Friday, May 15, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, May 15, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) BLACK HAWK JOE A had been dropping through the classes for his previous connections so it was a surprise when they hopped back in to re-claim him last week – he’s actually very solid at this $15K level, and a good price would make him worth a look…even from out here. (1) SURFSIDE BEACH was hammered at the windows 2 back (getting post relief) and was able to deliver, helped by a picture perfect trip – he didn’t fare as well when used harder the next start, but has to be seen as a legitimate threat moving all the way to the pole tonight. (3) OZONE BL UE CHIP has struggled to win races the last couple of years but this is probably a spot where he can be a threat – Holland will surely give him every chance to succeed. (7) OVER THE HORIZON loves to win races but he gets a terrible draw off the claim and faces an uncertain trip – another that’s playable IF the price is right. (4) BLOCKBUS TER TRADE flashed some better life three back, disappointed in his next then was an “ok” 3rd last week – small piece? (6) CHECKONWILLIAM GB could be dangerous if he brings his best but he backed through the field last week, and draws poorly after another (re) claim – at least he’ll be a big price, if looking to use on top. (5) HES SPE CIAL returns off a couple of good PA tries vs. cheaper but has struggled vs. these types recently. (2) FRANCO NAN DOR N may have a chance at some minor spoils, primarily due to the good draw

RACE 2 – (3) TIME TO STRIKE returns from PA at a level well below she’s used to facing – she’s done plenty of good work here (vs. better), and looms the one to beat tonight, (5) BECA MITCHELL figured to improve after moving to one of our top barns and that’s exactly what’s happened – she raced very well from off the pace in her last couple but if she CAN leave the gate, this would be a good spot to do so. (1) ODDS ON ACES FULL is winless in her 4 local starts but she did hit board in 3 of them – draws the pole returning from PA (off a 2nd place finish), and is a logical player for exotics. (4) SHEZ THE REASON A did very good work upon arrival from Down Under but started to really level off when forced to move up the class ladder– she hasn’t been able to regain that top form (even after a few class drops), but still is a threat to rally for at least a piece. (2) CRUISE ALERT has really struggled in many of her recent starts but wasn’t terrible last week after a shuffle – we’ll see if she can build off that. Both (6) PI NE BUSH MAGA and (7) QUICK MENU would be surprises from their brutal outside posts

RACE 3 – (5) BRONZER steps up a bit off a sharp front end win last week but this field is still easier than he’s used to facing – decent chance to repeat if he can avoid a bad trip. (6) DIPLOMACY’s last 2 local starts are sharper than they may look on paper, and he returns tonight after a close 2nd at Chester last week – the draw could be a roadblock, but he’s still worth a look at the right price. (2) BJMS LIL MAN was doing great work as Stratton got him to relax for a couple of starts but he got way too hot (again) when placed on the lead last week and tired after cutting some scorching fractions – Buter gets the task of keeping him calm tonight, and he’ll race better if able to do so. (1) SCU DO HANOVER has proven to be a solid player at this level but his closing style leaves him at the mercy of trip – make sure to get a fair price if considering him for the top slot. (3) MANFORCE raced better last week than his line might suggest, getting stuck first over into BRONZER’s :28 flat 3rd panel – could add some value to the exotics with a better trip. (4) VINNY DE VIE hasn’t done much winning the last 2 years – chance for a small piece, though.

RACE 4 – (1) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND took a major drop from the McIntyre Series last week but still couldn’t quite last on the front end – she’s clearly NOT on her best game right now, but still may be good enough to get it done vs. this somewhat easier bunch. (2) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR is impossible to fault form-wise, and she’s 9-4-3-1 here at Yonkers – she IS moving up considerably in class, though, so be careful about accepting too short a price. (6) HUNTING HULA has been “meh” in most of her 2026 starts but did have some sneaky pop finishing last week – that 20-1 ML price does make her at least a bit attractive. (7) COACHELLABOUND N drops another notch but just hasn’t looked good (so far) in most of her 2026 starts – at least she’s ELIGIBLE for a wake up call one of these nights. (5) TH RIZZO looked like an easy winner to the final turn last week but she continues to be plagued by sub-par finishes (even when allowed to relax early) – maybe she can rally for a piece if kept well back early on? (3) IDE AL COVER rarely wins and has been plagued by inconsistency this year, as well – never a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) ALLEGRA HANOVER moves up 2 classes after failing to beat the bottom level the last 3 weeks.

