Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) FINN MCCOOL has the most “ability” in here for sure, but he’s also a high risk to make a break – we’re listing him on top, but with the caveat that he’s NOT the type to bet the ranch on! (4) B TOTALLY NUDE added Lasix last week, went right to the top then saw her chances eliminated when she broke off the first turn – another extremely “logical” player, but now with an extra element of risk. (3) AJAX BLUE CHIP struggles with inconsistency but he usually stays trotting, and has hit board in 7 of 12 starts this year – logical one to use if looking to take a shot against the favorites. (8) IN SESSION is listed at 20-1 ML but has solid Canadian form and her connections have enjoyed some success shipping them down in the past – worth a look? (1) DEMIROSE probably was facing cheaper up North but she gets around a half, stays trotting, and draws the pole for a hot barn – playable underneath. (6) SHELOOKSGOODNGREEN has some ability but just breaks too often for our tastes. (5) HELPTH ENEEDY was sent off at big odds for his local debut and was offstride before the start – waiting for a clean mile. (7) BEGGARS BANQUET crawled home in that last qualifier and broke in both local starts

RACE 2 – (4) SOUTHWIND IRON has found a home at this $15K level, taking 2 of 3 starts and just missing in the other – he has a significant post edge over his main rival, and was Bartlett’s choice…we’ll give him the narrow edge as well. (8) SHINE A LIGHT is as sharp now (sharper?) as when he was winning week after week, but will have to overcome a(nother) new barn, new pilot, and Post 8…still might be able to do it! (5) FULL SUPPORT is seriously camera shy but does grab more than his fair share of smaller pieces – may do so here too. (2) TAKE A CLOSER LO OK was on the upswing recently but his current form is a bit more unclear – may be able to grab a good trip…and a good piece. (1) CHESTERMAN got away well behind on 10/12 but his strong finish resulted in him being sent off at 2-1 the following start – he was empty that night, empty in his last, and a major question mark for tonight. (3) FO XHUNT has really gone backwards, failing to beat a horse in his last 3 starts – hard to predict when (and if) a wake up call might be coming. (6) LEAVE IT TO LUTHER arrives off a pair of PRc victories, but presumably vs. cheaper – tough draw won’t help in his local debut. (7) GREAT SOMEWHERE draws Post 7 after a dismal outing last week

RACE 3 – (2) SV MR T is 4 for 4 since arriving from the Iowa Fair Circuit, each win even more impressive than the last– would be hard to make any real case against him right now! (3) EVANGELISTA FACE S was bet right into #2 in her U.S/local debut but had some road trouble a couple of times and just never was able to be a real player –she might bring a much better effort the 2nd time around. (4) STONEBRIDGE WINGS debuts here for a struggling barn that has started to pick up some fresh stock again – gets Bartlett for his YR debut, and his Canadian form hints he can hold his own in here. (8) ROYAL CAPTAIN has done good work since arriving at YR, but lands behind the 8 ball once more – if he can improve a bit at the start, he may be able to land somewhere in the exotics. (1) IN YOUR HEART AS is a notch below, but has speed and his board in her last 3 starts – chance for a small piece here too. (5) AVIATRIX BLUE CHIP got caught chasing hot miles in her last pair and really didn’t tire that badly – maybe a chance for 3rd/4th? (7) CHANT wasn’t able to overcome a tough trip from a similar spot last week, and may suffer a similar fate tonight. (6) SOLEO lands in a very tough spot upon arrival from Canada – we’ll just observe, for now

RACE 4 – It’s hard to gauge what (1) LEXINGTON QUEEN N’s upside is at this point but she’s 2 for 2 in this class, and that includes last week’s 8 hole jogburger – strong chance to make it 3 for 3 in the U.S. after drawing the pole tonight. (7) GRAND YANKEE used a fast start from Post 7 last week to end up in the pocket to #1, holding that spot the rest of the way – déjà vu? (4) FUNKY BILLIE CHIN is winless in 18 starts this year but hit the board in all 5 local tries – decent chance she can do it again. (6) SANDO used all of a perfect trip in that victory 2 back but was actually very good last week, kicking home crisply from an impossible spot – maybe she can add some value to the exotics tonight? (2) SEASIDE JUDY is looking at an easy, up-close trip but she’s disappointed in the past– could go either way tonight. (3) WHEN PUNKY SPEAKS toured the oval at the back in her local debut but probably has more to offer – check the tote board for hints as to her seriousness this week. (5) LOVE ON THE RUN started her career off with 2 wins but was a “meh” 4th last week (off a sick scratch) – not really sure what to expect from her tonight. (8) COME ON BARBIE has just been “ok”, despite looking good on paper – tough trip looming tonight

