Monday, July 27, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, July 27, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX finished alertly from a hopeless spot in his first start off the claim then was absolutely terrific in last week’s victory, used for all of a hot :26.3 opening panel but still fresh enough in the lane to outkick easier-trip rivals for the top slot – chance to repeat. (4) EVER HOPING A was 0 for 25 at Yonkers over the last 2 seasons heading into his last start but came up with a 7 length blowout, in the 2nd start off the claim (had Post 8 the first start) – Bartlett stays on board and he should be a formidable foe…even moving up a notch. (1) SIMPLY FAST has been razor sharp for a barn that’s enjoying an outstanding meet – he steps up another class off 2 straight victories, but can still make his presence felt. (6) AMERITRIC looked like he was going to charge on by to victory in the lane last week but was ultimately outkicked by #3 – new barn tonight, a tough draw, and may have to settle for a smaller share. (5) MUFFERAW JOE beat cheaper 4 and 5 back in Ohio but struggled in his last 3 starts – hard to say how he’ll fare vs. the locals. (7) MANFERNO rebounded with a much better effort last week, and would have been listed higher if not for the draw. (2) GDS THUNDER GB will appreciate the post relief but still may find the 40s a little too tough. (8) ZEBS KRAFTY draws Post 8 after a dismal try in his last – pass for now

RACE 2 – (4) IMAGINARY LINE had to be used hard to make the lead last week, whistled some very fast fractions from there and really only gave way late (even if 6th) – he drops down to 30s, picks up Bartlett, and may have found a winning spot. (1) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH has been in outstanding form lately, his last win being especially impressive – he was quickly re-claimed that night, but he hasn’t raced in a month and that could make him at least a little vulnerable. (2) PAXAMILLION didn’t even pretend to be interested from Post 8 last week (returning off a win in PA) but he gets major post relief tonight, and could have a real say. (5) THONG CONTROL landed on a perfect trip last week but couldn’t get to the very sharp winner– a live trip here could help him land somewhere on the ticket (6) BOILING OAR had been sharpening, then picked up an overdue victory in his last – he had to just re-qualify after a sick scratch, but did look very good that day…the class hike and poor draw could work against him. (7) CAP TAIN AWESOME felt like the zillionth “formless” horse to just improve drastically upon joining this barn 2 back, barely missing to the 1/10 favorite – he was handled way too unagressively last week, and had to settle for a hard charging close 4th – if you think Stratton will put him in play earlier here, he could be a live longshot. (3) RAYRAY has no 1sts or 2nds this year but he’s been 3rd in half of his 16 local starts – ok for the bottom of tris and supers. (8) LYONS BENJAMIN has fallen off form, and lands behind the 8 ball.

RACE 3 – (2) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A had been struggling for a while but turned in much better efforts in his last pair – he’s probably still not in “peak” form, but he does seem sharp enough right now to pick up a victory. (4) FINV ARRA A is still winless since recently returning from a long layoff but he’s certainly been racing very well as he’s been climbing the class ladder – moves inside, and may be a real threat here with a live trip. (5) DELE ROW A (Holland’s choice over #1) also went through a rough patch recently, but has turned things around in his last couple – couldn’t quite finish the job after cutting the mile last week, but he can still be a big player again tonight. (1) SPE AKER OF PEACE bobbled off turn three last week and lost any real chance – he’s a hard hitter that rarely goes a bad mile, and he certainly belongs in your exotics. (7) CHURHCVIEWFRANKL IR will be coming from way out of it but there’s always a chance he can save ground and rally late for some minor spoils. (3) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A generally does his best vs. a bit easier. (8) JON I LOVE DAT couldn’t hang on vs. easier in his last local start and is stuck with Post 8 tonight. (6) VENTURESOME ARDEN N was dead short off the layoff last week

