Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, November 3, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND didn’t benefit much from the drop to 30s two back but last week’s drop to 20s produced a sharp front end try, just missing to a sharp rival in a sharp 1:53.3 mile – clearly the one to beat tonight, but a very short price is looming. (8) TWO BEAN DREAM has won 2 of her last 4 starts, finishing 2nd to a currently razor sharp BOUT DAMN TIME A in the other pair – she’s as good (or better ) than #1 right now, but it’s hard to say if Kakaley will be able to find her a manageable trip from out here. (5) DWS DARLENE was no factor last week but did finish ok– she’s having a good year (overall), and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (4) ONEDERFULBEACH caught a weak field 2 back and was able to pick up her first win in 2026 – she just got WAY too hot on the lead last week, but may be able to bounce back tonight (at a nice price) with a quieter trip. (7) DIVID ED WE FALL had no chance in her first local try of 2026 but kicked home strong last week to be a close 3rd – brutal spot tonight, but maybe she can still grab a minor share. (2) TRICKY WICKY finally hit board in her 12th local try of the year but then failed to do so in her last 3 starts – maybe she can squeeze out a piece with the good draw. (3) PARTY PUMPS arrives showing wins in 4 of her last 5 at Stga. but likely vs. much easier – we’ll see if she can hold her own with the locals. (6) FOX VALLEY JASMINE has just 3 starts this year – still trying to get herself going

RACE 2 – (4) NO WAITLIST is just 2 for 32 but has banked nearly $200K, usually facing much tougher fields than this one – willing to give him a try in his local debut, assuming the price is good enough. (7) YANKEE BREW shocked at 43-1 last time but it’s not like the race fell apart in order for him to win – his price will surely come down tonight, but will probably still be juicy enough to consider the possibility of a repeat performance. (1) ARISTA N was a winner in his first 2 U.S. starts but just had no answers last week when #7 blew by him into the stretch – way too soon to write him off, though, and he’s looking at a very good trip from this spot. (5) JUST GIVENER was a 1:49 winner at Plainridge off the barn change but couldn’t replicate that kind of mile in his local debut, just an “ok” 2nd as the 1/10 favorite – would be no shock to see him bring a much better mile tonight, and his price will surely drift up considerably. (2) DOWN THE LINE moves to NW2-4PM after a few ok tries in lower-level conditioned races – may be able to tow along for a small piece. (8) LOUMELO BALL is just 1 for 17 this year and 0 for 5 here at Yonkers – won’t be easy to get in play from all the way out here. (3) WINNINGMACHINE has grabbed his share of pieces since coming here this summer but probably would like to be in an easier field. (6) ISCAH HANOVER has used his gate speed to have some success at YR but tonight’s draw may leave him in a tough spot.

RACE 3 – (4) GABBYS WISH has been racing well for a while, handles any trip, and figures to be a good price in a field with several very live players – could be a good value option, as several others will take plenty of $$. (2) ALW AYS B LAYLA IR rarely goes a bad mile, and the only real knock is that she’s just a little light in the win column – she was WAY over bet in her last, but the price should be a lot more realistic tonight. (1) KISSIN JOE reversed form in a big way with that win 4 back, and has held her excellent form since then – add her to the list of (very) possible winners in here. (8) IDEALINFUN has been almost unbeatable at this level for some time, even giving tonight’s barn a rare victory 5 starts back – not sure she’s going to be able to overcome tonight’s draw, however, with so many sharp mares to her inside. (5) EXCEPTIONALISM has been racing well in 15s at Pocono (for a very sharp barn) but catches a tough spot for her local debut – prefer to just observe tonight. (7) DANCIN SUZY (Bartlett’s choice over 2 others) was in tight in her local debut then was a fast closing 3rd last week – not sure she’s going to find a good enough trip from out here, though. (6) RACEY RACH N returns off some nice tries vs. easier at Stga. but was winless in 6 tries here earlier this year. (3) FOTUNADA would be the only real surprise in here

