Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) BOOKEM DANNO already had an excuse for tiring last week (he was used very hard) but seeing him return on Lasix for tonight suggests he may have bled, as well – he’s held his own with better than these, and seems worth a shot tonight. (4) KINGSVILLE took a month off and looked solid qualifying alongside DIEGO N – definitely the type of field where he’s more than capable of picking up a victory. (8) COLLECTIVE WORKS A is just 1 for 22 here at Yonkers but he’s also held his own with much tougher than these – the post is the obvious concern, but Yannick has been known to light a fire in a “lazy” horse in the past – could add some value to the ticket. (3) AVENGER FORCE feels like he’s tailed off but he did have some fairly recent efforts that would at least give him a chance for a small piece here. (6) CASINO ACTION N was overbet last week (as he figured to be) and came up flat off an easy trip – won’t be any easier from Post 6 tonight. (1) SCRIBBLERS has been struggling but he gets a new trainer and the pole– we’ll see if that helps him find a better effort. (7) FUNATTHEBEACH N was struggling in a big way to start off 2026, earning just $832 from his first 7 starts – he did just re-qualify better upstate, so we’ll see if the classy 12YO is ready to start performing a bit better. (5) CUT N RUN N has been stuck on minor spoils for a long time – needs to be much better

RACE 2 – (3) BECA MITCHELL took on the 25s in her first local start (off the big barn change) and while she was no factor, she also wasn’t bad – drops, moves inside, and could offer some decent value in a wide open affair. (5) DI SARONNO HILL has raced very well a bunch of times from terrible posts and last week was another example (2nd best from Post 8, after being used hard for the lead)– very logical threat starting from a much kinder spot. (8) DASH N CACHE has taken 3 of her 6 local starts this year, including last week’s wire to wire score – she does move from the rail to Post 8, but that at least means a decent price for those looking for her to repeat (a possibility). (2) PINK RUBY wasn’t up for last week’s sizzling mile but she’s generally a solid player in this class, and a live trip could give her a chance. (6) IRIS SEELSTER is in a good groove right now and would have been listed higher if not for the poor draw (and likelihood of a tough trip)– still not a bad one for longshot fans, however. (4) YUENGLING has won too many of these to ever just dismiss too quickly but she’s racing off a sick scratch and MAY be off form as well – leaning elsewhere. (1) MIGHTHAVTIME N is as unpredictable as they come – her best effort makes her a threat, but she just doesn’t bring it often enough! (7) TUAPEKA JESSIE N just returned from a LONG layoff and draws poorly for her 2nd start back – we’ll just observe, for now.

RACE 3 – (3) MAYBEMABEL throws efforts that could beat MUCH better than these…but she just doesn’t throw them every start – hard to “love” her chances at a short price, but also hard to leave her off your tickets! (1) DWS DARLENE, on the other hand, has been ultra consistent…for a while at the $20K level and now for this $25K tag – she looks for 3 straight and will have her chance to do so. (4) KISSIN JOE raced well in all 3 starts since the claim, grabbing a pair of 2nds and a 3rd – a live trip makes her a late threat, once more. (2) YOU BEDA ROCK beat the 20s 4 straight starts (and 5 of her last 6) but wasn’t quite as sharp when 3rd at this $25K level last week – she wouldn’t be any surprise at all, but we’re still leaning more to the top three. (7) TWIN B ECHO showed her upset victory 3 back was no fluke with a sharp try the very next week – she was unable to overcome the outside draw in her last, however, and faces the same scenario tonight. (6) IDEALINFUN just hasn’t had the success dropping from 50s to 25s that her connections were looking for – minor spoils? (5) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT had 9 wins last year and started off 2026 strong as well…but definitely has tailed off quite a bit in her last few starts

