Saturday, May 16, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Saturday, May 16, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) DANCININTHEFIRE is still looking for his first win of the season but he’s raced well in almost all 11 of his starts – he may end up with a pretty nice trip here, and should offer some decent value in what shapes up as a very competitive opener. (3) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY is another that’s trying to get in the win column this year, despite racing well start after start – he was just claimed for $20K (after being available for $15K for many weeks), but he may be sharp enough right now to still pay quick dividends. (2) SIMPLAY FAST has now won 4 of his last 5 starts, the lone loss coming from Post 7, vs. the 25s – it’s hard to knock him right now, but he’ll likely be very heavily backed vs. some pretty sharp rivals. (4) MINOTAUR was no factor off the claim last week but was also in a tough spot – a better trip could help him have a bigger say. (8) ARTSALIVE arrives with some nice Canadian form to a barn that usually acquires out of towners that have been really struggling – that 20-1 ML price does make him pretty tempting. (6) DISMAS can be a bug player in this class when on his game but he comes off a clunker last week, and gets another bad draw for tonight. (7) BROOKDALE MIKI figures to be too far back to threaten. (5) TH EMASKEDCRUSADR N was a form reversing 2nd two back but quickly reverted to his lesser self last week

RACE 2 – (1) RACIN FOR ROYALTY is a different mare when she draws inside and last week’s sharp 1:53.2 victory is a perfect example – lands the pole, and has a real chance to repeat. (2) MAYBEMABEL either races “well” or “very well” just about every start – her last start in 20s resulted in a mega-blowout, and a similar effort would make her awfully tough today. (4) MIGHTHAVTIME N flashed unknown speed last week and almost stole current form. (3) DISARONNO HILL picked up 2nds two and three starts back but still seems just a bit off her best game – prefer to use her underneath right now. (5) PINK RUBY has been stuck on smaller pieces lately and seems destined for more of the same today. (6) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ has been very solid at this level for a while, but tonight’s draw could really hurt her chances. (7) TALENT TO SPARE A raced better than expected last week (at 120-1!) but may have a tough time getting anywhere near the action today

RACE 3 – (4) NANDOLO N was clearly a bit short returning off the layoff last week but the mile he went would probably still crush these – pretty hard to imagine the classy millionaire losing at this bottom level, even with a tough trip. (6) GENTLE GIANT was hammered at the windows in PA 2 back and was able to deliver with the major class relief – wasn’t as successful with a tougher trip vs. better in his next, but should still be able to have a big say vs. these. (3) CAVIART SARGENT perked up with a nice speed try last week, coming up 2nd best to a sharp VICI – he’s not known for his consistency, but anything close to that effort would put him in play for another good piece here. It was nice to see (1) COVERED BRIDGE finally pick up a win at PcD two back, even if helped by a perfect trip in a very soft field – he weakened on the lead in his next, so we’ll see if he can take advantage of the rail today and be part of the hunt. (7) POP IT wasn’t bad in his last couple but he seems damned if he leaves, and left with no prayer if he doesn’t. (5) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has just a pair of 2nds this year and both came with easy trips from the pole – leaning elsewhere. (2) NATIONAL SPORT moves inside, but still feels a bit cheaper.

RACE 4 – (3) AMERICAN CHEESE was a winner here on 4/1, making her first start of the season – she was off to Pocono for the Weiss Series after that, and was able to score in the Final, after adding Lasix that night – we’ll give her the edge returning to The Hilltop. (5) BYTHELITEOFTHEMOON was probably a bit overmatched in that KYSS last week but a couple of her PA efforts just prior to that suggest she would be a good fit here – possibility. (1) ALWAYS B LAYLA was an excellent 2nd off a tough trip 2 back then rallied crisply to win her last – draws the pole, and figures to have another big say tonight. (2) SEND IT DOWN SLIM is usually in the mix for a good piece but her 4YO season has certainly been disappointing so far, after the success she had at 2 and 3 – minor piece only. (6) ALWAYSWITHYOU raced ok for 3rds in her 2 local starts but may have a tough time getting in play from out here. (4) CRYSTAL COAST hit board in 6 of 8 starts here last year, often at good prices – may need a start, though.

RACE 5 – (2) CHAPTER GEO J showed plenty of ability at 2 and certainly returned ready at 3, charging by powerfully in the lane to win going away as the 1/5 chalk – loses Bartlett tonight, but Lachance should have no problem steering this guy to victory either. (6) ACOUSTIC BLUE CHIP broke before the start last week but turned in a pretty nice recovery – the ability is there, but he’s still working on his manners…maybe he can add a little value to the exacta? (7) TRACKSTAR added hopples to start off his 3YO campaign, went to the top at PcD and finished 2nd (at 4/5) for his new trainer – definitely worth using in exotics at that 20-1 ML price. (3) BEGGARS BANQUET added Lasix last week (in PA) but had no chance after getting away last – he did pick up 3rds in his prior 2 starts, and may be able to grab a share in his YR debut. (1) BRANDERS struggled at 2 but has looked ok since returning at 3 (with hopples) in his qualifier and one start – we’ll see if he improves a bit more tonight. (4) BOOM CHICA BOOM has been improving recently in PA but he struggled in his only local start, and sports a 2 for 40 record – mixed feelings. (8) LOU JOHNS ACTION was well backed at Tioga for his career debut and raced well to be 2nd – very tough draw for his Yonkers debut, and it’s a bit concerning that his local connections elected to avoid racing him here until now! (5) SIX AND STONES struggled in his only local try – waiting for a better effort before endorsing

