Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, September 30, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) HIGHWAY SIX won 6 of 7 starts at 2 but stuck mainly to the NY County Fairs – she really upped her game at 3, facing NYSS fillies all summer and still compiling a 10-3-2-3 slate (with a 3rd here at YR in the NYSS Final) – willing to give her a try (even from out here), as long as the price is fair. (6) DOLLAR DRAFT was already doing good things before joining his current barn, but has gotten even better since then– the obvious concern is the 25 days off (sick scratch) after that last blowout on 9/5- be careful about taking too short a price. (8) GRAND E VIA ships in off a trio of close 2nds in PA (for a hot barn), and gets Bartlett to opt off #1 to drive him – look for an aggressive try, even from out here. (5) GOYA just missed last week (Buter got her going a little too late) and is a strong 7-2-2-1 here at Yonkers – draws inside some main foes, and could land a decent piece with a good start. (4) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO is winless in 22 starts this year but did hit board in 10 of them…always a decent bomb for 3rd/4th. (2) TREGARON has definitely improved this year for his connections but may prefer to be in a little easier. (1) CALGARY SUN has been doing better in KY since adding hopples but does seem a little suspect trying the half miler, especially with Bartlett opting for #8. (3) BOOM CHICA BOOM stopped 2 back then broke in her last

RACE 2 – (4) TRICKY CAPTAIN N was an excellent 3rd in his local debut then followed that up with a win last week – loses Holland to #8, but Boyd is more than capable of getting him home too. (1) HURRIKANE LILLOUIE won his way out of NW2 with back to back wins and the immediate move to $15K claimer seems like a good move – could have a big say against these more experienced rivals too. (2) SHAKE IT was weakly parked off the claim (as the favorite) last week – could be a much tougher player with an easier trip, but he also figures to still be overbet. (8) ALL MY LOVIN just wasn’t right last week (as the favorite) and now takes a very suspicious drop to 15s – seems like a good sign that Holland stays on board, but too many things can go wrong from out here! (3) RAWTN TALE has shown little since arriving in July from Ohio…not sure the drop to 15s is going to perk him up enough (7) SETH HANOVER hung on by a nose 3 back in his first start off a long layoff, but then regressed in his last couple – wouldn’t shock, but leaning elsewhere. (5) EMINEM HANOVER has 21 starts here in 2025-26 and just a pair of 3rds – minor spoils? (6) GREAT SOMEWHERE changed tactics last week but with the same disappointing result

RACE 3 – (5) KING OF THE WIND showed leaving every line on the program but elected to get away last (after drawing Post 8) last week – he was WAY back by the 2nd turn and actually did great to only lose by 5 lengths – draws inside a couple of main foes, and a much more aggressive try is likely in store. (6) ONEMORE VOLO hasn’t been worse than 2nd in his last 7 starts, is looking at another good trip and figures to be right there from start to finish (7) APEX TRACKER has really developed into a nice trotter at 3, but gets the worst of the draw tonight – he has the ABILITY to beat these, but may be at least a bit compromised by the trip tonight. (2) HIGHBALL HANOVER banged out $204K (so far) at 2 and 3, and was a winner in his last 2 “non stakes” races – still feels a tad below the top ones, but the inside draw may give him a chance to have a real say. (1) HALFADOZEN has been in-and-out all year – even his best effort may leave him looking at only a smaller piece vs. these, however. (4) MONI MAN has been limited to minor pieces for weeks and will be hard pressed to do better than that tonight. (3) BIZZY BRENDA was solid 2 and 3 back but no factor at all last week – in pretty tough tonight

