Monday, April 13, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, April 13, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) AMERITRIC hasn’t won in a while but he’s been right there in 3 of his last 4 starts (8 hole in the other), and always goes off at a good price – this race could go a few different ways, and this guy is one of several with a chance to come out on top. (3) LUCAPELO A was an ultra-impressive first over winner 2 back then followed that up with another win last week, using an aggressive early move to take control at the quarter – he moves from one very sharp barn to another, and is a legitimate threat to achieve the “threepeat”. (4) HAMMERING HANK was killed by bad posts in his last 5 starts, making it hard to really gauge his current form – he gets a good draw tonight, and Holland will surely give him a chance to be a player. (2) BOILING OAR backed through the field when claimed on 3/9 but qualified back nicely, outran the field in a sharp 1:53.3 mile in his next start, then was a no threat 4th in a pretty good field last week – would need a decent price to use him on top, but he could easily land somewhere in the exotics. (8) BE DAZZLED LOU A has done excellent work since being claimed for $20K on 2/4 – he drops from 50s to 40s tonight, but that may be offset by Post 8…would still consider on top if the price was good enough. (1) SAMHARA N got really good for a few starts recently but seems to have leveled back off – leaning elsewhere. (6) THONG CONTROL is good right now, but the poor draw is a bigger concern than the move up to 40s – possible for a minor share. (7) ORLANDO BLUE A figures to have a tough time finding his way into the hunt

RACE 2 – Another tough race! (6) KOPI LUWAK shipped in sharp from Pocono last week but ended up trapped most of the mile by a parked horse, and only got to pace (too late) once into the stretch – terrible draw tonight, but his price will go up and he may be able to get it done, with some good trip luck. (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF looked like one of the main players last week so his 34-1 winning price was one of the biggest overlays you’ll ever see – remains a legitimate threat to take another, but his price will come WAY down now. (2) GDS THUNDER GB was in career form recently, but may be tailing off just a bit – he gets a pass for last week (brutally parked), and anything close to his best effort would make him dangerous here. (7) ALL ALONE elected to stay inside to 3/4s last week then had to wait to shake free in the stretch, flying home to be right there 3rd at the wire (he probably wins if he joins the flow to 3/4s) – he’s sharp enough to beat these, but he’ll need some things to go his way to do it from out here. (1) SHIPMASTER is the “x factor” – he was no good for 3 straight starts at Dover but then sprung a 50-1 upset in his last start – he’s missed 25 days, but joins a barn that always excels with fresh stock, and he has good speed from the pole – mixed feelings! (4) LOUS SWEETREVENGE just re-qualified after missing time after a scratch – tough spot to expect to see his best. (3) GENTLE GIANT appeared overmatched, even before the sick scratch on 3/30

RACE 3 – (2) THE IDEAL DANCER A had wins in NW15000 & NW20000 at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 before being stuck in very tough spots for several starts – he was off 3 weeks to his last, but finished full of pace to be right there behind a couple of nice horses…drops another notch, and may be ready to get back to the winner’s circle. (3) ESCAPE TO AMERICA got lost at the back for a few starts but showed some encouraging life with some class relief at Pocono last week – he may have regained enough confidence to be a serious player tonight (6) INVISIBLE N took no $$ for his U.S. debut here on 3/23 but did finish alertly from Post 8 – he was well backed when he beat cheaper the next week at Pocono, but had no prayer in his last when he was sitting last in a 1:49.4 mile – has some appeal at that 10-1 ML price. (4) SOUTHWIND PETYR dropped to 25s last week and turned in a sharp try for 2nd – moves to a new barn tonight, and should be able to be a player with these…but also may end up overbet (7) MANFERNO finished no better that 7th in 5 straight starts at Dover but after returning to Yonkers (back in his favorite barn), he’s now won his last 2 starts– it’s possible that he can extend that streak to 3 but it’ll be a lot tougher with both a bump up in class, and Post 7…insist on a fair price if using on top. (1) OURMATEMENKO N had been ok from some tough spots recently so it was no surprise to see him easily handle a soft basement field last week – he may have to settle for a more modest piece against this crew, however. (5) VICI came up empty for his new barn last week – waiting for some better signs before hopping back on his team

