Friday, November 6, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Friday, November 6, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – Very tough opener! (8) PURAMERI has Post 8 and a history of camera shyness, but she’s been racing well for weeks, and has a pilot unafraid to give one a chance, from any spot – could offer some value if some trip luck comes her way. (7) LADYCORONA has a new trainer listed for her Hilltop return and does have a good local history – she’s almost certain to end up way overbet, but does have a chance to beat these…even if by default. (4) BI KINI SEELSTER is hard to gauge off her (weak looking) Canadian lines but it’s hard to imagine she’s not at least a decent fit with the locals – would consider if the price was decent. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA had a decent year in ’25 but is still looking for her first win of 2026 – this field is soft enough that she may actually have a chance to be a threat (6) DISARONNO HILL hasn’t been a serious player in a while but she may find this bunch more to her liking –an aggressive start would help her chances. (3) LUCKY LIL LADY arrives from Monti showing a couple of dismal efforts for a trainer making her first Yonkers start – maybe the driver switch to Kelly can pick her up a bit. (1) DOCS LOVE hasn’t gotten anything going in 2026, now 9-0-0-0 $2100. (5) COWGIRL LILLY is 0 for 28 here over the last 2 years…and 1 for 62 since 2024
RACE 2 – (4) LOW INSIDE was a very good earner at 2 and 3 – he’s continued to race pretty well at 4, and now gets a major barn and driver change for his first local start of 2026 – he’s off a bad date (and moving up in class), but still may be ready to do some damage. (5) AQUARIUS FACE S continues to lag much of the way before kicking in strong at the end – if he’s in shouting distance turning for home, he could be a dangerous late player. (1) L DEES MARIA came up a little light at the end 2 back (off a bad date) but finished well for 3rd in her last (off a good trip) – figures to get another nice journey tonight, with a chance for a decent share. (2) THEOBALD has been behaving again after recently having to re-qualify – chance for a piece from this spot. (6) SIR MAVERICK has been a disappointment since the claim, for a barn that usually does great with these types – he gets Bartlett tonight (as Buter opts for #4), but also figures to be overbet. (3) STREET GOSSIP rarely wins but he drops, moves inside, and is ok to include underneath. (7) KINNDER THINKTWICE gets a terrible draw for his new trainer upon arrival at YR – sticking with others. (8) HAND DOVER DAN figures to race conservatively after getting roughed up last week
RACE 3 – (5) SHIV was overmatched in the FM Invitational Trot but hardly embarrassed herself – gets a massive class drop tonight, and that stamps her as the one to beat. (2) KILIMANJAROFACE DK seemed ready to come after the leader on the final turn last week but drifted out to the top of the lane, lost her momentum and never got it back – the classy import is eventually going to put it all together and start beating fields like this…maybe tonight? (8) TRE GARON had a bunch of things go his way to pull off the victory last week but it’s only because he’s been sharp that he was able to take advantage – probably looking at a small piece from out here, though. (6) BE DIFFERENT is listed at 20-1 ML but anything close to his best effort could put him right in the hunt – certainly worth including in exotics. (4) BIG CHARLIE MORAN throws a variety of efforts, most of which would leave him short in here – minor spoils? (1) SENSI AMNESIA will use her speed from the pole to be part of the action but she’s been well off her game lately, and is just 1 for 28 this year, regardless – also figures to end up at least somewhat overbet. (3) AIR MANS JACKPOT is just 1 for 24 here this year after going 2 for 33 in 2025 – leaning elsewhere. (7) SUNNYS REB EL makes his local debut for another trainer making their first start at Yonkers (same family as LUCKY LIL LADY, in Race 1!) – would be a surprise from this spot
RACE 4 – (2) SOUTHWIND BANSHEE was a winner here on 8/11, her only local try of the year – she continued to race well at Monti after that, and returns off a sharp qualifier last week…not a fan of the 9/5 ML price, but still listing her on top. (1) BULLY BOY HILL disappointed last start (after a win the week before) but drops right back in the box, is looking at a good trip, and will have every chance to rebound. (3) MON AMOUR would be extremely tough in here on anything close to his best but he had really gone off form for several starts before taking some time off – hard to know what to expect tonight. (4) HALFADOZEN has been stuck on minor pieces for weeks, but may have been facing a bit better – maybe she can have a bigger impact with these? (7) COMMUNION MONEY has been turning in a bunch of solid efforts, but also gets her worst draw in a while – may slow her down a bit. (6) SAIN TS PRESERVE US is probably a good fit in here but he draws poorly and is just 11-0-1-1 at YR this year (8) SHOW THE WILL fits just fine, but may have a tough time getting close to contention. (5) CRED IT TO FRANK really struggled last time and in the past, he’s continued to struggle once he heads in the wrong direction
