Thursday, October 22, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, October 22, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) KARLOO BRADLEY N draws his 6th straight horrible post so he should be used to it by now – he was sent off at 30-1 last week but look for a MUCH shorter price tonight as he moves to a barn that has been winning at an insane 65% clip of the claim since August…and this owner/trainer/driver combination has been delivering a steady steam of very short price “early double” winners for some time! (2) LAST BEACH gets a pass for his last (parked the mile from Post 8, vs. 20s) – drops back down to 15s, and he teamed up with Ginsburg to win at this level 4 starts back – legitimate player. (4) BLACK EDITION N has been a very steady player in this class, though WINS have been hard to come by – use underneath. (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR hasn’t been as sharp lately and certainly shouldn’t be the 2-1 ML favorite – he does have a chance to grab a piece, though. (8) IM A POWERPL AY A got beat with no excuse at all 2 back, then was terrible last week – feels like he’s gone the wrong way, but at least his price will come way up as a result. (1) FRANCO NANDOR N is 0 for 30 the last 2 years but this is the kind of spot where a small piece is possible. (5) BETTORBUCKLEUP and (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP have struggled in 2026 – probably looking at minor spoils, at best.

RACE 2 – (5) THE BRODSTER has become a terrific performer at this level and is 2 for 2 since the recent claim – can’t say he’s a cinch in here, but he’s certainly earned top billing. (6) STACKING GREEN had things her own way last week but couldn’t finish the job (at a very short price) – her overall work has been terrific, however, and she does have 3 recent victories…her price will move up for those looking to stay on board. (4) CHULO qualified nicely after 4 months off, was a nice 2nd in his first start back but a somewhat disappointing 3rd in his last – worth a look if the price is good enough. (1) P L OSCAR is in the hunt every week but just hasn’t found the winner’s circle in a while – could land on a beautiful trip tonight, and he does have a legitimate chance for a mild upset. (2) SMOKING JET is 0 for 11 at Yonkers but throws a good one here and there – ok underneath. (3) OPTRIX was no factor in his last 2 local tries and may need easier to be effective. (7) RITSON was no factor in his last pair and moves outside now. (8) SEA CAN figures to have a tough time getting close to the action from out here

RACE 3 – (7) IDEALINFUN decided to take a shot way up in 50s last week and can be forgiven for not being up to the task – she drops back to 20s, and she beat this class 6 of her last 7 starts…willing to jump right back on her team, even with the bad draw. (4) ALWAYS B LAYLA IR has been a solid player in this class week after week and won’t be hurt by Bartlett subbing for Kakaley…very logical player, but not sure she should be listed at 6/5 ML! (5) TALE NT TO SPARE A was sent off at 5/2 last week (off a pair of sneaky sharp tries from bad posts) but landed on a tough trip and tired – she could be a bigger player tonight with a better trip, and her price will be much better too. (8) EVE LYNA ITIS is actually very good right now, despite huge prices in her last pair – might have listed her even higher if not for the brutal draw. (3) DISTANT LOVER gave it a good try to just miss last week – chance for a piece if she can build off that effort. (1) YOUNONOTHINJON feels like she’s really leveled off lately but the rail draw could at least put her in play for a small piece. (6) YUENGLING wins a ton of races but usually isn’t as effective when forced to race from off the pace…as she figures to be tonight. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA is 0 for 23 this year but minor spoils may be in reach.

RACE 4 – (3) BELLISSIMO FACE S was racing well but coming up a little light in several starts before the recent claim…but is 3 for 3 since changing hands on 9/17 – remains the one to catch and beat. (5) IM OUT looked like a winner into the stretch last week but hung a bit coming to the wire and was outmuscled for the top prize – he’s a very solid player at this level, and should be able to make his presence felt tonight, as well. (8) JAS BLUESTONE was used hard to make the lead last week but only gave way grudgingly coming to the wire – it won’t be easy for him to win from out here…but it’s not impossible. (6) ULTION FACE S is listed as the 3-1 second choice but he’s been well off his best game lately – could perk up with a better effort tonight, but would need to be a really good price to consider on top. (4) GLOBAL TWIST raced better than expected 2 back but made a break last week – ok bomb to include underneath (1) BO SILAS was an upset winner 4 back but was doing little before that, and has done little ever since. (7) PERMBROKE REGAL probably needs a much better draw to even battle for a piece vs. these. (2) BIG CHARLIE MORAN seems ambitiously placed at this $40K level

RACE 5 – (8) PAYBACK MONI has taken 3 of her last 4 in this class and is now 10 for 18 this year – she’s overcome outside draws in the past, and we’ll look for her to find a way to do so again. (3) HOT FLASH KIMMY was under a big hold at the start last week and that may have affected her performance – she was on a good roll prior to that, and may bounce back with a more typical effort tonight. (1) LUCKY MUM N has the speed to put herself right near the action tonight and she’s as sharp now as she’s been all year – good week to include her underneath. (6) ALWAYS A STORY was sharp at the beginning of the year and still doing damage right now – she was able to rally for 2nd from way out of it last week, but her trip tonight could be a little iffy – she can be around late with some racing luck. (4) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S pulled into last week’s sizzling 1:53.2 mile and can be forgiven for struggling – she won 2 straight just prior to that (vs. cheaper), and may be able to rebound with a better try in here. (5) BAY BREEZE HANOVER hasn’t been on her best game lately – others just feel sharper right now. (7) CLASSI CAL JANE has been holding her own lately but from inside posts – Post 7 may be hard to overcome. (2) FAITH ST EP lands in a brutal spot for her Hilltop debut – prefer to just observe, for now.