RACE 6 – Tough race: (5) PAXAMILLION was “sneaky ok” here from a tough spot on 4/7 then had broken equipment in his next – he landed in a no-chance spot in PA the next week, but was then 2nd best (as the favorite) last week – worth a shot today in a very beatable field. (1) THE MIKI TAKER A raced ok vs. better in his last pair and is a logical threat with the class drop and the pole – he’s also listed as the 8/5 ML favorite despite being 0 for 25 over the last 2 years, so probably not one to fall in love with at a short price. (4) BONDI SHAKE N is now 0 for 20 at YR over the last 3 years but does have some decent local efforts recently– would be a shock at all. (3) MAXIMUS RED A is hard to gauge right now – his form looks less than stellar, but he’s also been stuck racing from tough spots, vs. better – another with a chance on his best effort. (2) AUSSIE HANOVER is 0 for 38 locally over the last 2 years but racing ok these days – definitely playable in exotics. (6) RODEO COWBOY picked up a DH win in PA last week vs. cheaper – tough draw as he faces better in his local debut. (7) FASTING has just one start in 7 weeks and it wasn’t a good one – sticking with others.

RACE 7 – (1) GREEN MEL was used leaving from Post 7 to find the two hole, worked hard chasing the leader’s sizzling fractions, never stopped trying and did very well to be 3rd – moves inside, faces easier, and looms the one to beat this afternoon. (2) MUSICAL RIDE disappointed when only able to take home 2nd off an easy trip last week, but he’s looking at another easy trip tonight and may be able to complete a pretty short exacta. (5) BIZZY BRENDA was ready off the layoff when she picked up 2nd to a standout 2 back, then was a very easy winner last week (even if helped by the favorite making a break, and the leader giving way without a fight) – no reason she can’t pick up a nice piece here too. (4) HALFADOZEN should find himself a bit closer to the action tonight, and that would give him a chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (3) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN has been inconsistent this year but he does get a big driver switch and we’ll see if that results in a bigger effort. (7) ALIMONY MIKE has missed 24 days since the end of the Brennan Trotting Series and lands all the way outside – he may still be able to pass a few for a minor share. (6) MARIN COUNTY has been solid all year but gets a bad draw while up in class

RACE 8 – (1) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES was taken back last week by a barn for whom he picked up a win and a 2nd earlier this year – very tempting tonight with that 8-1 ML listing from the pole. (2) LOUS BEACH was doing excellent work vs. the 15s then continued to thrive at this $10K level in his last 3 starts after being claimed – he does go for another new barn tonight, but still figures to be able to have a big say. (3) FOXHUNT had trouble getting in gear last week but did keep trying to take home 4th – he’s a proven winner at this level, and worth a look if the price is right. (5) MOVIN ON UP is doing just that, as he tries to take on the 20s tonight after a couple of recent wins at the $15K level – he may be able to beat these too, but would need to be a fair price to be worth using on top. (4) SAI LBOAT HANOVER took some $$ off the layoff (and class drop) and was able to use a perfectly timed move (past a quitting frontrunner) to take over, and then hang on – if he’s close to his best, he can handle tonight’s class bump with no issue…but that’s a big “if”. (6) DANCE ON THE BEACH gets another tough draw at this level and may be looking for some class relief (and a better post)! (7) TOTNTO RETURNS definitely appreciates an easy trip but he may have trouble finding one from out here. (8) JO PAS WARRIOR would be a surprise from this brutal spot

RACE 9 – (5) MAGGIE Q N raced very well from off the pace in her 2 local starts (2nd and 3rd) then added speed to her arsenal out of town, with back to back front end scores at Tioga and Pocono – we’ll give her the narrow edge in the finale over a couple of quality foes. (4) LOCHINVAR MATILDA was sent off at 2/5 last week after a couple of BIG Monti miles and though she raced well, she could only manage 2nd best – remains a solid threat, and the price will definitely be better. (6) EXISTENTIAL banked $144K at 2 and had a very useful (conservative) 3YO return at PcD last week – if she’s handled more aggressively tonight, she’ll certainly have a chance for a mild upset. (2) SG ERIN JUDGE showed some promise in a couple of 2YO starts – she won her 3YO return at Harrington, and now moves to one of our leading barns for her Yonkers debut – the time off is definitely a concern, though. (1) MARTINI STAR has struggled to get things going as a 4YO – minor share only. (3) BE MY PRINCESS A is one of the rare underachievers for our leading barn – waiting to see some better signs.