Monday, November 2, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, November 2, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) KARLOO BRADLEY N finally moves inside after drawing horribly for 6 straight weeks – he still managed to race well in several of those starts, and may be able to pull off the mild upset tonight from this much kinder spot. (1) SETH HANOVER picked up wins in 2 of his last 3 starts, capitalizing on easy leads and very soft fractions both times – he’s an obvious threat to take another, but also figures to be significantly overbet from this spot. (2) ROCKET FREIGHT showed better signs in his last couple, is looking at a pretty good trip tonight and seems very playable in exotics. (7) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER ended up parked behind another parked horse last week and had no prayer – he faces the possibility of another brutal journey tonight but he’s done major damage at this level this year, and deserves at least a look with that 10-1 ML price. (4) DISMAS hasn’t won in some time but he does hit board fairly frequently, and is a decent one to include underneath. (5) CYRUS N is dangerous when he draws well and sits close, but not as effective trying to rally from the back…where he’ll likely be tonight. (6) AINT NOSTOPN TIME was doing good work here not long ago but always from inside posts – tonight’s class drop may be offset by the outside draw. (8) OVERTHINGKING was an encouraging 3rd last week, but towing along from the pole – looking at a much tougher scenario tonight.

RACE 2 – (1) UDDERLY SWEET A steps up another level seeking his 3rd straight and there’s really no reason to think that he won’t be able to handle these too, with Bartlett “filling in” for Bongiorno – he’s just one of many from the barn in raging form, and hard to go past here…even at another miniscule price. (4) CARABAO A is a streaky sort but he’s very good right now, and may offer an option if hoping that the top choice doesn’t bring his best tonight (2) FORCE FULL A won his U.S. debut then tailed off right after that – he’s come back around again, and should at least have a chance tonight with what figures to be a pretty good trip. (3) IN EXCESS N is listed at 15-1 ML but he was a good 3rd (behind #1) last time and may be able to land on the ticket again, with the right trip. (6) VICIOUS raced AND looked much better when 2nd to #1 last time – he was helped by being the only leaver that night, and a similar scenario (though unlikely) could put him back in the mix tonight. (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been racing well for a while but without a win – tonight’s draw leaves him looking at only minor spoils. (5) SWEETHOM EALABAMA N does his best work vs. easier these days. (8) GINGRAS BEACH just seems buried out here

RACE 3 – (1) COALFOR TOPGUY GB was claimed for $30K on 9/21, beat the 40s in his next 2 starts then raced super even though 3rd last week – he takes a slightly suspicious drop back down to 30s tonight but unless he’s blown a tire, he’s going to be mighty tough to deny from this spot. (7) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH has seen his otherwise excellent form somewhat derailed by a few bad posts – he drops to 30s tonight but probably wasn’t counting on another awful draw AND running into #1 at this level – has to leave hard and hope for some racing luck! (3) TASTE OF HONEY finished well in his last couple, his barn is going well right now, and he may be able to add a little value to the exotics. (2) THE WICKED ONE raced well in both starts since returning from PA but the sick scr, last start makes him at least a bit iffy for tonight. (4) POP IT morphed into a new horse after changing hands 3 starts back but he debuts for another new barn off last week’s claim and it’s hard to say if he’ll be able to maintain that excellent form. (5) KOPI LUWAK has found much better form lately, but vs. easier – we’ll see if he’s sharp enough to hold his own vs. these too. (6) EVER M turned in a better effort 2 back but quickly regressed again in his last – moves to a barn that improves virtually any new horse they get, but this guy may be more of a challenge right now. (8) HUNK A HUNKA did plenty of damage at the Ohio fairs but lands in a seemingly very tough spot for his local debut

