Monday, June 22, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, June 22, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) IM SOME GRADUATE struggled for his first couple of starts off the claim but raced much better in his last pair – he has 4 wins this year, and most of his main foes in here are still looking for their first victory of 2026 – we’ll give him the edge tonight. (5) TWO FACED seemed to appreciate the freshening after that 4/15 miscue, racing very well from the 8 hole last week – considered listing him on top tonight but he’s gone winless since 2024, and would need to be a good price to use on top here. (8) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY threw everything he had at last week’s front end winner but just couldn’t sustain his (long) bid well enough in the lane – he’s another seeking his first win of the year, and Post 8 won’t make his task any easier! (6) ROSE RUN ASTRO won a fall apart race 2 back but has otherwise struggled for the most part in most of his recent starts – he was just re-acquired by the barn from whom he was claimed on 4/23, and this trainer/driver team did win twice with him earlier this year – worth a look, if the price is right. (1) FULL SUPPORT disappointed from a similar spot last week but does usually race ok from spots like this – Holland is back on board, and he’s capable of a better effort…but he’s also 0 for 17 this year (after going just 2 for 22 in 2025). (2) ORIGINAL MUSIC ships in from Stga and while he may be a little on the cheaper side, the good draw should at least put him in play for a piece - maybe if the price is long enough? (3) OZO NE BLUE CHIP tailed off dramatically in ‘25 and that trend continues in 2026– minor spoils? (7) ITS MAHOMES A draws poorly again and would be a surprise, for sure

RACE 2 – (3) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH was a winner 2 back then went a big effort before coming up 2nd best in his last – he moves to a barn that is winning at nearly 40% off the claim this year, and even better this month…gets top billing. (7) LYONS BENJAMIN traded victories with the top choice the last two weeks and should be able to get off to a good start tonight, despite Post 7 – the main danger! (1) THONG CONTROL hasn’t been “bad’ the last few starts but hasn’t been at his sharpest, either – he gets a fresh set of hands for tonight, and we’ll see if he can come up a bit sharper. (8) WAVEMAKER just threw a total clunker 2 back but was much better in his last, rallying well after getting hurt by horrible cover – he may have trouble getting into the hunt tonight but IF things get testy up front, he could be the one to take advantage late. (5) RAYRAY has raced well in most of his recent starts, but remains as camera shy as ever – ok for a minor share. (6) ALL ALONE seemed to be in a good spot last week but just never grabbed the bit, from start to finish – his best makes him a threat here, but that last start is definitely concerning. (2) VICI draws well but just hasn’t been sharp at all lately. (4) PAROUSIA makes his YR debut – seems overmatched

RACE 3 – Short field but should still be an excellent race! (2) SWEET BEACH LIFE is technically “moving up” in class but it’s possible that he’s the sharpest horse in here, and proved throughout the Borgata Series that he’s capable of battling the best – he can win from on or off the pace, and we’ll give him the narrow call. (1) DANDY IDEAL was sent off at 2/5 making his 4YO Yonkers debut last week but just wasn’t quite able to finish the job, after cutting the mile – he could be sharper with that start under his belt, and he’ll get every chance to make amends from the pole tonight. (5) MOSSDALE BEN N just missed in the Auger at Chester 2 back then used a beautiful trip to score the mild upset in the Battle of Lake Erie in his last – he’s been sharp all year long, and the only question here is what trip he’ll land on! (4) CAPTAINHAMMERHEAD A is the latest superstar import for connections that have found a bunch of these over the last 2 years - he does face a somewhat uncertain trip tonight, but becomes a real threat if it’s a good one. (3) YOUNG BLUEY A is another import that has shown some excellent flashes at times, but could be facing a tougher trip from this spot

RACE 4 – (1) STERLING CHOICE came up 2nd best to the talented CAPTAINHAMMERHEAD A 3 back then was an excellent 2nd behind VERDUN in his next (despite a less than stellar trip) – give him a pass for his last (8 hole) and look for a big effort tonight, even if his owner (Bartlett) won’t be here to drive. (4) DOWNBYTHESEASIDE got VERY sharp out of town and certainly looked good shipping in last week, not far off VERDUN and CAPTAIN MOORE A at the wire – he may get a more aggressive steer tonight, and that could make him a legitimate threat. (6) CAPTAIN MOORE A is more than talented enough to beat these but he gets the worst of the draw, loses Zeron, and may end up with a tougher trip than he’d prefer – still hard to leave him out of the exotics, though. (2) SOHO DOW JONES A is an in-and-outer but he brought his best last week and was an excellent first over winner – wouldn’t shock, but still leaning more towards a couple of others. (3) BOSTON BOUND has fallen off his game-watching for better signs. (5) BETTER B BOLD makes his first start since 4/21, and vs. tougher than he’s used to

