Friday, May 22, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, May 22, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) BLACK HAWK JOE A was used hard twice from Post 7 last week so can probably be forgiven for tiring in the stretch – he was quickly reclaimed by the barn he raced well for on 5/4, and may offer some decent value in a race with several possible winners. (3) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE hit board for the first time this year 2 starts back the delivered his best mile of the year last week, just missing to the oft-winning OVER THE HORIZON – another good one to consider. (2) J B GRAM struggled for a few starts off the most recent claim but he’s come around lately, hitting board in 3 of his last 4 starts (including a win last week)– have to respect his chances right now (1) CHECKONWILLIAM GB would be a big threat on his best effort but his last try was a major clunker, and he was scratched from his first start after being claimed by a barn currently struggling– mixed feelings. (7) ROSE RUN ASTRO would be a big threat on his best effort but he hasn’t been at that level for the last couple of months – would consider if the price gets juicy enough. (4) BETTORBUCKLEUP was a non-player in his first 6 starts this year but won his next, and has been overall “ok” since then – minor spoils? (6) SMOOTH LOU is prone to clunkers and thew one last week– tonight’s draw won’t help. (8) SURFSIDE BEACH lands Post 8 after a major dud from the pole

RACE 2 – (6) SHEZ THE REASON A looked good to start off her U.S. career, struggled when stuck up in the higher classes but hasn’t been able to regain her top form even as she’s dropped all the way back down – she draws poorly, but she lands in a soft field and gets a pretty live driver tonight- maybe Holland can wake her up a bit? (2) BUBBLE LOU raced evenly in her first try off the barn change (in PA) then hung in pretty gamely despite a tough trip in her last – should fit nicely with the locals. (4) PINE BUSH MAGA was on her game last week, grabbing a two hole trip behind the odds-on winner and sticking with her all the way – a similar effort puts her right in the hunt tonight. (1) CRUISE ALERT fell WAY off form for some time – she did have an excuse 2 back (shuffled), then did pace home evenly last week – maybe she’s starting to come back around? (5) QUICK MENU lacked room in the lane last week or might have been closer – maybe 3rd/4th? (3) PURAMERI is 14-0-0-1 at Yonkers the last 2 years (1 for 38 over the last 3) – sticking with others. (7) KNOCK TWICE was 10th in her first start of 2026, and was 0 for 14 here last year

RACE 3 – (3) UNEVERGONNAGETHIS clearly hasn’t found his best form yet in 2026 but it’s hard to imagine the classy 7YO not finding a way to win at this bottom level- even if there are a few other legitimate players in here! (4) CREDIT TO FRANK sat in the back all the way in his local debut but was full of trot coming through the wire – could have a much bigger say tonight with the inside draw. (6) BANK ON ME was no factor returning from PcD but he was only a couple of lengths back at the wire, and racing off a miscue the week before – license to rally for a piece of this. (8) AIRMANS JACKPOT has been facing MUCH better and while she should be able to win at this bottom level, she may have to wait for a better spot before that happens. (7) FATHER MIKE was trotting well late at the cones last week and is another that’s more than capable in this class…but maybe not from THIS spot. (5) NO DRAMA PLEASE was a dull 4th off the easy trip last week – minor spoils only. (1) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE is 0 for 37 at YR over the last 2 years but has enough speed to at least make his presence felt for a while. (2) JEANNIES ACTION was racing ok with cheaper at Stga. but was 18-0-1-1 at The Hilltop in 2024-25

RACE 4 – (1) TORRONE flew to the lead from Post 7 last week but may have just outtrotted himself and made an uncharacteristic miscue – drops a notch and moves to the lead, and may be able to wire these. (5) DIPLOMACY has been plagued by a series of awful local draws but still finishing with trot most of the time – gets a much better post for tonight, and that should make him a much bigger player. (6) STREET GOSSIP was wildly overbet last week and got nipped on the wire after a tough first over try – he’ll be a much better price tonight, but still has a chance to rally for a decent chunk (with some trip luck). (3) ONCE IN A LIFETIME was a solid first over 2nd to a classy front end winner last week, even if helped by the soft clip – could grab another piece tonight, even with the double class jump. (4) VELOCIRAPTOR had a couple of ok tries in the recent Brennan Trotting Series and returns off a 2nd place finish at Chester – we’ll see how he does tonight for a new barn. (7) BULLY BOY HILL landed on a perfect trip last week and nipped #6 on the wire – facing a much tougher task tonight, however. (2) RITSON gets a class drop and good draw but just feels too far off his game to endorse right now. (8) SCUDO HANOVER is a steady weekly player but facing an uphill task starting from last.

