Monday, September 21, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, September 21, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Difficult race to start off the week! (2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK was his usual “ouchy” self last week but did put in a decent move, in an improved effort – he’s won a lot of races here in the past, and may be worth a stab in a race where most of the players have big question marks. (3) ACAPULCO SUNBURN was claimed away from one of the sharpest barns in the country so it wasn’t too surprising that he struggled for his “newcomer” trainer – he did race a little better in PA the last 2 starts, and has a new trainer and driver listed for tonight…possible wake up call? (8) SETH HANOVER was a life-and-death winner at 3/5 two back making his first start off a long layoff – he grabbed very easy fractions on the lead the next start and still tired badly…moves from a pair of rails to Post 8 off that effort, and is still listed as the 3/2 ML favorite…pretty hard to endorse at that kind of price! (1) ARTIST BEST took a month off after stopping very badly last time – it’s anybody’s guess as to whether the time off might cure whatever ailed him that night. (5) GREAT SOMEWHERE has been paying the bills by taking home a bunch of minor pieces – he’ll need to be better if he’s hoping for a bigger slice tonight. (4) FERRAGAMO HANOVER has just one 3rd from his 16 local tries (last 3 years) but he actually DOES have a chance to rally for a small piece vs. this shaky bunch. (6) IM TALKING HUNGRY did lack room in the stretch last week but he’s tailed a bit since the claim, and tonight’s bad draw isn’t going to help. (7) HANK THE HUNK has struggled overall since the “fall apart” win back in June

RACE 2 – (4) MISSED THE TRUTH A was in the middle of a good roll when claimed 2 back, then delivered a sharp win for his new connections last week (helped by a terrific drive from Marohn) – he certainly won’t be hurt by the switch to Bartlett tonight, and remains the one to knock off (though his price will be a lot lower). (1) MIND HU NTER was hurt by weak cover last week but really wasn’t sharp regardless – he’s looking at a MUCH better trip from this spot, however, with a solid chance to be a big part of the equation. (2) C BET HANOVER moves back inside, and generally races well in this class – an easy trip gives him a chance to add some value to the exotics. (3) YOROKOBI N has been camera shy for the last couple of years but does race well start after start – always a good one to include underneath. (5) THEFLYINGROCK threw a major clunker when claimed on 6/10, took a couple of months off and has raced “well” in a pair of starts since returning – he can throw some BIG miles when on his game, so take a peek at the tote board to see if there’s a hint that one of those miles could be coming tonight. (8) CARRON SIDELEGCY GB raced pretty well in both recent Yonkers starts and would have been listed higher if not for the 8 hole. (6) CASINO ACTION N would prefer a better post, in an easier class. (1) DARKNSTORMY DEO seems oddly placed in this class after a poor effort in NW2-4PM last week – leaning elsewhere

RACE 3 – (1) HIMSELF N turned in a big one 2 back before getting run down by two classy rivals that sat to his back, in a very fast mile – he dropped in for a tag last week, and was a very sharp front end winner (in another very fast mile) – he was claimed that night by a barn that’s won over 50% of their starts (off the claim) since early June, and that makes him the one to beat once more…but also means he’ll be way overbet. (4) PAXAMILLION has seen his from “drop off” in his last few starts, but only due to terrible spots – he moves inside, adds Lasix for one of the hottest barns on the planet, and could be the main danger (even if Bartlett opted to drive #1). (5) STELLAR YANKE E wasn’t able to threaten in 50s last week but he drops back down to the level he beat (handily) the start before, and could make some noise if the trip works out decently. (2) SHIPMASTER has been somewhat unreliable but he’s likely to get a very good trip here, and that means he’s a legitimate threat to grab a decent chunk. (3) MUSIC HALL has struggled for most of the year but has recently started to turn things around for an incredibly potent trainer/driver duo – another with a chance for a good piece. (6) SIMPLY FAST rebounded from a disappointing try 2 back with a much better effort last week – tonight’s draw could be a problem, though. (7) ODDS ON CAPITALISM seemed to lose interest from a similar spot last week – hard to like his chances tonight. (8) ROCKIN JUKEBOX backed up badly in his last, and now lands behind the 8 ball