RACE 5 – (2) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT has won 17 races here over the past 2 years but some awful posts have really slowed her down recently– finally gets a get a good draw tonight, and may be worth a try for her new crew (6) NILA MAREE N did some excellent work earlier in the year (after arriving in the U.S.) but started to tail off gradually this summer, and last week’s move to claimers didn’t help enough – maybe tonight’s class drop will get her going? (3) MC ANGEL struggled after being claimed on 9/15 – she was able to get it done after dropping to the bottom class last week, but still not sure how she’ll fare tonight vs. this tougher field. (5) FASHION TERROR is just 1 for 14 here this year, often her own worst enemy – she can be a player IF she brings her best effort, however. (4) MISS BL UE STORK A picked up a 3rd in her only local try and has a shot at a smaller slice tonight as well. (1) VEL STRAIG HT OUT lands the pole for her local debut but may be a little cheaper. (7) JORDANNA HANOVER picked up her first local win of 2026 last week in a “fall apart” race – tough draw now, while up in class. (8) TRUE BLUE HANOVER draws post 8 off a bad date – not an ideal scenario
RACE 6 – (1) ELEGANT A ships in sharp from NJ and should be brimming with confidence off last week’s blowout victory – lands in a soft spot tonight and can take another. (2) TWIN B ECHO tries hard, but her struggles on turns hurt her most weeks – an easy trip from this spot could help her bring home a nice piece. (4) MOTHER MA RY is a little hard to gauge class-wise, especially since she got wiped out in her first local try – guessing she can have a say here with a clean trip. (6) NAPALM has been sharp but had no chance last week after drawing Post 8 – tonight’s draw is tough as well, but perhaps good enough to at least allow her to have a say. (3) PROMISING MOM ENT returns in solid form from PA but has been facing easier recently – small piece? (7) SAMMY JO HANOVER got jammed up to the half last week, lost action and bothered a couple of others – would have listed her higher if not for the draw. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A has shown over the years that she’s eligible to reverse for at any time – though this really doesn’t feel like a spot for it (8) IDEAL COVER draws Post 8 off a dismal try– leaning elsewhere
RACE 7 – (1) HARLEEQUIN A was hounded the entire mile 2 back and still almost pulled it off – she was content to just sit the cones last week, and never had any real chance – she HAS shown legitimate ability in many of her local starts, and tonight gets Bartlett for the first time – we’ll hop on board. (2) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A has been a solid performer since arriving in the U.S, this year, but hasn’t won in a while – may have to settle for another good chunk here. (5) PRTYNPROUD HANOVER won 6 of 9 as a 2YO, ending her year with a win in the Kindergarten – she didn’t return at 3 until late August, but did quickly show that the ability is still there (in the Midwest)…returns to the (red hot) barn that had her last year, but it won’t be easy taking on these seasoned, top class mares. (4) FRONT PAGE STORY normally thrives dropping to this level but does land in with a couple of good ones tonight – still has to be considered, though. (8) SHESGOTTHEJACK has been outstanding here for months but did disappoint a bit for the first time last week – willing to excuse, but the draw is the bigger issue. (6) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING beat this class 2 back but this is a MUCH tougher spot – minor share. (3) MANHATTAN PROJECT won her last pair in PA but vs. much easier. (7) OAKLEY SHARD N faces much tougher after a dream trip win over softer last week
RACE 8 – (6) LOUIES GIRL N returns off a 3rd behind TWIN B JOE FRESH in the Allerage (in KY) and the time off may actually be beneficial, as she’s raced hard all year long – she draws inside her two main foes in here, and we’re willing to give her a try, if the price is fair (she’s 13-11-1-1 at Yonkers). (8) FRANCENT N looked like an absolute beast from her very first local try, so it’s no surprise to see the success she’s been enjoying out of town (just 2nd in her Breeders Crown elim. and Final to TWIN B JOE FRESH, along with a 1:47.2 victory in the Milton, in Canada – hard to say how “hard” Lachance will race her in this overnight, however. (7) JENNSVILLE A may be a notch below the top pair but she’s razor sharp, and will likely be aggressive here, despite the draw – consider if the price is right. (5) SILK CLOUD A is definitely on her game right now, draws inside the “big three”, and worth a look if the price drifts up. (2) WORKLIFEBALANCE has been sharp all year, gets a nice post assignment, and could grab a decent piece with an easy trip. (4) RASPALIA N is a bit below the top ones, but the draw could help her grab minor spoils. Both (1) DANCING DRAGON and (3) AMBUSHED are sharp, but in very tough tonight!
RACE 9 – (1) STORMONT DIVIDE only made a handful of starts in 2025 and took a long while to get on his game in ’26…but he’s sharp right now, and in a good spot to take the finale. (2) BJMS LIL MAN has some sharp recent tries vs. better, gets a good draw, but just doesn’t WIN very often – insist on a fair price if using on top. (4) R LADY W was sharp in back to back starts after a sick scr. and qualifier– feels good enough right now to be a player here too (6) UNCLE RAT went a sharp mile 2 back and seemed headed back in the right direction…then broke last week – hard to know what we’ll get from him tonight! (3) IN A TINY WAY is better suited with a bit easier but still worth using for 3rd/4th with that 20-1 ML price. (5) STMIKES KERRYBLUES disappointed moving back up to this level last week…and that’s happened in the past too. (7) BAY BREEZE HANOVER drops out of the FM Open but hasn’t been at her best, and draws poorly. (8) THE HAZLETON is the outsider…both literally and figuratively.