Friday, September 18, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, September 18, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) DANCING DRAGON is the latest in a (very) long line of horses that immediately improved dramatically upon joining this very sharp barn – her last two PA starts were excellent and while she may have been facing softer, we’ll take a shot that she’ll fit with these too. (8) CRUISE ALERT would normally be a pretty routine selection dropping to this bottom level but she does draw Post 8, and isn’t always the handiest mare on the planet – make sure to get a fair price if using her on top. (3) EVELYNA ITIS was right there 3rd last week, even if helped by an easy trip in a race with a slow pace – should still be able to make her presence felt with these. (1) RAZZIN JAZZ has struggled (out of town) in her last few starts but the rail draw should allow her to be much closer to the action tonight, and that could put her in play for a piece. (2) MISS DOTTIE MAE will surely attract a lot of attention with the class drop but she was no good at all here 2 back, and no factor in NJ last week – may be vulnerable right now. (7) PINE BUSH MAGA has been known to leave from tough spots in the past – she’ll be a big price, and isn’t a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) YS SENSATIONALCITY took almost 3 months off after a couple of poor efforts, and her return try doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence – another that could be vulnerable at a short price. (5) QUICK MENU has always been extremely camera shy at Yonkers, and is racing off a bad date off dull tries at Tioga

RACE 2 – (2) HERS HUNGRY shows a pair of sharp front scores out of town not long ago and has been holding her own vs. much better in her last few starts – lands in a very reasonable spot for her local debut, and seems worth a try. (1) SPIRITUAL BLISS N shows 2nds in her last 2 NZ starts to the beastly FRANCENT N, then qualified sharply here (twice) in August – no clue as to why she disappointed so badly in her first 2 local starts, but it seems only a matter of time before she brings her best game…maybe tonight? (4) CERISE RAINBOW A had been a little disappointing in her local tries – she added Lasix for her last (at Chester) but lost all chance after an early miscue… could be a player tonight, if she avoids any mistakes. (3) BRONX MIXER held together nicely last week despite a pretty horrible trip - certainly playable in exotics. (8) CHERYLS SHADOW has been very camera shy the last 2 years and gets stuck with Post 8 tonight – she is dropping, however, and may be able to show up late for a piece. (5) ISLAND BOUHINIA A drops a bit, gets a better draw, and may be able to outrace her odds and grab a share. (7) TALL DARK TEQUILA is a 3YO taking on older mares, from a bad post – leaning elsewhere. (6) GOT SEXY SCA RS gets a bad draw for a new barn in her first local try of the year…prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 3 – (8) WAITFOREVER N’s last bunch of starts here were all pretty competitive weekly efforts vs. NW20000 fields – she’s allowed to take a massive drop tonight, and should be very dangerous even if she just improves a bit at the start. (4) GOING AWAY can be added to the list of horses that immediately upped their game significantly upon joining this extremely hot barn – she’s facing tougher tonight than the ones she crushed at Chester, but history tells us that she’ll probably be a big player here too. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A grabbed 3rds in her last pair, one time from off the pace and one time cutting the mile – chance for another good chunk here too, with any decent trip. (2) YOULLFINDOUT was hurt BADLY by her cover struggling through the final turn last week and deserves a pass – the good draw should put her in the hunt for a decent share. (1) MISS BLUE STORK A figures to be using her speed from the pole in her Yonkers debut but she’s a question class-wise off her out of town lines – suppose we’ll get a clearer picture after tonight. (5) CATNAP was pretty good from a tough spot last week and picked up a 4th – chance for similar tonight. (6) IDEAL COVER dropped to the bottom class last week and was able to deliver a front end score – much tougher scenario tonight, though. (7) SUNBURST had a promising local debut but disappointed the next start – draws poorly tonight, and that may have her waiting for a better scenario

