Monday, April 20, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, April 20, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) OVERTHINKING was no threat in his only try at this $40K level but he was handled conservatively, and wasn’t far off at the end – he steps up off a trio of sharp miles vs. the 30s, and feels sharp enough for a chance to beat these, with a bit of trip luck. (4) BOILING OAR has struggled to win races the last 2 years but he’s feeling very good since the recent claim, and just missed last week after carving out very ambitious fractions – maybe Gingras can find a way to get a little more out of him in the latter stages? (2) SAMHARA N finished just behind #4 last week in a very solid effort – gets another good draw, and may be worth a look at a good price. (3) GDS THUNDER GB drops down to 40s and he did win his last two tries at this level – he was also much sharper back then, so it’s a tough call as to whether he’s ready to step up and beat these right now. (5) LYONS BENJAMIN hasn’t embarrassed himself at this $40K level but he MAY need to be in a little easier for a better chance at the top prize – ok to include underneath. (1) ORLANDO BLUE A is generally a notch below at this level but an easy trip from this spot would at least put him in the hunt for a small slice, at a big price. (7) AMERITRIC gets a pass for his last (parked all the way) but faces another tough journey tonight. (8) ALL ALONE was no threat from a similar spot in his last.

RACE 2 – (5) MOVIN ON UP was actually very good last week, pacing a strong final 3/8ths to be not far off 2nd and 3rd (to weekly runaway winner, SHINE A LIGHT) – he has the versatility to race from off the pace here if necessary, and we’ll try him on top tonight. (2) OZONE BLUE CHIP has appreciated the drop to 15s, and should land on a good trip tonight – logical player from this spot. (7) DEETZY’s age (14) didn’t deter his new connections from claiming him last week and the veteran will continue his quest to get the $1M earnings mark for a hot barn – definitely worth a look with that 10-1 ML price! (4) SMOOTH LOU is listed at 7/5 ML and while his best effort would give him a solid chance in here, he wasn’t as sharp in his last pair (for 2 new barns) – may be vulnerable at a short price. (1) METAMAN does much better work from a spot like this – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) FRANCO NANDOR N has a couple of ok recent efforts when helped by easy trips – may not get that type of journey tonight, though. (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR just missed 3 back but that was his only solid effort in 2026.

RACE 3 – (6) WHY NOT NOW was clearly in too tough in the Borgata but he did finish up more alertly last week – he gets pretty significant class relief for tonight, although the draw certainly wasn’t kind…willing to give him a look IF the price is fair. (1) TAHUYA DEVIL disappointed at 1/5 two back but did make amends at 4/5 in his last, with the runner-up coming back to win his next start – steps up a bit, but still dangerous from this spot. (3) MACS MARV EL never got close last week but also probably knew that a win was coming off the bottom of his card – would be no surprise to see him bring a much better effort tonight, especially since he’ll be sitting closer to the action. (2) BET ON BIG JOE added Lasix last week but had no realistic chance, with the horses in front of him pacing home in :27 seconds (after a slow 3/4s) – he’s still looking for his first win of the year, so insist on a fair price if looking to use him on top tonight. (4) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A was “sneaky ok” 2 back but then came up dull last week – leaning elsewhere. (5) ODDS ON CAPITALISM just missed for his new barn last week but steps up to face much tougher

RACE 4 – (4) KOPI LUWAK N finished well after a disastrous trip 2 back then was sharp again last week, coming up 2nd best vs. a scary-sharp winner – one of a few with a legitimate chance in here, depending on trip. (6) BE DAZ ZLED LOU A has been super since the $20K claim, winning 4 of 6 starts – the two losses did come at today’s $50K level but he had excuses for both…another that could come out on top with a kind journey. (2) CURLY JAMES A will attract plenty of attention dropping down from 75s but he also may be a bit off his best game – hard to say if the softer company will be enough to get him back to the winner’s circle. (5) MIND HUNTER is usually ignored at the windows but he’s been holding form very nicely in his climb back up the class ladder, and is definitely a viable option for longshot fans. (1) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A finished 2nd in his last pair, draws the pole again, and can be right there at the end if things go his way. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM is an infrequent winner and figures to be limited by tonight’s draw. (3) MUSIC HALL doesn’t seem nearly sharp enough to threaten these right now

RACE 5 – MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #4: (4) MOSSDALE BEN N had been hinting that he could be coming back to peak form and last week really confirmed it , scoring a wire-to-wire victory in the fastest mile at Yonkers this year (1:50.1), despite a bobble to the top of the lane – not sure what strategy Marohn will employ tonight, but this guy is more than sharp enough to handle whatever comes his way. (7) COACHES CORNER had some pressure on him last week after a 4th in the first leg and missing Leg #2…but he certainly looked like his (usual) excellent self as he secured the lead and was a powerful 1:51 winner – legitimate threat, even with the bad draw (and in need of another big effort). (3) DONEGAL LUTHER N was able to enjoy a week off after picking up victories in the first 2 legs– it’s hard to fault the recent import in any way, but he’ll be facing a tougher task tonight and we’ll look forward to see how he holds his own with the top two. (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has been content to race conservatively every week vs. these more experienced FFAllers but always has pace finishing – may be able to take home 3rd/4th with some trip luck. (5) CHASE H HANOVER was beyond game in that first leg victory, only lost by about 4 lengths after getting parked every step in his next, then rallied a bit for 3rd last week from a tough spot – hard to say if he’ll be able to find a manageable trip tonight, though. (2) CATALPA RESCUE A had Post 7 off a sick scratch last week but was pacing strong at the back to the wire – he’s a very nice horse, but may be in too tough a spot tonight. (6) DELE ROW A has raced better than expected in this series, but still an outside from this spot

