Monday, June 1, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, June 1, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) MANFERNO inexplicably failed to retake as the 1/10 favorite last start and it probably cost him a chance to beat the frontrunning LYRICAL GENIUS A – the two have “swapped” barns since then, and Bartlett (who won the last two starts with #1), chooses to drive THIS guy tonight– we’ll give him the nod too. (1) LYRICAL GEN IUS A was able to prevail on the lead 2 back (when #3 elected to sit behind him), then used a perfect trip to squeeze out a win last week– he moves from one high % to another tonight and also draws the pole-remains the main danger. (5) ALTA CLASSIC A has been VERY sharp lately, even after moving up to 40s – becomes a serious threat IF he can make the lead, but still has a chance at the upset with a decent off-the-pace trip. (4) OURMATEMENKO N was forced to a hot early pace by a longshot leaver last week but still turned in a very nice effort for 3rd – chance for a piece with an easier trip. (2) VICI has some good recent efforts but vs. much easier – his best asset here is an inside draw, but that may not be enough. (7) BETTOR BY SEASIDE is undeniably sharp right now but the bump to 40s seems a bit ambitious…and the draw is brutal. (8) HIMSELF N had no excuse 2 back and drops in for a tag after a weak effort last week – sticking with others. (6) PYRO is 0 for 7 this year and draws poorly after missing a month

RACE 2 – (5) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A has hit board in 8 of his last 10 starts, and was just caught way in the back in the other two – he reunites with Bartlett tonight and the pair were victorious back on 4/27 – he should be able to work out a good enough trip here to have a very solid chance. (2) BET ON BIG JOE finally got into the win column for 2026 last week with a terrific effort, for a barn that won with 50% of their starters over the past week and a half – any horse they send out right now deserves major respect! (1) SHIPMASTER wasn’t the same horse racing from off the pace last week but any of his first 3 local tries (when on/near the lead) would make him a contender here – definitely has appeal with that 10-1 ML price. (4) THEFLYINGROCK rewarded his connections’ faith in him 2 back when he picked up the win jumping from 25s to 50s – had to settle for 3rd last week (behind #2 and #5) but still belongs in your exotics. (7) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A had his fate sealed last week after being forced to grab up and retreat to last after a leave attempt – if you think Siegelman may trip to leave again, he’s sharp enough to add some value to this ticket (with some racing luck). (6) SIX DEGREES is winless on the year but has grabbed more than his share of pieces – may have trouble getting in play, however. (3) KOPI LUWAK has tailed recently – waiting for better signs. (8) MUSIC HALL will be hard pressed to get close to the action after drawing another 8 hole

RACE 3 – (3) BOSTON BOUND was a winner 3 and 4 starts back before coming up 2nd best to the classy CATALP A RESCUE A in his last pair – he’s been sharp all year at Yonkers (10-4-4-1), and we’ll give him the slight edge in a solid field. (2) INVISIBLE N might be overlooked with the class hike but he’s razor sharp right now and as noted, his barn is en fuego – the right trip could make him a legitimate player. (1) BLUE LOU finished 6th last week but was pacing well right through the wire – he figures to be up close all the way from this spot, and could have a big say. (7) COPPERFIELD is capable of some big efforts, especially when Bartlett is on board – if you think he’ll be leaving the gate here, he’s worth including on your tickets. (5) VICIOUS has been thriving on the local scene for the past 2 years (21-8-5-2), and Bongiorno had success with him in the past – he’ll need some trip luck, but can make some noise if that happens. (4) ITS A ME MARIO is still trying to find his best form after recently returning from a lengthy absence – he was also scr. sick from his last. (6) ENDOFSTORY could be a threat on his best effort but he’s suffered from inconsistency, and faces a tough trip from this spot even if on his game

RACE 4 – (3) SOHO FIRESTONE A lost all chance in the Borgata Final (after a bad shuffle) but he bounced back to be 2nd in last week’s Invitational, a sizzling 1:50 mile won by LOU HILL (who jogged in the Camluck Classic in Canada on Friday) – he gets the best of the 3-6 draw, and we’ll give him a narrow edge. (4) SWEET BEACH LIFE was super all through the Borgata Series, just missing qualifying for the Final but winning the Consolation from Post 8 – he may not have been fully cranked for that Chester start last week, but he can be very tough here IF he rebounds to that previous form. (1) CAPTAINHAMMERHEAD A was well backed for his stateside debut and delivered a very professional first over victory – he gets a rail assignment as he takes on much better foes tonight, but it would be no surprise to see him able to battle with these too. (6) YOUNG BLUEY A looked super winning his first 2 U.S. starts but then blew up on the lead at ten cents on the dollar in his next – he quickly made amends with a victory in PA the next start, but he gets the worst of the draw for his first local Invitational try – tough assignment! (5) REDW OOD HANOVER is too classy to ever dismiss, but he’s probably not on his “best” game right now and faces an uncertain trip tonight. (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A may be able to save ground for a small piece this week