RACE 4 – Tough race: (3) SELF PORTRAIT was a solid Excelsior player this summer and a strong 2nd in an overnight here at Yonkers 2 back (behind the very sharp front end winner) – one of several possibilities in what shapes up as a very competitive affair. (4) LOU JOHNS ACTION was 2nd in last week’s Excelsior Final, and picked up a 2nd here at Yonkers on 7/23 – legitimate player. (1) CAPTAIN MICAH won a pair of TSS races 2 and 3 back but got used hard in the Final last start and tired – has been away 25 days since then, and it’s hard to know what to expect tonight off that bad date. (6) SUPERGIRL MOLLY was struggling in Canada but 2 for 2 (in NJ) after moving down to our leading barn – tough draw for her local debut but still deserves plenty of respect. (2) BE MINE HANO VER doesn’t always finish strong enough and that’s probably why she has 2 career wins, with 13 2nds and 3rds – good one to include underneath. (5) BITOFTHEBUBBLY raced well in his last 2 starts up North but has just 1 start in 5 weeks and may be conservative in his first local try – check the tote board? (8) PINE BUSH LANDAU wasn’t bad at all when 3rd last week but may have trouble getting in play with tonight’s terrible draw. (7) CORE VALUES just feels overmatched in here.

RACE 5 – (5) LYONS TRINA was 42-1 and no factor last start but that was from Post 8 in a much better field – this spot is considerably easier, and she should be a major threat tonight. (3) PRECIOUS GEMMA was 2 for 2 at Monti but weakened in both local tries (4th and 5th) – she does seem capable of better, and maybe we’ll see it tonight. (2) NOTHING MATTERS moved at just the right time last week to go by a stopping frontrunner, opening enough daylight to prevail for the victory – may not be as fortunate tonight, but still a logical player for a piece. (4) RICH EILEEN was in a tough spot last week but was able to rally late for 4th – another one to include underneath tonight. (1) TRUE NORTH ships in off a pair of easy Monti victories, but was likely facing much easier up there – we’ll see if she can hold her own with the locals. (6) DORAL DELIGHT was an upset winner here on 7/22 bit failed to hit board in 6 other local tries – the bad draw won’t help her chances/ (7) DRAGON CRUISE hung badly late off a perfect trip 2 back then came up totally empty in the stretch last week – looking elsewhere. (8) SEASIDE JUDY draws Post 8 after finishing way back in her local debut.

RACE 6 – (2) RAUCOUS finally showed early speed last start but he probably bled (as he returns on Lasix tonight) – could be worth a shot, as long as he ends up a fair price. (6) B TOTALLY NUDE gets a bad draw but she has a win and a pair of 2nds from her last 4 starts and that automatically gives her a shot against these. (3) ACOUSTIC BLUE CHIP has always shown speed/ability but has also struggled to put it all together most weeks (and therefore has just one career victory) – always possible, but hard to take a short price. (4) PINE BUSH MIRACLE showed some ability (out of town) not that long ago but disappointed in her 2 local tries – Boyd did win with her at Tioga this summer, so perhaps the two can come up with another good one tonight. (8) SV MR T did some damage at the Iowa Fairs, compiling a 20-14-4-0 record – he’s also made some recent breaks and draws Post 8 for his first local try, but he also debuts for a barn that could probably win with a zebra right now…mixed feelings! (1) BERNSE MO HANO VER is 0 for 22 to start his career but draws the pole for his local debut and does hit board often enough to at least consider underneath. (7) NIGHTCAP MEARAS S was just “meh” adding hopples last week and now moves outside – prefer to wait for a better spot. (5) FOREIGN XCHANGE seems to have gone in the wrong direction recently.

RACE 7 – (2) COME ON BARBIE raced well for 3rd here in early August in a quick Excelsior mile then rallied for a piece from an impossible spot in her next – on the shelf for a month after a sick scratch the nest week, then just qualified back nicely at Monti – maybe she’s ready to come out swinging? (3) IDEAL PRO has kept some good company for a lightly raced filly that hasn’t shown all that much (stuck facing GO GO GRASSHOPPER and RAILROAD STATION in a NJ qualifier in June, racing in the Park MGM in just her 4th career start, etc. – very nice qualifier after 2 months off, and it may be time for her to show her best stuff. (4) FUNKY BILLE CHIN raced very well in her local debut last week despite an unlucky trip – just 1 for 22 lifetime, but very playable in exotics. (1) SA NDO is winless in 27 career starts but still figures to take $$ here – underneath only. (5) JUST MY WORLD has been outracing her odds lately and may do so again tonight – good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (7) PINE BUSH FEATHER won her career debut at Monti but may be a stretch vs. these, especially from Post 7. (8) MIDNIGHT LA CE is 0 for 29 but she’s hit board lots of times and gets Bartlett tonight – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) ODDS ON COMMAND EER is her own worst enemy way too often for our tastes.

