Friday, July 24, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, July 24, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) DANDYS MERCY has done good work here vs. even better than these, and returns to Yonkers off a win in her last at Pocono – legitimate chance to make it 2 in a row. (5) LUCKY ARTIST A got a familiar pilot back last week and used an easy trip to almost pull off an upset – the ageless 13YO remains capable of doing damage on any given week. (2) IDEAL COVER was invisible in a hot mile vs/ better last week but drops back down to the level she upset 2 back, and it’s possible she could do it again – worth a look for sure with that 10-1 ML price. (6) LY DEO just can’t buy a victory this year, now 0 for 15 on the season – still a decent one to use underneath, though, even moving up a notch. (1) MAYBEMABEL acts like a “good” horse when she delivers her crushing/brushing wins vs. the 20s…but she hasn’t fared nearly as well when asked to do it against better mares – may be too ambitiously placed off the most recent claim, but we’ll find out for sure tonight. (4) ANNA LOVES BANNNAS is on the upswing for sure, but may find things a lot tougher with tonight’s class jump. (7) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING is very capable at this level but faces limited options starting from Post 7. (8) ULTIMATE SPEED is good enough right now to be a player in this class, but maybe not from out here

RACE 2 – (6) BO SILAS looked good in his first start off the barn change but then started to go in the wrong direction – put the hobbles back on at Pocono and was an instant winner, followed by an ok 4th in his last – catches a soft group for his YR return, and may have landed in a winning spot. (3) SOUTHSIDE BAR had some good amateur starts recently and his last pair of overnight NJ efforts would be good enough to make him a solid player with these. (2) AIRMANS JACKPOT was badly hampered by terrible cover last week and may have just stopped trying herself – she’s been pretty camera shy the last 2 years, but this is definitely a spot where she would be eligible for a wake up call. (4) WARRIOR ONE has made endless “comebacks” during his career and that’s why he has nearly $900K on his card…it’s been a long time since he’s had a wake up call, however, yet he still figures to end up overbet tonight. (7) KASHA V is well off his best game right now but this is certainly a spot where a form reversal is possible – consider if the price is juicy. (8) SPANISH ROOM draws Post 8 for his local debut – seems like a pretty unlikely spot, but note that he’s moving from a couple of very low % barns. (1) MELISSA P picked up a 3rd by default last week – prefer others, but suppose she could steal a slice once more. (5) BIG CHARLIE MORAN has lost so many consecutive races here at Yonkers he’d probably need directions to the winner’s circle if he ever does manage to pick up a victory!

RACE 3 – (5) CERISE RAINBOW A was sent off at 2/5 in her only U.S. start (in NJ) and was a jogburger – we’re going to list her on top for her Hilltop debut, but she’s missed a month (after a sick scratch) and she’s definitely not one to bet the ranch on at a short price! (3) PROMISING MOMENT was stuck wide a long way last week but kept trying to the wire– she’s “sneaky good” right now, and worth a look if the price is fair. (4) TRUE BLUE HANOVER was surprisingly aggressive from Post 8 last week and raced super, almost grabbing 2nd – deserves respect off that much improved mile. (1) ISLAND BOUHINIA A was hard to steer in her local debut but still right there 4th – she was no factor in her next, but did seem more manageable…drops, rail, and figures to be a big part of the action. (2) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT curled up and folded after getting blown away to 3/4s last week but could bounce back with a better effort, with an easier trip – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) RACY ROXY A may have built back some confidence off her last 2 Stga, starts (vs. cheaper), but this is a tough local spot regardless. (7) CATNAP drops a peg, but that may be offset by drawing Post 7.

