Thursday, November 5, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, November 5, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Fall Series Leg 9 – (8) P C FREE WHEELING is on a roll with Franco, with 3 wins, a 2nd, 3rd and 4th from their last 6 starts together –she has the speed to significantly improve her position at the start (at worst), and that would give her a chance to win…even from out here. (7) STORMY KROMER hasn’t gotten close to his “millionaire” form on this recent comeback attempt but he’s at least been a relatively competitive player lately – he gets a good pilot tonight, and is worth a look if the price is decent. (2) LOVE THIS BAR hasn’t had much luck in his local starts this year but he’s a good fit (on his best effort), and he may sit a pretty good trip from this spot – not impossible. (3) BONTONI DEGATO S is just 1 for 30 locally over the past 2 seasons but his last effort was much better, and he could have a late say if things go his way. (1) IMA STANDUP GUY has just one win and one 2nd from 20 starts this year but his good gate speed always gives him at least a puncher’s chance for an upset. (5) MY SECRE T ABILITY feels like a reach for the top slot but the right trip could help him grab a small share. (4) HOOLIE N HE CTOR was off a bad date to his last but was also dead empty – he gets a good pilot for this, but that 3-1 ML price seems way too low. (6) BACARDI has been struggling – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help

RACE 2 – (3) IM OUT had a disappointing try on 9/24 and an 8 hole on 9/4, but has otherwise been on an extended form spree since the end of July – he’s come up 2nd best to sharp ones in his last 3 starts…maybe he can get over the hump tonight? (8) BELLISSIMO FACE S saw his 4 race winning streak upended last week, but he didn’t go down without a fight (lost by a nose to the equally sharp STACKING GREEN) – brutal draw tonight, but still a very real chance to come out on top. (2) JAS BLUESTONE was angling clear and getting ready to rally when he made a very costly miscue last week – this was on the heels of a parked the mile try the week before, so perhaps he’s due for some better luck – legitimate threat with a clean trip. (1) CHULO was sharp returning from a recent layoff but feels like he’s leveled off – will need to up his game to threaten for the top slot tonight. (5) DONATO PATRIOT K wasn’t great for much of the last 2 seasons but he’s returning from PA in pretty solid form right now, with a chance to at least contend for a piece. (7) P L OSCAR has been ultra consistent, even if no recent wins – faces an unpredictable trip from out here, but still could bring some value to the bottom of exotics. (4) SEA CAN was a no threat 3rd last time and likely looking at only minor spoils tonight. (6) POWER HILL has recently been moving back up the class ladder at The Meadows but exits one of their leading barns, and draws poorly.

RACE 3 – (2) ALIEN POWER jogged in back to back starts before struggling to overcome a much tougher trip last week – he moves back inside, his price will be better tonight, and he certainly deserves a chance to rebound. (1) REI NCARNATION was a no-match 2nd to #2 two back but turned the tables last week when HE was able to make the top – obvious threat to repeat (for his scorching hot barn), but also figures to be massively overbet. (3) GEORGES WISH came up a little light at the end when 3rd last week but he gives a solid effort most every week, and has a shot at an upset if he lands on the right trip here. (5) LINDY THE BRAVE has been good overall since arriving late Sept. but tonight’s draw figures to leave him looking at a minor share. (6) AMERITRIC outraced his 45-1 odds when a steady 4th last week but tonight’s draw doesn’t leave him many good options. (7) SHIPMASTER used a great trip to pick up the win last week, but may have trouble replicating that from out here. (4) DONTTELLMENOW grabbed a few smaller pieces recently but for the most part, seems a notch below a bunch of these right now

RACE 4 – (7) JON I LOVE DAT has good speed, but that hasn’t prevented him from struggling with a 1 for 20 record this year – this DOES feel like a field soft enough for him to just “outrun”…but he’s hard to get excited about at a very short price! (5) ROCKIN JUKEBOX hasn’t been sharp in a while but he did hold on to 2nd behind a runaway winner last week, and that alone gives him a chance vs. these. (8) SHAKESPEARE showed a bit more life finishing last week, but would have looked a lot more appealing with a less brutal draw. (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N, like millionaire barnmate COVERED BRIDGE, backed through the field last week – his stablemate rebounded with a better try for 3rd the other night – maybe he can too? (3) MANFERNO has offered nothing lately – we’ll see how much the move inside might help. (1) PINE BUSH ITALIANO could turn in a better showing with the move inside but he’s 1 for 43 here at Yonkers! (4) FRANCO NANDOR N tows along for pieces at times but is 1 for 29 locally in 2025-26. (6) HES SPECIAL draws poorly and is 0 for 34 at YR in the last 2 years.

