Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) JUSTCALLMEBUCK has kicked home full of pace in all 3 local tries, from impossible spots – he figures to be much closer to the action tonight, and looms a very dangerous player with any half-decent trip. (4) HA ZEVILLE turned in a better effort last time, even if he weakened once the pace started to quicken – very logical threat from this spot. (1) DRACARYS Z was handled conservatively in his local debut and finished ok for a small check – he’ll surely be using more of his speed tonight, and that could put him in play for a bigger chunk. (8) HAM MERING HANK is a very good fit with these but he draws another 8 hole – if you think Kelly will try to get him into the mix tonight, he’s a good one to include in exotics. (7) THE IDEAL DANCER A is off his best game and draws horribly – that being said, he could still find a way to beat a bunch of these for a piece. (5) OUR SWEET DE LIGHT A was very game in defeat last week and has seen his game perk up since adding Lasix – he takes a double jump tonight, however, and that may slow him down a bit. (3) LOTTO MAX was an opportunistic 2nd thanks to a quick start 3 back but failed to replicate that effort in his last pair – leaning more to others. (6) GINGRAS BEACH draws poorly after a no factor try in this class last week.

RACE 2 – (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N will throw a clunker when he lands on a trip he doesn’t like and that certainly was the case in his last – he’s been well off his best game for a while but still good enough to beat these, especially with Holland back up…wouldn’t fall in love at a very short price, though. (1) HIMSELF N can still throw big efforts when in the right spot, but they have been fewer and farther between this year – logical spot to look for him to bring his best, though. (3) SON OF THE SHARK A saw his owner (a leading trainer himself) seem to give up on him after a few U.S. starts and move him to another barn…who immediately was able to get him to the winner’s circle – have to respect his chances off that last victory. (4) CAPTAIN FEAR has found his game lately and was really charging at the end last week, despite sitting last throughout – decent value option if not a fan of the favorites. (6) IN EXCESS N has been holding form decently even as he moves up the ladder – maybe he can bring home a small piece? (7) THE MIKI TAKER A has been racing well for a while but he draws outside and hasn’t won a race since 2024! (5) TWIN B POWERBALL is racing himself back into form since returning from the layoff, but this spot may be a little too tough right now. (8) JUST ENUFF STUFF is far too off his best game to consider from out here

RACE 3 – (2) ALWAYS BET ON ME’s local efforts have been a bit mixed but he just missed vs. much better in his last, and a repeat of that mile could land him in the winner’s circle tonight. (3) THE RASCAL N looked very good on 7/21 when he put it all together for an easy victory but he remains inconsistent from week to week, and hasn’t been the handiest horse either – he can be dangerous here if he can find some smooth sailing. (5) HALF PAST MID NIGHT is an enigma – the homebred hasn’t earned a quarter in his 4 local tries, but he’s come up with some big efforts out of town (including a 2nd in his last in PA to the talented OBLITERATE, in a 1:49.4 mile!) – making things even more confusing is that he’s missed a month since that last big try- no idea what to expect tonight! (1) YANKEE BREW picked up a win here 2 back but does seem slightly below the top ones – probably next in line should they all falter. (4) ALABAMA LUCKY gave way after blasting to the top from Post 7 last week – he’s off his best right now, but an easy chance gives him a chance at a small piece. (8) ENRIQUE HANOVER used a kind trip to pick up 2nd last week but faces more limited opportunities starting from Post 8. Both (6) NOVA BLU and (7) JUSTINIAN draw poorly and neither has been a factor at Yonkers so far

