Thursday, October 15, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, October 15, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) SHINE A LIGHT certainly earned that bump up to 20s (after looking super in his win vs. 15s on 9/16), then just missed in his first start at that level before picking up a win last week – he drops back down to 15s tonight and it’s impossible to know if his connections just want to pick up an easy win, or if he may have blown a tire – be careful about taking too short a price. (1) BLACK HAWK JOE A was a big go from Post 8 last week but broke trying to blast into the first turn – moves all the way inside, and could be the one if #5 isn’t right. (3) SETH HANOVER grabbed an easy lead and easy fractions from Post 7 last week and got back to the winner’s circle (after 3 disappointing tries) – have to respect his chances here, but he’s sure to be overbet. (7) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK will need some things to go his way to win from out here but he’s clearly racing well right now, and that 15-1 ML price is very tempting! (4) EMINEM HANOVER is hard to like on paper but his barn has sent out some longshots for good pieces lately – maybe he’s next? (2) GREAT SOMEWHERE has been stuck on minor spoils for some time – more of the same tonight. (6) DISMAS has been “ok” most weeks, but may have some trouble finding a trip here. (8) HURRIKANEKINGKAMES will get a longer look when he draws a (much) better post

RACE 2 – (2) THEFLYINGROCK is back in razor sharp form, catches the softest $30K field imaginable and should have no trouble prevailing for his new connections – he’d be tough vs. some good 40s right now! (1) LINDY THE BRAVE was a solid 3rd behind the top choice last week and has a good chance to complete the (very short) exacta tonight. (6) SHIPMASTER was no factor dropping to 30s last week but he did get hurt by poor cover – could have a better effort vs. this crew. (4) HEAVEN ON HIGH N is 1 for 34 at YR over the last 2 years and 2 for 54 overall– that being said, he has a chance for a small slice vs. these. (7) CAVIART SARGENT will throw a rally from the back at a big price from time to time – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (3) DRACARYS Z could contend for a piece here if on his game but his last several efforts have been lacking. (5) SHAKE IT loses in 15s every week – pretty hard to envision him threatening here. (8) TASTE OF HONEY isn’t sharp, and lands outside yet again

RACE 3 – (1) IM OUT came up a bit disappointing 2 back but bounced right back last week, a solid 2nd best to the oft-winning BELLISSIMO FACE S– he’s looking at another very good trip tonight, and may be able to parlay it into a victory (3) P L OSCAR was racing well prior to the recent claim and has held that form for his current connections – he can handle a variety of trips, and looms a legitimate threat with the inside draw. (5) JAS BLUESTONE is the “x factor” in here – he had an excuse for that break 2 back (ran up on a rival off turn one) but last week’s early miscue was unexpected – he’s a very tough player in this class when on his game, but it’s hard to say if we’ll see his best version tonight. (7) THE BRODSTER flew right to the top last week, grabbed a very slow half and got very brave after that – it would SEEM that he’ll be looking at a tougher trip tonight, but couldn’t blame anybody looking to stay on his team, if the price is right. (2) MARIN COUNTY had a trio of good starts before disappointing last week – an easy trip could help him take home a minor share. (4) BO SILAS shocked at 22-1 three back but most of his efforts before (and after) that wouldn’t be enough vs. these. (6) MEETMEATTHEBAR has been better later, but she seems ambitiously placed in 40s. (8) WINDSONG PIONEER races best on the lead…unlikely to get there from out here

RACE 4 – (4) OLIVER THE GREAT was sharp when he left here in September, raced well twice out of town but made an unfortunate miscue before the start last week (as the favorite) and was out of it – probably deserves a chance to make amends against a bunch that should be right in his comfort zone. (1) E PASS was also hitting on all cylinders before being derailed by an early break last week – another who can rebound tonight. (2) BJMS LIL MAN picked up an overdue victory 3 back, was a very good 3rd behind a pair of sharp foes in his next but had no prayer at all last week, sitting well back in a sizzling 1:53.3 mile – could have a much bigger say tonight. (5) DRIBBLING BI hasn’t been able to replicate his outstanding 2025 season but he’s still dangerous, in the right spots – has a chance here, but would want a “fair” price to use him on top. (6) VANDY LANE has been off his best form lately– tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (7) CHAPHEART has the back class to handle tonight’s class jump but he just doesn’t seem sharp enough right to be a threat, especially from out here. (3) MY MAN PETER didn’t look good in his qualifier and last week’s start was more of the same – waiting for better signs. (8) THE HAZLETON brought a good one last week but steps way up and lands all the way outside

RACE 5 – (5) VOGUISH was no factor at all in her first Invitational try but she stunned with a 46-1 form revering win in her next, swooped the field at 7-1 the start after that then beat an easier group as the 1/10 favorite the start after that – she wasn’t able to get into play last week but her price will likely edge up tonight, and that makes her worth using. (8) PAYBACK MONI has won 9 of her 17 starts here this year, often in flashy fashion – she’ll have to overcome Post 8 to win tonight, but it’s far from impossible! (3) DIAL SQUARE S was a little slow to get going this year but she’s picked up 3rds in both local tries and last week’s was much sharper – maybe she’s ready to be an even bigger threat tonight? (7) HOT FLASH KIMMY has been on her game lately, a close 2nd to #8 two starts back – she gets her first bad draw in a while, however, and that could hurt her chances tonight. (6) ALWAYS A STORY has been good all year long, and the next check she picks up will put her over $200K for 2026 – she MAY be starting to feel the wear and tear of the long season, but it’s too soon to tell for sure. (2) CLASSICAL JANE has a chance for a small slice if she can just save ground and rally late (4) BAY BREEZE HANOVER is off 3 weeks and loses Stratton (1) SHIV just seems significantly overmatched in this field

