Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) TH RIZZO dropped from 50s last week, got caught in terrible traffic but charged home for 2nd after being able to maneuver free to the inside – Bartlett gives her a big vote of confidence tonight (taking her over #4) and we’ll give her the narrow vote as a result (3) TWIN B ECHO has been stuck too far back in several recent starts, compounding the issues that she has on the turns – she should find herself closer to the action tonight, with a chance to upset if close enough turning for home. (8) MC ANGEL gets valuable class relief but that may be offset by the terrible draw – she IS versatile, and still worth a look (at least for exotics) at a juicy price. (2) VEL IM ALL FIRE has a couple of solid tries in this class (when the trip goes easily) – chance for a piece tonight, with a kind journey. (7) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT has been a beast in 20s but not quite as effective moving up to 30s (for new connections) last week – still willing to use her on some tickets if the price creeps up enough. (4) KATIES UP drops in class off a dull try but Bartlett opting to drive #5 could be a red flag – mixed feelings. (1) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT came up weak last week – leaning more towards others. (6) ONEDERFULBEACH steps up in class, and draws poorly (and is 0 for 25 this year).

RACE 2 – (3) BETTER B BOLD has gone some big efforts recently, even if not rewarded with a victory in some time – he’s capable on or off the pace, and a very live player tonight. (7) SON OF THE SHARK A surprisingly was moved by his owner (one of the top conditioners in the Northeast) to another barn recently, but it’s hard to argue with the success he’s had since the change – if Bartlett can get away to a quick start (as he usually can), he can be a very dangerous…even from out here. (4) ROYAL DESIRE has been racing well every start, and can rally for a piece tonight even moving up a bit in class. (6) TH COLBY has been on extended form spree, but faces a more uncertain trip from this spot – if he can find a decent journey, he can land somewhere on the ticket. (1) CAVIART LOTUS was super when he shocked at 53-1 in his local debut, then raced well again in his last pair (up in class) – steps up a bit more, but the rail draw could help him take home a small piece. (2) DUNKIN still tries very hard every week, even if he’s lost a bit on his fastball – ok for 3rd/4th. (5) CAPTAIN FEAR is good right now but continues to move up in class – might be pushing his luck a bit against these types.

RACE 3 – (1) AVF CLAIRE raced in this class 2 of the last 3 weeks and was a winner both times – draws the pole tonight, and that stamps her as the one to knock off. (5) OVER ICE finally broke her Yonkers schneid with that sharp victory 4 starts back then was a very sharp winner once more last week – has the versatility to handle different trips, and can be very dangerous here if she brings her best effort. (2) SURVIVIN FIRE wasn’t her “best” last week but still picked up another 2nd – she’s been very reliable for the last couple of months, and could be a late threat if things go her way. (4) FEAR DANIE drew Post 7 dropping in for the tag last week and had no chance – the ability is there, but she’s tended to be her own worst enemy in a few of her local starts. (3) SPIRIT OF PEARL A benefited from a beautiful trip off the class drop last week and cashed in – faces tougher now, and needs to prove she can be as effective at this $50K level. (6) BECKONING YANKEE draws outside after struggling at the back last week.

RACE 4 – (5) CURLY JAMES A fell apart completely for a while but he started to turn things around on 7/1 (down at the BOTTOM $15K level) and has now won 8 of 9 starts (2nd in the other), including his last pair in this class – he’s wildly overbet every week, but has managed to keep delivering! (6) BOSTON BOUND finished just behind #5 in his last pair and is the one most capable of knocking him off – drawing OUTSIDE his rival is not going to help his chances, however! (1) PANETTONE HANOVER has been inconsistent at best lately, but would become a possible upsetter if he can find his best game for tonight (and if not overdriven from the pole)! (7) BACKSTREET SHADOW is actually very good right now, but another terrible draw may not leave him a way to work out a winning trip. (2) KEAYANG TACO A moves inside, and definitely races better on/near the lead – chance for a small piece. (3) FINVARRA A’s two wins this year came with Bartlett on board but JB obviously opts to steer #5 – one of several with a chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (4) ROCK THE BELLES has quickly leveled off (up in class) after picking up a pair of quick victories (over easier) returning from Pocono.

