Friday, April 24, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Friday, April 24, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – The MGM Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series Leg #5: (2) AARDIE B MIKI N’s efforts throughout the series have been mixed, and that’s really been the case ever since she was a winner in last year’s (Matchmaker) Final – she’s a pretty safe bet to make it to the Final, but I’m sure her connections would love to see a big effort tonight, just to be sure…we’d give her a look IF the price is fair. (4) COASTAL BABE N has been impressive ever since arriving in the U.S. (6-4-1-1) and she’s picked up a pair of wins and an excellent 2nd in her 3 series tries – she’s assured a spot in the final, and that MAY give Gingras an option of racing her OFF the pace tonight…be careful about taking too short a price. (1) TARAPASTA was outstanding in her first 3 starts but wasn’t nearly as sharp when 2nd last week – hard to say if she’ll be fully cranked for tonight, with the Final no doubt her #1 priority. (5) SEASIDE DIVA was a bit disappointing on the lead 3 back but has otherwise raced very well, both on and off the pace – Dunn fills in for Yannick, and could help her grab a decent piece, with the right trip. (3) ROCKET DEO needs lots of points for any chance at making the Final but the way she’s been lately, she may be better suited for the Consolation right now
RACE 2 – (2) FASHION TERROR did some good work at 2 and 3 but her 4YO season got off to a rocky start – she seems to have built back some confidence in NJ (facing cheaper), and may be able to come out on top vs. this very modest group – won’t offer much value, though! (8) ALLEGRA HANOVER was well backed for her 2nd start of the year (vs. much better) but came up well short – she does have plenty of ability, and could handle these if even close to her best…but she also ha Post 8, and is now 6-0-0-0 here at Yonkers – make sure to get a decent price if trying on top. (1) DELTA THREE N struggled in her last few Stga. starts but draws the pole for her Hilltop return and does figure to be aggressively handled – could stick around a long way. (6) PINE BUSH MAGA qualified ok after a few weeks off and does fit well with these when sharp– barn has popped enough recent winners to merit a look (5) ALTA MADEIRA N rarely wins at YR but this is the kind of field where she can surely grab a piece. (7) CRUISE ALERT really felt apart here this winter, and that last NJ start (off 6 weeks) doesn’t seem all that encouraging – prefer to just observe tonight. (4) THATS A HUGE BEACH has been well off form for a while. (3) PRINCESS AMERICA would be hard to recommend after finishing distanced last week
RACE 3 - The MGM Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series Leg #5: (1) LOUIES GIRL N showed flashes of brilliance while going 6 for 6 at Yonkers last year (after arriving in the U.S), and she’s come back just as impressively in 2026, winning 4 of her 5 starts (while pacing a back half in :54.2 when 2nd in her lone loss) – hard to imagine her not heading into the Final with another victory. (3) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE has been forced to settle for 3rd in ALL 4 legs so far, her amazing Yonkers record now at 20-11-3-5…it’ll be hard for her to qualify for the final at this point, but that doesn’t mean she can’t finish 2nd tonight. (5) ELUSIVE A outraces her odds more often than not, and a live trip could see her rally for a piece of this, at a big price. (2) TURN THE PAGE N is a notch below the top ones in this series but she always tries hard, and grabs plenty of minor pieces – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) MILLWOOD BLISS N has been one of the nice surprises in the series, looking like an outsider at the beginning but currently sitting 3rd in the point standings (thanks to a pair of victories) – tough spot tonight, though. (4) LYDEO is currently tied for 6th for the consolation, and will hope to grab at least a piece to hold her position
RACE 4 - The MGM Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series Leg #5: (3) SILK CLOUD A was sharp in her close losses 2 and 3 back then got over the hump with last week’s victory – she handles any trip, and she may be able to get her picture taken one more time. (2) DOUGS BABE A has done a nice job finding easy trips the last 2 weeks, picking up a 2nd a 4th – can grab another good piece tonight if Dunn can find another kind journey. (5) BATH BOMB will start the night in 8th place (with ALWAYS BSTUNNING N not entered) and she holds a narrow lead over a couple of others – we’ll see if McCarthy tries to handle her aggressively, looking to seal her place her in the Final (though she’d probably be better off in the consolation, in her current form). (1) HUNTRESS is a better mare on the lead and she may get her chance to finally cut a mile tonight – not sure if she’s sharp enough right now to pull it off, however. (4) TICK A LOCH A comes into this a couple of points behind BATH BOMB…we’ll see if she can pass her (and not get passed herself, by a couple of others in the other divisions).