RACE 4 – (1) KHAOSAN ROAD hasn’t been all that great to start off his 2026 campaign but he wasn’t far back in his last pair (from Posts 7 and 8), and now moves all the way inside– logical spot to look for a big, aggressive effort. (2) CLASSICAL JANE has a pair of wins and a 2nd since the big barn change 3 back – she’s been facing easier out of town, but the good draw should allow her to have a real say in her Yonkers debut. (3) SCUDO HANOVER was a sharp first over winner at this level in his last local try, before racing in PA the last 4 starts – dangerous stretch threat if things go his way. (5) WARRAWEE WHISPER is both a streaky and quirky horse, capable of big efforts along with total clunkers – it’s possible he’s just off his game right now but it’s also possible that he could find a big one tonight – leaning more towards the former scenario, however. (8) K J TITLE is in career form and arrives off a track record performance at The Mighty M – this is a much easier field than the one she was in for last week’s canceled card (the Invitational), but she lands the same Post 8 and that has us looking elsewhere. (7) E PASS charged home full of trot last week but he moves up 2 classes tonight while stuck outside once more – may have trouble matching that last effort. (4) VINNY DE VIE hasn’t done much winning the last 2 seasons – always a chance for minor spoils with an easy trip. (6) LUCKY MUM N just can’t seem to find her groove so far in 2026 – wait for an easier spot

RACE 5 – (1) COMMODUS A was a sharp pocket winner here 2 back at this level and draws the pole tonight – faces a few solid foes, but still deserves top billing. (3) OLIVER THE GREAT has gone some very good miles here (and at Pocono) this year but is somehow 0 for 17 (with 7 second place finishes) – he’ll be right in the mix again, and maybe he can finally find the winning trip. (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY was relaxed early last week but all business from the 5/8ths, delivering a “that’s more like it” first over blowout – on her best, she can be a big threat here too. (2) HIGHLANDSTARBURST is a talented mare and should be full of confidence after beating softer in her last pair – another very eligible player. (5) BJMS LIL MAN has been behaving every week, always shows speed during the mile but hasn’t been strong enough in the crucial stages – maybe just sitting back and trying one late move would work better? (6) HONOLULU HANOVER rallied nicely for 3rd in his local debut but flattened from a tough spot last week – hurts drawing outside so many live players tonight! (8) MUSICAL RIDE just flew home unexpectedly last week to rally for 2nd at 66-1….brutal spot, even if just as sharp tonight. (7) JAS BLUESTONE is a very hard knocking 40 but this just doesn’t feel like a good spot for him

RACE 6 – (1) COACHELLABOUND N has thrived since pairing with Buter 2 back, finishing very strong in back to back blowout wins – she steps up another notch, but has more than enough back class to handle…real chance for a “threepeat”. (6) AVF CLAIRE drew horribly in her last pair but finished alertly each time – tonight’s draw isn’t much better, but still might be good enough for Siegelman to race her more aggressively – possible upsetter? (3) FEAR DANIE was unraced at 2, made only starts at 3 (but went 5-3-2-0) and has been putting together a nice season as a 4YO, in Ohio – guessing she’ll be a very nice fit here, but the three months off may leave her a little short. (4) SUR VIVIN FIRE finishes solidly every week, and can show up late for a nice piece here too. (2) HUNT ING HULA gets both post and class relief, and that should put her in contention for a piece of the purse. (8) BECKO NING YANKEE has Ohio lines that suggest she could be a good fit with the locals, but may need a better draw before we see her best stuff. (5) DWS DARLENE picked up small pieces in her first 2 tries in this class then was no factor last week – may need a return to the 25s. (7) DISTANT LOVER saw her form perk up vs. easier at Tioga but figures to struggle back here at Yonkers, particularly from out here.