RACE 6 – (4) ROYAL COMET ended up with a terrible trip last time but still kicked home full of trot – he’s been sharp since arriving here in September (for a barn having a terrific 2026), and may be able to pull off the mild upset with the right trip. (2) KILDARE KING was stuck coming first over into the fastest part of the mile last week (vs. the “good” SIR PINOCCHIO) and gets a pass for tiring – he’s been outstanding ever since joining his current barn, moves back inside, and the road to the winner’s circle likely goes through him. (3) SEVEN LAYER steps up a bit but he’s racing well right now and could grab himself a decent chunk tonight. (7) WHEELZABLAZIN was handled aggressively off the class drop last week and dominated at a short price – he fits very well here too, but the draw puts him at a disadvantage vs. the top pair. (6) E PASS is listed at 20-1 ML but he’s proven he can hang with these – tough draw, but still worth using underneath (3rd/4th?). (8) BJMS LIL MAN will likely be trotting well late…but likely from too far back to seriously threaten. (1) THE HAZLETON found a spot in 4th from Post 8 last week but was under a big hold at the half before tiring badly – seems to need easier. (5) CHAPHEART is another that may need some class relief before we see his best again

RACE 7 – Tough race: (2) SHIPMASTER has hit board in half of his local starts but the majority of those are 3rds – he’s faced better (for the most part) and maybe this is a field that will fall right in his comfort zone…even if Boyd opted for #6. (4) D A LOVE BOAT (owned in part by Brett Beckwith, so not sure why he’s not listed to drive)) is a logical player in his first Yonkers try but that 7/5 ML price just seems way too low – respect his chances vs. the locals, but he’s sure to end up overbet. (3) HAPPY HOUR BLISS was a solid player the last 4 weeks vs. the 20s – takes on the 30s tonight (off the claim), and really would be no big surprise. (7) SPOOKY LOU battled hard in the lead (vs. 20s) in his local debut but draws poorly tonight as he looks to take on 30s, off the claim – might be a tough spot. (6) CAVIART SARGENT doesn’t win very often but his chances to rally for a piece go way up if things get testy up front. (8) LINDY THE BRAVE has raced well since shipping in from PA but from inside posts – won’t be as easy to be in the mix from out here. (1) RAYRAY was a little better last week but his 25-0-0-9 record this year is hard to overlook. (5) ALTA CLASSIC A was off a bad date to his last and looked terrible – waiting for better signs

RACE 8 – (7) DEVILISH HILL looked so good qualifying on 9/4 (returning to the U.S.) that he was sent off favored in the Miecuna Trot – he couldn’t deliver that day but finally put it all together last week, delivering an almost effortless 1:53.2 blowout – Bartlett stays with him, and we would too! (6) SIR PINOCCHIO turned in his best looking effort in a while with last week’s 8 hole jogburger over cheaper – he may have built some confidence back, and he does draw inside #7 – wouldn’t be any big surprise. (2) CAMERA MAN goes solid efforts week after week, but still goes off good prices – use underneath. (5) KIERKEGAARD K seems to be hitting on all cylinders again, a winner of his last 2 in PA…should be able to at least make some noise here. (3) MISSISSIPPI STORM is in tougher tonight, but may still be able to sit back and rally for some minor spoils. (1) STORMONT DIVIDE has been climbing back up the class ladder – not convinced he’s ready to take these on, however. (4) UNCLE RAT has hit a snag since a great local run upon arrival – watching for better signs. (8) SOUTHWIND COORS hasn’t been close to top form, and lands behind the 8 ball once again

RACE 9 – (6) BETTOR NOT had a useful start off the layoff on 9/28, just got used too hard early in his next then did finish well last week – lands in a beatable field, and worth a shot. (1) LOTTO MAX is winless in 8 local tries but he raced well a few times and is looking at a good trip tonight – live player. (5) CASINO ACTION N held well chasing a hot mile last time but he wins way too infrequently to ever endorse on top as the favorite – just no value there. (4) SHAKEPEARE has been struggling but at least flashed a little life last time – willing to use underneath. (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has been well off his game for some time – would need a big wake up call to threaten for the top slot. (2) BONDI SHAKE N has 1 start in 7 weeks and is 0 for 33 locally over the last 3 years. (7) MANFER NO has been off form for some time – tonight’s bad draw will likely offset the drop back to NW5000. (8) HES SPE CIAL hasn’t won here since 2024 and draws Post 8 – maybe he can save ground for minor spoils.