RACE 4 – (1) TRICKY CAPTAIN N was sharp out of town prior to his local debut then went a big mile here at Yonkers, right there 3rd despite a tough trip from Post 7 (where he DID look to leave) – solid chance to get it done from the rail tonight. (5) SHAKE IT just missed dropping to 15s two back then used a perfect trip to come out on top last week – stays in the same class off the claim, and looms a threat once more. (7) WARRAWEE EXTREME gets a tough draw but he’s somehow listed at 20-1 ML despite just missing as the favorite last week (with several sharp miles right before that) – has to be worth a look on that alone! (2) GOTHIC ROCK is usually right in the hunt but he hasn’t WON in a long time, and that 2-1 ML price makes him hard to consider on top! (6) DECISION DAY relies on a hot pace to do his damage but IF he gets one tonight, he could show up late at a big price – ok for the bottom of exotics. (3) HES SPECIAL has been beyond camera shy the last couple of years but he’s raced well enough in a few of his recent starts to at least have a chance for a small piece. (4) FRANCO NANDOR N can grab minor spoils when others just fall apart – leaning elsewhere. (8) EMINEM HANOVER picked up a rare board spot last week but it’ll be hard for him to replicate that moving from the rail to the 8 hole

RACE 5 – (3) VENGEANCE BLUECHIP was stuck coming first over from SIXTH to the half last week, paced a big 3rd quarter just to get near the leader, continued to gain to the top of the lane and only weakened slightly coming to the wire – he gets a better draw for tonight, and Kakaley just won with him at Tioga 3 back – worth a good look in here. (6) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS was formless heading into his last start (and going off huge odds every week) but he was hammered down to 2-1 and simply jogged on the front end…one of back-to back-to back stellar performers for this trainer/driver team that night…have to respect his chances of repeating, even from this tougher spot. (2) SUI TE UP BRO will be taking on much tougher than he’s used to (out of town) but he’s in good form, and is getting a pretty big barn and driver change for tonight…we’ll see if he can be a player with these better ones. (1) IT’S A ME MARIO has yet to find the winner’s circle in 2026 after returning from a long layoff – he’s missed 4 weeks (after a sick scratch), and he’d need to be a pretty good price to consider on top, even from the rail. (5) CHEC KNOUTHETAL NT A was surprisingly unaggressive from the pole last week (he LOVES the lead) but showed that he CAN race well from off the pace too, sitting an easy trip then rallying for the win DH – this is a tougher spot, but he still can’t be dismissed too quickly. (7) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was handled aggressively off the class drop last week, got by a tiring RIO late but was then dead-heated for the win by #5 – won’t be easy to replicate that effort from out here. (4) HP MOMENTUM has been on the upswing for a barn that’s doing well lately…may be in a little too tough here, however. (8) RIO looked home free into the stretch last week but just let it slip away in the latter stages – tonight’s draw may keep him from being the same kind of player.

RACE 6 – (1) GORGEOUS BIG GUY has had plenty of recent success vs. much better than these – draws the pole against a very modest bunch, and looms a very short priced favorite! (4) RESILIENT N is a bit of an enigma, disappointing in some “easy” spots but often charging home full of pace from seemingly impossible spots – might be able to complete the exacta tonight. (6) SPEAKER OF PEACE has put together an outstanding season, holding his excellent form even at these higher levels – he’ll likely be coming from well out of it (even with a class a drop and bit of post “relief”), but that doesn’t mean he can’t make some late noise. (5) HAZEVILLE is a streaky horse and he’s good right now for a potent trainer/driver duo – if he ends up the only leaver, maybe HE can complete the exacta? (3) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has struggled in a lot of his recent starts – maybe he’ll perk up a bit as the cooler weather returns- small piece? (7) LYONS FRANKY J is just a different horse when Bartlett drives as it seems HE is the only one that knows how to push his buttons – not sure he can find a way into the hunt from out here, though. (8) IMA PERFECT CHOICE is back on the upswing, but he’s not super-handy, and may struggle with the draw. (2) LEVINE just seems significantly overmatched here, even with the inside draw

