Thursday, August 6, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, August 6, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) B NICKING has been holding excellent form for some time, and become very popular at the claim box – he was re-claimed from his last for a barn he raced super for (on 6/18), and he lands in a pretty soft $40K division tonight – the one to beat. (3) CHEF ROCCO turned in a strong qualifier after being on the shelf for almost 9 months and should be pretty tight after being used hard in his return effort last week – may prove the main danger. (5) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is winless at Yonkers this year but he does grab his fair share of decent pieces – this field is within his comfort zone, and he may be able to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) CREDIT CON seems to be on the upswing after recently rejoining a barn he did very well for in the past – not sure if he can overcome the draw, but that 20-1 ML price does make him at least a little tempting. (1) P L OSCAR seems off his game right now but he’ll surely be using his speed to be a big part of the upfront action – not sure how well he’ll be able to stick around at the end, though. (8) IKON VANG DK arrives from Stga. and seems like he could be a good fit…but he may need to wait for a much better draw to strut his best stuff. (4) KASHA V has been struggling vs. cheaper lately – hard to like in this spot. (6) WINDSONG PIONEER has only beaten ONE horse over his last 4 starts – pass for now

RACE 2 – (1) BABY TAO rallied well from an impossible spot in his last local Amateur try then followed that up with a couple of solid efforts at Monti as well – the last time he drew the pole he wired the field upstate…maybe he can pull off the upset with a similar strategy tonight? (8) BIG LIMO picked up Yonkers wins each of the last 2 years, and shows (sharp) wins in 2 of his last 4 Amateur races out of town – he has more than enough ability to beat these, but obviously will need to overcome Post 8…worth using at a juicy price. (7) SHAKE N BAKE is a rock solid performer in these events and returns off a sharp Monti score – he faces an uncertain trip from Post 7, however, so make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (3) CAL MILES N SHELL feels a bit snakebit lately, coming up just short in a bunch of his recent efforts – he’d be no surprise at all, and certainly playable as long as he’s not overbet. (2) P C FREE WHEELING put in a big move before flattening a bit in her last start upstate – she’s been camera shy this year, but playable underneath. (4) LUCKY MUM N is listed as the 9/5 favorite but she’s winless in 2026, and can sometimes be a difficult horse for even top catch pilots to drive – definitely a bit vulnerable tonight. (6) BARN CREDIT used a very good trip to pick up 3rd here on 6/25 (with Adamczyk driving) but may not get as fortunate a trip tonight. (5) BACARDI is listed on the bottom but still capable of grabbing a decent piece if the trip goes his way

RACE 3 – (5) CLASSICAL JANE was a big Indiana earner at 2 and 3, but off to a sluggish start as a 4YO – she was recently acquired by the leading barn in North America, and immediately saw her form improve significantly – she made her local debut last week, and kicked home full of trot in the lane, despite having missed 5 weeks…worth a try tonight. (4) AQUARIUS FACE S sat a perfect trip last week (dropping in for the $40K tag) but wasn’t able to run down BEACON BEACH, settling for 2nd as the odds-on choice – goes for a new barn tonight, and will need to be a little better to come out on top. (1) MON AMOUR has been solid in most of his starts this year but is definitely a little light in the win column – another that will need to be a little stronger at the end tonight if he hopes to get his picture taken. (7) BEACON BEACH was a sharp winner arriving from Buffalo (for his new barn) 2 back, broke the next week but then very sharp again in last week’s victory – tonight’s draw could present some obstacles, but don’t hesitate to use him on top if the price is generous. (2) RADIO LAB would probably prefer to be in a little cheaper but he figures to sit a pretty easy trip tonight, and that could help him take home a share. (8) THE BRODSTER takes a surprising drop down to 40s, especially since he was right there in his last tries for $60K – gets the worst of the draw, and would need to be a pretty good price to warrant using on top tonight. (3) FOR A DREAMER will hope to land on an easy trip, and rally late for minor spoils. (6) WARRAWEE WHISPER draws poorly after falling off form

