Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) BETTORS DESIRE’s overall recent form hasn’t been bad, and that includes a solid 2nd last week (behind the prohibitive favorite) – the likely heavy choice in here MAY be a bit vulnerable, and perhaps this guy can step up and deliver the upset. (6) HANDSOME STRANGER will likely be hammered at the windows, showing all kinds of very fast miles at 3, and with a win in his last NJ qualifier – he surely deserves to be the favorite, but note that $110K of the $181K he earned last year came from an 86-1 stunner in the Tattersalls – he also gets a bad draw for his first start of the year, and we’ll see if turns out that he was actually a bit vulnerable. (7) HURRIKANELOUIE XIII won a couple of times as a 2YO, won his 3/28 qualifier in NJ then also won his first start of 26 (as the favorite) – can’t blame anybody looking to use him at a much bigger price tonight. (3) CHARLIES WISH raced ok in his last 3 local starts, and is eligible to take home another piece IF the trip is easy enough. (1) CHOICE IS MINE was 2nd to #7 in a NJ qualifier, then just wasn’t up for the solid Weiss field in his first start of the year (at PcD) – he’s eligible to have a bigger say tonight. (2) RANGER WALKER hails from top connections but seems to still be figuring things out as his career just recently got underway. (5) THE FAMILY MAN showed ability at 2 but has yet to thrive in 4 starts this year. (8) FLOOR IT FREDDIE was no factor in his first start of the year, and now lands behind the 8 ball.

RACE 2 – (4) IDEALINFUN dropped down to 25s last week and turned in a solid effort for 2nd – she’s one of a few with a chance in this short field, and we’ll give her a narrow nod. (1) DWS DARLENE was in a no-chance spot in her first start off the claim but was a sharp 2nd last week – could be very dangerous if she gets to call the shots from the pole. (2) KISSIN JOE was stuck behind a quitter last week, finally shook free then rallied very nicely to be a close 3rd – legitimate chance to make her 2nd start for this barn a winning one. (5) TWIN B ECHO had some better life in her 2nd start off the layoff then built off that last week, kicking home strongest to score the upset – have to respect her chances of repeating, but the trip could be tougher, and the price will be shorter! (3) FIGHT NOT FLIGH T hit board in seemingly a zillion straight races before tiring in her last start – she’s missed 3 weeks since being claimed that night, and feels a little iffy. (6) IDEAL SKIES beat the 20s last week but now steps up and draws worst

RACE 3 – (3) COALFORD TOPGUY GB added Lasix last week but the result was familiar (he finished 2nd for the 6th time in 7 starts this year!) – this feels like a spot where he can finally get over the hump…but he’s probably not one to bet the rent money on, at a short price! (2) IKNOWBETTER was hurt a bit when trapped behind a tired one on the final bend last week but did have some pace finishing to take home 4th – his overall recent form is solid, and he does have a legitimate chance in here. (1) INTIMIDATION got some class relief last week and was able to charge home for 2nd – steps up a bit but the rail draw could offset that…should be right in the thick of this. (4) PAXAMILLI ON was stuck way back at the half last week and his effort is sharper than it might look – still seems a notch below the top ones, but could easily outperform his 20-1 ML odds. (7) PRINTVILLE has been good for some time, but another terrible draw figures to leave him too far back for more than a small share. (6) THE BIGBOSS A tends to be a little sluggish early and tonight’s draw could put him at a major disadvantage – wait for a better spot. (5) C BET HANOVER kicked in as the pace slowed in the stretch last week to nip cheaper – this is a much tougher assignment

RACE 4 – (4) BOOKEM DANNO was “sneaky good”, with plenty of pace in the lane in some traffic behind the leaders – this is the first time in several weeks where he’s in a spot to be handled aggressively, and that could give him a chance to pull off an upset. (3) BOXER SEELSTER doesn’t seem to like ducking to the inside for the stretch drive, and that may have cost him a chance to be even closer last week – he’s been sharp for a long time, and may just be a good trip away from a victory. (7) FORWARD FLASH steps up in class and lands outside but that still didn’t stop Stratton from taking him over #2 – if he’s aggressive, he’s another with an upset chance. (5) TELITONT HEMOUNTAIN is listed as the ML favorite despite moving up in class, and proving no match for #7 two starts back – he CAN be a player, but others figure to be offering better value. (1) BETTOR NOT has been a notch below the main players in this class but the good draw gives him a chance at a small piece. (2) WAVEMAKER has rallied nicely on several occasions but Stratton does opt off tonight, and he may be a bit off his best game. (6) LASER SPE ED gets a bad draw after offering little in his Hilltop return last week

RACE 5 – (4) ENDOFSTORY was handled aggressively in his 2nd Borgata start (2nd start of 2026) and not up for that tough a trip (at least vs. those types) – he gets significant class relief and has to be seen as the one to knock off – but probably not one to fall in love with at too short a price! (5) KWICK SAND A has been very sharp for weeks, and has proven to be a profitable import – could be next in line should the top one falter. (1) SPEAKER OF PEACE saw his 3 race winning streak halted last week but was still a solid 3rd – hard to leave him out of your exotics. (2) BOSTON BOUND just didn’t fire last week but was sharp in his previous 3 starts (vs. a bit easier) – could bounce right back and grab a chunk of this. (7) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE N was scratched sick a couple of times at the end of 2024 then missed 15 months – his comeback has actually been going very well, and that 20-1 ML listing makes him tempting to include underneath. (6) JETT STAR N brought a 4 race winning streak into his last and never lifted a hoof – which version tonight? (3) LITTLE WILLY was really hitting on all cylinders but has now missed a month after being scratched injured on 3/16. (8) DONTTELLMENOW is way up in class, from Post 8, off a miscue – pass

