Thursday, October 29, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, October 29, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) BLOWIN SMOKE wasn’t close to the blowout winner last week but did a nice job beating the others for 2nd – drops in for a $15K tag and was close twice at this level earlier in the year – should be a very live player in here. (1) BEGGIN FOR BACON ships in from Monti and while he may be a bit on the cheaper side, he’s more than sharp enough to be a big threat tonight – that 6/5 ML price is a turn off, however. (7) MASTER MIKI doesn’t have a great Yonkers history but he DID race very well 2 back, and debuts for a sharp outfit tonight – definite chance to outperform his 15-1 ML odds. (4) OZONE BLUE CHIP had a tough 2025 and this year hasn’t been any better– he’ll surely be given an aggressive drive from Bartlett, however, and that gives him at least a chance for a piece. (8) CAM OUFLAGE MONEY turned in his best effort in a while last week and would have been listed higher tonight if not for the brutal draw. (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR would be a player here on his best effort but he just hasn’t been sharp in some time. (3) FRANCO NANDOR N can sometimes save ground and take home a minor share – 3rd/4th? (6) AVENGER FORCE has been struggling – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help

RACE 2 – (6) BELLISSIMO FACE S gets a tough draw in a strong $40K division but he’s won 4 straight for very sharp connections, and can handle a variety of trips – gets the narrow vote as he looks to extend his streak to 5! (5) STACKING GREEN wasn’t at her best when she just missed at 3/5 two back but she somehow was sent off at 10-1 last start, and delivered for those who stayed on her team – she’s another that loves to win races, and can handle some adversity, if it comes her way. (1) JAS BLUESTONE has been hurt by a couple miscues and brutal trips lately but still reminded how tough he can be in this class with that big effort 2 back – definitely worth a long look with that 8-1 ML price. (3) CLASSICAL JANE drops out of the FM Invitational, and did beat this class in back to back Sept. starts – another who could offer some big value if the race falls apart up front (8) THE BRODSTER (barnmate to #6 until being claimed last week) has also been on a tear, hitting board in 7 straight (3 wins) – he’ll need plenty of trip luck to overcome THIS spot, however. (2) ULTION FACE S continues to take $$ every week but has been well off form for a while – leaning elsewhere. (7) B NICKING has been a touch off his best game lately and that could be a problem starting from post 7, against this bunch. (4) THEOBALD seems destined for minor spoils at best

RACE 3 – (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY was grabbed up hard early on 10/15 and finished way back but that’s her only “bad” try recently, otherwise hitting board in 5 starts including last week’s very narrow loss to PAYBACK MONI – that ultra-tough foe isn’t here in tonight, so maybe she can pick up a victory. (5) VOGUISH shocked at 46-1 in her 2nd local start but proved it was no fluke when she soon won two more FM Invitationals – if she’s close turning for home, she’ll be a handful to hold off. (6) ALWAYS A STORY couldn’t keep it going in the stretch after a tough trip last week but still held on for 4th– drawing outside 2 main foes may hurt her chances a bit, but still a legitimate threat (3) EXQUISITE TASTE has put together a terrific 2026 but her form is a bit more inconsistent lately – leaning more to the top trio. (2) BAY BREEZE HANOVER probably needs to be in a little easier before we see her best again. (1) SHIV didn’t embarrass herself last week, but still seems up against it vs. these types

RACE 4 – (1) P L OSCAR has been right in the mix week after week at this level, usually finishing behind rivals who would all be heavily favored in this (much) softer $40K division – draws the pole, can pick his trip, and may have found a winning spot. (5) DIPLOMACY disappointed a bit in his last pair but tonight’s addition of Lasix may explain why– may be ready to come up with a big effort tonight. (4) SIR MAVERICK has disappointed overall since the recent claim but it’s too soon to give up on him – tonight’s easier division could see him have a much bigger say. (2) SHES SPICY has been racing well at Monti – she normally wouldn’t get much attention in this spot but she moves to a barn that wins with fresh stock at an incredible rate, and that makes her hard to just ignore. (3) SEA CAN throws a good one here and there but still feels a bit below a few of the others. (7) BO SILAS did well to hang in and salvage 3rd last week but moves from the rail to Post 7. (6) BANG BANG BOOGIE arrives from “The Aces” and feels a bit ambitiously placed

RACE 5 – (7) BLACK EDITION N has been sharp at this level for some time, and was much better last week than his line might suggest – tough draw, but he moves to a barn that has been winning at an unfathomable 65% off the claim, and often for these owners (with Bartlett on board) – maybe this one can be a little better price, thanks to Post 7. (4) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE definitely has some “off” weeks but he’s won 3 of his last 5 (near miss in another), and is hard to leave off your tickets right now. (1) WALKINSHAW N always gets overbet but the classy 14YO still has to be respected from a spot like this – certainly belongs in your exotics. (6) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was good in his first start back from Pocono, used hard before coming up 2nd best to #4 – loses Bartlett, but can still have a say with a good trip. (5) MAXIMUS RED A was well backed last week but came up light – much better price tonight for those inclined to stay on board. (2) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N is now 0 for 31 this year – minor spoils only. (8) ONYX BOVINO will appreciate the drop to 15s – Post 8, not so much! (3) LONGVIEW LAD N is 1 for 27 this year facing much easier than these in most of those starts

