Thursday, May 28, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, May 28, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) WARRAWEE WHISPER was very good to start off the year, hit a rough patch for a while but is obviously hitting on all cylinders once again, the easiest of winners in his last 3 starts – new barn tonight, but it probably won’t matter! (1) QUALITY KID had to make a hard retreat last week after 2 others left right to his inside, then was left with a brutally long first over bid against a scary-sharp winner - looking at a MUCH easier trip tonight, and looms the main danger to #4. (2) B NICKING certainly took a liking to Pocono, winning 2 of his last 3 there, and carving out a vicious 1:22.4 to 3/4s last week (before tiring) – he just hasn’t been THAT good here at YR, however, and that could limit him to a smaller piece tonight. (3) SOUTHWIND MAC had some success in some amateur races here a while back and has been remarkably consistent in NJ the last 2 months – he’s stepping up in class, but a small piece may still be in reach. (5) HOOLIE N HECTOR showed a ton of heart re-rallying to win his last, but faces much tougher now – maybe 3rd/4th? (8) HAT TRICK MARLEAU will need a huge amount of racing luck to reach from out here…even for a small slice. (6) FOR A DREAMER usually needs a much easier spot just to grab his small pieces at this level. (7) SHAKE N BAKE gets Gingras, but also draws horribly while well up in class

RACE 2 – (4) GLUTES HANOVER wasn’t at her absolute best last week but still was beaten less than a neck in 3rd – her local record now stands at 9-3-3-2, with 4 of the losses coming behind the very talented PAYBACK MONI (who is not in here this week) – very tough if she brings her top effort. (5) ALWAYS A STORY ended up with a very long first over bid (from 5th) last week, battled a long way with #4 and did finally edge her out for 2nd (after the perfect trip NYMERIA rallied by both of them) – probably still the main danger. (3) GOO FOR BROKE has been racing very well across the river for our leading trainer, and faced a couple of pretty nice winners the last 2 starts – draws in with mares only for her YR debut, pairs with Bartlett for the first time and may have a big say. (6) NYMER IA pounced on the perfect pocket trip last week to score in her first try at this Invitational level – facing a much tougher trip tonight, however. (1) MA ISABELLE will race conservatively and look to rally late – chance for a small piece. (2) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S should be a bit closer to the action tonight– maybe she can grab a small slice.

RACE 3 – (4) CENTURY INSPECTOR was racing pretty well in Canada before shipping down to our leading barn, and doing some good work in PA in his last few starts (a winner last week, but DQd for crowding the tripsitter in the lane) – probably won’t offer any value, but he does figure to be pretty tough tonight. (6) CURLY JAMES A saw a nice form spree culminate with a win vs. the 75s on 3/23 but it’s been all downhill ever since (even as he’s dropped all the way down to 25s) – may be a spot where Kelly can at least try to be aggressive, however. (1) LOUS BEACH has been on quite a roll, hitting the wire 1st or 2nd for 7 straight starts – he is moving up in class again, and it’s hard to say if it’ll slow him down or not. (5) PERFECT PROMISES returns sharp from Chester but his local efforts in the past have been mixed – he’s worth at least a look, thanks to that 12-1 ML listing. (3) C BET HANOVER drops back down to 25s after a nice try in 30s (held ok after a first over trip, off a bad date) – he IS camera shy, however, so make sure to get a good price if using on top. (7) ITALIAN LAD N has become a solid player at this level but faces a tough trip starting from out here. (2) HARD TO CATCH would look better in an easier field

RACE 4 – NAADA Spring Series Finale: (5) WINDSONG PIONEER was very good from Post 7 three back then the easiest of winners in his next start – he broke facing light years tougher in his last but assuming he gets away cleanly tonight, he’ll be very tough against these (he gets along great with Beltrami). (2) CERTIFY has won 3 of his 5 amateur starts here this year, including that 8 hole victory (at 39-1) three back – hard to leave him off your tickets. (1) BIG CHARLIE MORAN has a VERY long local losing streak (years!) but he does have the ABILITY to beat these, if he brings his best – just make sure to get a very fair price if using on top! (4) SOUTHSIDE BAR seems to be getting a bit better every start since recently arriving from Ohio – he can be a player for sure, but won’t offer any value after being tabbed as the 3/2 ML favorite! (3) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE was excellent at Monti 2 back, then ran into a tough first over trip last week – seems he often “figures”, but is 0 for 16 this year and just 2 for 27 locally over the past 3 seasons. (6) YUCATAN PARTY MAN won a “fall apart” race here earlier in the year but is unlikely to be as fortunate tonight. (8) THE LAST CHAPTER has won twice for Franco this year and would have been listed higher, if not for Post 8/ (7) KILIMANJARO N has come up short from too many better spots to endorse out here