RACE 4 – Good race: (3) BOSTON BOUND gave it a big try in his last, sprinting home in :27 (after cutting the mile) and only overtaken right at the wire by a couple of very classy foes – debuts for a new barn tonight, and is one of several with a legitimate chance in here. (2) ORLANDO BLUE A was a winner 2 and 3 back and looking VERY strong on the final bend last week when he made that very unfortunate miscue – definitely has appeal with that 15-1 ML price. (1) CURLY JAMES A found himself all the way down at the $15K level not too long ago after falling apart completely – obviously he turned things back around in a big way, and looks to succeed at the $60K level tonight, after winning 6 of his last 7 starts while climbing back up the ladder – definitely possible, but almost certain to be overbet in a very solid field. (6) PANETTONE HANOVER rebounded from a couple of weak efforts with last week’s “more like it” 3rd place finish – tough draw, but a good trip could put him in the mix. (4) MACS MARVEL was full of pace with no room 2 back, then an excellent first over 2nd to the sharp front end winner in his last – another that could get it done with the right trip. (7) BACKSTREET SHADOW got an “old school” drive last week, stealing a very slow :58 middle half then sprinting away in the lane – won’t be quite as easy tonight, up in class and from Post 7. (5) ROCK THE BELLES seems a notch below, but does have a pair of recent wins!

RACE 5 – (3) SURVIVIN FIRE raced huge in that long first over victory 2 back then followed that up with a crisp finishing 4th last week (from too far back) – chance to get back to the winner’s circle with a live trip. (6) ULTIMATE SPEED was simply vicious in last week’s first over score, wearing down a very sharp BRI EXPRESS N while delivering her sharpest mile in a long time – tough post in a tough field tonight, but can still have a real say if she shows up as sharp tonight. (1) AVF CLAIRE’s has disappointed in general lately but she was a winner the ONLY time she was paired up with Bartlett…déjà vu? (7) SPIRIT OF PEARL A is technically moving up in class but that was hardly an “easier” field she beat last week – she’s in career form right now, and the only real knock is the draw. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED ships in with solid Plainridge form but she’s just 1 for 21 locally over the past 2 years, and seems better used underneath, rather than on top. (4) MAYBEMABEL has a huge brush in her (when “right”) but seems to do her best racing when in cheaper – solid (re)qualifier at Monti, but still leaning towards others. (5) PE TROL QUEEN had pace off a no-chance trip last week and that should serve as a very useful start off the qualifier – could see her grabbing a minor share tonight. (8) LAURIE LEE just seems to race better out of town (and Post 8)!

RACE 6 – (3) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A has been hanging in reasonably well vs. (much) better in several recent starts and now drops back down to the level he beat0n 6/30…chance for the same result tonight. (1) CAPTAIN LUFFY chased as best he could in a hot mile (vs. 50s) last week and will surely appreciate tonight’s easier spot – logical player with the pole, but note that he’s 0 for 18 this year before falling in love with his chances. (5) LEVINE is notoriously camera shy (and still winless in 2026) but he returns off a sharp PcD try and may be able to get more aggressive here too – would need a pretty good price to use on top, though! (4) MANFERNO has fallen on some tough times lately, and even last week’s 3rd was just “meh” – another that would need to be a good price to use on top tonight. (2) CASINO ACTION N may have built some confidence with last week’s NJ win, and could be worth including underneath, at a big price. (6) PRINTVILLE finally got into the win column for 2026 last week – tough draw tonight, however, and likely back looking at smaller pieces. (7) LILLBLISS is beautiful to look at (all white!) but that never helped him to pay the bills – a move to our leading barn (and a beautiful trip) resulted in his first win of the year last start, but tonight’s task seems far more difficult. (8) WINDSUN RICKY drew the pole in a soft field last time and was able to perk up and grab his 2nd win of the season– tends to struggle when drawn outside, though.

RACE 7 – (2) IMA PERFECT CHOICE went through a rough patch recently but he LOOKED much smoother 2 back, and definitely raced well last week (trying to rally into a hot final quarter – very dangerous here if rounding back into top form. (1) ALWAYS B ELITE N was making his first start in 6 months last week (for a new barn) and raced very well, off a solid qualifier – he should be that much tighter tonight, and could contend for the top slot. (5) INVISIBLE N can sometimes be hurt by his lack of “handiness” but he certainly knows how to kick home strong at the end of a mile – definitely playable in exotics and maybe even on top, if the price is juicy enough. (7) LYONS FR ANKY J has 7 local starts…he raced super in 4 of them (when Bartlett was on board), but no good at all in the other 3 – steps up and draws horribly off last week’s (outstanding) victory, but he has to be given major respect with JB still in the bike (3) CAVIART LOTUS was terrific winning his local debut then settled for 2nd best to a recent import in his last – ok for the bottom of exotics. (4) SMOOTH DREAM really had no excuses when he got beat 2 back, then came up weak in his last – no value with that 3-1 ML price. (6) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS got really good for a few starts but has quickly come crashing back to earth. (8) FEELIN WESTERN would be a major surprise vs. these

