Saturday, September 5, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) VERSE NINE had plenty of trot after finally shaking free in his local debut then trotted powerfully from the final turn last week, once he had clear sailing – has a nice post advantage over his main rivals today, and that may get him to the winner’s circle. (6) DOLLAR DRAFT was sent off at 2/5 for his Yonkers debut and was able to deliver for his supporters – he fits perfectly here, and a quick start would help him offset the poor draw. (7) APEX TRACKER is getting better with every start, and always strong at the end of his miles – he MAY turn out the best of all of these, but today’s draw may also leave him with too much work to do when they turn for home. (5) BEERNSU NSHINE DEO is winless in 20 starts this year but also hit board in half of them – she was an excellent 2nd to #6 last week, and remains a good one to use underneath in exotics (2) BOOM CHICA BOOM brought her good PA form back to Yonkers last, holding 2nd behind a blowout winner…chance for a piece here too. (8) LAURENS CHAPTER was super winning her NYSS race last week and was the top point-getter in her division this year…she’s also going to be racing here for $300K next Saturday, making her enthusiasm for TODAY’s start a major question! (4) TIL THE END AS arrives from Ohio into a pretty solid field – prefer to just observe this week. (3) B EYELASH seems a bit overmatched against some of these

RACE 2 – (6) MISSED THE TRUTH A picked up a pair of pocket 2nds to sharp winners in his last 2 starts, and is listed at 12-1 ML vs. what may be a bit easier field…definitely worth a good look! (7) COALFORD HITMAN GB shipped in sharp from Tioga and completed last week’s “Coalford-fecta” in a sharp effort – he gets a big barn change off the claim, and looms a dangerous player even from Post 7. (4) ALTA CLASSIC A can throw some big efforts when on his best game and draws inside the top pair – possibility. (1) KOMODO BEACH is the “x factor” – he was disastrous off the claim on 8/15 and seemed headed for a similar effort last week (vs. 25s) before putting together a much better final half – not sure if tonight’s move up to 30s is a sign of confidence, or just wishful thinking. (3) TH ONG CONTROL is a steady player vs. these types, usually good for a piece with an easy trip. (5) PEACE OUT POS SE is just “meh” in most of his starts lately– minor share? (8) SAILBOAT HANOVER is feeling good right now but the draw does figure to limit his opportunities. (2) AINT NOSTOPN TIME had his fate sealed last week when forced to back off at the start – moves inside, but he’s still a question mark at this level.

RACE 3 – (1) MISTY BLUE got a big barn change and jogged in NJ two back, then won easily here at Yonkers at 5 cents on the dollar – draws the pole tonight, and another very short price looms. (7) B TOTALLY NUDE left the gate last week and was able to hold on for 2nd behind the top choice after chasing from the pocket – maybe she can do it again? (3) RAUCOUS is pretty even-going but he stays trotting, draws inside, and that gives him a decent chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (4) NIGHTCAP MEARAS S makes his local debut as does his talented conditioner – his NJ form suggests he has a legitimate chance for a piece of this. (8) YOU AND ME AS trotted well late in her local debut after being handled very carefully at the start – keep an eye for future consideration. (5) CTM had a promising local debut 4 back but has gone the wrong way since then. (6) FOREIGN XCHANGE seemed to be improving but did make a break last week. (2) PINE BUSH MIRACLE is another that has started to struggle lately

RACE 4 – (3) LAVRA ROSE N was sent off at 2/5 for her U.S. debut and was an even easier winner than it may appear on paper – faces considerably tougher today, but we’ll stay on her team. (6) MAGGIE Q N hit a rough patch from mid-May through mid-July but has found her good form again – could have a big say here, even with the bad draw. (2) GOLDEEN N is blessed with a ton of speed, but her manners haven’t gotten any better through 5 starts – she’s been able to overcome some serious gait issues when facing cheaper, but it’ll keep getting harder to be a big player unless she starts to smooth out a lot more. (4) TURN UP THE MUSIC is having a decent year, but may be a bit on the cheaper side – still ok to include underneath, though. (7) LYONS TRINA has done good work since arriving from Canada and joining our leading barn – tough draw for sure, but still a chance she could outperform that 20-1 ML price. (5) PAPIS OPINION has been solid in her last several starts, and could easily take home a small share, with an easy trip. (1) MARTINI STAR is now 0 for 18 at Yonkers, and 2 for 43 overall – sticking with others