RACE 7 – (4) MAHONE SEELSTER recovered after a break before the start last week and ended up a close 4th behind 3 horses who would all be prohibitive favorites in here – he’s going to be pretty tough to knock off if he can avoid any mishaps. (2) HAND DOVER DAN was racing ok before taking a month off (along with the rest of his barnmates) – very nice qualifier in preparation for tonight, and a very logical horse for exotics. (1) CREDIT TO FR ANK was pretty choppy at times last week but that still didn’t stop him from easily beating lesser – he certainly has a license to repeat from this spot, but that 9/5 ML takes away from his appeal. (6) STREET GOSSIP drops to a level where he figures to be a player, despite the bad draw – he’s quite camera shy, however, and probably still better to use underneath, rather than on top. (3) P C FREE WHEELING is just 1 for 21 this year but she was 3rd last week (behind #1) and a good trip could help her land another board spot tonight. (5) AUSTRAL HANOVER struggled in a couple of starts after the barn change in April then took a couple of months off – he just requalified, and we’ll see if the time off did him any good. (8) INACANTATION draws Post 8 and drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight – keep an eye for next time. (7) LIONHEART HANOVER struggled with lesser here not long ago.

RACE 8 – (2) SHEER ARTISTRY N is very sharp right now, gets a good draw, and some of her main foes in here have some question marks – we’ll give her the narrow edge. (4) POST PAINTER N basically qualified against herself so it’s hard to gauge much from that “blowout” – she does have some solid Down Under credentials, and the tote board may offer some clues to her chances tonight. (3) NILA MAREE N has leveled off after a nice run to start off her U.S. career but she’s a very good fit with these, and a logical player from this spot. (5) ELUSIVE N almost stole one from Post 8 last week, off a bad date – more than capable of being a threat here too, on her best effort. (6) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS was the choice here last week and while she got it done as the favorite, she had to work very hard to prevail – will need to be sharper to step up another level and win again, especially with the bad draw. (1) TIME TO STRIKE may be helped by the rail draw but does seem a bit below the main players in here. (8) MILL WOOD BLISS N is a legitimate Invitational mare when “right”, but she’s been off her best game in most of recent efforts, and draws post 8 tonight off a sick scratch. (7) BRI EXPRESS N is good right now, and gave #6 a real tussle last week before succumbing – will have trouble matching that effort tonight, though, moving up in class and Post 7

RACE 9 – (6) SILK CLOUD A was really roughed up hard last week and still lost out only to the perfect trip COASTAL BABE N – she’ll be a decent price tonight, with a chance to reverse that decision. (2) COASTAL BABE N hadn’t had the best racing luck recently but landed on a perfect trip last week and charged on by top win easily – very real chance to repeat. (5) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND has been rallying nicely every week, and is a good bomb to use on the bottom of exotics. (3) SEASIDE DIVA turned in a strong bid last week (vs. a very fresh winner) and can be forgiven for tiring a bit in the lane – could be a lot closer with a better journey. (1) WORKLIFEBALANCE picked up a 3rd moving up to the Invitational last week and has a shot at another decent piece with another rail draw. (4) SWEETNIKKILOU A has done good work since arriving in the U.S. but for whatever reason, struggled in her two local appearances – not really sure what to expect tonight! (7) AMBUSHED is tough as nails but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from out here. (8) GLITTERING HOPE is a nice mare but will be hard pressed to get in play from this brutal spot

RACE 10 – (2) SHINE A LIGHT goes back to the barn for whom he is usually a blowout winner in this class – no reason to expect anything different tonight! (3) DECISION DAY rallied for (well beaten) 2nds recently behind the top choice, and just may complete the exacta once more. (5) ARTIST BEST had no prayer last start (8 hole vs. 20s) but he drops back to 15s tonight and also draws much better– legitimate chance to grab a board spot (6) ROSE RUN ASTRO moved back to his favorite barn two back and finished 2nd both times – tough draw, but may still be able to rally for a share. (7) IM SOME GRADUATE figures to be finishing well late, but also figures to be coming from too far back to have any major impact tonight. (8) PINK FLOYD HANOVER feels a bit off his best game and Post 8 isn’t going to make things any easier. (1) MOONLIGHT SHADOW just requalified but has no wins and just one 2nd from his 21 local starts over the last 2 years. (4) DEEDENUTO A just hasn’t been good enough lately to consider right now.