Friday, June 26, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, June 26, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – New York New York Mile – Grade 3, $55,000: (3) R RO has really upped her game as a 3 year old, quickly sharpening and arriving tonight in excellent form (a NYSS winner at Tioga 2 back, sandwiched between a couple of close losses behind the mega-talented NEZUKO KAMADO S) – she navigated this track just fine in her lone start here last year, and she feels like the one to beat here. (2) WISHUPONASTAR DEO got around the Hilltop Oval just fine in her effortless win here (4/22), she hails from our leading barn and will be handled by our leading driver– figures to be a big player. (4) BUSY MISS LISSY S had a terrific 2YO campaign, going 9-6-1-2 with $201K in the bank – she may still be finding her 3YO legs, however, and feels at least bit vulnerable right now, especially drawing outside a couple of main foes. (5) ABBEY BLUE CHIP has done her best work in overnight races but that win in PA two back could at least put her in play for a piece of this – chance to add some value to the exotics. (1) MYTHS AND LEGENDS is doing fine work for a top barn but vs. softer competition – in her favor, she draws the pole, and does stay trotting almost all the time.

RACE 2 – Park MGM Filly Pace – Grade 3, $50,000: (3) TWO TWENTY SWIFT was the Mass. Sire Stakes Champion at 2 and also won the NY Excelsior Final – she started off this year with a NYSS 2nd at Stga., followed by last week’s dominant 8 hole performance here at Yonkers – deserves top billing tonight. (5) BETTOR BE A STAR has chased top fillies at 2 and 3 and held her own – she’s done good work with Ryder at the lines but she almost won a Bluegrass division last year when Dave Miller was on board, and just missed in a PaSS two back when Ron Wrenn was in the bike – deserves plenty of respect tonight with Dunn getting the assignment. (4) EXISTENTIAL gets a pass for her last (just needed a clean mile after a miscue the week before) but she does have some talent when she behaves herself, and may be able to rally late for a piece of this. (1) IDEAL BEAUTY QUEEN feels a notch below the top pair but she picked up pieces in a pair of NYSS races and should be able to stay right in the hunt from the pole tonight. (2) LOCHINVAR MATILDA finished 2nd in all 2 local tries and does have some ability – the 4 weeks off are a concern, however. (6) IDEAL PRO just feels overmatched, on top of landing the worst of the draw

RACE 3 - New York New York Mile – Grade 3, $55,000: (2) EMMAS MYSTERY CCL was terrific all through her 2YO season, even if it ended with a miscue in her Breeders Crown elimination – she’s come back sharp at 3, and can be forgiven for that last effort in the NJSS Platinum Final (had the lead early, but blocked most of the stretch in a hot 1:51.3 mile) – likely the one to beat, assuming she has no issues getting around the smaller track. (5) SPARKS was no factor in her first 2 starts this year, racing from the back of the pack in tough NJSS fields – she may have built some confidence with last week’s overnight victory, and she showed good ability throughout her 2YO season. (1) AT LANTIC SUMMER’s 3YO season is off to a mixed start but she earned nearly $400K at 2, hails from the nation’s leading barn and draws the pole– would be no surprise at all. (4) JULA HOT TO CHILL was 2nd in last year’s NYSS Final but was helped by much of the field going offstride – she may be a notch below a couple of others in here, but still could make some noise if things go her way. (3) RANI HANOVER raced well in her last 2 NJ starts vs. cheaper and may find this spot a little tougher than she’d prefer

RACE 4 - Park MGM Filly Pace – Grade 3, $50,000: (5) IM A LOU LOU was a $269K earner at 2 and seems to be coming into tonight hitting on all cylinders, a PaSS winner 2 back then a close 2nd last week (behind the outstanding winner of 8 straight, MISS JUM JABBER) – the road to the winner’s circle goes through her. (3) TALL DARK TEQ UILA is also razor sharp right now, albeit vs. a bit easier competition – she’ll be waiting in the wings, should the top one falter. (1) NAPALM has been racing ok in tough spots across the river – she may get outstepped early here, and that would certainly put her at a disadvantage. (4) CALL ME ANGELITA finished just a bit behind #3 in a couple of recent PA starts, and may be able to add some value to the bottom of exotics. (2) AMERICAN BILLINAIR would be a complete shocker, to say the least

