Friday, November 13, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, November 13, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) VANDY LANE fell off his best form a while back but was able to produce a much better effort at Pocono last week (with the class drop) – faces even easier tonight, and may be able to get the job done even from out here. (3) HONOLULU HANOVER is another that has tailed badly lately, but who MAY be able to have a much bigger say, in this much easier spot. (1) COMMUNION MONEY never got in gear last week but several of her other recent efforts could put her in the hunt tonight, especially moving all the way inside. (2) AUSTRAL HANOVER was super here in 2025 – he started off 2026 pretty well but changed barns after going on the shelf this winter and never got back to that better form – he does have some good recent Monti efforts, and may be able to at least have a say in this overall soft bunch. (4) PEMBROKE REGAL has offered little lately – maybe he can beat a few of the lesser ones. (6) AIRMANS JACKPOT was just 2 for 33 here last year, and is currently 2 for 25 at Yonkers in 2026 – the bad draw certainly won’t help her cause. (5) ALL TOO WELL tripped out and won an amateur race 2 back but has otherwise struggled almost every other week. (8) BRONZER draws Post 8 after failing to beat a horse in his last 3 starts – hard to like his chances tonight!

RACE 2 – (8) PERFIDIOUS CROWN qualified nicely (adding Lasix) after 2 months off, and that start in NJ last week should have her plenty tight for tonight – gets a major driver switch to Bartlett, and may be worth a shot in her YR debut, even from Post 8. (5) WAITFOREVER N raced very well when 2nd after being “scratched injured”, then was in no chance spots in her last pair – she can beat better than these when sharp, and very playable if the price is decent. (4) MARIA ALLEGONDA N had some mixed form here in the past – she appears to have benefited from some recent time off, and arrives sharp from Monti – possibility. (6) FASHION TERROR was very well meant last time but ended up with a disastrous trip– her barn has been showing a better pulse recently, and this mare could offer some value tonight. (7) SAMMY JO HANOVER was going well not long ago but some bad spots/trips have slowed her down considerably – might have a chance to make some noise here IF Marohn can leave for position. (2) BLUE CHIP LOU N adds Lasix, but her GAIT has been what’s really caused her problems since arriving stateside. (3) PIN E BUSH MAGA finally picked up her first win of the year last week and seems an unlikely repeater. (1) SO STACK ED arrives off a pair of Monti wins but still feels a bit below these types.

RACE 3 – (6) LITTLE LOUIE A was going to be the play here on 10/15 but he was scratched sick that night – just re-qualified sharply, catches a pretty blank field for tonight, and we’ll go with him on top once more. (8) JUST ENU FF STUFF hasn’t been sharp for some time but he’ll be a decent price for a dangerous trainer/driver team and could have at least a chance with a quick start. (2) SHAKESPEARE had a little better life 2 back then was in a hopeless spot last week – chance to at least contend for a piece with the move inside. (3) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is listed at 5/2 ML but he’s missed a month (after a sick scratch) and is notoriously camera shy, even when “sharp” – maybe underneath. (4) NANDOLO N has fallen on some tough times – hard to make the case that tonight is when he’ll perk up and come up with a big one. (1) BONDI SHAKE N is winless in 35 local starts over the last 3 years – minor spoils only, even from the pole. (5) WORKNUPALATHER took no $$ and was no factor arriving from Monti last week. (7) AIR GUITAR also arrives from Monti, and would be a surprise in here (his local history isn’t thar great)

