Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, November 11, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER usually excels in 15s but tough trips in his last pair derailed his chances – goes back tonight to the barn for whom he jogged at $2.20 three starts back, and looms a very short priced favorite once more. (7) SETH HANOVER exits a very high % barn and lands with smaller-profile connections for tonight but he’s been very solid in this class, and has the speed to still get himself in play – remains a contender for his new barn. (2) OOGLEVILLE really wasn’t terrible last week as he continues to try to get his 4YO season in gear (just 6 starts so far) – maybe he can build off that, and add some value to the exotics? (1) BAD BOY TOO has been sharp out of town, even if vs. cheaper – one of several new arrivals this week for a family of trainers looking to make an impact here at Yonkers. (4) BETTORBUCKLEUP is having a tough year but can grab pieces (at prices) sometimes when the trip goes his way. (3) OZONE BLUE CHIP tailed off dramatically in 2025 and ’26 has been a struggle as well – small piece? (6) ROCKET FREIGHT has been better lately but changes hands for tonight and draws poorly – leaning elsewhere. (8) ALABAMAJAMMA draws Post 8 after a disappointing try from the rail last week

RACE 2 – Good race: (8) THE ICE PRINCESS was handled conservatively in her local debut (off 4 months) but had good trot finishing – gets the worst of the draw but also gets the right guy to get her away to a good start – could offer some decent value in this competitive affair. (7) IN SESSION flew right to the top from Post 8 in her YR debut so there’s no reason to think she can’t blast to another good start tonight – came up 2nd best to #1 last time, but may be sharper the 2nd time around. (1) B TOTALLY NUDE was well meant 2 back but made a very costly miscue – was able to bounce back with a clean front end score last week, and is obviously eligible to take another tonight. (2) SEV ECOREY broke on 10/12 off the big barn change, was an easy winner in her next (adding hopples), but came up a little short in her last, after being used harder – she’s a 2YO taking on older here, but still could have a big say in her YR debut. (4) CANIPILOTALL has been in the hunt in all 6 local tries but still seeking her first victory – may have to settle for a minor share tonight, as well. (3) DEMIROSE was an ok 3rd in her local debut but this is a tougher overall field – leaning elsewhere. (5) SHELOOKSGOODNGREEN has ability, but breaks far too often to endorse with any confidence. (6) PINE BUSH MIRACLE has yet to hit board in 7 local tries.

RACE 3 – (2) PAXAMILLION has settled back into another good groove, beating the 20s the last 2 weeks (after going OFF Lasix) – can’t say he’s a “cinch” here, but he certainly remains the one to knock off. (3) ROLLING WI TH SAM had his chance to knock off the top choice in his last start but the camera-shy veteran was unable to do so – may complete the exacta once more. (1) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES definitely prefers racing in 15s but he may have some additional confidence right now after a pair of wins at The Swamp – another that could land somewhere in the exotics. (4) BLACK HAWK JOE A tried to move up to 20s off the claim last week and fought hard to preserve the (well beaten) show spot – moves inside with a chance for another nice piece tonight. (8) TWIG is a bit better than his lines may look right now but the draw figures to keep him fairly quiet this week. (5) FIREARM has been racing ok at Monti but is likely on the cheaper side, and just 5 for 96 lifetime! (7) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A perked up for a couple of weeks but quickly reverted to his lesser form. (6) ROCKABILLY REBEL N draws poorly after showing little in a pair of local tries.

RACE 4 – (3) LEXINGTON QUEEN N has jogged, regardless of trip, in all three U.S./Yonkers starts, and faces no tougher tonight – would be hard to make any case against her extending that streak to 4! (2) GRAND YANKEE has done good work for her new barn since recently arriving at YR – she was 2nd and 3rd behind the top choice in her last pair, and may be the one to complete the (short) exacta tonight. (5) COME ON BARBIE added Lasix last week but was way too far back to have any say – she can definitely contend for a piece tonight with the post relief. (4) CRYS TAL COAST finished way back in her 2 starts after a sick scratch but also drew way outside each time – she may just be off her game right now, but there’s at least a chance she might perk up this week. (1) CAVIART MADRID has been mostly just “ok” here at Yonkers – she’ll take some $$ off the last 2 good out of town efforts, but we’ll see if she can replicate them tonight. (6) SEASIDE JUDY has disappointed here more often than she’s delivered – Post 6 won’t help her cause. (7) LYONS TRINA has a pair of recent wins but moves outside and loses Bartlett – may struggle a bit this week. (8) MARTINI STAR seems unlikely to get near the action after landing behind the 8 ball

