Saturday, May 23, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Saturday, May 23, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) SAILBOAT HANOVER was helped by a perfect trip in that victory 2 back but it was still impressive to win after 7+ months on the shelf – he finished with pace after a sit in trip last week, but this is a spot where Holland will likely look to be very aggressive…and this guy does love to win races! (5) DANCININTHEFIRE was hurt sitting behind a tiring leader last week but still had plenty once free in the lane – he’s had some other recent excuses as well, and could spring an upset should the race fall his way. (3) SIMPLY FAST just missed first over last week after winning his prior 2 starts – another new barn today, but still a major threat. (4) SHAKE IT turned in a form reversing win last week, though the :58.3 opening half didn’t hurt – he’s another that loves to win races, and it would hardly be a shock to see him double up. (2) FOXHUNT hasn’t been on his best game lately, but a good trip still gives him a chance for a piece. (7) MINOTAUR cashed in off a perfect trip last week but is likely looking at a tougher journey here. (6) JO PAS WARRIOR could use a better post, in an easier field

RACE 2 – (2) VERY BUSY is 2 for 2 since recently moving to our leading trainer, and that includes last week’s 7 hole jogburger – hard to go past today, even at a very short price. (6) AUGUSTUS BLUE CHIP qualified nicely here on 5/1 (after adding hopples) then just caught a very fast race at Pocono – he certainly fits with these, and can add some value to the exoitcs…if he behaves. (5) CHATTY MATTIE had some less than stellar PcD form upon arrival last week but did turn in a decent try for 3rd (behind #2) – chance for another piece, with a similar effort. (4) DONT MIKE shows some mixed Hoosier form and exits a successful Midwest barn – would still consider using underneath if the price is fair. (7) MASSETO has his work cut out for him starting from Post 7 but he has enough ability to contend for a piece IF Dube can somehow find him a manageable trip. (3) PRESS returns off a nice 2nd in PA but his 2 local starts were weak – he may just prefer the bigger track. (1) NINA BLAZING went some decent efforts as a 2YO but her 2 qualifiers suggest she may need a start or two before we see her best

RACE 3 – (5) EXISTENTIAL showed plenty of ability at 2 and has come back looking good at 3, rallying nicely in her first 2 starts after conservative drives – feels like a spot where she can be handled more aggressively, and she seems more than ready for it. (6) BYTHELITEOFTHEMOON was a little disappointing when 3rd last week but she was also off 3 weeks – solid chance to be part of the equation vs. these, even with the bad draw. (2) ALWAYSWITH YOU broke briefly to the top of the lane last week, settled down, and paced very well after that (almost getting 3rd) – belongs in your exotics. (1) PERLA stunned at 34-1 at Chester in her last, dropping out of the Weiss Series – she’s a big question mark for tonight, however, as she makes her local debut after missing a month since that win! (4) MAR TINI STAR continues to struggle as a 4YO – minor spoils only. (3) FUN IN THE SUN showed much better form racing in cheap class in KY but it’s hard to say how she’ll fit with these – prefer to watch, for now

RACE 4 – (1) BOOM CHICA BOOM may be just 2 for 41 lifetime but she’s clearly been sharpening for her current barn and comes off a very close 3rd last week – maybe she can take advantage of the pole and make a rare visit to the photographer today. (2) ZAHEERA showed ability as a 2YO in KY, going 8-2-4-0 with $101K banked – she just returned for her 3YO campaign and that tightener at Chester should serve her well – very logical player, but also figures to be overbet. (4) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO is still looking for her first win of the season, though she’s raced well in the majority of her starts – always a good one to use in exotics. (5) WHAT A BUCKEYE certainly has more than enough ability to beat these but he did break in his first 2 local starts and now missed 3 weeks after a good 2nd in his last – another that could end up overbet. (7) SIX AND STONES was up the track at 54-1 in her local debut yet was well backed last week, and was a multiple move winner – clearly THAT was the time to be on board, especially after drawing so poorly this afternoon. (3) WONT LETEM has ability when “right” but his 2 qualifiers (after 7 weeks on the shelf) aren’t particularly encouraging. (6) WISH LIST usually needs a better draw to be a player

RACE 5 – (5) MOVIN ON UP has done his best work vs. the 15s this year but gave it a good front end try taking on the 20s last week – his price will be better tonight, and this may be a spot he can handle. (3) DISMAS appreciated last week’s easy trip and responded with good stretch pace – he has a pair of recent wins, and is a legitimate threat here if he shows up on his game. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was quickly reclaimed by the barn for whom he won at this level 4 starts back – draws well, and certainly can be a big part of the equation. (6) PINK FLOYD HAN OVER was repelled by the winner after popping out of the pocket last week and had to settle for 2nd – he was quickly re-claimed, and has been already been 1st or 2nd eight times this year– the draw is the main concern (1) ART SALIVE is an interesting horse – he shipped in from Canada off a pair of good starts to a barn that usually brings in horses that have been UNDER-performing, and quickly turn them around – this guy took no $$, and ended up making a break in the back – give him some consideration if he takes more $$ off that effort. (4) THEMASKEDCR USADR N has way more disappointing efforts than good ones. (7) DANCE ON THE BEACH has fallen well off his excellent form from earlier this year…and lands all the way outside

