Monday, May 4, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, May 4, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) CHECKONWILLIAM GB got unlucky last week when DEETZY couldn’t find a hole, and was then forced to battle with that one through some hot fractions – he still lasted well for 4th (after being collared into the final turn by #4), and he deserves another chance…for tonight’s new connections. (6) HANK THE HUNK benefited from that same hotly contested pace and rallied from well back to be 2nd – he’s back on his game, and does have appeal with that 8-1 ML price. (4) BLACK HAWK JOE A was a “drop and pop” winner last week, using a good trip to score moving from 20s to 15s – he exits a high % and lands in one that wins at a much lower rate, so we’ll see how he does for his new connections. (7) SURFSIDE BEACH failed to hit board in his first 6 starts this year but still took plenty of $$ last week, and used the combination of post relief and a perfect trip to pick up the victory (over #5 and #6) – may not be nearly as fortunate starting from Post 7, though. (1) DIAMONDBEACH got good for a nice stretch, but then hit the skids again for a bunch of starts – his last few are “mixed” at best, and he just feels risky at what could be a fairly short price. (2) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE flashed some better life 2 back but failed to build on it last week – not sure what to expect now. (3) SAILBOAT HANOVER drops from 25s to 15s for his first start in 7 months – prefer to just observe tonight. (8) MAJOR POCKET A has tailed off, and now lands Post 8

RACE 2 – (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A gave it a big try last week off the claim, battling hard with AMERITRIC before coming up 2nd best to a perfect trip (and currently sharp) SINBAD N – if he can control the action with a little less heat tonight, he may be able to come out on top…gets the narrow nod. (4) OURMATEMENKO N earned himself a bump up to 40s after a sharp-at-both-ends victory over the 30s last week – he can do serious damage here too, if the trip comes up easy enough. (3) ORLANDO BLUE A was pretty well backed when he charged home to win in this class 2 back, and his last effort wasn’t bad at all (he was killed by horrible cover, but still pacing well late) – worth a look for sure with that 10-1 ML price. (6) OVERTHINKING was very sharp vs. the 30s then almost stepped up to beat the 40s last time, outkicked home by #3 – this feels like a tough spot, but still worth considering if the price is right. (7) BOILING OAR has enough speed to at least get a look with that 20-1 ML price but he’s not finishing well enough again, and it won’t get any easier from Post 7 (8) AMERITRIC almost never goes a bad one, but a lot would have to go his way to threaten from out here. (4) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH moves up to 40s off the claim and that feels a bit ambitious right now. (2) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A has been away since 11/3 – inclined to pass, for now

RACE 3 – (4) MACS MARVEL hasn’t been a real threat lately but he’s also been facing considerably tougher – his late kick may have more impact against these, especially if there’s a bit of action in front of him. (3) HAMMERING HANK was a very game first over 2nd to repeat winner SINBAD N two back, then delivered a sharp front end victory in his last– steps up a bit, but seems sharp enough to handle it- legitimate threat. (2) COALFORD TOPGUY GB recently broke a bout of “seconditis” with back-to-back victories…he came up a little flat at the end last week (tougher trip), but will get his chance to rebound tonight with the move inside – another solid player. (1) GINGRAS BEACH reversed form in a big way with that upset victory 2 back then showed it wasn’t just a fluke with a nice rallying 4th in his last – moves up a bit more, but the rail draw could at least put him in play for a piece. (6) ROLLIN G WITH SAM may look over and see an opportunity to leave the gate, and at least improve position – could add some value to the exotics if that happens. (5) THE BIGBOSS A was a “meh” 3rd (behind #3) off an easy trip last week – tougher spot tonight, and he’ll need to be sharper to contend for one of the top slots. (7) INTIMIDATION does fit with these and is racing ok lately…won’t be easy to overcome the bad draw, however.

RACE 4 – (4) SAMHARA N almost pulled off the upset vs. the 40s three back, was a little too overzealously driven in his next then was a solid 2nd best to a very sharp HAMMERING HANK last week – a couple of other barnmates have come to life recently as well, and we’ll give this guy top billing in tonight’s easier spot. (1) RYDINGTOTHEW IRE disappointed at 3/5 to the form reversing GINGRAS BEACH 2 back, then was stuck first over in a solid field last week – looking at a good trip from this spot, but that 7/5 ML price is definitely a turn off. (5) KIMBLE A put up a good fight before losing to PEACE OUT POSSE 2 back, then battled hard again last week before weakening a bit – an easier trip could land him a decent piece. (3) PYRO lacked room last week and may have had some hidden pace – he hasn’t found “top form” yet in 2026, but he has been competitive…ok underneath. (2) KEVIN KLINE N hasn’t clicked yet in a pair of US starts (in PA) – maybe the tote board will hint at whether tonight might yield a wake up call? (6) TEXAS HOLDEM has lost too many times vs. easier to recommend from out here.

