Friday, July 17, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, July 17, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS hasn’t been able to really threaten the 40s but he hasn’t embarrassed himself either – he lands in a much more comfortable spot tonight, and has the speed to at least improve at the start (if not cut this mile) – good week to give him a try. (2) P C FREE WHEELING is another that will appreciate not having to take on the tougher 40s tonight – gets a good draw, and looms a logical threat. (3) NOVEL was no threat in his first 2 local tries (also vs. 40s), but may be able to have a bigger say vs. this bunch– ok for exotics. (7) E PASS was “ok” last week racing off a bad date – he could be sharper here, but the post could really hurt his chances (and Holland did opt off to drive the top choice). (1) ANDOVER CONTESSA ran into a tough trip arriving from Monti last week and can be forgiven for tiring a bit – a kinder journey could put her in play for a board spot. (5) CREDIT TO FRANK just hasn’t looked as sharp (or smooth) in his last few starts– he’s capable of better, but not sure if we’ll see it tonight. (4) BONTONI DEGATO S almost stole one from Post 8 in last week’s amateur race at a zillion to one – he’s just 1 for 19 locally over the last 2 years, and hard to consider for more than a minor piece. (8) TACHYON took a month off just re-qualified – will look more appealing dropping to NW5000 next week

RACE 2 – (2) BE DIFFERENT obviously isn’t in the type of form that saw him win 7 races and $117K last year but he does show some recent efforts that could be good enough to handle this bottom class – should come alive in a big way with the class drop and post relief. (5) ALIMONY MIKE doesn’t have the greatest looking recent lines but it’s not that long ago that he was holding his own in the Brennan Trotting Series – definitely wake up potential vs. these. (3) MAZEPPA N flashed some ability upon arrival in the U.S, but quickly starting making lots of breaks – when he started to trot more reliably late last winter, he just wasn’t nearly as good as earlier in the year – he recently returned from a layoff, shows a useful tightener at Chester, and could be worth a look here if the price is decent enough. (4) THE LAST CHAPTER is hard to really gauge as he’s been competing exclusively in amateur races for some time – this would normally be a spot where he could be expected to make some noise, though. (6) WARRIOR ONE has way too much back class to ever just dismiss down at the bottom level but he does seem to be really struggling at the moment – wouldn’t shock, but sticking with others. (7) AIRMANS JACKPOT was a solid 2nd in a quick NJ mile last week, but made breaks in 4 straight just prior to that – she’s also as camera shy as any horse here at Yonkers! (8) KASHA V is always unpredictable but even one of his better efforts may not be enough starting from out here. (1) MELISSA P is just 1 for 20 this year, despite facing lesser in most of her starts

RACE 3 – (3) STRUTSVILLE won at this level (and then one higher) in PA not long ago – she’s been in too tough in her last few starts but should be able to be a much bigger player against these – worth a look, as long as she’s not overbet. (7) AVF CLAIRE was doing some excellent work (for her new barn) to start off the year but had to be pulled up on 3/16 then took 3 months off – she was buried in her first start back, then finished with sneaky life her last week, from an impossible spot – this spot may slow her down as well but IF the tote board suggests she could be well meant tonight, you may want to take note. (1) CRUISE ALERT hit a bad rough patch here this spring but does seem to back on the upswing again – her last was solid, and she could easily be part of the equation here too. (4) PR OMISING MOMENT outraced her 64-1 odds 2 back and finished up well from an impossible spot last week – would definitely consider for exotics. (6) ISLAND BOUHINIA A was hard to steer in her local debut, ended up battling with the leader much earlier than she would have wanted to but still was close at the end – terrible draw, but could have a big say with some re-rigging. (5) LYDEO threw another disappointing effort last week and is now 11-0-0-2 locally in 2026 – she’ll turn things around eventually, but hard to consider at a short price right now. (2) CATN AP raced well for 2nd arriving from NJ last week but may find this spot a little too tough