RACE 4 – (6) HES A FEIN FELLOW wasn’t able to get involved 2 and 3 back but his 4 other most recent starts have all produced 2nd place finishes…to winners who would be heavily favored in here – feels like a spot for him to pick up his first local win. (3) NOVA BLUE failed to fire last week (after following the winner) but his efforts just prior to that were encouraging – good spot for an aggressive try. (7) GANDHI was well backed and finished 2nd in his local debut but took NO $$ in his next start (despite adding Lasix), and never got close – perhaps a check of the tote board is in order? (2) BAJAN FIREFLY tired badly in his local debut but he did put in a good move – maybe he can do better here with an easy trip? (4) IN A MINUTE was ignored in the wagering for his first local try and was no factor – another that might need a look at the odds board. (1) CAPTAIN AMORE N has disappointed in most of his local tries…still waiting for a real breakout mile from him. (8) JUSTINIAN took all kinds of unexpected tote action on 9/8 and delivered a major form reversing win (one of THREE horses that night to far exceed expectations) – he was dull before that mile, and no factor ever since. (4) DARLINS CAPTAIN makes his 2nd start for a barn that excels with “turnarounds” – this guy might take some more work, though (1 for 43 lifetime)

RACE 5 – (6) GINGER TREE LIZ was the odds on choice two back but made an uncharacteristic miscue to the half – she was handled conservatively in her next but rallied nicely at the end after sitting last…willing to hop back on her team tonight. (4) TAKING THE MIKI A just recently returned (upstate) after missing most of 2026 – she seems to be back on her game now, and could be dangerous upon arrival. (2) FIGHTING EVIL always figures, is usually right there, but just never seems to win at Yonkers (1 for 41) – tough one to use on top at a short price. (1) TH SAN DRA DEE took a month off, re-qualified, and returns to YR after a no chance spot in NJ – could at least contend for a piece from this spot. (3) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ is capable of better than her lines show right now – a good trip puts her in play for a decent piece, at a good price. (5) STAYCATION picked up a 3rd two back and did leave the gate last week (before making a break) – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) RACIN FOR ROYALTY usually needs a better spot to do her damage with these. (7) DISTANT LOVER gets her first bad draw in a long time – sticking with others

RACE 6 – (4) AVF CLAIRE was surely happy to NOT see SPIRIT OF PEARL A’s name this week as she finished 2nd to that sharp rival in her last pair – now SHE’s the one to beat. (2) PETROL QUEEN has been plagued by gait issues at times but did look smooth last week, even if not a factor – maybe she can add some value to the exotics? (1) BOUT DAMN TIME A tried to make the big leap from 20s to 50s last week and did better than most, chasing from the pocket and only losing 2nd late – we’ll see if she can hold her own once more, with what figures to be another good trip. (6) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT was 2nd at 84-1 last week, a huge price considering she races pretty well most of the time – chance for another piece tonight, though the price will definitely come down. (8) WAI TFOREVER N would seem to be up against it from Post 8 but the barn has sent out a lot of very live horses lately – if she’s live on the board, maybe consider including her underneath. (5) OVER ICE got really sharp for quite a while but has leveled off considerably the last several starts – needs to find that better form. (3) DRUNK DIAL dropped in for a tag last week and raced poorly– she does drop right back in the box, but we’re leaning elsewhere. (7) TIME TO STRIKE drops in for a tag but may need to wait for a better spot before she can be a serious player

RACE 7 – (4) COOPERSTOWN BOY was a sharp winner here in his last local try but that was vs. a much easier NW2-4PM field – on the flip side, he’s a very talented 3YO that was sent off at 3-1 in the NYSS Final, and returns from Ohio after making it to the Breeders Crown Final last week – have to give him top billing here, though hard to take too short a price taking on some good older horses. (5) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A raced big off the claim last week, used hard from Post 7 and still almost able to pull it off – look for another big try tonight. (2) HIMSELF N is the “x factor” – he held form nicely (up in class) off the recent $40K claim but MAY be starting to tail off – we’ll get a better gauge after tonight (chance for a good piece if still on his game). (6) THE MIKI TAKER A is now winless in 29 local starts but has been 3rd/4th a lot of times – use him on the bottom of tris and supers. (1) POINTS NORTH picked up 2nds in both local tries this year, but vs. easier – may be able to squeeze out a minor share vs. these with the inside draw. (3) LEVINE picked up his lone win of 2026 on 9/1 but his form has been mixed since then (and never better than 3rd) – minor spoils? (7) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR was the shocking leader last week, the others watched him go to the half in 1980s fashion (:59) and he was able to win his 2nd in a row – won’t be able to pull off anything like that here, however. (8) LILLBLISS will look better next week with a class drop (and hopefully better draw)