RACE 6 – Tough race: (6) KAYS IN CHARGE has been very consistent, shows wins in 3 of her last 4 starts and can race from on or off the pace – tough draw and loses Bartlett, but still one to consider if the price is fair. (5) GRE EN MEL bobbled/broke at the start last week and Brennan did a great job just getting him away in 3rd – he looked like a winner as they turned for home, but just came up a little light at the end (to #7) – could make amends tonight. (2) SE VEN LAYER can throw some big miles when on his game but he comes into this a question mark, off 2 scratches, a break, and a qualifier – make sure to get a good price if he’s your choice. (3) KIERKEGAARD K comes off a disappointing 9 start, $26K 5YO season – his qualifier was sharp, but it’s hard to know what to expect this week. (1) ALIMONY MIKE should be rallying late, and could be a good one for the bottom of tris and supers. (7) HALFADOZEN hit the top easily last week, took big heat from #5 to the top of the lane but showed class by digging in to prevail – couldn’t blame anybody looking to use him tonight, at another good price. (4) MARIN COUNTY still needs to show he can contend at this tougher level. (8) MUSICAL RIDE figures to be done in by the draw

RACE 7 – (1) MOMENT IS HERE has been facing MUCH tougher out of town, and draws the pole for his first local start of the year – the one to beat! (3) LYONS STEEL is still banging heads at age 11, as he creeps closer to the $1M mark in career earnings (he’s at $909K) – an easy trip makes him a big player. (2) ALL CLASS took a few weeks off (and re-qualified) after disappointing as the favorite on 3/31 – should be right there from start to finish. (8) MACS MARVEL is well off his best game right now and will be coming from last – he still may be able to pass a few in the stretch for some minor spoils. (5) HURRIKANE CHEYENNE is off a sick scratch and likely more comfortable with a bit easier regardless – leaning elsewhere. (7) BONDI SHAKE N is as camera shy as they come but does race very well pretty often – not sure he can find a way into the hunt tonight, however. (4) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER just seems to race better out of town, than here at Yonkers. (6) CASINO ACTION N wants a much better post, in a much easier field!

RACE 8 – (2) BECA MITCHELL just never got in gear from the back last week but the fact that she’s right back in the box seems like a good sign – she was starting to really sharpen for her current barn, and anything close to her best would make her very tough tonight. (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A is admittedly lacking in the win department the last couple of years but she turns in a good effort almost every week, and probably will today, as well. (5) SWEET SANDY is listed at 20-1 ML for her local debut but she was racing pretty well in NJ prior to her last pair, and may have legitimate excuses in those efforts – has to be worth at least a look here. (8) TALENT TO SPARE A draws poorly yet again but she outraced her long odds the last 2 starts and may be able to do so again. (4) IRIS SEELSTER is still looking for that first win of the season – this may not be the spot for it, but she can definitely rally for at least a piece. (1) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL pulled off the upset here on 4/8 but immediately reverted to her typically more unreliable form – draws the pole, but still leaning elsewhere for the top slots. (7) PINK RUBY fits very nicely but seems destined to be coming from too far out of this. (3) STAY HAPPY is a streaky mare that has been stuck in her lesser mode lately – in need of a wake up call

RACE 9 – (3) ARTIST BEST shipped in off an easy win vs. the 10s at Chester and almost was able to pull off the upset here (vs. the 15s) from Post 7 – assuming he’s still a good price, he may be worth a shot in a very competitive finale. (6) IM SOME GRADUATE had trouble winning races last year (1 for 26) but he’s already 4 for 10 in 2026, and been a terror at this $15K level – new barn today, but still looms a major threat. (5) CAPTAIN DEE TEE would be hard to consider off his current out of town lines but he moves to a barn that routinely wins with these seemingly formless horses – has to get a look with that 20-1 ML price! (8) OVER THE HORIZON has become very popular at the claim box lately and lands in another one of our leading barns for tonight – the oft-winning 6YO does face an uncertain trip from out here, however! (1) HE SPECIAL shipped in sharp and did finish well for 4th last week – one to consider for the bottom of exotics. (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP picks up pieces regularly in this class but he’s had trouble winning, and loses Holland – small slice? (2) FRANCO NANDOR N draws well but will need to improve if he hopes to grab a share. (7)) ROCKET FREIGHT figures to have trouble getting into the hunt from out here.