RACE 5 – Good race: (3) JACKSON COOPER has $110K on his card this year and has been holding his own at the top levels at Plainridge (facing some familiar names) – worth a look in his local debut as long as the price is decent. (5) HIMSELF N gave it his all last week, only to be nipped late by the talented tripsitter – he continues to race well since the 9/21 claim, and can be a big player here too. (1) JETT STAR N was 2nd best off a two hole trip last week and looking at another good trip tonight – has a chance, if he brings his best effort. (8) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A was hammered at the tote board last week (despite less than stellar recent form) and was able to reward his fans, helped by an easy lead and comfortable fractions – seems at least a bit vulnerable starting from Post 8 tonight, however. (2) CAPTAIN FEAR charged home full of pace from way back in his last pair – he’s tempting with the move inside, but may not be as sharp if used harder earlier on. (4) YOROKOBI N probably needs to be in an easier field to contend for one of the top slots. (7) OPTICAL ILLUSION N has been racing well, but post compromised in this solid field. (6) HARD TO FORGET is a 3YO taking on tough older foes here – feels like a bad spot for him

RACE 6 – (3) PINE BUSH LANDAU is 0 for 6 at Yonkers but has raced very well from some tough spots – he’s very versatile, and may be able to pull off a mild upset tonight. (1) HONOLUGOO shipped in off a front end score in NJ then raced very well in her local debut, rallying for 2nd behind the standout (runaway) winner – very logical from this spot, but also likely to be a very short price. (7) LA MANCHA has put together a solid campaign on the tough KY circuit, and should be a good fit with these – tough draw for her local debut, but still a good chance she can outperform her 15-1 ML price. (8) CRITERION responded to the barn change at PcD last week, a crisp 1:55.1 winner for his new connections – hard to say if he can find a manageable trip from out here, but can have a say if he does. (2) BOOM CHICA BOOM usually races better out of town but did turn in a good one here when 2nd last week – small piece? (4) SOLEO was in a no chance spot for her local debut but was trotting well late up the cones – we’ll see if she can build off that in her 2nd try. (6) GRANDE VIA has plenty of speed but her tendency to get WAY too hot isn’t going to work vs. these. (5) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO may be tailing after a long, hard campaign

RACE 7 – (1) APEX TRACKER had a tough few starts (bad posts, spots, etc.) but was back on his game last week, charging home to the wire to be right there 2nd off a good trip – may land on the winning journey tonight from the pole. (2) WHERE THERES SMOKE raced super in his local debut (despite a very unlucky trip) then gave it a big go on the front end last week – remains a very real danger. (8) MONI BUYS HAPPYNES finally got over the hump last week to pick up her first Hilltop victory – she’s absolutely good enough to beat these too, but faces a tough task trying to overcome the miserable draw. (4) PARTY AT FRANKS requalified on Lasix for his new connections, and makes his local debut for a barn having a terrific year – could be part of the equation. (5) DOLLAR DRAFT hung 2 back – added Lasix for his last, but came up a bit light once more – too soon to write him off, but he does need to do better. (6) BIZZY BRENDA will be coming from well back, but always chance for 3rd/4th, at a big price. (7) SHEMI GHTBETHEONE had trot finishing from an impossible spot in her local debut but faces a similarly tough trip here. (3) MARIN COUNTY may need to find an easier spot before he can be a serious threat again

RACE 8 – (3) MAKING HISTORY hasn’t won in a while in MD but he must have been awfully sharp earlier in the season since he’s 7 for 18 in 2026 – lands in our top barn, gets our top pilot, and we’ll give him top billing. (5) JUST CALLMEBUCK appears to have benefited from the month off as he just looked light years better last week – could be a big threat tonight if the trip works out. (2) LAMANDIER A had gone sour for a while but took good $$ last week and turned in a much better effort – might be able to have a say here too. (1) CAVIART SARGENT doesn’t win very often but he moves all the way inside, and has to at least be considered for exotics. (6) PUMPKIN SKIN may prove a good fit with the locals but the Ohio invader lands in a tough spot, and may have to settle for a smaller slice tonight. (7) SIX DEGREES returns after 3 months off and draws horribly – his 0 for 24 record this year doesn’t inspire much confidence for tonight, either. (4) FREDS FINALE arrives from Monti and just seems too cheap. (8) HESJUSTADELIGHT also arrives from Monti for a high % barn looking to establish itself here at YR – brutal spot.

RACE 9 – (4) TWO BEAN DREAM was left with no chance after drawing Post 8 last time but she’s a proven winner vs. these, gets a good draw off the claim and has a chance to pull off a mild upset. (6) STAYINGWITHTHE WIND just missed dropping to this level two back then was an easy winner in her last – legitimate chance to repeat, but figures to end up overbet from a tougher spot. (2) BETTORS TICKET was well backed for her last and raced very well for 2nd – her “good” version could grab a nice chunk here too. (3) BETTER DOUBLE FLIP debuts for a new barn while in fine form upstate – may be able to hang tight tonight with the locals, as well. (7) GABBYS WISH has gone a bunch of strong efforts recently but was no threat last week and gets a terrible draw for tonight. (1) GOT SEXY SCARS has been struggling, and barn change and the rail may help her at least be a bigger part of the action. (5) DISTANT LOVER seems destined for minor spoils at best. (8) DIVIDED WE FALL will get a more serious look when she gets a better draw.