RACE 4 – (4) ASTEROID rarely goes a bad mile and often finishes right behind some very nice trotters – he lands in a much kinder spot for tonight, and that gives him a good chance to get back to the winner’s circle. (3) SOUTHW IND COORS is technically “moving up” in class from his last couple of Pocono starts but he’s a well established Invitational trotter here at Yonkers – the main danger. (1) MY DEGENERATE was sent off at 1/2 for his first local try (dropping out of tough KYSS races) and crushed the field – he was then sent off at 1/10 last week, but had to survive the tightest photo imaginable to hold off FULL OF MUSCLES at the wire – he’ll be right back in the thick of it tonight, but may find the top pair a little tougher than he’s used to. (5) DRIBBLING BI returned from PA to a softer spot last week and exerted his class in a blowout victory – faces tougher here, and probably looking at a smaller piece. (2) WHEELZABLAZIN took a bad step and was grabbed up 2 back but rebounded quickly with a solid try last week – chance for minor spoils with the good draw. (8) FULL OF MUSCLES has been on an extended form spree but faces limited options tonight after drawing all the way outside. (6) MY MAN PETER finished up strong from an impossible spot last week, but will have an even tougher time getting in play tonight. (7) CAMERA MAN is good right now, but tonight’s scenario (up in class from Post 7) doesn’t bold well for his chances

RACE 5 – (3) HIGH SPEED SWAN has been a hard knocker all year long, handles any trip, and has a major post edge over some of his main foes in here – the one to knock off. (6) OLIVER THE GREAT had been racing well all year (without a victory) but finally got his picture taken last week, a “no doubter” front end score – he may need to change up his tactics tonight, but he can be effective from off the pace as well…chance to be right back in the mix, even up a bit in class. (7) ONAJETPLANE got Stratton back at Pocono last week and was a good 2nd – gets a bad draw for his YR return, but has the ability to still grab a good piece with some trip luck. (8) BLOCKCHAIN was aggressive in his first local try of the year but made a costly break – he raced very well in his next pair (conservative trips), and definitely fits with these…hard to say if he can find a way to overcome Post 8, though! (2) KHAOSAN ROAD disappointed on the lead last week with no excuses, and his overall 2026 form just hasn’t been up to snuff – we’ll see if an easy trip (with the inside draw) can help him find a better effort tonight. (1) SEVEN LAYER is still adjusting to facing tough older trotters – figures to be better tonight from the pole, but still sticking with others. (4) TE QUIERO LINDY made a break in the $150K KYSS Final then broke the next start too – qualified with hopples at Chester, then stayed trotting with them the next week – prefer to just watch for tonight. (5) VINNY DE VIE was able to steal one last week, another longshot winner for a potent trainer/driver duo-this spot is much tougher, though.

RACE 6 – NY Excelsior 3YO Filly Pace: (4) LONG SHORE won 7 of 9 as a 2YO, including the $250K Big Apple – she did make a break in the $100K Excelsior Final, however, and her 3YO campaign has been off to a rocky start, at best – she jogged at 1/5 on 7/13, but was then scratched sick from her last – giving her top billing, but wouldn’t bet the rent money at a very short price! (5) SHES IN THE JUICE hit board in 10 of 11 starts this year (3rd placed 4th in the other) and will be helped by the short field and Kelly in the bike – possibility if #4 doesn’t bring her best. (3) BELLBOTTOM COUNTRY is just 1 for 23 lifetime but finished 2nd the 3X Bartlett drove her this year – that angle alone gives her a chance. (1) TALADEGA EXPRESS has been overmatched in NYSS races this year but did finish 3rd in her lone Excelsior try – logical player from the pole. (2) PERLA has done better in cheaper overnights than vs. these types.

RACE 7 - NY Excelsior 3YO Filly Pace: (1) AMERICAN CHEESE has been a model of consistency all year, compiling a terrific 11-4-5-1 record (the lone off the board try was in a NYSS race) – she’ll likely sit the two hole trip tonight, and we’ll give her the narrowest edge over (3) CARRY BACK. The latter was racing very well to start off her 3YO campaign, had mixed results taking on both NYSS and KYSS rivals for a few starts, jogged at Batavia dropping to Excelsior competition but did get beat on the lead in PA last week, with no excuses – clearly the other main player in here. (4) COME ON BARBIE is 3 for 3 vs. much softer fields at Monti, but her only Excelsior try resulted in a no-threat 5th – she could improve, but it’ll be hard to catch up to the talented top pair. (2) ARYA BLUE CHIP has been struggling, but does add Lasix tonight – we’ll see if that helps. (6) LILYVILLE has a couple of tries at this level but the draw does figure to really hurt her chances. (5) ONAORCHARDHUNT showed potential at 2 but just hasn’t been able to gather any consistency so far at 3