RACE 5 – (4) THE RASCAL N hasn’t been the most reliable performer since arriving in the U.S. but he’s very tough when he can navigate things without issue (like last week, and 5 starts back) – he seems overdue to pair up winning efforts, but still wouldn’t bet the ranch on him at too short a price! (1) ALWAYS BET ON ME was no match for #4 two starts back but his overall form is very solid, and he seems poised to cash in should the top choice not bring his best. (5) TWN B FRESH BET just missed last week (off the qualifier) and delivered a pair of winning efforts here back in June – a quick start would certainly enhance his chances. (5) GEORGES WISH almost pulled it off when handled aggressively last week and his overall form since arriving at Yonkers has been very steady – he does draw poorly here, however, and that could limit him to a smaller share tonight. (2) SERGEANT WALT gets Gingras for his local debut and does show a pair of recent NJ victories – he does feel a bit on the cheaper side, however, and that has us leaning much more towards the locals. (3) SIGNAL CALLER has some ability but he’s his own worst enemy and fails to function far too often for our tastes! (8) JUSTINIAN showed zero in his first 3 local tries but suddenly took all kinds of $$ last week, and was able to deliver the form reversing victory (one of THREE consecutive “wake up call” horses for the barn/driver last Tuesday) – hard to see him matching that effort tonight, though! (7) SHAKEITONTHEBEACH arrives from Monti, draws poorly, and just feels a bit overmatched.

RACE 6 – (3) EFFINGHAM was racing from Post 7 off a sick scratch last week and still charged home through the lane to lose by less than 2 lengths, even grabbing a small check– much better spot here and worth a try, especially with Holland taking him over a couple of others. (4) JOLIMONT N was facing stakes competition in NZ before shipping to the U.S. – no threat in his first pair (at PcD) but used a perfect trip to score in 1:49.3 in his 3rd try, then jogged as the odds-on choice in his first local attempt – won’t hurt at all getting Bartlett tonight but Holland (who WON with him), does opt to steer EFFINGHAM. (1) PRINTVILLE moved up two classes last week and still was full of pace finishing just behind the top three finishers – draws the pole, and a similar effort can get him a piece here too – (2) EVERLAST STING DEO broke in his first local try (7/21) but paced cleanly returning last week, even if not a factor – moves inside, and may be able to have a bigger role tonight. (6) LANADIER A is listed at 20-1 ML but he’s raced well in a bunch of starts since arriving here in July, and has a chance to rally for a small piece, even with the tough draw. (5) FORCE FULL A won his U.S. debut here on 7/20 but has disappointed (overall) since then – still playable underneath, though. (8) NO TRESSPASSING was a tiring 3rd from the pole last week and now starts from the 8 hole, up in class – sticking with others. (7) WINDSUN RICKY gets another awful draw – pass.

RACE 7 – (2) PONDA EAGLE had some ugly looking lines at VD but was sent off at 5 cents on the dollar for his new barn at Monti and wired the field by an incredible 37 lengths – he’ll obviously be facing (much?) tougher now, but he may just be able to handle these too. (8) ROLLING WITH SAM is way too camera shy to ever bet with confidence (especially from Post 8!) but this a very soft spot and he’s listed at 20-1 ML…maybe worth a look? (5) STAY GROUNDED just never seemed to thrive here at Yonkers (even when he was a “good” horse) but he does fit with this bunch, and has to at least be considered a possibility, especially with Stratton hopping on board. (1) SOUT HWIND IRON was 12-6-3-0 $116K as a 2YO but struggled to function at 3, resulting in him being sold recently for just $8500 – he was overmatched in his local debut but does figure to be a MUCH bigger player tonight in this much softer spot…that 7/5 ML price does make him hard to play, though! (3) MARLBANK ROAD is just 1 for 20 this year (0 for 7 at YR) but still can’t be dismissed too quickly against these. (6) DREAMBOAT HANOVER is also 1 for 20 this year, and 12-0-0-2 at Yonkers – minor spoils? (4) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A (no Lasix tonight) has no wins and one 2nd from 16 local starts since arriving in the U.S. and a recent barn change hasn’t helped at all. (7) INT IMIDATION drops a bit, but isn’t clicking at all right now.