RACE 4 – (3) BJMS LIL MAN has been avoiding getting too hot (along with miscues) and has settled in as a very solid weekly performer for his connections – was 2nd to a fired up runaway winner 2 back then raced well again last week, stuck first over into the fastest part of the mile and only flattening a bit at the end – drops, draws well, and we’ll give him the narrow nod. (5) BLOCKCHAIN arrived sharp from Ohio, was sent off as the odds-on choice but made an unexpected miscue before he got to trot up for the lead (after another horse broke right in front of him) – would be no surprise to see him make amends tonight. (4) MAHONE SEELSTER had a couple of tough outings but looked more like his good self two back, then just had no chance last week – a live trip puts him right in the thick of this. (7) MISSISSIPPI STORM is way too classy to ever just dismiss out of hand at this level but he did get used up working for the lead from a similar spot last start, and faces another difficult trip tonight. (1) STREET GOSSIP rarely wins, but he’s more than eligible to grab a piece of the purse from this spot. (2) STMIKES KERRYBLUES gets a pass for his last (parked at Tioga with Dan Harvey) but he really wasn’t bad in his prior 2 stats here (at this level) – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) KHAOSAN ROAD just doesn’t seem sharp enough right now to have any impact from out here. (6) IM OUT recorded a pair of blowouts vs. cheaper 4 and 5 starts back, but hasn’t been able to replicate that form since then.

RACE 5 – (2) COACHELLABOUND N saw a tail off in 2025 but was really struggling in the first half of 2026 – she recently started to turn things around, however, and should be feeling pretty good about herself after finally picking up her first victory of the year last week (with ease) – seems ready to do even more damage. (1) SURVIVIN FIRE finished alertly in all 3 local starts, hitting board in her last two – draws the pole, and should be able to make some noise here too. (7) JK PEARL STONE was a sharp even money winner in PA on 6/5, was scr. sick from her next but still raced big for 2nd on 7/10, 5 weeks later…tough draw for her YR return but definitely tempting with that 15-1 ML price. (5) MISS DOTTIE MAE is off to a tough start locally this year (5-0-0-0) but returns showing big efforts in 2 of her last 3 starts in NJ, and could be right in the hunt if she brings her best. (6) FIGHTING EVIL has been pretty solid at Chester lately, and joins our leading barn for her local return – she’s never done all that great at Yonkers, however, and that includes stints in a couple of pretty good barns. (4) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT faced boys last week and was still able to pick up a (no threat) 2nd – this field, on the whole, is probably still tougher, though. (3) THUNDRA has no wins and just one 2nd from her 14 local starts in 2025-26 – prefer others. (8) TRUE BLUE HANOVER may get a look when she drops to NW5000 next start – brutal spot for tonight, though

RACE 6 – (2) SIR MAVERICK made an uncharacteristic break before the start in his local debut last week, caught the pack, swung wide from the back on the final turn and kicked home full of trot – he was doing excellent work out of town just prior to that, and he could offer some good value tonight. (5) ZENMEISTER S added Lasix for his last and was a solid 2nd best chasing the talented HIGHLANDSTARBURST – gets to stay in the same class (after the conditions were re-written for him), and looms a very dangerous player. (1) HOT FLASH KIMMY will attract plenty of attention moving to the rail (after a pair of 8 holes) but she just hasn’t been quite as sharp lately, and could be at least a little vulnerable. (7) HONOLULU HANOVER was handled very conservatively for his local debut but did finish full of trot after angling free – tough draw with three pretty good ones to his inside, however. (3) LUCKY MUM N was able to hold 2nd to a stickout after getting away in the pocket last week but this is definitely a tougher (overall) spot – minor spoils? (8) MUSICAL RIDE draws Post 8 after a miscue last week and figures to be handled very conservatively. (6) VINNY DE VIE gave it a decent try at stealing one on the front end last start and does drop a peg tonight – tough draw, though, and he is on the camera shy side. (3) WINDSONG PIONEER really has thrived only in a couple of amateur races lately – could use an easier spot

RACE 7 – (6) COASTAL BABE N just sat in the back on the cones last week but was absolutely loaded all through the stretch, without an inch of room – she may have already had tonight’s class drop on her mind going into that race, and we’ll look for an aggressive try…even with the bad draw. (5) SILK CLOUD A has been hurt by some inconsistency this year and is just 1 for 16 – that being said, she’s gone her share of big efforts, and anything close to her best puts her right in the hunt tonight. (3) ELEKTRA A’s recent starts show a couple of mice efforts along with a couple of “excuse” limes – she moves inside, and could add some value to the exotics. (4) WAITFOREVER N is on a good roll right now, and handled last week’s class jump (off the re-claim) very nicely – more than sharp enough to grab a piece if the trip goes her way. (2) MILLWOOD BLISS N flashed some better life 4 back then just missed in her next – no factor in her last pair, however, and it’s hard to know what we’ll get from her tonight. (1) EARTH AN GEL would seem a bit cheap arriving from Harrington but she’s certainly sharp, and moves to a top notch barn – we should learn a bit more about her after tonight. (8) NILA MAREE N is looking at a tough trip from out here and that will likely curtail her involvement. (7) IDEAL COVER used a perfect trip to beat a bit easier last week, but seems unlikely to replicate that from tonight’s much tougher spot

