Monday, July 20, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, July 20, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) ROCKIN JUKEBOX threw a major clunker when claimed 2 back but bounced back with a much better try for his new connections last week, finishing with alert pace from an impossible spot – the move inside should make him a serious threat tonight. (4) AMERITRIC was a little disappointing in the lane last week after establishing a pocket trip from Post 7 – he’ll be a fair price here, and any of his top efforts would make him a very dangerous threat. (2) MANFERNO was awful when claimed on 6/22 but he returned for his new connection after 3 weeks off last start and paced home evenly into a fast final quarter – another that can do real damage if he brings his best. (3) LYRICAL GENIUS A returned to the barn for whom he recently won 2 straight but was repelled by the winner when he popped out of the pocket, and weakened to 3rd – he’s possible for sure, but likely to be overbet. (6) IMAGINARY LINE is racing very well in Maryland but it’s hard to say if he’ll fit with the local 40s – he does have the back class to at least merit a look. (7) TASTE OF HONEY recently sharpened vs cheaper but this spot feels like a reach. (8) GDS THUNDER GB is good right now, but probably not good enough to be any real threat from this spot. (5) INTIMIDATION came up terrible from a similar spot last week

RACE 2 – Good race: (3) SIMPLY FAST charged home from an impossible spot (off the claim) 2 back to finish right behind a pair of currently very sharp rivals – he was a winner in his last, and more than sharp enough to handle tonight’s class jump (with another live trip). (6) OVERTHINKING looked a little “ouchy” when a conservative 2nd two back but did look better in his 2nd place finish last week (behind the raging EVER M) – possible here if Bartlett can find him a manageable trip. (5) CAPTAIN AWESOME arrived with the form of a 100-1 shot but he was joining a barn that specializes in instant turnarounds, and ALMOST upset the $2.16 favorite– he’s listed at 20-1 ML tonight, and absolutely worth considering. (7) EVER M has always been a favorite of ours and he comes into this riding a 5 race winning streak – hard to leave a horse this sharp off your tickets, but tonight’s draw MAY leave him looking at a much more difficult trip than usual. (2) THONG CONTROL is a notch below the top ones but he did win 2 back when he landed on a golden trip, and he COULD do the same under similar circumstances tonight. (8) PAXAMILLI ON qualified nicely off the barn change and was a sharp winner in his first PA start – he fits for sure, but faces a daunting task trying to overcome Post 8. (1) RAYRAY never wins, but he does have 8 thirds from 15 local starts this year – ok for 3rd in tris! (4) LYONS BENJAMIN seems off his game, and lands in a very strong field off the claim.

RACE 3 – (2) FORCE FULL A makes his US debut off a blowout qualifier, for connections that have enjoyed some recent success with imports – he won 15 races Down Under, and may be able to come out on top in his first local try. (4) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has been well off his best in many of his recent starts, but that last effort was actually very good– he’ll be dangerous if he can build off that mile, but that 6/5 ML price is definitely a turn off. (1) ROYAL DESIRE had been sharpening, so last week’s first over jogburger was no real surprise – he faces tougher tonight, but still seems sharp enough to grab a share. (6) SON OF THE SHARK A was sent off favored here for his U.S. debut but broke before the start – he re-qualified, and returns to the Hilltop off an “ok” 4th in PA– wouldn’t shock (3) JETT STAR A hasn’t been close to his “best” in some time, but the good draw at least puts him in play for a minor share. (5) KOPI LUWAK is another that has fallen off form – waiting for better signs from him. (8) SWEETHOMEALAB AMA N fits very well with these, but the guess is that he’ll wait for a more reasonable spot to show his best stuff. (7) ITZA DANGERZONE A’s best work has come vs. cheaper, from much better posts

