and did race well the last time Miller drove him – could make some noise at a decent price today. (6) OZ ONE BLUE CHIP has been very consistent lately and that last try was very good – good chance he can outperform his 20-1 ML odds. (3) THAT DOG WILL HUNT finished 2nd arriving from Monti last week but was just “ok” – needs to be a bit better to contend for the top slot. (4) ROCKET FREIGHT throws a decent one at times – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) LAST BEACH was razor sharp beating #5 last week but he was able to control things from the rail with Beckwith – much tougher scenario today! (2) GREAT SOMEWHERE has been stuck on minor pieces – more of the same tonight. (7) MAXIMUS RED A gets another terrible draw – may have to wait for a better spot.

RACE 9 – (1) CARABAO A got a big 8 hole wake up call and finished 2nd last week, and now moves all the way inside to face a pretty blank field – he figures to be a very short price, but it would be hard to make a good case against him. (5) SILKY CHOICE took a while to get motivated last week but did eventually rally nicely for 3rd (behind the top choice) – maybe the one for the best chance for a mild upset? (2) BET ON MAC hasn’t really been sharp out of town but he lands a great spot for his YR return and that may help him land somewhere on the ticket. (3) TWIG took 3 months off after going south in a big way last April – maybe the tote board can offer some clues to his fitness for tonight? (4) DREAMBOAT HANOVER has just one 3rd from his 10 local tries. (8) DONTTELLMEN OW hasn’t been a threat in a long time…will be hard to change that from out here. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER is 0 for 46 at Yonkers over the past 2 years. (7) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A never clicked after arriving in the U.S. – changed barns on 8/12, but actually seems to have gotten worse.