Friday, July 10, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, July 10, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) DANCININTHEFIRE beat this class easily 3 back, was 3rd vs. better in his next then rallied very nicely from an impossible spot last week – he’ll be a decent price here, and the right trip may help him come out on top. (7) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES gave it a BIG 8 hole try dropping to 15s last start, losing only to the easier-trip winner – another very tough post, but worth a look if the price stays decent. (3) SARANAC BLUE CHIP had been on a long form spree before just folding from the pocket last week – dangerous tonight if he can bounce right back for his new barn, but hard to endorse with confidence as the 9/5 ML favorite. (6) SAILBOAT HANOVER came out on top in last week’s 2 horse stretch battle and the horse he beat came back to win at 3/5 on Wed. night, up in class – possible for sure, but would still need a good price to use on top from this spot. (4) GOTHIC ROCK was left with no chance when Stratton took him off the gate last week but did finish up well for a small check – ok for 3rd/4th , at a decent price. (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR has been off his game recently but did get stuck in a bad shuffle last week – ok bomb for 3rd/4th . (1) VEGAS STRIP N just never thrived after arriving in the U.S., even at this bottom level – in need of a major turnaround. (8) DISMAS is struggling, and now lands all the way outside. 

RACE 2 – (5) COACHELLABOUND N has really struggled for much of 2026 but turned in a much better effort when 2nd here 2 back (in a hot mile), then was REALLY good in NJ last week, strangling to give up the lead only to be stuck behind that same horse into the stretch (shuffled all the way to last, before almost re-rallying for 2nd) – feels like she’s ready to pick up her first victory of the season. (3) MORE GOODA N is a little hard to read off her current form but she was facing much better here early in the year, and this would be a logical spot to look for a solid effort. (4) ONEDERFULBEACH has held her own vs. better many times, but her current form is mixed, at best – another that could do damage here if she brings her best. (6) LAURIE LEE just hasn’t raced very well locally the last couple of years, though still a solid performer out of town – could still grab a decent piece tonight with a favorable trip. (1) CATNAP has mostly decent NJ form, even if vs. cheaper – the inside draw could boost her chances for a small slice. (2) THUNDRA is just 13-0-1-1 at YR the last 2 seasons, but a late rally for minor spoils is possible (7) PINK RUBY is the outsider, both literally and figuratively. 

RACE 3 – (7) AARDIE B MIKI N is getting the lukewarm vote here – she obviously has the class to beat much tougher fields than this one but she’s also well off her top form right now, and will have to contend with Post 7 – wouldn’t bet the rent money tonight at what figures to still be a pretty short price. (6) LYDEO started off the season in the Borgata Series but even after the class drops, still hasn’t been 1st or 2nd here this year – she’ll have a say with these for sure, but another that MAY disappoint, at a short price. (2) ISLAND BOUHINIA A is just 1 for 18 out of town this year but moves to one of our top barns and is eligible to deliver a big effort in her YR debut. (4) TRUE BL UE HANOVER finished ok off the class drop last week and drops another notch for tonight – ok for exotics. (5) PR OMISING MOMENT steps up off last week’s 4th place finish but her current form is solid, and she may be sharp enough to grab a piece here too. (1) SURVIVIN FIRE had “pace too late” in both local tries– if she can be motivated a little earlier tonight, she may be able to have a late say. (3) CRUISE ALERT found some better form vs. cheaper in PA but was really struggling on the local scene this spring. 

RACE 4 – (4) AQUARIUS FACE S is used to facing, and more than holding his own with much better than these – hard to look past in this seemingly very soft spot. (1) LUCKY MUM N finally gets a good draw and can be much closer to the action tonight, with a solid chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (3) ANDOVER CONTESSA has been racing well at Monti and has raced ok here in the past – could add some value to the exotics. (5) E PASS was a very promising 3rd in his first local try but failed to really build off that in his next couple of starts – the month off makes it even tougher to make a strong case for him tonight. (7) KASHA V was well meant last start but lacked a 2nd move after establishing a good trip – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (8) BE DIFFERENT has enjoyed plenty of success here in the past but his current Tioga form doesn’t suggest that he’ll be able to do much damage from out here. (2) SUNDAYS BRUNCH just never clicked after joining her current barn – maybe worth a look next week, with another class drop. (6) WARRIOR ONE has made a zillion “comebacks’ over the years on his way to nearly $900K in earnings – he’s definitely struggling right now, though, as he returns to YR. 

