Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, August 5, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) DANCE PARTNER was a no-threat 3rd in his local debut but was also racing off a bad date – he catches a beatable field tonight, and may be able to come out on top. (2) KEVIN KLINE N often finds himself too far back to be a real threat but he did pick up a win here in June when the trip went his way and may be able to show up late tonight, if things get a little heated up front. (5) KOPI LUWAK is a tough call – he’ll appreciate facing this softer bunch for sure, but he’s also well off his best game right now – may be vulnerable at a short price. (7) LEVI NE is too camera shy to ever back with any real confidence but he may be able to blast his way to a good trip here, giving him a chance to add some value to the ticket. (3) HP MOMENTUM had the 7 hole off a sick scratch last week but did race ok in his prior pair – playable in exotics. (8) MUSIC HALL’s rough year continues, and another bad draw isn’t going to help his cause – ok for big longshot fans. (1) THERSOMTHINGGOINON raced better in his last pair at Monti but just seems cheaper. (6) CASINO ACTION N draws poorly off a sick scr. – pass for tonight

RACE 2 – (5) DUNKIN raced (and looked) pretty poor two starts back (his 2nd start off the long layoff) but he rebounded with a much better effort in his next start, digging in very bravely to pick up the win – if the uber-classy 6YO can build off that mile, he may be able to take another. (4) LYRICAL GENIUS A has been coming up a little weak at the end of his miles but he’ll be going back on Lasix tonight, and that could make a big difference – one to include, for sure. (2) THE GREEK FREAK has been well off his game for a while, even though he’s been close a few times recently – anything close to his best effort would make him dangerous here, but he’d be hard to back at a short price right now. (3) CHARLIES WISH changed barns in May and has been a different horse ever since – most of his recent PA starts could put him right in the mix with these. (1) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR figures to get outleft, then hope to rally in the latter stages – ok for a minor share. (6) LAMANDIER A wasn’t terrible from a no chance spot last week but he draws poorly once more AND moves up in class – tough spot!

RACE 3 – (7) SIMON SAYS HANOVER was blessed with a TON of ability but had issues staying sound all his career – after earning just $375 from 6 starts in 2025 he’s come back to life in 2026, albeit facing cheaper claimers – he gets a tough draw while moving up a bit for his first local try of the year, but we’re willing to give him a shot! (5) ALABAMAJAMMA exits a very sharp barn but lands in an outfit doing exceptional work this year– he’s raced very well for Kelly, and figures to be a major threat tonight, as well. (6) SAILBOAT HANOVER steps up to 20s but he’s certainly earned it, picking up 2 wins and 2 seconds from his last 4 starts – he can make his presence felt here too. (1) ONYX BOVINO didn’t do much at all in his first 11 local starts but he landed on a beautiful trip last week and converted it into a victory – a similar effort puts him in the hunt for another good piece here too. (4) MAD RIVER was well backed dropping in for a tag last week but came up a disappointing 4th – will need to be better if he hopes for a bigger slice tonight. (2) AUSSIE HANOVER is 0 for 44 at Yonkers over the last 2 years but does have a chance for minor spoils, with an easy trip. (3) TIP OF TIME has never hit the board in his 8 local tries

RACE 4 – (1) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A somehow was still right there 4th last week after getting parked (and battling) every step of the way, and his overall recent form has been excellent as well – he takes on some sharp rivals tonight, but the rail draw may help him come out on top. (5) EVER HOPING A was 0 for 25 at Yonkers the past 2 years…but then moved to his current barn and has now taken two straight, in dominant fashion – he steps up another level, but just may be sharp enough to still take another. (6) IKNOWBETTER dropped down to 50s last week and obliterated the field, although the :30 second 2nd quarter certainly helped – he’s as good (or better) than any of these, but tonight’s draw may leave him with a less than stellar trip…make sure to get a fair price from this tougher spot. (3) BETTORBYSEASIDE has held beautifully in a recent climb up the claiming ladder but was no match for #6 last week (2nd best), and may be looking at a smaller piece vs. these. (2) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A landed in a perfect spot in last week’s “fall apart” race and was able to cash in - will be tough to replicate that same good fortune tonight, however. (4) OPTICAL ILLUSION N’s lone win this year came vs. much cheaper – leaning elsewhere

RACE 5 – (6) JETT STAR N is very good right now and can be forgiven for not quite getting by the classy DUNKIN last week (especially after a less than stellar start from the pole) – gets a tough draw for tonight but some of the other main players have some question marks, and this guy should be offering a decent price (5) COALFORD TOPGUY GB was under fire all the way by a parked rival last week but still almost got the job done – losing Kelly (and Bartlett) hurts, but he’ll also be a better price with Vinny G…who has won some races here this meet. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF has been off his best game for a long time but he was still good enough to win off the pocket trip last week – would hardly be a shock to see him repeat. (8) ITS A ME MARIO is still seeking his first win of the year after returning from a long layoff – he’s faltered on the lead (as the favorite) in 3 straight starts, and his task won’t get any easier from Post 8! (2) SILKY CHOICE was razor sharp vs. much better here last summer/fall but he went on the shelf for 6 months and never got anything going (in Canada) after returning – his local return last week was marred by an equipment issue, and it’s anybody’s guess what we’ll get from him tonight. (3) PRINTVILLE is still winless on the year but has a bunch of 2nds and 3rds – ok bomb for the bottom of exotics. (4) IN EXCESS N was heavily backed for his local debut (off the barn change) and was able to prevail – in tougher tonight, and loses Bartlett as well. (7) FEELIN WESTERN is feelin’ much better these days, but faces a daunting task from this spot