RACE 4 – Tough race: (4) VENGEANCE BLUE CHIP struggled to rally last week but he also caught a strong field (and 1:51 mile) upon arrival from PcD – one of several with a legitimate chance in here, depending on how the race plays out. (2) TH COLBY hit board every week and is always in the mix, plus he picks up Yannick tonight – on the flip side, he’s just 3 for 30 over the last 2 years and may just be a bit camera shy. (1) TACK ROOM CHATTER is a little hard to gauge off his Delaware lines but he gets a big barn and driver switch, along with the rail…eligible to bring a big one tonight. (5) SPEAKER OF PEACE moves up a notch off a sharp victory last week but he can handle this level too, when the trip goes his way – possibility. (3) STAR CASINO N has some strong Down Under credentials for top connections, and should benefit from his US debut at Pocono – he’s listed at 20-1 ML, and that alone makes him worth considering! (7) FINVARRA A has been sharp since recently returning from a long layoff but is forced to move up two classes tonight, while drawing outside a bunch of live horses – would still think about using him if the price is big enough. (6) HANDSOME STRANGER had some recent KY success when NOT in tough KYSS races, but he also lost TWICE (at 1/10!) vs. much softer not that long ago. (8) VENTURESOME ARD EN N draws Post 8 in his first start since 4/21 and would be a serious surprise.

RACE 5 – (3) DONEGAL LUTHER N just stopped badly at Pocono last week but the issue must not be too serious as he’s right back in the box (and this has also happened to him in the past) – he was one of the brightest stars throughout the Borgata Series, so anything remotely close to his best effort would make him awfully tough tonight. (4) WISH YOU WELL earned nearly half a million as a youngster but only raced 4X as a 4YO – he’s starting to get his 5YO campaign in gear, and his overall recent out of town form is excellent (if you just excuse his last mile) – could be waiting in the wings should the top choice falter. (6) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N had a new pilot last week and was given a trip that was doomed to failure – inclined to just give him a pass, and look for a much better effort here with Holland returning to the bike. (8) PAPIS ROCKET was an excellent 4th (also from Post 8) in last week’s hot 1:51 mile – the ability is there, but the draw may limit him to minor spoils ponce more. (2) COPPERFIELD took 3 weeks off after a dismal effort last week – he hasn’t won in some time, but he might bounce back well enough to at least contend for a piece. (7) THE GREEK FREAK is well off his best form and gets stuck with Post 7 vs. some nice horses – leaning elsewhere. (1) COLLECTIVE WORKS has climbed the class ladder with a series of decent pieces, at big prices – could see him stealing a 3rd/4th tonight with some racing luck. (5) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A is good right now, but his best work definitely comes vs. (much) easier

RACE 6 – (5) THENU CAME ALONG A was sneaky good from impossible spots two and three back then was right there with CHASE H HANOVER most of the way in last week’s 1:51 scorcher – maybe he can take advantage of the draw and turn the tables tonight? (8) CHASE H HANOVER was super in his 2nd start off the barn change, securing the lead then putting up a 1:51 jogburger – legitimate chance to repeat, even from Post 8. (2) PARISS DRAGON steps up in class off a pair of victories, but should be able to secure a very good trip here, with a chance to be right there all the way – belongs in exotics. (4) BONDI LOCKDOWN A jumped up 2 classes last week but is so solid right now he was right there 3rd – still leaning more to a couple of others for the top slot, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him pull off an upset. (3) IMA PERFECT CHOICE is too talented to ever dismiss completely but he’s definitely been off his best lately, even looking “less than perfect” in that win (vs. cheaper) 2 back – would need to find his best game to be a real threat here. (6) HEMSWORTH N has been holding good form for some time but figures to be coming from too far back to do much damage tonight. (1) SPECULATING A used a dream trip to beat softer last week – unlikely to be as fortunate here. (8) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A is actually very good right now, and only listed on the bottom because of the draw

RACE 7 – Solid field: (1) MACS DELIGHT always had plenty of ability so it’s no surprise that he’s taken 2 in a row since the recent barn change – this is a much tougher test tonight (and he does figure to be overbet), but he’s still the one to knock off from the pole. (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW has certainly lost a few miles off his fastball but the 11YO can still hold his own with these types, especially with a trip – definitely has appeal with that 8-1 ML price. (2) KWICK SAND A has developed into a terrific weekly performer this year, and currently sports a 15-6-5-4 record at Yonkers this year – he just seems to find a way to grab a good piece, no matter what trip he lands on. (3) AMERICAN DEALER N just missed to a currently razor sharp ESCAPE TO AMERICA 2 back, then pounced on a nice trip to win his last – the classy 9YO is feeling good right now, and may be able to have a say even with these tougher ones tonight. (5) YOUNG BLUEY A was hammered at the windows last week and did race well, but got beat with no excuses– much better price now for those inclined to give him another shot. (6) JUMPINGJACKMAC N lagged much of the way last week but did finish with plenty of interest – another bad post could slow him down once more, but still not a bad one for longshot fans

