Thursday, September 24, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, September 24, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) SIR MAVERICK was beaten less than 2 lengths trying the 60s last week and now drops back down to 40s, landing in a pretty modest field – he wired this class from Post 7 back on 8/13, and there’s a chance he could do it again tonight. (1) SMOKING JET was a close 2nd best in his last pair, after lacking room to trot in the lane the start before that – very logical threat from the pole. (5) CHULO is rock solid in this class, but he’s making his first start back since a weak Pocono try on 6/9 – he MAY be ready to do damage right off the qualifier, but you’d still want a fair price to use on top tonight. (6) RADIO LAB has been solid for a while in this class but the issue tonight is the draw – he can pick up another good piece IF some decent trip luck comes his way. (2) BO SILAS moves back inside and that at least puts him in the discussion for a minor share. (4) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN adds hopples after last week’s miscue – he’s still a question mark at this $40K level, however. (3) LOVE THIS BAR may need to be in easier to be a real player.

RACE 2 – NAADA Fall series Leg #3: (5) WHISKEY PEDDLER paid instant dividends for his new connections last week, dominating an amateur field at Pocono – he was facing tougher in his local starts recently, and looms a very possible repeater. (1) SOUTHSIDE BAR should have the speed to work out a good trip from this spot, and he was a local (pocket) winner back on 7/24…logical player. (4) MAMY WATA passed a few from way back in his last Amateur try (in NJ), and he should be close enough to the action tonight for a chance at a decent chunk. (3) MY SE CRET ABILITY was a 33-1 winner in an amateur race at Monti on 7/22 and held pretty well in his next, despite being parked the mile – a decent trip tonight puts him in play for a piece of the exotics. (2) HOOLIE N HECTOR is a good fit ability-wise and gets a very capable pilot (Beltrami) – he also has just one start in 6 weeks, and that makes him at least a bit risky for tonight. (8) GREEN ZONE seems to be looking at a brutal trip if she tries to leave from Post 8 but IF Gerry can find her a seat, she may be able to add some big value to the exotics. (6) JACKED seems off form in his last few…tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (7) BARN CREDIT draws poorly, and is just 1 for 41 at YR over the last 3 years – just a brutal spot

RACE 3 - NAADA Fall series Leg #3: (6) WINDSONG PIONEER has thrived in these amateur races, especially with Beltrami – they pair back up tonight, and we’ll give them the slight edge, despite a tough post in a competitive field. (1) BIG CHARLIE MORAN broke a VERY long local losing streak on 7/31 but has been in too tough since then – this is a great spot for him, but he’s just been way too camera shy at Yonkers to take a short price on top. (3) P C FREE WHEELING was a winner with Franco 2 back and the pair just missed here back on 7/9 – logical player with the inside draw. (2) CAL MILES N SHELL can be a little inconsistent but any of his better efforts would put him into the mix for a decent piece. (4) LOOKATMEGOAMIGO has been racing well since the latest barn change and arrives off a win in NJ – he lands a very strong pilot for tonight, but he did struggle locally in many of his starts – mixed feelings. (5) BONTONI DEGATO S is just 1 for 25 at Yonkers over the last 2 years, lands in a solid field and that has us leaning elsewhere. (7) ALL TOO WELL is on the cheaper side, and gets the worst of the draw

RACE 4 – (6) VOGUISH proved that her 46-1 shocker 3 back wasn’t just a fluke with last week’s incredibly sharp victory over PAYBACK MONI – of course, between those efforts was the front end disaster on 9/3 – hard to NOT list her on top after last week’s scary effort, but be careful about getting roped in at a short price, after missing her 2 longshot scores! (5) ALWAYS A STORY rarely goes a bad mile and will be extremely dangerous here IF #6 doesn’t bring another monster mile. (3) CLASSICAL JANE used easy trips to rally for victories in her last pair – another easy trip tonight could see her rally for a good piece, even at this FM Invitational level. (1) GOO FOR BROKE seems to be returning to Yonkers while on the upswing, and that could help her grab a decent slice from this spot. (4) BAY BREEZE HANOVER just hasn’t been finishing her miles well enough – needs to be better. (2) NYMERIA has struggled much of the year even at levels well below this one

