Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Tough opener! (4) OVER ICE finally broke a long Yonkers schneid with that (easy) victory 2 back, then was an ok 3rd last week – gets a better draw now, and that might give her the edge in this well matched field. (5) TH RIZZO has handled the bump up to 50s just fine, with a pair of 2nds– legitimate threat here too (4) EARTH ANGEL raced ok in both of her starts at this level, and should be closer to the action here – upset possibility (7) SURVIVIN FIRE has been finishing strong in most of her starts, and was a VERY sharp first over winner in her last – tonight’s draw does mean that some major racing luck will be needed if she hopes to repeat! (6) MC ANGEL had a great start from Post 8 last week but squandered her pocket trip – she’s rebounded from disappointing tries in the past, and may be a good value horse to at least consider. (2) KATIES UP was dull last start moving well up in class, off a bad date – eligible to be sharper this week, but still leaning elsewhere. (1) PETROL QUEEN took a few weeks off after a “broke/DNF” try on 7/7 – qualified back nicely, but definitely lands in a tough field for her return.

RACE 2 – (5) BALLROOM AFFAIR started the year with 5 wins and a 2nd from his first 6 starts and can be forgiven for coming up short in his last effort (facing top colts in the $300K Grade 2 Millstein) – back in a more comfortable spot, and is once again the one to knock off. (2) JOHNNY LINCOLN N was just road tested in his U.S. debut and not serious at all – he finished very alertly, and a much more involved effort is expected with that start under his belt. (4) LOUMELLO BALL was handled conservatively in his local debut and did finish with good energy– could easily grab another good piece tonight. (3) THE RASCAL N was way back after a break before the start last week and made a huge recovery to only be 5 lengths back at the wire – the ability is there, but he’s still somewhat of a work in progress. (6) ROCKNACIOUS came up weak on the lead as the 1/5 favorite in a weak field last week – maybe he can rally for a share from the back tonight? (7) HES A FEIN FELLOW has been racing well in PA but likely vs. softer competition – tough draw for his YR debut. (8) ALABAMA LUCKY figures to be hurt significantly by the terrible draw. (1) HURRIKANELOUIEXIII draws the pole, but that may not be enough to help

RACE 3 – NYSS 3YO Filly Trot: (2) LAURENS CHAPTER has been alternating between the KY and NY Sire Stakes, having a bigger impact here in NY…like her rivals in here she’s prone to miscues, but she does have a pair of recent NYSS victories, and gets Stratton for tonight. (3) JULA HOT TO CHILL is just 1 for 17 at 2 and 3, but does have $271K in the bank – can threaten here, if she behaves. (4) FLYING COPPER is winless at 3 after picking up just one victory at 2…that win did come here at Yonkers, though. (1) B EYELASH seems a bit below the other three, but even a 4th place check is worth almost $6,500

RACE 4 – NYSS 3YO Filly Trot: (2) SHARP SEVEN will make a break here and there but last year’s NYSS champ is generally rock solid in these events – won’t offer any value, but she’s certainly the one to knock off. (5) STORYBOOK LOVE was last year’s Breeder’s Crown champ but she’s still looking for her first victory in 2026 – she’s gone some pretty good miles in defeat recently, and may be ready to come up with a winning effort (4) CHAN T changed barns 4 back and immediately produced a nice win here at Yonkers (in an overnight race) – she hit board in her next 2 NYSS races, she stays trotting, and might be a good value horse to consider. (1) WHO DARES WINS has blossomed at 3 and even beat #2 at Buffalo on 6/24 – she also made late breaks in her last 2 starts, and has to be considered pretty risky at the moment. (3) MY PHILOMENE was a sharp winner at Monti last start but steps up from the Exclesior to NYSS here, and will have to prove that she does belong.

RACE 5 – HE IS STINGIN couldn’t last on the lead in his 2nd local try (finished 3rd) but he catches a completely blank field tonight, and may be able to just run and hide from this softer crew. (5) CAPTAIN AMORE N showed some better life in his 4th U.S. start but then was scratched sick the next week– iffy, for sure (3) AMERICAN ROAD TRIP was no good at all last start but an “ok” 3rd the start before – one of his better efforts could land him a piece. (2) EDGAR HANOVER used a ground saving trip to pick up 4th in his local debut…chance for a small piece here too. (4) CALVIN HANOVER arrived off a pair of poor PA efforts, was an ok 4th in his first local try but then no good at all last week – hard to know which version we’ll see tonight. (8) ALEX V DIESEL hasn’t shown much in 7 career starts and draws Post 8 for his YR debut…he does get a big barn change, for anybody looking for a longshot angle. (1) HURRIKANE LILLOUIE has shown little in his local starts. (7) PERFECT CABERNET gets another bad draw after failing to function from a similar spot in his last