RACE 5 – (5) HARD SEVEN tried to leave hard from Post 7 last week but got caught wide and made a break on the first turn – he did race big after recovering, and may be a winning spot tonight (if he can avoid another miscue. (7) THE HAZLETON’s recent form has been spotty at best but this is the same horse that was sent off at 1/10 in this class 4 starts back (but broke early on) – has to be worth a look at what figures to be a pretty fair price. (2) ONCE IN A LIFETIME has certainly disappointed more often than he’s delivered the last couple of seasons but he gets both post and class relief here, and he was a good 2nd the last time he raced at this level. (8) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS isn’t used to being seen at this bottom level and is a reliable six figure earner here every year – he’s clearly not in peak form right now, but it would hardly be a shock to see him get a wake up call tonight (1) NO DRAMA PLEASE has been extremely camera shy the past 2 years but always has a chance for a piece from a spot like this. (3) INCAN TATION drops back down to the level she beat on 3/27 but that was a particularly weak field – she’ll need to be better, even with the class drop. (4) ENERGY KING has bene struggling for a while – waiting for better signs. (6) SUNDAY BRUNCH is another that needs to show much better life before getting an endorsement

RACE 6 – (1) STREET GOSSIP is actually pretty good right now, his form somewhat hidden by some tough spots – he drops to the level he beat earlier this year, draws the pole, and deserves top billing…but he also is camera shy, so not one to fall in love with at too short a price! (3) STMIKES KERRYBLUES is an interesting newcomer from upstate – he certainly likes to win races (10 for 24 last year), and some of his recent Stga. efforts might put him right in the mix with these too. (4) AIRMANS JACKPOT drops down and was racing well at these levels a couple of months ago – may be able to have a bigger say tonight. (6) LAVA FIELD only made 9 starts last year but did win 4 of them – he recently returned from a long layoff and has definitely sharpened considerably over his last few starts out of town (after adding Lasix)– worth a look at the right price. (2) ENERGYSOURCE was helped by things falling apart last week and was able to spring a huge, form-reversing upset – he’s an infrequent winner regardless, and we’ll see if he can race well against these too (5) BULLY BOY HILL has always been plagued by inconsistency though he does throw big efforts when in the right mood – his pilot won’t be afraid to use him hard, and a good price makes him one to consider. (8) IM OUT can contend at this level but probably needs a much better post to do so. (7) BANK ON ME broke in 2 of his last 3 Pocono starts and struggled here in a handful of starts in the past

RACE 7 – (2) CHAPHEART has been in some tough spots facing much better in his last few starts and limited to minor pieces as a result – gets a good draw in a much softer spot, and it feels like a good spot to pick up a victory. (5) MADE OF DREAMS has been “good”, not “great” in her last 3 local tries – she does have a pair of 2nds from those starts, and looms a threat for another good piece tonight. (7) TORRONE gets some class relief and fits very nicely here – he also draws Post 7, and has a win dropping off the bottom of his card after tonight…if you think Holland will put him in play, he can definitely add some value to the ticket. (3) RITSON has been doing his best work vs. easier these days but he’s still capable of landing a decent share from this spot. (6) KASHA V already has as many wins here this year (3) as he picked up in ALL of 2024-25…his last couple of starts were dull, however, and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (4) SEA CAN was ok at best beating cheaper 2 back, then was well back in his next – he comes into tonight having missed 3 weeks, and that has us looking elsewhere. (1) WINDSONG PIO NEER best work this year has come in amateur races – feels somewhat overmatched with these

RACE 8 – Good race! (5) WORKLIFEBALANCE was charging in the lane from a tough spot last week and that effort is in line with several other sharp recent tries – if she lands on a better trip tonight, she’s one of a few that could come out on top. (2) LYDEO was no threat throughout the McIntyre Series and it’s hard to say if tonight’s class relief will be enough to make her a real threat – worth a look only if the price is decent. (3) DANDYS MERCY was well meant but not quite right 4 starts back (returning from PcD) then turned in solid efforts in her last 3 (pair of 2nds and a 3rd) – no reason she can’t be a player here too. (4) FRONT PAGE STORY was well backed off the class drop last week and turned in a game performance to pick up the win – chance to repeat. (6) NILA MAREE N finished off the board for the first time in 10 local starts last week, squandering a two hole trip – good to see she’s right back in the box, and the price will drift up for those looking to stay on her team. (8) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A made it 2 for 2 in the U.S. last week with a sharp front end score – a lot can go wrong from Post 8 tonight, though. (1) LUCKY ARTIST A is still banging heads at age 13 and it would never be a shock to see the classy import grab a share. (7) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING raced ok from an impossible spot last week but this spot is even tougher

RACE 9 – (3) HOOLIE N HECTOR has missed 3 weeks but he’s been facing much tougher and may get very brave against this suspect group (1) BACKSTREET PLAYER was an even 4th in his 2nd start off the layoff, and has license to improve some more tonight – possibility from this spot. (6) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has fallen on some hard times lately – this could be a wake up spot for the classy mare, but she may also end up overbet. (4) SAINTS PRESERVE US was well backed in NJ in her 2nd start on Lasix and delivered a victory – she gets a live pilot for her YR debut, and may be able to have a big say. (5) THE THING IS is off to a slow start this year but gets a big driver switch to Brennan and might be able to grab a piece of this. (7) FATHER MIKE is off a break, draws poorly & will be coming from way out of it…but still might be able to make some late noise, at a big price. (2) OPTRIX won his last at PcD but at the bottom level, in a slow mile – leaning elsewhere. (8) CREDIT TO FRANK gets a brutal draw.