RACE 5 – (6) INVISIBLE N has faced much better than these most of the year, holding his own more often than not – he finished with plenty of pace from an impossible spot in his last, and is worth a shot tonight…even with the bad draw. (2) BENHOPE RULZ N finished full of pace in the lane 2 back (at Chester) after a shuffle, just missing 2nd to a dominant 3/5 winner…he won his next start, and returns to Yonkers in what may be his best form in a long time – could have a say tonight. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM pretty much just conceded from bad posts in his last 3 starts but figures to be more serious tonight – logical threat for a good piece. (5) CAVIART SARGENT picked up a rare win last week and while he may be tempting off that blowout, he’s usually not the type to string wins together – on the flip side, Holland did figure out how to push his buttons last time…maybe a piece? (8) OURMATEMENKO N squandered his two hole trip last week, weakening to 3rd…doesn’t get any easier from out here. (7) MARLBANK ROAD landed in a soft spot last week and used a well timed move to dispose of a softer bunch – bad draw while up in class tonight. (3) TEXAS HOLDEM is now 0 for 25 on the year and it’s hard to make a case of that streak ending tonight. (1) DONTTELLMENOW struggles vs. much easier than these most weeks

RACE 6 – (7) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT gets a full pass for her last (when she landed on a disastrous trip from Post 7, vs. 30s) – she drops back down to 20s tonight, where she recently won 5 of her last 6 starts (the lone loss coming to SPIRIT OF PEARL A, who is battling the 50s right now) – good enough to overcome the draw, and the price should even be decent. (3) IDEAL SKIES has been right there for weeks, usually right behind a very sharp winner – she’s overdue to get over the hump and get her picture taken...maybe tonight? (2) YUENGLING already has 10 wins and 6 seconds this year, making her hard to leave off your tickets – she also does better in “easier” fields, so could be at least a bit vulnerable here. (6) GABBYS WISH went a BIG mile (for a hot barn) to take on all comers and win 2 back, then took off the gate and rallied nicely for 3rd in her last – could add some value to the exotics. (5) DASH N CACHE used a ground saving trip for a solid 3rd last week – another easy trip could help her grab another slice. (8) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ is sharper than she looks but has been crushed by endless bad posts…and now lands behind the 8 ball again! (1) FORTUNADA throws a good one now and then…just not often enough! (4) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL would be a surprise in this very solid field

RACE 7 – (1) IM OUT had been racing well without a recent victory but was able to cash in off a pocket trip last week – looking at another good trip tonight with a chance to make it 2 in a row. (4) P L OSCAR was claimed from his last by sharp connections and may appreciate the change of scenery – he’s not bad right now, and worth a look at a decent price. (2) DIAMOND BAY wasn’t bad at all from Post 8 last week and now moves inside – not a fan of 3YO fillies taking on good older trotters, but she may be able to hold her own here, based on last week’s effort. (3) BELLISSIMO FACE S usually figures, is almost always right in the hunt, and belongs in your exotics once more, especially with the move inside. (6) THEOBALD made a nice recovery after a costly early miscue last week – he’s usually trotting well late, and not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) JAS BLUESTONE came up a little light after cutting the mile last week – gets a brutal draw off the claim, and Holland opts off to drive #1…may need to wait for a better spot. (7) THE BRODSTER was surprisingly strong at the end of his mile last week and was able to collar the sharp B NICKING – has the speed to blast from out here and get into the fray, but he’s just not as good when anybody except Bartlett is on board. (5) SHOW THE WILL seems better suited for a bit easier

RACE 8 – (1) CAMERA MAN banked $168K at 3 and has continued to be a solid trotter at 4, doing fine work since arriving at Yonkers this summer– he has 2 wins and 2 thirds from his last 5 starts (8 hole in the other) and now draws the pole while getting a good driver switch to Kelly – solid threat! (3) E PASS had a bad idea leaving alongside heavily favored HAPPY JACK B (winner of 5 straight) last week, and was predictably parked – he did wire the field with an impressive victory the start before that, though, and looms a big threat once more. (8) ONAJE TPLANE is winless in 10 local tries this year but he hit board in 7 of them – he has the speed to leave from out here and still work out a good trip, and he’s worth including in your exotics. (2) BE DIFFERENT is racing much better lately, and not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th (he may be able to tow along for a piece from this spot). (6) VANDY LANE has a pretty reliable late kick but may be coming from too far back to threaten tonight. (5) FRANK LEAHY just has more lesser efforts than good ones lately – leaning towards others. (4) LUCKY MUM N hasn’t been terrible lately, but others in here are just more appealing. (7) MA ISABELLE fits well enough, but figures to be coming from way out of it.