RACE 5 – Tough race! (6) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY isn’t the most consistent of these, but his “best” efforts may be a little better than the others – one of several with a chance to take this, and playable IF the price is decent. (8) ALADDIN gets a brutal draw but he does have 3 recent victories, and figures to be offering a pretty good price (because of Post 8) – not impossible. (4) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE hasn’t been on his best game and that cost him a chance to beat a soft field on the front end last week – maybe he can rebound today (at a much better price) with a cover trip? (2) BLACK EDITION N shipped in with some ok recent tries in PA and almost picked up the victory – logical threat, but note that he’s 0 for 10 (one 2nd) at Yonkers over the last 3 years. (3) SHORE NOT BEACH moved all the way inside last week and that was enough for him to shrug off the dismal 3 starts prior to that, and squeeze out a win over a soft bunch – wouldn’t be a shock to see him back in the hunt tonight. (1) FULL SUPPORT is rarely a candidate for the top slot but he could grab at least a decent piece after drawing the pole. (7) ONYX BOVINO has a few decent solid efforts and drops to 15s…but that may be offset by the move outside. (5) DEEDENUTO A seems to only be interested in the first 5/8ths of a mile these days

RACE 6 – (5) HP MOMENTUM caught a tough spot for his first start off the barn change but really wasn’t bad – he had a few decent efforts just prior to that, and this may not be a bad spot to give him a try. (1) BONDI SHAKE N is both notoriously camera shy here at Yonkers, but also known for picking up good pieces, at big prices (vs. better than these) – he’s definitely off his best game right now, but almost has to perk up a bit in this pretty soft spot. (3) NANDOLO N would never be a surprise down at this level but he’s really been struggling for some time, and probably not a bad one to try against with that 3/2 ML listing. (7) ROLLIN WITH SAM is another camera shy sort but he was sneaky good last week, and may be able to have a say today with some trip luck. (6) DEALERS TURN in 1 for 28 locally over the last 2 years and not much better out of town – he also gets Holland tonight, so he may at least be able to have a bit bigger say. (2) BET ON MAC gave it a good try to steal one on the front end in his YR return last week and almost pulled it off– faced better now, and could be looking at a lesser result (4) DREAMBOAT HANOVER wasn’t bad last start but he’s 11-0-0-1 here at YR. (8) RAYRAY lands Post 8 after a dismal try in last.

RACE 7 – (5) CAVIART MADRID arrives off a 3rd in her Lynch Consolation at Pocono, after a sharp front end 2nd in an overnight the week before – seems to have landed in a very winnable spot for her local debut. (2) MISSNEVE RDONOWRONG is a 2YO filly taking on older but the ability was apparent early on, as she jogged in her career debut at Goshen this summer – could be a player here, despite her inexperience. (1) HAY BETH was scratched sick after a disappointing try here on 8/15 but if she can revert to any of her better efforts, she could be (right in the mix this afternoon. (4) SANDO was a no-threat conservative 3rd in her local debut, and eligible for improvement the 2nd time around. (6) MIDNIGHT LACE hasn’t been bad in her local tries but the poor draw may leave her battling only for minor spoils this week. (3) JK SASSY LADY has been well back in her last 3 starts but the improved draw at least gives her a chance for a better showing. (8) GABBY SEELSTER has shown little in 3 local tries and now lands behind the 8 ball. (7) MY PAL KELLY has struggled in all 3 starts since finally beginning her 3YO season

RACE 8 – (1) ALWAYS B LAYLA has come back sharp after a couple of months off and found a home at this $20K level – she finished 2nd and 3rd in her last pair, and perhaps the rail draw can help her get to the winner’s circle. (4) IDEALINFUN has been very sharp since June, but not quite able to overcome last week’s tougher trip – major threat tonight. (3) WHOS PERFECT has been pretty solid lately, and a logical one to include underneath. (8) SP DANCIN WITHSTARZ is sharper than she looks on paper but has been crushed by some horrible posts – gets another one in here, but still a good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (2) DISARONNO HILL exits one of our sharpest barns and it’s hard to say how her form will hold up for new connections. (5) ADALECIA doesn’t feel like a threat for one of the top slots but an easy trip could help her take home 3rd/4th. (7) RACEY RACH N started off strong in July off the layoff but just never was able to build any momentum – another bad draw may hurt her chances again today. (6) RA ZZIN JAZZ finished well back from a similar spot last week

RACE 9 – (5) ALL MY LOVIN has been very good since dropping in for $20K, and just got hurt by a tough trip last week (off the claim) – deserves a chance to make amends tonight…at a better price. (3) FOXHUNT will throw in some BIG efforts at times and last week was one of them – if that same version shows up tonight, he can make a lot of noise. (7) BELLS DAVID drops from 30s to 20s and while he may just be too far out this week, he’s still worth at least a look if you think Dube will take a shot and blast with him. (1) ALABAMAJAMMA gets his first inside draw for his current connections and a much bigger effort is expected – consider for exotics. (2) HEAVEN ON HIGH N will attract $$ with the class drop and move inside but it’s possible that he’s fallen too far off his game to threaten right now. (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has several good recent efforts but threw a dud last week and now tries to step up to 20s. (8) KARLOO BRADLEY N used all of a perfect trip to just win in 15s last starts – exits a top barn, moves up in class, and draws Post 8…tough to overcome! (6) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER seems better suited in 15s – the draw won’t help either.