RACE 6 – (5) STACKING GREEN wasn’t “bad” last time…we’re just used to seeing her a bit sharper – she sports an excellent 17-6-3-3 local slate, can race off the pace if necessary, and her best effort would make her very tough tonight. (2) SMOKING JET can be a little inconsistent but he fits well with these when he’s on his game – he gets a pass for last week (terrible trip), and has a real chance to outrace his odds tonight. (4) GLOBAL TWIST hasn’t had much success from limited local starts but he was “sneaky good” from the back of the pack last week, and is another that could offer some good value here. (1) WHISKEY PEDDLER has been doing his best work with a bit easier but he draws the pole, has plenty of speed, and a very live pilot…could be part of the equation from start to finish. (3) RITSON was a dullish 4th last time but he’s generally a solid fit with these types and could have a bigger say this time. (8) DIPLOMACY race ok in both starts since returning from the layoff but this spot may be too tough for him to overcome. (7) SIR MAVERICK broke as the favorite 2 back – he added hopples last week and was really gaining late after Buter started to get after him…another that could be hurt by the draw, however. (6) B NICKING is having a very good season but he wasn’t quite as sharp in his last couple, and was scratched sick from his last

RACE 7 – (2) FIGHTING EVIL is 0 for 28 this year and 0 for 15 here at YR – that being said, she’s raced very well in a bunch of her recent starts, catches a pretty soft field tonight and MAY have finally found a winning spot! (1) DI STANT LOVER was 12 for 24 here in ‘25 but ’26 has not been as kind (0 for 15 at Yonkers, 1 for 19 overall) – this is a spot where she can at least contend for a piece. (7) DWS DARLENE was sent off favored for her new barn last week but disappointed on the lead – she was quickly reclaimed, and gets a tough draw for tonight – may still be able to be a contender against these, however. (8) RACIN FOR ROYALTY landed on a live trip last week and rewarded her backers with an 8-1 payoff – may have trouble reaching from out here, though. (4) TWO PISTOL AN NIE is probably better than the two efforts she’s thrown since returning from Ohio – would use her underneath, if the price is decent. (6) TRICKY WICKY picked up a 3rd two back but that’s the only time she’s hit board here in 13 starts. (3) PINE BUSH MAGA is 0 for 22 this year – sticking with others. (5) DOCS LOVE hasn’t clicked all year

RACE 8 – Good race: (2) ROYAL COMET raced well/very well in all 4 starts since arriving on the local scene for a barn that has really thrived here in 2026 – he doesn’t seem bothered by any trip, and he’s one of a few with a chance to come out on top here. (5) MASSIVE DESIRE was handled very conservatively from Post 8 last week but had no shortage of trot finishing – he can be risky at times, but he can also throw big efforts…worth using here, assuming the price is decent. (7) KILDARE KING has done excellent work since joining this barn in July, and is 8-4-2-1 here at Yonkers – he gets a bad draw (and Bartlett understandably stays loyal to #8), but he can still do some real damage if Brennan can work out a decent trip. (4) HAPPY JACK B saw his 5 race winning streak snapped when he was collared by #7 last start – he can bounce back and take this, but he won’t offer any value with that 8/5 ML price. (3) CAMERA MAN continues to race well week after week, and is only listed this far down because there are several other sharp ones in here – could easily grab a big chunk. (8) SIR PINOCCHIO just never got close to top form this year – Bartlett stays loyal and drives the millionaire, but that may not be enough to make him a bigger threat. (1) WARRAWEE YANG is better than his last, but still in very tough tonight. (6) YO SHELDON might need some class relief before we see his best again.

RACE 9 – (6) LITTLE LOUIE A may be worth a try tonight – he hasn’t gotten anything going since arriving in the U.S. but that last PcD qualifier (right behind the very talented GENTLEMANS CLUB) suggests he MAY finally be ready to start thriving. (2) POINTS NORTH was a good 2nd behind SILKY CHOICE last week and that one came back to race very well here on Tues. – could be a player here too. (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has been way off form but this is a spot to at least look for a wake up call. (7) KOPI LUWAK gave it a good try in back to back front end starts – another bad post, but maybe Boyd can get him in play here too? (4) DOWN THE LINE perked up with a good try for 2nd two back but reverted to his lesser form last week. (5) HES SPECIAL is 1 for 31 at YR the last 2 years – hard to consider for more than a small piece. (1) ROCKABILLY REBEL N arrives here with an 0 for 18 record this year, and just 1 (bad) start in the last 45 days – pass for now. (8) FEELIN WESTERN would be a surprise.