RACE 4 – (1) RENALDO N was freshened up then beat a solid group in NJ in his first start back – the top 2 finishers from his next start BOTH came back to win the feature race in their next starts (at Pocono and at The Swamp), and it’s likely that this guy bled when 4th that night (as he returns on Lasix tonight) – he’ll probably be overbet here, but he’s still the one to knock off. (2) JUST ENUFF STUFF threw a (very) rare disappointing effort last week but it seems like a good sign that he drops right back in the box– any of his more typical efforts could land him a nice chunk here. (5) BONDI LOCKDOWN A doesn’t win as often as he should but he has a bunch of recent efforts that would make him a player tonight – his chances go up with a quick start. (3) HEMWORTH N is like a box of chocolates….you never know what you’ll get! He just re-qualified after failing to function on 3/30, and it’s anybody’s guess which version we’ll see tonight. (6) SIX DEGREES lacked his usual stretch pop last week but it may be because he was used harder early on than usual (though his line may not show it) – ok bomb for underneath. (4) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR hasn’t done much winning the past 2 years, but is always a threat to rally for a piece. (7) JABBAR took a week off but had the same horrible draw luck for his return (he’s actually sneaky good now!)

RACE 5 – (3) STELLAR YANKEE’s most recent NJ form isn’t all that exciting but he’s also been facing much better – Yonkers probably isn’t his favorite track to get around, but most of his flaws are easier to overcome down at this kind of level – gets a tepid vote in his Hilltop return. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A charged home to just miss vs. better 3 back – he disappointed as the 6/5 choice in his next but then rebounded with a 4-1 8 hole victory last week – tonight’s small class jump really shouldn’t bother him, and he’ll be solid threat from this spot. (8) INVISIBLE N may be worth a look, even from out here – he charged home full of pace from an impossible spot 2 back, then had sneaky pace while in tight last week – Kelly takes him over #2, and an upset is not out of the question. (6) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE seemed like a deserving 3/5 favorite last week, was driven accordingly but ran into a form-reversing winner that he just could never overhaul – could offer some value tonight with that 8-1 ML price. (2) LOUS SWEETREVENGE re-qualified after a short break (after a sick scratch) then was no factor last week– the classy 9YO is eligible to pop off a winning mile at any time, but would need to be a good price to consider on top tonight. (4) POP IT finished well last week but was helped by an easy trip in a slow mile – probably looking at minor spoils at most. (7) AUSSIE HANOVER made a huge recovery after being bothered 2 back then rallied nicely in his last as well – he’s on the upswing, but this is just a very tough spot. (5) ILLUSION SEELSTER is a mare facing boys, and really does her best work when loose on the lead (which probably isn’t going to happen in here)

RACE 6 – (3) MISS PERIGNON N has won 4 of her last 8 starts, can handle a variety of trips and should be a very live player against this bunch. (4) PETROL QUEEN is no longer her own worst enemy, and has raced well in almost all of her starts over the last couple of months – she had pace finishing from an impossible spot last week (vs. better) and could be dangerous here with a live trip. (1) YS SENSATIONALCITY threw a dud last week but is back at a level where she’s done plenty of damage from spots like this…just not sure if she’s as sharp as the top two right now. (7) BRI EXPRESS N may just find herself too far back to threaten tonight she does have 4 local wins this year and isn’t a bad idea if looking for a longshot. (2) OVER ICE isn’t a bad mare but she’s 0 for 15 at Yonkers and just 2 for 41 overall in 2025-26…underneath only. (6) ZUMA BEACH was 4 for 4 here last year but went on the shelf for a long stretch and just hasn’t found that same form in 2026 – she also has just one start in the last 5 weeks, and it wasn’t a sharp one. (5) ONEDERFULBEACH has grabbed some good piece at big prices – good bomb underneath

RACE 7 – (4) CAPTAIN FEAR was well back in last when he started moving off turn three last week, pacing an excellent final half to be fairly close in 5th at the end – he was dead game in knocking off a razor sharp KWICK SAND A 4 starts back, and should offer some value in this competitive field. (3) GANNONS VELOUCITY arrived from The Meadows showing outstanding form, but came up just a little light (to the sharp winner) in his local debut –remains a strong threat against these too. (2) LASER SPEED was stuck in the back vs. this class 2 and 3 starts back but looked super beating softer last week, and can be a real danger against these too, with more aggressive tactics. (6) WAVEMAKER finished with excellent pace in his last pair and is back on his game – could easily outperform that 20-1 ML price with just a bit of trip luck. (1) BOXER SEELSTER remains a consistent threat in this class every week, though it does feel like he’s not quite as sharp as he was a little while ago– still a big threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) BETTOR NOT ran into an unfortunately tough trip last week and deserves a pass – not sure he’s a threat to win (even getting Yannick on board), but he may be able to grab a piece. (7) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN and (8) THE FAMILY MAN feel like the outsiders…both literally and figuratively.