RACE 6 – (7) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N probably should have been able to get the job done last week but to be fair, the winner had some good Stga. form and was debuting for a new barn – no luck with the draw tonight, but that also means a better price, even with the class drop…we’ll give him another shot. (4) YOROKOBI N doesn’t win too often and was off a bad date to his last but still charged on by the two leaders in the lane like they were standing still – he can handle tonight’s class jump, and may have built some renewed confidence with last week’s victory. (5) SO HO DOW JONES A will get plenty of $$ off the class drop but he was also dropping last week when he cut the mile then backed through the field (as the favorite) – his best takes this, but he sure feels pretty vulnerable right now. (1) POP IT has been unable to win vs. cheaper lately but a more conservative try from this spot may help him grab a piece tonight. (3) OPTICAL ILLUSION N hit board in his last pair but it’s hard to say if he was “good” in either start – would consider for exotics if the price is decent. (2) FORTIFY has been away for 4 months and his qualifiers are hard to gauge – check the tote board? (6) TWIG does his best work on/near the lead, vs. easier. (8) WASA HEAT SEEKER N has done little lately besides winning that “fall apart” race 3 back

RACE 7 – Tough race: (1) KIMBLE A was right there 3rd returning from Dover 2 back then paced a solid final 3/8ths from an impossible spot in his last – gets major post relief, and we’ll see if that can put him over the top. (3) PEACE OUT POSSE wasn’t a bad 3rd last week, even if outkicked from behind for 2nd – would never be surprised to see him pop off a win against a suspect field like this one. (8) VENTURESOME ARDEN N had a useful tightener after missing over 7 months but when he was sent off at 4/5 the next week (from Post 8), he wasn’t able to deliver, despite making the lead and cutting 1980s fractions – he MAY be ready for a bigger effort tonight, but would need to be a much better price to consider on top. (7) SIP OF BOURBON has a couple of recent out of town efforts that could make him a threat here and he’s enjoyed some local success in the past – at least a bit intriguing at that 20-1 ML price. (5) ALADDIN was no good at all for months (after being claimed) but finally delivered a big effort in his last, finishing 2nd to a stickout at 74-1 – hard to know if he can replicate that mile tonight (oddly enough, with his old trainer/driver filling in at the lines). (2) TEXAS HOLDEM drops a notch and has a chance for minor spoils, with an easy trip. (4) OUTLAW MAN N gets a pass for 2 back (when parked), but weakened to 3rd when handled aggressively from the pocket in his last – he also hails from a barn that has struggled this year, making it even tougher to hop on his team right now. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER regressed last week after a pair of ok 3rds

RACE 8 – (6) BIG CITY DAISY has been good for several starts but wasn’t at her sharpest last week – drops back down to 20s and lands in a suspect field, with a chance to do some late damage if things get heated up front (a possibility). (4) GIOVONA BY THE SEA would be easy to ignore off her recent out of town lines BUT she gets a significant barn change for tonight, and that was a pretty solid qualifier on 4/3 – would be no surprise at all to see her improve enough to beat these. (2) STONE COLD GIRL didn’t care for last week’s trip (off the claim) and could only manage a 4th – she’s already won 5 of 9 starts this year, and deserves plenty of respect as she looks to make amends. (8) MC ANGEL had been on a LONG form spree before giving way and tiring badly last week– not sure how aggressively she’ll be handled from Post 8 after that, but there’s always the chance she can just shrug it off, and be a threat in here. (1) TOBAGO TIME turned in one of her better efforts 2 back (when she drew the rail) but her overall form this year has been lacking – leaning elsewhere. (7) TALENT TO SPARE A disappoints more often than she delivers…looking at a tough trip from out here regardless of how she’s driven. (5) LONELY GHOST failed to hit board in any of her 6 local starts in 2025-26. (3) FORTUNADA has been struggling, and is racing off a bad date

RACE 9 – (3) FRISCO BAY N debuted for his new barn last week, was under a big hold at the start, made up a ton of ground and just kept coming in the lane to wear down a pretty nice horse– we’ll stay on board (2) SIX DEGREES seems to find a way to rally every week, now with 5 seconds from his 10 starts this year – one more time? (1) SPEC ULATING A was used harder than usual early on last week and paid for it late– a patient steer tonight might work better. (5) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR made a rare miscue last week but drops right back in the box – chance to rally for a small piece. (7) HEZA RISK TAKER A gets a tough draw after coming up light at the end in his last pair – leaning more towards others. (6) SHAKEPEARE moves up a notch after being no threat last week – minor spoils? (4) TOBINS CHESTER moves to TWO classes after a no threat 4th in last. (8) LEVINE has Post 8 after a month off