RACE 6 – (4) TUALOU N was sent off as the favorite for his first U.S. start but came up empty – he added Lasix for his next start, sat in the back, but charged home full of pace this time – seems like it could be time for a winning effort. (1) ROYAL DESIRE had an easy trip last week but still finished full of pace to be right there 3rd behind a pair of nice horses – drops, draws the pole, and deserves plenty of respect tonight. (7) THENU CAME ALONG A is light in the win column but he’s been sharp for a while, with a few close up finished behind much better – worth a look if you think he can find a manageable trip here. (6) LYONS FRANKY J raced well in 3 of his 6 local tries and all were with Bartlett…who is back on board tonight – wake up call? (5) JUSTCALLMEBUCK finished well in both local tries (after a barn change) and is a good once to include underneath tonight. (2) GINGRAS BEACH draws well enough for a chance to tow along for minor spoils (8) ODDS ON NO LIMIT steps up in class and draws Post 8 after losing as the favorite last week. (3) DRACARYS Z makes his YR debut and seems better suited with cheaper.

RACE 7 – (1) TH COLBY had to make a full abort after leaving hard last week, and still was beaten less than a length after being forced to sit 7th – he’s been razor sharp for a while, and figures to be a tough customer from the pole tonight. (3) SPECULATING A cut a hot clip one level up last week and almost made it hold up – drops, draws well again, and can have another big say. (2) MACS MARVEL was totally blocked last week and definitely had plenty of pace – he’s been inconsistent, but any of his better efforts would put him in play for a good share. (4) PIN NY TIGER A was scr. sick on 3/16 in the midst of a major form spree returned in July and has really struggled since then – he goes for a new barn tonight, and we’ll see if the change of scenery does him any good. (5) BONDI LOCK DOWN A is a bit camera shy, but grabs a ton of pieces – always a good one to consider underneath. (7) ITS A ME MARIO is still winless on the year and moves up 2 classes off last week’s 2nd – that being said, a good trip puts him in play for a piece. (8) HAMMERING HANK drops to a level where he can be dangerous…but maybe not from out here. (6) JUST ENUFF STUFF needs easier spots these days to be effective.

RACE 8 – (1) NEVERSTOPDREAMIN N banked over $800K in his outstanding Down Under career – he was scratched lame for his first U.S. try (back in March) but has quickly found good form since returning to the races on 8/1, including a 2nd here last week – may have found a winning spot! (8) CATALPA RESCUE A drops out of the Invitational where he finished right with the pack, despite an impossible spot – he won 4 straight here not long ago, and could become a serious threat if able to improve at the start without being used too hard. (3) IKNOWBETTER had no zip last week but he does add Lasix tonight, and could be a player (even moving up in class). (4) IMA PERF ECT CHOICE had to requalify after a couple of miscues but looked smooth last week, and could be sharper tonight –would still need a good price to consider on top. (2) BOSTON BOUND recently found his form again after a rough patch but may need to be in a little easier to deliver his best effort. (6) SMOOTH DREAM couldn’t hang on at 2/5 in his first local try of the year and really had no excuses – tonight’s tough draw (up in class) won’t help. (5) COURTS ON FIRE has struggled here vs. easier in 2026. (7) BET ON BIG JOE is well off form, and draws horribly as well

RACE 9 – (1) YUENGLING has been picking up more 2nds and 3rds than wins lately but her last victory \did come for THIS barn, from the pole, with Holland…déjà vu? (4) ONEDERFULBEACH has a couple of recent 3rds and held her own with better at times this year – she’s also 0 for 23 on the year, and hard to use on top! (2) EVENINSTA RZRAPSODY has a few good recent efforts but she faded off a pocket trip last week, and will need to find her better game to be a serious threat tonight. (3) BARBADOS BABE is a better mare when not on the lead and turned in a big “brush and crush” effort to beat a weak group 2 back– bigger question mark against these, however (6) SUNBURNT has been stuck on minor pieces for a long time, and likely looking at the same in here. (5) DOCS LOVE qualified ok off the long layoff but was awful in her first start back – maybe she’ll race better from off the pace tonight. (8) ALI SWEET CAKE has a pair of recent wins out of town but will face much tougher here, and from the worst post. (7) TINAS WISH is winless on the year, facing much softer than these

RACE 10 – (2) COLLECTIVE WORKS A has been camera shy for 2 years but he’s also outraced his odds vs. much better than these, on many occasions – he may have found a spot he can handle, and worth using IF the price is fair. (1) MUSIC HALL is just 1 for 25 this year...hard to believe since he won 16 races in 2026 – has speed from the rail with Holland, and looms a threat to just outrun these tonight. (3) OUR SWEET DELIGHT A added Lasix 2 back and picked up a pair of 2nds after that – chance here, even if by default. (4) MANFERNO will wake up one of these nights but he’s been (mostly) struggling for a while, and hard to take with a short price right now. (6) TASTE OF HONEY has been stuck in the back in better fields in his last several starts – another bad spot, but he may be able to at least make some more noise vs. this bunch. (7) PYRO felt like he was coming around but seems to have lost that momentum. (8) ITZA DANGERZONE A probably needs a much better draw to be a threat, even vs. a soft group like this (5) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER has just one 2nd from 8 YR tries and has been struggling in PA lately.