Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, October 27, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) BET ON BIG JOE just fell apart completely this summer – he took a month off, re-qualified, and was a solid 3rd in his conservative return try – draws inside his main rivals, and seems ready to get back to doing some damage again. (7) WINDSUN RICKY just toured the oval in several races where he drew poorly, up in class – his effort 2 back suggested that he was ready to be a player again, but landed in a hopeless spot last week – another bad draw tonight, but Marohn should at least be able to handle him more aggressively this time. (8) CAPTAIN FEAR had been holding his own vs. (much better) and was the deserving favorite last week – he disappointed on the front end, but can still be a big player with these…even from out here. (5) CAPTAIN MARVEL is probably better than several of these but 2 scratches from his last 3 starts make him at least a bit iffy for tonight. (6) PINE BUSH ITALIA NO was on the shelf from Jan. to July, was ok (at Tioga) right off the bat but soon missed a month, and has been dull since returning – we’ll see if tonight’s class drop helps. (1) COACH CUTSINGER is hard to gauge off his local debut (the winner won by 10, and most of the others were empty or terrible) – he’ll attract attention from the rail with Bartlett, but he’s a question mark, for sure. (2) DREAMBOAT HANOVER is 16-0-0-3 at YR – prefer others. (3) JMS FINAL TREASURE is definitely the black sheep in his (very large) barn – has struggled badly all year.

RACE 2 – (6) HES A FEIN FELLOW fits perfectly with these but was left with no real chance last week when he didn’t try to improve at all at the start – if Marohn can put him in a better spot tonight, he’d have a chance to pull off the mild upset (7) THE RASCAL N can be very tough when on his game (and things go his way) but he’s also prone to getting in trouble, and some self-destruction – legitimate threat, but also likely to be overbet. (3) SWEET JOEL just wasn’t right last week and folded badly – he’s back in the box quickly, will have a tactical edge over his main rivals here, and dangerous if he can bounce back to his best form. (8) DONTENVYME HANOVER makes his local debut (for a new trainer) and has Maryland form that would make him a good fit here – he also has the speed to blast from Post 8, if Buter gives him the green light. (4) WINNINGMACHINE never fired last week but he’s picked up pieces several times and may do so again tonight. (5) CAPTAIN AMORE N showed some better signs recently but now has been scratched in 2 of his last 3 starts – leaning elsewhere. (1) PURPLE WAYNE had an inauspicious local debut when scr. lame on 9/22 – prefer to just watch, for now. (2) WATCH AND BELIEVE added Lasix off the barn change 2 back but debuts locally without it, after a couple of tough PA efforts – another on the “watch list” for now

RACE 3 – (6) SPIRIT OF PEARL A has hit the top for three straight weeks and reported home a winner each time – she MAY have to take a different approach tonight, but is still sharp enough to extend her streak to 4…even if forced to race from off the pace. (1) OVER ICE was very sharp for an extended period but has leveled off recently – if she can get back to the top form from this spot, she’d have a chance to pull off the mild upset. (5) NILA MAREE N was doing excellent work when she first arrived in the U.S. this year, and that’s why she has $120K on her card – she hasn’t been nearly as good for a while, however, and elects to drop in for a tag tonight – Bartlett takes her over a couple of others, but she still feels vulnerable right now. (2) DRUNK DIAL wasn’t as crisp in her last win, but has some really sharp tries over the last couple of months – tonight’s move to a claimer creates some questions, and the level she’s in for could be an issue too – mixed feelings. (7) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT will probably be coming from too far back to threaten for the top slot, but she’s good enough to rally for a piece, at a nice price. (3) PETROL QUEEN wasn’t bad returning from PA 2 back but was very steppy last week, making it impossible for Kelly to really drive her – remains risky. (4) BOUT DAMN TIME A tries to move all the way up to 50s after being claimed for $20K last start – she also exits some of our highest % barns, and lands in one only clicking at 3% this year