RACE 6 – Tough race: (8) MIND HUNTER moves up in class off losses and draws Post 8 – that’s usually NOT a recipe for success but this guy IS sharp, and many of these are question marks– worth a try at a fair price (4) PEACE OUT POSSE hasn’t been a threat recently but he’s definitely been facing better – he’s come up with some big wake up calls in the past…maybe he can find one here too? (7) HAPPY HOUR BLUES was well backed and a close 4th vs. the 30s last week (off the claim) – drops to 25s, and has to be worth at least a look with that 20-1 ML price. (3) SAILBOAT HANOVER seems better suited with a bit easier but he loves to win races, and he could end up with a good trip here – possibility. (2) TYPHOON BANNER N may just run and hide from these off the class drop but he really disappointed in his last, and may be vulnerable (at a short price) once more – on the flip side, the barn had yet another big night on Wednesday! (1) HARD TO CATCH is 0 for 20 here this year, after going 1 for 22 last year – he’s actually moving up tonight, and hard to consider on top. (5) RAYRAY is extremely in and out…but even when “in”, he’s 26-0-0-9 here this year! (6) DONTTELLMENOW drops a bit, but still seems unlikely right now

RACE 7 – (2) UNCLE RAT went on a major form spree upon arrival at Yonkers but eventually tailed off – his last effort was a big step back in the right direction, and maybe he can build off that to pull off an upset tonight. (6) SIR PINOCCHIO hasn’t been able to find his peak form this year but he comes into tonight off back to back wins, and may have regained some confidence in the process – would be no surprise at all if he was able to take another. (5) GREEN PASTURES was doing excellent work at top levels before hitting a rough patch – he’s definitely been back on the upswing lately, however, and may be able to be a late threat if there’s some action up front. (7) FULL OF MU SCLES is hitting on all cylinders right now, at multiple tracks and with different trips – he does get a bad break with the draw, however, and would need to be a good price to use on top tonight. (1) BJMS LIL MAN has lost to easier many times this year but he’s sharp right now, and may be able to rally for a small share from this spot. (4) DRIBBL ING BI has been doing his biggest damage this year vs. a bit easier than these – minor spoils? (3) SOUTHWIND COORS gets some post relief but has been way off form – suppose he could reverse form one of these nights

RACE 8 – (1) ROYAL COMET has done all good work since arriving here in September – he came up 2nd best to (4) KILDARE KING last week, but we’ll give him a chance to reverse that decision tonight. The latter is hard to fault, currently 10-5-2-1 at Yonkers (with excuses in the 2 off-the-board starts) – remains the one to knock off. (3) LUCKY MUM N has really been on her game lately, just missing in her last pair after crushing lesser 3 starts back – may be sharp enough right now to grab a piece vs. these too. (6) WHEELZABLAZIN has continued to hold form despite dealing with a bunch of tough recent posts– gets another bad draw tonight, but still very playable underneath (2) TORRONE steps up another peg after wins in his last pair – likely looking at a more modest prize vs. these, though. (5) STORMONT DIVIDE finally started racing better recently but probably needs to be in a little easier to be a serious threat. (8) DJIMON broke in his first start off the big barn change but did jog in 1:52.4 the next start – moves well up in class from Post 8 now, and that’s a lot to overcome. (7) CANTSTOP YANKEE was well short off the layoff – still remains in watch mode

RACE 9 – (8) BELIEVE IN TOM was 0 for 22 this year before that start at Chester 4 days ago but was still hammered down to 6/5 (off the switch to a barn that could probably win with a zebra right now)…and promptly won in a career best 1:52.1 – just 3 days off and Post 8 tonight, but catches a field where he CAN repeat! (1) FUNATTH EBEACH N has $1.4M on his card and some huge wins here at Yonkers…but he’s 8-0-0-0 $0 at The Hilltop this year and while he does fit with this bunch, he’d be hard to endorse on top as the 8/5 ML favorite. (5) SHAKESPEA RE is well off his game right now but may find a better effort against this struggling bunch. (2) BONDI SHAKE A is 0 for 32 at Yonkers for the past 2 years and just 2 for 60 overall – decent chance to at least grab a piece, though. (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX would be very tough in here if even close to his best but he’s another that’s just way off form now – no value at 2-1 ML. (4) HES SPECIAL is 0 for 33 at YR in 2025-26 (2 for 46 overall) but could grab a small piece with an easy trip. (7) MANFERNO is struggling – another bad draw isn’t going to help. (6) WATERFRONT arrives from Plainridge showing less than stellar form.