Friday, October 30, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, October 30, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) BRI EXPRESS N looked like she was going to (easily) make it 2 in a row last week but drifted and weakened just a bit in the lane, overtaken late by the tripsitter – maybe she can make amends tonight. (1) SUNBUR ST was sharp picking up her first local victory last week, after a few sharp tries just prior to that – she’s looking at a very good trip here, and has a chance to repeat even with the class jump. (4) OAKLEY SHARD N is the “x factor” in here – she’s been dull in several of her local tries but did beat better 6 starts back, and was a solid 2nd (to AMBUS HED) on 10/16 – she’s a threat here if she brings the good version. (2) TALADEGA EXPRESS was off a month to her last but was able to hold on to the show spot (for her new barn), after gapping on and off during the mile – drops right back in the box, and we’ll see if the 3YO can be a bigger threat tonight. (3) SAMMY JO HANOV ER had no prayer from Post 8 last time but has otherwise been very good lately – could easily grab herself a decent chunk here. (5) MOTHER MARY is hard to gauge class-wise off her lines out of town – prefer to just observe tonight. Both (7) TWIN B ECHO and (8) BECKONING YANKEE will be hard pressed to get close to the action tonight

RACE 2 – “Pink Out For Breast Cancer Awareness” – all women drivers: (8) YOUNONOTHINJON is winless in 12 local starts but hit board in half of them – she gets the worst of the draw, but that may be offset by having Lauren Tritton in the bike…definitely appealing with that 10-1 ML price. (2) DASH N CACHE has won 2 in a row, and Victoria Stratton has done some good work in our amateur races – logical player. (5) GOT SEXY SCARS fits ok with these and though she hasn’t driven much this year, we know that Julie Miller can handle herself in the bike. (4) TALENT TO SPARE A is 0 for 27 this year but racing “ok” lately – Alexandra Goldin is a very capable pilot, and could help this mare grab a piece of this. (3) EVELYNA ITIS is sharper than she may look on paper, and Nicky Ratledge just picked up “Sulky Queens” victory at Batavia – good bomb to consider. (6) TWO PISTOL ANNIE used a perfect trip to come out on top last start – if Veronica Merton can find her another live trip, she may be able to rally for a share. (1) WHOS PERFECT draws the pole for Julia Eaton but will need to be a little sharper to contend here (7) IDEAL SKIES got parked last week and Marianna Monaco may be looking at a similarly tough trip tonight.

RACE 3 – (3) SHEER ARTISTRY N just didn’t function in her first start off the claim (3 back) but was MUCH better in her next, and then very good again last week (despite an unlucky trip) – should be a fair price tonight, and worth a try. (2) LYDEO landed on a perfect trip (off a drop in class) last week and it helped her get back to the winner’s circle – steps back up, but should still be a big threat here too. (5) DANCING DRAGON has won 5 straight for a barn currently at/near the top of the trainer standings at 4 different tracks simultaneously – much tougher spot here, but it’s hard to ever ignore a horse on this kind of a roll. (1) YOULLFINDOUT had Post 7 off a sick scratch last time but drops right back in the box, moves all the way inside, and should be able to at least contend for a piece. (6) POST PAINTER N faces an uncertain trip from out here and did disappoint a bit in her last pair – leaning elsewhere. (4) ANNA LOVES BANANAS was good in her last pair but moving way up in class here

RACE 4 – (1) MC ANGEL just hasn’t thrived since being claimed for $50K on 9/15 but it’s not like she’s been finishing up the track – she has to be seen as the one to beat with the drop to the bottom level (and the rail), but not one to bet the mortgage on at a very short price. (6) TH CHECK ME OUT was heavily backed off the class drop last week but got a little too hot on the lead and couldn’t quite finish the job – she’ll be a much better price tonight for those looking to give her another shot. (3) PURAMERI was a little disappointing at the end last week but she was chasing #6’s hot pace and may have been used a little too hard doing so – she’s been solid for a while, and can grab a piece here too. (4) BETTORS TICKET will throw a good late rally from time to time – would give her a look if the price was good enough. (8) YS SENSATIONALCITY lacked room last week and may have had more pace than she was able to show – she does have a lot of back class, and not a bad one for (big)longshot fans. (5) CATNAP is unreliable but throws a decent one here and there – maybe 3rd/4th? (7) DISARONNO HILL gets another tough draw – waiting for a better spot to consider. (2) COWGIRL LILY is 0 for 27 here the last 2 years, and 1 for 62 since 2024.

RACE 5 – (4) CHEERS HANOVER banked nearly $350K at 2 and 3 but his 4YO season has been a disaster, just 1 for 14 (and 4-0-0-0 here at Yonkers) – on the flip side, he just added hopples and followed up a solid qualifier with a nice effort at Pocono last week (first over into a 1:53.4 mile) – as long as he’s not overbet, we’ll give him a try here. (1) SHOW THE WILL returns off a pair of solid PA tries and was racing well here at YR vs. these types not too long ago – legitimate player from this spot. (2) BULLY BOY HILL steps up a notch off last week’s dropdown wire to wire win – he’s a real threat here too, but probably shouldn’t be listed as the 9/5 ML favorite. (5) HALFADOZEN hasn’t threatened lately but he’s been facing better – could be a bigger player vs. these. (8) KASHA V has been better for sure recently but that last win was vs. much easier, and now he moves up while going from the rail to Post 8 – small piece? (7) STORMY KROMER hasn’t come close to the form that earned him over $1M during his current comeback but at least he’s been competitive at these lower levels – not sure he can get close from out here, though. (3) BOOM CHICA BOOM just seems to race better at Chester than here at Yonkers – leaning to others. (6) ALL TOO WELL seems a bit below these – the draw isn’t going to help.

