Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) MC ANGEL wasn’t herself 4 starts back but other than that one mile, she’s been terrific for months – should be right there (as always) with another rail draw. (4) DWS DARLENE’s form has been as good (or better) than MC ANGEL’s, already picking up 5 wins and 5 seconds from her 12 starts this year – she looks to pick up her 4th win in her last 5 starts, and has a legitimate chance to do so. (2) TWO BEAN DREAM is a question mark class- wise vs. these types but she’s always loved to WIN races, and is really thriving (out of town) for her current barn – we’ll get a better picture after tonight. (3) TWIN B ECHO’s efforts have been all over the place lately – she moves inside, and can make some noise IF she brings her best (5) ULTIMATE SPEED dropped in for a $50K tag last week, weakened in the pocket and now drops in for HALF that price – major red flags? (7) KISSIN JOE is very solid at this level but may be done in by tonight’s draw. (6) YOU BEDA ROCK would probably like to be back in for $20K

RACE 2 – (6) HUNT OF THE PRESS had an excellent 2YO season, going 8-4-3-0 with $288K in the bank (including a 2nd in the NYSS Final, and a 2nd here at Yonkers) – his last 2 starts (out of town) were very good, and he should be pretty tough against this much softer crew. (1) FEARLESS PARTNERS showed speed from early on as a 2YO but struggled soon after vs. tough competition in KY, really falling apart late in the year – he did come back sharp at 3, winning his seasonal debut at Chester last week – could have a big say from the pole. (2) DRAMAS A was an ok 3rd last week in his stateside debut, and has license to be sharper tonight – he’ll probably be overbet, however. (5) ALABAMA LUCKY is just 1 for 40 lifetime, and 0 for 24 here at YR – he does grab pieces, though, and is playable for 3rd/4th. (7) TWIN B FRESH BET is just 2 for 30, but he does fit with these…the draw is what figures to really hurt his chances tonight. (4) ADAM CHEESEHEAD was entered twice at 2 but scratched both times – his four 3YO starts (in PA) have been “meh”, and we’ll see how he fares with the locals. (3) OH LOBO was forced to re-qualify after failing to function in his career debut.

RACE 3 – (3) MIND HUNTER has been sneaky-sharp in a bunch of recent starts vs. better – he was no factor at all last week, but the “upside” is that it allowed him to get tonight’s class drop – willing to hop on board with Bartlett in the bike, looking for a more aggressive try. (5) PRINTVILLE gets his first decent draw since mid-March, drops a notch, and is definitely eligible to bring a much better effort – worth a look. (4) LYONS BENJAMIN had things pretty much his own way and really had no excuse to get collard late – it was discouraging for sure, but it’s also too soon to just write him off. (1) CASINO ACTION N is as camera shy as they come, but at least it a level where he can do some damage – ok for exotics. (6) SPECULATING A should be pacing well late against these, but probably only for a small piece from out here. (2) HP MOMENTUM has been “due” for a big wake up call for ages, but it just hasn’t come – hard to make the case that we’ll get one tonight. (7) STONEBRIDGE WIZARD was way overbet off a long layoff last week and had to work hard just to keep up most of the way – sticking with others

RACE 4 – (3) RAILROAD STATION earned about $175K at 2 then had almost identical season at 3 – he recently returned for his 4YO campaign and was a well bet 2nd in his 2nd start off the layoff (in PA) – may be ready to bring his best tonight. (4) FORWARD FLASH has been right there in virtually all of his starts this year, can race on or off the pace, and looms a legitimate threat with any decent trip. (2) BETTOR NOT was totally blocked while full of pace 2 back, then just missed last week off a pocket trip (behind #5) – could have another big say tonight. (5) TITO N CHEDDAR benefited from a nice drive from Bongiorno last week and picked up his first victory at this level – not sure he’ll enjoy quite as easy a trip tonight, however. (6) LASER SPEED was very sharp in his last pair, even if taking a tough beat last week – he fits for sure, but could be looking at a tough trip after drawing outside several quality foes. (1) CAPTAIN LUFFY has raced well a bunch of starts this year but still hasn’t been able to get his picture taken – that streak may continue here. (7) CAPTAIN FEAR is capable of big efforts but he threw a lesser effort last week, and gets stuck all the way outside tonight

RACE 5 – (4) PETROL QUEEN was no factor from a tough spot last week but her overall recent form is pretty solid – if things shake out her way, she may have a chance to pull off the upset in a pretty wide open affair. (8) MISS PERIGNON N will have her work cut out for her from Post 8 but she’s won 4 of her last 5 starts, may be able to improve position with a quick start, and could see her odds drift up a bit – worth using as long as the price is fair. (1) MADDIES DELIGHT’s Ohio lines are certainly sharp enough to deserve plenty of respect in her Hilltop debut but it’s a little tough to gauge just how well she’ll fit at THIS level – would use some caution if she ends up overbet. (2) ACUSHLA MACHREE N hasn’t been close to her best form in some time but she’s still good enough to be a threat vs. these, from a spot like this – another that could be overbet, however. (7) YS SENSATIONALCITY turned in a MUCH better effort last week and would have been listed higher for sure if not for the terrible draw – still worth considering if she goes off at a big price. (6) BRI EXPRESS N has her moments (4 wins this year) but would need things to fall apart up front to win from this spot. (5) ONEDERFULBEACH is rarely a threat to win, but she does grab more than her fair share of good pieces, at big prices. (3) OVER ICE is 0 for 17 at Yonkers and just 2 for 43 overall over the last 2 years – minor spoils only

