Friday, June 12, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, June 12, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – All good things must come to an end and thus the seemingly endless winning streak of (7) SHINE A LIG HT did finally end too, a no factor 6th last week after struggling to get into a groove right from the start – gets a horrible draw tonight, but his price will finally start to come back up…and that’s reason enough to jump on board here. (3) DISMAS drops below the level of the claim after a pair of no factor tries at the $20K level – could be a red flag, but it could also be his connections trying to find a spot he can handle– mixed feelings. (6) COWBOY CARGO came closest of all to beating #7 when he was in the middle of his 11 race winning streak, and he’s a legitimate player in this class – the draw is an issue, but he gets Kakaley and will be a good price – worth a look? (1) ROSE RUN ASTRO delivered the form-reversing, 47-1 victory in last week’s “fall apart” race, but he still had to race well to make that happen – moves all the way inside, and he’ll have at least a chance to take another…though his price will come WAY down. (4) DECISION DAY is winless on the year and no factor in his YR return last week – he does drop a notch, and that gives him at least a chance at rallying for a piece. (5) DEEDENUTO A throws an ok try here and there – sticking with others. (2) MOVEOVERROVER gets a big barn change but looks pretty cheap for these

RACE 2 – (3) CREDIT TO FRANK disappointed a bit when he couldn’t hang on after cutting the mile 3 back but his off the pace local efforts have been very good, and he should be looking at a live trip tonight – gets the narrow edge in a competitive race. (6) STMIKES KERRYBLUES doesn’t always bring his best but he showed last week how tough he can be when he does – steps up a bit, but a similar effort would still give him a shot vs. these. (1) RAD IO LAB (Brennan’s choice, over #3) gets the potent combination of both class and post relief, and that should allow him to be a much bigger player tonight – worth considering on top, as long as the price is fair. (4) KASHA V is a streaky sort that has been struggling recently, but did race a little better last week – definitely a spot where a wake up call is possible. (7) MY MAN PETER has more than enough ability to beat these but he may be looking at a pretty conservative steer tonight, after breaking last week and drawing Post 7 tonight. (5) E PASS was an encouraging 3rd in his first local try but just an “ok” 3rd last week (after a ground saving trip) – jury still out on this one. (2) FATHER MIKE usually finishes with good trot, but often from too far back to be a bigger threat

RACE 3 – (5) NILA MAREE N was racing well but burning $$ not too long ago - her prices finally started to move up in her last few starts, but she was in VERY tough spots…tonight’s assignment should be much more to her liking, and we’ll look for a big effort from her. (2) ELEKTRA A showed better life in her 2nd start off the long layoff and may be ready for an even better try tonight – time to start giving her more consideration. (6) DANDYS MERCY is winless in 12 starts this year but she’s hit board in half of them, facing some stiff competition – she fits very nicely here, but the draw may slow her down just a bit. (4) IDEAL COVER hit board 2 and 3 back so last week’s 78-1 price was absurd (as she finished 2nd, once more) – remains a weekly threat to take home a piece. (1) ALWAYS B LAYLA IR and (3) YOULLFINDOUT have been doing good work in the “NW PM” classes but will need to prove that they can be as successful against the older, more accomplished mares

RACE 4 – (5) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is rarely given top billing but he lands in a field full of question marks, and is pretty consistent himself – definitely a spot where we’re willing to give him a try! (4) STACKING GREEN would be very tough here on her best effort but she folded BADLY in her last pair, even if facing tougher – would hardly be a shock to see her rebound and beat these, but that 7/5 ML price is a turn off, to say the least. (2) BELMONDO was no factor last week but did get stuck chasing a pretty fast mile – another that could be a threat IF he could find his best effort. (6) BONTONI DEGATO S flashed some life on 5/14 but that mile is surrounded by a bunch of lesser efforts – just 1 for 17 locally over the past 2 years, but ok to consider IF the price is good enough. (3) LOOKATME GOAMIGO did pick up a win here earlier this year but failed to hit board in his other 6 tries, and his out of town efforts haven’t been good (except for that win, over much cheaper)– leaning elsewhere (1) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE is winless here since 2014, and racing off a bad date (after a sick scratch)

RACE 5 – (5) LEFTIES RIGHTIES picked up a win and a 2nd in his 2 Yonkers starts and has often faced (and even beaten) better, out of town – returns tonight to a spot that should be well within bis comfort zone. (2) STREET GOS SIP made a rare miscue last week but recovered quickly, and was trotting very well late to be right there 3rd – he doesn’t win very often, but he’s always a good one to use in exotics. (4) EXQUISITE TASTE has been good overall this year but just a little in and out lately – she came up flat off a good trip last week, but any of her better efforts would put her in the hunt for a good piece tonight. (7) BJMS LIL MAN was up at the Invitational level last week (adding Lasix, off a miscue the week before) and likely content just to trot a clean mile) – he’s shown plenty of ability for his current barn but in some ways is still a work in progress – hard to say if he’ll be able to get in play starting from Post 7. (1) FRANK LEAHY is hard to gauge off his local debut as he was facing better, and shuffled a bot – we’ll see if he’s a bigger factor tonight. (6) TORRONE wasn’t able to overcome a tougher trip last week and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (8) MADE OF DREAMS faces an uphill battle trying to get in the hunt from out here – sticking with others

