Friday, August 21, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, August 21, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) BULLY BOY HILL raced his eyeballs out from Post 8 vs. much better last week before (understandably) tiring – anything close to that effort would make him mighty tough vs. this much easier group. (2) MARIN COUNTY has fallen well off his best form lately but gets a good draw in an (overall) weak field, and that could be enough to make him a contender for a good piece. (1) BE DIFFERENT picked up 7 wins and $117K last year but 2026 has been a struggle – the rail draw should at least put him in play for a chance at a board spot. (6) TACHYON is 4-0-0-0 here in ’26 and just 10-1-0-0 overall (for a barn having a very tough season) – maybe this is a spot where he can perk up at least a little bit. (4) LONG HILL just hasn’t clicked at all since arriving no matter what his current connections have tried – running out of excuses! (7) SIX AND STONES throws a good one here and there but hard to look for a big effort from this spot. (5) JEANNIES ACTION is 21-0-1-1 at Yonkers (last 3 years)

RACE 2 – (3) ALADDIN was quickly reclaimed by the barn he has been thriving for and picked up a nice 2nd in last week’s amateur race – Lachance knows him well, and we’ll give him top billing tonight. (1) IM TALKIN HUNGRY has a pair of wins and a 2nd from his last 3 starts and draws the pole tonight – he also exits a very sharp barn, making his chances for tonight at least a bit more iffy. (4) CAPTAIN BATBOY has a horrendous win % here the last 3 years but he does fit with these, and figures to be in contention for a decent piece tonight. (5) PINK FLOYD HANOVER wasn’t too bad last week, gets a better draw, and may at least be able to battle for some minor spoils. (7) HEZ ALL THE RAGE N made $100K last year but his 6 starts in 2026 have yielded just $1,100 – he drops in for the bottom price tonight, and that’s just more red flags (6) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was a little better last week but tonight’s draw could slow him back down again. (2) MINOTAUR draws well but feels like he’s gone the wrong way since the recent claim (8) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK draws Post 8 off 3 weeks and his last couple weren’t all that encouraging

RACE 3 – (1) SPLASH OF PINK was racing well before being scratched sick on 7/21 – she raced in PA in her next start (off a bad date) but still rallied nicely for 2nd…may have found a winning spot returning to Yonkers. (3) POST PAINTER N turned in her best U.S. try in her 3rd attempt last week, and she can be a big threat here if she can build just a bit off that effort. (2) CERISE RAINBOW A disappointed as the favorite in 2 of her last 3 starts but still figures to have a real say against these with the good draw – would consider if the price creeps up a bit. (4) IM A BE LIEVER has struggled here most of the year but still seems to fit well enough with these to at least contend for a piece. (6) BRONX MIXER used a quick start 2 back to pick up a nice 2nd – might be able to grab a piece here too with another quick start. (5) JORDANNA HANOVER often gets bet but is just 1 for 17 on the year, and 0 for 10 here at Yonkers…ok for underneath. (8) SWEET ADDITION N took no $$ for her U.S. debut and was no good at all – hard to like her chances tonight up in class, from Post 8. (7) CATNAP has been unable to beat much easier

RACE 4 – (2) PRINTVILLE is still winless on the year but he’s also picked up his fair share of decent pieces, despite often racing from well off the pace, vs. better than these – maybe he’s finally found a spot that can get him to the winner’s circle? (5) SILKY CHOICE always had legitimate ability but simply fails to function in way too many of his races – willing to give him a try against these, but only if the price is “fair”. (1) KOPI LUWAK isn’t close to his best right now but may still be a legitimate threat from the pole, vs. a very modest field like this one. (8) CARAB AO N feels like he’s been scratched sick more often than he’s actually raced lately – probably a spot where he’ll be conservative but IF he’s “live” on the tote board, you may want to at least consider him. (3) LYONS BENJAMIN turned in a much better effort last week for a barn that has picking up steam lately – certainly ok for exotics. (7) BE NHOPE RULZ N is having a tough year and draws a tough post for tonight – still may be able to beat a few of these (6) DONTTELLMENOW is just one of many from this barn having a year he’d like to forget – waiting for better signs. (4) DREAMBOAT HANOVER is just 9-0-0-1 here at Yonkers.

RACE 5 – (1) NILA MAREE N hasn’t been a serious threat in some time but she’s also been facing much better – Siegelman can handle her more aggressively in this spot, and we’ll see if she’s up for it. (4) SPIRIT OF PEARL A takes a big step up off the most recent (re)claim but she’s also VERY sharp, and just may be up for it. (2) ELUSIVE A almost wired this class from Post 8 three starts back and has to be considered a threat with tonight’s post relief. (3) LLOYDS LOVES has won a zillion races here but isn’t at her peak right now – still a contender, but just one of several with a chance in here. (6) TIME TO STRIKE figures to be much more in play tonight with the class drop but the poor draw may still limit here to a smaller share. (7) HUNTING HULA was able to wire softer from the pole last week but this will be a MUCH tougher task. (5) VEL IM ALL FIRE takes a big step up, and may be shooting a bit too high in this class. (8) TRUE BLUE HANOVER gets another awful draw, and may need to wait for a better spot