RACE 5 – (1) PRINCESS STELLA was banging heads in the FM Open at Northfield at the end of 2025 (as a 3 year old) – she faced some tough competition to start off her 4YO campaign, but has recently started to really come around in PA for her current trainer – Stratton jumps off #7 to drive her in her local debut, and she may be sharp enough now to handle the locals. (3) ELEGANT A took a couple of starts to get in gear after the layoff but delivered a victory at Tioga 2 back, then came up 2nd best to the raging MC ANGEL last week – should be a big player once more. (5) CHERYLS SHADOW is a nice mare but just doesn’t WIN as often as she should – she’s usually better with something to aim at in the stretch, so maybe Yannick can work out a live trip for her tonight. (8) AARDIE B MI KI N isn’t nearly the mare these days that won the Matchmaker Final in 2025 but she’s certainly still dangerous at this reduced level – if Bartlett can fly off the wings and get her in play, she’ll have a real chance here…but a poor getaway would make her very vulnerable. (4) YOULLFINDOUT is having a solid 4YO campaign but is still a bit unproven against these types – small share? (7) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING disappointed off her two hole trip last week but more importantly, Stratton opts off for tonight – sticking with others. (2) DWS DARLENE likes cutting the mile vs. easier claimers – doesn’t feel like her kind of spot. (6) TRUE BLUE HANOVER was dull in her local return last week, and gets a bad draw for tonight (even with the class drop)

RACE 6 – (5) WORKLIFEBALANCE looked like she was finally going to get over the hump and get back to the winner’s circle last week but she got a little leg weary in the latter stages and got collared – she had missed 3 weeks prior to that start, and that may have hurt her a bit…one more chance! (6) NILA MAREE N responded to the class drop and front end and delivered a convincing score last week – she steps back up, but is very comfortable at this level too – dangerous if Bartlett can work out an easy enough trip. (1) BRI EXPRESS N has lost lots of times to easier but she also knows how to win races, and should be sitting close to the action tonight – wouldn’t be any real shock. (7) LOOKLIKEDIAMONDS A was terrific to start off her U.S. career but tired in the stretch in her last PcD start, and has missed 25 days since then – leaning elsewhere, for tonight. (2) LUCKY ARTIST A can still go big miles at age 13 – she’d need a lot to go her way to win tonight, but it’s certainly not impossible. (4) IDEAL COVER had no prayer in her last but she has a good history of grabbing good pieces, at big prices – never a bad one for the bottom of exotics. (8) SHEER ARTISTRY N appreciated the move to 50s in her last pair but now steps back up a bit and lands all the way outside – just a very tough spot! (3) HUNTING HULA won a fall apart race 3 back then almost stole one last week, unable to hang on after cutting a :58 half – sticking with others

RACE 7 – (4) MILLWOOD BLISS N had some better life 2 back so it was no surprise to see her turn in a big one last week, coming up a close 2nd best (at 11-1) – she reunites tonight with Dunn, and the pair made some real noise throughout this year’s McIntyre Series…we’ll give her the narrow edge in what shapes up as a good race! (3) RASP ALIA N had the looks of an Open mare as she was rocketing up through the classes, and the import did indeed win the Invitational in her first attempt – she just had no prayer last week, but tonight’s better draw should put her right back in the mix. (7) COASTAL BABE N just toured the oval last start after drawing Post 7 off 3 weeks…she lands the same terrible post but she’s eligible to be much more serious tonight, and she’s a proven winner vs. these – worth a look? (6) TICK A LOCH A has pulled off upsets on more than one occasion, and has no trouble racing from off the pace – she’ll be a big price, if you think things may fall apart up front. (5) STAYINGWITTHEWIND seems more comfortable vs. a bit easier but she did keep trying in the lane for 3rd last week, and may be able to at least rally for a small slice tonight. (2) FRONT PAGE STORY is very dangerous when she drops down from this top level but does tend to struggle a bit vs. these better ones lately. (8) SEASIDE DIVA was heavily backed and able to deliver last week, taking full advantage of her rail draw – faces a different kind of assignment from Post 8, however.

RACE 8 – MGM Grand Messenger Final, Grade 2, Purse $200,000 – 1 ¼ miles: (3) AL PAPI started off his 2YO campaign strong then stayed strong all the way through, culminating with a 2nd place finish in the Breeder’s Crown (behind BEAU JANGLES, who only recently saw his 15 race winning streak ended) – he started off his 3YO season by sharpening in a few PaSS events then raced much harder in Canada, finishing 2nd in his NA Cup elim. before finishing a close 4th in the Final (behind a trio of VERY good colts)– he’s one of three in here for the Burke Brigade, and seemingly the one with the best chance tonight. (2) FRAGMENT went some HUGE miles at 2, including a track record blowout in the NYSS at Batavia, and dozen length victory in the $250K Big Apple at VD – he started off his sophomore season with a very sharp NYSS score at Stga., but might have bled when 2nd in his next NYSS at Buffalo (as he was put on Lasix right after that) – he qualified sharply in preparation for tonight, and draws inside his main rivals for our leading trainer/driver tandem – very dangerous! (7) MELILLO didn’t fare quite as well in the NA Cup as stablemate AL PAPI but he certainly wasn’t bad – he did excellent work at 2, and has already gone some big efforts at 3, as well – if Wrenn can improve at the start and work out a live trip, he can grab a good piece. (4) FRAN TIC HANOVER (barnmate to #3 and #7) won 7 races and over $500k at 2, but has been a little slower to come around (so far) at 3 – he shows a pair of blowout qualifiers since recently adding Lasix, but it’s anybody’s guess as to how sharp he’ll be for tonight. (5) HUNT OFF THE PRESS was 8-4-3-0 at 2 but not quite hitting on all cylinders yet at 3 – tough spot for him right now. (1) MIGHTY MATT should be able to prosper on the NYSS circuit this season but may find the top ones in here a little tough for him. (6) APOCALYPSEBLUECHIP has flashed some ability at times but his trainer/part owner elects to drive overnight horses across the river tonight, and that isn’t the biggest endorsement for this guy’s chances

