Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, May 19, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) TH SANDRA DEE was a blowout winner at Pocono 2 back, and ships in off a solid 3rd in NJ – she catches an uninspiring bunch for her Hilltop return, and deserves top billing from the pole. (2) IDEALINFUN is 0 for 11 this year after a disappointing 3 for 34 season in 2025 – she IS looking at a good trip from this spot, and that could be enough to land her somewhere on the ticket. (4) JIVE DANCING A got very good for several starts but her win 2 back wasn’t nearly as sharp as her previous 2 victories, and she followed that up with a dud last week – too soon to just dismiss her chances, but it does feel like she’s started to tail off again. (5) BEANTOWN BABE was a much improved 2nd last week, although she did really hang late with a chance to win it – ok to use underneath. (3) TARGARYEN EMPRESS was no factor in her YR return but could find herself closer to the pace tonight, with a chance to grab a share. (6) STONECOLD GIRL has 5 wins this year but none lately – she’s been limited to smaller pieces in her last few, and may be looking at the same tonight. (7) LONELY GHOST turned in a very good 1st over try last week but that was from the pole – brutal draw tonight. (8) SUNBURNT would be a surprise from out here.

RACE 2 – (6) SPECTACULAR LEO was a winner in his career debut at Monti and the 1/10 price suggests that it was known that he had some real ability – he broke in his next, took a month off, then delivered a pair of back-to-back blowout victories – certainly worth a look with that 8-1 ML price. (4) ADAM CHEESEHEAD turned in a solid local debut, cutting the mile (after ALABAMA LUCKY broke) then holding nicely to 2nd after getting blown away by the promising winner – should be a big threat tonight. (8) HURRIKANE LILLOUIE won one of his 4 starts at 2, and has shown legitimate ability a couple of times since recently returning for his sophomore season – would give him consideration at a big price, even from Post 8. (3) SPY CRAFT missed all of his 4YO season after making limited starts at 2 and 3 – he DOES have some talent, and could have a say in his local debut. (2) ALABAMA LUC KY flew right to the top last week but lost all chance after a 2nd turn miscue – he’s just 1 for 41 lifetime, but does grab plenty of pieces. (5) HURRIKANE EXPRESS won a couple of starts at 2 and has been racing well (so far) at 3, at The Meadows – he does move to a new barn for his Yonkers debut, and we’ll see if he can bring along that good form. (7) DRAMAS A was an “ok” 3rd in both U.S. starts – tough draw tonight, and does figure to end up overbet. (1) OHH LOBO failed to function in either career start so far.

RACE 3 – Short field but a tough race! (1) BIG CITY DAISY was quickly reclaimed two back and rebounded immediately, picking up her 3rd victory of the year – she may get the pace set up she likes best tonight, and is one of several with a legitimate chance in here. (3) SPIRIT OF PEARL A dropped in for a $20K tag last week and perked up quickly, charging home for 2nd from well back (behind #1) – she was claimed that night, and debuts here for an owner/trainer/driver team that has excelled off the claim this year– possibility (2) DWS DARLENE had a good 2025 campaign and has been even better so far in 2026 – she was quickly re-claimed from her last, and has been a weekly threat pretty much all year long! (5) ULTIMATE SPEED dropped from 50s to 25s last week and gave it a big try on the front end, only letting things slip away late – drops right back in the box, and is another very live player. (6) TWI N B ECHO brought her “good” version last week and rallied very nicely to nip #5 at the end – gets the worst of the draw, but the right trip gives her a chance to repeat. (4) YOU BEDA ROCK has struggled lately – leaning to others.

RACE 4 – (1) ROLLING WITH SAM cut the mile for the first time in a long time last week, fought off a big test from the classy tripsitter and picked up the sharp victory – he’s not known for stringing together wins, but definitely has a chance to do so tonight. (4) JOEL AND THE JETS banked $50K at 2 and then $100K at 3 – he won his local debut on 11/4 as the prohibitive favorite (back half in :54.4) but then was pulled up in his next start – went on the shelf for 5 months, was DISTANCED in his first qualifier but looked much better 5 weeks later…he’ll be very tough here if he’s ready to bring his best, but he’s hard to get too excited about with that 8/5 ML price! (2) THE BIGBOSS A is a bit of a sluggo, but does try hard and grabs pieces– ok underneath. (6) DONTTELLMENOW is probably a lot sharper than he looks on paper but he lands outside and actually fits NW5000– prefer to try him for a better spot. (3) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH just feels off his game right now – in need of a wake up call. (5) WINDSUN RICKY is going through a rough patch right now – looking for better signs before hopping back on his team.

RACE 5 – (5) THIRSTY THURSDAY went some big miles at 2 and 3, banking over $400K along the way – he did tail off considerably at the end of his sophomore campaign but he recently qualified back sharply at Pocono, then won his first start as a 4YO from a seemingly impossible spot (albeit vs. easier) – willing to give him a try vs. some more seasoned foes here. (4) CHALK HANOVER won off the barn change at “The Ridge” 3 back then landed in a pair of impossible spots after that– gets Jordan tonight, and could be a much bigger player. (8) ROCK THE BELLES just re-qualified for his new barn after 2 months off and certainly looked good – if you think Gingras may take a shot to leave with him, include him in your exotics. (3) CAPTAIN LUFFY was a solid 3rd in this class 2 back with a chance for another decent piece tonight. (6) MIND HUNTER went from weekly longshot to 3/5 favorite last week, hit the top and never looked back – much tougher spot now, but still a chance for a minor share. (2) BLACK EDITI ON N feels like he may be a little cheaper but he lands in a new barn, draws well, and improvement is possible. (7) LEVINE used an easy trip to pick up a 2nd last week but the move from the rail to the 7 hole is likely going to hurt. (1) HEAVEN ON HIGH N gave Bartlett win #12,000 last week…but this will be a much tougher task.