RACE 6 – (5) BRUHA was a solid 2nd to SEVEN LAYER in his only local try this year – returns off a solid 2nd in PA, lands in a beatable field and we’ll try him on top. (6) TREGARON picked up his first local victory 2 back, beating this level in convincing fashion – he was 2nd to the classy KASHA V last week, and remains in the same class tonight – logical threat. (8) KILIMANJAROFACE DK was a big earner overseas so she’s certainly been a disappointment (so far) in the U.S. – her form has started to improve since recently adding trotting hopples, but she’d still need to be a “fair” price to use on top from Post 8. (3) MAZEPPA N looked good for a couple of starts after arriving in the U.S. then just struggled for the next 2 seasons – he changed hands before his last, added Lasix, and did finish ok in PA (racing off 5 weeks) – not a bad bomb at 20-1 ML. (4) FASHION FOREVER can throw an ok try from time to time – 3rd/4th? (2) BACKSTREET PLAYER is 0 for 18 this year, and 5-0-0-0 here at YR – sticking with others. (1) MR KNOWITALL is 1 for 32 this year and 0 for 28 locally (last 3 years)– hard to like, even from the pole. (7) SEVENSHADESOFGREY had a rough 2025 season…and 2026 has been even tougher

RACE 7 – (2) LAURENS CHAPTER is a 3YO filly taking on seasoned foes but the talent is definitely there, as evidenced by last week’s very crisp finish – a good trip could help her knock off her elders tonight. (5) L DEES MA RIA weakened a bit after working out a nice trip for herself last week but was also racing off 3 weeks – she may be sharper tonight, and the price will be pretty good. (3) COMMODUS A made a costly early miscue last week, then raced well after recovering – definite threat here with a clean trip, but would still need a fair price to use on top. (1) VINNY DE VIE was right there in his last pair and the rail draw should have him right back in the hunt tonight – he is a bit camera shy, however. (4) HONOLULU HANOVER is just 2 for 23 this year and 0 for 11 at Yonkers – small piece? (6) HAND DOVER DAN was a game first over winner over #1 last week but gets a tougher draw in a tougher field tonight – still may be able to grab a small slice. (7) NYMERIA has been struggling – another bad draw isn’t going to help her cause. (8) BRONZER is way off form and now lands behind the 8 ball.

RACE 8 – (6) JENSVILLE A went several excellent miles here vs. good Invitational Mares, then continued to thrive in PA (even beating the sensational TWIN B JOE FRESH on 9/18 at Chester) – she took a few weeks off then returned with a 1:53.2 qualifier, stamping her as the one to beat against these. (4) WORKLIFEBALANCE was full of pace with no place to pace last week – she’s having a terrific season, and should be able to make a lot of noise from tonight’s better spot. (3) HARLEEQUIN A wasn’t given the best of drives last week, ended up pressed every step of the way and still almost pulled it off– she races well every week, and there’s no reason she can’t pick up a big piece here too. (1) CHERYLS SHADOW was parked every step last week by #3 and was still that one’s shadow into the final turn before eventually tiring – she’s the sharpest she’s been all year, and can land a share with a kinder journey. (7) RASPALIA N was also part of that wild battle with #1 and #3 last week, getting the absolute worst of it – tonight’s draw may limit her opportunities, however. (2) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING gets a good draw but really is a notch below a bunch of these. (5) DOUGS BABE A used a perfect trip to be 2nd last week but doesn’t figure to be as successful vs. these. (8) FRONT PAGE STORY lands outside, and drops a win off her card after tonight

RACE 9 – (7) E PASS took off the gate and had no chance last week but he was 2nd to DRIBBLING BI the start before that, and that one took Thursday night’s Open trot – if Holland can leave hard and get this guy up close early, he may have a chance to upset these. (2) SEVEN LAYER tends to be in and out and hasn’t won in a while – he does have talent, though, and is another that could offer some value in this competitive finale. (4) PEDAL ON METAL recently returned off a layoff in a new barn (with hopples) and has raced well all 3 starts – no reason to think he won’t have a big say tonight. (3) STMIKES KERRYBLUES probably would have won 2 back had he not switched to a pace at the top of the lane – he made up for it (quickly) with a victory last week, and looms a very live player once more. (1) FAITH STEP landed in the FM Open upon arrival at Yonkers and didn’t embarrass herself – maybe she can be part of the equation here too. (5) CHAPHEART will attract attention off the class drop but there are a few very sharp players in here – leaning more towards them. (6) FRANK LEAHY made it to the wire in time last week, holding off a rival that never wins – tough draw here, and up in class. (8) STREET GOSSIP couldn’t get to #6 last week (with dead aim), and is now 2 for 63 over the last 2 seasons!