Friday, August 28, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Friday, August 28, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (5) STREET GOSSIP was very well meant off the class drop last week, got roughed up pretty hard but still almost got the job done– he deserves top billing tonight, but note that he’s notoriously camera-shy before taking too short a price on top. (2) SMOKING JET may have just disliked the off-going last week because his previous tries (vs. 40s) were very solid– legitimate threat here on his best effort. (3) BULLY BOY HILL easily handled easier last week (as expected) but he’s capable at this level as well – logical player. (1) SENSI AMNESIA just missed at this level 3 back and was claimed that night – drops back down after a couple of ok tries in 40s, but she does figure to get overbet from this spot and she’s winless in 15 local tries this year (and just 1 for 25 lifetime at Yonkers). (4) BE DIFFERENT is still well off his best form, but at least he’s more competitive lately – small share? (6) MEETME ATHTHEBAR has struggled to get going since recently returning from a layoff – watching for better signs. (7) CO MMUNION MONEY picked up a 2nd in a “fall apart” race last week but doesn’t figure to be as fortunate tonight. (8) FOR A DREAMER draws Post 8 after a dismal effort in his last
RACE 2 – (6) GLITTERING HOPE had been off her game lately but last week’s easy victory at Tioga may have given her a big confidence boost – she’s faced (and beaten) better than these in the past, and may be able to take another, with a bit of racing luck. (2) SUNBURST was off 3 weeks to her local debut last week but raced very well for 3rd, for her new barn– no reason she can’t have a very big say tonight, with that start under her belt. (4) GINGER TREE LIZ was sharpening at Chester before making her first local try of the year last week (a very solid 3rd) – she was claimed by a barn that usually improves fresh stock quickly, and this mare has enjoyed success here in the past – would be no surprise at all. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A has been a little discouraging lately but the 13YO never seems to go too long before turning things around – maybe tonight? (1) IM A BELIEVE doesn’t feel like a threat to win, but is probably good enough right now to at least contend for a minor share. (7) SHEZ THE REASON A figures to be coming from too far back to really threaten. (8) SWEET ADDITION N draws Post 8 after showing little in her 2 U.S. starts. (5) CATNAP could really use some class relief
RACE 3 – (4) MYCROWNMYKINGDOM was a very promising 3rd off a 3 month layoff 2 back but disappointed in his last – drops down a notch, and catches an extremely beatable field – has to get top billing, but won’t offer any value with that 6/5 ML price! (7) MARIN COUNTY was definitely sharper earlier in the year but his current form would still make him a legitimate threat in this field, even from Post 7. (1) TACHYON is 5-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year and is one of several veterans in the barn having a tough 2026 campaign – there’s at least a chance he can perk up and be a threat in THIS field, however. (6) SIX AND STONES struggles in most of her starts but throws a decent effort once in a while – she’ll be a big price if looking to take a stab against the favorites tonight. (5) FASHION FO REVER is just 3 for 54 over the past 2 years and 13-0-1-1 here at Yonkers – still a chance for a piece against these, though. (2) INTL BLOCKADE has never been 1st or 2nd in 27 local starts. (3) JEANNIES ACTION struggled badly in her YR return last week, and 22-0-1-1 locally since 2024
RACE 4 – (3) RECKLESS ABANDON faced Invitational-type mares in her last pair and more than held her own – drops down to face considerably easier, and should be a major threat to come out on top. (4) DANDY MERCY has been camera shy this year but is usually a solid player, and figures to be able to land somewhere on the ticket. (2) BECKONING YANKEE has been holding form nicely in her current climb up the class ladder, and a good trip would put her in position to grab a good chunk here too. (5) OAKLEY SHARD N has been a disappointment in her 2 U.S. starts but it’s too soon to give up on her – maybe she can perk up a bit and land somewhere in the exotics? (1) LA MIKI N makes her YR debut after racing exclusively in PA after arriving from Canada – her lines are solid, but she still may be a little cheaper, and she’s also missed 3 weeks. (6) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT has raced well since joining her current barn in June but draws poorly and may have trouble getting in play tonight