RACE 6 – (2) ODDS ON NO LIMIT was a winner in his first 2 starts of 2026 (here at Yonkers) then came up a little short in his next – he took a little time off, re-qualified on Lasix (at PcD), but just wasn’t sharp in his next 2 starts – took off a little more time, qualified back, and his last 2 PA starts were excellent…willing to give him a try, though there are several in here with a real chance. (3) FORWARD FLASH races well every start, handles any trip, and is never a bad one to have on your tickets. (5) BETTOR NOT was raging with pace with no room 3 back, just missed in his next then was right there again last week – may be able to get over the hump if the right trip comes his way. (4) LASER SPEED didn’t fire at all last week but his prior 2 were very sharp – chance to add some value to the exotics. (6) GANNONS VELOUCITY has been a notch below in his 3 starts since arriving at Yonkers – the tough draw may leave him with minor spoils tonight. (1) THE FAMILY MAN has shown little since moving up to this level but finally gets an inside draw – license to have a bigger say. (7) WAVEMAKER is often good for a late rally but may just have too far to come tonight. (8) KEVIN KLINE N is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.

RACE 7 – (3) VERDUN took a big drop out of the Borgata Series last week but had the misfortune of catching ANOTHER horse doing the same (CATALPA RESCUE A), and came up a sharp 2nd best to him – the one to beat tonight. (1) INVISIBLE N was the beneficiary of a disqualification in last week’s victory but raced super, regardless – he’s really starting to hit on all cylinders, and looms a big player again tonight. (2) COALFORD TOPGUY GB has been an ultra-consistent performer since arriving at Yonkers, currently 12-3-7-0…the good draw could land him his usual good piece. (7) RAILROAD STATION banked nearly $350K at 2 and 3 so clearly the talent is there – it took a couple of starts for him to find his best after returning at 4, but he looked super here last week winning his 3rd start of the year (in a sparkling 1:51.3) – tough draw vs. some classy rivals to his inside, however. (5) JUMPINGJACKMAC N is an Invitational horse when on his game, but he’s definitely off his best right now – becomes a threat if he can find his “A Game” tonight. (4) TAHUYA DEVIL was “sneaky good” at 30-1 two back but fell apart badly when hammered down to 8.5 last week – just too inconsistent for our tastes. (6) TOBINS CHESTER drops a bit but this field is still probably tougher than he’d like. (8) JETT STAR N will need to pass ‘em all to win from out here.

RACE 8 – (2) WINN WITH LYNNLY has been bouncing around the classes and her last 3 starts at this $50K level produced a win and a pair of 3rds – she has a post edge here over her main rivals, and may be able to convert that into a victory. (7) MISS PERIGNON N was quickly re-claimed last week by the barn for whom she won for the start before – very dangerous tonight, even from Post 7. (3) PETROL QUEEN rebounded from a dullish try 2 back to just miss last week – she’s dangerous any time she lands on a live trip these days. (4) MADDIES DELITE picked up a win in her local debut but she got to control the action from the pole and was just “ok” – might be vulnerable tonight if roughed up a bit more. (5) OVER ICE had more pace than she was able to show last week and isn’t a bad bomb to use for 3rd/4th. (6) ACUSHLA MACHREE N was a close 3rd off the easy trip last week but finds herself in a much tougher spot tonight – may be battling for a lesser share this time. (1) ONEDERFULBEACH was dull last week but she’s grabbed a number of small pieces at big prices, and another that’s always playable for the bottom of tris and supers. (8) SWEET ODDS would be a surprise, to say the least.

RACE 9 – (1) MYSWEETBOYMAX toured the oval from the 8 hole last week, probably already looking forward to tonight’s class drop – he’ll be pretty tough if he brings anything close to his best effort from this spot. (3) PRINT VILLE has been in a long stretch of impossible spots and likely much sharper than he looks on paper – should be able to have a much bigger say tonight! (7) BENHOPE RULZ N picked up a win DH vs. cheaper in PA last week after struggling for some time– maybe he built back enough confidence to at least make some noise here? (2) ONYX BOVINO was ok upon arrival from Canada 2 back but came up weak last start – maybe an easy trip can help him land a small slice? (5) TEXAS HOLDEM has a couple of 2nds this year but was no factor in most of his other starts – needs to bring one of those better efforts for a chance at a piece. (8) AIR GUITAR draws post 8 after going just 1 for 15 at Monti this year – maybe if he had a better post? (6) VEGAS STRIP N just never clicked at all after starting his U.S. career this winter – we’ll see if he does any better for a new barn tonight. (4) GREG THE LEG was a total no factor in all 8 of his starts this year.