Friday, June 19, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, June 19, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) SHINE A LIGHT finally saw his incredible 11 race winning streak snapped 2 back but dusted himself off and got right back on track last week, scoring an effortless 7 length blowout (in 1:53.1) – he gets to stay in the same barn for consecutive weeks (for a change!), and is the automatic selection tonight. (3) DECISION DAY turned in a nice stretch rally to easily pick up 2nd (well) behind the top choice last week – chance to complete the exacta once more. (4) CAPTAIN BATBOY is 1 for 26 at Yonkers over the last 3 years but he plunges to 15s for tonight and unless a wheel just came off completely, he should be able to contend for that place spot. (1) MADELINES BLK JACK is 0 for 15 out of town this year (facing cheaper) but his current form is solid and he draws the rail with Bartlett – chance for a small slice. (6) HUGH HESTON looked much better vs. the 10s in PA and may have built some confidence…wish he had drawn better, however. (2) DEEDENUTO A was on fumes by the final turn last week but somehow still held 3rd – may not be as lucky tonight. (7) DISMAS just hasn’t clicked at all for his current crew, even with the drop to 15s last week

RACE 2 – Interesting race with a pair of struggling “Open-type” mares taking on much weaker than they’re used to: (3) DOUGS BABE A was racing well as the McIntyre Series got in gear but her 3 efforts since then haven’t been up to snuff – it’s hard to imagine her NOT perking up in this incredibly soft spot (for her), and we’ll give her the edge over fellow “dropdown”, (2) COACHELLABOUND N. The latter has been struggling for some time but like the top choice, is used to facing much better – hard to ignore her chances here, but also hard to accept a very short price in her current form. (5) MIKI IN LUV is another that is capable of handling better but she returns from PA off a dismal try and sick scratch, and that makes her a question mark for tonight. (7) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT gets a pretty significant trainer and driver switch for tonight but she lands all the way outside after missing almost 3 weeks since her last start upstate – keep an eye for next time. (4) KNOCK TWICE was 0 for 33 over the last 2 years coming into her last start at Chester so one can only imagine the OTHERS in that field if SHE was sent off at 5 cents on the dollar – no wins and just one 2nd from her last 16 local starts, however. (6) YOU BEDA ROCK had some better life last week but tonight’s draw figures to hurt her chances. (1) DUCK INTO THE NIGHT is on the cheaper side but did manage to cling to 3rd after a ground saving trip in her last

RACE 3 – (4) NILA MAREE N elected to back off (after leaving) last week and that compromised her chances of winning (she still rallied nicely to just miss 2nd) – she reunites with Bartlett tonight and that will likely result in a more aggressive try…with a chance to get back to the winner’s circle for the first time in a while. (1) CHANCE OF LIGHTNING has proven to be a very solid mare when on/near the lead and that’s where she’ll be tonight, as she goes from Post 8 to the rail – the main danger. (6) LYDEO really disappointed last week, unable to even hold 2nd after a 2 hole trip– she’s capable of much better, but tonight’s draw will make things tough on her. (3) VIBRANCE was no factor in her YR return last week but may end up a little closer to the pace tonight, giving her a shot at a small piece. (2) YS SENSATIONALCITY had good late life off the trainer change 2 back but was invisible last week – just too many duds in recent weeks. (5) BRONX MIXER has some encouraging efforts lately but may find herself struggling to get in the hunt tonight

RACE 4 – (1) SEASIDE DIVA benefited from a ground saving trip last week but still paced a strong final half to be a close 3rd – she just missed the week before, and may be able to get over the hump tonight with the rail and Gingras (who takes her over #7). (4) MILLWOOD BLISS N was no threat last week but did look much better than in her previous 2 starts – she showed how good she can be when “right” during the McIntyre Series, and tonight may not be a bad time to give her a look. (7) COASTAL BABE N has been outstanding ever since beginning her U.S. career this winter – she’s missed 3 weeks, however, and also lands all the way outside – may be looking at a smaller share tonight. (6) TICK A LOCH A was a surprise leaver last week and that aggressive drive allowed her to notch her 4th victory of the season – she’s very dangerous OFF the pace as well, and shouldn’t be dismissed too quickly here. (2) AMBUSHED does her damage vs. a bit easier but almost pulled off the upset last week thanks to the pocket trip – may not get as good a trip tonight, but still eligible to grab a piece. (3) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND ended up parked after a weak leave last week and her fate was sealed early – she had been sharp out of town just prior to that, but we’re still leaning elsewhere. (5) FRONT PAGE STORY was dull last week and in a tougher spot tonight

RACE 5 – (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY has enjoyed a strong year but did seem off her best game for a couple of starts – she did a very nice job chasing last week’s white-hot 1:53 mile (another track record for PAYBACK MONI), and might be able to overpower these in the lane. (1) MY MAN PETER was an excellent 7 hole winner over easier last week – he steps up two classes here, but he’s more than held his own against these in the past – threat to repeat. (5) LEFTIES RIGHTIES gave up a chance to cut the mile as the odds-on choice last week and it definitely hurt his chances of winning – a quick start puts him right in the thick of this. (2) FRANK LEAHY lacked room in the lane last week but it’s hard to say what he might have had in the tank – he should end up with a good trip here, and could add some value to the exotics. (3) MUSICAL RIDE has been stuck on smaller pieces for some time, and probably looking at another minor share tonight. (6) STMIKES KERRYBLUES sat pocketed behind #1 last week and chased very well for 2nd (after beating the cheaper the week before) – he could be looking at a much tougher trip in a much better field tonight, however. (7) IM OUT was flat out scary in recent back-to-back blowouts over cheaper but he was never heard from after taking off the gate in his last, and may be looking at the same fate tonight. (8) VINNY DE VIE loses Holland while drawing Post 8, up in class – brutal spot!

