Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, October 6, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) BOSTON BOUND has been sharp for months but hasn’t visited the winner’s circle for a while – it feels like he’s sitting on a winning effort (with the right trip), and maybe that’ll come tonight…he’ll be a good price, and that makes him worth a try in this solid field. (4) CURLY JAMES A made it all the way back up the ladder from 15s to 60s and has continued to hold excellent form even at this high level – he came up a little short after cutting the mile the last 2 weeks but Bartlett still takes him over #1, and he remains ever dangerous. (1) CAPT KARMA is 4 for 4 since joining probably the hottest barn on the planet right now, and he draws the pole as he looks to make it 5 straight – obviously a big chance to pull that off but he still throws some funky steps here and there, so maybe this is the week that it finally catches up with him – we shall see. (5) FINVARRA A can be a little inconsistent but he did win 2 of his last 4 starts (and 3 of 7), so he’s worth at least a look at a juicy price. (6) REGAL IDEA will likely take off the gate tonight after making an early miscue in his last - he’s shown that he CAN race from behind, and isn’t a bad one for longshot fans to consider. (2) KEAYANG TACO A is probably a notch below the top ones right now but the good draw at least puts him in play for a piece (7) HEMSWORTH N was a sharp pocket rocket winner last week but he usually struggles from tougher spots these days – not sure he’ll get near the action tonight. (8) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A is another that figures to be too far back to do any real damage here

RACE 2 – (1) IDEALINFUN has now taken 5 of her last 6 starts, with a variety of trips for several different barns – draws the pole for her newest connections, and remains the one to knock off. (4) YOUNONOTHINJON wasn’t as sharp last week after being more aggressive early on – her previous starts were solid, however, and maybe she can bounce right back tonight and add some value to the exotics. (5) YUENGLING loves to win races (15 for 36 at YR over the last 2 years!) but can struggle a bit when the trip doesn’t quite go her way– could be at least a bit vulnerable tonight, depending on how things play out. (8) SWEET SANDY was unlucky when caught behind a tiring leader last week, but did kick home strong for 2nd once free – if Bartlett can blast her off the car and work out a trip from Post 8, she can definitely have a real say here. (2) GOT SEXY SCARS (no Lasix tonight) was no factor in either start since returning to YR but may be able to just sit an easy trip from this spot and grab a small slice. (3) DUCK INTO THE NITE is just 12-0-0-1 locally over the last 2 years and will need to be better for even minor spoils. (6) WHOS PERFECT just doesn’t seem sharp enough right now to really threaten from this tough spot. (7) QUICK ME NU has been struggling – Post 7 definitely is not the antidote.

RACE 3 – (3) OVER ICE just conceded from Post 8 last week but was still less than 4 lengths back at the wire – she’s been very sharp for a long time, finally learned how to win races here at Yonkers, and should be primed for a much more aggressive try tonight. (2) SPIRIT OF PEARL A is another on a long form spree, and she’s held her form since bumping up to this $50K level (hit board in 3 straight) – she just missed in her last, and should be right in hunt again tonight. (1) GOING AWAY was struggling for some time with cheaper but the recent move to her current barn turned her fortunes around instantly, winning 2 straight then finishing 2nd last week (placed 4th), despite a brief miscue on the final turn – she’s definitely facing tougher here, but we’ll see if she's up for these too. (4) FEAR DA NIE has been in and out since arriving on the local scene, but a capable performer when on her game – can have a real say here, if she brings her best. (5) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT has picked up a pair of smaller pieces since moving up to this level – inclined to stick with a few of the others. (6) MC ANGEL draws outside after failing to threaten in either start since the recent claim – still not ready to write her off just yet, however

RACE 4 – (5) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N was a big “go” from Post 8 last time but made a break into the first turn after blasting hard – deserves a chance to make amends in this very beatable field. (1) OURMATEMENKO N loses Stratton to the top choice but does get Bartlett to “fill in” – the main danger from the pole, but also the likely (heavy?) favorite. (2) ROLLING WITH SAM isn’t on his best game these days but should still be able to grab a decent piece from this spot. (3) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A just never worked out since arriving in the U.S., for either of two excellent barns – his last effort WAS slightly better than his usual tries, so maybe this isn’t the worst week to at least give him a peek? (4) SHAKESPEARE is nowhere near top form but the good draw at least puts him in the mix for a minor share. (7) INTIMIDATION was 2nd to a stickout winner last time but with an easy trip from the rail – looking at a much more difficult journey tonight. (8) TWIG has been “ok” since returning from the layoff, but this really isn’t a spot to look for him to strut his best stuff. (6) JMS FINAL TREASURE has struggled in almost all of his starts this year…especially here at Yonkers

