Thursday, May 21, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, May 21, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) MC ANGEL raced well vs. the 25s in her last pair and now drops back down to 20s…a class she’s beaten the last 3X she was in there – she faces some capable foes here, but still deserves top billing. (1) WHO PER FECT’s overall recent form has been “meh” but she used a good trip to pick up a 3rd last week, and may be able to grab another good share tonight. (5) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT perked up in her last pair with the drop to 20s, and looms a legitimate threat tonight…as long as she lands on a manageable trip. (2) CANNERY ROW finished with pace in traffic last week – not a bad bomb for the bottom of tris and supers. (4) FORTUNADA had been on a good roll prior to getting hopelessly parked last week – may be able to bounce right back with a more manageable trip tonight. (7) KISSIN JOE always finishes well but she struggled to get in play from Post 7 last week, and lands out here once more. (8) ILLUSION SEELSTER throws some big miles when she can hit the top but that doesn’t seem likely to happen from out here. (6) SHEIKY YABOOTY N has a chance for minor spoils with an easy enough trip

RACE 2 – (7) SHINE A LIGHT has just been an “automatic” winner at this level for the last 3 months and while they ALL lose eventually, it’s hard to make the case that this guy will falter tonight - looking for his 12th victory of the season. (4) FULL SUPPORT is winless in 13 starts this year, but he’s generally competitive most weeks – logical one to grab a piece. (2) HUGH HESTON has managed just a pair of 3rds from 7 local starts this year but tonight’s good draw should put him in play for a piece of the exotics. (8) COWBOY CARGO came the closest of any horse to beating #7 in the last 9 weeks but tonight’s unfortunate draw figures to compromise his chances of coming that close again – would still include underneath, though. (5) SIP OF BOURBON’s recent lines are hardly intoxicating but he gets Gingras and has done well here in the past…maybe he can perk up and grab a share? (1) ENFORCER picked up a pair of all-out wins not too long ago but his recent efforts have been lacking – prefer others. (6) MAJOR POCK ET A has seen his form fall off and draws poorly. (3) ALWAYS ROCKIN is 9-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year

RACE 3 – (4) JAS BLUESTONE landed on a tough trip last week (forced to tuck 3rd, then come first over to the odds on favorite) but was still a close 2nd in another of his typically sharp efforts – he likes to win races, and has a chance to notch a victory tonight. (7) MASSIVE DESIRE has Ohio lines that suggest he MAY be a little cheaper than these…but he moves to our leading trainer and it seems that every new trotter that Yannick owns a piece of seems to improve dramatically on the local scene – hard to not give him a look (20-1 ML). (6) SKY BOX hit board in 4 of his last 5 starts and has to be considered for exotics, even with the tough draw. (5) QUALITY KID was sent off at 3/5 last week but saw her 2 race winning streak ended when she threw a disappointing try on the front end – we’ll see if she can bounce right back tonight off the claim (2) BONTONI DEGATO S was a much improved 3rd last week and gets another good draw and Bartlett – maybe 3rd/4th? (3) WHEELZABLAZIN was on an excellent roll but then threw major clunkers in his last pair…in need of a quick form reversal! (1) BO SILAS’ seemed to tail a bit in last 2– we’ll see if the rail can help (8) P C FREE WHEELING needs a better draw to contend for a piece with these

RACE 4 – (6) PAYBACK MONI always showed tremendous ability and now seems to have become much more “manageable” as a race mare each week…she’s the reigning queen of class and dominating for Yannick much in the same way TIPSY MONI did for him the last couple of years! (4) GLUTES HANOVER does own a pair of victories over #6 this year, and has blossomed into a terrific trotting mare herself – remains the one with the best chance to upend the favorite. (3) HOT FLASH KIMMY has done a nice job relaxing early then picking up decent pieces behind the top two – seems destined for the same fate tonight. (1) NYMERIA steps up in class but has really been on the upswing, and should be able to hold her own tonight – minor share. (5) ALWAYS A STORY used a perfect trip to rally late for 2nd last week but may not get as good a journey tonight – chances feel more iffy here. (2) MA ISABE LLE is a notch below some of these but tries hard, and could grab a small piece with an easy enough trip

RACE 5 – Very tough race! (5) ITALIAN LAD N struggled for a while but looked a bit better 2 and 3 back before getting hopelessly parked last week – may be able to beat this suspect field with an easier trip. (1) TELITONTHEM OUNTAIN was just an “ok” 3rd dropping in for a tag last week but he draws the pole in a questionable field and is a real threat, even if by default – he also figures to be overbet! (2) SOUTHWIND PETYR hasn’t been on his game the last few weeks but his barn did send out a couple of live longshots last week…maybe this guy can bring a big one too? (7) CURLY JAMES A disappointed vs. the 75s 3 back, was no good at all dropping to 50s, failed to threaten vs. 40s last week and now plunges to 25s – impossible to say if he’s at a level where he can turn things around, or if even these are too tough for him right now! (8) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N is sharp for sure, but faces an uphill battle trying to find a manageable trip from out here! (6) KARLOO BRADLEY N would be a threat with any of his better efforts but his last 2 were just no good at all. (4) HARD TO CATCH raced well 3 back off the claim but struggled in his last pair. (3) HANK THE HUNK feels like a “field filler” racing at this $25K level (his last win was for $10K)