RACE 6 – (3) TAHUYA DEVIL’s last line may not look all that impressive but he was actually WAY back on the 3rd turn, and raced super to only lose the whole race by 5 lengths (pacing into a fast final half, in a quick mile)– we were looking forward to playing him back this week after seeing that “hidden” effort but that 2-1 ML listing has tempered that enthusiasm a bit. (6) AMERICAN DEALER N gets Yannick back tonight and that may result in a much more aggressive effort – definitely a chance to outperform his 12-1 ML price. (1) SIX DEGREES doesn’t win here very often but he does pick up plenty of pieces – the class drop could help him have a bigger say tonight. (8) ALWAYS A THRILL was sent off at 1/5 last week in a seemingly “easy” spot for him, but he was outleft at the start and turned in a pretty “meh” performance– he just may be off his game right now, and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (2) INVISIBLE N was well meant 2 back but lost all chance with a break before the start – he made amends with last week’s sharp uncovered score, but we’ll see if he can have that same success against this much tougher group. (5) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR is always a threat to save ground and rally late for a small slice. (4) DONTTELL MENOW drops another win off the bottom of his card after tonight and will bring his “last 5” earnings down to zero – start looking for him with the upcoming class drops. (7) SKYLOU N has disappointed since arriving in the U.S.

RACE 7 – (4) YOUNG BLUEY A was outstanding in winning his U.S. debut and a very impressive winner again last week – he looks to make it 3 in a row tonight, and the road to the winner’s circle continues to go through him. (3) BLUE LOU was a sharp 2nd best to the top choice last week and could be facing the same fate tonight – he’s next in line should the top one falter. (2) TOBINS CHESTER has been hanging in ok at these higher levels, though he’d surely appreciate some class relief – the good draw may give him a chance to take home a small piece of this. (5) IK NOWBETTER is racing very well right now but lands outside the two main players, and that could leave him with a tougher trip than he’d like – still could find a way to land a decent share. (6) JUMPINGJACKMAC N is a top class horse when on his best game but he just feels a bit off that level right now – the bad draw isn’t going to help matters. (1) ROCKET CITY A did pick up a win 3 back but really hasn’t lived up to expectations so far – leaning elsewhere. (7) JETT STAR N has thrown some big miles over the last couple of months but this is a brutal spot

RACE 8 – (2) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY was no factor in either start since returning from the layoff but he was also facing much better - he lands in a much more reasonable spot tonight and if the tote board suggests that he’s “live”, you may want to pay attention. The last time (4) HEAVEN ON HIGH N was handled aggressively was when he paired up with Bartlett on 3/18…and the pair reunite for the first time since then tonight – could be ready for another speed try. (3) COLLECTIVE WORKS A is very light in the win department but the same can be said for most of these – definitely ok to use underneath, and maybe even on top. (1) DEALERS TURN is just 1 for 57 in 2025-26 but this is definitely a spot where he can be part of the action, and take home a chunk. (5) GREAT SOMEWHERE was better in his last couple in PA, albeit vs. cheaper – maybe he built enough confidence to contend for a piece here too? (7) AVENGER FORCE really wasn’t bad in his last couple and would have been listed higher for sure if not for Post 7. (6) RAYRAY may struggle to get close starting from this tough spot. (8) BUCHANNON HANOVER has 31 local starts over the last 3 years and never been 1st or 2nd!

RACE 9 – (5) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE was no factor off the long layoff last week but she wasn’t bad either – not sure why she was installed as the 2-1 ML favorite tonight (she was 6th at 14-1 in her last), but we’d still try her on top– as long as the price is realistic (4) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT rebounded with a better effort last week and reclaimed by a barn she did very well for – logical threat! (3) BEANTOWN BABE really hasn’t clicked yet for her current connections but the move inside should at least put her in the discussion for a piece. (6) TARGARYEN EMPRESS had several good amateur starts in NJ recently – her form here over the last couple of seasons wasn’t great, but that 20-1 ML price makes her worth considering for exotics, with Zeron grabbing the lines tonight. (7) GIOVONA BY THE SEA struggled from a similar spot last week and probably needs a better draw to be a more serious player. (8) SHEIKH YABOOTY N has her good weeks…probably not a spot she’s going to appreciate, but still not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (1) LONELY GHOST only raced “well” in one of her starts this year – we’ll see if the rail can help improve her fortunes. (2) CANNERY ROW gets post relief and Bartlett but that also means that she’ll attract $$ this week – hard to ignore her 0 for 47 local record over the last 3 years