Thursday, April 16, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, April 16, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) EVER M has been on a long form spree, and comes into this off a hard fought victory last week – he was Yannick’s choice, has a post edge on his main foes and looms a possible repeater. (6) KARLOO BRADLEY N fought the top one hard last week before succumbing grudgingly to be 2nd best – seems to do well foe every barn, and may have the speed to overcome the draw, and be a big player here too. (4) QUOTE ME NOT N finally got a good trip 2 back and came up with the victory – paced evenly from a tough spot in his last, but can have a bigger say here with a bit better trip. (3) WELL THATS MARKY added Lasix last week and used an easy trip to pick up 3rd – could grab another small share tonight. (5) BROOKDALE MIKI was handled very aggressively last week and didn’t mind it at all, delivering a sharp blowout win over cheaper – tonight’s jump to 25s MAY be a bit ambitious, but we shall see. (7) SIMPLY FAST has some very good recent efforts but he couldn’t get involved from a similar spot last week, and may suffer that same fate tonight. (1) HARD TO CATCH was a surprise claim last week, as he’s just 1 for 31 at YR over the last 2 years – maybe he can tow along for some minor spoils? (8) MAXIMUS RED A is at a good level for him, but gets hit with his 3rd straight awful draw

RACE 2 – (4) JIVE DANCING A just missed to a heavily backed winner last week and her overall recent form is solid as well – we’ll give her the narrow call over a couple of other live players. (2) WHOS PERFECT turned in a nice 8 hole try two back, then held well for 3rd last week despite a tough first over trip – an easier journey could land her in the winner’s circle. (1) SEA STORM wasn’t at her best when 4th last week but she’s already won 3X here this year and figures to be a player from start to finish from the pole. (6) IRIS SEELSTER just missed at 47-1 two back in a big wake up call mile then was an ok 4th last week – a live trip could help her add some value to the exotics. (5) PINK RUBY is a reliable player in this class but faces a somewhat uncertain journey for tonight – one of several in here with a legitimate chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) YUENGLING got parked 2 back then trailed from Post 8 in her last – she’s done plenty of good work otherwise, and Bartlett will surely TRY to get her in play for her new connections…still, a tough spot! (3) CHARMING VIXEN wasn’t bad in her last pair but her 14-0-0-1 local record (last 2 years) doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence

RACE 3 – (4) WHEELZABLAZIN wasn’t at his absolute best last week but was still easily 2nd to a very sharp, repeat winner – he was reclaimed by the barn for whom he jogged 2 starts back, and he’s won 3 of his last 5 starts – not a “cinch” by any means, but definitely the one to beat. (8) MON AMOUR gave it a nice speed try last week and can be forgiven for being no match in the lane for a winner that is capable of big efforts, when sharp – he CAN leave even from out here, and not a bad value horse to consider. (5) QUALITY KID hasn’t been “bad” in his 3 starts since arriving from Nfd., but he certainly has thrived as well as expected – too soon to write him off, but would need a good price to use on top tonight. (6) MR CONTESTANT had success here recently in amateur races and returns after a good 3 race stint in NJ – may be good enough right now to land somewhere on the ticket. (3) PEMBROKE REGAL has been sharpening vs. softer in PA, hails from a hot barn and won here a couple of times last year – may be able to have a say tonight. (1) BO SILAS would prefer to be in a bit easier, but he hasn’t embarrassed himself at this level at all – maybe a small slice? (2) SENSI AMNESIA has been away for a month after a sick scratch – prefer to just watch this week. (7) BLACK TIE BASH would need things to fall apart to reach from out here

RACE 4 – (1) DASH N CHACHE wins her share of races, gets to call the shots from the pole and catches a pretty spotty field tonight – feels like the one to knock off. (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY N usually races well when allowed to relax off the pace and was just in a tough spot last week – might have a chance for an upset here if things fall apart a bit. (2) VEL IM A WINNER was on the shelf for almost a year before recently returning to the races – her 2nd qualifier was obviously a LOT better than the first, but it’s pretty hard to justify that 3/2 ML price! (5) UNDETERR ED shows a bunch of mixed efforts – if she brings her best tonight, this IS a field she’d have a chance to beat. (3) SUNBURNT turned in a much better effort when 3rd two back but that’s really her only decent try from her last 7 starts – maybe if the price is long enough? (4) JOB CRUNCH arrives from NJ for her local debut and just feels a little bit cheap, even for this soft spot. (7) THATS A HUGE BEACH draws Post 7 after finishing 7th in her last 3 starts (8) CANNERY ROW never wins, and usually needs a much easier spot to take home a small piece

RACE 5 – (3) CHAPHEART hadn’t raced here in a few years but has certainly enjoyed things at The Hilltop since returning in February, compiling a 7-3-2-2 record – he just missed at this level off the claim last start, and doesn’t figured to be favored tonight – worth a play? (2) AQUARIUS FACE S gets Bartlett back in the bike for the first time since 11/14 and they teamed up for a 3 length romp that night – he’s won 8 for 21 local starts, and a major threat tonight (but that 6/5 ML price will surely hurt his value). (1) STREET GOSSIP has always been a good trotter that struggled to win races the last couple of years – he did pick up a sharp victory (over cheaper) here 4 starts back, but remains a better one to use underneath, rather than on top. (4) CAL MILES N SHELL had a win at 30-1 5 back then a 2nd at 29-1 two weeks later – he’s probably in over his head here, but still a good bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) FULL OF MUSCLES is very good right now, and brings a 2 race winning streak into this for his new barn – he also gets a terrible draw while up in class, and that could be a tough hill to overcome. (5) P L OSCAR used a quick start last week to end up with a 2nd place finish (barely!) at a big price – not sure he can be as fortunate tonight. (8) CANTST OP YANKEE was on a good roll before being slowed by a pair of tough posts, up in class – same scenario here. (6) RITSON was empty off an easy trip last week from the pole – may need easier