RACE 4 – (6) COACHES CORNER hasn’t won in a while but he’s racing well most every week in Graded Stakes out of town – he’s certainly the “best” horse in here and the one to beat, despite the outside assignment…but still wouldn’t bet the mortgage money on him at what could be a very short price. (2) GORGEOUS BIG GUY is hitting on all cylinders right now, and has shown that he can still race super from very tough spots – may be able to pull off a mild upset if things go his way. (4) CELTIC SPIRIT N left a pair of rivals out for the entire :26.2 opener before yielding last week, was still full of pace in the pocket heading to 3/4s but ran over the top of the leader and made a break – he’s still looking for his first local win and it SHOULD come sooner rather than later…not sure this is the spot, though. (3) YOUNG BLUEY A sat a two hole trip behind a well rated winner last week and chased home 2nd best – he steps back up to the Invitational tonight, and seems destined for a smaller share. (5) VERDUN can never be counted out completely, but he does figure to be coming from a very difficult spot tonight – leaning elsewhere. (1) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH is trying to get back to top form after a recent barn change

RACE 5 – Tough race! (1) HES SPECIAL is 0 for 22 at Yonkers the past 2 years but he’s sharp right now, looking at a good trip, and just may have finally found a spot he can handle. (6) ROCKET FREIGHT is inconsistent for sure but he may have had a chance to win if he shook free sooner last time – if Kelly can improve position at the start without using him too hard, he may have a chance to pull off an upset. (2) GOTHIC ROCK is almost always in the hunt (especially with Bartlett) but his WINS are few and usually far between, making him tough to endorse at a very short price. (4) CYRUS N hasn’t won here since 2024 but does fit well enough to at least be a threat if the trip falls in his lap – would need a good price to use on top, though. (7) DELIGHTFUL TERROR may be the sharpest of all right now but he’s likely to be coming from way out of it – if things do fall apart up front, he’d certainly have a chance to deliver the upset. (3) BETTORBUCKLEUP’s lone win this year came when the race just fell apart – chance for a small piece, with an easy trip. (5) MACH N CHEESE raced well in 25s on 6/10 yet DROPPED to 20s for his next start, and went in reverse – another drop, and another red flag. (8) ADVANCE MAN moves to Post 8 after failing to threaten from a pair of rails

RACE 6 – Another tough race: (4) HIMSELF N was the worst kept secret on the planet when he was sent off at 1/5 last start and obliterated the field – card cancellations have left him racing tonight off a month, however, so we’ll see if he’s been able to stay sharp enough for another big mile. (1) LASER SPEED can be frustratingly inconsistent but he drops back down to the class he wired from the pole 4 back, and there’s a chance for some déjà vu. (6) THENU CAME ALONG A loses Bartlett to #3 but he’s VERY good right now, will be a good price, and may be worth a real look. (2) TUALOU N was a winner with Cory in his U.S. qualifier and gets a good draw with Jordan tonight – he did race in a couple of Graded Stakes Down Under this year (albeit as an outsider), but may be a good fit in his U.S. debut. (3) HANDSOME STRANGER turned in a weak effort returning from KY and lost twice (at very short prices) vs. cheaper here, early in the season – could be vulnerable. (8) STAR CASINO N was hurt by terrible cover behind a horse he gave a seat to last week, but still kicked home full of pace in his local debut – he’s probably a very good fit here, but may be curtailed by tonight’s draw. (5) TACK ROOM CHATTER aired it out on the front end for his new barn last week before giving way late – much tougher spot tonight. (7) TH COLBY is a very steady weekly performer, but may struggle to get in play after drawing so poorly.

RACE 7 – PAPIS ROCKET raced well in his last pair despite back to back 8 holes and now gets to drop in class while moving inside to the pole – there’s a couple in here who could definitely threaten him, but he still deserves top billing. (5) LITTLE LOUIE A won 11 races and over $100K down under and his blowout debut U.S. qualifier is hard to fault – barn has had mixed results with several recent imports, so we’ll have to see what this guy is made of. (4) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N has been off his best game for a while but he can’t be taken lightly at this level – his best effort would make him very dangerous! (2) COLLECTIVE WORKS A drops another peg, draws inside, and has picked up a bunch of decent pieces at big prices – good one for 3rd/4th. (7) NONE BETTOR A hit the wire solidly from an impossible spot last week…unfortunately, tonight’s spot doesn’t feel any better. (6) PRINTVILLE hasn’t won all year and that doesn’t figure to change tonight – a late rally for some minor spoils isn’t out of the question, though. (8) MISSED THE TRUTH A was winless at Yonkers over the last 3 years but that changed last week, after a barn change – brutal spit tonight, though. (3) ITZA DANGERZONE A does his best work with much easier.

