Friday, May 1, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, May 1, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) HIMSELF N has been in a recent rut, dropping all the way down the class ladder after a series of lesser efforts – he DID perk up with a much more encouraging try last week, however, and the barn itself has started to wake back up as well – we’ll try him on top tonight, but won’t be betting the rent money! (2) BOOKEM DANNO (eligible at time of entry) added Lasix last week and responded nicely, delivering a solid front end score as the heavy favorite – the main danger for sure. (5) VICI turned in a much better effort in his 3rd try off the recent barn change – if he can build off that improved mile, he can certainly have a say here too. (6) HUNTINGFORCHROME earned over $400K as a youngster but comes off a hugely disappointing 4YO campaign (12-0-4-0 $20K) – he just started his 2026 season and picked up a 3rd over at Pocono – not ready to consider on top, but maybe 3rd/4th? (1) EMINEM HANOVER sports an ugly 18-0-0-1 local record over the past 2 years but he may still be able to grab at least some minor spoils from this spot. (7) JMS FINAL TREASURE has a lot more lesser tries than good ones lately, and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause – on the flip side, welcome back to George Brennan, returning to action on tonight’s card! (3) GREG THE LEG has made 6 starts so far in 2026 and hasn’t been competitive in any of them – waiting for better signs. (8) CAVIART SARGENT lands Post 8 returning from NJ, after a series of weak efforts

RACE 2 – (3) SHEZ THE REASON A did super right after arriving in the U.S. but that success landed her up a bit too high in class for a bunch of starts – she drops down tonight to a level that should be more to her liking, and she’ll probably still be a “fair” price…decent value play. (7) TH RIZZO had some good efforts a couple of months back right after adding Lasix but her form has been much more inconsistent recently – she’s a threat at this level even from out here, but MAY end up overbet. (2) SPIRIT OF PEARL A has some pretty mixed recent form but she did beat this class on 1/30, and almost beat MALES in a NW7500 field 2 back – a good price makes her worth a look. (1) FACTORY GIRL drew horribly in her first 2 starts after returning from Dover and just toured the oval – she dropped in class at Chester for her next start, was sent off at 1/5 but tired in the lane after being used too hard – she’s a threat for sure, but that 3/2 ML price definitely is pushing us in other directions (6) MISS DOTTIE MAE is always tough at this bottom level but she may not be on her best game right now, draws poorly, and really does her best work for Bartlett. (4) IM A BELIEVER is off to a tough start in 2026, with just one 2nd from 6 local tries – leaning elsewhere. (5) LONELY GHOST had that form-reversing 2nd two back but has otherwise struggled most weeks

RACE 3 – (5) SCHNAPPS just never really clicked after joining this barn last year, only throwing a decent effort here and there – she DOES have ability, though, and after being “sneaky ok” 2 back, was actually very good last week – may be worth a shot tonight, even with the 3 weeks off. (2) ALLEGRA HANOVER still hasn’t gotten back to top form but last week’s effort (2nd from the 7 hole) was a step in the right direction – logical threat here. (3) PINE BUSH MAGA had a pretty solid season in 2025 and her last qualifier and start suggest she may be starting to come around again – not impossible. (4) STEPABOVETHEREST only made 5 starts as a 3YO – she recently returned from a year on the shelf and her form has been less than stellar (so far) – hard to justify that 5/2 ML price. (1) SUNB URNT is an unlikely winner, but capable of saving ground and grabbing a small share from the pole. (6) CANNERY ROW has done little from some bad recent posts…and lands yet another for tonight

RACE 4 – (6) OLIVER THE GREAT feels somewhat snakebit, coming up a close a 2nd best in FOUR straight starts (with brutal beats in a couple of them) – he can race on or off the pace, his price figures to drift up a bit and we’ll take a shot that this is the week he gets over the hump. (5) BAY BREEZE HANOVER has been on a LONG form spree, and is another that can handle a variety of trips – she’ll make her presence felt, once more. (1) MADE OF DR EAMS has stayed trotting since adding hopples 3 back but her last couple have been “good”, not “great” – we’ll see if she can take advantage of the post edge she has over the top pair. (2) DURANTE HANOVER was able to just steal one last week, grabbing an easy half and prevailing despite a slow final quarter – he’ll need to be better for any chance to repeat. (3) VANDY LANE broke before the start in his local debut – wouldn’t be shocked to see him win, but we’re sticking with others, for now. (4) PC FREE WHEELING is more effective with a bit easier.

