Friday, May 8, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, May 8, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 - (3) TH RIZZO raced well returning to Yonkers last week, leaving from Post 7 and then chasing the “good” version of FACTORY GIRL to be easily 2nd best – moves inside, gets Bartlett back, and looms a very short priced favorite. (6) BECA MITCHELL raced ok in her first local start from a very difficult spot (moving to one of our leading barns) – she dropped a notch and was a sharp 3rd in her last, and can make some noise here too…despite the bad draw. (4) RACIN FOR ROYALTY has seen her form suffer thanks to a LOT of terrible posts – she did race very well when 2nd three back (with a rare inside draw), and may be able to outperform her odds tonight. (7) ALLEG RA HANOVER came up 2nd best in her two starts since dropping to this level but was no threat to the winner either time – will need to be sharper if she hopes to seriously threaten from out here. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA raced “ok” for small pieces in her last pair, and could be looking at some minor spoils here too. (1) CRUISE ALERT changed tactics last week but got the same disappointing result – she just hasn’t been sharp in some time. (8) SHEZ THE RE ASON A figures to win at this level sooner or later, but figures to be coming from too far back tonight. (5) SUNBUR NT is racing “ok” these days – chance for minor spoils with an easy, inside trip.

RACE 2 – (7) ROBERTSON DE was making his first start in 7 months last week but the Canadian shipper went a very sharp mile, trotting strongly to the wire to be a close 3rd – he faces some questionable favorites in here, and could be a good value play. (4) MUSICAL RIDE isn’t a prolific winner but he is used to facing better than these – he gets a class drop AND post relief, and that could help him have a much bigger say tonight. (8) HARD SEVEN was a good earner at 2 and 3 (over $200K) and should be tight for the 2nd start of his 4YO campaign– on the flip side he’ll be a short price from Post 8, and made a break in his only other local appearance…could be vulnerable. (1) BA CKSTREET PLAYER was short off the layoff last week, and it didn’t help catching a 1:55.3 mile – he gets a double class drop, draws the pole, and may be able to have a much bigger impact here. (3) TACHYON struggled just to get qualified, then was scratched injured once he did – definitely on the risky side right now. (5) NO DRAMA PLEASE is just 1 for 44 over the last 2 years – minor spoils only. (6) ENERGYSOURCE gets a bad draw, is camera shy, and hasn’t been sharp in some time. (2) VANGUARD is 11-0-0-1 here at Yonkers and would be a major surprise.

RACE 3 – Good race! (6) JENNSVILLE A qualified nicely for her U.S. debut then was a sharp front end winner in her first pari-mutuel start – she kicked home with plenty of pace from an impossible spot last week, and may be able to have a serious say here if McCarthy can get her involved earlier (7) BALLAST hadn’t won in some time at Dover but she was right there every week with the best local mares – she just returned to the trainer for whom she excelled last year, and that PcD “maintenance qualifier” should have her ready to roll tonight- can be a real player IF Kakaley sends her off the car. (1) NILA MAREE N sports an outstanding 9-5-3-1 local slate but she recently lost 3 straight at extremely short odds…obviously a major threat from this spot, but be careful about falling in love at another very short price. (4) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A arrived from Australia with a strong resume and was able to deliver a solid first over victory in her first stateside start – she faces a tougher field tonight, but would still be no surprise. (2) DANDYS MERCY finished 2nd best to #6 two back then 2nd best to #4 in her last – she could be looking at a smaller slice tonight with several good ones in here. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A is too classy to ever be dismissed out of hand, but this really is a tough spot for the 13 year old. (5) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING is more comfortable with easier

RACE 4 – (1) BRONZER (hopples back on) returns to Yonkers at a level MUCH lower than he’s used to competing at – he may not be at absolute peak form, but he should still be more than sharp enough to handle this easier task. (2) HIGHLANDSTARBUST had some big moments as a 3YO (won the PASS Final, 2nd in the Elegant Image, etc.) and she crushed cheaper in her only local try– her first start back at 4 (in PA) was pretty disappointing, however, so we’ll see if she can bring a better effort tonight. (6) STREET GOSSIP is an infrequent winner but more than capable of outperforming his 20-1 ML odds tonight – good value horse for exotics. (4) MANFORCE looked like a winner at the top of the lane last week but just flattened out near the end, finishing 2nd – steps up a bit, but still a threat for a piece. (3) SEVENSHADESOFGREY has been ok much of the year but has just 1 start in 6 weeks and that’s a concern. (5) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS wired cheaper last week, and likely looking at a smaller prize vs. these. (7) THE HAZLETON broke early 3 back then did it again last week, though it was attributed to interference – feels like a tough spot, even if he behaves. (8) IM OUT fits well enough, but may find himself too far back to threaten tonight