RACE 4 – (4) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S was a little disappointing when 3rd last week (and not 2nd) but chasing a hot clip didn’t help – she’s held her own vs. better than these, and the class drop could help her get to the winner’s circle – no value with that 6/5 ML price, though! (6) JESSES DOLL raced well in all 3 starts since arriving from Monti – gets a tough draw, but that 10-1 ML price does give her appeal in this field. (1) SEA CAN was rough early on last week, then did break to 3/4s – his best effort makes him a threat, but hard to take a short price after not looking too great in his last. (2) STREET GOSSIP gave his fans a root at 60-1 last week before tiring badly – a more conservative approach tonight could see him rebound, and grab a piece. (5) SAINTS PRESERVE US is just 8-0-0-1 here at Yonkers and needs to be a bit better for a chance at some bigger pieces. (7) CREDIT TO FRANK has just 1 start in over 5 weeks and it wasn’t a good one – hard to like his chances from out here. (3) TACHYON is having a tough year, his lone local win coming on the lead, in a very soft field – sticking with others.

RACE 5 – (6) LOOKSLIKEDIAMONDS can be a little in and out but when she’s on her game, she throws some big efforts – tough draw, but that also means her price should be decent…worth a good look tonight. (2) DANDYS ME RCY races well almost every week but somehow she’s just 1 for 21 this year (and 0 for 13 here at Yonkers) – tough to take on top at a short price. (5) LYDEO, like barnmate CHERYLS SHADOW, is struggling to pick up victories this year – her overall recent form IS solid, however, and she should be able to have a say tonight. (4) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING was in a no-chance spot last week but still paced home well to only be a couple of lengths back at the wire – willing to use underneath. (3) COACHELLABOUND N recently rattled off a nice stretch of excellent starts but her form tailed off considerably upon reaching the top levels – we’ll see if tonight’s class drop perks her back up, or if she’s just lost that edge she had not long ago. (8) PROMISING MOMENT held form beautifully in a recent climb up the class ladder but tonight’s draw leaves her without too many good options (1) TIME TO STRIKE was on and off the bit last week but finally able to take advantage of her pocket trip to beat a much easier group – moves up 2 classes here, and the rail draw may not be enough to offset that. (7) HUNTING HULA has been more consistent lately, but figures to be sitting too far back to do any real damage in here

RACE 6 – (1) EXQUISITE TASTE wasn’t at her best last week but it’s good to see her right back in the box – drops, moves inside, and anything close to her best effort would make her very tough from this spot. (8) TORRONE was in a no-prayer spot last week but still trotted a strong final half – not sure if Holland can get him in play from out here, but he could be a great value play if he does. (3) HAND DOVER DAN gets a pass for his last as he got too hot for Dube and was just fed racetrack – he has some decent efforts besides that, and has a chance to outrace his 20-1 ML odds. (2) YO SHELDON raced well in all 3 local tries, and steps up a peg off last week’s victory – the good draw could put him in a play for a good piece with these too. (6) HONOLULU HANOVER is winless in 7 local starts but has been a solid performer – the tough draw may leave him looking at a smaller piece tonight, however. (7) BULLY BOY HILL has some solid recent tries but vs. easier – the move up AND poor draw will be tough to overcome. (4) ULTION FACE S tired off a pocket trip last week and has been struggling, overall, for a while – waiting for better signs. (5) STMIKES KERRYBLUES may need to be in a little easier to show his best

RACE 7 – Excellent FM Invitational! (6) FRANCENT N actually lost her first 2 U.S. starts but immediately showed that she’s an exceptional talent – she’s won 4 in a row since then, including last week’s Milton Stakes in Canada (in 1:47.3) – she handles any trip, and we’ll stay on her team. (7) LOUIES GIRL N couldn’t lose a race when she first arrived in the U.S., displaying a wicked burst of speed when called upon on – she now hasn’t WON since June 6th, but she’s raced well virtually every start….taking on the top mares in North America every week – she went a huge mile when 2nd to FRANCENT N last week, and would hardly be a surprise tonight. (3) SILK CLOUD A gets a good draw and may be handled much more aggressively tonight – chance for a big chunk, especially if a couple of the others run into some tough trips. (4) SWEETNIKKILOU A shows being scratched “UNMANAGEABLE” at Pocono on 8/31….not all that shocking after seeing her misbehaving HERE in a couple of her early U.S. starts – she’s gone some BIG miles herself lately, and can make some noise tonight if not in one of her bad moods! (5) TICK A LOCH A is riding a 3 race winning streak but that will be seriously put to the test against this strong field – she’ll be a pretty good price, if you think she can pull it off. (1) RASPALIA N has been a terrific import for her connections but may just be a notch below some of these, even from the pole. (2) THE LAST MARTINI earned nearly $1.2M at 2 and 3 but is just 9-0-2-0 $74K as a 4YO – just a bit below these right now

