Monday, June 15, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, June 15, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) MUSIC HALL hasn’t come close to replicating last year’s incredible 16 win season but he’s also had a bunch of legitimate excuses, to be fair – he won from Post 7 (one level down) 3 back, and did just miss vs. the 50s when he drew the pole on 4/27 – has the right pilot tonight for an aggressive try. (6) ESCAPE TO AMERICA got away much closer to the pace than usual last week and was able to deliver the sharp first over score, holding off his only rival in what morphed into a 2-horse affair – he’ll need some trip luck to repeat from this much tougher spot, but it’s not out of the question. (5) THE IDEAL DANCER A had no prayer last week but his overall form has been solid, and a live trip could put him right in the hunt tonight. (7) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A drops to a level that should be right in his wheelhouse, but the draw could present some obstacles – worth a look if the price is right. (2) FINVARRA A is a high-end, classy performer when right, but he’s just returning after missing nearly a year, and he may not be ready to deliver his best – feels like a bad sign that Stratton opts for #4. (3) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A is on the cheaper side for sure but his (small) barn has been sending out live ones, and he gets a switch to Bartlett – not impossible. (4) PRINTVILLE remains a good one to consider underneath but he’s 0 for 16 this year, mostly vs. softer. (8) SPECULATING A is good right now but moves up in class and lands behind the 8 ball

RACE 2 – (7) PEACE OUT POSSE drops back down to the level he just beat twice, and catches a field where most of the main players are camera shy – we’ll give him a narrow nod, despite the terrible draw. (2) ROLLING WITH S AM doesn’t make a lot of visits to the winner’s circle but he drops in for $30K (after facing 40s and 50s this spring), gets a good draw and gets Bartlett at the lines – logical spot for him. (1) EVER HOPING A has been solid at this level and draws the pole…he’s also winless in 22 local starts over the last 2 seasons, and hard to endorse on top with a lot of confidence! (3) PYRO benefited from an easy trip last week but still turned in a much improved try for 3rd – that 12-1 ML price does give him some appeal. (4) SAMHARA N was handled aggressively last week off the claim but just not sharp enough right now to handle – could race better tonight with a more conservative approach. (5) CA VIART SARGENT is another of the more camera shy types in here – always eligible to rally for a small piece, though. (5) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY had some life 2 back then toughed out a win vs. cheaper last week – not sure the move to 30s will agree with him, however. (8) MIND HUNTER may have trouble getting in play for his new crew after drawing all the way outside.

RACE 3 – (1) ALL ALONE was a very sharp winner here on 5/4 but then was scratched sick, followed by a pair of awful posts – he had a BIG wake up call last week, however, and he can build off that to be very dangerous tonight! (4) WAVEMAKER was very well backed on 5/26 and delivered the sharp victory – he struggled all the way in his last, however, and now adds Lasix for tonight – willing to give him a look, if the price is fair. (2) TOPVILLE SOME BEACH had been on the upswing so it was no surprise to see him cash in on a perfect trip last week– new barn now, but could still be a very live player. (5) LYONS BENJAMIN went his best effort in a while last week, doing a lot of the hard work before coming up 2nd best to #2 – moves to another sharp barn for tonight, and a quick start would put him right in the hunt. (3) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN seems like a different horse when he makes the lead, but that may not be in the cards for him tonight – would need a good price to consider on top. (6) VICI gets another bad draw, and may need to wait for a better spot to show his best stuff

RACE 4 – (2) BACKSTREET SHADOW never got going in a very abbreviated 2025 season but he’s been flashing some of that old form so far in 2026, recently more than holding his own in several starts vs. the top horses at PcD – he’ll get to call the shots in his Hilltop return, and the road to the winner’s circle runs though him. (3) COALFORD TOPGUY GB was a solid 3rd from an impossible spot last week and has raced well in virtually all of his 15 starts this year – very logical player here, but that 9/5 ML price is a turn off. (6) AMERICAN DEALER N pulled off a nice upset over heavily favored IMA PERFECT CHOICE 2 back, but lost all chance when parked last week – if he can find a decent trip tonight, he could easily outperform that 20-1 ML price. And speaking of horses listed at 20-1 ML, (7) DELE ROW A recently held his own in a few Borgata races, and now finds himself down at a much more comfortable level – gets another terrible draw, but can still become a player with some racing luck. (4) MACS MAR VEL picked up a 2nd and a win in his last pair, appreciating the class relief – he still doesn’t seem on top of his game, though, and could be a bit vulnerable tonight. (1) BONDI SHAKE A is on the cheaper side and never wins at YR – still a chance for minor spoils, though. (5) COLLECTIVE WORKS A has held form very nicely in a recent climb up the class ladder, but may have a tough time making the same dent tonight

RACE 5 – (4) KEAYANG TACO A was a bit of a question mark arriving from Hoosier but he held his own nicely vs. some good horses in his local debut, then was an excellent 2nd last week (dropping in for $50K), out first over and battling a long way before coming up 2nd best to BET ON BIG JOE – worth a look in this well matched field. (2) SOHO SANTORINI A shipped in sharp from PA and went a big mile last week, used hard for the lead then forced to battle a long way with #4 – he held very gamely for 3rd, and looms a big threat tonight (though his 0 for 12 local slate is at least a bit concerning). (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A was no factor in his last but has otherwise raced very well since returning from a long layoff – he can be much closer to the action tonight, and that puts him in play for a good chunk. (6) BET ON BIG JOE was a winner in 2 of his last 3 starts, racing very well for 3rd in the other (off a tough trip) – other than the draw, there are no real knocks here! (3) HIMSELF N has been well off his game the last few starts, after racing well just prior to that – he gets a change of scenery tonight, and we’ll see if he can perk up quickly for his new connections. (8) MANFERNO is in outstanding form right now but he moves to a new barn and gets his first bad draw in some time – could slow him down a bit. (5) ITS ELECTRIFYING N has been racing well at Stga. but was facing much cheaper when last seen here (for our leading trainer)– leaning towards others. (7) ODDS ON CAPITALISM makes his first start for new connections after backing through the field in his last (3 weeks ago) – on the flip side, his barn is 38% off the claim this year, and 50% this month!