RACE 9 – Tough race! (6) MY DEGENERATE has done plenty of good work since arriving from KY and rebounded from a miscue 2 back (where he made a nice recovery) to finish a solid 3rd in the Bob Miecuna Trot – if he can get away to a good start tonight, he’d have a chance to beat this interesting NW30000 field. (2) DEVILISH HILL qualified super upon returning to the U.S. and was actually sent off favored in the Miecuna Trot off that prep – he wasn’t able to overcome a tough trip, however, and was a well beaten 5th – much better price tonight for those inclined to stick with him. (3) MINOAN is a 3YO taking on very talented older trotters but he’s 2 for 2 here at Yonkers, was recently 3rd in the Hambletonian, and may land a good trip from this spot – we’ll see if he can hold his own with these. (4) UNCLE RAT went on a tear after arriving at Yonkers, going from $25K claimers at Stga. to winning 4 straight at Yonkers, including the Invitational – we’ll see how he rebounds from last week’s Miecuna miscue. (8) SOUTHWIND COORS has just one local victory this year and starts from Post 8 tonight…he also just missed pulling off the upset in the Miecuna Trot last start, so he hardly be a surprise! (1) SIR PINOCCHIO hasn’t been able to get back to his best game in 2026, but the classy 5YO can never be counted out from a spot like this (with his big speed). (7) BLACKHAWK ZETTE has been on a long form spree in PA but draws horribly for his YR return and was 6-0-1-1 here earlier in the year. (5) ROYAL COMET raced his eyeballs out in last week’s parked the mile victory but he’ll still need to prove that he can bang heads with these types

RACE 10 – (3) B NICKING is having a strong 2026 campaign and is as good right now as he has been all year – just missed extending his winning streak to 3 last start, but has a chance to start a new streak tonight (7) STACKING GREEN is also on an excellent roll, and has been in almost all of her starts since arriving here this year – she couldn’t quite keep it going on the lead from Post 7 last week, but that doesn’t mean she can’t do it tonight. (4) KAY S IN CHARGE has $115K on her card this year, largely due to her ability to take full advantage of good trips – she hasn’t won in a while, but can be a threat IF things go her way. (5) CREDIT CON has been steady since recently returning to his favorite barn, but is still winless on the year – another easy trip could help him take home a good slice. (2) MARIN COUNTY raced a bit better than expected when 3rd last week, even if benefiting from an easy trip – maybe another small share? (6) WILLY WALTON lost all chance with an early miscue in his last – maybe he can rally late for some minor spoils tonight? (1) TACHYON is having a tough year – seems ambitiously placed in 40s

RACE 11 – (6) IM A POWERPLAY A has been knocking on the door in all 3 starts since returning from PA, just missing each time – feels like a winning spot for his new connections! (1) ONYX BOVINO was sent off favored last week and really had no excuses when a close 3rd – goes for a new barn tonight, and is a logical threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (2) BLACK EDITION N rallied well to be right there entering the stretch last week, but just didn’t have the late pop he needed for a chance at the top slot – moves inside for a new barn, and should make some noise here too. (5) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N is now 0 for 27 this year and a serious “in and outer” – his “good” version would be able to contend for a piece. (8) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE came out on top last week (over #1 and #2) but tonight’s draw figures to make it hard for him to replicate that result. (3) SHORE NOT BEACH posted that wake up call win 3 back but struggled in all of his starts before and after that mile. (4) J B Gram is back in another one of his bad ruts. (7) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was distanced in his last pair but never gets asked to qualify – pretty hard to consider him right now.