Thursday, May 7, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, May 7, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Spring Series Leg #8: (3) BRAVE BY DESIGN put in a nice recovery after an early miscue last week and just missed in a Monti amateur race the week before – IF he can mind his manners tonight, he’ll be very tough in here…but it would still be hard to accept too short a price right now. (1) PAPA JOE LOZITO isn’t a great “finisher” but he stays trotting, has very good gate speed and does have a chance to “steal” this, with some luck. (8) THE LAST CHAPTER gave Franco his first driving victory earlier this year – current form is a bit lacking, but a quick start would at least give him a chance to pull off an upset. (5) KILIMANJARO NL picks up a piece every week but remains extremely camera shy – tough one to take on top. (4) SHOEMAKER HANOVER has back class and does throw his share of big efforts in these events– he’s also been away for 11 months, and his qualifier suggests he may not be ready for his best just yet. (7) SHOW THE WILL is capable of nice rallies at times, but may be coming from too far back to do any real damage here. (6) ALL TOO WELL gets a tough draw after offering little in any of his 4 starts this year. (2) NASA has 9 starts in 2026 and has yet to hit the board – needs to be better

RACE 2 – Tough race! (3) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is still looking for his first win of 2026 but the classy 10YO hit board in his last 3 starts, figures to be a good price, and is one of several in here with a chance to win, depending on how the race plays out. (6) SKY BOX has a pair of 2nds and a 3rd from his last 3 starts at this $40K level – the draw is bad, but he still would have a chance to come out on top if things go his way. (5) QUALITY KID disappointed in her first few local tries but turned in an improved effort 2 back, then got up from the pocket to win his last – chance to repeat for sure, but also figures to be overbet. (4) RADIO LAB showed no rust after nearly 4 months off when he was a winner in his first start of 2026 – he had an unlucky trip in his last, but still trotted home alertly after shaking free in the lane – chance for a decent piece, at a juicy price. (1) WILLY WALTON hasn’t been a real threat in a while but his last pair weren’t terrible, and he does have a chance for a small slice starting from the pole. (7) BO SILAS hasn’t embarrassed himself at all at this $40K level, but tonight’s draw does figure to leave him struggling to get in play. (2) FOR A DREAMER is possible for a minor share, if he lands on an easy trip

RACE 3 – (2) CHULO’s last 5 starts in this class have produced 3 wins, and a close loss 2nd – he was particularly sharp in last week’s victory, and certainly deserves top billing tonight. (4) EYES OF JUSTICE left hard from Post 8 last week only to be forced to make a full retreat…but then was still trotting well at the end, despite the awful trip – he hit board in a pair of starts at this level recently, and may be a nice value option for exotics. (6) JAS BLUESTON E was quickly reclaimed on 4/23 and turned in a good one last week, just missing to the tripsitter – his chances tonight may hinge on whether or not he can make the top from out here. (1) STACKING GREEN arrives from PA and it’s hard to gauge how she’ll fit with the locals, class-wise– she’s also missed 3 weeks as she joins her new barn. (3) WARRAWEE WHISPER delivered a form-reversing 8 hole victory 2 back, helped when #6 broke in the stretch – he couldn’t replicate that effort in his last, and we’ll see how he does tonight for his new barn. (5) BONTONI DE GATO S seems better suited with a bit easier

RACE 4 – (5) GLUTES HANOVER won 2 of her first 4 Yonkers starts, losing to PAYBACK MONI in the other pair– she was able to defeat her nemesis when they met on 4/23, and will look to even the ledger tonight (just excuse last week’s effort, where she was content to get away last and trail). (6) PAYBACK MONI has some quirks, but she also has a TON of ability – she beat #5 the first 2X they squared off, but came up 2nd best in her last…gets (owner) Gingras back on board tonight, and it would be hard not to have her on your tickets, as well. (3) HOT FLASH KIM MY finishes with good trot every week, although she didn’t have quite enough to grab 2nd last start – should be able to grab her usual good slice. (2) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S has enjoyed her time at Yonkers, hitting board in 4 of her 5 FM Invitational starts (made a break in the other) – has certainly earned plenty of respect. (1) SAPPHIRERAI NSTAR is racing better locally than in past stints, but still is a bit below the main players – minor spoils only. (4) EX QUISITE TASTE has done fine work here in 2026 but steps up in class tonight, and will have to prove she belongs

RACE 5 - NAADA Spring Series Leg #8: (3) BABY TAO has been racing in regular overnight races upstate (with his owner driving) and more than holding his own – he should fit very nicely in this field, may get some contested action up front, and definitely has appeal with that 8-1 ML listing. (5) WINDSONG PIONEER has hit board 4X this year and three of them have come in his amateur races, all with Beltrami driving – no reason he can’t be a big player tonight too! (2) SOUTHSIDE BAR has some Ohio efforts that would make him a good fit here, for his new barn – he gets a solid pilot, and feels like a legitimate contender. (7) CERTIFY was clearly in a tough spot last week but after winning 2 of his first 3 local amateur events this year, he shouldn’t have paid $80 to win – others would seem to have an edge on him this week, but he’s absolutely worth using again if anything close to that 40-1 price! (1) SW ISS HOUSE ONFIRE is just 1 for 37 over the last 2 years but he has speed from the pole, and a small piece is not out of reach. (4) MAMY WATA has a few solid tries with Minore but the month off seems like a legitimate concern