RACE 5 – Ursula McIntyre Series Consolation, 1 ¼ miles - $100K: (5) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE has hit board in an incredible 20 of 21 Yonkers starts, including all 5 legs of this year’s Series – it wasn’t enough to get her into the Final, but she comes into the Consolation off a pair of her sharper tries, and should be able to work out a good trip tonight. (2) BATH BOMB got edged out of a spot in the Final when she got collared late by TICK A LOCH A, after a sharp front end try (her 3rd 2nd place finish in the Series) – a good trip puts her right in the hunt for the top prize. (1) FEARLESS GINGER is at her best when on/near the lead and she should be able to put herself in that spot with the rail draw – if the extra distance doesn’t bother her, she can stick around for a nice chunk of this. (4) TURN THE PAGE N was a bit below the top ones in all of her legs but she always tries hard and takes home a check – not a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics (6) ROCKET DEO wasn’t at her best through most of the series, and may be looking at a tough trip tonight – leaning elsewhere. (8) DOUGS BABE A has been solid in her last few but may find herself too far back to do any real damage in here. (7) ELUSIVE A has outraced her odds many times but her current form has fallen off – brutal draw. (3) LYDEO gets Bartlett, but will need to up her game to contend for a piece.

RACE 6 – MGM Borgata Pace Consolation, 1 ¼ miles - $100K – should be a great race! (5) CAPTAIN MOORE A may have a chance to pull off an upset in here – he can be forgiven for weakening in his last (paced his 3rd quarter in a scary :26.1 trying to get into the hunt, before flattening), and the start before that he kicked home in :26.4, while failing to take home a check – he’s overdue for some better racing luck, and may be able to take advantage if that happens. (8) SWEET BEACH LIFE raced well enough throughout the Series to deserve a spot in the Final but a couple of narrow losses left him a little shy – to add insult to injury he gets stuck with Post 8 for the Consolation, but he just may be sharp enough to leave to create a better trip for himself – another good value horse to consider! (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N has a BIG brush and is very dangerous when he can time it just right – he adds Lasix tonight, and that may help him sustain his move that much more…logical threat. (4) CELTIC SPIRIT N went his best local mile in the final leg, even if helped by a beautiful trip – he can be a big player here for sure, but he may also end up somewhat overbet. (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE always showed plenty of ability so it was no surprise to see the 4YO hold his own nicely against these top horses – can grab a decent piece if the trip goes his way. (7) CHASE H HANOVER (2nd in last year’ Final) has the ability to turn in an upset on his best effort, but he may have a tough time finding a manageable trip from out here – not a terrible bomb for longshot fans. (3) DELE ROW A did better throughout the legs than expected, but still feels a bit overmatched against this solid field. (6) HEZA CHART TOPPER A (new trainer listed for tonight) would be a surprise, even with Bartlett hopping on board

RACE 7 – Ursula McIntyre Series Final, 1/1/4 miles, Grade 2 - $456K: (2) LOUIES GIRL N has only tasted defeat ONCE in her 11 local starts, and raced super for 2nd that night - she’s a small mare but with a HUGE engine, that explodes with pace whenever called upon – Bartlett can race her any way he wants to from this spot, and she’s the one they’ll have to beat. (5) TARAPASTA has been hitting on all cylinders all series long, whether on or off the pace – any sort of live trip would give her a big chance to take home a good piece of this. (6) COASTAL BABE N raced in 4 legs, won 3 of them, and just missed in the lone loss – she hasn’t had to race from off the pace since arriving in the U.S., but the assumption is that she can, if needed to…she’ll surely make her presence felt in a big way tonight. (3) MILLWOOD BLISS N came into the series in less than stellar form, broke in the first leg, but then turned things around completely, racing super the next 4 weeks (including a pair of wins) – more than sharp enough to contend for a big piece, with any trip luck. (1) SILK CLOUD A raced well/very well in all of her legs, even knocking off #6 in Week 4 – if she can relax early and still be in a decent spot when they turn for home, she’s another than can grab herself a good piece of this juicy purse. (4) SEASIDE DIVA is a notch below the top ones, but has been consistent all series long and did sneak into 2nd (at a big price) in last year’s Final – déjà vu? (7) TICK A LOCH A earned her spot in the Final with a BIG first over win in the last leg, similar to her first over victory in the first week – draws horribly for tonight, however, and looms a major longshot. (8) AARDIE B MIKI N won last year’s Final and did just enough to qualify this year as well – she’s not nearly as sharp in 2026, however, and it would be a surprise to see her able to overcome this brutal spot, against this very good field.