RACE 4 – Well matched field! (2) KISSIN JOE delivered a massive form-reversing victory 3 back then proved it was no fluke when she won her next start as well – finished with pace from an impossible spot last week, and looms a real danger tonight with the move back inside. (5) SWEET SANDY has used her speed to create good trips week after week, and has hit board in 5 of her last 6 (parked the mile in the other) – can be right in the hunt again tonight. (4) BARBADOS BABE returned from a sharp 7 hole victory at Stga. and put in a BIG mile here for 3rd, despite a tough trip – she’s clicking right now, and a legitimate threat. (1) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ was ultra well meant from Post 7 last week but took a bad step after leaving, and lost all chance – upset possibility with the right trip. (6) DANCIN SUZY was trapped inside with no chance in her local debut – Bartlett takes her over a couple of others tonight, and she may have a chance if she ends up with a live journey. (7) POINT BREEZE has the ability to hang with these, but also gets a bad draw after making early miscues in 2 of her last 3 starts. (3) TRICKY WICKY took 12 local tries to finally hit board (3rd) but was no factor in her last pair. (8) GINGER TREE LIZ was hammered to 4/5 last week (after a big try the week before) but broke coming to the half – would have given her a longer look tonight had she not drawn so far outside

RACE 5 – (2) YOROKOBI N doesn’t win often enough to ever bet with complete confidence but he’s used to holding his own vs. better than these, and has a legitimate chance to get his picture taken from this spot. (3) PRINT VILLE is as camera shy as the top choice but he’s another that has more than held his own vs. better in a bunch of starts – the right trip could make him a dangerous late player. (5) MACS MARVEL is also used to keeping better company and is a perfect fit with these – he’s also not blessed with much gate speed, and that often results in tougher trips – playable if the price is good enough. (7) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE has a disappointing local slate this year (12-1-1-2) but was also facing some higher priced claiming fields most of the time – gets a nice drop for his new connections but also gets an awful draw – would need decent odds to try on top. (8) INTIMIDATION blew out a very weak field last week but now has Post 8, up in class – minor spoils? (6) LAMANDIER A was pretty good for several starts but has hit a rough patch – watching for better signs. (1) TWIG hasn’t been a threat vs. easier lately – rail seems like his biggest asset. (4) BRONX MIXER is struggling, and entered vs. boys tonight

RACE 6 – (3) JUST GIVENER flashed ability in Canada this year but really elevated his game off the barn change last week, scoring in 1:49 at Plainridge for his new crew…Bartlett takes him over #6, and it seems like a good call. (6) ARISTA N is 2 for 2 in the U.S. (at very short prices) but Bartlett still hops off to drive #3 tonight – his price will be much better this week for those looking to stay on his team. (7) GANDHI was well backed for his local debut (for new (top) connections and came up 2nd best to #6 – he didn’t seem at his best that night, and does add Lasix this week – could add some value to the ticket. (4) HE IS STINGIN never seems to race the same way twice but he has enough good local efforts to include underneath. (8) NOVA BLUE returned to YR off a win at PcD and kicked home with better pace than expected– another brutal draw, but maybe a good bomb for 3rd/4th (1) BAJAN FIREFLY shows mixed Canadian form but lands in a strong local barn and draws the pole -the tote board may offer some clues. (2) IS CAH HANOVER used a fast start last week to grab another 2nd place finish but still feels like he may be a peg below some of these. (5) YANKEE BREW won here on 8/11 but most of his other efforts wouldn’t be enough here

RACE 7 – (4) TH RIZZO was doing solid work in 30s (and previously, in 50s) so it was no surprise to see her score as the heavy favorite dropping to 20s last week – moves from one sharp barn to another, and remains the one to beat, (1) ONEDERFULBEACH finally got into the win column in 2026 with last week’s wire to wire score vs. a bit easier –the good draw should put in her position to grab a nice chunk here too. (5) MILAGRO had been “sneaky ok” lately and certainly raced big in her last, parked every step and still not too far back in 5th at the end – maybe she can make even more noise tonight? (2) FIGHTING EVIL felt like she was in a winning spot last week, was sent off at 2/5 but her camera-shyness was on full display – still a good one to include underneath, however. (3) ODDS ON SARA SA RA was 15-0-0-0 at Yonkers before hitting board in 2 of her last 3 starts– chance for a decent slice here too (6) DWS DARLENE has enjoyed a terrific 2026 campaign but does seem to have tailed off lately – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help get her back on track. (8) RACIN FOR ROYALTY does her share of damage in this class, but usually from much better posts. (7) FORTUNADA would be a serious surprise from out here.