RACE 5 – (1) STMIKES KERRYBLUES appeared full of trot in the pocket throughout his local debut but struggled to find room in the lane and may have had a lot more trot than his line might suggest – worth a try from the pole, even if Brennan opts for #5. (2) OPTRIX has been sharpening since recently returning for his 2026 campaign – he looked like an easy winner entering the stretch last week, but just hung badly coming to the wire and allowed the winner to come back to beat him – maybe he can get it right tonight? (5) THE HAZLETON made the lead a lot easier last week after the favorite broke at the start, then grabbed some easy fractions and cashed in with the front end score – certainly a license to repeat. (8) IM OUT had plenty of trot coming through the wire last week – he’s sharp enough to win, but his 3rd straight 8 hole may limit his chances once more. (3) LUCKY MUM N struggled to find her form off the layoff then re-qualified after a dismal try and sick scratch – she gets some class relief off the qualifier, and we’ll see if the short break helped her. (7) WHISKEY PEDDLER was a solid winner over cheaper in PA upon arrival from Ohio – steps up for his local debut, and may have trouble overcoming the bad draw. (4) INCA NTATION was an ok 3rd after sitting the pocket to #5 last week but may not get as good a trip tonight. (6) SAINT PRESERVE US could be on the upswing, but she gets a tough draw while up in class.

RACE 6 – (5) CAPTAIN FEAR has been facing MUCH tougher fields than the one he lands in tonight – good spot for an aggressive try in this seemingly soft spot. (4) THE MIKI TAKER A was well backed off the class drop last week, used a bit harder than he’s used to and weakened a bit in the lane – gets a fresh set of hands for tonight, and may do better with an easier trip. (1) CAVIART SARGENT is in a “logical” spot to grab a big piece but he’s not a very reliable performer…may end up overbet. (3) AUSSIE HANOVER has been picking up minor pieces lately and may be able to do the same tonight. (7) PAXAMILLION was used very hard last week and still battling right to the end – he’s more than good enough to contend for another big piece here, but he faces an unpredictable trip starting from Post 7. (2) GREAT SOMEWHERE picked up a pair of recent 2nds out of town vs. cheaper, and did win in this class here early in the year – still feels a bit below a few of the others, however. (6) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY was well meant last week but was a dull 4th – much tougher spot tonight. (8) SAWYERS DESIRE figures to be severely compromised by the draw in his Hilltop return.

RACE 7 – (2) BJMS LIL MAN got way too hot on the lead 2 back but Buter (taking over for Stratton) did a good job getting him to relax last week, and he charged home to victory in the lane when called upon – steps up a notch, but he can take another if he continues to avoid his bad habits. (3) P L OSCAR hasn’t won in a while but he’s been racing well in most of his starts, vs. much better fields than this one – major threat. (1) DURANTE HANOVER beat this class 2 back but was a tiring 3rd in a hot mile last week – he’s missed 3 weeks (and has just 1 start in 5 weeks), but can still beat a lot of these for a good piece. (6) PEDAL ON METAL drops a bit but could be coming from well out of it – still a chance he could rally for a share, at a good price. (7) MY MAN PETER had success here in limited starts earlier this year but just had to re-qualify after making breaks in 3 of his last 4 starts in KY – will keep him on the “watch list”, for now. (8) HAND DOVER DAN has been showing speed and behaving vs. easier in PA lately but he’s made his share of miscues here in the past, and lands behind the 8 ball. (4) VANDY LANE broke in both local tries after the barn change – another on the watch list for now. (5) KASHA V is really struggling at the moment

RACE 8 – (5) JENSVILLE A was a sharp winner in her U.S. debut, kicked home in :27 from an impossible spot the following week then raced super in her last, just missing despite a very tough trip – we’ll give her the narrow nod over a very talented rival. (8) RASPALIA N has been quite an acquisition for her connections, going 10-8-1-1 in the U.S. and showing on Monday night (at Pocono) that she’s more than capable of tackling classy, Open mares – major danger, even from out here! (2) SHEER ARTISTRY N won 2 straight before a miscue on 4/3 – she took a few weeks off, re-qualified, and can have a say here if even close to her best. (7) NILA MAREE N finished well from a no chance spot last week but tonight’s draw may limit her output once more– her chances go way up if Marohn can find her a decent trip. (1) ELEKTRA A sports an impressive 27-8-4-4 local record in 2024-25 but makes her first start of the year tonight and figures to be a little rusty. (3) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING is more comfortable vs. easier – will look to save ground hoping for minor spoils. (6) LUCKY ARTIST A continues to hold her own even at these higher levels but tonight’s draw will make things tough. (4) FASHION TERROR needs to prove she can hang with these

RACE 9 – (2) BRI EXPRESS N has been stuck in the back for several weeks vs. much better fields than this one – she may trip out tonight and reverse form in a hurry. (5) HUNTING HULA was “sneaky ok” in her last couple and could offer some value tonight…at least in exotics. (1) COACHELLABOUND N will surely look to control the action with class drop and the rail…she’s also been way off her game, and may prove vulnerable at a very short price. (7) TIME TO STRIKE was a safe winner as the odds on choice last week but the victory didn’t really stand out – she’ll need to be much sharper tonight to repeat from out here. (3) ODDS ON ACES FULL is 0 for 5 at YR but did hit board 4X – ok to include underneath. (4) BRONX MIXER returns off a freshening – good week to observe. (6) MS FRANCES OF ASSISI is just 4-0-0-1 at Yonkers, facing much easier in those starts.