RACE 6 – Tough race! (7) HAMMERING HANK has been terrific for some time, and that includes his start last week (where he and MANFERNO battled themselves into defeat) – he gets a terrible draw, but may be sharp enough to overcome it, and score at a nice price. (2) ORLANDO BLUE A made back to back breaks after being claimed recently, but qualified back nicely at Pocono then simply toured the oval here last week – he gets a good draw, and he recently pulled off a 13-1 upset with Kakaley on board – good one to consider. (3) SIX DEGREES is winless on the year but has finished 2nd six times and has faced better in many of his starts – would consider on top, but only if the price is juicy. (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A will attract plenty of attention from this spot and he’ll surely make his presence felt – he also feels off his best game right now, and could be a bit vulnerable. (6) OVERTHINKING took a drop to 30s last week and was able to pick up a win, and avoid getting claimed – he steps back up to 40s, gets a tough draw, and faces an uncertain trip at a pretty short price. (5) BETTOR BY DESIGN has done a nice job holding form as he’s climbed from 20s to 40s – he’d look a lot better if in a bit cheaper, but he could still make some noise if the trip goes his way. (4) ZEBS KRAFTY moves up to 40s after handling the 30s in his last pair– leaning elsewhere, but he’d hardly be a shock. (8) OURMATEMENKO N got hit with the deck last week and used that fortuitous trip to score a 23-1 upset– he’s been sharp for a while, and is only listed at the bottom because of the draw.

RACE 7 – (6) DANDY IDEAL had an outstanding 3YO campaign, winning 11 races and $936K (and was as good at the end of the year, as he was at the beginning) – he returned sharp at 4, winning his 2026 return at Pocono last week in very impressive fashion…he raced well in all 3 Yonkers starts last year, and we’ll give him the nod as he makes his first Hilltop start of the season. (3) HOWLENTHHILLS found himself in an impossible spot last week, pacing his back half in :53.4 but still only able to finish 4th – he raced well throughout the Borgata Series, and could offer some value tonight. (5) DONEGAL LUTHER N was on quite a roll to start off his U.S. career, including 3 wins from his 4 Borgata starts – something went wrong in the Final, however, and then he was too far back to threaten in his next start, followed by an impossible trip in the Camluck in Canada – he MAY be off his game or he may have just had a stretch of bad luck…he’ll be a good price tonight, for anybody looking to hop on his team. (2) SOHO FIRESTONE A hasn’t won since 4/6 but he raced well in most of his starts since then – he just missed in last week’s Invitational, and deserves plenty of respect here. (1) REDWOOD HANOVER hasn’t been on his best game in a while but it’s not like he’s been bad – leaning more towards others, but he could easily be part of the equation tonight starting from the pole. (4) CATALPA RESCUE A won 3 straight (on the lead) vs. easier but he’ll be facing much tougher now, and has missed 3 weeks

RACE 8 – (5) SWEET BEACH LIFE wasn’t on his best game at Chester 3 back but has otherwise been razor sharp all season long – he had the strongest Borgata Series of the 4 participants in this race, and we’ll give him top billing tonight. (1) CAPTAIN MOORE A was hurt by some bad spots in the Borgata but picked up a 2nd and a 3rd when closer to the action – he’s won 2 of 3 since the series ended, and was particularly impressive last week – could be dangerous from the pole. (3) VERDUN found his best form right after the series ended, and comes into tonight with 3 wins from his last 4 starts (nice rallying 2nd in the other) – another dangerous player, if the trip goes his way. (2) DOWNBYTHEWATER was no factor in his only local try (vs. much cheaper), but has been terrific out of town since then (also vs. easier) – he should be able to sit close to the action here, but will still need to show that he can contend at this level. (8) STERLING CHOICE is a very talented 4YO but faces major roadblocks trying to get in play from out here. (7) GORGEOUS BIG GUY shows some sharp efforts at Hoosier but likely vs. easier than these – the draw certainly won’t help. (6) BOSTON BOUND threw an unexpected dud last start and now draws poorly, while facing a much tougher field

RACE 9 – (2) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY quickly dropped below the level of the claim 2 back but turned in an excellent 2nd behind SHINE A LIGHT – his last effort was better than it looks, as he only weakened late after a very tough trip…chance to pull off a mild upset in the finale. (7) OVER THE HORIZON saw his 3 race winning streak snapped last week when outbrushed by the winner, then stayed on gamely for 2nd – was re-claimed by the barn he won for 2 starts back, and will be very dangerous again tonight (even with yet another bad draw). (3) IM SOME GR ADUATE struggled in his first 2 starts off the claim but raced a bit better last week – could be waiting in the wings should the top pair falter. (1) FULL SUPPORT is 0 for 16 this year after going just 2 for 22 in 2025 – he does figure to be sitting close to the action from start to finish, and is definitely one to include underneath. (8) TWO FACED is now 0 for 32 over the past 2 years and just requalified after sick scratch and miscue – keep an eye for future consideration. (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP gets a slightly better post, but likely still only looking at minor spoils, at best. (4) CHECKONWILLIAM GB gets some post relief but he’s been way off form again, and would be a surprise tonight. (5) FRANCO NANDOR N tired badly last week and throws way more dull ones than good ones.