Monday, June 8, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, June 8, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) MANFERNO just ran off and jogged for his new trainer last week, one of the barn’s FOUR winners last Monday – he’ll get to call the shots once more, and looms a very short priced favorite as he looks to repeat. (2) HAMMERING HANK is pretty sharp himself right now, and may end up with the two hole trip – probably the one with the best chance to knock off the top one. (3) PEACE OUT POSSE picked up wins at the $30K level in his last pair, with two different trips for two different trainers – goes for another new barn here, and things will get tougher as he bumps up to 40s this week – if he lands on an easy enough trip, perhaps he can threaten these too? (4) OURM ATEMENKO N hit board in 3 of 4 since moving up to this level but draws outside 3 very sharp rivals, and may have to settle for a bit smaller share this week. (5) LYRICAL GENIUS A faltered in the pocket after chasing #1 last week and now draws outside 4 other live ones, while moving to another new barn – if Brennan can blast off the car and end up with a two hole trip, his chances (for a piece) would go up considerably. (6) YOROKOBI N continues to race well, but figures to be too far out of it to threaten this week (congrats to his connections, who scored in the Battle of Lake Erie this weekend with MOSSDALE BEN N, matching BIT OF A LEGEND’s feat in 2018)! (7) BETTOR BY SEASIDE continues to thrive despite the class jumps, but it’s hard to see him reaching tonight. (8) BE DAZZLED LOU A draws Post 8 after missing a month – on the “watch list” for tonight

RACE 2 – (3) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH fell off form for a few starts but his last couple were more like it – feels like a good spot to give him a try. (4) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN broke before the start last week but his prior two efforts were very good, and he’s a much better horse on the lead– very dangerous if he gets there tonight (2) LYONS BENJAMIN has become popular at the claim box recently, and should be looking at a good trip here – he also hasn’t won in some time, and does figure to end up somewhat overbet. (5) ALL ALONE looked terrible in both starts after the sick scratch, but perhaps he wasn’t all that serious from a pair of outside posts – if you think he can rebound, his best effort would give him a real chance in here. (7) TIN CUP CHALICE is hard to ignore off that impressive 7 race winning streak at Monti, but he’ll also be facing tougher tonight while starting from Post 7 – leaning elsewhere, though it would hardly be a shock to see him do well here. (1) AVENGER FORCE is 0 for 24 at Yonkers, but an easy trip would at least give him a chance for a piece. (6) VICI should appreciate the class drop…but not the draw

RACE 3 – (1) ZEBS KRAFTY was 11-1 and no factor dropping in for this tag on 5/21 but he was nevertheless hammered at the windows last week, and delivered a sharp wire to wire victory – he’s now 3 for 4 since adding Lasix, and has a legitimate chance to take another. (2) EVER HOPING A hit board in his last 5 starts, and fits very nicely with these – very logical threat, but his 0 for 21 local record over the last 2 years is at least a bit of a concern. (5) MIND HUNTER feels a bit off his best game right now, even though he was able to pick up a 2nd last week (helped by a very easy trip) – his chances would go up if Marohn is able to send him off the car into a better early spot! (3) SAMHARA N has been off his game for some time, and is fairly camera shy even when sharp – we’ll see if his new barn can figure out how to push his buttons. (6) CAVIART SARGENT hit board in 3 of his last 4 but with close up trips -in line for a much tougher journey tonight. (4) PYRO is winless on the year and well off form now

RACE 4 – (7) OVER THE HORIZON has taken 3 straight, 4 of 5 and 6 of his last 8 – he goes back to the barn he won for from Post 8 two back, and remains the one to beat…even with yet another bad draw. (3) MAJOR POCKET A got a long overdue wake up call last week when 2nd to #7 last week – chance to complete the exacta once more, and maybe even a chance at the upset (2) DANCININTHEFIRE drops back down to the level of the 3/26 claim after several nice efforts vs. the 20s along the way – he MAY be a bit off his best game right now, but this is still a spot to look for a good effort (4) IM SOME GRADUATE was having a terrific season but has struggled in his last pair after the claim– needs to get back to that excellent form he showed weekly for his previous barn (1) CAPTAIN DEE TEE did a nice job rallying for 3rd from well back in his first start off the barn change – he can use his speed tonight with the rail draw, but last week’s sick scratch could be cause for concern. (5) FRANCO NANDOR N has been better lately, and not a bad one to use for 3rd/4th. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP has been stuck on minor pieces for most of the year, and faces a difficult journey after landing Post 8. (6) ARTIST BEST didn’t even show his usual speed from the pole last week, and was empty after that – tough draw, even if he bounces back.

