Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Tough opener! (5) UNCONTROLLED has been ultra-consistent, hitting board in 7 of her last 9 starts (finishing 4th in the other 2) – she handles any trip, is usually a fair price, and never a bad one to consider, especially in a wide open affair. (4) MIGHTHAVTIME N lacks the consistency of the top choice but she does have 2 recent wins, including one vs. the 25s two starts back – dangerous if she brings her best. (2) BEANTOWN BABE was no factor in either start since the claim but she finally gets a good draw, and may bring a much better effort here – worth a look, at a price. (8) DISARONNO HILL hasn’t been able to overcome these outside draws lately but she’s won enough of these to still merit consideration, especially since her price should finally start to drift up a bit. (7) RACIN FOR ROYALTY turned in a much sharper try last week but that was with the benefit of an inside draw – she’s had trouble finding those kind of efforts from these difficult posts. (6) IDEAL SKIES finished way back in 25s last week but drops back down to 20s, where she does real damage – not quite sure what to expect tonight. (1) FORTUNADA has only been “good” in one of her 6 starts this year. (3) TALENT TO SPARE A continues to struggle.

RACE 2 – Another tough race: (3) DWS DARLENE was very sharp in 20s earlier in the year and now doing excellent work vs. the 25s as well – she was dead game in last week’s victory, and has a legitimate chance to take another. (5) KISSIN JOE had good late pace for 3rd two back (off the claim) and gave #3 a major tussle last week – could easily come out on top if the trip goes her way. (4) YOU BEDA ROCK has been claimed in her last 5 starts, and comes into this riding a 4 race winning streak – she does finally move up a notch, but just may be sharp enough to keep her streak going against these too. (8) TWIN B ECHO proved that upset win 2 back was no fluke with another excellent try last week – stuck behind the 8 ball tonight, however. (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A picked up a long overdue victory last week but the move up to 25s (and poor draw) may limit her a bit tonight. (1) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT has won a dozen races over the last 2 years but MAY be a bit off her best game right now – there’s not much margin for error in this overall very strong field. (2) IDEALINFUN picked up a 2nd dropping from 50s to 25s two back but disappointed in her last – could rebound, but still leaning elsewhere. (7) BECA MITCHELL gets a big barn change for her local debut but also draws Post 7, off 3 weeks, and in less than stellar form right now

RACE 3 – (5) HANDSOME STRANGER was used hard for the lead in his seasonal debut, carved out hot fractions then was nipped late by the form-reversing winner – he actually raced well, though that likely isn’t any consolation to those who sent him off at ten cents on the dollar, despite almost 6 months off – solid chance to make amends here. (8) LASER SPEED was no factor in his last pair, facing much tougher – could have a big say tonight, despite Post 8. (2) ZOD appears to have VERY high speed, but is still learning to be a racehorse…probably not a great sign that Kakaley opts to drive #8, but we’ll see! (1) ALABAMA LUCKY is just 1 for 38 but grabs a decent number of smaller pieces – ok to use underneath. (4) FLOOR IT FREDDIE was no factor in his first 2 starts of the year but wasn’t terrible either – not a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics, getting some post relief. (7) CHARLIES WISH was ok in his last few starts but faces a tall task getting in play from out here. (6) BETTORS DESIRE is just 2 for 33 over the last 2 seasons but another (of many) capable of grabbing a share, with the right trip. (3) OHH LORD makes his first lifetime start off an ok qualifier – will probably just observe, for now

RACE 4 – (4) BETTOR OR NOT has been facing some solid competition in those “NW7” races and while he’s been a notch below, he’s hardly been embarrassing himself – he should be a very good fit at this level, and looms a very live player tonight. (8) THE IDEAL DANCER A disappointed last week off the class drop, especially after racing so well the start before – he drops all the way down to the bottom tonight, but that may be offset by the poor draw…would need a “fair” price to use on top from out here. (5) VICI was no factor in his first 2 starts off the barn change but merits at least a look as he’s another dropping significantly in class. (2) TWIG can also be added to the class droppers, and he did win at this level back on 3/3 – not impossible. (3) JMS FINAL TREASURE turned in an improved effort at Chester last week, and drops a bit more for tonight – wouldn’t shock, but he does figure to end up overbet. (1) TEXAS HOLDEM is just 7-0-1-0 this year and just 3 for 41 overall at Yonkers – the rail draw could at least give him a chance at minor spoils. (7) AUSSIE HANOVER made a BIG recovery after an early wipeout last start but he’s also 0 for 25 locally in 2025-26! (6) GREG THE LEG has offered little in 5 starts this year.