RACE 5 – (3) HIGH SPEED SWAN comes off a pair of excellent 2nds to the streaking KAZIO DK and just as significantly, gets Bartlett to opt off #5 to stay on board tonight – we’ll give him top billing. (1) BRONZER is moving well up in class off a trio of sharp efforts, but he’s a proven player at this higher level too – not sure why he’s listed as racing without hopples here, after racing so well with them in his last pair! (7) BESTFRIEND VOLO had trouble finishing miles not too long ago and reverted to that same flaw last week – his best effort would make him a player here, but would need a pretty good price to use him tonight after that last disappointing try. (5) AQUA RIUS FACE S won 8 of 19 Yonkers starts last year but he’s winless in 4 local tries this year, and just 1 for 9 overall –Bartlett opting off is another knock. (6) CHAPHEART took advantage of an easy spot last week but will be coming from much further back tonight, and likely looking at a much smaller share. (2) EXQUISITE TASTE has enjoyed a good season so far, but did seem a bit off her best in her last pair. (4) SEA CAN may prefer to be in a bit easier

RACE 6 – (2) MASSIVE DESIRE’s local debut was exceptional – he was forced to rush all the way from 7th to 1st to finally take over past the stands, dealt with heavy pressure from the 5/8ths and still had plenty left to hold off the sharp JAS BLUESTONE – hard to go past tonight, back in for the same $40K tag! (4) MON AMOUR drops from the much tougher 60s to a level more in his comfort zone – should be able to make his presence felt. (8) JAS BLUE STONE was good in most of his 14 starts here last year and is doing exceptional work again in 2026 – he was 2nd best to the top choice last week, but may have trouble reversing that decision after landing behind the 8 ball tonight. (3) P C FREE WHEELING gets a much better draw and that could put her back in play for a piece – ok underneath. (1) EYES OF JUSTICE has hit board a few times at big prices recently – very usable here for 3rd/4th. (5) ENERGYS OURCE shocked at 37-1 two back but showed it wasn’t just a complete fluke when he was an ok 4th last week – minor spoils? (6) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has been better lately but may struggle to get in play from Post 6. (7) RADIO LAB probably needs a much better draw if he hopes to hold his own at this $40K level

RACE 7 – Tough race! (5) BLACK EDITION N has a dreadful win profile over the past 2 years but his first start off the barn change was very promising, chasing well from 3rd all the way behind some very fast fractions – his trainer has come to life in a BIG way out of town (winning at an eye-opening 28% at The Swamp and at Pocono, while a torrid 45% at Chester), and starting to also find that old Yonkers magic lately as well! (1) RAYRAY is just 2 for 75 at Yonkers over the past 3 years but he was very good in his last pair, and eligible to be a threat here with a similar effort. (8) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N draws Post 8 moving up from 25s to 30s but he’s undeniably sharp, and a quick start would give him a chance to pull off an upset. (4) THONG CONTROL has been right in the hunt most recent weeks but the lone win came at the $25K level – would consider if the price is fair. (6) EVER M doesn’t seem as sharp in his last pair (after a claim) and draws poorly tonight – maybe Bartlett can perk him back up? (3) ZEBS KR AFTY finished up well last week despite moving up considerably in class– still not sure how well he fits at this level (2) LYONS BENJAMIN changes barns and moves inside, but just hasn’t been on his game lately. (7) WALKI NSHAW N was no factor from Post 7 in his first start off the short layoff, and draws poorly once more

RACE 8 – (1) TAKE ALL COMERS changed up his tactics 3 back and raced from off the pace, finishing full of trot – raced similarly well in his next, and was just too far back last week to threaten (but still very crisp late) – drops, and will control the action tonight in this easier spot. (3) MAHONE SEELSTER has been finishing full of trot every week, and should be able to do that here is well – good one for exotics. (2) GREEN PASTURES had gotten VERY sharp before reverting to bad habits and breaking before the start last week – if he can shrug that off and behave here, he can definitely make his presence felt (4) CANTSTOP YANKEE shocked at 36-1 four back and has held that form ever since – as long as he’s not used too hard, he can contend for a nice slice once more. (6) FULL OF MUSC LES responded to the class drop to “win” last week, only to be disqualified to 2nd for going inside 3 pylons on turn three – his fate tonight will likely hinge on whether or not he can loop to the lead at the start. (7) MISSISSIPPI STO RM will likely be coming from last, but may still be able to pass a few. (5) ONAJETPLANE is in a tough spot for a 4YO making his 2nd start of the year…even for a talented horse like he is

RACE 9 – (4) SHINE A LIGHT has now won 10 straight, and 12 of 15 on the year – he’ll lose eventually, but can’t find any reason to think tonight would be that night. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was a winner last week after finishing 2nd and 3rd behind the top choice recently – maybe the main threat? (3) SIP OF BOURBON was an ok 3rd behind #4 returning from Monti last week and a logical one for another piece tonight. (5) COWBOY CARGO came the closest of any horse to beating #4 since early March when 2nd 4 back – he drew 8 holes in his last 2 starts at this $15K level so maybe he can be a bigger player again with tonight’s better draw? (2) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY folded on the lead last week and quickly drops below the level of the recent claim – red flags? (7) FULL SUPPORT was 2nd to #4 last start and racing ok overall – brutal draw, however. (6) ENFORCER figures to have a hard time getting in play with the move from the rail to the 6 hole.