RACE 4 – (1) CREDIT TO FRANK still looks like he’s running behind for big chunks of the mile but he manages to stay trotting every week - he drops back down to the class he beat handily 4 starts back and is clearly the one to knock off tonight…but that “even money” ML price makes him almost unplayable! (7) MON AMOUR really went south at the end of the summer then finally got 6 weeks off – he was an “ok” 3rd off the qualifier, and does have the speed to leave, if Stratton chooses to – check the tote board? (4) STORMY KROMER doesn’t resemble the terrific Open Trotter we were used to seeing for so many years, but he’s at least racing competitively at these lower levels now – gets a pass for his last (was pushed wide into the first turn in an amateur race), and should be able to make his presence felt here. (6) BIG CHARLIE MORAN trotted home very well off an easy trip last week but he’s always been a complete in-and-outer – almost impossible to guess what we’ll see from him tonight. (8) INTERNATIONAL CRAZE returns from Stga and lands behind the 8 ball – good week to just observe. (5) PAPA JOE LOZITO can last for a piece sometimes after using his quick starts (3) SENSI AMNESIA has been struggling for weeks (2) SUNNYS REBEL moves inside for his 2nd local try but will still need to prove that he belongs here.

RACE 5 – (1) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE had no stretch pop last week but he did have to pace a quick 3rd panel just to get closer to the action – he has 4 recent wins, draws the pole with Bartlett, and has a solid chance to score off the claim for his new connections. (7) ACAPULCO SUNSHINE is listed at 20-1 ML but he hit the board in 5 straight before tiring in the pocket last week – more than willing to include him in exotics. (5) BLACK EDITION N has been extremely camera shy the last couple of years but he picks up way too many pieces at this level to not use underneath. (6) RAYRAY was a surprise leaver last week, but ended up trapped with no room in the stretch – another bomb with a chance to add some value to the ticket. (8) HARD TO CATCH can be a solid 15 but he gets the worst of the draw tonight…and that’s not a good thing for a horse that’s 1 for 44 here in 2025-26! (3) THEMASKE DCRUSADR N is now 0 for 33 on the year and even his minor shares are happening less frequently. (4) BONNIPRI NCLOUIS N was going well here this spring but landed on the shelf just one start after being claimed for $25K on 4/16 – hard to consider at 2-1 ML off those two qualifiers. (2) DEEDENUTO A has been non-competitive for ages

RACE 6 – (4) AMIRA HANOVER was able to relax while making the lead last week then just sprinted the final 3/4s, a very impressive 1:53 winner in her local debut – she’ll be taking on older foes tonight, but a mile similar to her last would make her a very possible repeater. (3) NAPALM, like the top choice, is a 3YO filly taking on older mares…but she was 2nd under the same circumstances in 2 of her last 3 starts, and looms a very legitimate player in here too. (1) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT was used virtually every step of the mile last week and only lost late to the perfect trip winner – she’s won 17X here over the last 2 years (for over $200K), and needs to be taken seriously from the pole, even moving up a bit. (6) TALADEGA EXPRESS (another 3YO) raced well in both starts for her new barn – tough draw, but may be able to rally for a share. (2) IDEAL COVER has been a highly unpredictable mare for much of her career – she has her moments, and does throw a big one (at a big price) from time to time – ok for longshot fans. (8) TRUE BLUE HANOVER had some life finishing from Post 8 last week, despite 3 weeks off – would have been listed higher if not for another horrible draw. (5) PIRATE PRINCESS has some ok PA form but prefer to just observe, for tonight. (7) MOTHER MARY was wiped out in her local debut, now lands out here

RACE 7 – (1) UNCLE RAT went on a scary roll after arriving here this summer, shooting right up to the Open and even winning at that level – he did tail considerably right after that, but bounced back with a big effort 3 back, made a break in his next then rebounded with an another encouraging try last week – he’ll be tough to beat off tonight’s class drop if he behaves himself. (2) STREET GOSSIP never wins, but he hit board in his last 2 tries at this level and is a threat to do so again (with a new trainer listed in the program). (3) SAINTS PRESERVE US steps up a notch off last week’s win but may have built enough confidence for a chance to grab a chunk here too. (7) BAY BREEZE HAN OVER has enjoyed a good year overall, but has also fallen well off her best form in the last couple of months – we’ll see if she perks up with tonight’s class drop, even with the bad draw. (8) COMMODUS A seems to get overbet every week, with more disappointing tries than good ones – would need a pretty good price to use on top from out here. (4) HAND DOVER DAN was sharp in that win 3 back but disappointed in his last pair – leaning elsewhere. (5) ME ETMEATTHEBAR is better now than she was in a bunch of her earlier starts this year but still seems like a bit of a stretch vs. these. (6) KINNDER THINK TWICE was empty from a similar spot last week in his Hilltop debut