RACE 6 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #4: (4) HOWLENTHEHILLS has come back very strong in 2026, a solid rallying 3rd in the first leg, in tight and just missing in Leg #2 then an excellent first over 3rd to COACHES CO RNER last week – his barnmates are all doing good work in this series, and maybe he can be the first one to get his picture taken? (5) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR was forced to take the pocket behind MOSSDALE BEN N last week and had to settle for 2nd best in that sizzling 1:50.1 mile – the road to the winner’s circle still goes through him. (2) TWISTED DESTINY was a very promising 3rd (just missed 2nd ) in the first leg but came up a bit flat the next week – he took off Leg #3 and now returns on Lasix, for Leg #4 – the ability is there, but he may be looking at a tough trip here. (3) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N just missed pulling off a big upset in the first leg, then picked up 4ths in his last pair – solid chance for a piece with any decent trip. (1) ARODA N disappointed from the pocket the first week, then was an even 4th in his next– took last week off and we’ll see if he’s any sharper tonight. Both (6) HEZACHARTTOPPER A and (7) MATAI PHIL N likely need much better spots to hang in with the top ones

RACE 7 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series Leg #4: (2) SWEET BEACH LIFE was an even 4th in the first leg, just missed to #1 and #4 the next week, then just missed to REDWOOD HANOVER again in his last – his barnmates are all sharp right now, and this guy is definitely worth a look at that 8-1 ML price. (1) CAPTAIN ALBANO seemed to be on top of his game with that big first over victory in the 2nd leg but was just an “ok” 4th last week – hard to have total confidence in him right now, but the mega-classy 5YO is pretty hard to leave off your tickets from this spot. (4) REDWOOD HANOVER has picked up a pair of wins and a 2nd place finish to CAPTAIN ALBANO in his 3 series starts, but he may still be a bit vulnerable in here, especially after drawing outside the top pair – the 7/5 ML price is definitely a bit of a turn off. (6) CAPTAIN MOORE A looked like a winner in the first leg before CHASE H HANO VER somehow came back to beat him – pace from a tough spot in his next followed by an outstanding 3rd to MOSS DALE BEN N in his last, despite taking up briefly at the top of the lane – if you’re shopping for a nice price, he can be a good choice. (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A is pretty hard to fault with 2 series wins and a 2nd to COACHES CORN ER…that being said, he’s also looking at the possibility of a much tougher trip in here. (5) CELTIC SPIRIT N feels like he may need to be in a bit easier to really thrive. (7) VERDUN faces an uphill battle trying to rally from last

RACE 8 – (1) PANETTONE HANOVER debuted for his new barn last week off a disastrous Pocono try but turned things around quickly, charging late for 3rd despite being hurt by poor cover – he can throw some big efforts when sharp, and may be able to pull off the upset tonight. (3) COALFORD TOPGUY GB finally got into the win column last week after picking up 2nds in 6 of his first 7 local starts – stays in the same class and remains the one to beat – but will be a very short price! (2) SPECULATING A was used harder than he likes early on his last pair and it may have hurt him late – could do better here if more relaxed early on. (4) CADILLAC BAYAMA hasn’t clicked at all since returning from Ohio – gets a double drop, but not sure that’s enough to make him a big player. (7) INVISIBLE N steps up in class and draws poorly but he has ability, and may be able to rally for a small share. (8) INFLATION PROOF returns from 5 months off– he has ability for sure, but the guess is that he’ll be handled conservatively here. (6) ESCAPE TO AMERICA figures to find himself too far back to threaten. (5) PYRO was 2nd in his last pair but moves way up, and seems overmatched.

RACE 9 – (4) HAMMERING HANK has been plagued by bad posts, bad trips, and often both at the same time – lands in a much better spot, and we’ll hop on his team tonight. (6) SINBAD N was really struggling here after returning from Ohio but seems to have gotten back on track in NJ – worth a look if the price is juicy enough. (2) COLLECTIVE WORKS A drops, moves inside, and races with Lasix for the 2nd time – could add some value to the exotics. (7) HIMSELF N has been WAY off his game but Kakaley may look over and see an opportunity to race more aggressively here – plenty of back class if he does get a wake up call. (1) CASINO ACTION N wins once a year, and usually at the bottom level – chance for a piece, but hard to justify that 8/5 ML price. (8) GENTLE GIANT gets a big drop, but may not be sharp enough right now to take advantage from out here. (5) THE MIKI TAKER A adds Lasix, and may have a chance at minor spoils. (3) AVENGER FORCE will look better with a class drop