RACE 9 – MGM Yonkers Trot Final – Grade 2, $250,000 – 1 ¼ miles: (3, PP3) REQUIEM compiled a 10-4-1-4 $143K record as a freshman and was definitely getting better as the year went on – he won a pair of qualifiers after returning at 3 and was a solid 2nd to SILVERSTEIN to start off the year (in his Oak Grove Derby elimination) – he was off to a slow start in the Final, but made up a ton of ground to finish 3rd just behind SPENCER HANOVER and ENDURANCE…Wrenn figures to be more aggressive from this spot, and may be able to pull of an upset. (8, PP9) SPENCER HANOVER ended 2025 with wins in the Big Apple and then the Breeders Crown, before just missing in the Valley Victory to close out his season – he’s started off his 3YO campaign going 4 for 4 for his top shelf connections, but he faces at least the possibility of a difficult trip (starting from the back row), and he’ll likely be a pretty short price – still, the one to beat!(4, PP4) SILVERSTEIN (a stablemate of REQUIEM) was a very accomplished 2YO, going 12-4-5-2 with $370K on his card – he returned at 3 to easily win his Oak Grove Derby elimination, but got worn down in the Final and weakened to 5th – he bounced right back to jog in a NYSS at Tioga, and figures to have a BIG say here as well. (7, PP 8) ARDONNE starts from a brutal spot and may face a ton of road trouble tonight…he also has shown some excellent finishes, and may be able to rally for a small piece, at a huge price. (6, PP7) AI navigated the NY half mile tracks all summer long at 2, and won the NYSS Final – he did make an uncharacteristic miscue at VD last week, but a clean (fast) start tonight would at least give him a chance to be in the hunt…at a nice price. (5, PP5) INEXPRESSABLE made a break in his only local start (from the rail, before the start) then turned in a HUGE recovery, making up many lengths just to catch the field, then circling them all except for the winner – he jogged at Chester last start with Wallin at the lines, and gets the services of Mr. Tetrick for tonight – he has the ability to be a player, but would need to be a pretty good price to consider on top. (1, PP1) KIN GMEN is a notch below the top ones but he starts from the pole and IF Dunn can get him away reasonably well, he can at least contend for minor spoils. (2, PP2) CREATE ESCAPE has been racing well, stays trotting, but doesn’t seem to be in the league of many of the others. (2A, PP6) SECURED has been slow get going so far at 3, and would be a surprise tonight. (2B, PP10) NORDIC DANCER S is another from this 3-horse entry that just hasn’t been sharp enough to consider in here…especially starting from Post 10

RACE 10 – (7) ONAJETPLANE earned $440K at 2 and 3 – he’s off to a slowish start at 4, but largely due to being handled conservatively from tough spots – might be a time for McCarthy to handle him more aggressively, and that would give him a chance to pull of an upset. (3) COMMODUS A picked up a pair of 2nds in the John Brennan Trotting Series legs then won the consolation – he’s been buried in very tough classes since then, but gets significant class relief for tonight – the deserving favorite. (8) HOT FLASH KIMMY was handled aggressively off the class drop last week and really had no excuse not to hang on – won’t get any easier tonight starting from Post 8. (2) STMI KES KERRYBLUES was forced to race from off the pace (while well up in class) last week and really wasn’t terrible – could grab a bigger piece tonight with the better draw. (4) FRANK LEAHY had a couple of excuses in his local starts and the jury is still out on him – leaning elsewhere, but wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a bigger say tonight. (1) TALLY THE TAB ships in sharp and draws the pole…but still feels like she may be a little on the cheaper side – we should get a clearer picture after tonight. (5) MUSICAL RIDE is a camera shy sort, just 4 for 44 locally over the last 2 seasons – he probably needs to be in a little easier for a chance at a good piece. (6) WINDSO NG PIONEER’s best efforts this year have come in amateur races – sticking with others.