RACE 5 – (3) SINBAD N returned from NJ off a trio of tough trips, and delivered a sharp front end score over HAMMERING HANK (who jogged in his next start) – he used a good trip to win again last week (from Post 7), and may be able to get the “threepeat” in this competitive affair, if some racing luck comes his way. (7) LITTLE WILLY quickly rebounded after being scratched injured on 3/31, finishing with sneaky pace on 4/21 then almost knocking off the classy ENDOFSTORY last week – upset chance, even with the terrible draw. (4) BE DAZZLED LOU A is 7-4-1-1 since being claimed here for $20K on 2/4, handles any trip, and has to be respected once more. (1) BET ON BIG JOE had everything go his way last week and still couldn’t seal the deal – ok for exotics, but sticking with others on top. (2) PEACE OUT POSSE was in a hopeless spot last week but he’s definitely been on the upswing – this level MAY be a bit high for him these days, but he’s a good bomb to consider underneath. (5) MANFERNO was forced to race from off the pace last start and was an ok 4th – he may be relegated to a similar trip tonight, and may be looking at a smaller piece as a result. (6) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A was overbet last week, looked to be in trouble at the top of the lane but kicked in late and got the job done – he may encounter a lot more road trouble from this tougher spot. (8) MUSIC HALL went his best mile in a long time last week, but tonight’s draw is brutal

RACE 6 – (1) ALL ALONE gets the potent combination of both class and (major!) post relief and that stamps him as the one to knock off tonight! (3) NANDOLO N had clearly tailed off late 2025/early ’26 and the two months off should serve him well – hard to glean much from that qualifier (he beat a trotter who has been breaking every week, and a bottom claimer off a long layoff), and he does figure to end up overbet tonight…too classy to ever just dismiss out of hand, though. (6) THE IDEAL DANCER A was able to hang on for the win from Post 8 two back (NW5000) then just couldn’t go by the frontrunner last week – he’ll make his presence felt here too, but would need to be a good price to consider on top. (2) GDS THUNDER GB was in career form not too long ago but he’s certainly tailed off quite a bit recently – could be a spot for a wake up call, but still prefer to use him underneath only. (7) PRINTVI LLE hasn’t been bad but a string of terrible posts has hurt him on a weekly basis– gets another tonight (4) HEAVEN ON HIGH N is just 1 for 37 over the last 2 years but can sometimes rally for a piece, at a big price. (5) RAYRAY is at his best with an easy trip, in a cheaper field. (8) WASA HEAT SEEKER N would be a surprise, to say the least

RACE 7 – Short field but a tough race! (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A hasn’t won at this level in some time, but this really isn’t a “true” Invitational field – he’s a streaky sort that’s VERY good right now, and may be able to convert here with the right trip. (1) JUMPINGJACKMAC N is more than capable of a winning mile vs. these, but his current form is a bit questionable – could be dangerous if he gets to call the shots. (6) THE GREEK FREAK had a light schedule during recent weeks (less opportunities with the Borgata going on) but that last PcD qua. suggests he may be ready to roll– if Kakaley can get a fast start, his chances would go way up. (4) COPPERFIELD can throw some BIG miles when on his best game but he comes off a disappointing try at PcD, and is also a bit unproven at this level – would consider only if the price is decent. (3) VICIOUS loves to win races and stayed sharp with last week’s trip to Plainridge (along with #2) – he’d probably need things to really fall in his lap to win tonight, though. (5) ITS A ME MARIO has a TON of talent – he also has just one qualifier (after missing an entire year), and it would be a lot to ask of him to be ready to beat this under the circumstances

RACE 8 – (5) ALTA CLASSIC A got roughed up pretty hard last week and still only gave way grudgingly – he’s been close several times recently, and seems overdue to get back to the winner’s circle. (1) QUOTE ME NOT N moved up from 25s to 30s last week (off a pair of losses) but went a very good mile, even showing gate speed – could end up with a winning trip tonight, and looms a dangerous threat. (4) SHAKESPEARE finished ok from a tough spot vs. the 50s last week and drops to a much more suitable level for tonight – unpredictable 8YO could be dangerous, if at his best. (3) EVER M has always been a favorite in this corner and has now taken 3 straight – he also moves up in class (after being claimed from his successful connections), and that makes him a little more iffy this week. (2) PURPLE POET hasn’t clicked in either start since returning to YR– leaning elsewhere. (6) THE MIKI TAKER A seems a bit overmatched. (8) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY is the outsider, both literally and figuratively

RACE 9 – (4) ALWAYS A THRILL was a bit overmatched in the Borgata but hardly embarrassed himself – hard to say if he’s 100% right now, but this is certainly a spot where he figures to head to the top and be tough to catch. (3) AVANTI did some good work in NJ shortly after joining this barn, picked up a win in PA last week and may be looking at a pocket trip tonight – logical player. (5) HEZA RISK TAKER A has been on the upswing, and his last effort was his best since arriving stateside – chance to outperform his 8-1 odds tonight. (8) MATAI PHIL N paced a back half in :53.4 last week and still had to settle for 3rd – might have been the top choice with an inside draw, but hard to see him finding a “winning” trip from out here. (1) SIX DEGREES is still winless on the year but grabs his fair share of smaller pieces – chance for the same tonight. (2) ESCAPE TO AMERICA always finishes well, but may not be in a spot to threaten tonight. (7) TAHUYA DEVIL is very inconsistent, but even his best would likely not be enough from out here. (6) WINDSUN RICKY isn’t sharp, and gets a bad draw while up in class – pass for now