RACE 8 - NY Excelsior 3YO Filly Pace: (4) LENNA has looked very good at Pocono since the recent barn change – she makes her first Excelsior start tonight and significantly, Bartlett hops off BUECKERS (who he’s 3 for 3 with this year) to drive HER tonight – we’ll give her the narrow edger as well. (2) BUECKERS is 10-7-1-2 this year and as noted, 3 for 3 with Bartlett – would be impossible to dismiss her chances, especially with Zeron filling in at the lines. (3) HAY BETH was racing pretty consistently at the Meadows for much of the year before picking up pieces in Excelsior races the last 2 starts – chance for another small slice tonight. (1) EV DOES IT threw a complete dud 2 back but rebounded with a much better Tioga try in her last – chance for a minor share with the rail and Gingras. (5) LADY OAKLEY picked up a 2nd and a 3rd from her 2 Excelsior efforts this year, but wasn’t close in either local try – possibility for 3rd. (6) IMSODELIGHTFUL has seen her form struggle a bit from tough spots in her last few starts and now lands in another one for tonight.

RACE 9 – NYSS 3YO Filly Pace: (5) ODDS ON MONETARY made a break in last year’s NYSS Final but still managed to earn $170K at 2 – she’s come back sharp at 3, and other than a blip at Buffalo, she’s won 3 of her 4 NYSS starts (including last week’s very sharp 7 hole victory at Batavia)– the one to knock off. (1) SAVAGE CINDY was 2nd in last year’s NYSS Final, part of her strong 7-2-3-2 freshman campaign – she’s still trying to find some better consistency at 3, but anything close to her best effort would make her a solid player tonight. (3) IDEAL BEA UTY QUEEN gets Zeron back tonight and the last time the two paired up, she was able to pounce on a dream trip to win the Park MGM Filly Pace (here at Yonkers) – could grab a good piece here. (4) EXISTENTIAL does have the ability, but too often is her own worst enemy – maybe Bartlett can coax one of her better efforts out of her. (2) SAU LSBROOK ROLO has some good efforts, but is far too inconsistent for our tastes

RACE 10 - NYSS 3YO Filly Pace: (1) LIBERTY STYLE had 5 wins and over $318K as a 2YO, including a win in the NYSS Final – she started off this year with 3 straight NYSS victories before finishing 2nd last week to ODDS ON MONETARY…clearly the road to the winner’s circle goes through her. (5) SURREAL SPIRIT flashed real ability at 2, but her season was hurt by a few miscues – she’s managed to stay mistake free at 3, and proving to be a very strong NYSS performer…maybe she can pull off a mild upset with some racing luck? (3) TWO TWENTY SW IFT was the MASS Champ at 2, and off to a solid start at 3 (got really roughed up here at Yonkers when 2nd in the Park MGM Filly Pace) – another logical threat for the exotics. (4) HUNTING MEMORIES picked up a 2nd at Monti I her first NYSS try this year but her overall form has been shaky, at best – she comes back tonight on short rest, and we’re definitely leaning much more to the top trio. (2) MISS GENIE MAE had some good moments at 2 (including a win here at Yonkers) but the homebred is still trying to get things in gear as a 3 year old.

RACE 11 – (5) R LADY W added Lasix last week and went a big mile to finish a close 2nd behind ALWAYS A STO RY (who was also adding Lasix that night) – maybe she can take advantage of the draw and reverse that decision? (8) ALWAYS A STORY tired at Pocono in 7/13 but added Lasix for her last, made her way to the top, and was a very sharp winner – may face a tougher trip tonight, but she’s shown she can race any way that’s necessary – chance to repeat, even from out here. (6) NYMERIA was freshened up after a couple of lesser tries and just qualified back – she’s capable of big miles when on her game, and not a bad value horse for exotics. (2) HOT FLASH KIMMY may not be at “peak” form right now, but a good trip from this spot puts her in play for a decent piece. (1) BAY BREEZE HANOVER feels a little off the fine form she exhibited for much of the early part of the year – maybe an easy trip from the pole can help her build back some confidence? (3) MONI BUYS HAPPYNES was well backed for new connections that have an incredible record picking up new trotting mares – her night was ruined by an early miscue, however, and she may be handled a little more conservatively this time. (4) MA ISABELLE likes to save ground and rally at the end…and that sometimes leads to a decent piece. (7) STACKING GREEN has been excellent in most of her 9 local tries but tonight’s class hike (and 7 hole) may be a bit much to overcome.