Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, August 12, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) IKNOWBETTER was a dominant winner dropping to this level 2 back but was stuck in the back last week, then hopelessly blocked through the stretch – willing to give him a try tonight, even with another bad draw. (3) EVER HOPING A was winless at YR since 2023 until joining his current barn, and quickly picking up a pair of victories – he moved up another notch to 50s last week and found his stride a little too late, settling for a close 4th – license to come out on top here if the trip goes his way. (2) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was a solid 2nd best to the sharp front end winner last week, and he’s Holland’s choice tonight (over #1) – have a feeling he’ll race well here too. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF had been well off his best for some time but was able to score from the pocket vs. cheaper 2 back, then gave it a big try last week to just miss to a sharp winner – if he’s back on his game, he can be dangerous here too. (4) KIMBLE A crushed 2 and 3 back off a pair of perfect trips, but couldn’t pull off that same big rally against a bit better in his last – maybe he can rally for a share? (8) INVISIBLE N will likely be coming from last in here, his late kick probably only enough for a small share. (7) BETTORBYSEASIDE hit board in his last pair (off the claim) but tonight’s draw may definitely hurt his chances significantly. (5) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A wasn’t nearly as effective last week stepping up to this $50K level – leaning elsewhere

RACE 2 – (6) MANFERNO gave it a shot from Post 8 vs. better last week but got blown away to 3/4s by a very sharp winner, and gradually weakened to 4th – this is an easier field, and the same tactics may have better success. (1) WINDSUN RICKY was “improved” last week, even if his (no threat) 2nd place finish was largely due to an easy trip – still, he looms a legitimate player here, even if by default! (4) GINGRAS BEACH has just one win and one 2nd in 17 starts this year but he’s also held his own with better, a bunch of times – might be able to be a threat here with the right trip. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N has been mired in a difficult 2026 season but the classy 12YO is overdue for a wake up call, and this is the type of field where it’s at least possible – ok to consider at a big price. (7) PRINTVIL LE is now 0 for 22 on the season, but has rallied a bunch of times for decent pieces– definitely ok to use underneath. (2) MAJORCROWDCONTROL A just never thrived at all since arriving in the U.S. moves to a new barn, and we’ll see if the change of scenery helps. (3) LYONS BENJAMIN has been well off his game for a while – waiting for better signs. (8) DREAMBOAT HANOVER is the outsider tonight, both literally and figuratively

RACE 3 – (3) CHASINGSTARDUST AS started off strong at 2 before tailing off and going on the shelf – she’s come back very solid at 3, behaving in all 5 Ohio starts and arrives on the local scene off a career best 1:54.2 victory at Scioto (in a Buckeye Stallion Series division) – the one to beat in her Yonkers debut. (4) RICO TUBBS added Lasix last week and was a solid 2nd behind the standout winner (even if helped by a couple of breakers, and weak ones) – should be able to have a big say here as well. (1) ZUZU ZOOM has been very steady, hitting board in all 5 of her local tries…solid chance to keep that streak going tonight. (5) JE SUIS CASH S has plenty of speed but doesn’t make a lot of starts, and often is his own worst enemy when he does race – sticking with the more reliable players in here. (2) CTM changed barns last week and was dull right from the start – he’s capable of better, and we’ll look for some improvement tonight. (6) TREGARON was an ok 4th in his first try for a new barn 2 back but could only manage a dullish 3rd last week – tonight’s draw won’t help his cause

RACE 4 – (1) SHINE A LIGHT rebounded from a couple of “off week” 2nds to get back to the winner’s circle last week, his 16th victory of the season – he goes back to one of his favorite barns, draws the pole again, and would be hard to go against. (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR sat an easy trip last week and rallied for 2nd behind the top choice, his 3rd 2nd place finish in the last 4 weeks – he’s probably the one with the best chance at pulling off an upset. (2) GO THIC ROCK is usually right in the hunt but his less than stellar finishes are why he doesn’t get his picture taken very often – always a solid possibility for exotics. (3) AVENGER FORCE turned in a better effort dropping to 20s last week and drops down to 15s for tonight – maybe he can add some value to the exotics. (5) FULL SUPPORT is rarely a threat to win, but he can grab his share of smaller pieces with easy trips (7) BETTORBUCKLEUP is another that can grab pieces with easy journeys, but he may have trouble finding one from out here. (8) BLOCKBU STER TRADE has his good moments at this level but also is prone to getting lost in the back from spots like this. (6) SQU ADRON SEELSTER gets a little better draw than last week, but still feels somewhat overmatched

