Thursday, October 1, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, October 1, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (8) HAPPY HOUR BLUES was well backed dropping to 20s two back and went a big mile for 2nd – got used very hard again in his last, and raced super when 2nd best once more – he draws all the way outside after being claimed from his last but his new barn has tremendous success with fresh stock, and Bartlett gives him a full vote of confidence taking him from Post 8…we will too. (1) CAPTAIN AWESOME never got in play from Post 8 last week but he won 2 of 3 at this level just before that – have to respect his chances with the move all the way inside. (6) OV ER THE HORIZON picked up a win and a 2nd vs. the 30s off the recent claim but came up a little dull last time and drops back to 20s tonight – as long as a wheel didn’t fall off, he can be a big player…even from Post 6. (3) PARK STREET BLUES ships in after beating a bit easier in his last pair at Tioga – guessing he’ll be a good fit here too, but the 25 days off are a legitimate concern. (5) AINT NOSTOPN TIME was too far back to threaten dropping back down to 20s last week but he could be in a better spot tonight– decent value horse to at least consider for a piece. (4) SOUTHWIND IRON was a big earner at 2 but never found that form after returning at 3 – he was an inexpensive recent purchase by our leading barn, but still trying to find his best form – possible, but leaning towards others. (2) BARBOSSA HANOVER raced ok for 3rd off a good trip last week and may be able to land another small share if the trip goes as well. (7) LMC PEANUTS WATCHN may need a better draw to be a player with these

RACE 2 – NAADA Fall Series, Leg 4: (1) CANTHAVEME lost all chance after an early miscue last week and was in impossible spots the 2 starts prior to that – just before that he was actually doing some good work, and he draws the pole tonight with one of our more successful amateur pilots – could offer some value in a pretty wide open affair. (2) CERTIFY has won 5 amateur races this year, three right here at Yonkers – draws inside, has been solid every week out of town recently, and has to be respected. (4) SOUTHSIDE BAR stays trotting, fits perfectly, was 2nd to a sharp WHISKEY PEDDLER in his last and retains Sheridan for tonight – lot to like, but not thrilled with the 3-2 ML price! (5) CAL MILES N SHELL made a BIG recovery to end up 3rd last week after being way back early on (after a break before the start) – he always seems to ‘figure”, but just doesn’t seem to win as often as he should – would consider if the price is good enough. (6) P C FREE WHEELING has been a solid weekly player in these races, hitting board in 4 of her last 5 starts – the only real knock is the draw, but that’s definitely something she’ll need to overcome. (3) JACKED was no factor in his last 2 amateur starts and will need to be a lot better to be a threat here. (7) MASSTER BLUE won his last, but is looking at a pretty tough trip tonight starting from Post 7

RACE 3 - NAADA Fall Series, Leg 4: (7) BIG CHARLIE MORAN had no 2nd move when called upon last week but he’s been known to bounce back from disappointing efforts in the past – if Beltrami can hustle him away to a fast start tonight, he’s one of several in here with a chance to come out on top. (1) BACARDI has been camera shy here over the last 3 years but he’s looking at a good trip tonight, and looms a legitimate threat vs. this field. (3) IMA STANDUP GUY was 5 for 16 here in 2025 but just 1 for 13 so far in ’26 – he hasn’t been finishing his miles well enough lately, but his quick starts at least give him a chance for an upset. (6) BONTONI DEGATO S is inconsistent from week to week but he’s just 1 for 26 at YR over the last 2 years, making him a tough one to use on top. (8) MY SECRET ABILITY is sharper than a lot of these but also has to contend with Post 8…and that figures to be a major obstacle. (2) WARRIOR ONE is loaded with back class but he just hasn’t raced (or looked) very well lately. (4) BARN CREDIT is just 1 for 42 at Yonkers since 2024 – minor spoils only