RACE 8 - MGM Borgata Pace Final, 1 ¼ miles, Grade 2 - $478K – should be a great race! (7) MOSSDALE BEN N struggled quite a bit after winning last year’s Final but found his form just in time for this year’s Series, and comes into tonight with a pair of wins and trio of 2nds from his 5 legs – the draw may prevent him from really using the gate speed he unfurled this year, but a lot of things could play to his favor with a bunch of live players going a mile and a quarter – may be able to find a winning trip and replicate last year’s victory, at a pretty nice price. (4) CAPTAI N ALBANO hasn’t been his usual “outstanding” self throughout the series but he did pick up a pair of wins and is far too classy to ever be taken lightly – he may end up with a very live trip tonight and if that happens, he’d become a very dangerous player in the homestretch. (1) COACHES CORNER had some work to do after finishing 4th in the first leg and missing Leg 2, but he was winner in Week 3 (adding Lasix), just missed to #7 in his next, then picked up the win he needed last week to qualify for the Final – his Yonkers record is beyond outstanding (41-22-15-0), he hails from our leading barn (with our leading driver, as always, on board), and he’d be pretty hard to leave off your tickets – he also may end up significantly overbet (in a VERY good field), and Bartlett may actually have to make some early decisions after drawing the pole…easy horse to root for, but maybe not a great day to bet the rent money on him. (3) DONEGAL LUTHER N impressed from his very first U.S. start and his work in this series in hard to fault, winning 3 of his 4 legs and finishing just behind #7 and #1 in the lone loss – Yannick is back in the bike, and he’d be no surprise at all. (8) HOWLENTHEHILLS had a slightly disappointing 4YO campaign but has come back super in 2026, right there in all 5 of his series legs (winning one) – would need an awful lot to happen for a chance to win from out here but he’s still a good horse to include underneath, at a big price (5) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR loses his regular pilot to #1, but he does get a pretty capable replacement (Dunn) – he’s as game as they come but his best efforts do come on/near the lead, and that may not be in the cards for him tonight – leaning elsewhere. (6) RED WOOD HANOVER is another that loses Bartlett tonight, but he gets Tetrick to fill in – he certainly hasn’t been “bad” by any means (2 wins and 2 seconds in his legs), but he just hasn’t felt as “beastly” as a few of the others – would need to come up better for any real chance here. (2) SOHO FIRESTONE A got his first tough trip in a while last week and tired badly – not really what you’re hoping for coming into a brutal race like this one!

RACE 9 – Tough finale! (6) WORKLIFEBALANCE hasn’t been plagued by the “four year old blues” (after winning $246K at 3), and comes into tonight showing a couple of recent wins, and a solid 3rd (vs. better) last week – she’ll be a decent price, and could come out on top with the right trip. (4) GLITTERING HOPE rallied nicely for 3rd (at 65-1) two back then was an excellent first over 2nd to the frontrunning favorite last week (NILA MAREE N), her barn is heating back up, and she’s another that could offer some decent value here. (2) FRONT PAGE STORY was content to trail all the way in her last, possibly already looking forward to tonight’s class drop – the same pattern produced a win at this level on 3/6, and the same might happen tonight. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW dropped out of the McIntyre Series after disappointing tries in the first 2 legs – she returned 3 weeks later but came up weak despite the class drop – tough call for tonight. (5) WIN WITH LYNNLY has outraced her odds several times, including last week’s 7-1 victory (over cheaper) – not sure she can step up and beat these too, but she may be able to grab a piece. (7) HUNTRESS struggled in the series the last few weeks – she’ll appreciate the class drop, but may be hurt by the draw. (1) IDEAL COVER rarely wins, and her last victory was at the bottom level – always a chance she can tow along for a small piece, though. (8) COACHELLABOUND N is another that struggled in the series, and draws horribly off the class drop – she also missed 3 weeks, and we’re leaning elsewhere, for now.