RACE 8 – Wide Open: (6) KEAYANG TACO A was stuck taking home minor pieces for a while, facing some pretty strong stock – he came to life quickly with last week’s class drop (a first over victory) and while he does step up a bit tonight, he’s a good fit here too – it’ll all come down to trip, most likely. (1) ROYAL DESIRE is often ignored in the wagering but he kicked home crisply to just miss 2 back, and was full of pace in the lane last week too, despite being hurt badly by poor back side cover – sharp enough now for a chance to pull off the upset. (2) PINNY TIGER A was doing outstanding work in the U.S. before being scratched sick on 3/16, and hasn’t been able to get back to that form since returning from the layoff – he raced “evenly” off the barn change last week and MAY be getting closer to breaking out a big mile…but he’s hard to endorse at a short price right now. (5) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A was stymied by a trio of awful posts before last week’s big wake up call (moving inside) – can’t blame anybody looking to give him a try here. (4) NO TRESSPASSING struggled here earlier in the year vs. much easier, but has elevated his game in PA the last few months – gets Bartlett for his YR return, and can’t be counted out. (3) ODDS ON NO LIMIT gets a pass for a hopeless trip from Post 8 last week but others in here just seem more likely right now. (7) ITS A ME MARIO is still looking for his first win of 2026 and he’s going to need to find a much bigger effort to win from out here. (8) REINCARNATED moves well up in class while landing behind the 8 ball

RACE 9 – (4) TWO BEAN DREAM added Lasix last week but her chances were spoiled when trapped behind a bad quitter – she’s gone some sharp efforts here, and could offer some value tonight. (2) YUENGLING was a sharp front end winner last week, picking up her 9th victory of the season – major threat to take another, but looking at a very short price. (7) TALENT TO SPARE A is winless in 2026, but racing very well at the moment – definitely ok for exotics, and maybe worth a look on top, at a big price? (6) KARPATHIAN QUEEN was an ok 3rd in her first local try (in June) but no good at all in her next– she’s been racing very well out of town since then, and gets Bartlett to drive in her Hilltop return – chance for sure, but likely to be overbet, from a tough spot. (3) BARBADOS BABE chased ok for 3rd last time, and has a chance to contend for a minor share here too. (8) FORTUNADA rebounded from a dud on 8/15 with another good try in her last – would have been listed higher if not for Post 8. (5) SUNBUR NT continues to be stuck on minor spoils most weeks. (1) ALI SWEET CAKE shied and broke in her local debut and moves all the way inside for tonight – still think she might just be a bit cheaper than most of the others.

RACE 10 – (4) ROUGH DEAL had some issue at Monti 3 back (2nd start for his current barn) but kept up nicely here at Yonkers in a 1:51.3 Excelsior division in his next start, then WON his Excelsior leg at Batavia last week – either of those last 2 efforts would make him very tough tonight. (1) SPECTACULAR LEO disappointed a bit in his 2 local tries this year but has displayed better efforts out of town – maybe he can bring his best tonight, and be part of the equation? (7) ENTER SANDMAN won his career debut at Chester but then struggled in a pair of local tries – returned to PA and delivered back to back excellent miles, and we’ll see if he’s ready to show a better effort here, as well. (5) WINNINGMACHINE looks very cheap on paper (for these) but he does join a barn that improves horses dramatically overnight, and that could happen here too. (2) HE IS STINGIN seemed to be in a great spot last week but he really disappointed trying to cut the mile in a soft field – maybe he’s better chasing? (3) OZZIES CRAZY TR AIN just hasn’t thrived on the local scene, failing to hit board in his 7 tries. Both (6) AMERICAN ROAD TRIP and (8) CALVIN HANOVER probably need better draws to do any real damage, though both did hit board last week.