RACE 8 – (2) REDWOOD HANOVER is well off his best form these days but he gets major class relief, and Bartlett takes him over a pair of imports that are 3 for 3 with him…has to be given top billing, but wouldn’t bet the rent money on him, at a short price! (3) STRIKEM N easily beat a NW2-4PM field in his U.S. debut then stepped right up to effortlessly win in THIS class last week – Bartlett takes the top choice, but it would be no surprise to see this guy come out on top (4) MESSAGE BANK A was sent off at 3/5 for his stateside debut last week (with Bartlett) and did not disappoint – wouldn’t be surprised if HE was able to get his picture taken again. (1) HP MOMENTUM was sneaky sharp coming into his last, was well backed but unable to handle the first over trip – may bounce back for a good piece tonight with an easier trip. (6) HIMSELF N had been overachieving prior to last week’s 8 hole dud – we’ll see if he can make some noise from Post 6 tonight. (5) BETTOR BY SEASIDE draws outside the main players but still may find a way to grab a small share. (7) BANDERAS wasn’t up for last week’s uncovered try and now lands outside in a strong field – tough spot. (8) NANDOLO N’s best work has come vs. much easier in 2026

RACE 9 – (5) SWEET BEACH LIFE has incredibly won 10 of his last 11 starts, the lone loss coming in the Aria Pace, when stuck with a bad trip – it’s hard to explain how he was allowed to DRAW with 3 others for the outside slots and of course, he ends up with the best post possible – he may not win, but he’s hard to make a good case against! (6) CAPTAIN MOORE A has been razor sharp himself, but he doesn’t have “naturally” good gate speed, and may be spotting the top choice too much of a trip advantage to overcome. (2) GORGEOUS BIG GUY hasn’t been quite as sharp in his last few starts but it’s not like he’s been “bad” – license to rally here for a piece. (8) STER LING CHOICE won at the Open level for the first time last week (using all of a perfect trip) so it seemed unfair to force him to draw for the outside…and of course, he ends up with Post 8 – still may be able to find a way to grab a piece of this. (3) NEVERSTOPDREAMIN N picked up his first Yonkers victory last week, benefiting from a class drop and easy lead – probably looking at only a minor share vs. these, however. (7) WORLD OF WISHES is one of the more notable “turn-arounds” this year for a barn that has a long list of them – he was an impressive winner here 2 back but struggled at Pocono in his last, and draws horribly for tonight. (4) ENDOFSTORY can still throw a big effort from time to time but would still be hard to endorse vs. these. (1) DELE ROW A wasn’t bad way up in class last week and draws the pole tonight – suppose minor spoils are possible

RACE 10 – (1) SUITE UP BRO has done good work since recently joining his current connections, picking up 2nds in 3 of his last 4 starts (a couple from outside posts) – moves all the way inside, and may be able to get over the hump tonight. (7) JUMPINJACKMAC N is a very logical threat after holding his own in may starts vs. much better, but he’s not always as good when used harder early on and that MAY happen tonight, (5) ESCAPE TO AMERICA is a very good fit at this level and while he can be a little lazy at times, he has the right pilot tonight to keep him motivated – possible, for sure. (2) THONG CONTROL doesn’t win very often but he grabs plenty of pieces, especially when he lands a good trip – include underneath. (4) GANNONS VELOUCITY parlayed a class drop and good trip into a 2nd last week – not sure he can be as fortunate tonight, though. (3) INVISIBLE N was all out to beat lesser 2 back, then an “ok” easy trip 4th last week – moves up again, and will need to be better to contend for a piece with these. (6) MARLBANK ROAD raced better than expected last week but still figures to need more class relief before he can be a more serious player. (8) LEVINE will be hard pressed to get anywhere near the action from out here.