Monday, April 27, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, April 27, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) AMERITRIC hasn’t won in a while but he’s been right there in almost all of his starts, and always at a good price– he moves inside after charging home for 3rd from Post 7, and should offer some decent value in tonight’s opener. (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A was reclaimed last week by the barn for whom he recently beat the 25s and the 30s – he just missed at this $40K level 3 back to a very sharp LUCAPELO A, and looms a major danger from the pole tonight…but he’s also likely to be a very short price. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM doesn’t win very often but he drops, moves inside, and could bring some value to the exotics. (6) MIND HUNTER has been “sneaky ok” for a while and didn’t embarrass himself vs. the 50s last week– he CAN leave the gate, but could still grab a piece tonight racing from the back…at a nice price. (7) SINBAD N was used hard last week but still able to fend off HAMMERING HANK for a game victory – he’s back on the upswing, but may have trouble finding a good trip from out here. (5) ORLANDO BLUE A stacked wide to the top of the lane last week and charged on by to win at this level – not sure he’ll find a live trip tonight, however. (8) ALL ALONE is good right now, but may be slowed down by another awful draw. (4) ITZA DANGERZONE A just seems overmatched with these.

RACE 2 – (6) KOPI LUWAK has the speed to improve his position at the start but if a bunch look to leave and mix things up in here, he’s more than capable of rallying from off the pace as well – he’s been sharp every week, and we’ll give him the narrow edge to make it 2 in a row. (2) SHIPMASTER was off a bad date when debuting here for a new barn on 4/13 but he raced hard, and ended up 3rd behind a couple of very sharp horses – he’s eligible to be even sharper tonight, and definitely appealing with that 8-1 ML price. (3) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A moves from one sharp barn to another and he’s hit board in 5 of his last 6 starts (7 hole in the other) – he’s often at the mercy of his trip, but he’ll have a big say if things go his way. (1) MUSIC HALL is winless in 11 starts this year after picking up an amazing 16 victories in 2025 – he may be able to grab a good piece from this spot, but leaning towards others on top. (5) MANFERNO shipped in with some awful looking Dover form but instantly turned things around with the barn change, winning his first 2 starts then just missing last week – this feels like a much tougher spot, however. (4) SHAKESPEARE just seems better suited with cheaper these days

RACE 3 – MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #5 (1) MOSSDALE BEN N hadn’t been himself for some time but he’s certainly picked the right time to get back to the form that saw him win last year’s Borgata Final – he liked winning on the lead so much two starts back that he went out and did the same thing last week…and with the rail draw, he’ll have an opportunity to do it again. (7) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR was hurt by two leavers right inside of him last week and found himself in the unfamiliar position of having to race from behind – he still found some good late life for 4th, and he should be able roll out of there tonight, despite the draw – he finished right behind #1 two back, and looms the main danger once more (3) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has held his own in all 4 legs, always finishing full of pace – his trip will determine how big a piece he can grab tonight. (4) CELTIC SPIRIT N is sitting in the 8th slot to qualify for the consolation and may elect to race conservatively tonight, looking to grab some points and secure his spot (he did finish well last week) (2) WHY NOT NOW dropped out of the series last week and came up 2nd best to the tripsitter – the draw may help him tow along for a small piece. (5) CATALPA RESCUE A was scratched 3 back, drew Post 7 the next week then was first over to #1 last week – just going through a tough stretch, and may have to wait yet another week to have a more legitimate chance.

RACE 4 – (4) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH had to settle for 4ths after a pair of tough first over trips but was a front end winner in back to back starts just prior to that – he moves to a barn that has been doing a nice job in the claiming game lately, and may be able to get back to the winner’s circle. (1) HARD TO CATCH raced very well in his first start off the claim last week, used hard to secure a pocket trip then staying on well to be a close 3rd – another rail draw should help him handle tonight’s class jump, and another good chunk is possible. (3) QUOTE ME NOT is also moving up in class, for a trainer/driver tandem that won FIVE races together on Friday night – possible for sure, but won’t offer any value with that 8/5 ML price. (6) ALTA CLASSIC A is a good fit here but his best efforts come on/near the lead and he may not be able to get there from this spot. (5) OURMATEMENKO N’s best recent efforts have come vs. easier…chance for a minor share. (2) EVER HOPING A drops from 40s but was losing to 25s here earlier this winter – ok for a small slice, with the good draw. (8) PURPLE POET came up well short in his YR return and lands Post 8 for tonight – guessing he’ll need to wait for a better spot. (7) THE MIKI TAKER A has no wins and just one 2nd from 11 local tries – could use a better post, in an easier field

RACE 5 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #5 – good race: (3) DONEGAL LUTHER N is currently 7th in the standings and will probably be handled fairly aggressively looking to secure a good piece of this– assuming Holland doesn’t just park people (unnecessarily) from the pole, he SHOULD be able to grab a manageable trip…and deliver a big effort. (6) SWEET BEACH LIFE finds himself in 9th place right now, thanks to a pair of heartbreaking losses in his last 2 starts – he’s in a terrible spot but will be another good price, and is worth considering. (2) SOHO FIRES TONE A has a pair of wins, a 2nd and a 3rd and has easily secured his spot in the final – assuming he has no issue getting around #1 at the start, he’s looking at his usual good trip…and usual big piece. (5) REDWOOD HANOVER may be a touch off his best game right now but he’s already secured a spot in the Final, and MAY be willing to race fairly conservatively tonight (with an eye on the bigger prize). (7) TWISTED DESTINY added Lasix last week and was a very good 2nd best – he needs a good showing just to make the Consolation, but tonight’s draw is brutal. (1) D ELE ROW A will have an opportunity to race closer to the pace tonight, and could stick around for a small piece if not overused early on. (4) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A may have trouble finding a decent trip from this spot