RACE 5 – (7) CAPTAIN MOORE A won at this level 2 back (at 1/5) in his first since the Borgata Series – he kicked home full of pace from an impossible spot (vs. better) last week, and should be able to find a way to get it done here – even from Post 7. (5) AMERICAN DEALER did a nice job “stealing” a win last week, grabbing a very slow half with plenty left late when the heavy favorite took his shot at him – classy veteran can race well from on or off the pace, and may be able to grab a good piece here too. (3) NONE BETTOR A has been doing good work at PcD, even if vs. a bit easier – the 13YO has lost a few MPH on his fastball, but still a threat to grab a good piece with these. (2) ROCKNROLL GOLD got a big barn change for his last (in NJ) and was a wire to wire winner, despite a month off – he steps up quite a bit here, but a quick start may help him contend for a decent chunk. (4) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been in solid form for some time, and can rally for a share IF the trip goes his way. (8) DELE ROW A gave his fans a nice root at 96-1 last week before weakening in the pocket – he’s more than capable with these, but probably will need to wait for a better spot to strut his best stuff. (6) COALFORD TOPGUY GB has been ultra reliable for weeks, and is only listed this far down because of the draw. (1) COLLECTIVE WOR KS is sharp, but in very tough!

RACE 6 – (4) BET ON BIG JOE A’s last effort was better than it looks on paper, finishing full of pace for 3rd (into a sizzling 1:51.3 mile) despite being hurt badly by terrible cover – he was a winner the week before, and should be very dangerous here too. (5) MY ULTIMATE BYRON A returned sharp after 6 months on the shelf, and his last try (stepping up to 50s) can be forgiven (had to abort after leaving from Post 8) – could offer some good value tonight. (1) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A was right there 2nd behind the classy JUMPINGJACKMAC N last week and should be looking at another good trip tonight – logical player as he drops in for the $50K tag. (2) KEAYANG TACO A was hard to gauge class-wise for his Yonkers debut but he hung in very well for 4th after chasing some good ones in a hot mile – definitely earned respect with that effort. (3) SOHO SANTORINI A returns from PA showing solid form vs. some tough foes but he’s winless in 11 YR starts, and would need to be a good price to use on top here. Both (6) SIX DEGREES and (7) KOPI LUWAK face uphill battles trying to get in play from their terrible posts.

RACE 7 – (7) SWEET BEACH LIFE was super throughout the Borgata Series, and an outstanding 8 hole winner in the Consolation – he wasn’t himself at Chester on 5/24 but he bounced right back here last week, right on the wire with CAPTAINHAMMERHEAD A (pacing his final quarter in :27.1) – faces easier now, and has the speed to win even from out here. (3) LITTLE WILLY is in career form right now, handles any trip, and the inside draw should allow him to have a big say tonight, even stepping up a bit in class (4) SOHO FIRESTONE A was the “black sheep” of the barn last Monday, finishing 3rd while all 4 of his stablemates all got their pictures taken – anything close to his best effort makes him dangerous here, however. (1) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE has been sharp for some time, draws the pole, but his poor local win % makes him better used underneath, rather than on top. (5) VICIOUS is having another string year, but may be coming from too far back to threaten tonight. (2) ROCKET CITY A tends to be too sluggish during the mile and may get a bit lost here. (6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A can throw a big mile at any time, but seems destined to racing from well out of it tonight.

RACE 8 – Excellent race! (5) HOWLENTHEHILLS was sharp throughout the Borgata Series but left with no chance in the Final after drawing Post 8 – he raced evenly when handled conservatively in an overnight at Chester on 5/24, but he can be very dangerous tonight if things go his way – good value option in a well matched field. (1) VERDUN should have built back some confidence after winning 2 of his last 3 starts, with a crisp 2nd in the other – very legitimate threat after drawing the pole. (2) YOUNG BLUEY A looked very good winning 3 of his 5 U.S. starts but broke on the lead here on 5/12, then was content to just tour the oval in 6th last week – he’ll surely be a lot more serious tonight, and his best effort would make him a real threat. (4) CAPTAINHAMMERHEAD A is now 2 for 2 in the U.S. for connections that have enjoyed incredible success with their imports the last couple of years – he’d be no surprise at all! (3) ENDOFSTORY can throw big miles when in the mood and last week was one of them –he’ll have to prove he can beat these, though (6) ITS A ME MARIO lands outside while still trying to find his form

RACE 9 – (7) T H TYSON really wasn’t bad last week, pacing home evenly vs. much better horses in a hot 1:51.3 mile – he fits very nicely with these, and could have a chance at pulling off a mild upset if Marohn is willing to handle him aggressively. (3) ESCAPE TO AMERICA has been finishing full of pace for weeks vs. better, and is a very logical threat against this softer bunch– he also isn’t the handiest horse on the planet, so be careful about taking too short a price on top. (8) OPTICAL ILLUSION N is winless on the year and gets the worst of the draw – he does fit with these, however, and not a bad bomb if looking for a last race “escape”! (4) CARABAO A has beaten just one horse in his 3 tries since returning from layoff – he’s also had a trio of 8 holes, so perhaps the tote board will offer clues as to the chances of a wake up call for tonight. (2) SPECULATING A was driven aggressively in a soft spot last week and rewarded with a victory – maybe he can grab a share tonight too. (5) STONEBRIDGE WIZARD was a winner 2 back thanks to horses getting wiped out on the final turn, then an even 3rd last week – ok for the bottom of exotics. (1) POP IT draws the pole but is just 17-0-1-3 on the year. (6) CASINO ACTION N draws poorly and is just 3 for 71 here at Yonkers.