Monday, November 16, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, November 16, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) ULTIMAROCA was hurt badly by poor cover last week, had plenty of work after finally swinging wide on the final bend but quickly kicked into gear and just powered on by the leaders in the lane – stays inside, retains Bartlett, and will be pretty tough here with a similarly sharp effort. (5) MISSED THE TRUTH A picked up 3rds in his last pair after rattling off 5 straight wins – figures to be right in the thick of it tonight, as well. (6) TASTE OF HONEY was sharp beating softer 2 back then excellent last week up at this level, kicking home full of pace for 2nd behind the top choice – tough draw, but too sharp right now to leave off your tickets. (1) VICIOUS looked like he may finally be back on track with that 2nd two back but then faltered off the tougher trip last week – remains a bit of a mystery from week to week. (3) INVISIBLE N has been in bad spots recently but a decent trip tonight could help him land somewhere in the exotics. (8) ODDS ON CAPITALISM fits well enough for sure, but his first bad post in a while does figure to hurt his cause considerably. (4) INTIMIDATION and (7) GINGRAS BEACH both likely need to find easier spots before they can have a serious say.

RACE 2 – (5) KARLOO BRADLEY N has been sharp for a while, and comes into tonight with a win and two 2nds (behind a very sharp LAST BEACH) in his last 3 starts – if he’s as good tonight for his new barn as he has been for the others, he’ll be a handful (1) SAWYERS DESIRE just never looked right in his Hilltop return last week, gapping to the half then struggling to respond to back side urging – if he can shrug that mile off and get back to his better form, he can be very dangerous from this spot. (4) AINT NOSTOPN HERE was an ok 4th last week and has battled better here in the past – worth a look if the price is good enough. (3) MASTER MIKI was quickly reclaimed for the barn he just picked up a 2nd for from Post 7 – he’ll be in the mix throughout, but needs to be a little stronger at the end. (2) DISMAS has been picking up lots of smaller pieces, and is more than eligible to do the same tonight. (8) MAX IMUS RED A will beat his class eventually, but probably will need to wait for an easier spot! (7) MANFERN O just hasn’t been sharp for some time, and the same can be said for (6) DELIGHTFUL TERROR.

RACE 3 – Good race: (5) CAPT KARMA is one of many horses in the barn that have enjoyed incredible form sprees this year after joining these connections – last week’s victory brings his local record to 8-4-2-2 and he deserves top billing tonight…but he’ll have to earn the victory. (4) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A has been terrific since moving to this barn on 9/22, the only two “non factor” tries when stuck with Post 8 – he gave #5 a major tussle last week, and will get his chance to turn the tables tonight. (7) BE DAZZLED LOU A arrived from PcD to his new barn 2 back and was super crushing the 40s– he was very good again last week stepping up to 50s, but couldn’t overcome an impossible trip…chance for an upset tonight if he can land on a kinder journey. (6) MUSIC HALL won 16 races and $180K last year but struggled for several months in 2026…he finally started to come around into this summer and is hitting on all cylinders once more – only knock here is the draw, but it MAY slow him down. (3) BETTOR BY SEA SIDE used a very easy trip to grab 3rd last time but may not be as lucky here. (2) CHECKNOUTHETALNT A feels like he’s leveled off lately – leaning elsewhere. (1) MARLBANK ROAD could use some class relief

RACE 4 – (8) CAPTINHAMMERHEAD N is a legitimate Invitational horse that lands in a very soft spot for his YR return, while still in very good form at Pocono– the one to beat, even starting from Post 8. (3) JUMPINGJACKMAC N hasn’t been able to fully capitalize on the recent class drops, picking up 3rds in his last pair – good chance to land somewhere on the board tonight, as well. (6) MONEYHILL GB has been facing mostly “NWPM” types in PA but his last 2 tries in NW15000 there produced a win, and a 2nd to GORGEOUS BIG GUY – could have a real say in his first Yonkers appearance. (1) TITO N CHEDDAR took on older pacers last week and was a decent 4th in his 2nd start off the layoff – can grab another decent piece starting from the pole. (4) MACS MARVEL had no prayer last week, shuffled back after moving up 3 classes – can sit back and rally for a small slice in here. (5) LOUS ALBANO has offered little in his 3 local tries – minor spoils only. (7) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A was the lone outside leaver last week and that quick start helped him win his 2nd in a row – not sure the trip will be as king tonight, however. (2) VENTURESOME ARDEN N was beaten 25 lengths on 7/20, went on the shelf, then lost by 25 lengths in his return

RACE 5 – (4) AINTBLUENOMORE, like so many before him, elevated his game dramatically upon entering this barn 4 starts back – both local tries have been excellent (cutting the mile once, racing from well off the pace in the other), and we’ll give him the narrow vote to come out on top tonight. (2) BEGGIN FOR BACON had been doing good work at Monti and brought that form down here to Yonkers, winning both starts (as the odds on choice) in wire to wire fashion – goes for a new barn tonight, but still figures to be very tough once more. (7) LETSMAKELOTSA MONEY has won 2 of his last 3, and 3 of his last 6 – makes his first start for a barn that’s generally deadly off the claim, but the draw MAY hurt his chances tonight – consider on top if the price is fair. (1) GOTHIC ROCK rarely wins but does grab his fair share of decent pieces – the less he’s used early on, the better he’ll be at the end. (3) IM A POWERPLAY A was able to just hold off #1 last week but likely looking at a smaller slice in this spot. (6) WAL KINSHAW N still shows up for battle every week as his career comes closer to an end – very tough spot tonight, though. (5) TOPVILLE GRANDSHOW and (8) KING LOUIE LOU are newcomers that seem a bit overmatched

