Thursday, April 9, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, April 9, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) BOUT DAMN TIME A continues to race well pretty much every week, but wins have been elusive – there may be enough activity up front tonight to help her use her one good rush to get the job done…worth a shot, if the price is right. (3) WHOS PERFECT was a decent 4th from an impossible spot last week, moves inside and does like to win races – possibility. (4) SEA STORM was able to control the action last week and was rewarded with a victory – she’s been very solid at this level, and looms a very live player once more. (2) JIVE DANCING A is just 2 for 24 at Yonkers over the last 2 seasons but her overall current form is decent, and she’s very playable underneath. (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY N seems to fall apart whenever she leaves these days but still can race well from off the pace – not a bad bomb to include in exotics. (8) YUENGLING gets a meaningful drop to 20s (where she excels) but a very tough trip is looming from out here – leaning more towards others. (1) THATS A HUGE BEACH was already off form before missing a month after a sick scratch. (7) CHARMING VIXEN was dull returning from Stga. draws poorly for tonight – now 13-0-0-1 locally over the past 2 years

RACE 2 – (3) DEETZY has settled in comfortably at this $15K level as the 14YO inches closer to the $1M mark for his career – he can handle any trip, has been going off at fair prices, and we’ll give him the narrow edge in a race with several live contenders. (4) IM SOME GRADUATE had everything go wrong last week before slipping out from 3rd in early stretch, was still way behind the very clear leader but simply exploded in the final 75 yards, making up several lengths to score the victory – he’s been sharp all year, and remains a major danger! (5) LETSMAKELOT SAMONEY is winless in 7 local starts but has been racing well in most of them – definitely one to include on the bottom of exotics…and maybe even on top? (7) CHECKONWILLIAM GB had been hurt badly by some terrible trips recently but he got a perfect drive last week and scored as a juicy 12-1 overlay – the task will be much tougher from out here, but he’s still a very viable candidate for exotics. (1) JACKS LEGEND N wasn’t functioning for a while but his recent weekly efforts have been much better – has too much class to ignore from this spot, though a couple of others do seem sharper right now. (6) SURFSIDE BEACH hasn’t been “bad”, but he’ll need to be a lot better to threaten for more than minor spoils. (2) J B GRAM) hasn’t clicked yet for his current connections and is just 1 for 36 locally (last 2 years) regardless. (8) LEW HAUBER is the outsider, both literally and figuratively

RACE 3 – (3) PYRO wasn’t “great” in his last start, but he still raced well enough to pick up 2nd, off a very easy trip – it was his 3rd start of the year and he showed enough improvement that night to merit a look in this very modest bottom condition field. (2) BROOKDALE MIKI struggled to gain on the rim last week but did keep trying and was an ok 4th – he’s a good fit with these, and a logical player. (7) ROCKET FREIGHT took a brutal late beat last week after turning in his best effort in a while – he loses Bartlett (and moves outside), but he’s still worth a look with that 12-1 ML price. (1) LINCOLN LA MOOSE N has struggled both in Canada and the U.S. since arriving from NZ, and made a break last week in his local debut – would need a pretty good price to consider right now, even from the pole. (4) RAYRAY is 2 for 70 at Yonkers over the last 3 years and really struggling right now – in serious need of a wake up call! (5) BUCHANNON HANOVER had some pace finishing last week but was running out badly to the wire – he’s also 30-0-03 here at Yonkers! (6) MY ULTIMATE STAR A has been racing ok vs. cheaper upstate in his last few, but it’s hard to overlook his 22-0-0-0 local slate (2025-26). (8) DEALERS TURN was just 1 for 27 last year and off to a 6-0-0-2 start in 2026 – the draw just makes it even harder to consider him.