RACE 8 – (5) EXISTENTIAL absolutely should have been favored last week (major class drop) but ended up paying 3-1 after (1) LAVRA ROSE N was wildly overbet down to 1/5 – this is a tougher overall spot, but we’ll stay on her team, hoping she avoids being her own worst enemy (which happens to her, at times). (1) LAVRA ROSE N was absolutely hammered at the windows last week (after winning her first 2 U.S. starts) but could only manage an even 4th – she likely bled that night (as she returns on Lasix this week) and we’ll see if she’s able to be a stronger player. (3) DRUNK DIAL came up 2nd best to #5 on 9/16 then charged home full of pace from an impossible spot in her last – like so many of her barnmates, she’s racing her eyeballs out right now, and can’t be taken lightly! (4) FABULOUS HANOVER appreciated class relief of her own in Canada last start and went home with a new 1:51.2 mark – gets Bartlett for her Yonkers debut, and has to be seen as a legitimate threat. (2) CRYSTAL COAST was sharp from post 7 last week as she picked up her first victory of 2026 – this field is much tougher, and a smaller piece seems in the cards for her. (6) MARTINI STAR draws poorly and is incredibly camera shy – minor spoils only. (7) AMERICAN STORY was able to wire much easier last time, but will be hard pressed to repeat that effort in this spot. (8) MONTE AMORE showed little in her YR debut and now lands Post 8

RACE 9 – (1) BOUT DAMN TIME A is really closing out her year strong, and actually gets a (rare) inside draw for tonight’s barn – remains the one to knock off. (5) DWS DARLENE won off the claim 3 back., finished well from a no chance spot in her next then just missed in her last after a very game effort – a quick start makes her a real threat. (4) RACIN FOR ROYALTY has been very solid lately, gets a good draw and could have a real say with a live trip. (6) TWO BEAN DREAM won 2 of her last 3, with an 8 hole in the other – tonight’s draw is less than ideal, but she still may be able to grab a share. (3) DISTANT LOVER is racing ok these days – hard to use on top (0 for 13 at YR this year) but very playable underneath.. (7) GROOVE had a tough trip in her local debut (for a new barn) and reall wasn’t bad – may need to wait for a better draw, though. (8) ONEDERFULBEACH should appreciate the drop back to 20’s…the draw, not so much! (2) TRICKY WICKY races ok out of town but is 11-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year



RACE 10 – (5) HAMMERING HANK had his form obscured by some awful posts in good fields but he was an excellent 2nd 2 back behind the currently sharp PINNYS TIGER A, then jogged with another class drop last week – steps up a notch, but this field is right in his wheelhouse too. (7) SUN OF A SHOW ships in sharp from Tioga for strong connections and Boyd is never afraid to give one a chance to succeed – could add some value to the exotics. (2) C BET HANOVER drops from 30s, is fairly consistent, and a logical threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (1) PINE BUSH ITALIANO is 1 for 39 at Yonkers since 2024 but he’s in a spot where he can at least sit relatively close to the pace, and maybe last for a share. (8) CAVIART SARGENT was sent off at an insane 1/2 price last week (up in class) and predictably faltered on the lead – his price will go way up from Post 8 tonight, but he CAN rally for a small piece, with some tip luck. (4) DREAMBOAT HANOVER has a couple of “ok” recent local starts – an easy trip could help him grab some minor spoils. (3) DRACARYS Z disappointed off a pocket trip 2 back then was no good at all last week – sticking with others, for now. (6) STAY GROUNDED landed in an incredibly soft field last week and was able to break a long local losing streak when the leader tired in the stretch – not sure he can be so fortunate tonight.