RACE 8 – (5) HOT FLASH KIMMY had been off her best game lately but was well backed for her last, and delivered the blowout victory – she steps up a notch, but this type of field is well within her comfort zone, when sharp…willing to stay with her one more time. (1) BRONZER returns to Yonkers at a level where he’s very comfortable, and he’s won from spots like this in the past – he’s also acted up before the start (from the rail) a couple of times, so that’s at least a bit of a concern…worth using, as long as the price is fair. (2) BJMS LIL MAN usually “figures”, is often in the hunt, but his 1 for 18 record this year continues to make it hard to use him on top (at a short price). (6) HOWLINGATHEMOON DK beat a bit easier here 3 back, was in a no chance spot the next week then caught a sizzling mile in PA last start – he fits well with these, but needs to figure a way to overcome the draw. (3) CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS was a big earner at 2 and 3 but is another suffering from the 4YO blues – prefer to just observe her trying Yonkers for the first time. (4) VINNY DE VIE did win in this class 4 back but with a pocket trip, in a soft field – leaning elsewhere. (7) COMMODUS A was hurt by horror cover last week and gets a pass – but his overall recent form hasn’t been great, and tonight’s post won’t help. (8) SEVEN LAYER throws strong miles when in the right mood but will be up against tonight, starting from out here

RACE 9 – Pretty well matched field: (4) FRONT PAGE STORY finished full of pace 2 back then was an excellent 2nd (DH with #2) behind TICK A LOCH A last week (despite a very tough trip) – she’s won too many off these class drops to not give her a look tonight. (2) WORKLIFEBALANCE wasn’t at her absolute best when she tied with #4 for 2nd last time but she’s in the middle of an excellent season, and looms a very dangerous player tonight. (1) HARL EEQUIN A was handled conservatively in her U.S. debut but finished ok – she was more aggressive at Chester last time and even though she was outbrushed in a sizzling 3rd panel, she still re-rallied in the stretch to win going away – big step up, but may be ready for it. (3) SHESGOTTHEJACK hasn’t gone a bad one since recently joining this barn, and can race from on or off the pace – a live cover trip may really suit her tonight. (5) SHEER ARTISTRY N has been ultra consistent for weeks, and able to cash in off a perfect trip in her last – she’ll make her presence felt at some point, but it hurts having FOUR very sharp mares drawn to her inside. (8) OAKLEY SHARD N rallied nicely in the lane to pick up her first U.S. win last start – not sure she can reach from all the way out here, though! (7) MIL LWOOD BLISS N just seems to need to be in cheaper these days to have a realistic chance. (6) BRI EXPRESS N is a nice mare, but probably needs a better post, in an easier field!

RACE 10 – (3) RITSON returns from PA at a much lower level than when he left here – gets a good draw, and this feels like a winning spot for him. (5) SENSI AMNESIA raced ok vs. the 40s but is much better suited for this spot – very logical player, but note that she’s 0 for 17 at Yonkers this year (and just 1 for 23, overall). (8) CHAPHEART landed in a VERY soft spot last week and really figured to have no trouble handling that assignment – this task will definitely be tougher and while he still may be able to overcome Post 8 and beat these, you’d want a fair price to use on top tonight. (2) FASHION FOREVER’s best says are well behind him but he gets a good draw, stays trotting, and may be able to grab a minor share. (4) AIRMANS JACKPOT drops out of 40s but never really belonged there in the first place – another hoping for some minor spoils. (7) FARAH TRIO IT draws poorly and just makes too many breaks to consider…unless the price is huge. (1) INTL BLOCKADE draws the pole but broke in his last local try and has never been 1st or 2nd in his 29 Yonkers starts. (6) ALL TOO WELL draws poorly, and just feels a bit cheaper.