RACE 6 – (4) ASTEROID was racing super to close out 2025 then returned just as sharp in 2026, both here and in NJ – he came up a nose shy vs. #6 when they met on 4/3 across the river, but we’ll give him a chance to avenge that loss tonight. (6) BRAVO ANGEL S has been super ever since joining our leading barn last year and won 3 of her 4 local starts (made an early break in the lone loss, and still raced super to rally for 2nd) – she finished 2025 with a 2nd in the Fan Duel on 11/15, then returned 4 months later to score in the Winners Over at The Swamp, just edging out #4 – obviously a big chance to take another, but also a very short price looming. (3) TAKE ALL COMERS has a ton of class but does seem a bit below the top pair right now – will be waiting in the weeks should they both falter. (5) SOUTHWIND COORS was freshened up after a disappointing effort here in the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Final – solid prep (behind ANTOGNONI S), but may need a start before tacking the top pair. (2) MISSISSIPPI STORM is still fighting battles at age 11 but does seem up against it vs. the top ones in here. (1) HOT FLASH KIMMY is a nice mare, but probably hoping for minor scraps with these

RACE 7 – Good race: (1) WHY TOMORROW RAY is a much better horse when he’s on/near the lead and he should be looking at that kind of trip tonight – maybe he can bring a winning effort for his new connections? (5) BONNIPRINCLOUIS N was no match for the prohibitive favorite last week but easily held 2nd, and has been solid for his current barn – logical player, but likely to be overbet. (3) FOXHUNT moves up a notch for his new barn but may be sharp enough to handle it (his last pair were excellent) – worth a look if the price is fair. (2) ROSE RUN AS TRO was no factor in his last pair after a trio of very good efforts – if he can get back to that better form, he can be a threat here. (4) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was ok from a tough spot 2 back then hit the wire ok in the back from post 8 last week – not an unrealistic bomb. (7) HEAVEN ON HIGH N has some mixed recent form but probably needs a much better draw to be a serious player with these. (6) ITALIAN LAD N was very good for a long time but has been gradually regressing in recent weeks – in need of a wake up call. (8) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N would look a lot better with a class drop, and much better post!

RACE 8 – (3) JAS BLUESTONE was a strong 14-5-3-2 at Yonkers last year – he qualified sharply at PcD on 3/25 (after 3 months off) and wasn’t bad at all in his first start back, beaten only by 4 lengths in a 1:52.2 mile - could offer some decent value in his first local try of 2026. (4) CHULO sat last at PcD in the same race as #3, and just never got involved – his last two Yonkers starts produced 2 wins and a 2nd, and we’ll look for him to be ready to do some major damage tonight. (6) BUSY MAKING MONI brought his sharpest effort in a while with last week’s first over blowout win but he could be looking at a tougher trip for tonight – still hard to leave out of your exotics. (5) SEVENSHADESOFGREY drops in for a tag and should fit ok with these – ok bomb for 3rd/4th at that 20-1 ML price. (1) EYES OF JUSTICE had an easy trip last week but that was still a decent 3rd – chance for another small slice with a similar journey. (2) FOR A DREAMER finally gets a better draw but likely still looking at only some minor spoils. (7) WARRAWEE WHISPER was sent off at 45-1 last week from a similar spot and was nowhere to be found – hard to like his chances here. (8) AIRMANS JACKPOT has been good overall, but lands outside again

RACE 9 – (5) SECURITY PROTECTED was gradually sharpening for his current barn at the end of last year and almost pulled off a win in the MGM Grand Prix Trot Consolation – he drew Post 8 for his first start of 2026 and after sitting last the whole way, was absolutely flying at the wire to just miss 2nd – seems like a good spot for an aggressive try! (1) DRIBBLING BI finally looked like his good self last week, winning with authority off a first over move – major danger. (2) GLUTES HANOVER has blossomed into a very nice mate at 4, and was a winner in the last 2 FM Invitationals – not sure she’s up for the top pair, but she still figures to be a solid player here. (4) MAH ONE SEELSTER has been rock solid since recently moving up to this level off the claim – he’ll make his presence felt, and belongs in your exotics. (3) PAYBACK MONI has a TON of speed but also has some issues – she’s capable of a big mile at any time, but we’ll stick with the more consistent players in here. (8) HIGH SPEED SWAN just never grabbed the bit in a disappointing effort last week – getting Bartlett back will help, but he may have trouble getting in play from out here. (7) TORRONE has climbed back up the class ladder with a nice form spree – ran into an unlucky trip in his last, and now lands a bad draw in a good field. (6) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S has been a solid performer since arriving in the U.S. but may struggle in this much tougher spot.

RACE 10 – (5) IM SOME GRADUATE has been terrific all year and comes into this with 3 wins in his last 4 starts (got away 8th in the other) – deserves top billing. (3) CHECKONWILLIAM GB has been very sharp and draws inside #5 – he also exits a sharp barn and lands with a trainer that has been struggling to win races lately – still, the main danger. (1) JACKS LEGEND N hasn’t been “great”, but at least the classy old boy is functioning again – could perk up with a better effort getting Bartlett tonight. (6) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM saw he wasn’t getting the lead last week and was content to just sit on the rim while living to fight another week – if you think Stratton will leave from here, include him in your exotics. (2) FULL SUPPORT really had no excuse to lose last week, especially to a formless winner – maybe some minor spoils? (7) STARE ME DOWN has been limited to small pieces from bad posts and gets another bad draw for tonight. (4) J B GRAM just hasn’t clicked at all for his current crew. (8) SURFS IDE BEACH is trying to find his 2026 form…Post 8 isn’t going to help his cause!