Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (8) ZEBS KRAFTY dropped to 20s last week, and was able to get by a tough MIND HUNTER late in what turned into a 2-horse affair – gets the worst of the draw tonight, but still may be able to come out on top if he can improve at least a bit at the start. (1) OVER THE HORIZON was a bit “meh” but was racing off a bad date (sick scratch)– draws the pole off the claim, and won for this barn on 8/15…dangerous player. (3) PAXAMILLION added Lasix 3 back and struggled in 2 of the starts since then – he goes WITHOUT the medication tonight, and he’s the “x factor”, for sure – solid chance IF he brings anything close to his best. (4) ROLLING WITH SAM will take $$ here (dropping in for $20K, with Bartlett) but he’s 1 for 28 this year, and there would seem to be better value elsewhere. (2) SAND DOLLAR seems a bit cheap overall but did race well for 2nd in his only local try this year– ok underneath (6) PARK STREET BLUES drops off a couple of disappointing efforts but that may be offset by the bad draw – small piece? (5) AUSSIE HANOVER had a form-reversing 2nd two back (at 36-1) but quickly returned to his lesser form last week. (7) ROCKABILLY REBEL N draws Post 7 after a weak local debut (6) - waiting for better signs

RACE 2 – (6) B TOTALLY NUDE adds Lasix tonight and that may explain why she seemed to be in a perfect spot last week, yet came up flat in the stretch – her price will be better tonight, and she may be worth sticking with. (3) NIGHTCAP MEARAS S had life finishing from well back on 9/30 then charged home to be right there in her last pair – legitimate threat tonight if anywhere close turning for home. (1) CANIPILOTALL is winless in 5 local tries but usually races “ok” – has to be respected from the pole (getting Bartlett for the first time), but also sure to be overbet. (4) THE ICE PRINCESS got some education with 4 starts as a 2YO but got back to the races late at 3 (for a new barn), then went back on the shelf after starting off with a win and a 2nd – may prove best in her local debut, but hard to take a short price to find out (9/5 ML). (8) AJAX BLUE CHIP is stuck with Post 8 off a sick scratch and it feels like a spot where Dube will be conservative…but he does fit well enough if you think he may still try to leave the gate from out here. (2) PINE BUSH MIRACLE draws inside but has shown little in 6 local tries. (7) HELPTHE NEEDY debuts for a new barn off mostly uninspiring tries at Hoosier– prefer to just observe for now. (5) JUST ALL OUT was no factor at all in her local debut…watching for signs of improvement before considering

RACE 3 – (7) SV MR T has been sensational since arriving from the Iowa Fairs and the scary part is that he just gets stronger/faster as the race goes on – he’s blown out 3 fields already, and he can overcome Post 7 to handle these too. (3) HONOLUGOO makes his local debut off a win in NJ last week, and should fit nicely with most of these – not sure he can handle the top one, however. (8) ROYAL CAPTAIN was a sharp winner in his local debut, then came up 2nd best in his last 3 starts – he can leave hard if he wants too, and that 8-1 ML price makes him worth using in exotics. (4) PINE BUSH LANDAU has either been “good” or “very good” in his local starts, outracing some long odds – could add value on the bottom of exotics. (5) AVIATRIX BLUE CHIP used a fast start to secure the pocket to #7 last week and it’s to his credit that he was able to hold 2nd even after the winner obliterated the field – chance for a piece here too. Both (1) TAVERN ONTHE GREEN and (2) DREAM FOR PEACE are 3YOs arriving from Canada with similar form, and landing in new barns– hard to get a good gauge on either, right now (6) B EYELASH gets a tough draw off a break at Pocono – sticking with others tonight.

RACE 4 – (3) SIMPLY FAST did well to be 3rd last week after being hurt by poor cover, in a fast mile – he may get a more favorable trip tonight, and that could help him pick up his first victory in a while. (7) ALIEN POWER had been sharpening prior to that 1:51.3 blowout 2 back, then followed that up with another (1:53) jogburger last week – tonight’s draw is a lot tougher, however, and that could leave him at least a bit vulnerable, despite his stellar current form. (4) REINCARNATED seemed a little suspicious dropping in for a tag last week but he raced just fine, coming up 2nd best to #7 – could be right back in the hunt tonight. (2) GEORGES WISH was hurt by horrible posts in his last pair but he does fit well with these, and the move inside will give him a shot to be part of the equation tonight. (1) HUNGRY TO WIN is off a bad date as he arrives from Hoosier to his new connections…he’s a strong 6 for 19 on the year, could thrive in his new barn, and probably shouldn’t be dismissed too quickly. (6) AMERITRIC has seen his form fall off (overall) from earlier this year but is still a good fit at this $30K level– it’s the draw that’s most concerning. (8) SILKY CHOICE was on the upswing but a poor draw slowed him down last week and may do so in here, as well. (5) MY PERFECT BLUE hails from top connections but it a question mark vs. these, ability-wise