RACE 5 – Tough race: (7) AVF CLAIRE was off to an excellent start this year (for her new barn) but then went on the shelf after having some issue at Pocono on 3/16 – she recently re-qualified, and can be forgiven for not getting involved in her return try at Chester (in the Open, in a 1:48.4 mile) – if the tote board suggests she’s “live” tonight (in this MUCH easier spot), she may be worth a play. (4) IDEAL COVER bounced back with a solid Tioga try after a couple of local duds – she doesn’t win too often but she does race well in most of her starts – a big price makes her worth a look. (8) ELUSIVE A was a jogburger 2 back after a sharp 3rd the start before – she quit badly in her last but IF she bounces right back, she’d have a chance to grab a piece of this, even from Post 8. (2) TWIN B ECHO has been very sharp for some time but she exits claimers for her new barn, and the majority of her sharp recent efforts have come with easy trips, in softer spots – could be vulnerable as the 6/5 ML favorite. (3) LUCKY ARTIST A is still capable of a winning mile on any given week, even at age 13 – she can be a little tough to drive, though, and her new pilot may not know her quirks well enough to get the most out of her tonight. (5) BOUT DAMN TIME A went her best local mile in ages (ever?) last week but was re-claimed by connections who never got that type of effort from her, making her a bit iffy this week. (6) DWS DARLENE has been terrific cutting miles vs. claimers all year (18-7-6-1) but may find this spot a little tougher than she’d prefer. (1) SHEZ THE REASON A has done her best recent work vs. softer – the rail may give her a chance for a small piece, though 

RACE 6 – (4) SHEER ARTISTRY N raced well when she came up 2nd best WAITFOREVER N three back, was sent off at 2/5 against that same foe the next week and beat her handily, then kicked home loaded with pace from an impossible spot last week – she just seems to be hitting on all cylinders right now, making her very dangerous. (3) WAITFOREVER N traded victories with #4 recently, then was reclaimed from her last start (which she won easily) – another in outstanding current form. (6) WORKLIFEBALANCE had been knocking on the door for weeks before last week’s sharp front end score – we’ll see if drawing outside a couple of main foes hurts her chances a bit. (1) NI LA MAREE N jogged vs. easier 2 back but has struggled a bit at this tougher level recently – certainly can grab a good piece from this spot, but leaning a bit more to others. (7) ELEKTRA A easily wired softer here in her 3rd start of the year – toured the oval from Post 8 in her next but certainly raced well in her last in PA, finishing 3rd in 1:48.4 mile (behind TWIN B JOE FRESH)– may have trouble overcoming tonight’s terrible draw, however. (2) HUNTING HULA has a recent win and 2nd but still feels below the main players right now. (5) TIME TO STRIKE is another that would probably like to be in a bit easier 

RACE 7 – (2) ZENMEISTER S likely bled when he tired so badly on 6/4 (and maybe even the start before that) – he added Lasix, but a miscue at Chester that day prevented him from a better effort…very dangerous against these, as long as he stays trotting. (5) SIR MAVERICK has been terrific since joining his current barn back in May – he ships in razor sharp, gets a switch to Marohn, Jr and looms a very dangerous player. (6) STORMONT DIVIDE beat easier with a perfect trip last week but he just LOOKED much better than he has in some time– he has plenty of back class, and we’ll see if he continues in the right direction. (7) HIGHLANDSTARBURST is a talented mare with more than enough ability to be a major threat here…she also faces an uncertain trip after drawing Post 7, and won’t offer much value with her 9/5 ML price. (3) MUSICAL RIDE is a camera-shy short but he drops to a level where he’s at least a possibility for a small share – ok to use underneath. (4) PEMBROKE REGAL returns showing some mixed recent form in PA, and he always had that same inconsistency when he raced here in the past – not really sure what to expect from him. (1) SAINT PRESERVE US draws the pole for the 4th straight time but does seem a notch below a bunch of these. (8) GLOBAL TWIST lands outside, and drops a win off his card after tonight – keep an eye for next time 