RACE 6 – (6) ELUSIVE A appreciated the freshening after the McIntyre Series, a very good 3rd on 6/5 followed by last week’s easy front end score – the trip may be a little tougher tonight, but a decent price still makes her worth sticking with. (1) ELEGANT A had a very good 2025 season, finishing 1st or 2nd 19X and earning $144K – she recently returned for her ‘26 campaign and after disappointing 2nd and 3rd starts back, she picked up a “more like it” win at Tioga last week…should be able to have a big say here too. (2) LUCKY ARTIST A landed on a bad trip last week but still almost rallied for 2nd – the 13YO shows no signs of slowing down (just one year from retirement!) and could have a very big say here as well. (4) MC ANGEL beat easier claimers in her last pair but really looked super in each start – she faces MUCH tougher now, but did tackle these for a while last year when similarly sharp – we shall see! (5) CHERYLS SHADOW paced evenly from a no-chance spot last week and has a chance for a bigger piece tonight if the trip goes a bit better – still not on her best game, though. (7) DANDYS MERCY fits nicely with these but her fate may have been sealed with another awful post (3) SHEZ THE REASON A is a notch below these

RACE 7 – (5) WORKLIFEBALANCE has been right there every week, regardless of trip, in solid fields – the 3 weeks off MAY be a concern but we’ll still give her top billing, hoping for a decent price. (2) GLITTERING HOPE is just 1 for 10 this year but like the top choice, she’s been right there with good mares in a bunch of recent starts – solid player returning from Stga (4) AAR DIE B MIKI N will take plenty of $$ based on her (well earned) reputation but she hasn’t been the same mare since last year’s Matchmaker Final, and may find herself a bit vulnerable, even with the class drop. (6) STRUTSVILLE had some mixed efforts after dropping out of the McIntyre Series but she may have some renewed confidence after a couple of Chester victories – she’ll be a big price if the favorites don’t appeal to you. (8) ELEKTRA took a couple of starts to get her legs under her but was a sharp winner in her 3rd start of 2026– much tougher spot tonight, and may have to settle for a more modest share (3) TIME TO STRIKE was a pocket winner vs. easier last week but will have to prove that she can hang with these. (1) TRUE BLUE HANOVER was winless here in 2025 and would appear to be returning from Hoosier at a much higher level than she can handle. (7) IDEAL COVER has been thriving for weeks, but may find herself unable to work out a manageable trip here

RACE 8 – Good race: (4) BJMS LIL MAN was content to just stay trotting 2 back (in the Invitational, off a break), then just had way too far to come last week – he has plenty of ability, and the barn had a good night on Thursday – one of several with a chance in here. (7) ONAJETPLANE had plenty of trot for 3rd in the Invitational in just his 2nd start back as a 4YO – had no prayer last week across the river but definitely could have a big say tonight, even with the terrible draw. (1) KHAOSAN ROAD is back on the comeback trail and looking good in his last pair since moving to our leading trainer – very logical player, but also figures to end up overbet. (5) OLIVER THE GREAT feels like he’s been taking narrow losses almost every week all year long – he’ll make his presence felt once more, but we’ll see if tonight’s the night he gets over the hump. (3) MA ISABELLE pulled off a couple of upsets not too long ago but has been stuck settling for small pieces for a while – ok for 3rd/4th. (2) BUSY MISS LISSY S is a very talented trotter for sure but she’s a 3YO filly taking on some classy older males, and this may not be the best spot to look for best effort. (8) PIERRE IN PARIS has been behaving himself and racing well but faces an uphill battle from out here. (6) TORRONE could probably use some class relief

RACE 9 – (1) STACKING GREEN finished horribly in back to back starts but rebounded last week and was a powerful pocket winner – tough once more if THAT version shows up. (4) SONGS IN THE WIND got too hot 2 back but turned in a solid effort vs. the 40s last week – drops tonight, and could be a big player. (5) CRAZYLAND is a total guessing game in his 2nd start off the layoff, off a scratch, for his new barn – check the board? (7) LUCKY MUM N only lost by 5 lengths 2 back after being parked every step then charged home from way back last week – bomb threat? (6) KASHA V may be on the upswing again, and does have some appeal with that 20-1 ML price. (2) STORMONT DIVIDE made only 4 starts last year and is still trying to find his form in 2026– leaning elsewhere. (8) DIAMANTE TRIO IT is having a rough year, and now lands Post 8 after being scratched injured at PcD. (3) FATHE R MIKE does rally at times, but his horrible starts usually compromise his chance significantly.