RACE 5 – Good race! (5) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE started the year off slow but now has 3 wins in his last 4 starts, and 4 of his last 6 – he handles any trip, is rarely overbet, and gets the slight edge in a race with several contenders. (6) ACAPULCO SUNBURN has hit board in 5 straight since Dube took over, though he hasn’t visited the winner’s circle yet – definitely a chance tonight, though. (3) ALADDIN has been off his best game lately but he moves to a new barn and gets Bartlett tonight…meaning he has a real chance, and that he’ll also be overbet! (2) SHAKE IT has put together back to back excellent seasons but his CURRENT form isn’t as stellar, and he does get overbet most weeks – could be better value with a couple of others. (1) MASTER MIKI has done good work since returning to YR 3 back, and will be flashing his speed from the rail for another new barn – he’ll be part of the equation, but the question is for how long. (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR just hasn’t been sharp lately while a bunch of others in here have been. (8) BLOWIN SMOKE may prove a good claim for his new connections but may need to wait for a better spot. (7) DANCINITHEFIRE finished way back from a similar spot last week.

RACE 6 – (7) THE BRODSTER had been on a terrific form spree before being unable to overcome a very difficult trip last week – he ends up in the VERY soft $40K division tonight (as barnmate JAS BLUESTONE races in the MUCH tougher division), and should have a good chance to bounce right back tonight. (3) MY MAN PETER hasn’t clicked since recently returning from a layoff but dropping into this field could help him perk up – hard to endorse with that 8/5 ML price, though. (4) WILLY WALTON should be returning from confidence from Pocono, even if he was facing easier over there – very playable in exotics. (2) GLOBAL TWIST qualified nicely after a couple of miscues – willing to throw in underneath, if the price is decent. (6) WINDSONG PIONEER generally has done his best work vs. easier this year, but a quick start at leaves gives him a chance to grab a share. (5) BANG BANG BOO GIE showed little in his local debut – waiting for a better effort before considering. (1) PEMBROKE REGAL is off form, and just 9-1-0-0 here this year – leaning elsewhere. (8) CANTSTOP YANKEE draws outside after looking well short in his last pair.

RACE 7 – (3) HUNTINGFORCHROME banked over $400K as a youngster but he’s now 0 for 26 at age 4 & 5, with just $32K to show for it – he just plunged down to $15K claimers at PcD last week and was 2nd best, so perhaps he’s found his proper current level…may be able to break the schneid tonight. (6) BEGGIN FOR BACON shipped in showing a few recent Monti wins and promptly crushed the locals as well – tougher draw here, but still deserves plenty of respect. (2) WALKINSHAW N is still bangin’ heads at age 14 but he gets overbet nearly every week, without the WINS to show for it – prefer to keep using him underneath. (1) BLACK EDITION N has been very consistent lately but he’s just 3 for 73 over the past 2 years, and was just claimed by a barn winning at 5% - another to use on the bottom of exotics. (4) HARD TO CATCH was a “field filler” in 25s last week but could have a bigger say dropping to 15s tonight – another very camera shy player, however. (5) MINOTAUR is “ok” some weeks but hasn’t hit board in a while. (7) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N is winless in 32 starts this year and that’s unlikely to change from Post 7. (8) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER is 33-0-1-2 at Yonkers over the last 3 years

RACE 8 – (4) MASSIVE DESIRE has been behaving himself lately, and getting excellent results – he couldn’t really threaten a very sharp (5) OLIVER THE GREAT last week, but may be able to reverse that decision tonight with an easier trip. The latter got a class drop and the lead last week and got very brave in a hurry, a sharp 1:54.4 winner – very possible repeater, even moving up a bit. (8) KILDARE KING has been on a major form spree since landing in his current barn this summer, and comes into tonight with 4 wins in his last 5 starts – he does face the possibility of a much tougher trip tonight, but still playable if the price is right. (2) WHEELZABLAZIN has only one “good” draw recently and was a winner that night – this is a tougher field, but a good trip could still see him grab a good chunk. (1) LUCKY MUM N has been a bright spot for a barn having a tough year – she can use her speed from the rail for a chance at a piece. (3) EXQUISITE TASTE seems a better fit with a little easier these days – another that can battle for a minor share, though. Both (7) BLOCKCHAIN and (6) YO SHELDON draw poorly off qualifiers – prefer to just keep an eye on both, for now

RACE 9 – (1) ONYX BOVINO really kicked home strong from well back last week, even if vs. 15s – the rail draw may offset the move back up to 20s, and give him a chance to take the finale. (5) SPOOKY LOU was no factor off the claim last week but he drops back to 20s, and can surely be aggressive tonight – possibility. (8) HAPPY HOUR BLUES got a fast start last week but squandered the pocket trip – drops a level, figures to be a big price for a sharp barn and may be worth considering. (3) AUSSIE HANOVER has an atrocious local record in 2025-26 but he’s had a couple of good recent outings, and can at least be considered underneath. (2) PARK STREET BLUES drops back down to the level where he raced well in hist first local start and could easily be a big player here too. (7) OVER TH E HORIZON loves to win races but was just “meh” last week and now has to contend with Post 7 – leaning more to others tonight. Both (4) RAYRAY and (6) DARKNSTORMY DEO would be surprises in an otherwise competitive field.