Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, April 15, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) MAYBEMABEL looked home free on the final turn after making a strong move to take over to 3/4s but got the jelly legs into the stretch and weakened to 4th– tonight’s drops to 20s may be just what the doctor ordered but still would hesitate to bet the ranch at a very short price. (3) SHANGRI LA HANOVER had pace finishing for 3rd two back and had more pace than she was able to show when hurt by some stretch traffic last week – she’s won in this class before, and could be an upset threat for tonight. (4) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ is solid right now, and the ability to leave the gate has really helped her recent efforts – logical player once more. (2) QUICK MENU had upped her game a bit for a few starts but feels like she’s leveled back off again – maybe she can sit and rally late for a share? (1) I LOVED HER FIRST was hurt by some terrible spots for a while, got some overdue trip luck in her victory on 3/18 but then was no threat in her next, and no good at all last week – not sure what to expect here! (8) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL was 1 for 49 at Yonkers over the last 3 years before making that 2 for 50 with last week’s (blowout!) victory – she doesn’t feel like the repeating type, especially from out here. (6) PRINCESS AMERICA did beat a NW2 field here last Fall, and races with Lasix tonight for the 2nd time – bomb for 3rd/4th? (7) HARPER SE ELSTER was an “improved” 3rd last week, but the inside trip was the biggest factor – tough spot tonight

RACE 2 – (1) KARINCHAK had strong season at 2 and 3 and his 4YO campaign is off to an excellent start as well, with a pair of victories and a 2nd since adding Lasix 3 back – gets to call the shots from the pole, and the road to the winner’s circle goes through him. (4) KAYS IN CHARGE has also been very good since the recent addition of Lasix, and was a solid rallying 3rd behind the top choice 3 back – could be the main danger. (2) SEVEN LAYER effortlessly handled cheaper on 4/1 but he’s proven that he can hang with these too – last week’s sick scratch does make him a bit more iffy, however. (5) ALIMONY MIKE drops out of the Brennan Series where he trotted evenly for small pieces in his last pair – may be looking at a similar result tonight, after drawing outside a few main rivals. (3) PORTOBAROSSO AS NL made his local debut last week and was an ok (no threat) 2nd in his first start since December – definitely could be sharper tonight, but may also find this field much tougher, overall. (6) WALKWHIL EYOURTALKIN is facing tougher than he’s used to…the outside draw isn’t going to help!

RACE 3 – John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #3: (5) ALWAYS A STORY found her best late and collared heavily favored ZENMEISTER S in the first leg, then landed on a tough trip last week when forced to come brushing first over into the fastest part of the mile (but still right on the wire in 3rd) – hard to imagine her getting a “bad” trip in this 5 horse field, and we’ll give her the slight edge. (2) ZENMEISTER N was 4 for 4 in the U.S. before getting nipped late by the top choice in the first leg (at 2/5) – he missed the 2nd leg and the week off may actually benefit him – better price tonight, and he’ll have his chance to even the score with #5. (1) MA ISABELLE ended up with a golden trip last week and scored the 30-1 upset – not sure she can repeat, but she can certainly grab a good chunk from this spot. (3) GREEN MEL seems to race a bit differently from week to week – the ABILITY is there for big efforts, but we’ll stick with a couple of more reliable contenders tonight. (4) HALFADOZEN skipped Leg 2 and picked up an ok 3rd vs. cheaper – still think these are a bit more than she can handle right now

RACE 4 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #3: (3) KAZIO DK actually looked pretty strong on the lead in the first leg when he made a very costly miscue on the final turn – he was mistake-free in last week’s front end romp, and we’ll give him a shot to keep behaving, and make it 2 in a row. (1) COMMODUS A had to miss the first leg (barn had too many other entries) then he just missed last week after cutting the mile, nailed late by the tripsitter – may get to chase from the pocket tonight, and that should put him right there once more. (4) EXQUISITE TASTE has taken 5 of her 10 local starts this year but didn’t look quite as sharp in her last couple – she can be a real threat if she can bring her best effort tonight. (2) BELMONDO has ability, but bled three back then made a break last week – just not in a good groove right now, and trying to take on some nice trotters at a tough time. (5) SUNDAYS BRUNC H has never clicked at all since joining her current barn last September

RACE 5 – (1) MR PROFETA doesn’t have the best looking lines right now but that can be said for most of the ones in here – he does have the rail with Gingras, and was a solid 2nd best off a pocket trip to ROCK THE BELLES 4 starts back– may have found a winning spot. (4) TWO FACED hit board in 7 of 9 starts this year but he hasn’t WON a race since 2024, and is listed at 7/5 ML tonight despite missing time after a sick scratch – tough to take a very short price with him on top! (7) HUGH HESTON was a decent 3rd three back and not terrible last week despite a horrible trip – would have liked his chances a lot more with a better draw, but at least his price will be juicy from out here. (6) ROCKET FREIGHT has struggled overall for a barn that has enjoyed a surprisingly strong 2026 season, but did go a big effort 2 back – had appeal at that 15-1 ML price. (2) UWAITILLGOFIRST wasn’t “good” on his last pair but at least he functioned– eligible to have a bigger say with the move inside. (5) DEEDENUTO A has been off his best game again – maybe minor spoils? (3) LAST GOODBYE is going through a major rough patch– waiting for better signs. (8) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE is the outsider, both literally and figuratively

