Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, October 14, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) TH RIZZO raced super vs. the (much) tougher 30s in her last pair and gets a drop to 20s tonight, along with a switch back to Bartlett – this isn’t an easy field by any means, but she’s still the one to knock off. (3) POINT BREEZE made a very nice recovery after breaking before the start 2 back, then charged home from way back in her last to be right there 3rd…worth a look if the price is right. (1) GROOVE had a pair of bad draws after arriving at YR and raced ok both times– eligible to have a much bigger say tonight with the move inside (5) SWEET SANDY returned sharp after a month off, hitting board in her last pair – any decent trip gives her a good chance for another nice chunk tonight. (2) EVELYNA ITIS was sent off at 72-1 last week but was still a close up 4th despite a very tough trip – she should be a nice price once more, and has a real chance to be around late for another piece. (4) KARPATHIAN QUEEN has been a solid player in this class but she’s 0 for 7 and usually takes $$- small piece only. (8) KISSIN JOE turned in possibly the biggest form reversing victory of the meet 2 back (also from Post 8) then proved it wasn’t a fluke with last week’s first over score – she’s obviously sharp now, but loses Holland and is back to the 8 hole – tough to overcome. (7) YS SENSATIONALCITY draws poorly after a dismal showing last week

RACE 2 – (3) B TOTALLY NUDE was an excellent 2nd behind the impressive SV MR T in a very fast mile 2 back, then was very good again last week when a solid 4th from an impossible spot (also behind SV MR T) – lands in a much easier spot tonight, and is more than sharp enough to cash in. (4) GLITTERATI was “sneaky ok” in the back on 9/23 – she was heavily backed in her next but lost all chance after an early miscue – her price will drift back up tonight if you think she’s worth another try. (2) MAGIC VOLO has been a disappointment in his 3 local tries but seems capable of better – he does behave, and that alone gives him a chance for a piece here. (1) YOU AND ME AS does have ability and has managed to stay trotting lately – we’ll see if she’s able to keep it going tonight from a spot that can be tricky at times. (6) FINN MCCOOL won 2 of 4 starts as a 2YO but has struggled to behave in his very limited 3YO starts – he stayed trotting in his last PcD qualifier (after a recent barn change), but would still need to be a pretty decent price to be worth a shot tonight. (7) CANIPILOTALL has a pair of 3rds and a 4th since arriving here 3 starts back and would have been listed higher if not for the tough draw – still one to include underneath, though. (8) AJAX BLUE CHIP has been inconsistent all year – he came up totally empty in his last, and lands all the way outside tonight. (5) PINE BUSH MIRACLE has offered little in his 4 local tries

RACE 3 – (3) MONI BUYS HAPPYNES looked like she was going to be the next Invitational Mare for connections that seem to have them every year, but she broke in back to back starts upon arrival – she’s stayed trotting in her last 3 starts, and may be starting to find her way back to top form…we’ll give her a try with Yannick tonight. (7) MY PH ILOMENE suddenly figured things out mid-August and rattled off 4 straight jogburgers (including one here at YR in a NYSS race) – on the flip side, she’s a 3YO filly with the worst of the draw, racing off 25 days…be careful about taking too short a price! (1) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO is somehow 0 for 24 this year, but has hit board in half of her starts (and races well most every week) – use underneath. (2) MONI MAN was aggressive for the first time in ages last week and earned a solid 2nd behind the favored frontrunner – eligible piece here too. (5) APEX TRACKER was in an impossible spot even before last week’s miscue – he should be rallying crisply at the end tonight, but it may be from too far back. (6) HIGHLANDSTARBURST hasn’t been on her best game in some time, and usually attracts $$ - could be a bit vulnerable from this spot. (4) HALFADOZEN has been inconsistent all year – leaning elsewhere