RACE 5 – (5) WHERE THERES SMOKE did some good work in Ohio this summer, even setting a fair track record – but he REALLY upped his game after being purchased after his 9/22 start, blowing out the field (at Dayton) in 1:53.3 for his new connections – only one start in 5 weeks, but still may be worth a look in his YR debut. (6) CHA PTER GEO J has gone a bunch of miles this year that would make him very tough tonight but he also can throw some duds, and figures to be a pretty short price (coming off a break in the NYSS Final, and qualifier) – may be at least a bit vulnerable. (1) MONI BUYS HAPPYNES is now 0 for 5 at Yonkers but was 2nd in her last pair, and just missed last week – should be right in the hunt again. (3) R LADY W was used hard last week, battled for a long way and still outmuscled two others for the top prize (including #1) – similar effort makes her a big player once more. (4) BIZZY BRENDA seems a notch below the top ones but can take home a piece, with an easy trip. (2) MA RIN COUNT Y is another hoping an easy trip can lead to some minor spoils. (7) MONI MAN is stuck outside again – wait for a better spot. (8) HIGHLAND STARBURST has been well off form – adds Lasix, but a brutal draw!

RACE 6 – (8) LEXINGTON QUEEN N was sent off at 1/5 for her U.S. debut, paced a strong middle half after getting the lead then reported home the easiest of winners – tough to go against her tonight, even off 3 weeks and starting from Post 8. (7) GRAND YANKEE arrived from The Meadows to a strong barn, added Lasix, then finished well in both local tries – brutal spot, but maybe Holland can find her a trip and add some value to the exotics. (3) LO VE ON THE RUN was a well backed winner when she wired the field in her career debut at Chester, then won her first Yonkers start as well, this time from off the pace – she was scratched sick from her last, however, making her at least a bit risky for tonight. (5) FUNKY BILLIE CHIN has been using her good gate speed to grab good trips and pick up good pieces – may do the same tonight. (1) JUST MY WORLD usually is pacing ok late – good bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) SEASIDE JUDY showed better life 2 back but then had no excuses when she got beat on the lead last week – tough draw here. (4) SANDO used all of a perfect trip to pick up a win last week – may not as fortunate here (2) MIDNIGHT LACE has been dull too often – leaning elsewhere

RACE 7 – (2) SOUTHWIND IRON was a winner dropping to 15s two back then just missed last week from Post 8 – the one to beat with the move inside. (3) ACAPULCO SUNBURN has hit board in all 4 starts since Dube took over – very logical player with the good draw. (1) CATCHING UP was 0 for 17 this year before being claimed (in Ohio) but then won 4 of 5 for his new barn (and with a big driver change) – hard to say how well he’ll fit with the locals, but he has to be respected from the pole with Gingras. (7) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK is listed at 20-1 ML but he’s doing better these days and can leave pretty well – not a bad one to consider with that 20-1 ML price. (8) CHES TERMAN had a horrible getaway 2 back then was pacing well late, at 35-1 – got obliterated down to 2-1 for his next start but was way poorly again, and always well out of it – he just may reverse form one of these nights. (5) AL ADDIN can probably rally for a piece, but would need things to fall apart to win from this spot. (6) DANCININTH EFIRE is just 1 for 22 this year and 1 for 29 lifetime at Yonkers. (4) THE GOLDEN GHOST was sent off at 33-1 in his only local try and failed to function – pass for now

RACE 8 – (6) FABULOUS HANOVER wasn’t “great” in her 2 local tries but she was close both times, and facing better fields than this one – we’ll give her the narrow edge, but wouldn’t fall in love with her at a short price. (2) LY ONS TRINA hasn’t been overly impressive in her 4 local starts but did pick up a win 2 back, and has to be respected from this spot…another that could end up vulnerable at a short price, though (5) AMERICAN STORY was a wire to wire winner here 3 back, landed in a tough spot the next week then was brutally parked in PA last week – chance to outperform her 15-1 ML odds, with a good trip. (8) CRYSTAL COAST was a sharp 7 hole winner 2 back then was a close 3rd in her next – she’s as good as any of these but draws Post 8 and has been idle for a month – she may just take a very conservative approach tonight. (1) BIKINI SEELSTER has been in tough in those OnSS races but probably is a much better fit with these – she’s missed 25 days, however, and may not be fully cranked for her local debut. (4) MARTINI STAR is 0 for 22 at YR and 2 for 49 overall – underneath only (3) MAMA MATCHA makes her 2nd start since the recent barn change – still leaning elsewhere. (7) HINT OF SPRING would be a surprise

RACE 9 – Tough finale! (3) SHAKE IT has won a ton of races over the last couple of years but not as many recently – lands a pretty good spot tonight, and may be ready for an aggressive try from Marohn. (1) MINOTAUR was better earlier in the year for sure but did show some better signs recently, and may be able to take advantage of what could be a pretty good trip. (6) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY was a game winner last week and also was victorious 4 back – possibility if things go his way. (4) FULL SUPPORT is too camera shy to ever back with confidence but he’s gone some good miles recently, and reuniting with Holland can only help his chances. (8) MAD RIVER returns from PA and drops to 15s – certainly a chance, but he’s just 1 for 20 this year and likely a pretty short price from Post 8 – not much value. (5) FERRAGAMO HANOVER is just 20-0-1-1 at YR (last 3 years) but did just miss 2 back and gets Yannick tonight – wouldn’t be a total shock. (7) WARRAWEE XTREME will be a huge price and did have success here not long ago – ok bomb. (2) GREAT SOMEWHERE is 1 for 29 this year – minor spoils only.