RACE 6 – (3) WARRAWEE WHISPER was terrific early in the year, fell off form for a while but has come back to life in a big way lately, and is now 2 for 2 since the recent claim – remains the one to knock off in his current raging form. (1) CHULO went off 3/5 vs. the top choice in his last start but proved no match at all – he’s normally VERY tough at this level, and will be there to cash in should WW not bring that same big effort tonight. (2) STACKING GREEN was an ok 4th in her local debut then used a perfect trip to pick up a victory last week – she figures to be sitting just off the leaders here, and may just tow along for a small piece. (4) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS was off form for a decent stretch but has come back around recently, and should have no issue making the move to 40s – a good trip could see him land somewhere in the exotic. (5) WILLY WALTON is another that has seen his game pick up lately – drawing outside several live players may hurt his chances, however. (6) EYES OF JUSTICE outraced his odds in a few recent starts but tonight’s draw is a tough one– not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU grabs pieces at this level but usually from much better posts. (8) BIG CHARLIE MORAN would be a stunner

RACE 7 – (8) TAKE ALL COMERS had been struggling for a while but raced super from impossible spots the last 2 weeks – if Stratton can leave enough to create a trip for himself, he may be able to spring an upset in what shapes up as a very tough race! (6) ASTEROID is ultra consistent and grabs some wins when things go his way – always worth considering at a decent price. (5) UP YOUR DEO has $1.1M on his card despite having a wildly inconsistent career – he’s making his first start in 6 months with much bigger fish to fry, but he’s also had some big moments here at Yonkers (won the Miecuna Trot last year, and won the Yonkers Trot as a 3YO, after setting a track record in his elim.) – mixed feelings! (7) SOUTHWIND COORS was fortunate to find the wire in time last week after a nose loss (to #6) the week before – chance for sure, but it doesn’t feel like he should be the 2-1 ML favorite. (4) MISSISS IPPI STORM grabs pieces at this level when the trip goes his way and is never a bad bomb to throw in underneath. (3) BLACKHAWK ZETTE returns in fine form from PcD but was facing easier – still a chance for a piece, if things go his way. (1) ZENMEISTER S raced very well to be 2nd vs. easier last week, but will need to prove he can hang with these. (2) DRIBBLING BI just hasn’t found his top 2025 form so far this year

RACE 8 – (2) THE BRODSTER’s last line may not look like anything special but he actually put in a long sustained move before flattening at the very end – gets a much better draw, and would be worth a look here if not overbet. (6) FULL OF MUSCLES should appreciate the drop from the Invitational – if he can get a quick start, he may be able to be a legitimate threat here. (4) MAHONE SEELSTER finished with good trot in his last pair after easy inside trips – another kind journey could see him grab another good chunk. (3) MON AMOUR’s lone win this season came vs. easier but he’s racing well now, and capable of landing somewhere on the ticket (1) OLIVER THE GREAT came up disappointing from the pocket last start but he’s been on good form spree, and it would hardly be a surprise to see him contend for another good piece. (5) EXQUISITE TASTE is having a strong season but did come up flat in her last pair – leaning elsewhere. (7) KHAOSAN ROAD was just 1 for 11 here in 2025 and draws poorly for his first start of the season. (8) ONEJETPLANE (first time Lasix) was a big earner at 2 and 3 but lands in a brutal spot for his 4YO return – watch mode for now

RACE 9 – (1) THONG CONTROL was a sharp winner dropping to 25s three back – had a tough trip in his next then got really roughed up in his last…and now lands back in his long-time barn from an excellent spot (despite the move up to 30s) – we’ll give him the nod in the finale. (2) BETTOR BY SEASIDE raced well but just missed in 20s two back, raced super again for $25K last week when 2nd once more, and now tries another move up to 30s – he just may be sharp enough to handle it right now. (4) EVER M was claimed after rattling off 3 straight in 25s but wasn’t as effective vs. the 30s last start (for his new barn) – would consider on top IF the price was good enough. (3) C BET HANOVER has just 1 start in the last 5 weeks but at least it was a good one– maybe underneath? (6) RAYRAY raced much better than expected when 3rd last week – willing to use him for 3rd/4th tonight. (5) ZEBS KRAFTY was a well meant, hard fought winner in his local debut – that was vs. easier, however, and he feels a bit more risky against these seasoned claimers. (7) WALKINSHAW N draws poorly after 2 months on the shelf – prefer to watch this week. (8) LYONS BENJAMIN is off his best game, and stuck all the way outside.