RACE 8 – Interesting race: (6) HES A FEIN FELLOW had Post 7 off a bad date (sick scratch) for his Yonkers debut but offered a strong final quarter from an impossible spot – he showed a desire to win races in PA, and may be able to pick up a win here in NY too. (5) LYONS GUSTAVOFRING raced well in Canada when NOT is stakes races – moves to a sharp barn for his local debut, adds Lasix and Holland, and offers plenty of appeal at 12-1 ML. (4) WINNINGMACHINE was in tight stretch quarters for his local debut then had pace at both ends of the mile when 2nd last week – possibility, especially if he continues to improve. (3) OZZIES CRAZY TRAIN struggled in his first several local tries but showed better life 2 back and raced even better last week – he’s on the upswing, and may be ready to contend for the top slot. (2) PERFECT CABERNET is listed at 8/5 ML off that last Monti blowout but his 3 local starts have been less than stellar – hard to endorse at a short price! (1) AMERICAN ROAD TRIP raced “ok” for pieces a couple of times but has never been overly impressive – willing to use underneath. (7) HE IS STINGIN faltered as the favorite with no excuses 2 back and last week’s victory was 100% thanks to the trip (the heavily favored leader just folded in the stretch) – tough to like from out here. (8) NOVA BLU showed improvement in his last start but tonight’s draw figures to slow him down a bit.

RACE 9 – (4) EVILEYE FLEEGLE isn’t as sharp as when he first arrived here this summer but he just missed 2 back (off the class drop) and was a close 4th from Post 8 last week (after another class drop) – moves inside, and may benefit from a live trip tonight. (5) SMOOTH DREAM wasn’t right three back but his last 2 starts have been excellent – very capable of taking this if the trip falls his way. (3) JETT STAR N was “sneaky sharp” in his last pair and may get to sit off a contested pace tonight – good bomb to at least consider. (2) IN EXCESS N was 3rd horse last Tuesday from this trainer/driver combination to turn in a BIG effort, even if he had to settle for 2nd (while the other two were winners) – would be no surprise here at all. (1) BONDI LOCKDOWN A tends to be camera shy but it would be hard NOT to include him underneath in exotics from this spot. (6) ODDS ON NO LIMIT raced better than expected last week, earning himself a two hole trip then nearly collaring the winner after splitting horses into the stretch – may have trouble finding a decent trip tonight, though. (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N is good right now, but faces limited options after drawing so poorly. (8) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N was a weekly threat in a bunch of NW2-4PM races but he takes on tough older foes from Post 8 tonight, and that won’t be easy!

RACE 10 – (6) IDEAL SKIES was 2nd to TH RIZZO off the claim on 8/4 but scratched injured from her next start – her solid qualifier suggests that she’s fine, and that 6-1 ML price makes her worth a good look in the finale. (2) BET TORS TICKET dropped in for a tag and was a winner 2 back but got WAY too hot on the lead last week and tired (understandably) – legitimate threat here with a quitter trip. (7) YOUNONOTHINJON gets a terrible draw but she rallied nicely from well back to pick up 3rds in her last pair, and would not be an unreasonable stab tonight. (4) IDE ALINFUN is razor sharp (won 3 of her last 4) but she’s been through some of our top barns, and will be debuting tonight for a much lower % outfit – she may still beat these, but that “even money” ML price makes it tempting to perhaps take a shot against her. (8) DWS DARLENE wasn’t at her best when she won off the claim last week and now has to deal with Post 8 – she does love to win races, though, so don’t hesitate to give her a try if the price creeps up high enough. (1) KELLINA DIAMOND came up terrible in her last 2 starts – qualifier was better, but still not ready to hop on her team (5) ADALECIA may be able to grab some minor spoils with an easy enough trip (3) DOCS LOVE has struggled in her 3 starts since returning from the long layoff.