Thursday, September 17, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, September 17, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) KARPATHIAN QUEEN found herself parked BEHIND the also parked TALENT TO SPARE A last week and her fate was sealed from the start – she’s been on a nice form spree for a while, just missed 2 back and may end up offering some decent value tonight. (3) GABBYS WISH was the one who parked out the top choice (and others!) last week but never quit, an incredibly game winner for a barn that sent out some flat-out scary horses last week – deserves plenty of respect off that mile! (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A is putting together an excellent year, and can be forgiven for not being able to get by #3 last week (after leaving from Post 8) – her trainer’s outstanding 23% win rate goes up to an eye-popping 41% off the claim, and is even more dangerous when Bartlett is driving – only knock is the 8/5 ML price. (1) FORTUNADA threw a dull one last week but has several other recent tries that could land her a small piece of this – ok for 3rd/4th. (2) BARBADOS BABE is doing much better since switching to off the pace tactics, but still seems below the main players. (8) TH SANDRA DEE was an “ok” 3rd last time, but tonight’s draw figures to really hurt her chances. (4) KISSIN JOE was no factor last week but at least she functioned – keep an eye for any more improvement. (7) CANNERY ROW doesn’t figure to get close to the action from here

RACE 2 – (4) P L OSCAR has been chasing much better in his last few starts but was able to use a good trip to pick up a win the last time he raced at this level – gets Bartlett tonight, and figures to be a strong player from start to finish. (6) LMC WAGON WHEEL was doing excellent work at PcD before getting up a bit too high in class in his last few – he has several efforts on the program that would make him very dangerous here, but he’s also exiting a barn that a history of winning at very high rates, at different tracks – dangerous if he can replicate that PA form here. (1) CLASSICAL JANE used all of a perfect trip to come out on top last week – if the journey is as kind tonight, she can be right there again. (2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU continues to grab his pieces in this class and can do so here as well. (7) KAYS IN CHARGE trotted home strong from an impossible spot last week but tonight’s draw is almost as bad – maybe another small piece? (3) MARIN COUNTY still needs to prove he can compete at this higher level. (5) DUSTY DUNGAREES looks ok on paper but she was facing easier in PA and is just 3 for 48 over the last 2 years (new barn tonight). (8) DIAMOND BAY is entered in a strange spot for a 3YO filly – pass from out here

RACE 3 – (6) PAYBACK MONI looked like her best self last week and got back to the winner’s circle in her 3rd start off the short layoff – clearly the one to knock off once more. (2) MA ISABELLE likes to sit and rally for pieces in this class and she does it pretty well – maybe she can complete the exacta in a field full of question marks. (4) DI AL SQUARE S has struggled this year, currently at 7-0-0-0 $16K – she’s also facing tougher in almost all of her starts, and could easily be a much bigger player with these – she does figure to get overbet, though. (5) VOGUISH shocked in this class 2 back, delivering a 46-1 form-reversing victory – she went to the lead the following week, but gave way and folded badly – very hard to guess which version we’ll see tonight! (3) NYMERIA has struggled to find any consistency all year long – prefers cheaper. (1) LUCKY MUM N would also like some class relief

RACE 4 – (3) B NICKING is having a very good year and is razor sharp right now (even shrugging off an early miscue last week to still make the lead, and win his 2nd in a row) – goes for the “threepeat” tonight and has a good chance to get it done, if he can avoid any mistakes! (8) STACKING GREEN will need some serious racing luck to win from out here but she’s been scary sharp for a long time, and has shown the ability to race from off the pace, if necessary – would consider using on top, as long as the price is fair. (2) THEOBALD has been behaving every week and rewarded with good pieces as a result – belongs in exotics tonight. (6) THE BRODSTER does his best racing with Bartlett, but even then tends to get shaky in the latter parts of the mile – it’s cost him in the past, and it may happen here too. (4) PORTABAROSSO NL was off a month to his last start but held together decently for 4th after a first over trip – could grab a decent piece tonight, with an easier trip. (7) BO SILAS is doing good work for his current barn but he gets his first bad draw in a while, and that figures to slow him down. (1) LOVE THIS BAR is a solid sort, but probably prefers to be in a bit easier. (5) KASHA V was empty last week…and could use a drop!

RACE 5 – Solid field! (4) HAPPY JACK B banked $371K at 3 but took a little while to find his best stride at 4 – he should be feeling pretty good about himself right now, however, as he’s won 4 in a row…sometimes it pays to just stick with the hot hand. (1) DRIBBLING BI used an easy trip to take home 2nd behind a very sharp front end winner last week, and should be looking at another good trip tonight – logical contender. (5) E PASS was aggressive last week and more than up to the task, delivering a very sharp 1:54.3 front end score – faces a bit tougher here, but sharp enough to still contend for a good piece. (7) WHEELZABLAZIN was in a hopeless spot last week but still trotted home strong to grab 4th from well back – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th, hoping for a good trip. (8) GREEN PAST URES was very sharp for a while, holding his own at the top level – he recently endured a bit of a rough patch, but did look better making the top cleanly last week and wiring cheaper – he may have gotten some confidence back, but it’ll be hard for him to overcome this brutal spot. (6) MISSISSIPPI STORM feels like he just crossed the $1M mark but now he has another $300K on his card – he still thrives in the “right” spot…but this may not be it. (2) FRA NK LEAHY wasn’t nearly as good in his past pair as he was just prior to that – leaning elsewhere tonight. (3) BAY BREEZE HANOVER hasn’t been great at the very end of her miles lately, and is in very tough tonight

