Saturday, May 2, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) JIVE DANCING A just missed on the lead 3 back then followed that up with a pair of very sharp front end victories – wouldn’t say she’s a “cinch” to make it 3 in a row, but she’s clearly the one to knock off! (4) BIG CITY DAISY picked up wins in 2 of her last 4 starts and was hurt by Post 7 in the other two – she gets a good draw as she makes her first start off the claim, and a good trip would make her a very live player. (1) CHARMING VIXEN had struggled here for much of the past 2 seasons but she’s racing well right now, and hit board behind #5 in her last pair – could easily land somewhere on the ticket once more. (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A was no threat vs. the 25s last week but she drops back down to the more comfortable 20s here, and could make some late noise even from this tough post. (2) WHOS PERFECT has 9 local wins over the last 16 months but her current form is lacking – in need of a wake up call if she hopes to have a say here. (3) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL used a perfect trip to spring the upset 3 back but quickly reverted to her lesser form in her last pair– prefer others. (7) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ finished 2nd in her last 4 starts but all off pocket trips, from good posts – seems destined for a much tougher journey tonight. (8) GIOVONA BY THE SEA has improved since the recent barn change but this is a brutal spot

RACE 2 – (3) DISMAS turned things around with that sharp first over score 4 back – he was 3rd in his next, couldn’t sustain his first over bid the start after that (bothered early in the stretch) but rebounded with a nice effort last week, charging home after finding a seam in the lane – gets Bartlett back, and that may help get him back to the winners circle. (4) COWBOY CARGO was too far back to threaten on 4/2 but has otherwise picked up a trio of 2nd place finishes here at Yonkers, giving recently invincible SHINE A LIGHT all he could handle last week – live player! (5) ROSE RUN ASTRO found some better life dropping back down to 20s last week, and remains at this level for his new crew – a live trip puts him in play for a good piece. (1) DIVINE COSMO arrives from Monti showing a long streak of sharp speed tries – suppose we’ll find out today if he can be as effective vs. this seemingly tougher local group! (7) DANCININTHEFIRE was very sharp before the 3/26 claim and that form has held up for his new barn as well – the obvious concern here is the draw, and he may have a tough time finding a manageable trip. (6) WHY TO MORROW RAY looked like he’d be no worse than 2nd entering the stretch last week but he got a little tired near the end and weakened to 4th – tonight’s draw won’t help his cause. (2) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N drops a notch, but he may not be good enough right now to take advantage.

RACE 3 – (4) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR has taken 3 of her last 5, finishing 2nd to the favorite in the other two – loses Gingras but gets Bartlett, and seems worthy of the short price she’ll be sent off at. (5) ALWAYS B LAYLA IR completed the “ALWAYS B-FECTA” two back, and her overall local form is solid – may be able to chase home her Irish countrymate once again. (6) SEND IT DOWN SLIM still hasn’t been able to win in 8 starts this year but she’s hit board in 6 of them – tough luck drawing outside 2 main rivals, and also loses Buter…probably looking at only a smaller piece again. (3) ALWAYSWITHYOU shows mostly solid form in PA but it’s hard to say how she’ll fare over the half miler, and she’s also been idle since 4/6 – leaning more towards others. (2) MARTINI STAR has been no threat in most of her starts as a 4YO – needs to find more if she hopes to grab a better piece tonight. (1) ALL GOOD GRACIE makes her 3YO debut (for a new barn) after showing little in 3 starts at 2

RACE 4 – (4) CHAPTER GEO J made his 2YO debut last year here at Yonkers and just missed in a NYSS race – he ended up a close 3rd in the NYSS Final, and his 4/18 return qualifier suggests that he should be ready to win at first asking, as he looks to get his 3YO campaign off on the right foot! (3) SHOESTRINGS (no hobbles tonight) was handled conservatively in her 3YO return but finished up full of trot for 3rd – she displayed legitimate ability at 2, and could have a real say tonight. (1) ACOUSTIC BLUE CHIP (first time Lasix) has struggled with miscues to start off his career, but has also shown talent when he does behave– risky for sure, so make sure to get a pretty good price if considering on top. (8) FLEX UP was a solid “pocket rocket” winner last week, but in a much easier field, and from Post 3 – may have to wait for a better spot to strut his best stuff again. (6) LIFE IS GREAT cut easy fractions last week before coming up 2nd best to #8…as noted, this is a MUCH tougher field, and the move outside won’t help either. (7) JULA TACTICALSON probably has the ability to contend with these but he broke in his YR debut, draws outside, and Bartlett opts off for #4. (2) FOREIGN EXCHANGE broke in his only start this year, and finished well back in his 3 qualifiers. (5) PRESS has offered little in 3 starts since returning as a 3YO.