RACE 4 – (3) GREEN PASTURES went through a rough patch but came through with a front end score 2 back (vs. easier), then rallied stoutly from 8th last week, looking very much like his “good” self – Bartlett sticks, and it seems like a good choice. (1) BLACKHAWK ZETTE returned after a nice form spree out of town but took a conservative approach after drawing Post 7 (but did finish up with trot) – moves all the way inside, and a much more aggressive try is expected. (6) SOUTHWIND COORS has a condition completely invented to fit him into this race, and he’s going to be tough, even from Post 6…would still want a fair price to use on top, however. (2) CAMERA MAN got a switch to Kelly last week, was handled VERY aggressively and responded with a victory – in tougher tonight, goes back to Smith, and likely looking at a more modest piece. (5) FULL OF MUSCLES took 6 weeks off after falling here on 8/6 but showed no rust at all, winning his qualifier then taking his first start back at Chester – Bartlett does opt off to steer #3, though, and it does seem like a logical move. (4) UNCLE RAT went on a major roll after arriving here from Stga. – he actually won the Invitational 3 back, but it just feels like he MAY be starting to tail back off – leaning elsewhere, for now.

RACE 5 – (5) SIR MAVERICK was sent off favored dropping back to 40s last week but he made a couple of breaks – he adds hopples tonight, is listed at 8-1 ML, and seems worth another try! (6) ULTION FACE S is well off his best game right now but he did hang on for 2nd last week, and this is not a particularly strong $40K claimer – legitimate chance, but that 9/5 ML price means he’ll likely be overbet. (3) BO SILAS was able to convert off the pocket trip last week, winning for just the 2nd time in 50 local starts – another good trip puts him in play for a good piece here too. (1) LMC WAGON WHEEL seemed to be heading in the wrong direction when he shipped in from Pocono last week and made a break in his local debut – risky now, at best. (4) MARIN COUNTY has elevated his game a bit, picking up 3rds in his last 2 starts – ok for a small piece here too. (7) P L OSCAR came up short off the pocket trip for his new barn last week and now draws Post 7 – leaning towards others. (2) LOOKATMEGOAMIGO tired badly in last week’s amateur race (after yielding to the half) and just feels overmatched here. (8) SMOKING JET really disappointed from the pole in his last and now draws Post 8 – he’s a good fit with these, but maybe not from out here

RACE 6 – Lot of live players in here! (2) DASH N CACHE finished with pace in both starts after returning to Yonkers – she’s won her fair share of starts here, figures to be a big price, and is one of several with a legitimate chance tonight. (4) ALWAYS B LAYLA struggled a bit with a tough trip 2 back but has otherwise been a very solid player at this level – a live trip makes her very dangerous. (3) IDEAL SKIES hasn’t won in a while but she’s been knocking on the door in a lot of her starts…she goes back to a barn she’s done very good work for, and looms a very live player once more. (6) FIGHTING EVIL has a poor local win % but she’s currently doing good work at this level, and gets Bartlett at the lines tonight – would be no surprise at all. (8) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT has been 1st or 2nd in an outstanding 29 of 55 local starts in 2025-26 and has overcome bad spots in the past – would still need a pretty good price to use her on top tonight, though. (5) MILAGRO went a “weird” effort off the claim last week (adding Lasix) – she upset these at a big price three back, and can’t be overlooked. (7) BETTORS TICKET probably needs a much better post (in an easier field) to be a serious threat. (1) ODDS ON SARA SARA is 15-0-0-0 at Yonkers

RACE 7 – (6) JAS BLUESTONE reminded everybody last week that he can be equally effective from off the pace, along with his usual speed tactics – hard to predict his trip for tonight but he’ll be very dangerous if it’s even “decent”. (7) STACKING GREEN reported home a winner for the 3rd time in 4 weeks last start and her long form spree continues – she’s another that can overcome tough trips if necessary, and is way too sharp right now to ignore, even from out here. (2) B NICKING wasn’t at his “best” for new connections last week, but still picked up a 2nd place finish – he has a significant post edge over his main foes tonight, and hasn’t been worse than 2nd in his last 4 starts – remains a big threat. (5) BELLISSIMO FACE S used a perfect trip to pick up the win last week – he can never be counted out, but a couple of others just have a little more appeal tonight (on top). (3) WILLY WALTON is very light in the win column this year but he’s raced well on many occasions, and not a bad bomb to include underneath. (1) DIPLOMACY took a month off after a miscue, re-qualified and now drops in for a tag – feels like some red flags. (4) WINDSONG PIONEER looks great beating amateur fields but hasn’t had the same success in these tougher spots. (8) SEA CAN should appreciate the move back to claimers…but not tonight’s draw!