RACE 6 – (3) ELUSIVE A was starting to struggle racing from well back every week against the McIntyre Series mares but some time off and a class drop helped her produce a much better effort last week – she should be even tighter now, and figures to be offering a fair price in here. (1) LYDEO also struggled in that same series, but backed through field after trying to cut the mile off the class drop – she rebounded with a much better try at PcD last week and looms a major threat tonight…but also figures to end up overbet! (4) BRI EXPRESS N can be a little unreliable from week to week but she’s picked up 5 wins this year, so clearly she’s quite capable when in the right mood – worth a look if the price is decent. (2) BRONX MIXER is another that has struggled with inconsistency, but she finished right behind #4 3 back then was a sharp “pocket rocket” winner last week – can battle for a piece of this if the “good” version shows up. (5) VIBRANCE took a couple of months off after a clunker here on 3/10 then raced well in a pair of starts after returning, albeit vs. lesser (out of town) – when she’s on her game, she can hold her own with these. (7) YS SENSATIONALCITY took too long to find her best gear last week, but did finish up well in her first start for a new trainer – not sure she can find her way into contention tonight, however. (6) ANNA LOVES BA NANAS was no threat in her local debut and will need to be better for a chance at a piece tonight.

RACE 7 – (6) LUCKY ARTIST A moves up a class off last week’s win but this field feels no tougher than the last one – the seemingly ageless 13YO may look over to her left and see an opportunity for a quick start…and that would give her a chance to take another. (7) CHERYLS SHADOW was simply no match for #6 last week and now draws outside of her (from Post 7) – on the flip side, she CAN race from off the pace and her price will be a lot better tonight…couldn’t blame anybody looking to try her back here. (1) TIME TO STRIKE was no threat last week but did pace home solidly from a tough spot – moves all the way inside, and should be able to make some noise here. (3) FASHION TERROR has struggled here in many of her starts this year but raced much better than expected last week, and a similar effort could help her land a piece. (2) JORDANNA HANOVER was overbet last week and just an “ok” 3rd off a two hole trip – she can be a contender here, but you’ll want a much better price to consider for her the top slot. (4) SHEZ THE REASON A was a steady 2nd off an easy trip last week but faces a tougher bunch tonight, and may not land a journey quite as kind. (5) HUNTING HULA won off the dream trip 2 back but last week’s tougher first over test slowed her significantly – could be a in a tough spot here too.

RACE 8 – (7) RASPALIA N looked like something special from the moment she arrived in the U.S. this year so it was no surprise to see her make her way up to, then WIN the Invitational last week – faces a tall task trying to overcome tonight’s horrible draw, but she may be able to do it…with a bit of racing luck. (5) SEASIDE DIVA wasn’t bad 2 back (off 3 weeks) then gave it a big try before just missing to #7 in her last – may be able to turn the tables tonight. (4) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND took a while to get rolling this year but she does seem to be hitting on all cylinders right now, and draws inside a couple of main foes – legitimate threat. (2) FRONT PAGE STORY feels a notch below the top players right now but she knows how to win races, and the good draw at least gives her a punchers chance. (6) TICK A LOCH A has more than ability to be a player here but she has just one start in 5 weeks and could be at a disadvantage tonight. (1) AMBUSHED is a very tough mare but probably pushing her limits up at this level. (3) MILLWOOD BLISS N just didn’t look good in either of her last 2 starts – waiting for a better effort.

RACE 9 – (7) IM OUT looked super crushing a NW5000 field 2 back but was flat-out scary in last week’s 1:54.1 blowout one level up – he climbs another rung tonight (while drawing poorly), but still worth sticking with…as long as the price is fair. (3) PEDAL ON METAL has rallied crisply in a bunch of his starts this year, already picking up 4 wins – he moves to a top trainer, and will be dangerous with any decent trip. (5) KHAOSAN ROAD was much sharper in his 2nd start off the long layoff and could be that much tighter tonight – very dangerous, but does figure to end up overbet. (2) HAND DOVER DAN was forced to race from behind last week and was full of trot at the end – good value horse to use in exotics. (4) VINNY DE VIE did a nice job lasting for a distant 2nd behind #7 last start – he doesn’t win very often, but he’s eligible to grab a small piece. (8) LUCKY MUM N seemed to be sharpening but ended up hopelessly parked last week – she gets a pass for that, but tonight’s draw doesn’t leave her with many good options! (1) MARIN COUNTY is having a solid season but may struggle a bit against these more seasoned foes. (6) INCANTATION draws poorly after squandering a pocket trip last week.