RACE 4 – MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #3: (1) REDWOOD HANOVER was the easiest of winners at 5 cents on the dollar in the first leg but was unable to deliver as the 1/5 choice last week, overtaken by the uber-classy CAP TAIN ALBANO coming to the wire – he avoids that rival tonight, draws the pole, and once again is the one to knock off. (3) SWEET BEACH LIFE (one of 3 from this barn to finish right there in series action last week), sat pocketed to the top choice and finished right behind him in 3rd – he’s on the right track so far in 2026, and may be able to make his presence felt tonight, as well. (5) CHASE H HANOVER reminded everybody just how tough he can be when on his game, with that mega-gutsy victory in the first leg – he ended with no chance after getting parked last week, but he still lost by less than 4 lengths despite never seeing the pylons – hard to predict his trip for tonight, but he can do damage if it’s a good one. (4) CELTIC SPIRIT N was well backed for his Yonkers debut in the first leg but lost all chance after being forced to retreat at the start – was allowed to cut the mile last week, but did give way nearing the wire to rivals both inside and out – way too soon to dismiss his chances, but leaning more towards others tonight. (2) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A really benefited from last week’s inside trip to pick up 3rd – chance for a piece with a similar journey. (6) SHERLOCK N was terrific in the first leg but may have been rushed too hard early on last week and made a costly miscue – tonight’s draw figures to really compromise his chances of rebounding

RACE 5 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #3: (2) COACHES CORNER’s 4th place finish in the 1st leg (incredibly the FIRST time he’s been worse than 2nd in a Borgata race!) could easily have been attributed to a tough trip and a bit of rust…but after seeing that he took off Leg 2 and returns tonight on Lasix (for the first time since his 2YO season), one might assume he bled that night – you can be sure that he’ll be primed for a big effort tonight, looking to catch up in points and make it back to the Final. (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A didn’t win “pretty” in the first 2 legs, but he did get his picture taken both times – definitely could be even more vulnerable tonight, but he WILL be a much better price, for those looking for him to take another. (5) HOWLENTHEHILLS qualified nicely twice in PA, was a solid 3rd in the first leg and right there behind #3 last week, perhaps hurt by lack of clearance for much of the stretch – another option if looking to take a shot against the favorites. (4) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N turned in his usual strong move last week but couldn’t sustain it through the stretch – would need things to fall apart up front to make his one late rush work in here. (6) MATAI PHIL N showed last week that he can hang with the big boys with the right trip, but he’ll likely be coming from too far back tonight to be a real threat. (7) CATALPA RESCUE A draws Post 7 after being scratched sick last week– sticking with others here. (1) WHY NOT NOW has looked overmatched

RACE 6 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #3: It’s hard to say if (3) MOSSDALE BEN N is back in the same “peak” form as when he won the Series Final last year but he’s certainly approaching it – he seems likely to get the best trip among the main players in here, and we’ll give him top billing. (7) CAPTAIN ALBANO didn’t bring his best when 3rd in the opening leg but he looked like his old self last week, launching a long first over bid from 4th and wearing down REDWOOD HANOVER confidently to the wire – he faces an uncertain trip tonight, but his chances go way up if McCarthy can coax him enough at the start to improve a few spots early on. (6) HUNTINTHELASTD OLAR was an easy front end winner in the first leg then got it done (barely) after sitting a pocket trip last week – he’s another facing an uncertain trip tonight, but it’ll also be an opportunity to get a better price on a horse that’s 22-14-2-2 at Yonkers over the past 3 seasons. (2) CAPTAIN MOORE A is a notch below the top trio but he does have a big burst of speed in him, and MAY have a chance at the upset if he can stalk just off a hotly contested pace. (4) VE RDUN is always tempting at a big price but he’s still winless in 2026 and this feels like a tough spot to look for him to pick up a victory. (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE left well enough to hold the pocket from the pole last week and that allowed him to pick up a very nice 2nd – not sure the trip will be as kind tonight, even if the post is the same. (5) DELE ROW A has overachieved in the first 2 legs, but faces a daunting task tonight in this very tough field!

RACE 7 – (7) TRENDY TEEN was just “ok” at PcD in his first 2 starts off the layoff but he shipped over and just demolished the 25s on 3/25, then was razor sharp beating the 30s last week (with a 1:52.4 mile that saw the 2nd place finisher come back to win his next start – we’ll give him the narrow edge, even from Post 7. (1) OVERTHINKING used a beautiful drive to win dropping down to 30s 2 back, then kicked home nicely last week to just miss 2nd (behind #7) – he has a big post advantage tonight, and that gives him a real chance to come out on top (2) TOPVILL E SOMEBEACH was stuck first over to #7 last week and can be forgiven for weakening a bit in the stretch– another new barn for tonight, and a chance for a mild upset with the right trip. (5) LYRICAL GENIUS A was seriously camera shy for much of 2024-25 but has remembered how to win again, and already has 3 victories this year – drops back down to 30s tonight, and is another that becomes a threat if the trip goes his way. (4) THE WICKED ONE has been “ok” at this level, with a chance at a minor piece with an easy journey. (8) ALTA CLASSIC A is very reliable at this level but lands behind the 8 ball and that’s going to limit his options. (3) AVENGER FORCE hasn’t been bad, but probably needs to be in easier. (6) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY has been away for 5 months– will observe for now