RACE 7 – (5) FIFTH AND FIVE had no chance at all in his local debut (trying to rally from way back in the Aria Pace) but he drops to a much kinder spot for tonight, and attracts the services of Mr. Bartlett – he has several efforts out of town recently that could make him very tough here! (1) CATALPA RESCUE A is very sharp right now, loves to win races and is likely looking at a pretty good trip…logical player, once more (3) VOUKEFALAS (who recently became a millionaire) had a tough 2025 season but he’s looked more like his good self the last few months, and even owns a win over the sensational BEST CHIP (June 6th, in NJ) – he’s only ventured over to Yonkers one time in his career, but may be in a spot to do some real damage tonight. (4) NEVERSTOPDREAMIN N disappointed a bit in his last, and Bartlett opts off tonight to drive #5 – could still see this guy grabbing a decent piece, with an easy trip. (6) RAILROAD STATION was no threat at all last week but was on a serious roll right before that– he could bounce right back tonight, but the draw may still limit his production. (2) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N pulled from last with a mile still remaining in last week’s Aria so it’s no surprise that he finished way back – he can at least be in the mix for a small slice tonight. (8) FEDERER added Lasix 5 starts back and has raced well every start since then, even from bad posts, in these higher classes – unfortunately, he lands all the way outside tonight. (7) FORWARD FLASH was a little flat at the end of his last mile but the addition of Lasix tonight might explain why – may have to wait for a better draw to strut his best stuff, however.

RACE 8 – (1) BOURBON COUNTY has been super ever since returning from KY, and Bartlett’s own has hit board in all 6 local starts this year (including finishing just behind SWEET BEACH LIFE a couple of times) – he returns off a close 2nd at Chester (where he never saw the cones in a 1:48.1 mile), and gets to pick his trip for tonight – very dangerous! (4) CHASE H HANOVER was used hard early last week and still full of pace after shaking free in the lane – anything this barn sends out right now has to be taken very seriously! (5) GO GO GRASSHOPER was a barnmate to CHASE H HANOVER (and BEST CHIP, etc.) until recently, but he’s continuing to thrive for his current connections – he was right there in last week’s Aria Invitational Pace, but tonight’s draw does present the possibility of a tougher trip! (2) MATAI PHIL N is feeling pretty good again – he may be a little on the cheaper side, but an easy trip from this spot gives him a chance for 3rd/4th. (6) HOWLENTHEHILLS seems to never go a bad mile – he also hasn’t WON in a long time, and there’s a good chance that trend will continue tonight. (3) JUMPINGJAC KMAC N does his best work with a bit easier – minor spoils? (7) KWICK SAND A gets unlucky that this week’s Invitational wasn’t handicapped…and the horrendous draw does seem likely to seal his fate

RACE 9 – (2) KIMBLE A’s latest lines may not look all that great but he’s been stuck in the back of the pack, chasing very fast miles vs. better – he beat these types in back to back starts in July, and could be looking at a big wake up call tonight. (3) THE IDEAL DANCER A drops, moves inside, and is another that figures to have a much bigger say this week – logical player. (5) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A gets along pretty well with Ginsburg, is a good fit with these, and has a real chance to outperform his 12-1 ML odds. (1) EVER M would be very dangerous from this spot if “sharp”, but he hasn’t looked anything like the horse that’s won 9X this year in his last few starts – would want a good price to try him on top, even from the pole. (6) NANDOLO N is listed as the 2-1 ML choice but last week’s victory was his first in a long time, and came vs. a pretty weak field – will need to be a lot better to win from this spot. (7) JUSTCALLMEBUCK looked good in his first few local tries but was a little flat in his next couple, then no good at all last week – waiting for better signs. (8) GINGRAS BEACH gets Bartlett but he would need a pretty serious form reversal to win from out here (and he actually fits NW5000 right now). (4) PINE BUSH ITALIANO is 1 for 38 at Yonkers since 2024

RACE 10 – (7) COALFORD TOPGUY GB was a very sharp winner 2 back (when he dropped in for a $30K tag) then raced very well for 4th last week off the claim, despite a tough trip vs. the 40s – drops back down, and could offer some decent value, despite the bad draw. (2) COALFORD HITMAN GB completed the “Coalford-fecta” in his first local start when 2nd to #7 on 8/27 – he was in a no-chance spot last week, but the move back inside could put him right back in the hunt. (5) ALWAYS B ELITE N just missed in 60s last week, making tonight’s plunge to 30s feel a bit suspicious – maybe he just crushes these, but he figures to be a very short price with possible red flags flying. (3) OVER THE HORIZON always loved to win races but he recently went from beating the 15s, to beating the 30s – he draws well once more, and can never be counted out. (1) CAPTAIN LUFFY will attract some $$ dropping to 30s and drawing the rail…but his 0 for 20 record this year is cause for concern. (4) ALL ALONE was struggling when last seen here – leaning elsewhere. (6) QUOTE ME NOT N is one of the few “black sheep” in our leading barn – he’d be a surprise, for sure. (8) ALIEN POWER wasn’t terrible in his 2 local starts – waiting for a better spot before considering, however.