RACE 8 – (6) KWICK SAND A has put together a terrific 2026 campaign, racing well all year and earning his way right up to the top levels (where he didn’t embarrass himself) – gets some major class relief tonight and while the draw is less than ideal, he may still be able to find a way to beat these. (4) BALLROOM AFFAIR was sent off favored last week despite racing off a bad date, off a disastrous effort, and taking on older foes…but the barn can do very little wrong right now, and he actually won easily in a sharp front end score – have to respect the chances of another big effort tonight, back in the same class. (5) JUMPINGJACKMAC N was finishing close every week in the Invitational but hasn’t had any luck despite 3 straight class drops – too talented to NOT win one soon, but it may not be tonight. (1) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N moves back inside and we should see a much different effort this time – look for him to be part of the action from start to finish with the rail draw. (2) LYONS STEEL makes his 2nd start off the layoff tonight, and may need another start or two before he’s ready for his best – the 11YO is about $82K shy of $1M in lifetime earnings. (3) HARDT OF A KING continues to finish poorly, and that’s not going to work vs. these. (7) INVISIBLE N probably needs a better draw, in an easier field, to threaten for one of the top slots. (8) UNMATC HED WISDOM certainly feels like the outsider as the 3YO draws Post 8 after a private purchase

RACE 9 – (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A paced evenly in a much tougher field last week and now drops and draws the pole for a barn that’s been on a good roll lately – he’s a little light on wins recently, but has a decent chance to pick one up tonight. (8) CURLY JAMES A was struggling in 15s a few months back but he turned things back around, climbed back up the ladder and is now a weekly (major) threat at this $60K level – remains a dangerous player, even from out here. (3) MUSIC HALL took a long time to find his form this year but he’s back on his game for the last couple of months – takes a big step up tonight, but may be sharp enough right now to still be in the mix. (7) SPEAKER OF PEACE may just find himself too far back to threaten tonight but he rarely if ever throws a bad one, and he’ll be a big price – could juice up the exotics, with some racing luck. (4) ESCAPE TO AMERICA would like to be in just a bit easier but he’s good right now, and may be able to rally for a piece if the trip goes his way. (6) SUITE UP BRO finally got into the win column for his current connections last week, after racing well for a few starts prior to that – moves up and draws poorly tonight, and that may slow him down a bit. (2) MACS MARVEL picked up a win last week but his best efforts these days come vs. easier that these. (5) CHECKNOUTHETALNT A did beat this class 3 back but he still seems better suited vs. a bit easier

RACE 10 – (3) BET ON BIG JOE went bad for a bunch of starts, was freshened up, raced well off the qualifier but disappointed when stuck with a tough trip as the 3/5 favorite last week – he deserves a chance to make amends, but not one to bet the rent money on at a short price. (7) WINDSUN RICKY left from Post 7 off the class drop last week and while not his best effort, it was at least an encouraging try – worth at least a look with that 20-1 ML price. (8) CAPTAIN MARVEL is also listed at 20-1 but just missed in his only local try – if you think Siegelman can get him into the hunt, he’s worth considering. (4) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A takes another drop and will attract attention – he’s also camera shy, and doesn’t always look all that sporty…make sure to get a good price if he’s your choice. (5) SKYLOU N has never really thrived in the U.S. – just picked up a 3rd at Pocono (off the layoff) but will likely end up overbet tonight with Bartlett at the lines. (2) LAMANDIER A was going miles that would beat these not long ago but hasn’t looked good in his 3 starts since the 9/22 sick scratch. (1) COVERED BRIDGE looked like he might be ready for his first competitive local try in ages but ended up backing through the field after trying to cut the mile – it remains so hard to see this classy 10 year old racing this way, for so long. (6) WORKNUPALATHER makes his local debut off a good Monti try – we’ll just observe, for now.