RACE 4 – (3) GLUTES HANOVER continues to get better and better as a 4YO and followed up her 2nd place finish in her local debut with last week’s sharp Invitational victory – she certainly benefited from the scratch of #5 last week, but that one’s presence tonight will help her price – willing to stay on board! (5) PAYBACK MONI threw a completely unexpected clunker in her local debut (for our leading trainer) then broke making the winning move in her next – she did put it all together in her next start (making the top from Post 8 and never looking back) then followed that up with last week’s 1:55 blowout – on the flip side, she got VERY hot through the middle half last start, and did get a little choppy gaited late – then was scratched sick last week…maybe a tad vulnerable here? (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY was a decent 3rd last week, though not up to the top two finishers – she’s ultra consistent, and remains a must use for exotics. (2) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S hit board in back to back Invitational starts before making an early miscue last week – could easily bounce back and be back in the hunt tonight. (6) ENOLA turned in her usual sharp effort last week when 2nd best to #3 – tonight’s draw MAY be an issue, though. (1) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been entirely inconsistent but any of her “good” efforts would put her right in the hunt for a piece

RACE 5 – (2) WHEELZABLAZIN has already raced for 3 different trainers this year and won for all of them – he lands in another new barn tonight (after last week’s blowout victory), and there’s a solid chance he can get the job done once more. (1) FULL OF MUSCLES drops in for a tag after a game win vs. a NW10000 field last week – he’s sharp right now, can call the shots if he wants to, and looms the main danger. (7) WARRAWEE WHISPER is in a tough spot for sure, but he’s hit board in 8 of 9 starts this year (finished 4th in the other) and that 15-1 ML price is just too generous NOT to include him in exotics (5) BULLY BOY HILL is hard to gauge form-wise from his current out of town lines but he’s had success here in the past at times, gets Bartlett(?), and could be the “x factor” in his local return. (8) AIRMANS JACKPOT actually won at this level 2 back but that was from the rail…will need a lot to go her way to reach from out here. (6) ENERGY KING can be forgiven for tiring last week (after being hounded by a parked horse) but his overall form does seem to have fallen off lately – leaning elsewhere. (4) BO SILAS picked up a 2nd last week (behind #2) but he was well back, and he may just have been the beneficiary of being in the right place at the right time. (3) EYES OF JUSTICE struggled in 3 starts at this level earlier this year.

RACE 6 – (7) HANK THE HUNK was actually very good last week, despite pulling way too early – he’s as good as any of these, and may have a chance to spring an upset if some trip luck comes his way. (2) OZONE BLUE CHIP won dropping to this level 4 back, then was a decent 7 hole 4th dropping down again last week– moves inside, and is a logical threat. (6) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM picked up 3rds in his last pair and won a couple of times in this class not too long ago – if he can get off the car quickly, he can be a big player here. (4) SQUADRON SEELSTER was no factor in 20s last week but was in a bad spot and not all that far back at the end – drops a peg, and may be able to have a bigger say tonight. (1) FULL SUPPORT was dull from the pole last week but did pick up a pair of 3rds in Feb. when he drew the rail – minor share? (8) STARE ME DOWN picked up minor shares in this class the last 2 weeks and may need a better draw to contend for a bigger prize. (5) FRANCO NANDOR N perked up at 40-1 with a 2nd place finish 3 back but was unable to build off that in his last pair – leaning elsewhere. (3) BETTORBUCKLE UP has yet to threaten at all in his 6 starts this year.

RACE 7 – Not sure why one of our most prominent owner/trainers had somebody else listed as trainer for (2) EVER M last week but there was certainly no drop off in his performance – he’s been very sharp for some time, and overdue for another victory…maybe tonight? (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N is a very solid player in this class, draws the pole, and looms a major threat from start to finish. (4) BETTOR BY SEASIDE has sharpened for his current connections, and can be forgiven for pacing only evenly in the lane last week (after leaving from Post 8, and chasing a pretty hot mile) – a good trip puts him right in the mix with these. (6) QUOTE ME NOT N hasn’t been bad, and last week’s class drop (and perfect trip) allowed him to get his picture taken– not sure he’ll be able to replicate that good fortune from this tougher spot, but he can still rally for a good piece. (7) SIMPLY FAST beat the 15s two back and then the 20s last week – he moves up another peg tonight, but the terrible draw is a bigger concern than the class jump! (3) HARD TO CATCH seemed to get disinterested at the back last week but turned in several decent efforts just prior to that – good bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) HEAVEN ON HIGH N should appreciate dropping back down to 25s but his lands in a pretty solid field, and may still need to wait for an easier spot. (8) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N can go some decent efforts at this level, but probably not from all the way out here.