RACE 8 – (6) SHESGOTTHEJACK had been super here for months before finally having an off week two back – she had no chance to make amends in her next (sitting way back from Post 7) but figures to be a fair price tonight and is definitely worth using. (3) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS N was disappointing last week for sure, but was also racing off 3 weeks – she’s raced well here too many times to not get a chance to redeem herself with a better try tonight. (5) OAKLEY SHARD N has been extremely inconsistent since arriving in the U.S. this summer but she was a good 2nd to AMBUSHED 4 back, won 2 starts later and had some sneaky pace finishing from an impossible spot last week – could be a good value option. (1) LYDEO was having trouble getting her picture taken this year but did pick up victories in her last pair, even if vs, easier - she’ll end up with a good trip tonight, with a chance to be part of the action once more. (4) DANCING DRAGON rattled off 5 straight soon after a big barn change before finding the competition a little too tough in last week's Invitational try – drops back down, and can be a much bigger player again with any decent trip. (2) POST PAINTER N may have had a little more pace than she was able to show last week – another one that can grab a share if the trip goes her way. (8) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING is pretty good right now, but lands in an impossible spot. (7) COACHELLABOUND N draws poorly (off a bad date) after backing through the field in her last

RACE 9 – (3) CHAPHEART appreciated last week’s easy trip and finished with good trot for 4th – his barn is going well right now, and we’ll give him the narrow edge in this seemingly competitive affair. (6) IN A TINY WAY may need to be in a bit easier to do his best work but he wasn’t bad from an impossible spot last week (in this class), and may prove a pretty good bomb in here. (5) THEOBALD had been racing ok coming into his last and delivered an excellent first over for 2nd – can be part of the equation here too with a decent trip. (2) R LADY W is prone to clunkers (like last week) but has also shown the ability to bounce back from them – wouldn’t be surprised to see her rebound with a big mile tonight, but the 2-1 ML price is a turn off. (8) AQUARIUS FACE S was finally within striking distance turning for home last week and trotted on by to an easy win (over #5) – concerned that he may be coming from TOO far back tonight, however. (4) FRANK LEAHY is almost certain to be well backed here but his only recent victory was a squeaker over a horse that never wins (STREET GOSSIP) – better value to be found with others. (1) BULLY BOY HILL steps up 2 classes after an “ok” 2nd last week – leaning elsewhere. (7) STMIKES KE RRYBLUES has the ability to hang with these on his best effort but tonight’s draw figures to hurt him quite a bit

RACE 10 – (8) PURAMERI got away 8th and could only rally for a close 5th last week – she draws post 8 again but IF Boyd can at least improve a few spots at the start, she’s sharp enough to beat this weak bunch. (2) LADYCORON A was way overbet (3/2) last week, made a pretty easy lead from Post 7 but gave way in the stretch with no real excuses – she’ll be an even shorter price tonight…legitimate threat for sure, but definitely won’t offer any value. (1) DISARONNO HILL hasn’t been a threat in a long time but this usually quiet barn has perked up a bit recently, so maybe this mare will have a better effort in store tonight. (4) VEL STRAIGHT OUT lagged much of the way in her local debut but ended up close at the end – his trainer (who wins at nearly 30% at Monticello) has sent out some live ones since making her Yonkers debut last week…possibility. (6) COWGIRL LILLY actually turned in a decent try last time but her 1 for 64 local record (last 3 years) is hard to overlook! (3) YS SENSATIONALCITY finally gets post relief but she’s struggled in virtually every start since returning from the layoff – would need a pretty good price to look her way. (7) BIKINI SEELSTER was well backed in her local debut but never a player at all – she’s likely capable of better, but this may not be the spot for her to show it. (5) FORTUNADA is really struggling now.