RACE 5 – (4) OLIVER THE GREAT shipped in from PcD off a narrow loss and he’s added two more close 2nd place finishes here at Yonkers – he steps up once more, but does have the back class to handle it…maybe tonight he can get over the hump? (1) THE BRODSTER beat this class twice at the beginning of the meet and won one level higher 3 back – his last couple weren’t up to snuff, but he still commands plenty of respect from the pole tonight (even if likely to be overbet). (7) BAY BREEZE HANOVER (who was able to hold off #4 last week) has been a model of consistency, her lone “dud” back on 3/5 – she’s at a major post disadvantage tonight, but a good price still makes her worth a look (2) AUSTRAL HANOVER threw a weak one off the barn change last week but he’s capable of much better – willing to include underneath. (5) STREET GOSSIP also threw a dud last time, racing off a bad date – could add some value to the exotics if he can bring one of his better efforts. (6) INCANTATION is back on the upswing – lands in a tough spot here, but not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (3) SEA CAN was a winner in his first local try of the year but was all out vs. a much easier group – feels vulnerable. (8) NYMERIA had been much better lately but draws Post 8 tonight after a sick scratch – leaning elsewhere for this week
RACE 6 – (5) WORKLIFEBALANCE became the first mare to beat RASPALIA N in the U.S. when she held her off at Pocono last week (after being parked to the half in :55.1) – she’s raced super off an absolutely brutal trip the week before as well, and we’ll give her a try returning to Yonkers (where she’s won 3 of her 8 starts). (6) FRONT PAGE STORY is not in an ideal spot but she’s listed at 20-1 ML despite barely missing in the Invitational 3 back, and with 18 local wins since 2024…good value! (3) NILA MAREE N is now 9-5-3-1 since arriving in the U.S but she’s also lost 3 straight, all as the odds-on favorite – her price WILL go up tonight, for those inclined to hop on board. (1) CHERYLS SHADOW will attract plenty of attention dropping out of the McIntyre Series but she’s missed 3 weeks, and did have trouble winning races here last year – could be vulnerable. (4) GLITTERING HOPE has been a little in and out lately but still worth considering for the bottom of exotics if the price is good enough. (7) JENSVILLE A was our top choice last week and she was a very sharp 4-1 winner in her U.S. debut– MUCH tougher spot tonight, however, and she may find herself unable to get into the mix. (2) ULTIMATE SPEED is listed on the bottom but any of her better efforts would give her a chance for a piece with the move inside
RACE 7 – (2) SUNDAY SHOES joined our leading barn upon arrival from Canada and looked very sharp winning his first start in wire to wire fashion – he was heavily backed in his next (despite moving up in class, from Post 8) but lost all chance when he made a pair of early miscues – he actually made up a ton of ground after finally landing, and puts the hopples back on for tonight – we’ll give him a shot at redemption. (4) BJMS LIL MAN made his 2026 debut in a new barn, was very well backed but made a break going for the top – he got too hot in his qualifier and trotted a HUGE 3rd quarter (rushing up to battle with a top-class PACER), and really didn’t tire all that badly – could be very dangerous if he behaves tonight. (6) RADIO LAB has been on the shelf since 12/24 but was well-prepped for his 2026 return, scoring a confident first over victory (even if helped when the big favorite blew up on the first turn) – could grab a good piece here too, with some trip luck. (3) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been well off her game but has also been facing much tougher – definitely a chance she can produce a better effort vs. these. (1) HOOLIE N HECTOR had a useful start vs. the 40s off the layoff, was a good 3rd in his next but no factor last week – chance for at least a piece starting from the pole. (5) DWS POINT MAN continues to drop while well off his best game – in need of a wake up call! (7) VOSS BLUE CHIP was an even 4th last week after getting nipped on the lead vs. softer 2 back – tough spot. (8) ENERGYSOURCE is the outsider, both literally and figuratively