RACE 8 – (3) JENSVILLE A showed good ability from her first U.S. start here on 4/17, and quickly earned her way up to the top levels – she’s proven that she belongs with these, and that 8-1 ML price makes her very tempting in this competitive affair. (5) BATH BOMB did good work throughout the McIntyre Series, just missing in the $100K consolation – she pulled up in her next start at Pocono, then re-qualified a month later and was a sharp 2nd best at Chester last week (finishing just ahead of #3) – legitimate threat! (2) SEASIDE DIVA was a well bet winner in this class when she drew the pole 3 back but was stymied by outside draws in her last pair – moves back inside, and should have a big say once more. (7) RASPALIA N never goes a bad one, and has more than proven herself at this top level – tonight’s draw MAY slow her down just a bit, however. (1) WORKLIFEBALANCE has been on a long form spree and has earned her way up to the top level – still needs to prove she can beat these types, but certainly a viable contender for a piece with the rail draw. (4) FRONT PAGE STORY won 2 back when the race fell apart but is usually looking at a bit smaller piece against these under normal circumstances. (6) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND had good stretch pace each of the last 3 weeks but may be coming from too far back tonight to have the same impact

RACE 9 – (2) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A was doing excellent work right off the bat to start off her U.S. career (including Yonkers wins in her first 2 starts) – she had a bit of a disappointing try at Pocono on 6/1 (vs. better) then took 25 days off, rallied crisply from Post 7 in her next, then raced well vs. much tougher at PcD last week – she should really appreciate tonight’s much easier spot! (1) BRI EXPRESS N has been doing solid work overall lately, gets the pole returning from Tioga and gets Jordan back in the bike – chance for a big chunk tonight. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A can be a tough mare to drive sometimes so we’ll give her a pass for last week (new pilot) – Siegelman knows how to push her buttons, and the 13YO can still bring some nice efforts – good value horse for exotics. (3) DWS DARLENE has been holding her own the last 2 weeks racing for the Optional $30K tag – sharp enough to take home another piece. (8) AARDIE B MIKI N got it done last week but used all of a perfect trip to do so – too classy to ever just dismiss, but she could be looking at a much tougher trip tonight (in a tougher field), and won’t offer any value with that 5/2 ML price. (4) ULTIMATE SPEED did her best work vs. the 25s but she wasn’t able to win for weeks even in that class – leaning more towards others. (6) HUNTING HULA will need things to really fall apart up front to make her presence felt out here. (7) TWIN B ECHO is obviously sharp, but draws her first bad post in ages and her struggles on turns won’t make things any easier from out here.

RACE 10 – (3) ORLANDO BLUE A has fallen way off form since first claimed on 5/11 but he moves to a barn that can turn one around in a hurry, and anything close to his best would make him very dangerous tonight – guessing he’ll bring a good one, but wouldn’t bet the rent money at a very short price. (2) LAMANDIER A drew Post 8 (off 3 weeks) for his local debut and did finish with pace for his new barn – moves inside, and could have a much bigger impact tonight. (7) DANCE PARTNER’s recent out of town form isn’t much to get excited about but he was also facing much better – his barn is having an outstanding meet, and a big price definitely makes him worth a look. (1) TEXAS HOLDEM will be right up with the action from the start but he’s 0 for 17 this year and hard to consider on top with that 5/2 ML price. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N is having a tough year (locally, and out of town as well) but should have at least a chance for a minor piece, with an easy trip. (5) FEELIN WESTERN hasn’t been better than 7th in 5 straight starts – waiting to see some better signs before considering. (8) HP MOMENTUM really wasn’t bad last week, but tonight’s draw is a killer. (6) WASHEDUPONABEACH just seems badly overmatched.