Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) SHINE A LIGHT has demolished this class week after week, all year long, for any barn he races for – tonight’s task MAY be a little tougher (bad post and some better rivals), but it would still be pretty tough to go against him. (4) COWBOY CARGO had a pair of excellent 2nds upon arrival at Yonkers before a no-chance 7 hole try vs. better – he returns from PA at the bottom level, and has a solid chance to be part of the equation tonight. (5) ALADDIN had been struggling for months before that form-reversing 2nd (to #7) two back – he was wiped out last week, but may be able to grab a good piece here if that 3/30 effort wasn’t just a fluke. (2) MR PROFETA found an easy spot last week and delivered the front end victory – chance for a decent piece tonight with another good draw. (1) BETTORBUCKLEUP didn’t earn a nickel in his first 5 local starts this year but was in the right place at the right time last week and scored at 28-1 in a fall apart race – no idea what to expect tonight, though. (3) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK picked up 3rds in his last pair but really doesn’t feel all that sharp right now – better value with others. (6) OVER THE HORIZON won his last pair, but comes into this off a month (after a sick scratch) – leaning elsewhere. (8) LONG SHOT BUCKETS had really perked up but now draws Post 8 after a miscue last week – no spot!

RACE 2 – John Brennan Trotting Series Consolation, $50,000: (4) EXQUISITE TASTE was too far back to 3/4s to do any better than 3rd last week but she still was trotting well late (after coming up 2nd best to the impressive KAZIO DK the week before) – she can probably be handled aggressively from this spot, and should be a fair price. (2) (PP1) PIERRE IN PARIS broke before the start in his last then made a nice recovery – his other 2 local starts were solid as well, and he draws the pole with a new trainer listed– dangerous, for sure. (6) (PP7) COMMODUS A has 3 very nice efforts since adding Lasix, even if still looking to get to the winner’s circle – tough draw, but still a viable player. (7) (PP8) DIPLOMACY had won 4 straight YR starts before last week’s untimely miscue – he still made a big recovery, and would have been listed higher tonight if not for the awful draw. (1) (PP2) HALFADOZEN seemed iffy heading into the series but has hardly embarrassed himself – looks more likely to grab a piece in here than entrymate (1A) (PP6) BELMONDO, who is struggling right now. (5) SUNDAYS BRUNCH just hasn’t thrived since joining this barn several months back. (3) CRAZY BROTHER JIM has really struggled since the recent barn change.

RACE 3 – (7) MC ANGEL had been on a LONG form spree before tiring badly on 4/7 – dropped back down to 20s last week, sat quietly in the back then kicked home full of pace in an excellent bounce-back effort – gets another bad draw, but still worth a look assuming the price is fair. (1) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ is still winless on the year but comes into this off a trip of 2nd place finishes – maybe tonight she finally gets over the hump? (4) SHANGRI LA HA NOVER did a nice job lasting for 3rd last week after getting blown away by the freight train winner at 3/4s, in a fiery 1:52 mile – possibility, and worth considering as long as the price is decent. (2) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL was just 1 for 49 at Yonkers (last 3 years) before delivering that sharp upset 2 back – she was actually better last week than her line might suggest, and it’s POSSIBLE that she could pull off another upset…with the right trip. (5) STONECOLD GIRL has won 8 of her 22 local starts but does seem just a touch off her best game – may also be looking at a tough trip from this spot. (6) GIOVONA BY THE SEA was handled aggressively off the big barn change last week but not quite up to the task – may need a bit easier. (3) HARPER SEELSTER has struggled in most of her starts this year

RACE 4 – (6) KARINCHAK looked like the one to beat heading into last week but his 5 cents on the dollar final odds definitely stamps him as THE most overbet horse of the year (so far) – he just missed (to #4) but since HE probably won’t be the favorite this time, we’ll give him a chance to make amends. (4) KAYS IN CHARGE looked like the clear 2nd choice last week and her 6-1 payoff was highly boosted by the absurdly short price on #6 – more than possible that she can get her picture again. (3) MANFORCE was really good here for a few starts not long ago – he gets a full pass for his last in PA (parked every step), and he does have appeal with that 15-1 ML listing. (5) PORTOBAROSSO AS NL was a no threat 3rd behind #4 and #6 last week and may be looking at another 3rd/4th tonight. (1) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN took a while to graduate from the class below this…needs to prove he can contend with these too. (2) ALL TOO WELL would be a surprise, to say the least

RACE 5 – (7) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR has 2 wins and 2 seconds from her last 4 starts, the losses coming to a pair of pretty nice mares – gets another terrible draw, but has the speed to overcome it…we’ll go with her on top. (3) MA GGIE Q N was conservative here in her U.S. debut and rallied nicely for 3rd – she won her next at Chester, and has to be respected returning to The Hilltop. (5) SEND IT DOWN SLIM has been consistent all year but is still winless in 7 starts – she’ll be in the mix, but shouldn’t be the ML favorite. (2) CARRY BACK was sent off at 3/5 in her only start as a 2YO and came up 2nd best – she should be tight enough off a pair of qualifiers, and may be ready to give a tussle against some more experienced rivals in here. (1) MARTINI STAR has been disappointing (overall) so far as a 4YO, but any of her better efforts would at least put her in play for a piece. (4) EXQUISITE feels a bit cheap and has missed 3 weeks…she does get a good barn switch, though, and we’ll see how she fares vs. the locals in her YR debut. (8) LONELY GHOST turned in a form reversing effort for 2nd last week, helped a bit by her trip – faces a tough road from out here, though. (6) HINT OF SPRING looked well short in her seasonal debut – pass for now