RACE 6 – (4) KAZIO DK was looking pretty strong on the lead when he broke here in his local debut om 4/1 – he was very sharp winning his next 2 John Brennan Trotting Series legs, then showed serious gameness when he took the $100K Final – we’ll give him another vote of confidence as he takes on some rugged overnight foes tonight. (5) HIGH SPEED SWAN (Bartlett’s choice over #7) has been a very steady player both in NJ and here at Yonkers – he’s needed more at the end lately, and some battle up front would surely help his cause. (3) MON AMOUR was an incredible overlay when he won at 50-1 two starts back then followed that up with a solid 3rd (at this level) last week – sharp enough for a chance at another good piece. (2) P L OSCAR lasted for a 2nd off pocket trips at this level on 4/9 and 4/16 – willing to use for 2nd/3rd if the price is good enough. (1) PEDAL ON METAL would look better vs. a bit easier but the move all the way inside does give him a chance to rally for a small piece. (7) THE BRODSTER is up in class from Post 7 after beating easier with a perfect trip from the rail last week – leaning elsewhere. (6) RITSO N likely needs a much better post in an easier field to be a serious threat.

RACE 7 – (1) KARINCHAK was handled more conservatively making the jump up to this level last week but still almost pulled off the victory, outkicked on the wire by the classy SECURITY PROTECTED – we’ll give him the slight edge tonight over some sharp rivals. (6) MISSISSIPPI STORM was a winner dropping to this level last week and gets a free ride for tonight - much tougher spot, but he’ll also be a much better price…would absolutely consider if the price is fair. (2) AQUARIUS FACE S came up a little short the last 2 weeks after coming first over to a pair of sharp, front end winners – becomes very dangerous if the trip comes up a little easier tonight. (3) CANTSTOP YAN KEE had been “sneaky ok: heading into his 4/23 start but it would have been pretty tough to predict that he’d be able to hit the top from Post 8 and never stop, lighting up the tote board at 36 - his last effort was excellent as well, and you can add him to the list of live players in here. (4) CHEERS HANOVER was handled more aggressively than anticipated last week (Post 8 for his first start in 5 months), and he clearly wasn’t up for that kind of effort – could see a much better try tonight with a more conservative approach. (5) MAHONE SEELSTER does have a couple of recent wins in this class but those spots were considerably easier – may have to settle for some minor spoils tonight. (7) CHAPHEART figures to be sitting too far back to do any major damage this week

RACE 8 – (4) SOUTHWIND COORS seemed worthy of his very short price last week (after an excellent first start of 2026) but he just didn’t bring his best and weakened to 4th – might not be a bad idea to give him another try, this time at a much more attractive price. (1) FULL OF MUSCLES stepped up to the Invitational in career form last week and ALMOST pulled off the victory – has to be respected in his current (raging) form, especially with his speed from the rail. (5) SECURITY PROTECTED wasn’t at his best cutting the mile 3 back but he rebounded with back-to-back off the pace victories in his last pair – if he’s close turning for home, a threepeat is possible! (3) ASTE ROID would be dangerous here on his best game but he just seems a notch below that right now – he should offer a nice price if you think he’ll bring his best. (2) COMMODUS A has a win and two seconds from his 3 local tries but does face tougher now, and is a bit of a question mark. (6) TAKE ALL COMERS just isn’t clicking right now and gets stuck on the outside, adding insult to injury

RACE 9 – (3) THONG CONTROL took a potentially suspicious class drop last week but was all business, used hard almost every step of the way but still able to prevail – he was claimed that night, and debuts for an always sharp barn that comes off a 3 win night on Tuesday…gets the narrow call to repeat over a few other very sharp rivals. (5) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N ended up parked every step last week (in the race won by #3) yet never quit, holding on for 4th - he might have won the week before if he had more room, and is undeniably sharp right now…we’ll see how he does tonight for new connections. (1) THEFLYINGROCK is not in the “raging” form from earlier this year but he’s still a rock solid player at this $25K level – another new barn, but he seems to race well for everybody – he’ll make his presence felt. (7) KARLOO BRADLEY N is another that thrives at this level, and he was quickly reclaimed from his last (a HUGE parked-the-mile try) – the 3 weeks off and 7 hole could slow him down tonight, however. (4) SOUTHWIND PETYR was dullish from the start last week – sticking with sharper ones tonight. (6) ITALIAN LAD N is showing some better signs the last couple of weeks but this is a very tough spot. (2) HARD TO CATCH drops back down to 25s, where he raced well 2 back – still leaning towards others, though

RACE 10 – (5) IDEAL SKIES raced better than her line might look 2 back, then was able to deliver a victory off last week’s pocket trip – might be able to find another winning trip tonight. (2) FORTUNADA turned in a form- reversing win two back then followed that up with another good try last week (cut the mile before finishing 2nd to #5) – legitimate threat if she can bring another similar effort. (3) IRIS SEELSTER is still looking for her first win of the season, though she’s raced well a bunch of times – upset potential if things get too heated up front. (4) QUICK MENU appreciated the easy trip last week, though she probably should have been able to get 2nd – small share? (8) UNCONTROLLED is a very solid mare at this level but she’ll likely be trying to rally from well out of it, making it hard to see her grabbing more than a minor share. (1) YS ISA was 5 for 8 to start her career but that was in 2022 – she just now reappeared (nearly 4 years later) and we’ll just observe, at least for tonight. (7) TALENT TO SPARE has failed from too many spots much easier than this one. (6) EBONY LADY has regressed since recently changing barns.