RACE 5 – (1) MANFERNO tried 50s last week off the claim, drew Post 8, but still had plenty of life coming through the wire (from a hopeless spot) – he drops back down to 40s and he’s been super at this level…the one to beat for a barn that is having a strong 2026 season. (3) ALTA CLASSIC A’s last 2 wins came at the $30K level but he’s gone big efforts for $40K as well – not sure he’ll get the trip he wants tonight, but he becomes dangerous if he does. (8) HIMSELF N was actually very good off the claim last week (in 50s), putting a strong bid vs. a very sharp front end winner before weakening just a bit in the lane – he drops to 40s and IF Bongiorno can fly off the car and get him into the hunt, he may have a chance to be a part of the equation. (2) BETTOR BY SEASIDE has been holding form very nicely as he’s risen in class and he was clearly up for last week’s aggressive drive – he does lose Zeron, but he’s looking at a good trip and can be right in the hunt once more. (5) YOROKOBI N probably isn’t a threat to beat this crew but he’s excellent at saving ground and grabbing pieces– good one for 3rd/4th. (4) LYRICAL GENIUS A was dull 3rd off an easy trip last week and has been off his best game, in general – another new barn tonight, but still leaning elsewhere. (6) OVERTHINKING can do okay at this level with good trips but his last 2 wins came one level down, and he draws poorly (again) tonight. (7) ITS ELECTRIFYING N drops a notch but would still be a surprise, especially after drawing Post 7

RACE 6 – Good race: (6) JABBAR is putting together a strong 5YO campaign and he pulled off a surprise (50-1!) wire to wire victory from Post 7 six starts back – maybe Holland can try to pull off that same quick start tonight but even if not, he’s capable from off the pace as well. (2) BONDI LOCKDOWN A isn’t a prolific winner but he’s been in solid form for some time, and may end up with a pretty nice trip tonight – another good value horse to consider. (4) COALFORD TOPGUY GB has been turning in strong efforts all year long, and last week was no exception (excellent 2nd to the classy BACKSTREET SHADOW after that one crawled a half in :58) – another live player. (5) ESCAPE TO AMERICA is hitting on all cylinders right now and comes into this off a pair of powerful 1:52 wins – he may land on a tougher trip tonight (vs. tougher foes), so be careful about too short a price on top (3) AMERICAN DEALER N finished full of pace off a conservative steer last week and did “steal” a win on the lead 3 starts back, with Bongiorno at the lines – not impossible. (1) PRINTVILLE is still winless on the year but continues to climb the class ladder, thanks to 5 straight starts on the board – could see him rallying for a small slice, with an easy enough trip. (7) DELE ROW A elected to take off the gate and trail from bad posts the last 2 weeks and the guess is that he’ll do the same tonight, with a class drop looming for next week. (8) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A seems destined to be sitting well out of it tonight, and is another looking at a class drop in his next start

RACE 7 – Tough race! (6) KOMODO BEACH had an awful 2025 season, particularly here at Yonkers (7-0-0-0) – he’s really turned things around since early in 2026, however, and returns from PA in fine form…gets a tough draw (and may be moving up a bit in class), but still may be sharp enough right now to pull this off. (7) PEACE OUT PO SSE last 3 starts at this level all resulted in victory – he lands in another new barn tonight, but his last 3 wins all came with different trainers…have to respect, even from out here. (5) PYRO paced home solidly for 3rd two back and was pretty good again in his last, despite a less than stellar trip – he seems to be on the upswing, and may have a chance to come up with an upset. (1) HEAVEN ON HIGH N gets a pass for his last (impossible trip) but picked up a win and a trio of 2nds in the 4 starts just prior to that – chance to outrace his 8-1 ML odds from this good spot. (3) EVER HOPING A continues to pick up good pieces but he’s also benefited from easy trips – he’s winless at YR since 2024, so we’ll see if he can find a bit more tonight for his new barn. (2) SAMHARA N just hasn’t been sharp enough for some time – in need of a wake up call. (4) CAVIART SARGENT is a camera shy sort that probably needs an easier spot for any chance at the top prize