RACE 6 – (6) HOWLENTHEHILLS hasn’t won in a LONG time but he still was a solid Invitational player most every week – gets his first real class drop in ages (all year?), and maybe that’ll be what it takes to get him over the top. (2) GORGEOUS BIG GUY returns off a win vs. a bit easier in PA, and was a winner in this class on 9/21, as the prohibitive favorite – could be the main danger if the top choice is unable to deliver. (8) CURLY JAMES A won 2 straight heading into his last and probably would have extended that streak to 3 if not for a very unlucky trip – he’s obviously in a very tough spot here, but sharp enough to get a look if the price is juicy enough. (3) HEMSWORTH N always runs hot and cold, but still delivers his fair share of big efforts every year, especially when the trip goes his way – chance here IF things just fall apart. (4) BALLROOM AFFAIR won his last pair and is now 4 for 4 at YR – he’s also a 3YO taking on some very tough older foes tonight, and he’ll need to prove that he’s ready for a task like this. (1) FORCE FULL A lone recent win came vs. much easier but his overall form is solid enough for a chance at a small piece from the pole. (5) WHATS STANLEY GOT A is another in-and-outer that threw a major dud last week – leaning elsewhere. (7) SOHO DOW JONES A drops, but figures to struggle with his first bad draw in a while

RACE 7 – (7) MOSSDALE BEN N didn’t even pretend to be interested from Post 7 in his last local try (with the Potomac coming up less than a week later) but still finished with crisp pace that night (then had no prayer, but raced well in the Potomac) – another brutal spot, but he does have a shot to beat these if Marohn can get him in play. (4) CATALPA RESCUE A has been on an extended form spree, but just way too far to come last week – could be part of the equation tonight with some trip luck. (5) SWEET BEACH LIFE won an incredible 10 straight overnights but did weaken in the lane in his last pair – a little surprised to see him right back in the box tonight and he does seem pretty vulnerable right now – he’ll also see his price climb up, and that makes him worth considering. (6) SOHO FI RESTONE A has been a model of consistency for 2 straight years – would never be surprised to see him right in the hunt, though he does face an uncertain trip from this spot. (8) RUTHESS HANOVER made his first ever local start last week and the 9YO went a big mile to just miss – tonight’s draw may be tough to overcome, though. (3) STAR CASINO N has never really established himself at this top level but he’s hinted that he belongs at times – good bomb, at least for exotics. (1) EFFINGHAM looked super in his last 2 local wins but faces a MUCH tougher bunch tonight – we’ll see how handles it. (2) EVILEYE FLEEGLE seems overmatched with these at the moment

RACE 8 – (4) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH raced ok from Post 7 last week but just couldn’t overcome the tough trip – he’s overdue to pick up a win, and moving to a barn tonight that excels off the claim may help him do just that. (3) THONG CONTROL has been racing ok from tough spots vs. better, gets both post and class relief and is listed at 10-1 ML – worth a look, for sure. (7) HUNKA HUNKA raced light years better in his 2nd start off the big barn change, gets Yannick tonight and is listed at 20-1 on the ML – another that could offer some real value tonight. (2) REINCARNATED has been enjoying his time at this level, with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd from his last 3 starts – logical threat once more. (1) VEL TRUST IN TIME is hard to gauge class-wise but he has 21 wins over the past 2 years and makes his YR debut for a barn winning at nearly 30% upstate– maybe he can do damage here too? (8) COALFORD TOP GUY can’t be knocked form wise, but tonight’s draw figures to curtail his opportunities off the claim. (5) KOPI LUWAK is good right now – chance to rally for a small share. (6) GEORGES WISH seems to race well every week, even if wins have been hard to come by – maybe another minor share?

RACE 9 -Tough finale: 92) ORLANDO BLUE A hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in a while but he’s gone some rugged tries in better fields – maybe he can trip out and pick up a win. (8) RESILIENT N is just 1 for 10 at YR but has always hinted at more ability – would give him a try if the price creeps up a bit. (5) STELLAR YANKEE isn’t the most reliable horse on the planet but he’s capable of beating these on his best game and may respond for tonight’s new barn – possibility. (1) WINDSUN RICKY landed in a pretty weak field last week and was able to come out on top – this spot is much tougher, but he may have also built back some confidence off that last effort – wouldn’t be any real surprise. (7) JON I LOVE DAT was in a very easy spot last week but got run down by a horse that never wins (4) -underneath only. (4) PINE BUSH ITALIANO picked up a (very) rare victory last time– unlikely repeater. (3) FOUR BY FOUR arrives from Monti and will have to prove that he belongs with these. (6) VICI returns from upstate and this spot feels a little tough for him right now.