RACE 5 – Good race: (1) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY toughed out a win over SOUTHWIND IRON 2 back then was super again taking his last, roughed up hard and still prevailing safely…gets a narrow nod over a few other sharp rivals. (2) COACH CUTSINGER was handled aggressively in his 2nd local try and up for the task, and impressive 1:53.4 winner – drops in for $15K, and has a real chance to repeat. (5) TRICKY CAPTAIN N has taken 3 of his last 5 starts, dealing with some issue in one of the losses and parked the mile in the other – will offer some decent value here, despite his excellent form. (3) MAD RIVER (Bartlett’s choice over #2) moves inside after getting parked the mile from Post 8 last week (by #1) – has a legitimate chance from this better spot, but note that he’s just 1 for 21 this year before taking a short price. (6) CATCHING UP took too long to get in gear last week, settling for 3rd – tonight’s draw may leave him looking at a smaller share once more. (4) THE GOLDEN GHOST got better as the race went on last week – maybe minor spoils? (8) BETTORBUCKLEUP needs a much better draw to have any real chance. (7) DEEDENUTO A would be a shock, to say the least

RACE 6 – (2) JETT STAR N wasn’t able to make any use of the class drop last week after getting away 7th into the ridiculous :59 opening half – should be in a much more realistic scenario tonight, and could spring the upset vs. a seemingly vulnerable field. (4) YOROKOBI N was handled aggressively off the class drop last week and battled hard a long way before being worn into submission– license to beat these with a kinder trip. (7) CAPTAIN FEAR was well back all the way last week before flying home through the stretch to be right there 2nd – Holland stays on board (despite the draw), and he’s another with upset potential. (5) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A will take plenty of $$ getting both post and class relief but he just hasn’t been clicking for a long time, and may prove vulnerable vs. these too. (6) PLAY ACTION PASS won at higher levels here TWICE in August, but struggled in many of his starts since then – returns from PA at this reduced level, and it’s hard to know what to expect tonight, especially with the bad draw. (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF wired this class on 9/16 but that’s one of his only successful recent efforts – chance, but still leaning towards others. (1) BRONX MIXER elects to face the boys for the 2nd straight week – not sure what her connections are thinking. (8) TWIG isn’t bad right now, but this feels like an impossible spot

RACE 7 – (6) ZEBS KRAFTY came into his last with 2 wins from his prior 3 starts but he was taken off the gate and never had a chance – gets a switch to Bartlett tonight, won’t be the favorite, and definitely worth a good look. (5) PAXAMILLION got a class drop and was taken off Lasix last week, leading to a solid front end score – he’s been too inconsistent these days to “love” his chances tonight, but he obviously does have a real chance to repeat (4) CAPTAIN AWESOME drops back down to the level he beat 3 of 6 starts recently, gets Yannick in the bike and merits real consideration from this spot. (1) ALABAMAJAMMA shocked at 40-1 4 starts back but that effort stands out among mostly weak tries – maybe a small piece? (8) BLACK HAWK JOE A has been excellent in 15s but tonight’s move up to 20s may be asking too much…especially after drawing another 8 hole! (7) MAJORCROWDC ONTRL A showed his first sign of life in ages 4 back, built off that to score an upset the next week, was no factor the following start then just didn’t function (again) in his last – inclined to pass, but not a terrible bomb for longshot fans. (3) OOGLEVILLE has just 5 starts this year and struggled in most of them – Kakaley opts to sit this one out

RACE 8 – (2) PONY CHROME won 4 straight (out of town) for her previous connections after adding Lasix – she was acquired by the nation’s leading barn after that then instantly took 2 more at Pocono, looking very good both times – faces a particularly good field for this class in her YR debut, but just may be up for it! (5) DOLLAR DRAFT wasn’t as strong as expected at the end of his last mile but tonight’s addition of Lasix may explain that – remains a very dangerous player. (6) WHERE THERES SMOKE was a talented 3YO before the recent barn change then came up with a BIG win in Ohio right off the bat – he might have won his local debut as well (if not for a very unlucky trip), and the only real knock here is the draw…but he’s still very attractive with that 8-1 ML price. (1) APEX TRA CKER has found himself too far back in a few recent starts but should be at least a bit closer tonight – he has ability for sure, but just may be in a little too tough to threaten for the top slot tonight. (3) HIGHLANDSTARBURST has been well off her best but moves inside, is 2nd time Lasix, and may at least be able to be more of a player tonight. (7) SHEMIGHTBETHEONE has put together a very nice 2026 campaign but the 3YO filly lands in a very tough spot for her local debut, and may be looking at only a minor share. (8) MARIN COUNTY will be hard pressed to het close to the action this week. (4) HL OLMAYA isn’t a bad trotter…but does feel buried in here

RACE 9 – (2) EXISTENTIAL was her own worst enemy for a long time but has become a much more consistent player lately – wouldn’t bet the rent money on her, but she does feel like the one to beat. (4) AMIRA HANOVER tired in her last at PcD (where #2 finished 2nd) but she was racing off a month – drops right back in the box, and becomes very dangerous on her best effort. (3) AARDIES A WASH has been solid in PA since arriving from Canada – feels a notch below the top pair, but could still have a real say in her local debut. (6) FABULOUS HANO VER was “ok” in her 3 local tries – will need to be better to have a chance to knock off the top ones. (7) ONAORCH ARDHUNT was 2nd in her last 2 YR starts but may have a tough time replicating that from out here. (8) CRYSTAL COAST has the ability to hang with these, but draws poorly once more after being no factor at all last week (after a sick scr.) (1) MARTINI STAR is just 2 for 50 lifetime, and winless at Yonkers – minor spoils only. (5) MAMA MAT CHA lasted for 3rd in her YR debut, but still seems a bit below these/