RACE 5 – (1) STRIKEM N was having a solid year in Australia (12-1-6-2) before being exported to the U.S. (to strong connections) – the powerful rally in his qualifier suggests he should be ready for action right off the bench, and we’ll give him top billing for his local debut. (2) MAGIC JOURNEY won an overnight here on 6/16 and also won an Excelsior division in a very crisp 1:51.3 on 8/13 – hard to say if he’s as sharp right now, but anything close to his best will make him very dangerous tonight. (4) HES A FEIN FELLOW has been rallying crisply every week, and should be able to make his presence felt here too – use in exotics. (6) LYONS GUSTAVOFRING swept the field to take his local debut on 9/22 (adding Lasix) – he was a more modest 4th while facing better in his last, and may be looking at only a smaller slice tonight, as well (3) TWIST OF LEMON is just 1 for 22 this year and 2 for 35 lifetime – maybe he can squeeze out a small piece in his local debut. (8) ALWAYS BET ON ME has done ok since arriving here this summer but may have a tough time getting into the mix starting from out here. (7) ROUGH DEAL was sent off at tiny prices in his last 2 local tries and disappointed both times…bad draw tonight after a tough outing at Tioga, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (5) ALABAMA LUCKY has been struggling…waiting for better signs

RACE 6 – (6) ROCKET CITY SMITTY definitely has ability but the 3YO has struggled with making breaks this summer – he was freshened up, re-qualified at Pocono then behaved in his first start back, an excellent 2nd – willing to give him a try IF the price is fair. (1) LYONS PAPI ROCK just missed at Chester 2 and 3 back to (2) ISCAH HA NOVER, but was coming from well back those nights – very dangerous from this spot in his Yonkers debut. (3) CA PTAIN AMORE N struggled in his first few U.S. starts but showed clear improvement in his last couple – could have a say here if he continues to head in the right direction. (2) ISCAH HANOVER had no chance last week (7 hole vs. better) but was a winner here the start before that and as noted, did beat #1 twice at Chester– have to respect his chances. (8) WINNINGMACHINE has been a solid player in this class since arriving from PA but tonight’s draw is going to be hard to overcome. (7) PERFECT SKY broke his maiden 2 back with a blowout win at Chester but he gets a tough draw off a bad date for his Hilltop debut. (5) THE GOLDEN GHOST arrives from Running Aces and will have to prove that he can hang with the locals. (4) HALF PAST MIDNIGHT throws some good miles out of town but for whatever reason, hasn’t been able to offer anything here at Yonkers

RACE 7 – (3) TH COLBY was outbrushed by the streaking CAPT KARMA to 3/4s last week but never gave up, and was still right there 2nd at the wire – he’s been on an extended form spree, and figures to be very dangerous tonight, as well. (8) MATAI PHIL N wasn’t at his best last week but his overall recent form has been strong – he’s left from spots like this in the past, and would become a legitimate player if he can do that again tonight. (1) SPECU LATING A hasn’t won in a while but he’s hit board in 4 of his last 5 starts (albeit vs. a bit easier) – the rail draw makes him a solid contender for a good piece of this. (2) CHECKNOUTHETALNT A may prefer to be in a bit easier but he gets a good draw (with Bartlett) and that could help him take home a slice. (5) ROYAL DESIRE came up empty last week but has been doing good things (for the most part) for some time – we’ll see if that was just a blip, or if he may be starting to tail. (4) NANDOLO N really needs to be in easier to be a threat these days – minor spoils only. (6) LEVINE raced much better than expected last week, finishing with good pace for 3rd (even if helped by an easy trip) – up in class and a tough draw tonight, however. (7) RIO has struggled at the end of his miles even with “easy” trips – hard to make a case for him from out here.