RACE 8 – (3) ODDS ON CAPITALISM just missed here in NW10000 on 4/13 debuting for our leading barn – he moved up to NW15000 for his next, was handled aggressively and was able to knock off WHY NOT NOW, who was dropping down from the Borgata Series – he has plenty of back class, and may be finding it with our top trainer. (2) ENDOFSTORY wasn’t up for the Borgata horses but gave it a big try dropping to this level last week, coming up 2nd best to the streaking KWICK SAND A – might have listed HIM on top had Bartlett not opted to stick with #3. (1) LITTLE WILLY seems to have rebounded since being scratched injured on 3/31, finishing with alert pace from an impossible spot last week – he was doing great work for this barn just prior to that, and could be right there with an easy trip. (6) KWICK SAND A has developed into a very nice horse, and absolutely fits with these – hard to say if he’ll be able to find a manageable trip from this spot, however. (4) AMERICAN DEALER N just toured the oval from Post 8 last week but the better s=draw at least puts him in play for a small piece. (7) BETTER B BOLD had solid pace finishing last week despite missing 3 weeks – would have been listed higher if not for Post 7. (5) TOBINS CHESTER was sharp beating a bit easier 2 back but may find things a bit tougher against these types.

RACE 9 – ALL 8 horses are actually sharp right now! (3) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A has done some excellent work since returning from a VERY long layoff – he had good pace from impossible spots the last 2 weeks, and should be in a much better spot tonight…definitely worth a look at that 12-1 ML price. (4) BOSTON BOUND threw a dull one three back but has otherwise been very good in his 5 other Yonkers starts this year – a live trip makes him a dangerous player. (1) BLUE LOU has a high local win % and drops back down to the level of his last win (after hitting board vs. better in his last pair) – the 3 weeks off is a concern, however. (5) JETT STAR N was undeterred by his 40-1 odds as he went to the top from Post 7 last week, dealt with all kinds of pressure and still was able to prevail…for a trainer that’s competed here for over FIFTY years, and currently has his strongest overnight stable ever– he’s won 6 of his 10 YR starts this year, and has surely earned major respect! (2) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N is moving up considerably in class but he’s razor sharp, draws well, and could be a player with the right trip. (8) SPEAKER OF PEACE has hit board in 6 of his last 7 starts, including 3 victories – the draw does figure to compromise his chances considerably, however. (6) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has been doing excellent work out of town but comes into this having missed 24 days after a sick scratch – leaning elsewhere. (7) LYONS STEEL is still going strong at age 11 and now just about $93K of $1M in career earnings (after winning his 3rd start of the year at Chester last week) – he can still bring some big miles, but this just doesn’t feel like a spot for one.

RACE 10 – (4) MATAI PHIL N finished well back in the 4th leg of the Borgata Series last week but he may have already been looking forward to this week’s (major) class drop – he’s gone some big efforts this year, and he has real appeal with that 7/2 ML price. (2) SOHO DOW JONES A was off his game for a while but has rebounded very nicely in his last pair, even if vs. a bit easier – the main danger, but won’t offer any value with that 8/5 ML listing. (5) YOROKOBI N, like most of his barnmates, is racing extremely well right now – he tends to be camera shy, but remains an excellent option for exotics. (1) YOUNG BLUEY A is a fresh import, off a solid qualifier (vs. softer), with the rail and Gingras – would certainly be no surprise to see him give a good account of himself. (3) OPTICAL ILLUSION N is on the cheaper side but he’s racing well, gets a good draw, and may have a shot for some minor spoils. (7) SANTANA HANOVER’s best recent work has come vs. easier, and he’s stuck with a terrible draw after missing three weeks. (8) ROCKET CITY A was highly regarded before he began racing here in April (eligible to the Borgata) – he was heavily backed for his 2nd start and while he did get the job done, it definitely wasn’t “pretty” – the addition of Lasix tonight may explain that, but the draw suggests that he MAY just take a conservative approach tonight (check the tote board)? (6) DONTTELLMENOW has wins dropping off the bottom of his card the next 2 weeks…he’ll look more attractive once he can start getting some class relief.