RACE 8 – (2) RAILROAD STATION was super last week, making multiple “mini moves” to work his way into contention, before finishing up very strong for the victory – gets the vote once more, even with the class jump. (5) BETTER B BOLD came up 2nd best to #2 last week, despite a big effort of his own– license to reverse that decision, at a better price. (4) RESILIENT N was absolutely loaded with pace in the lane in his U.S. debut after sitting 7th all the way – he was hammered down to 1/5 in his next start, but was collared by the tripsitter with no excuses (and also made a bobble off the 3rd turn) – way too soon to dismiss his chances, but that last try was definitely disappointing. (7) COPPERFIELD came into his last off a bad date (after a poor performance) but bounced right back, taking full advantage of a perfect trip to pick up a win – Bartlett takes him over #6, but may still have trouble overcoming the bad draw. (6) SOHO DOW JONES A was sent off at 9/5 last week and was a solid 3rd off a first over trip – won’t be easy from Post 6, but he does have appeal at that seemingly high 15-1 ML price. (3) SPECULATING A probably isn’t a threat to beat this field, but an easy trip COULD see him at least take home a piece. (1) HICKFROMFRENC HLICK will use his speed to make his presence felt from the rail, but probably needs to be in easier for a chance at one of the top slots. (8) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A has more than enough ability to be a player with these, but maybe not from all the way out here.

RACE 9 – (1) STERLING CHOICE cut the mile in the Open 2 back, was hounded by the tripsitter a long way and only gave way very grudgingly in the latter stages – he was actually full of pace finishing from an impossible spot in his last, and will now get to call the shots once more with the class drop and rail. (3) KWICK SAND A faces an unpredictable trip but he’s been terrific all year long, and may find a way to add some value to the exotics with the right trip. (7) CHASE H HANOVER shockingly elected NOT to cut the mile last week (after a sizzling 1:51 front end jogburger the week before) and it probably cost him a chance at another victory – he’s GOOD enough for a chance to beat these, but does face an uncertain trip from Post 7. (2) ARODA N disappointed in a few of his local starts but sat a pocket last week and was able to reel in the 1/5 frontrunner – maybe the classy import will gain enough confidence from that win to be a player here too. (5) JUMPINGJACKMAC N won 3 back as the race fell apart, but he was “sneaky ok” from impossible spots in his last pair – another that could add some value tonight. (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW can still bring a good one at age 11 when things go his way – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) CONTR OL ROCKS was on a good roll this spring until having to miss some time after his trainer was suspended – he returned in a new barn, and his last 2 Pocono starts suggest he’s back on track…tough spot for his YR debut, though. (8) AMERICAN DEALER N is good right now, but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from out here

RACE 10 – (4) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE got lost at the back last week but his overall form at this level is solid, and he should at least be in striking distance tonight – chance for the mild upset in the finale. (1) TWO FACED has “figured” many times over the past 2 years…but still managed to go 0 for 35 over that period – very real chance he could finally get over the hump tonight, but hard to back him too seriously with the ML listing him at “even money” (7) OZONE BLUE CHIP used all of a perfect pocket trip from the rail to win last week – obviously this spot is MUCH tougher, but that 20-1 ML price makes him worth at least a glance. (3) FULL SUPPORT won a “fall apart” race 3 back for his only victory of the season – he is a logical one to use underneath, though. (2) ITS MAHOMES A is 11-0-1-0 at Yonkers and 1 for 32 overall for the last 2 years…the good draw at least gives him a chance at a piece, though. (5) FERRAGAMO HANOVER is 10-0-0-0 for $1350 here at The Hilltop. (8) CRUNCH HANOVER draws post 8 after being no factor in either local start (and 16-0-0-2 on the year). (6) WASHEUPONABEACH looked overmatched heading into his last start and did little to dispel that idea