RACE 8 – (2) RASPALIA N was used VERY hard last week and still only beaten a length in 3rd – she wins the 2-7 draw, and that stamps her as the one to beat tonight. (6) COASTAL BABE N was used very hard in that same race and also didn’t tire badly (after battling with the top choice) – on her best, she can win from even out here. (4) TICK A LOCH N has turned in enough big efforts this year that it’s no longer a surprise to see her battle with these – the trip didn’t work out in her last pair, but she can do damage tonight with a better journey. (5) STAYINGEWITHTHE WIND rallied to be right there in her last pair and has to be taken seriously right now – another that can have a say if things go her way. (1) AMBUSHED has been a “victim” of her own success, forced to race at this top level - she continues to hold her own, and is eligible to take home a small piece. (3) FRONT PAGE STORY landed in a perfect spot off last week’s hotly contested pace and scored the big upset – not sure she’ll be quite as fortunate tonight, though. (7) SEASIDE DIVA was curtailed by the bad draw last week and gets another awful post for tonight 

RACE 9 – (5) ONAJETPLANE was handled aggressively by Karna last week and gave it a big try before coming up 2nd best to the perfect trip (favored) winner – deserves a chance to make amends. (1) VINNY DE VIE hasn’t done a lot of winning the past 2 seasons (3 for 47) but he takes home his fair share of decent pieces – maybe he can grab a good share tonight, with an easy trip? (4) MA ISABELLE has been on the dull side lately but she’s used to facing better, and could rally for a piece with a wake up call. (6) HONOLULU HANOVER is a little hard to read off his PA lines but the barn usually brings them over to spots where they’ll fit well – tough draw may limit him a bit in his local debut, however. (8) HOT FLASH KIMMY is showing a little wear and tear after many good starts this year (and last), and gets stuck all the way outside again – inclined to pass, but will at least check the tote board first. (2) IM OUT delivered back to back eye opening miles to crush cheaper recently, but then was no factor at all after drawing Post 7 in his last pair – moves back inside, so we’ll see if Marohn tries to get a little more aggressive. (7) KHAOSAN ROAD wired easier 2 back but folded badly last week after chasing from the pocket – would need a major turnaround to be a big threat from Post 7 tonight. (3) WINDSONG PIONEER seems overmatched (again). 

RACE 10 – (2) HEZA RISK TAKER A is 0 for 12 at Yonkers but has gone some big miles vs. much better than these – would seem to have found a winning spot! (3) MAD RIVER lost interest in the back last week but a rebound to one of his previous efforts puts him in play for a small piece. (5) CAPTAIN AWESOME would be a 50-1 shot off his out of town lines BUT he moves to a barn that routinely improves these types by multiple lengths, and this guy might race much better tonight. (7) FEELIN WESTERN gets another class drop and is probably a good fit here – would have been listed a bit higher if not for the draw. (6) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A has been a bust since arriving in the U.S. but his last wasn’t bad, and he may be playable for 3rd/4th in here. (1) TEXAS HOLDEM is 0 for 16 this year after going just 2 for 25 last year – the rail draw MAY keep him close enough to take home some minor spoils, though. (8) LAMANDIER A seems destined for a very conservative trip after drawing Post 8 for his local debut…but glance at the tote board before writing him off too quickly. (4) TIP OF TIME returns to Yonkers where he was 6-0-0-0 $850 in the past – sticking with others.