RACE 8 – (2) HIGH SPEED SWAN has been a terrific acquisition for his connections, doing excellent work out of town for his first 6 starts this year, the racing super in a pair of Yonkers starts (flew home from way back on 3/13 to just miss then was a winner in his next, with the 2nd and 3rd place finishers both coming back to win their next starts) – not sure if Bartlett will be here to drive him, but he’ll get top billing regardless of the pilot. (4) THE BRODSTER was starting to look like he might be a one dimensional “speedball” but he’s shown in recent starts that he can race well from off the pace too – he was a winner in his last, and looms a very live player again tonight. (3) MAHONE SEELSTER made something out of nothing after getting away 8th last week and that’s on the heels of 2 wins and a 2nd – belongs in exotics, for sure. (8) SECURITY PROTECTED will PROBABLY take a conservative approach after drawing Post 8 for his first start since 12/19 but the (very) classy 5YO certainly has the ABILITY to beat these, if wound tight off the layoff – maybe the tote board will offer some guidance? (1) RITSON would prefer to be in a bit easier but the good draw could at least put him in play for a small slice. (5) DURANTE HANOVER took 3 months off after ending last season with a pair of miscues – he should be tight now, but he may also need an easier spot to succeed. (7) CANTSTOP YANKEE was unable to get in play from a similar spot last week. (6) P L OSCAR could use class relief and a better draw.

RACE 9 – (3) BUSY MAKING MONI has certainly been a model of consistency in this class, though he’s come up a little short a few times (9-1-3-3 at Yonkers this year)– he made a break into the stretch while challenging last week, and may appreciate getting a more familiar pilot back tonight (Gingras) – he’s the one to beat, but probably not one to bet the rent money on (at a pretty short price). (6) MON AMOUR seemed to just lose interest at the back last week but we’ve seen that from him before – he almost wired the field from Post 8 (in this class) 4 starts back, and is definitely an alternative to consider. (1) IM OUT has been picking up weekly pieces in his last few starts at this level but hasn’t been a threat to win – definitely ok for exotics, but would need a good price to use on top. (5) QUALITY KID failed to click in his first 2 starts off the barn change, a “meh” 4th on 3/26 then parked last week after a sluggish leave – too soon to write him off, but also tough to endorse on top right now. (2) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is racing ok these days but he’s a big question mark up at this $40K level AND he’s 0 for 41 at Yonkers, over the last 3 years – maybe a small share? (4) SUNBURNT SILVERADO seems more comfortable facing a bit easier – minor spoils only. (7) BLACK TIE BASH has managed just one 3rd from his 7 starts this year and figures to be coming from well out of it tonight. (8) FOR A DREAMER needs a much better draw to be any kind of player with these

RACE 10 – (4) UNCONTROLLED never goes a bad one, is rarely favored, and does have a pair of recent wins – she’ll likely be 3rd choice in here, and has a legitimate chance to come up with the mild upset in the finale. (2) YOU BEDA ROCK brings a 3 race winning streak into this, with victories in 4 of her last 5 starts – not much negative to say about her, other than her price will be pretty short! (1) PINK RUBY didn’t even pretend to be interested from Post 7 last week but she moves all the way inside and has been a strong player in this class all season long – figures to make her presence felt tonight. (5) IRIS SEELSTER had been struggling before coming up with last week’s near miss 2nd (at 47-1) – the last time she delivered a form reversing mile like this she came back to race very well the following week…may be a good one to include in your exotics. (8) DASH N CACHE had a couple of wins here early in the year and does fit with these – the draw is the obvious concern, but she’ll be a juicy price if you think Gingras can find her a decent trip from out here. (3) STAY HAPPY looks like she’s just been going through the motions lately – needs to find a better effort if she hopes to be a more serious player. (7) CANNERY ROW never wins, but does collect a fair amount of smaller pieces – never a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) SUNBURNT clearly outraced her 36-1 odds last week – bad draw for tonight (in a solid field), and she may be hard pressed to repeat that effort.