RACE 4 – (1) THE WICKED ONE faced a pretty good field returning from Pocono on 9/22 and was a very solid 4th – drops in for a tag, draws the pole, and may be able to pull off a mild upset. (2) PAXAMILLION dropped to 30s after a disastrous start vs. the 40s on 9/21 and rebounded with a much better try for 2nd (not his “best” effort, but certainly a good one) – dangerous tonight, especially if he’s a little sharper. (3) HUNT ME UP was picked up by an owner/trainer that routinely improves these types and immediately picked up a pair of 2nds in PA – gets a big switch to Bartlett for his local debut, and could have a big say! (7) SIMPLY FAST rallied well for 4th from a tough spot last time, racing off a sick scratch (and dropping down from 40s) – he fits for sure, but Gingras will need to find a way to offset the terrible draw. (5) EVER M isn’t “bad” right now, but he’s also well off the outstanding form that saw him win 9 races earlier in the year – ok piece. (4) MUFFERAW JOE throws enough good efforts to always be tempting, but his clunkers have outweighed the good miles – wouldn’t shock, but still looking elsewhere. (6) RAYRAY was 4th by default last week but his overall recent form is lacking, and this is a brutal spot. (8) DONTTELLMEN OW has lost regularly vs. easier than these, and now lands behind the 8 ball (while losing Bartlett)

RACE 5 – (2) DOLLAR DRAFT was doing fine work for his previous barn then proceeded to really excel after landing in his current (top) barn, winning his first two local tries in very promising fashion – he hit a speed bump in his last (bad trip, racing off a sick scratch) but he lands in a good spot tonight, and Bartlett (who has never driven him before), takes him over 2 other main players…good vote of confidence! (1) ROYAL CAPTAIN was heavily backed upon arrival from Canada and was a blowout front end winner – he couldn’t quite last after cutting the mile in his last pair, however, and this may be a good spot for Dube to let him sit a close up trip instead – threat for a big piece, either way. (6) CHANT has been a solid performer since being acquired by his current barn this summer, and was a Yonkers winner in his last start – tough draw, but still can’t be dismissed. (4) MISTY BLUE beat softer (easily) in her first 2 local tries but broke in her next – she was a solid NW5 winner at Chester on 9/24, then 2nd in a minor stake at The Meadows in her last – the only real knock is the 2-1 ML price. (8) GRANDE VIA was sent right to the top from Post 8 in her local debut and used a hot :28 third panel to open a big lead and never look back – Bartlett does opt off to drive #2, however, and may have the same concerns about tonight’s tougher assignment. (7) PINE BUSH LANDAU was an ok 3rd two back and an excellent 3rd last week – good bomb to throw in for 3rd/4th. (5) SELF PORTRAIT has done some good work at 3 and adds Lasix tonight – still leaning more towards others in this solid field. (3) TOPVILLE LADY exits the leading barn in N. America and we’ll just observe, for now

RACE 6 – (1) SEASIDE JUDY was well backed but struggled in her local debut – she was an even 5th in her next and actually not bad in her last, chasing a strong middle half then finishing up well to grab 2nd behind a standout – may have found a winning spot. (2) COME ON BARBIE was sent off at 4/5 last week and was able to grind her way first over to victory – chance to take another after drawing inside once more. (5) LOVE ON THE RUN was pretty well backed for her career debut at Chester and Siegelman’s own jogged on the front end – she was likely facing easier that day, but it would hardly be a surprise if she fits well with this modest group too. (4) MIDNIGHT LACE picked up a pair of 4ths with Bartlett on board and should be able to contend for a minor piece here as well. (7) PRECIOUS GEMMA disappointed in her first 2 local starts but was a better 2nd last week – not sure she can replicate that from post 7, but we’ll find out. (3) RICH EILEEN was dull last time racing off a sick scratch – she can grab small pieces when on her better game. (6) ODDS ON COMMANDEER is unpredictable from start to start and definitely has her quirks – she’s also 0 for 13 and draws poorly tonight. (8) SANDO tends to struggle early on and that could definitely be an issue starting from out here.