RACE 8 – (3) SCUDO HANOVER got away last in his local debut, looked like he was going to finish well back but suddenly came to life once into the stretch and was FULL of trot coming through the wire – absolutely worth a play with the move inside. (4) VINNY DE VIE hasn’t done a lot of winning the last couple of years but he does pick up plenty of pieces, and tonight’s class drop could help him grab a decent chunk. (7) P C FREE WHEELING has been pretty in-and-out all year but she was on her game last week and delivered a sharp 17-1 upset – up in class with a bad draw tonight, but still worth considering for exotics, at another big price. (1) IRA WHO was all out all through the stretch to just hang on (vs. cheaper) 3 back – he broke in he pocket the next week, then trailed all the way from Post 8 in his last – he can definitely be a much bigger player tonight, but won’t offer any value with that 8/5 ML listing. (6) IM OUT was a solid 2nd off the good trip last week but he draws outside of the 4 hole for only the 2nd time all year, and that could hurt his chances considerably. (2) FATHER MIKE is usually good for a late rally when not used too hard – good one for 3rd/4th. (8) MUSICAL RIDE draws Post 8 off 3 weeks, with a win dropping off the bottom of his card after tonight – keep an eye for when he drops in class. (5) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is 0 for 35 at Yonkers over the past 2 years, often vs. much easier than these
RACE 9 – (2) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A has solid Down Under credentials and debuts tonight for connections with a good track record with these types – her qualifier was very sharp (sprinting home with HEMSWORTH N), and she seems worth a play in her stateside debut. (3) DANDYS MERCY just wasn’t smooth when well meant 2 back but looked much better last week, 2nd best to another Australian import – could have a big say once more. (6) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING moves up yet another notch seeking her 4th straight victory – the class jump isn’t as worrisome as the bad draw, and the razor-sharp 4YO is still worth considering if the price is decent. (1) LUCKY AR TIST A was lazy and on a line last week, and needed to summon up all of her back class to regain the lead and prevail to the wire – if she brings the same version that won 2 weeks ago she can be a big threat here…but hard to say if she’ll be able to do that. (8) ACUSHLA MACHREE N has been well off her game for a while but last week’s class relief helped her find a better effort (no threat 2nd behind #6) – may have trouble replicating that from Post 8, however. (4) HUNTING HULA hasn’t found her best form this year, but has benefited from some opportunistic trips – chance for a small piece if that happens again. (7) STRUTSVILLE continues to drop, but may need to get a better draw before she can be a serious threat. (5) IM OFFNGONE N was the lone leaver last week and almost parlayed her pocket trip into a huge upset – not sure she’s going to be as fortunate tonight.
RACE 10 – (4) THE HAZLETON certainly looked like the horse to beat last week but his 1/10 price was absurd, and he added insult to injury by going offstride on the first turn – assuming he’s a (much) better price tonight, he’s probably worth another try. (5) ESCAPER ended 2025 racing in the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series but he hasn’t found that top form so far in 2026, and finds himself all the way down at the bottom level after losing his first 4 starts – maybe this is the spot where he can turn things back around? (1) THE THING IS hasn’t been a threat in his first 6 starts this year but he’s also been facing much tougher – good spot to look for a wake up call. (3) CACTUST OTHECLOUDS wasn’t terrible from Post 8 last week and the move inside could help him take home a small slice. (2) VALI HANOVER was able to win what became a two horse affair 2 back but was no factor at all last week in a tougher spot – probably looking at only minor spoils tonight, even with the good draw. (7) DONATO PATRIOT K did some good work here when he was younger but doesn’t seem to resemble that horse these days – returns off a well beaten Pocono qualifier, and we’ll just observe, for now. (8) SHOW THE WILL has just a pair of 3rds from his 10 starts this year and lands all the way outside. (6) CREATIVE VENTURE won an amateur race recently but his overall form is lacking, and he was just 1 for 32 here last year.