RACE 5 – (4) GANNONS VELOUCITY raced just once at 3 but was a winner that start – he’s certainly making up for lost time at 4, going 9-7-2-0 (at The Meadows) – hard to know for sure how he fits class-wise with the locals, but the guess is that he’ll be just fine! (7) FORWARD FLASH was used had early last week, shuffled, came back out 3rd over and still was full of pace for 2nd – worth a look, for sure. (2) BOXER SEELSTER landed on a dream trip last week and knew just what to do with it – ultra-consistent performer belongs in your exotics. (1) NAMASTE HANOV ER had a disappointing 3YO season but has looked good so far in a handful of 4YO starts…draws the pole for his YR debut with a decent chance for a piece. (3) WAVEMAKER appreciated last week’s very easy trip and rallied late for 3rd – chance for minor spoils here too. (8) CAPTAIN FEAR was super for a few starts not long ago but may have tailed off a bi t– tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (6) THE FAMILY MAN was a form reversing winner last week but really steps up in class here– we’ll see if he can build off that last mile (5) TELITONTHEMOUNTAI N may need to be in with easier to strut his best stuff.

RACE 6 – (3) STERLING CHOICE’s last line may not look overly impressive at first glance but he was stuck sitting 6th into a :58 opening half, then paced his own final half in a sizzling :54 seconds (to rally for 4th) – he’ll be much closer to the action tonight, and he’s certainly no stranger to the Yonkers winners circle. (1) KWICK SAND A is a nose shy of a 5 race winning streak and he’s really blossomed into an excellent performer this year – he stays in the same class, and has a legitimate chance to take these coast to coast. (4) BOSTON BOUND was no factor 2 back but rebounded with a solid 3rd last week, and his current overall form is excellent – good one to include underneath. (2) TOBINS CHESTER disappointed in NW7500 2 back but stepped up TWO classes last week and scored an easy victory – the good draw could help offset another class jump for tonight, and help him land somewhere on the ticket. (5) BETTER B BOLD picked up a pair of wins and a 2nd from his first 3 local tries but was unable to get in play in his last after being stuck in the back, vs. much better – he drops a bit, but has also missed 3 weeks – mixed feelings. (8) AMERICAN DEALER N has been good since changing barns 5 starts back but he did struggle to get in play from a similar spot 2 back – may be in that same boat tonight. (7) BONDI LOCKDOWN A is having a solid year so far, but figures to be hurt by tonight’s draw. (6) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR figures to have too far to come

RACE 7 – Good race! (7) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N was used VERY hard last week but still fought tooth and nail to take home the victory – his price figures to be better tonight (even with that 2-1 ML listing) and he may have a chance to repeat…especially if the trip is a bit easier. (4) HEZA RISK TAKER A is winless in his first 5 U.S. starts but raced well in a few of them – maybe he can land on a live journey here? (8) SOHO DOW JONES A really came up weak 2 back but he turned in a big one last start, almost knocking off #7 despite a tough trip of his own – brutal post, but at least the price will be right. (5) YOROKOBI N has been camera shy the last 2 years but he’s sharp right now, and a possible upsetter if the race breaks his way. (6) INTIMIDATION has been racing well for a while, and has license to outperform his 20-1 ML price – good one for the bottom of exotics. (3) LEVINE had Post 8 off a bad date last week, and toured the oval – could have a more serious try tonight. (1) FORTIFY had a useful start off the layoff last week – minor share? (2) WINDSUN RICKY was a dullish 4th after re-qualifying – still in watch mode

RACE 8 – (2) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE gets a tepid nod here – he’s not a prolific winner here at Yonkers but often holds his own vs. tougher than these – maybe Bartlett can coax a win out of him. (5) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A missed all of 2025 but has been making up for lost time in 2026, racing well every week for a barn going very well right now – versatile sort can offer some value here. (3) JUST ENUFF STUFF earned himself a bump back up to 60s after a pair of sharp wins at the $50K level – would be no surprise at all. (1) SIX DEGREES seems to be around at the end every week but still hasn’t cracked the winner’s circle this year – always a good one for exotics. (4) SPEA KER OF PEACE couldn’t overcome last week’s tougher first over trip but a kinder journey could see him right back in the mix for a nice chunk. (7) JETT STAR N had been on a super roll before a clunker 2 back – he rebounded with another sharp try in his last, and the only real knock here is the draw…but it IS an obstacle! (8) LITTLE WILLY had a useful try off the scratch last week but has no spit tonight. (6) DONTTELLMENOW is probably in too tough

RACE 9 – (1) KIMBLE A battled a long way with PEACE OUT POSSE last week, looked like he was going to get home in front but did come up just short at the end – chance to make amends tonight in a pretty competitive finale. (2) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was ok for 4th off a bad trip last week and his overall recent form is solid too – could get it done with the right trip. (3) VENTURESOME ARDEN N finished 3rd from Post in his last pair and now moves inside – an obvious threat, but if he was overbet from the 8 hole in his last pair, it’s likely he’ll be WAY overbet tonight. (5) PURPLE POET would be hard to recommend off his recent Ohio form but he moves to a barn that often does well with fresh stock, and that could be a viable angle in here too. (6) PRINTVILLE has several decent tries from terrible spots recently, but may end up in another bad one tonight – still worth using for the bottom of exotics. (4) POP IT is winless in 11 starts this year after going just 3 for 34 in 2025 – maybe minor spoils? (7) BENHOPE RULZ N is struggling to get going this year – waiting for some better signs. (8) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY draws Post 8 after showing little in his first start off the layoff.