RACE 6 – (1) WISHUPONASTAR DEO held her own in some big dances at 2, even making the Breeders Crown Final – she ended the year with a pair of sharp 2nds in NJ (after joining our leading barn), and has certainly come back sharp at 3, delivering a sharp qualifier followed by a Pocono victory right off the bench – she’ll be very tough here, assuming she has no issues with the half miler. (4) NET WEIGHT is just 1 for 12 at 3 and 4 but he’s been a very consistent performer this year, gets a nice switch to Stratton for his local debut, and should fit nicely here. (2) MARIN COUNTY has been solid all year and was definitely sharp in last week’s victory – very eligible to grab a decent piece. (5) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO is still winless on the year but grabs a good piece more often than not – include underneath. (6) WISH LIST has shown the ability to grab pieces from inside slots but has a tougher time when he draws poorly – will need some trip luck to do any real damage tonight. (8) BRULEE came back solid off the layoff, winning his first start of the year at PcD before picking up a 3rd last week (in the race won by #1) – brutal draw for his Hilltop debut, however. (3) STOVID has some speed, stays trotting, but just doesn’t finish well enough. (7) SONCANDO arrives off a pair off dismal PcD tries – new barn, but prefer to just watch, for now

RACE 7 – John Brennan Trotting Series Final: (4) KAZIO DK was still looking strong on the final turn in his first local try (4/1) when he made a very costly miscue – he came back to crush his rivals the next week and was even better in his last, chasing a :27.4 third panel from the pocket before uncorking a :27.3 final quarter of his own, blowing right by a pretty sharp leader – we’ll give him the narrow call tonight. (1) ALWAYS A STORY took a bit too long to kick in for her last pair and came up a little short at the end – she’s shown the ability to throw some big efforts when on her best game, and the right trip could make her very dangerous from this spot. (7) TOP GUN HAN OVER was beyond lucky to hang on for that win three then made a break in his next – he did rebound with a “more like it” victory in the first leg of the series but has been absent ever since – deserves respect, but hard to take too short a price from this spot. (3) GREEN MEL hasn’t won in a while but he’s usually right in the hunt – could come out on top if a couple of the others fail to bring their best. (8) ZENMEISTER S was excellent winning his first 2 local starts but did come up just short in his last pair, at very short prices– will need a lot to go his way after drawing Post 8, but at least his price will finally creep up. (5) MA ISABELLE shocked from the pocket at 30-1 two back then did it again at 17-1 last week – she’s earned respect, but we’re still leaning towards others. (2) VELOCIRAPTO R hasn’t embarrassed himself at all in the series, but still seems destined to be battling for minor spoils. (6) ALIMO NY MIKE usually finishes well, but will likely be coming from too far back to be a serious threat tonight

RACE 8 – Tough race: (3) FLEX UP got some experience racing at 3 – he came back with a winning qualifier to start off his 3YO campaign, broke in his first start (in the Weiss Series at Pocono) but really wasn’t bad last week from a tough spot, in a quick mile – seems as likely as any in this wide open affair. (4) JULA TACTICALSON has been “ok” in NJ but has just one win and one 2nd from 17 career starts, and his connections assure that he’ll end up overbet in his Yonkers debut. (6) SHOESTRINGS had some success at 2 and was a winner in her Pinehurst qualifier – Marohn did well with her last year, and she’d be no surprise at all. (7) BROMAX’ local effort have been mixed but he win here 4 back and finished up well last week– chance if things fall apart a bit up front. (2) LIFE IS GREAT was a little dull in her local debut but did win 4 races as a 2YO and seems capable of better. (1) KICK EM JENNY is off to a slow start (so far) for a new barn at 4 – will need to up her game to be a player. (8) PRESS had some success at 2 but has been off to a slow start at 3 and gets buried with Post 8 in his first YR try (adding hopples) – prefer to just watch, for now. (5) MASSETO has struggled all year, and is 4-0-0-0 here at Yonkers – sticking with others tonight

RACE 9 – (2) SHAKE IT left hard from Post 8 last week but lost all chance when forced to make a full retreat – he’s very tough at this level with a good trip, and he’s overdue for one of those – very live player. (3) LOUS BEACH was very good last week (off the claim), despite the DQ – Yannick sticks with him over #5, and we like his chances as well. (6) DANCININTHEFIRE was shut off at the cones last week or might have been closer – he’s had trouble finding the winner’s circle, but has raced well enough to win in several of his starts– could offer some value here (8) BETTOR BY SEASIDE gets the worst of the draw but does fit with these – not a bad bomb if you think Stratton may at least take a shot at leaving. (4) TONTO RETURNS used a dream trip to win 2 back but has been “meh” in most of his other starts – vulnerable at a short price? (5) JO PAS WARRIOR was better dropping to 20s last week but Gingras prefers #3 and so do we. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP picked up that form reversing win 3 back then regressed immediately – leaning elsewhere. (7) DANCE ON THE BEACH struggled from a similar spot in last