RACE 8 – (2) KEAYANG TACO A has had no trouble maintaining the excellent form he was showing at Hoosier since arriving here at Yonkers – he came up 2nd best in his last pair to a couple of very sharp winners, and may be in a spot where he can find the winner’s circle himself tonight. (5) ODDS ON CAPITALISM threw a major clunker when claimed on 5/25 – he took 3 weeks off, then rebounded with a very good try last week (finishing with good pace from an impossible spot – Holland will surely look to be more aggressive tonight, and his best effort would make him a real threat here, (3) INVISIBLE N can be prone to early miscues but he’s also a pretty talented horse, capable of crisp finishes when he minds his manners – worth at least a look at what should be a decent price. (1) RO CKIN JUKEBOX found some better form in his last couple at Chester and will surely be handled aggressively from the pole – not sure he’s good enough right now to beat THESE, however. (6) THIRSTY THURSDAY seemed to be regressing before rebounding with a much better effort in his last – drops in for a tag tonight, draws outside a few sharp rivals and that has leaning a bit more to others. (7) OURMATEMENKO N failed to get close after drawing Post 8 last week and now lands outside again…this time moving up to 50s, off the claim – brutal spot! (8) MUSIC HALL can be a player with these from a decent post, but seems destined to be chasing from well out of it tonight. (4) QUOTE ME NOT N just seems very ambitiously placed at this level – would be a surprise

RACE 9 – (5) LITTLE WILLY has either been “good” or “VERY good” in all of his recent starts, and that includes last week’s close up 3rd in a 1:51.1 mile (behind SWEET BEACH LIFE, and SOHO FIRESTONE A) – he drops to an easier spot tonight, can race on or off the pace, and we’ll give him top billing. (6) IKNOWBETTER actually beat the top choice on 5/18 and has been pretty sharp himself for the last few months – gets a very tough draw, but he’s still worth a look at what figures to be a pretty good price. (2) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has been battling some inconsistency issues, but can still be a dangerous player when on his game - he does tend to get overbet, so make sure to get a good price if considering on top. (1) JUMPINGJACKMAC N is another that has burned some $$ lately, his lone recent win coming vs. much easier – could be vulnerable once more. (7) BACKSTREET SHADOW just stole one vs. much easier last week – he’s too classy to ever just dismiss, but this does feel like a pretty tough spot. (3) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A went a big mile to beat the 40s four back and was even sharper knocking off the 50s last week – definitely prefer others, but wouldn’t be shocked to see him at least make his presence felt. (4) ROCKET CITY A does have a couple of recent wins but still hasn’t shown that he can pace as fast as this race will likely go. (8) HURRIKANE CHEYENNE is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.

RACE 10 – (3) HAMMERING HANK beat this class on 4/27 then repeated the next week vs. one level higher – he finished up well from a no chance spot last week and now moves inside, drops in class, and reunites with Holland – lots to like! (4) THE IDEAL DANCER A was shuffled back and had no chance last week but drops another peg tonight, gets a good draw, and could be a much bigger part of the equation. (1) DONTTELLMENOW showed some better life in his last couple – he steps up a bit, but the rail draw could help him be part of the action. (2) FINVARRR A A was making his first start in 11 months last week and came up well short – he MAY be ready for much better with that race under his belt, but it would still be hard to endorse him on top as the 2-1 ML favorite. (5) PLEASELE TMEKNOW gave it a good try 3 back but his overall form has been lacking for the last couple of years, just 10-0-1- 0 locally over that period – he has a lot of back class for top connections, but simply needs to be better. (8) HEZA RI SK TAKER A aired it out on the front end last week but was unable to keep it going and is now 0 for 11 here at YR – won’t be any easier tonight from Post 8. (6) SIX DEGREES is also winless on the year, and last week’s drop from 50s to 40s provided no boost– sticking with others. (7) FEELIN WESTERN lands Post 7 after failing to beat a horse last week after drawing the rail (arriving from Monti).