RACE 8 – (7) VOGUISH has now won three straight FM Invitationals, collaring (6) PAYBACK MONI fair and square in 2 of them – she faces an unpredictable journey from out here but her finishes have been spectacular – willing to stick with the hot hand. (6) PAYBACK MONI has done outstanding work here this year, with many outstanding wins at this top level – she looks for revenge on her new nemesis tonight, and we’ll see if she can get it done. (5) ALWAYS A STORY is notch below the top pair but she does draw inside of them, and will be waiting in the wings should either/both falter tonight. (1) HOT FLASH KIMMY bumps back up to this top class but she’s held her own here before – an easy trip from the pole could see her finish well for a piece. (3) CLASSICAL JANE loves an easy trip – chance for 3rd/4th if she gets another one. (2) DIAL SQUARE S hung in to salvage a well beaten 3rd behind the top two in her first local try – she’ll need to improve off that effort if she’s hoping for another good chunk tonight. (4) NYMERIA would probably appreciate some class relief, though she does usually grab a small check.

RACE 9 – (5) HAPPY JACK B has now taken 5 straight, the last 3 here at Yonkers…one more time. (4) KILDARE KING has thrived since joining his current barn and has brought his career earnings close to $800K – no reason he can’t be a big player here too. (7) WHEELZABLAZIN continues to race well despite some terrible spots – he lands in another for tonight, but still could add some value to the exotics. (6) DRIBBLING BI used good trips to pick up 2nds in his last pair (behind the top two choices in here) – tougher spot tonight, but he still may be sharp enough to contend for a nice chunk. (2) BJMS LIL MAN steps up a bit after using a perfect trip to pick up a victory last week – chance for a piece, with an easy trip. (3) MAKEORBREAKZAZ S shows a bunch of pretty big efforts out of town but the barn’s recent shippers haven’t been all that sharp – we’ll see if this guy can buck that trend. (1) WARRA WEE YANG is on the comeback trail – he was overmatched in the Pocono Winners Over last week and while he “drops” a bit for tonight, he may still need easier right now. (8) BE DIFFERENT is good right now but the draw is a killer (and he drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight).

RACE 10 – (7) VANDERBILT N gets the worst of the draw for his Yonkers return but he also lands in a very soft field – he was 2nd in 2 of 3 local starts this year, and may be able to find a way to get it done…even from out here. (1) LINDY THE BRAVE had no pop in his Yonkers return last week but he draws the pole tonight, gets a very live pilot, and may be able to have a better showing (3) MANFERNO will probably take plenty of $$ on his “reputation” but he’s well off his best game, and could be vulnerable…just as he was last week. (4) DONTTELLMENOW will also take $$ just off the switch back to Bartlett…but he’s another that may end up disappointing at a pretty short price. (2) KNOCKIN OUT gets a good draw for his local try of 2026 but his 28-0-1-2 Yonkers record over the prior 2 years is hard to ignore. (5) DARKNSTORMY DEO drops from $30K claimers but he never belonged in that class in the first place – he’ll need to be a lot better to threaten here. (6) DEALERS TURN is 1 for 30 locally over the last 2 years and 3 for 50 overall…hard to get excited about his chances

RACE 11 – (5) FULL SUPPORT is just 1 for 27 this year but his last start was his best in a long time – Boyd is back on board, and he scored an upset in Wednesday night’s finale…maybe he can pull it off here too? (6) HES SPECIAL hasn’t won here since 2024 but he does have some decent recent efforts – good one for longshot fans in a race that MAY provide an upset. (1) WALKINSAHW N was sent off favored last week despite a bad date and tired with no excuses – good sign that he drops right back in the box, but he MAY be vulnerable at a short price once more. (3) SOLESSO MATUCA A is a fresh face and that alone makes him worth a look against these locals – extra points if barnmate VANDERBILT N races well in the 10th race. (7) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY took more $$ than expected last week, landed on a perfect trip and used his fresh legs to rally on by into a :30.4 final quarter- may be hard to replicate that performance from out here, though. (8) GOTHIC ROCK can blast even from bad posts but that usually leaves him short at the end - minor spoils only. (4) SQUADRON SEELSTER shows little on paper but does get Bartlett – could help his chances, but will surely hurt his price. (2) FERRAGAMO HANOVER is 17-0-0-1 locally over the last 3 seasons…and struggles to win out of town, as well.