RACE 8 – (2) PINNY TIGER A finally looked more like his “good” self last week, a powerful 1:51.4 blowout winner – he’ll be very tough to knock off if he brings that same kind of effort tonight. (3) HARDT OF A KING delivered as the favorite in his local debut, though he did get a little tired near the end – he’ll likely be forced to race from a bit off the pace tonight, but that may also help him to finish better – guessing he’ll be good again, even with the move up in class. (1) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N was 2nd in the class to a currently sharp ARODA N 2 back, then 3rd one level up last week – draws another rail, and this trainer/driver dup teamed up for a sharp win on Monday night – look for him to be right there all the way. (4) WHATS STANLEY GOT A chased the top choice from the pocket last week and had to settle for a no threat 2nd best – may be looking at a bit smaller share tonight. (6) HP MO MENTUM is racing very well right now – lands in a very tough spot, but he’ll be a big price and may bring some value to the exotics, with a bit of trip luck. (5) UNMATCHED WISDOM is a 3YO facing some classy older foes but he did finish 3rd last week and gets a driver switch to Brennan tonight – maybe he can grab a piece here too? (8) SUI TE UP BRO was sharper in his 2nd start off the recent barn change but tonight’s draw may leave him waiting for a better spot. (7) GANNONS VELOUCITY took no $$ and was no factor at all from similar spot last week

RACE 9 – (7) GABBYS WISH was scary in that front end win 3 back – she didn’t try to leave in her next 2 starts but still finished alertly from off the pace both times…gets a big switch to Bartlett tonight, and he may try to handle her more aggressively…willing to give her a try, at a good price. (1) KISSIN JOE had been an afterthought for weeks (months?) so last week’s two move, 8 hole victory is a candidate for this meet’s biggest form reversal – hard to not give her a chance to repeat moving all the way inside, but you know what they say about missing the wedding! (4) KARPATHIAN QUEEN was (shockingly) worn down by #1 last week and weakened to 3rd – her best effort would make her a threat here, however. (5) GINGER TREE LIZ shipped in sharp from Chester, raced well for 3rd and was claimed that night, immediately winning for her new connections the next start – she quickly regressed in her last pair, however, and is a big question mark right now. (8) TALENT TO SPARE A is 0 for 24 this year but races well often enough to at least throw in for 3rd/4th on a few tickets. (6) PINE BUSH MAGA is another “ofer” this year that can grab small pieces when things go her way. (2) DISARONNO HILL moves inside and was Ginsburg’s choice over #7…still leaning elsewhere (3) STAYCATION has been losing regularly out of town to easier than these

RACE 10 – Tough race : (6) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A had some good starts recently but wasn’t as sharp in his last – gets a big switch to Bartlett tonight, and he could be the perfect pilot for a horse than can sometimes be hard to motivate…one of several with a chance in here. (1) KIMBLE A was well backed dropping to a similar spot 2 back, was handled aggressively but came up short at the end – maybe he can use a stalking trip for a better chance tonight? (3) FORCE FULL A has disappointed ever since winning his local debut on 7/20 but to be fair, he’s also had to deal with several bad posts, in much tougher fields – eligible for a wake up call tonight. (5) EVER M may be coming around after a recent rough patch – he raced better in his last couple, and we’ll see if he can continue to improve tonight. (7) ROCKIN JUKEBOXX dropped to this level last week and raced ok despite a tough trip – tonight’s draw may be too tough to overcome, though. (4) ALIEN POWER is racing “ok” lately – one of several that could land a small piece, with the right trip. (2) GINGRAS BEACH used all of a perfect trip to beat much easier last week, and that’s probably why Bartlett opted to drive #6 instead – small piece? (8) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR is better than a bunch of these but he’ll likely also be trying to rally from last – minor spoils?

RACE 11 - (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was very well meant when 3rd last start and the two horses that (barely) beat him both came back to win their next starts – this obviously isn’t an ideal spot, but the trade off is that his price will be pretty juicy…worth a shot. (2) UDDERLY SWEET A was the choice here when he was scratched sick on 9/29 and he’s clearly a lot more risky tonight – still a big threat, but harder to take too short a price right now. (3) TWIN B FRESH BET is very good right now but he’ll also be taking on more seasoned foes as he exits the NW2-4 PM class…he may be sharp enough to have a real say with these too. (4) AMERICAN FLING hasn’t hit board in 5 starts since arriving from PA but he does get some important class relief here, and that could help him at least be a bigger part of the action. (5) OUR SWEET DELIGHT A has been “ok” since adding Lasix, picking up several smaller pieces – chance for the same tonight. (1) IGNATIUS A has missed a month (sick scratch) and is another question in a field filled with them. (6) ULTIMAROCA returned to Yonkers from Ocean Downs, landed in our leading barn and was able to wire a soft bunch from the pole – much tougher assignment tonight. (8) KILLING JOKE is a 3YO taking on older foes, from Post 8, after making just 1 start in the last 5 weeks – sticking with others.