RACE 5 – (2) KAYS IN CHARGE has raced well ever since joining our leading barn this year, even more so since adding Lasix in March– this is the “easiest” spot (overall) that she’s been in recently, and she figures to be a handful. (5) HALFADOZEN struggled to start off 2026 but has elevated his game considerably in his last few starts – he was a good 3rd in the Brennan Trotting Series Consolation, and could have a big say here too. (7) PORTOBAROSSO AS NL began his 2026 campaign here at Yonkers recently and has a 2nd and pair of 3rds from his 3 starts – tough draw, but a quick start could put him in play for a decent piece. (6) WALKWHILEYOURTALKN benefited from an inside trip last week but still finished strong when called upon– ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (1) BIZZY BRENDA qualified solidly after 4 months on the shelf but probably will need a start or two before ready to show her best. (3) INCANTATION has some mixed efforts since a recent barn change – prefer others. (4) SUNDAYS BRUNCH may be starting to get back on the upswing – keep an eye on her for future consideration

RACE 6 – (6) MINOTAUR had a history of struggling here at Yonkers but his recent efforts suggest he’s gotten over that, picking up wins in his last pair after just missing 3 starts back – he gets a tough draw off the claim, but still worth a good look if the price is decent. (1) TONTO RETURNS has wins in 2 of his last 3 starts but fell on dream trips both times – he figures to be heavily backed tonight, and may be at least a bit vulnerable (he tired cutting the mile 2 back). (7) SIMPLY FAST gets a horrible draw off a sick scratch but he drops a bit and has some recent efforts that could beat these – definitely ok to consider at a “juicy” price. (3) BROOKDALE MIKI was super in that win 3 back but failed to replicate that effort in either of his last pair – could become a player IF he can find that same kind of effort tonight. (5) CELLMATE cost himself any chance with that early miscue last week but did win 5 of 8 starts here last year, and does have license to outperform his odds tonight. (2) WELL THATS MARKY squandered a pocket trip last start and his overall form has been lacking as well. (5) ONYX BOVINO arrives from Canada after missing a month, and failed to earn a nickel in the 4 starts he made here in 2024-25

RACE 7 – (2) BRULEE won as the odds on choice (at PcD) in his 2026 return, finished 3rd behind the talented WISHUPONASTAR DEO in his next but was left with no chance in his Hilltop debut, forced to make a full retreat after leaving well from Post 8 – moves inside, and worth a try tonight. (3) MARIN COUNTY appreciated the very easy trip last week, rallying up the cones for 2nd behind the standout winner – his overall form this year has been solid, and he looms a live player here too. (1) WHAT A BUCKEYE broke early at 3/5 in his local debut then was putting in a good one in his next start when he blew up into the stretch – he’d have a solid chance to beat these IF he behaves, but it would be hard to take another short price on top! (7) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO took off the gate last week but raced ok from off the pace– may be a spot where she can leave the gate, and add some value to the exotics. (6) WISH LIST can grab pieces with good trips but she got parked after leaving last week and may go conservative here as a result. (8) BROMAX lands Post 8 after a break last week and figures to be handled cautiously. (5) VANGU ARD feels somewhat overmatched. (4) JAKEY JUMPUP hasn’t found any form 6 starts into his 2026 season

RACE 8 – (1) IM SOME GRADUATE had trouble winning races at age 12 but it seems 13 has been a lucky number for him, as he’s already taken 4 of his 8 starts this year – he’s earned a step up to 20s (after winning 3 straight) and may be sharp enough to handle these too. (3) LOUS BEACH hit the wire 2nd in his last 3 starts after winning a pair just prior to that – he’s rock solid right now, and looms a serious player once more. (5) PINK FLOYD HANOVER is another off to a good start this year (11-3-4-0) and could become very dangerous if the right trip comes his way. (2) GOTHIC ROCK was invisible for his first 7 starts this year but he won his 8th, then just missed the next week– we’ll see if he’s sharp enough to do as well with the move up to 20s tonight. (4) JO PAS WARRIOR raced better in his last couple but still seems a touch below a couple of the others – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) BETTOR BY SEASIDE gets a tough draw off the re-claim and may need to wait for a better spot. (8) SHAKE IT draws Post 8 after surprisingly coming up dull last week – prefer to observe tonight. (7) DANCE ON THE BEACH probably needs a better draw to be effective at this $20K level



RACE 9 – (4) SHINE A LIGHT has been a “free spot” on the card for 2 months, crushing the 15s effortlessly week after week – he’s STILL the top choice here, but he did finally get a test last start, and he does move to another new barn – maybe not the week to bet the rent money? (5) J B GRAM was an ok 3rd two back and raced well for 2nd last week – he’s finally doing good work for his connections, and we’ll see if he can add another good one tonight. (7) CHICKEN N DICE had some issue and was pulled up here on 3/25 – his 4/17 qualifier produced the SAME result, but then he was fine (at Monti) 4 days later – it’s anybody’s guess what we’ll get from him tonight. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP drops to 15s after beating the 20s 4 back – he’s tempting, but he’s never been the most reliable horse! (2) ROCKET FREIGHT got too hot on the lead last week and can be forgiven for tiring to 4th – definitely ok to use underneath. (6) MR PROFETA took advantage of a soft spot in last week’s front end score but this is a tougher task – small piece? (3) BETTORBUCKLEUP found a form-reversing victory 2 back but reverted to “also-ran” status in his last. (8) ALADDIN may be coming around, but tonight’s draw does figure to limit his involvement.