RACE 8 – (4) ROCKET CITY A’s strong Down Under credentials were discussed here last week – he was highly enough regarded to have been made eligible to the Borgata Series, but his connections have opted for a more patient approach…he qualified nicely, and paced a strong final 3/8ths when “road tested” in his local debut – feels like it could be time for him to show us what he’s got! (5) DIEGO N suffered a significant drop off after recently exiting our leading barn – he’s still way too classy to ignore in a spot like this, but he also feels vulnerable, at a fairly short price. (3) ODDS ON CAPITALISM feels a bit cheap off his recent Stga. lines but he does have a lot of back class, and moves to our leading trainer tonight – eligible to bring a big effort. (1) WINDSUN RICKY was scratched sick on 3/31then re-qualified last week in NJ – maybe the tote board will offer some clues? (7) COLLECTIVE WORKS A adds Lasix after a weak effort and drops 2 levels here – still thinking he’ll probably race conservatively, with an eye on a class drop next week. (2) CASINO ACTION N does his best work with easier, but the good draw gives him a chance for minor spoils. (8) HIMSELF N has been well off form and now lands Post 8 off 3 weeks – keep an eye for NEXT time. (6) PANETTONE HANOVER has ability but has been primarily an underachiever for much of his career – goes for a new barn tonight after a dismal PcD try, and we’ll wait for some better signs

RACE 9 – (4) TYPHOON BANNER N has seen his game perk up in a big way across the river, winning 3 of his last 4 starts (and used very hard early in that lone loss, then blocked for much of the stretch) – he lands in a very well matched field for his Hilltop return, but the classy 10YO may be sharp enough right now to come out on top. (6) STERLING CHOICE was 6 for 6 here in 2025 – he came up a little short in his 2026 return (on 3/16), but he charged on by in the lane to take his next, then finished full of pace last week in a good Pocono field, after being trapped to the stretch – may need some trip luck with the tough draw, however. (1) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE moves all the way inside after picking up 3rds from way outside in his last pair – an easy trip could put him right there once more. (5) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A (Yannick’s choice over #1) paced evenly in his U.S debut 2 back then was a steady 4th last week – he seems ready for an even bigger effort tonight, but does face some pretty solid rivals. (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A worked very hard to get there vs. easier last week – can’t count him out completely, but a few others just seem better right now. (3) BET ON BIG JOE was 3 for 4 here last year but can’t seem to get over the hump in 2026, currently 6-0-2-3 at Yonkers – he’s been knocking on the door, adds Lasix for tonight, but has also missed 3 weeks. (7) MACS MARVEL packs a potent late kick most weeks, but would need things to really fall apart to reach from out here. (8) JABBAR remains in career form, but figures to be stymied by yet another horrible draw – probably a good bomb for 3rd/4th

RACE 10 – (5) SHINE A LIGHT has now won 7 straight starts at this $15K level and almost all of them have been blowouts – he’s going to be another miniscule price tonight (returning to a barn he just won twice for), but it remains difficult to find a reason to go against him. (2) LONG SHOT BUCKETS turned in a form-reversing (major) upset 2 back, then showed it was no fluke when 2nd to the top choice last week – may complete a very short exacta tonight. (1) HEAVE AWAY had been struggling but had a big wake up call in last week’s 10-1 upset – moves inside, and is another possibility to complete the exacta. (3) SMOOTH LOU moves to another new barn after disappointing last week– he may rebound tonight, but still could be looking at only a minor piece. (6) MOVIN ON UP is a solid player in this class but draws outside #5 tonight and that could result in a pretty tough trip– leaning towards others. (4) HES SPECIAL has no wins and just one 2nd from his 14 Yonkers starts over the past 2 years – needs to be a lot better. (8) METAMAN generally needs a much better draw for even a small piece vs. these. (7) DELIGHTFUL TER ROR has been off to an overall tough start in 2026…now draws post 7 off a sick scratch!