RACE 5 – (1) FEAR DANIE put in a big sweeping move into the final turn last week and can be forgiven for flattening a bit coming to the wire – she’s in a good spot tonight to either call the shots or brush when the time is right, and we’ll give her the edge. (3) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING looked strong on the lead coming into the stretch last week but was one of several frontrunners to tire late that night – deserves a chance to make amends, and looms the main danger. (2) CERISE RAINBOW A went her best local mile to date last week, coming up 2nd best to a mare that also turned in her best local effort – remains a solid player with another inside post. (4) LLOYDS LOVES has won way too many races here to ever just dismiss but she’s clearly not on her best game right now, and it’s hard to keep taking short prices with her on top. (6) TRUE BLUE HANOVER failed to get in play from similar spots in her last pair and could be looking at only minor spoils tonight, with another bad draw. (5) MISS DOTTIE MAE has missed 3 weeks and drops a win off her card after tonight – may already be looking ahead to some class relief. (7) ISLAND BOUHINIA A broke from the pole last week and now moves all the way outside – leaning elsewhere
RACE 6 – (1) GREEN PASTURES wasn’t able to deliver his usual powerful stretch rally last week but the soggy surface may have had something to do with that – he recently more than held his own in the Invitational every week, and anything close to any of those efforts would make him very tough from this spot. (2) CAMERA MAN actually won one level up two starts back then was a solid 3rd last week in a very fast mile – draws inside, and more than sharp enough to have a big say once more. (3) IM OUT struggled from mid-June through mid-July but has looked much better in his last few starts – an easy trip gives him a chance for a piece of this. (6) CHEERS HANOVER had a strong 3YO campaign but like many before him, struggled to adjust to life as a 4YO– he returns from PA in overall better form than when he was last seen here, and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (7) HOWLINGATH EMOON DK was a sharp winner returning from PA but that was from the pole, vs. easier – may struggle a bit with both a class jump AND bad draw. (5) NYMERIA has struggled to get into any decent groove this year but IS capable of big efforts when in the right mood. (8) SIR MAVERICK blasted to the top from Post 7 and jogged in 40s two back but the chances that he could pull that off against these seem iffy, at best. (4) P L OSCAR won a “fall apart” race 2 back, but his overall recent form has been a little too shaky to recommend right now
RACE 7 – (2) BAY BREEZE HANOVER was handled aggressively off the class drop last week, looked home free into the lane but was another off the frontrunners that couldn’t find the wire that night – deserves a chance to get it right tonight. (5) WARRAWEE YANG got beat at 2/5 in his first local try of the year, losing to a rival that had lost 64 straight before that night – he stepped up TWO classes for his next, drew Post 8, but still kicked home with good trot from an impossible spot – he has a good local history, and may be able to threaten here with the right trip. (3) KHAOSAN ROAD is having a tough year (overall) so far but does add Lasix tonight, and we’ll see if that helps him to turn things around. (6) SAINT K ended up squandering a great start from Post 8 when he tired in the pocket last week – still a good bomb for exotics, though. (4) SAINTS PRESERVE US appreciated last week’s easy trip and finished up well for 4th – chance for a similar small share tonight. (7) MUSICAL RIDE rarely wins, but he can rally for some good pieces (at big prices) when things go his way – good bomb for 3rd/4th. (1) SHOW THE WILL has been doing some good work in amateur races lately but just feels a bit below the main players in here. (8) KASHA V would need things to really fall apart for any chance to get close from all the way out here