RACE 4 – (1) AINTBLUENOMORE was 0 for 24 on the year on 9/28 and going off at long odds every week (at Harrington) – he was acquired by perhaps THE best “turnaround barn” in the game right now and immediately was a solid 2nd at Chester, followed by a win last week (at 3/5) – we’ve seen a LOT of these ship in and win here too! (2) LAST BEACH is 6 for 13 at Yonkers this year, and extremely tough at this $15K level – hard to not have him on your tickets. (4) WELL THATS MARKY had no chance from Post 8 last week (off the most recent claim) but he’s won a dozen races here in ’25-26 and could be a much bigger threat tonight with the move inside. (5) IM TALKIN HUNGRY wasn’t involved last week but has otherwise been very good lately – goes for a new barn tonight, and worth at least a look at that 12-1 ML price. (3) GOTHIC ROCK has always been a better horse from OFF the pace so it was no surprise to see him race well last week, after taking OFF the gate for the first time in ages – ok for 3rd/4th here too. (6) IM A POWERPLAY A was a bit better last week but has been too far off his game recently to endorse from out here. (8) ARTIST BEST hinted at better things in his last couple but may have to wait for a (much) better draw. (7) EMINEM HANOVER has just a pair of 3rds from his 25 local starts over the last 2 years

RACE 5 – (1) FEDERER has held his own in much better fields that this one and would normally feel like a bit of a stickout in here (especially as the 3rd horse from the barn to draw the pole tonight) – he did squander a pocket trip in his last, however, so perhaps he might be at least a bit vulnerable tonight (and a very short price). (7) MAJOR HOT HOOVES N added Lasix for his last (in PA) and kicked home with good pace – he’s beaten better here in the past and if anybody can find a way to hustle him away to a quick start, it’s Bartlett – worth a look if the price is fair. (2) ROYAL DESIRE drops down to the level of his last win, figures to be sitting a close up trip and is another value horse to at least consider. (6) LYONS GUSTAVOFRING unleashed a powerful brush to win 2 back then held his own beautifully up at this level last week, staying on bravely despite a long first over trip – could outrace his odds with a bit of trip luck. (5) LYRICAL GENIUS A wasn’t up for last week’s first over try but could do better tonight with an easier journey – 3rd/4th? (3) LOTTO MAX A has been stuck on small pieces vs. much easier – sticking with others. (4) CASINO ACTION N used a pocket trip to grab a (rare) win vs. easier last week– much tougher spot now. (8) REGAL IDEA has struggled with gait issues the last few starts and now has to contend with Post 8 as well

RACE 6 – Good race: (1) ODDS ON CAPITALISM has been sharp for some time, and that includes last week’s first over 2nd into a hot 1:51.3 mile – he’s always a good price, and that makes him worth considering. (8) THEFLYI NGROCK has a well-documented history of getting VERY sharp when on a roll, and that’s certainly happening right now – he’s up in class from Post 8 tonight, but that didn’t stop the barn from sending out MIND HUNTER to victory on the Thurs. Night (under the same scenario) – would be no surprise at all. (3) MISSED THE TRUTH A finally moved up to 40s last week but that didn’t stop him from taking his 5th in a row (and 6 out of 7, the lone loss coming to #8!) – hard to leave him off your tickets, but also won’t be offering any value (8/5 ML). (5) BE DAZZLE D LOU A had success here earlier in the year, and has been thriving in PA recently for different connections – willing to use underneath. (6) FINVARRA A was just 2nd in for $60K last start, making tonight’s drop to 40s at least a possible red-flag – tough spot, even if 100%. (2) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A steps up to 40s and figures to struggle vs. this very sharp crew. (4) SUN OF A SHOW raced well enough for pieces in his last pair but may have a tougher time grabbing one tonight. (7) ULTIMAROCA has held from nicely since returning to YR but this is just a very tough spot

RACE 7 – Another good race: (4) INOWBETTER has been 1st or 2nd in 5 of his last 6 starts, landing on a totally impossible trip in the other – he can race from on or off the pace, and offers a rare opportunity to get a decent price with this white hot barn. (6) YOUNG BLUEY A has held his own vs. better than these and is sharper right now than he looks on paper – he’d have a chance for an upset tonight if Stratton is willing to be a bit more aggressive than usual. (5) HEZA RISK TAKER A is a bit of an enigma, his 2 for 21 record not a great indicator of his “ability” – he was a crisp finishing 3rd in last week’s hot mile (off a layoff), and can’t be counted out here. (1) CAVIART LOTUS threw a dud 2 back but rebounded with last week’s excellent 2nd (charging home 2nd in :27.1) – could have a say with a similar try here, even up in class. (3) SOHO DOW JONES A landed on a dream trip off the layoff 2 back and picked up a win but struggled when stuck first over last week – likely to end up over bet tonight with Bartlett hopping on board. (2) BANDERAS is just 1 for 13 locally and catches a strong field tonight – minor spoils? (7) TH ENU CAME ALONG A probably needs a better post, in an easier field, to really be effective. (8) THE IDEAL DAN CER A is sharp, but unlikely to get close at all from out here