RACE 5 – (6) JUMPINGJACKMAC N isn’t in peak form right now but he’s still been close every week vs. much better than these – Bartlett gives him a vote of confidence (taking him over #2) and so will we. (3) KEAYANG KA MIKAZE A missed all of 2025 but quickly sharpened after returning to the races this year – he elected to freshen up and re-qualify after a slightly disappointing try on 4/28, and has a chance to upset if #6 fails to deliver. (2) COALFO RD TOPGUY GB has been 1st or 2nd in 10 of 13 local starts this year but only 3 were victories, and all at a lower level than this – still a threat, but we’ll trust Bartlett’s judgment. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF hasn’t been on his best game lately but he’s capable of big miles at any time – worth a look if not a fan of the favorites. (8) HEMSWORTH N was one of his red-hot barn’s many winners the last couple of weeks, but he’s up in class from Post 8 and will need a lot to go his way to reach from out here. (7) SPEAKER OF PEACE has been sharp for most of the last year and can handle tonight’s class rise…it’s the draw that is more concerning. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM steps up in class after faltering on the lead (at 3/5) vs. easier – minor spoils? (4) COLLECTIVE WORKS A is sharp, but likely not going to appreciate tonight’s major class jump

RACE 6 – (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE paced home in :26.3 and didn’t even get a check in his first start after the Borgata Series (8 hole in a 1:51.1 mile!) then was a sharp first over 3rd last week behind CAPTAIN MOORE A and BEST CHIP (who jogged in 1:48.4 in NJ Sat. night) – figures to be very tough tonight! (4) AMERICAN DEALER N was an ok 4th off the sick scratch last week and should be able to bring an even better effort tonight – may be able to complete the exacta. (2) GINGRAS BEACH raced MUCH better than expected last week, even if his line doesn’t fully reflect it – was hoping to use him in exotics at a nice price tonight, but that 3-1 ML listing probably takes away any value he may have offered. (3) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH went his best effort in a while last week, even if helped by an easy trip – can grab a small piece here too. (7) ESCAPE TO AMERICA is always finishing with good pace but may be coming from too far back tonight to do any real damage. (6) YOROKOBI N was in a winning spot last week and Marohn drove accordingly – tonight’s spot is much tougher, however, and he may have trouble getting into the hunt. (5) OPTICAL ILLUSION N actually fits NW7500 and would look more attractive at that easier level. (8) CARABAO toured the oval from Post 8 last week (2nd start off the layoff) and may be in that same boat tonight

RACE 7 – (2) VERDUN couldn’t get to a fire-breathing LITTLE WILLY last week but still produced an excellent stretch rally from a tough spot, in a quick mile – he can be handled more aggressively tonight, and may be able to replicate the sharp score from 2 back. (1) IKNOWBETTER has been in excellent form for some time, for a barn that is currently winning at exceptionally high rates at 4 different tracks – he’s looking at a very good trip here, and deserves plenty of respect! (7) CAPTAIN MOORE A was able to take full advantage last week of the huge class drop and the rail to score on the front end – he has more than enough ability to threaten these too, IF Zeron can find him a manageable trip from out here. (5) STERLING CHOICE has been a very solid performer for Bartlett and Co. but he probably shouldn’t be the ML favorite against these – ok to use underneath, though. (4) LYONS STEEL brought his career earnings to $918K with last week’s “pocket rocket” score vs. cheaper but tonight’s much tougher spot may slow his march towards the $1M mark just a bit! (8) MATAI PHIL N is having a terrific season but wasn’t quite as sharp in his last pair and now lands behind the 8 ball – minor spoils? (3) KEAYANG TACO A arrives with some sharp Hoosier form but he was facing much softer, and for a 30% winning trainer. (6) T H TYSON is just 1 for 7 at YR and usually facing much easier that these

RACE 8 – (1) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR doesn’t win very often but his last victory did come from the rail, and was at the NW15000 level – he should be able to make his way to the front from this spot, and that would give him a good chance for another trip to the winner’s circle. (4) AMERITRIC has been forced to race from the back almost every week, thanks to some bad posts in tough classes – he definitely can be more aggressive tonight, and looms the main danger. (2) ONYX BOVINO sat pocketed to the favorite last week and chased well for 2nd – another easy trip could see him land somewhere on the ticket here too. (3) EVER HOPING A should be a good fit at this level but he’s 0 for 20 at Yonkers over the last 2 seasons and hard to consider for more than a smaller piece. (7) CASINO ACT ION N is just 3 for 7 at YR over the last 3 seasons and draws Post 7 tonight – minor spoils only. (6) POP IT has no wins and just one 2nd from his 16 starts this year – the outside draw isn’t going to help his chances. (5) CHA LK HANOVER was already struggling badly in his local debut before the miscue – Stratton bails, and so will we

RACE 9 – (1) PEACE OUT POSSE was well backed off the class drop last week, landed on a good trip and was able to cash in for the victory – debuts tonight for a barn that’s been hitting at 30% off the claim this year, and may be able to take another. (5) MIND HUNTER was an easy front end winner vs. softer 2 back, but landed in a no prayer spot last week – he’s a good fit here, and an aggressive drive from Marohn would certainly help his chances. (2) AVENGER FORCE rallied crisply for 3rd from well back last week (behind #1) and can grab another nice slice tonight with an easy trip. (8) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN has 3 local wins this year but all came vs. easier, on the lead, from inside posts – Bartlett will certainly try to hustle him out of there, but the class hike and Post 8 may be tough to overcome…and he’ll likely be a fairly short price. (6) SAMHARA N has to get a bit of respect off the class drop but he draws poorly, is off his best game, and would need to be a really juicy price to consider on top. (3) CAVI ART SARGENT did ok to hold on to the distant place spot (behind the runaway winner) last week and may be able to take home some minor spoils tonight. (4) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL needed to drop pretty low in class to find his form in Ohio recently– he returns to a familiar barn tonight, but just doesn’t seem ready to take this on right now. (7) ALL ALONE is more than capable with these on his best effort but he was listless last week off the sick scratch, and would need a massive turnaround to step up and beat these.