RACE 5 – Good race: (2) ORLANDO BLUE A may have won (off the barn change) 3 back had he not been trapped through the stretch – he did come up a little disappointing when 2nd in his next start but was all business in last week’s “brush and crush” demolition – may be worth stating on board. (3) JETT STAR N lost a heartbreaker to DU NKIN two back (hurt by getting away 3rd that night), but made up for it with last week’s sharp front end score – another with a license to repeat! (1) COALFORD TOPGUY GB felt a bit off his game the last couple of starts but he has a bunch of efforts this year that could beat these – hard to leave off your tickets. (4) BONDI SHAKE N has picked up good pieces at big prices in several recent starts – always playable underneath. (5) LAMANDIER A was a game winner 3 back then was caught in no chance spots in his last pair – could grab a piece with a kind trip. (8) TU ALOU N adds Lasix tonight after disappointing as the favorite in his first U.S. starts– keep an eye for improvement! (6) THE GREEK FREAK just isn’t hitting on all cylinders right now and tonight’s draw won’t help. (7) CHURCHV IEWFRANKL IR was very good last week but tonight’s draw figures to really slow him down

RACE 6 – (3) WALKINSHAW N was much sharper in his 2nd start off the short layoff, dropping down to 15s – the 14 year old gets a big switch to Holland tonight, and figures to be a major threat…though that 3/2 ML price is a turn off, for sure. (2) CYRUS N picked up his first local victory in a long time 2 back, but wasn’t able to get in play last week – should be able to make a lot more noise with tonight’s better draw. (7) ARTIST BEST is a steady player at this level but the obvious issue is the draw – a good price makes him worth considering, as he did beat these 4 back. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP is MUCH sharper than his 20-1 ML price would suggest – if Stratton is willing to leave hard and try to get him in play, his “real odds” would be much shorter than that. (4) IM SOME GRADUATE was sharper a while back but a hot pace would at least give him a chance to be a late player with the improved draw. (5) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY just hasn’t been on his best – needs to be sharper, to be a threat. (6) MOONLIGHT SHA DOW raced better than expected 2 back, but failed to build off that last week. (1) DEEDENUTO A is way too far off form to consider…even from the pole

RACE 7 – (2) EVER M got caught in a bad spot last week and saw his 5 race winning streak come to an end – gets a much better draw tonight (off yet another claim) , and could be in a good spot to pick up his 10th win of the season. (8) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH has taken 3 of his last 4 starts, hounded into submission in the lone loss – has to be respected tonight, even from all the way out here, (6) THONG CONTROL moves to a new barn off the claim but gets no luck with the draw – would need to be a juicy price to consider on top. (7) ZEBS KRAFTY bounced back with a big effort off the class drop last week, a close 2nd behind the currently very sharp PAXAMILLION – he had the rail that night, however, and will need plenty of trip luck to get it down from out here. (4) INVICTUS failed to fire at all arriving from Monti last week but seems capable of better – maybe we’ll see a stronger mile for his new barn? (5) DIAMOND RIVER landed on a terrible trip in his local debut and probably deserves a pass – still may be a reach against these, though. (1) CRUSH KILL DESTROY has managed just one 3rd from his 7 local tries – looking elsewhere. (3) CAPTAIN AWESOME hails from a dangerous barn but his clunkers have outpaced his good efforts

RACE 8 – (1) ODDS ON NO LIMIT stayed sharp with a “maintenance qualifier” at Pocono and draws the pole in a modest field for his Hilltop return– wouldn’t bet the rent money on him, but he certainly seems the one to knock off. (3) CAPTAIN FEAR’s 2 recent wins came when left alone on the lead, in very soft fields – faces tougher here, but remains a logical player. (2) ITZA DANGERZONE A is just 2 for 22 here at Yonkers but he can often hold his own vs. better, and the good draw at least puts him in the discussion for a decent piece. (4) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A can be a tough horse to motivate at times and Ginsburg saw that first hand on 7/22 – minor share? (6) CAVIART LO TUS lone recent win came vs. cheaper, but he’s been picking up some decent pieces out of town and may be able to do the same here, if the trip works out. (7) CAVIART SARGENT rarely wins, but he does grab some good pieces, at big prices – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) KOPI LUWAK continues to race just “ok” – will need to be a lot better to be a threat from out here. (5) MAD RIVER gave it a good try last week, but is in tougher tonight – prefer others

RACE 9 – (1) SWEET SANDY almost pulled off the wire to wire score last week, beaten only by the tripsitter (#8) who squeezed up the cones – she’s always a fair price, and probably will be tonight, as well. (6) HURRIKANE MA RIGOLD was a decent 3rd in her local debut and followed that up with a solid victory last week – legitimate chance to repeat. (4) RACEY RACH N hit board in her first 2 starts off the layoff but came up unexpectedly poor in her last, after working out a two hole trip – she drops right back in the box, and will offer a decent price to anybody willing to forgive that last effort. (5) VEL IM ALL FIRE landed on a perfect trip last week, looked like a winner when she tipped wide but then hung in the crucial stages – probably deserves a chance to make amends, but only if the price is fair. (8) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ sat pocketed all the way (behind #1) last week and was able to rally by late up the cones – looking at a MUCH different trip from Post 8, however. (3) EVELYNA ITIS was a dull 5th in her local debut and will need to improve to be a player here. (7) IRIS SEELSTER usually struggles when she draws this poorly – wait for a better spot. (2) DUCK INTO THE NITE would be a surprise, even with the better draw.