RACE 6 – (1) OZONE BLUE CHIP ended up parked last week but still lasted all the way to the final turn before starting to tire – he’s been a pretty solid weekly player in this class, and his last WIN came with Bartlett, from the rail…déjà vu? (4) BLACK HAWK JOE A has also been steady in 15s, and could be looking at another good trip here – the main danger? (3) DISMAS ended up with a perfect trip in last week’s “fall apart” race and still got beaten from behind – possible, but would need to be a decent price to use on to tonight. (5) THAT DOG WILL HUNT just went into reverse after pulling off the cones last week – he’s capable of better, and has a chance to land somewhere in the exotics if he can rebound with a stronger effort. (2) AVENGER FORCE was very hot in the back early on last week and actually did well to only lose by about 3 lengths – not a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (6) ROCKET FREIGHT seems unlikely to get the hot pace he would need to threaten from out here– minor spoils? (7) ALADDIN has salvaged his season, picking up 3 wins and a pair of 2nds from his last 5 starts – unfortunately, the 2X he drew as poorly as tonight he ended up 6th and 7th! (8) DIAMONDBEACH would be a surprise, to say the least

RACE 7 – (4) JAS BLUESTONE had to back off when several left inside of him last week, was trapped on the cones most of the way but still had plenty of late trot for 3rd, after shaking free – moves inside for his new barn, and does like to win races! (2) IM OUT trailed all the way from Post 8 last start but hit board in 4 straight just prior to that – gets the very live Mr. Holland in the bike tonight, and could have a big say with the move to claimers and inside draw. (1) WILLY WALTON had Post 8 off a bad date last week (lame scratch and qualifier) but still was trotting well at the wire – drops right back in the box, moves all the way inside, and has a chance to add some value to the ticket tonight. (8) BELLISSIMO FACE S was an easy front end winner 3 back but came up short in his 3 other most recent tries, a close 2nd each time – has the speed to make something happen from Post 8, but still leaning more to a couple of his better-drawing rivals. (3) CREDIT CON has done some good work since recently returning to the barn that did great with him in the past – moves inside, and is worth including in exotics. (6) WALKWHILEY OURTALKIN has decent overall recent form out of town but gets a bad draw (vs. tougher horses) for his YR return. (7) SHOW THE WILL has been doing good work lately but will have to contend with both a class jump, and poor draw. (5) BIG CHARLIE MORAN really needs to be in a easier to be considered a legitimate threat

RACE 8 – (6) ROYAL COMET made his local debut last week (new barn, adding Lasix) and finished full of trot after a conservative trip – hard to say if Holland can find him a winning trip tonight but he’ll be a good price, and seems more than capable if things go his way. (7) KILDARE KING has been terrific since recently joining our leading barn, no real surprise since he’s banked nearly $800K in his career – he was a winner last week and has a real chance to repeat…but 8/5 ML does seem a bit low considering the poor draw. (4) CAMERA MAN was a big earner at 3 and has continued to thrive into his 4YO campaign – he upset this class 4 back, is still sharp, and the move back inside could make him a real player again. (2) BE DIFFERENT struggled much of the year but he’s much sharper lately, and has a chance to outperform his 20-1 ML price. (1) AQUARIUS FACE S shows some mixed recent lines at best but he adds Lasix, draws the pole, and is eligible to grab a share. (8) VANDY LANE is usually trotting very well late, but may just find himself too far out this week to threaten. (3) TAIPAN AS has ability but is suspect right now with breaks in 2 of his last 3 starts. (5) SIR MAVERICK steps up for new connections after beating easier last week – needs to prove he can trot with these better ones

RACE 9 – (7) HEAVEN ON HIGH N dropped to 20s last start, took some $$ and almost won it – lands a terrible draw but he’s listed at 20-1 ML, and may be worth a stab in this blank field. (1) DONTTTELLMENOW has a shot just because he has the rail and Bartlett…but he certainly lacks the form to justify what figures to be a tiny price. (4) CAVIART SARGENT doesn’t win too often but he was Holland’s choice (over #2), and has to at least be considered vs. these. (3) INVICTUS is listed at 9/5 ML but he’ll need a wake up call to come out on top tonight (he’s struggled lately). (2) TWIG seemed worth a look from this spot but Holland opting for #4 doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence (5) OOGLEVILLE just returned to the races at 4 recently and showed little in his 2 starts – another hoping for a wake up call. (6) SHAKESPEARE has enjoyed success here over the years but was empty last week returning from Stga. (8) RAYRAY is 2 for 87 at YR over the last 3 years and lands behind the 8 ball.