RACE 6 – (7) CHAPTER GEO was sent off at 3/5 in a pretty good NYSS field last week and demolished his rivals, trotting an effortless 1:54.3 mile (after winning an overnight here the start before) – it would be pretty tough to NOT list him on top in this much easier spot, but do note that the last time Lachance drove him, he did get beat at 1/5! (2) GOYA rebounded from an uncharacteristic miscue on 7/8 with a sharp pocket victory last week – her overall local form has been rock solid, and she could be a good alternative if looking to take a shot against #7. (1) CTM rallied crisply for 3rd here last week and has been a solid Excelsior performer all season long – good chance to land in the exotics, somewhere. (4) PRESS had no prayer from Post 8 last week but his previous Goshen start suggests he may be rebounding from a recent rough patch – ok for the bottom of tris and supers. (5) TREGARON’s lines show an assortment of miscues, qualifiers, etc., but his last effort (1st start off the barn change) wasn’t bad – he seemed a little tough to steer that night, so we’ll see if some adjustments have been made. (3) RICO TUBBS was no factor in his local debut but it’s too soon to draw any real conclusions – we’ll look for some improvement tonight. (6) B EYELA SH has some ability, but way too many breaks and clunkers for our tastes

RACE 7 – (3) BOILING OAR raced super last week (despite a bad date after the sick scratch) and his overall recent form has been excellent – he loses Kelly to #4, but that also means that HIS price will be better – willing to give him a shot tonight. (4) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH came into his last in stellar form but he was used hard (after missing a month) and gave way to the final turn – he was quickly reclaimed by the barn for whom he set a lifetime mark the start before, and certainly deserves a chance to shrug off that last mile and bounce right back. (1) STELLAR YANK EE has been hurt by a combination of tough fields and bad posts recently but this is a spot where we can look for some major improvement– worth using at any decent price. (2) BELLS DAVID was no threat in either local try but wasn’t far back either – chance for at least a small piece with the good draw. (6) RAYRAY has no 1sts or 2nds this year but he’s been 3rd in 9 of his 17 starts…can’t blame anybody for using him on the bottom of trifectas! (5) HARD TO CATCH raced much better than expected last week but vs. cheaper, and he’s not known for his consistency – still leaning elsewhere. (7) QUOTE ME NOT N is often good for some late pace but this does feel like a tough spot for him. (8) RAWTN TALE had no chance in his local debut but didn’t look all that good either – now Post 8

RACE 8 – (8) MANFERNO looked disinterested from the start last week but may have already had tonight’s class drop in mind – won’t be easy to win from out here, but he has the right pilot to at least give him a chance – worth a stab? (5) PYRO was well meant in his last pair but severely hounded each time, doing well just to take home a pair of 3rds – may be able to do bigger damage with a bit easier trip. (1) ORLANDO BLUE A might have been with a winner had he found room in the stretch 2 back – he got to cut the mile last week, but came up 2nd best to a currently sharp tripsitter – logical player for sure, but may end up a bit overbet from this spot. (3) THE MIKI TAKER A is actually pretty good right now but his 0 for 18 local slate is hard to overlook – would need a pretty decent price to use him on top, though he’s definitely a good one for underneath. (6) CAVIART SARGENT is an infrequent winner but has a pretty good history of rallying for good pieces at big prices – never a bad one to use in exotics. (4) MYSW EETBOYMAX has really been struggling but gets both post and class relief tonight – leaning to others, but wouldn’t be shocked to see him race much better. (7) LOTTO MAX wasn’t close in his local debut, and draws poorly tonight

RACE 9 – (1) SHINE A LIGHT would have been a $2.10 cinch from this spot most of the year but he’s come back to earth a bit in his last couple – still the one to catch and beat, but maybe not one to bet the rent money on right now (5) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE is rock solid at this level and was an easy winner last week – wouldn’t hesitate to give him a try if the price ends up decent. (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR moves back inside and he just picked up a pair of 2nds from similar spots – chance for more of the same tonight. (3) FULL SUPPORT’s lone win this year came in a “fall apart” race but he picks up enough smaller pieces to include underneath. (4) BETTORBUCKLEUP is another capable of landing a share when the trip goes his way (like last week). (6) DIVINE COSMO arrives from Monti, and would have been listed higher if not for the bad draw (he fits ok with these). (7) ITS MAHOMES A moves back outside, and that figures to really hurt his chances. (8) SQUADRON SEELSTER is the outsider tonight, both literally and figuratively.