RACE 6 – (3) SWEET ODDS showed some ability at 3 and was a winner in her only local try – she just qualified back nicely for her 2026 season (behind the Open mare HUNTRESS), then lost all chance in her first NJ start when trapped badly through the lane – draws inside her main foes and we’ll give her the nod. (4) SEND IT DOWN SLIM has been disappointing so far as a 4YO but has speed and has been taking home pieces every week – should be part of the action once more. (7) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR has taken 2 of her last 3 starts with a 2nd to the very talented RASPALIA N – the only knock here is the draw, but it MAY hurt her chances a bit. (6) ALWAYS B LAYLA finished 2nd to #7 last week, completing the “ALWAYS B Fecta” – tough spot tonight, and will need some trip luck to be as big a threat. (1) MARTINI STAR struggled to win races last year but at least was able to hit board in most of her starts – 2026 has been a disappointment so far, and she comes into this off a disastrous try – sticking with others for now. (5) MILAGRO was no threat last time but raced ok for 4th – keep an eye for any additional improvement here. (2) HINT OF SPRING makes her 2026 return after 5 months off – just observing, for now

RACE 7 – (8) MINOTAUR was hurt by poor cover to the final turn last week or may have been a winner – he was claimed by a suddenly hot barn, that usually gets Yannick to choose their horses…could be a good value play from out here. (2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK has some rough recent outings AND is racing off a sick scratch…that being said, anything close to his best effort would give him a chance to just outrun these. (5) ADVANCE MAN raced well in all 3 local tries, including last week’s very hard fought close loss – could be dangerous with an easier trip. (4) GO THIC ROCK hadn’t hit board in 7 starts this year but got Bartlett at the lines last week and was able to get his picture taken (after a hard battle with #5) – license to repeat, but also figures to be overbet. (7) TIN ROOF RAIDER A has been stuck too far back in quick miles the last couple of weeks and was unable to have any say – that MAY happen here too, but he may also get a chance to rally off a contested pace vs. this modest crew…worth a look at the right price. (1) ROCK THIS WAY would be a threat on his best effort, but his last few haven’t been up to snuff. (6) MAJOR POCKET A got hung out to dry last week and tonight’s draw may result in another tough trip. (3) ALWAY S ROCKIN may end up being a decent 15, but he’s hard to consider right now with his dismal local win %

RACE 8 – (2) WHAT A BUCKEYE was hammered down to 3/5 for his local debut but was offstride early on – he drops right back in the box, meets nothing scary in here, and will be a much better price…if you’re willing to give him another chance. (5) LIFE IS GREAT had a busy 2YO campaign in Canada, racing 14X (and finishing 1st or 2nd in half of them) – he’s come back solid at 3 so far, qualifying decently at Monti then just missing at Stga. – wouldn’t have to be too great to be a threat with these. (3) BOOM CHICKA BOOM is just 2 for 36 lifetime but did hit board in14 of her losses – won her Chester qualifier for new connections, and is another newcomer that could be a good fit here. (4) ARMANI BLUE CHIP raced ok in some minor PA stakes at 2, but had a disastrous first start back at 3 – might rebound with a much better effort tonight, but also figures to end up overbet. (1) HIPPIE SHAKE was solid for a few starts but his last couple have been lacking – good spot if he can find one of his better efforts tonight. (7) BROMAX was solid in that first over win 3 back but his starts before and after have been lacking – tough draw, regardless. (6) MUSCLE SPASM was just ok in a trio of starts here recently, and gets a tough draw for his return. (8) JAKEY JUMPUP is still trying to find some form in 2026 (dull in 5 starts, so far)

RACE 9 – Wide open finale: (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES has good pace from an impossible spot 3 back, stayed inside the next start and lost a chance for better (finished 3rd), then was behind a wall of horses into the stretch last week before finishing up well once free – maybe he can get some better luck tonight and score an upset? (3) PINK FLOYD HANOVER had a no prayer 8 hole trip vs. 25s last week but drops back down to 20s, moves inside, and can beat these on his best effort. (1) DISMAS turned in a form reversing first over upset 2 back then followed that up with another good try, finishing 3rd after cutting the mile – dangerous from this spot for our leading trainer/driver tandem. (8) SHAKE IT won 10 races last year and is already 4 for 10 to start off 2026 – if he can land on the right trip, he’d have a chance to win…even from out here. (4) LOUS BEACH has been doing excellent work this year in 15s but steps up to take on the 20s here after last week’s claim – wouldn’t surprise, but leaning more towards others. (6) DANCININTHEFIRE held his form very nicely off the claim last week, but tonight’s tough draw may slow him down a bit. (7) DANCE ON THE BEACH stepped up to 20s and just missed last week but is another that could be hurt by the draw. (5) BLACK HAWK JOE A was much sharper earlier in the year.