RACE 6 – (1) HAPPY JACK B earned over half a million at 2 and 3 but struggled a bit in the Graduate Series to start off his 4YO campaign – he’s won 2 straight since getting some class relief, and may have built back the confidence to beat these too (for an always dangerous trainer/driver combination). (4) CAMERA MAN actually DROPS off last week’s 7 hole victory, and has to command plenty of respect in here too! (2) HONOLULU HANOV ER drew poorly in all 5 local starts but still went a few nice efforts – moves inside, and could have a bigger say here. (3) MUSICAL RIDE rarely wins and is also inconsistent…any of his better efforts would still give him a chance for a piece with these, though. (6) NYMERIA was sent off at 3/5 last week (off the class drop), looked like a winner to the top of the lane but was outgamed by the longshot winner (#5) when it mattered most – still, a chance to rally for a piece tonight. (7) BJMS LIL MAN seems to “figure” almost every week, but is now just 1 for 15 on the year – brutal spot tonight. (5) LUCKY MUM N finally grabbed her first win of the season last week and did it in style, holding off #6 to win at 44-1 – will be pretty tough to repeat that effort vs. these. (8) SEA CAN has been very reliable lately but will need lots to go his way to get in play from out here

RACE 7 – (4) BRI EXPRESS N just seemed to concede from Post 7 last week, possibly already looking ahead to tonight’s class drop – she’s held her own vs. much better, and this feels like a spot where she can do a lot of damage. (5) SUNBURST has Ohio lines that suggest she can be a good fit here, and lands in a barn that usually thrives with fresh stock…could be a serious player. (1) LUCKY ARTIST A is a guessing game from week to week but can never be dismissed to easily from a spot like this – the 13YO can still get her picture taken from time to time! (2) ULTIM ATE SPEED was seriously overdriven 2 back (excuse) but just came up very dull last week – needs to rebound to her best effort to be a threat tonight. (3) DISTANT LOVER has just one 2nd from 9 local starts this year but the good draw gives her at least a shot at a piece. (6) FIGHTING EVIL has been away for 3 weeks and tends to struggle at YR regardless. (7) HUGS AN KISSES won her local debut on the front end but in a MUCH easier field – prefer others tonight. (8) SHEZ THE REASON A is looking at a pretty rough trip tonight after landing out here

RACE 8 – (5) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A did good things upon arrival in the U.S. and is still very sharp right now – very dangerous tonight with any half-decent trip! (4) SHESGOTTHEJACK has been TNT since arriving here for her new barn, winning once from off the pace and once on the front end – remains very dangerous, even moving up a bit in class. (1) LYDEO finally picked up her first win of the season last week, sitting the pocket then rallying by the tiring leader – should be right back in the hunt tonight, though maybe ending up with a bit smaller prize. (3) OA KLEY SHARD N was no factor at all in her U.S. debut but likely capable of much better – if the tote board suggests she’s “alive” here. You may want to take note. (6) WAITFOREVER N figures to be hurt by tonight’s bad draw but that 20-1 ML price does make her tempting to use in exotics. (2) BECKONING YANKEE was wildly overdriven last week with predictable results – chance to contend for a share with a more sensible steer. (8) DANDYS MERCY is a solid mare, but lands behind the 8 ball. (7) AVF CLAIRE beat easier with a perfect trip in last – no spot tonight.

RACE 9 – (2) FRANCENT N is technically moving up in class but she’s definitely established that she’s a serious Open Mare – the good draw will have her closer to the action tonight, and her late kick is lethal! (7) SWEETNIKKI LOU A has been beastly for an extended period, but gets her first bad draw – just too sharp to ignore, even from out here. (3) WORKLIFEBALANCE used a great trip to be a close 2nd last time, and is worth using in exotics again as she figures to still be a decent price. (8) SILK CLOUD A has been holding form beautifully for many starts, but may land on a tougher trip tonight – would want a better price to be on her team here. (4) JENNSVILLE A has been a very solid Invitational performer, especially when she gets a good trip – belongs in exotics. (6) RASPALIA N was unab(e to overcome a bad spot last week and may end up in a similar scenario tonight. (5) ROSE hit board in both local tries, but may have trouble keeping that streak alive here. (1) COACHELLABOUND N gets the rail she should have been assigned last week – she’s listed on the bottom, but an easy trip could see her do better than that.

RACE 10 – (3) IM OUT went through a rough patch recently (at higher levels) but his last pair were much better – these same connections took the last race on Thursday night (with RADIO LAB, 14-1)…déjà vu? (1) HOWLINGAT HEMOON DK shows PA lines that would make him a standout here, but he really struggled in only 3 local tries (in 2025) – little risky? (2) YO SHELDON raced much better than expected in his YR debut – a similar effort puts him right in the mix. (6) DURANTE HANOVER turned in a nice rally last week, but into a very slow final quarter– small piece? (5) OURMOMENTNTIME really struggled in his YR return after being scratched injured– still a question mark. (4) SAINTS PRESERVE US returns from PcD but hasn’t had much luck here at Yonkers. (7) SHOW THE WILL was no factor in last from a much better post. (8) MEETMEATTHEBAR draws Post 8 while off form.