RACE 7 – (5) MIND HUNTER took a somewhat suspicious drop to 20s last but turned in an excellent, hard used try from Post 7 – gets a better spot tonight, and we’ll go with him on top. (4) ALIEN POWER was a solid 2nd to the favored front end winner 2 back, then finished with good pace last week – drops in for a tag, and looms a legitimate threat. (1) SAILBOAT HANOVER is a tough call – he gets a pass for his last start (8 hole vs. 30s), and he was doing excellent work right up to that point – not sure why he just took a month off and re-qualified, but it definitely makes him a major question mark for tonight! (2) CASINO ACTION N dropped to 20s last week and threw a dud– Bartlett does stay with him, but he just too camera shy to consider on top. (3) HARD TO CATCH is 0 for 18 locally this year and just 1 for 27 overall – he does race well enough for pieces, at times…maybe 3rd/4th? (7) CARRONSIDELEGCY A is winless in 11 local tries but has raced well a bunch of times, vs better – he drops to 20s, and would have been listed higher if not for Post 7. (8) LAST BEACH does plenty of damage in 15s, but not sure he can have the same say facing 20s, from Post 8. (6) ALL ALONE showed some life 2 back but reverted to his lesser form last week

RACE 8 – (3) PRECISE N was off 2 an excellent start in the U.S., winning her first 2 starts (at PcD) then finishing 2nd to SHESGOTTHEJACK – she went on the shelf for 4 months after that and just re-qualified…we’ll guess that she’s ready to roll, but still wouldn’t jump at a short price tonight. (7) DRUNK DIAL has been super lately for a barn that’s on a long tear…deserves plenty of respect, even from out here. (5) CRYSTAL COAST was a sharp 7 hole winner (vs. easier) 2 back then right there 3rd last week – a good trip puts her in play for another good piece tonight. (6) FABULOUS HANOVER was overbet for her first YR try, used harder than she would have liked and weakened late to 4th – she’s likely capable of better, and figures to be a better price tonight as well– not impossible (2) GRAND YANKEE debuted for a very sharp barn last week, landed on a tough trip and wasn’t bad at all – 2nd time Lasix here, and could have an even bigger impact. (8) KISSIN IN THE DARK has ben doing solid work out of town and has earned some $$ despite being just 2 for 23– very tough spot for her first local try, however. (4) CAVIART MADRID needed a perfect trip to beat much easier 3 back – feels a bit cheaper. (1) MONTE AMORE needs to show more than she did in her first 2 local tries

RACE 9 – (5) WELL THATS MARKY was sent off at an absurd 5 cents on the dollar last week and came up 2nd best to a winner that just brought a very big effort that night – he’ll be a better price this time, and will look to make amends. (1) IM A POWERPLAY A also lost on the lead last week, but at least he was just a bit overbet at 2/5 – another with a license to rebound with a winning effort. (8) KARLOO BRADLEY A went an insane mile to win parked every step from Post 8 2 back, then raced well off another brutal trip last week – if Boyd can improve at the start without using this guy too hard, maybe he’d have a chance to upset the top pair. (2) BETTORBUCKLEUP wasn’t terrible last week – he should find himself close enough to the action tonight for a chance at a minor share. (6) IM TALKING HUNGRY is racing ok but gets a tough draw in a solid field, and could be forced to settle for a smaller slice this time. (4) ARTIST BEST just hasn’t been sharp in some time – can handle the lesser ones. (3) DIA MONDBEACH gets Gingras, but may be too far off his game for it to matter. (7) DEEDENUTO A would be a surprise, to say the least

RACE 10 – (6) UDDERLY SWEET A got major class relief last week, was sent off even money but he couldn’t get by the currently sharp frontrunner and had to settle for 2nd best (racing off a sick scratch) – drops one more notch, and looms the one to beat in the finale. (2) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A isn’t “bad” right now, but he also hasn’t been on his best game – still a very live player, but not sure he can beat the top choice. (3) OUR SWEET DELIGHT A has been racing “ok”, and an easy trip would help him rally late for a small piece of this. (4) SILKY CHOICE turned in his best effort since the layoff last week, a first over winner vs. easier – we’ll see if that victory gives him the confidence to step up and be a player here too. (8) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A showed his first “life” in almost 2 years on 9/23 so last week’s 32-1 victory was definitely not as stunning as it might first appear – he’s on the upswing, but not sure he can overcome tonight’s draw…minor spoils? (5) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A was handled aggressively last week but was on a line and erratic/ouchy much of the way and gave way by the final bend – sticking with others, but wouldn’t be shocked to see him race better off the class drop. (1) KNOCKIN OUT has the pole…but also has a 29-0-1-2 local record since 2024! (7) JORDANNA HANOVER is a 1 for 20 mare, facing boys, from a terrible post.