RACE 8 – Good race: (4) WORKLIFEBALANCE was handled conservatively in her last two Invitational starts and finished with good pace both times (just too far back to really threaten in her last) – she’s in a softer overall field tonight, and may be able to find a winning trip. (6) FRONT PAGE STORY would seem to be in a difficult spot here but she does have a knack for winning off the class drops – never a bad one to consider at a good price, in a field like this one. (2) SHEER ARTISTRY N has been rock solid for the last 3 months – any decent trip could put her in play for a good piece of this. (1) BATH BOMB just hasn’t been on her best game lately but returns off an aggressive try in PA, and may be able to build off that with an even better from this spot. (5) ROSE was never involved last week but did hit board in back to back Invitationals to start off her Yonkers career – would hardly be a surprise. (3) SHES GOTTHEJACK puts her perfect 3 for 3 Yonkers record on the line tonight and she’ll be taking on much better – you can never count out a horse on a roll, but tonight’s task may prove a little too tough for her. (7) WAITFOREVER N charged home full of pace last week but will be trying to do the same vs. tougher mares tonight
RACE 9 – (6) SPIRITUAL BLISS N looked good in her first local qualifier (the winner won here last week), and even better in her next – more importantly, she shows finishing 2nd to FRANCENT N in her last 2 starts in NZ, and that mare has proven to be an absolute beast here at Yonkers – pretty sure she won’t go off at 8-1, though. (2) BRI EXPRESS N went a big mile last week and it took an even bigger effort from the winner to knock her off – should have a big say here too. (4) HARLEEQUIN A qualified behind the top choice last week and also makes her U.S. debut tonight – may be good enough to be a big player right out of the box. (5) PROMISING MOMENT has some solid local tries but nothing that suggested she was capable of that last effort at Chester (right behind the classy TICH A LOCH A, and in front of BATH BOMB) – can be a player here if she can replicate that big mile. (3) POST PAINTER N rallied nicely for 2nd two back then picked up her first stateside victory last week – can be a part of the equation tonight, as well. (1) VEL IM ALL FIRE draws the pole but does seem a bit below several of the major players. (7) SPLASH OF PINK finished 3rd in all 3 local tries but tonight’s draw does figure to compromise her chances. (8) CHERYLS SHADOW is having a tough year, and Post 8 is definitely not the remedy
RACE 10 – (5) IDEAL COVER can be frustratingly inconsistent but she still comes up with more than her share of good efforts, usually vs. much better than these – she returns off a nice effort at Tioga, and we’ll look for her to bring her best against these. (1) DISTANT LOVER has been ok in her last couple, and now drops and draws the pole – very logical threat, but hard to endorse with that 3/2 ML price, especially when she’s just 10-0-1-0 at Yonkers this year. (2) FIGHTING EVIL has never had a ton of local success but the class drop and good draw should at least make her a contender tonight. (7) RAZZIN JAZZ arrives showing less than stellar recent form out of town and the draw isn’t going to help – maybe she can pass a few for a small slice? (6) BEHEST clearly has some major issues, having made just 6 starts over the last 2 years – she did just qualify nicely at Chester, though, and bears watching for future consideration. (4) STAY HAPPY has been struggling for too long to give any serious consideration right now. (3) PURAMERI is just 46-1-1-4 at The Hilltop since 2024
RACE 11 – (3) PINK FLOYD HANOVER flashed some life 2 back then built off that effort, almost winning his last – maybe he’s ready to get over the top? (6) WARRAWEE EXTREME recently joined arguably the best “turnaround barn” on the planet and quickly picked up his game dramatically, a 37-1 (massive overlay!) winner at Chester 2 back, followed by a 5-1 victory here last week – legitimate chance to make it 3 straight. (7) DISMAS was a little disappointing when 3rd last week but his overall form is very good, and he may be able to add some value to the exotics. (5) IM TALKIN HUNGRY was a barnmate to #6 and wasn’t as sharp after changing hands last week – we’ll see if he can do better tonight, or if he continues to decline some more. (4) HEZ ALL THE RAGE N earned six figures last year but has banked just $1100 in 7 starts in 2026 – waiting for some better signs before considering. (1) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER is listed at 7/2 ML but he’s raced here 31X over the last 3 years with no wins, and just one 2nd place finish – maybe he can grab some minor spoils? (8) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES raced a little better in his last couple but tonight’s draw may present a major roadblock. (2) MINOTAUR seems to have gone in the wrong direction since the claim on 6/17.