RACE 8 – (2) STAR CASINO N was a classy horse Down Under so it’s no surprise to see how well he’s thrived here in the U.S. – his last start was off a sick scratch and qualifier, but he was still strong at the wire to finish right behind MOSSDALE BEN N in the Invitational – deserves top billing here, dropping back down to the level he beat on 9/7. (3) CONGRESSIONAL gets a big barn and driver change for his local debut after banging heads with good ones every week at Pocono – he fits perfectly for sure, but he does have a habit of throwing bad steps during the mile, and we’ll see if that affects him here at Yonkers. (1) ODDS ON NO LIMIT wasn’t quite as sharp when 3rd last week and steps up a bit more tonight – still, sharp enough to still grab a good piece. (4) CAPT KARMA is one of many horses that went on massive form sprees this year after joining his current barn – he did have to settle for a bit smaller pieces in his last 3 starts, and the same may happen tonight. (5) EVILEYE FLEEGLE is a solid performer but may need to be in a little easier to threaten for the top spot. (7) LYONS FRANKY J finished crisply from an impossible spot last week but may be stuck coming from a similar spot tonight. (6) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A win 2 in a row off the big recent barn change but bad posts (at these higher levels) have slowed him down a bit. (8) HAZE VILLE is a streaky horse on an excellent roll…but Post 8 figures to hurt him significantly tonight

RACE 9 – (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A has been sharp all year long (really for TWO straight years) and while he doesn’t have as many WINS this year as his connections would probably like, he has a chance to pick up another tonight in this very tough race (razor sharp, and draws inside his main rivals). (5) CATALPA RESCUE A saw his long form spree carry him back up to the Invitational ranks last week and he almost got the job done – would be no surprise if he got over the hump tonight, with the right trip. (4) CHASE H HANOVER gives it a good battle week after week, always right in the hunt…Boyd should be a little more familiar with him now, and may be able to guide him to a victory. (7) MOSSDALE BEN N dug in tenaciously last week to pick up his 3rd in a row, and become a millionaire in the process – he can never be counted out, but he does feel a bit more vulnerable with tonight’s draw. (2) GORGEOUS BIG GUY may not threaten for the top prize but he can surely rally for a piece from this spot with any decent trip. (8) HOWLENTHEHILLS continues to be an excellent earner though it feels like he’s forgotten how to win…Post 8 isn’t the remedy. (6) MACS DELIGHT beat (much) easier the last 2 weeks – leaning elsewhere here. (1) HEMSWORTH N can perk up at any time but even his best would probably leave him well short vs. these

RACE 10 – (4) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A elected NOT to leave from Post 8 last week (despite being 2-1 off the big class drop) then quickly found himself sitting 8th to an absurd :59 opening half – just give him a pass, and look for Marohn to be a lot more aggressive tonight. (2) ORLANDO BLUE A gets both post and class relief and is another that should be looking at a more aggressive try tonight – legitimate player. (3) KEAYANG TACO A has been off his best game lately but is yet another that stands to benefit from a much better scenario tonight. (5) MATAI PHIL N had been enjoying a strong season before falling well off his game recently – we’ll see if he can find a wake up call here, but hard to take a short price right now. (1) JUSTCALLMEBUCK was racing AND looking terrible for several starts before a recent freshening – qualified solidly, but not ready to hop on his team just yet. (6) NO TRESS PASSING was racing well before a sick scratch and 5 weeks off – hard to endorse tonight off last week’s empty PcD try (off the qualifier). (7) CAVIART SARGENT may rally late for minor spoils, but probably no more than that. (8) BETTOR NOT couldn’t hang on from a much easier spot last week.