RACE 8 – (5) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR may not navigate the Hilltop oval quite as smoothly as others but that hasn’t stopped him from compiling an outstanding local record over the past 3 years (26-15-4-2) – his last start (in the Haughton, in NJ ) was off 5 weeks and he still was able to take home a 5th place check – deserves top billing. (2) CAPTAIN MOORE A was handled aggressively last week, popping the pocket on the back side – he wore down the leader after a long battle, and was still dead game at the wire to prevail – Holland is back on board, and should have plenty of confidence in him after his last! (1) GO GO GRASSHOPPER won a Graduate division across the river in his first start back as a 4YO– he paced home in :25.3 the next week, then got parked 1:19.4 in the Final– he bounced back to win his last, and he’s an interesting newcomer for his Yonkers debut. (3) VERDUN sat a dream trip behind #2 last week but was still outgamed by a couple at the wire– playable in exotics for sure (6) GORGEOUS BIG GUY broke in the back in his first local try but his last 3 have been outstanding – he charged home from a seemingly impossible spot last week (close 2nd), and may be able to do so again. (4) STERLING CHOICE was able to cut it from the pole last week but got hounded by #2 a long way, then gave way grudgingly coming to the wire – likely facing a tough trip tonight. (7) DOWNBYTHEWATER is sharp for sure, but seemingly buried from tonight’s spot

RACE 9 – (7) SWEET BEACH LIFE faces the task of overcoming the outside draw once more but he’s now taken 4 straight, and can race just as well from OFF the pace, if others elect to leave inside of him – still the one to beat! (6) MOSSDALE BEN N was a winner 2 back, and that mile is sandwiched between a pair of close 2nds behind #7 – he’s putting together a terrific season, and may be able to take revenge on his current nemesis tonight. (1) CELTIC SPIRIT N is 0 for 7 at Yonkers, but has raced well in a few of those starts – he was 2nd best at The Swamp last week, but the winner was his insanely sharp barnmate (BEST CHIP), and that was also the fastest mile of the night (1:46.4) on Meadowlands pace night – maybe he can pull off a mild upset with the right trip? (2) PINNY TIGER A should benefit from his last, his first start in 4 months – could be able to at least threaten for a piece here. (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A rarely goes a bad mile, and was a very solid 3rd behind the top pair in his last – always a good one for exotics. (5) EVILEYE FLEEGLE was struggling in lower classes at Hoosier before moving to the leading barn in North America on 6/12, and it only took 3 starts for him to win his way right up to the Invitational – major class test tonight! (4) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH is another that may benefit from last week’s tightener – keep an eye for any additional improvement tonight

RACE 10 – (3) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY was handled very conservatively last week and it was just what the doctor ordered (after getting roughed up from Post 8 three weeks earlier) – moves inside, and should be ready to deliver a big effort. (2) SONO CONFUSO has some hard to gauge NJ lines but he’s listed at 20-1 ML and his barn is having an outstanding 2026…worth a look? (1) DELIGHTFUL TERROR had been struggling but did rally full of pace in the lane after a bad shuffle last week – he was on a little form spree not too long ago, so perhaps he’s ready to have a similar good run right now. (4) GOTHC ROCK usually makes his presence felt but he’s light in the win column, and sure to be overbet with that 9/5 ML listing. (7) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE has been very reliable in this class but will be coming from way back tonight – he can rally for a piece for sure, but the top prize may be a little out of reach. (5) FULL SUPPORT won a fall apart race 2 back but that’s his only victory of the year – one of many with at least a chance for a piece. (8) DISMAS was a little better last week, though helped when the race fell apart (a bit) – keep an eye for any additional improvement tonight. (6) SARANAC BLUE CHIP gets a tough draw and feels like he’s falling off form – he can certainly hurt others, though (with his speed).