RACE 6 - MGM Borgata Pacing Series, Leg #5: Thanks to a 4th place finish in the first leg, followed by a week off in Leg #2, (3) COACHES CORNER finds himself currently in 10th place, and in need of another big effort to earn his way into the Final – he’s certainly sharp now (after adding Lasix 2 back), and the guess is that he’ll be able to come out on top. (4) CAPTAIN MOORE A paced home in :26.4 last week but couldn’t gain, as the ones in front of him were all fresh as well – he’s had some tough luck in the series, but he’s a decent bomb to use underneath, looking to add some value to the exotics. (6) CAPTAIN ALBANO brought his “A Game” twice and picked up wins in both of those legs – he gets a tough post and a new driver for tonight, and may be content to race conservatively and save his best for the Final – a threat for a good piece, regardless. (1) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N was used a little harder early on last week and that may be why he lost 2nd at the end – logical choice for a good chunk tonight with the rail draw. (5) HOWLENTHEHILLS was a generous 8-1 winner last week, considering how sharp he had been in the first 3 legs – tonight’s spot may leave him looking at a smaller piece, however. (2) VERDUN has been stuck in the back for 3 straight weeks and never close – could at least contend for a piece tonight with the better draw. (7) CH ASE H HANOVER currently sits 8th in the points standings but the awful draw will make it tough for him to hold it!

RACE 7 – (7) COALFORD TOPGUY GB finished 2nd in 6 of his first 7 local starts but he recently added Lasix and comes into tonight riding a 2 race winning streak – he stays in the same class, and we’ll give him the narrow nod, despite Post 7. (4) BET ON BIG JOE also added Lasix recently, and raced ok in his last pair, vs. tougher– tonight’s class drop should give him a shot to pick up his first win of 2026. (3) DIEGO N is too classy to ever just dismiss at this lower level but he just hasn’t been the same since changing barns on 3/2, and remains a risky proposition at the moment. (1) LEVINE had an 8 hole off a bad date 2 back but was much more competitive last week – could grab a small piece tonight (5) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A hasn’t been “bad” in his 4 U.S. starts but he also hasn’t done enough to call for an endorsement here, even with some more class relief – maybe underneath? (6) ESCAPE TO A MERICA will be pacing well late, but likely from too far back to threaten. (2) PYRO has been “ok” with cheaper, but probably in too tough to threaten tonight. (8) SPECULATING A hasn’t been sharp, and now lands out here.

RACE 8 – (4) HAMMERING HANK was very well meant in a good spot last week but had the misfortune of running into a currently sharp-again SINBAD N – deserves a chance to get the job done tonight. (1) THE BIGBOSS A was a bit better last week than his line might suggest, and the rail draw may set him up with a good trip tonight – possible upsetter. (2) SAMHARA N was too anxious in the pocket last week and tired badly after being repelled by the leader– he’s an inconsistent sort, but has a chance here if in the right mood. (8) LYONS BENJAMIN hasn’t been as effective lately vs. the 40s and 50s but this spot could be more up his alley – he’s looking at a tough trip from out here, but still worth considering for exotics, at a big price. (7) PEACE OUT POSSE followed up an “ok” 3rd 2 back with a very determined win last week– tonight’s draw does figure to limit his options, however. (3) WASA HEAT SE EKER N should appreciate the post relief but his best efforts do come vs. a bit easier. (5) SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS N arrived from Down Under a millionaire, but just hasn’t thrived in the U.S.- perhaps he could perk up with Bartlett, but 3-1 ML? (6) GINGRAS BEACH will have trouble replicating last week’s form reversing victory vs. this bunch.

RACE 9 – (5) CHECKONWILLIAM GB picked up 2nd to stickout IM SOME GRADUATE last week and was quickly re-claimed by the barn for whom he was just very sharp for – could be headed right for the top here, but he can also win from off the pace, if necessary. (1) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE was much better in his 4th start off the long layoff and could build off that effort tonight – good value play, as he gets his first good spot in 2026. (7) DEET ZY probably should have been required to re-qualify after last week’s disastrous effort (after the claim) but the 14YO drops right back in the box, and Bartlett takes him over another horse – impossible to know if it was just a minor issue, or if another clunker is looming. (2) MAJOR POCKET A moves back inside, and could have a bigger say tonight – definitely ok to include underneath. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP has been a steady player at this level but will be hard pressed to take home more than a smaller piece after drawing out here. (4) SURFSIDE BEACH gets his first decent draw of 2026…maybe 3rd/4th? (6) HANK THE HUNK picked up a win in PA after dropping to 10s, but lands a tough spot returning to Yonkers, back up at the $15K level. (3) FRANCO NANDOR N has been picking up checks steadily but would need to be better to threaten for a bigger slice.