RACE 5 – Tough race: (2) DWS POINT MAN seemed to enjoy both the class drop and conservative trip last week, finishing much better (to be 3rd) – he’s faced (and beaten) much better in the past, and may be able to score a mild upset here with the right trip (6) ONCE IN A LIFETIME added Lasix 2 back and was a very good 2nd behind a horse who won again (easily) last week – he was too far back to threaten in a fast mile last week, but may be able to show up late tonight if things get cooking up front. (1) VINNY DE VIE hasn’t done a lot of winning over the last 2 years but he’s usually in the hunt, especially from a spot like this – playable in exotics. (8) ESCAPER isn’t close to last year’s top from right now but he did dig in for his first victory of ’26 last week and he’s not shy about leaving from tough spots – he’ll be a much better price tonight if you think he can repeat. (4) B NICKING found a soft spot in PA last week and was able to run and hide from them – it’ll be a lot tougher to do that to these, but not impossible. (5) THE HAZLETON blew up early as the prohibitive favorite 2 back – he behaved in his last, and was gaining late on #8 after an easy trip – possible for sure, but also likely to end up overbet. (7) BJMS LIL MAN was able to avoid getting too hot and stayed trotting last week, turning in a good effort for 2nd – he fits for sure, but Stratton may look to take him off the gate from this tough spot. (3) ENERGYSOURCE is the only one in here that would be a surprise

RACE 6 – (4) STRUTSVILLE looked to leave the gate last week but had to retreat to 7th, ended up 3rd over but still had plenty of pace finishing – moves inside, and a good week to give her a look. (3) WIN WITH LYNNLY can use her speed to establish a good trip here – she’s usually a good price, and could bring some value to the ticket. (6) STA YINGWITHTHEWIND will attract plenty of attention dropping out of the Series and she has more than enough ability to beat these – on the flip side, barnmate CHERYLS SHADOW was in a similar boat last week and ended up tiring off a pocket trip – would need a “fair” price to consider her on top. (1) IDEAL COVER has been inconsistent but any of her better efforts would put her in play for a piece starting from the pole. (2) FASHION TERROR got off to an awful start to her 4YO campaign but a couple of wins (over much easier) may have helped her regain some confidence – we’ll see if she can continue to perform well with tonight’s considerable class bump. (7) JORDANNA HANOVER is doing solid work to start off her 4YO campaign but may need a better draw to be a serious player with these types. (5) MORE GOODA N backed through the field on 2/20, was scratched on 3/16 and just re- qualified last week – pass for now. (8) HUNTING HULA has been “meh” so far in 2026, and now lands Post 8

RACE 7 – (7) MANFORCE was a little disappointing last time but that was vs. much better – he gets the worst of the draw tonight, but that also means he’ll be a pretty fair price vs. much easier than he’s been facing – worth a play. (5) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS feels like he’s back on the upswing after a decent 8 hole try 2 back, and a 3rd behind a couple of classy ones last week (where he was probably driven a little over-aggressively)– main danger! (2) ENER GY KING beat the 40s in back to back starts in Feb. but has been on the decline ever since – he changed barns last week, and could be in a nice spot to work out a good trip here– ok underneath. (4) SHOW THE WILL was “sneaky ok” from an impossible spot last week – better draw now, and a good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (6) NO DRA MA PLEASE is just 1 for 43 over the last 2 years and draws poorly for tonight – minor spoils? (3) ROBERTSON DE arrives from Canada after being idle since October, and after a tough 18-1-1-6 season – watch mode for now. (1) TACHYON may decide to trot tonight and crush these…but he’s made too many recent breaks to back right now

RACE 8 – (4) SUNDAY SHOES joined our top barn on 4/10 (arriving from Canada) and was an impressive winner in his local debut– he broke after leaving from Post 8 in his next but put on the trotting hobbles last week and trotted beautifully, coming out of the pocket to go right by the leader and draw off effortlessly – steps up a bit, but seems capable of handling it. (1) NYMERIA had an 8 hole off a sick scratch last week, was caught in traffic to the stretch but still finished full of trot at the end – legitimate threat. (5) IM OUT hasn’t missed a check in a long time but his only win this year was in an amateur race – worth using underneath in exotics with that 15-1 ML price. (6) SCUDO HANOVER finished with very good trot in his local debut (after sitting last) but did come up a bit disappointing when he had to settle for 2nd as the favorite last week – chance to rally for another piece tonight, even from this tough spot. (2) SEVEN LAYER is a nice trotter that was off to a good start this year…but he comes into this off a month (after a pair of sick scratches) and feels pretty iffy at the moment. (3) BACKSTREET PLAYER has been away since 12/19 and the guess is that he’ll need a start or two before we see his best. (8) STREET GOSSIP was much better last week (after a dull try the previous start) but figures to be severely compromised by the draw. (7) FATHER MIKE will probably be trotting well at the end…but from too far out of it to be a threat

RACE 9 – (6) SMOOTH LOU has an off week here and there but is generally solid at this level – he raced well for 2nd behind the perfect trip winner last week, and may be able to get the job done in the finale. (1) CYRUS N was off to a rough start (vs. better) in 2026 – he was freshened up, re-qualified, and drops down to the bottom level for a barn doing excellent work right now – looking for a better effort tonight. (3) HUGH HESTON drew horribly in 4 of 5 local starts this year but was an ok 3rd the one time he drew well – could improve here with the inside post. (4) OV ER THE HORIZON took no $$ last week (off a sick scratch) despite winning his previous 2 starts as the favorite – perhaps the tote board will offer clues for tonight? (5) FULL SUPPORT doesn’t feel like a threat to win, but a good trip could help him grab a piece. (2) ADVANCE MAN had 3 ok tries before coming up no factor in his last pair – would at least consider for 3rd/4th with that 20-1 ML price. (8) DELIGHTFUL TERROR was better last week – ok bomb for 3rd/4th, even from out here. (7) DEEDENUTO A figures to have trouble getting close from out here.