Thursday, July 16, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Thursday, July 16, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (7) KOMODO BEACH gets a very tough draw (with several possible leavers to his inside) but he’s been on a long form spree, will probably be a fair price, and just may be able to pull this out IF a bit of racing luck comes his way. (1) SHAKE IT hasn’t beaten the 25s since moving up to this level 3 starts back but he hit board each time, behind a couple of pretty sharp rivals – he’s the “logical” play (with Bartlett and the rail), but that also means he could end up wildly overbet! (3) C BET HANOVER is listed at 15-1 ML but he’s a proven player with these, and can win from off the pace if necessary – chance to pull off an upset for his new connections. (5) BOILING OAR started to sharpen recently, culminating with that victory on 6/18 – he’s been on the shelf since then, however (sick scratch), and it’s anybody’s guess as to what we’ll get from him tonight. (4) SOUTHBEACH HANOVER was a (well backed) winner last week when handled aggressively in 15s, but the double jump to 25s may be a bit too ambitious. (8) MOVIN ON UP has been doing consistently good work lately but would look a lot better in 20s, from an inside post. (2) DONTTELLMENOW is struggling– sticking with others for now. (6) HARD TO CATCH seemed like an iffy claim back in April – he’s done “ok” since then, but may be in too tough a spot tonight
RACE 2 – (8) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT raced better than expected vs. 25s two back, was the gamest of winners off the class drop in her next and even sharper in last week’s “brush and crush” blowout – moves from one top barn to another, and may be sharp enough right now to take another…even from out here. (5) RACEY RACH N was away nearly 10 months to her last start but had a very useful return effort, rallying nicely for 3rd (behind #8) – may be tight enough off that mile to be a serious threat tonight. (1) EVENINSTARZRAPSODY was a HUGE overlay when she won at 35-1 on 6/17 (2nd start off the major barn change), was 2nd to a fired up #3 in her next, then just not able to overcome a very tough trip in her last – an easy trip tonight could allow her to have a big say. (3) SP DANCINWIT HSTARZ turned a complete form-reversing performance with that blowout win 2 back, and really wasn’t bad last week (just missing 3rd from a bad spot) – chance for another decent piece tonight. (7) BADDITUDE took advantage of an easy spot in her Yonkers return 2 back, then held very gamely for 2nd last week after getting blown away by the top choice– if she’s not used too hard early on, she may be able to last for a piece here too. (4) FORTUNADA rallied nicely for 3rd last week but consistency isn’t her strong suit – hard to say which version we’ll see tonight. (6) MS FRAN CES ASSISI wired a field 2 back but from a much easier spot – her outside post tries usually aren’t as successful. (2) THATS A HUGE BEACH just hasn’t been clicking for a long time
RACE 3 – (3) SUNDAY SHOES struggled first over in a hot mile last week (against a blowout winner) and his connections elect to drop him down to the level of the 6/4 claim– he was a jogburger winner that night, and anything close to his best will make him extremely tough tonight…but he’s also going to be a very short price! (1) RADIO LAB steps up considerably off an excellent amateur victory last week – he’s a little hard to gauge at this level (2 awful posts from his 3 starts), but he’s a logical alternative if you think #3 might be vulnerable. (2) JAS BLUESTO NE was a dullish 3rd as the odds-on choice off the claim last week – he’s won plenty of times here in the past, but is just 1 for 10 so far in 2026 (with 6 seconds and thirds) – would want a “fair” price to use on top tonight. (7) WILLY WALTON hasn’t won in some time but he’s actually been pretty good lately, and definitely not a bad one if looking for a live longshot. (5) WHISKEY PEDDLER is still unproven at this level, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him rally for a small slice. (4) SEVENSHADESOFGREY has made plenty of breaks blasting into the first turn so it was no surprise to see him do it again last week – more concerning is his 1 for 40 record over the last 2 years! (6) FOR A DREAMER was off a sick scratch last week – could be tighter tonight, but this is just a terrible spot
RACE 4 – (4) AQUARIUS FACE S was the easiest of winners vs. cheaper last week but he’s also held his own (and even beaten) much better than these too – the drop in for a tag feels a little suspicious, but not enough so to look elsewhere for the winner. (1) STACKING GREEN had some issue in back to back starts not too long ago but put that behind her and has been excellent in her last 3 races – feels like the main danger. (3) BULLY BOY HILL came up a little flat last week but did have 3 solid ones finish in front of him – his “typical” effort would be good enough for a piece here. (5) THEOBALD had been terrific but broke on the lead after changing barns for his last – definitely a question mark after that miscue, but that 10-1 ML price does give him some appeal! (2) CRAZYLAND also broke last week (in his 2nd start for a new trainer) – maybe he can race conservatively here, and stay trotting for a minor share? (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU picked up 2nd off a great trip last week but faces a much tougher journey here. (7) SEA CAN finished up well dropping down to 40s last week bit lands in another very tough spot tonight
RACE 5 – Tough race: (6) TWO BEAN DREAM was a winner 4 back, raced ok with Petter Engblom in her next, then turned in sharp tries to be 2nd best in her last pair – maybe she can pick up the pieces in the lane if the others duke it out enough. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA is winless in 13 starts this year but did hit board in 7 of them – she picked up a 2nd and a 3rd the last 2X Siegelman was on board, and gets major post relief here…has appeal at that 15-1 ML price. (1) DISARONNO HILL draws the pole for an outstanding barn and driver…she’s an “obvious” threat, but also hasn’t won in some time and figures to be very heavily backed! (4) VEL IM ALL FIRE was outbrushed to the final turn by a very sharp (blowout) winner last week but really never quit, and only lost a board spot later in the mile– she’ll be a decent price and it never hurts to get Scotty Z on board. (3) WHOS PERFECT really hasn’t clicked for her current connections, but does have a couple of excuses– possible, but won’t offer any value (5) BARBADOS BABE just folded up badly once into the stretch last week and did the same 3 back – maybe she can be more effective sitting back and trying to rally from the back? (7) KISSIN JOE always finishes up well, but is just 1 for 17 this year and will be coming from way back. (8) DUCK INTO THE NITE will be coming from even farther back!
RACE 6 – Another tough race: (1) WARRAWEE WHISPER is both a streaky and quirky horse, capable of big efforts along with total clunkers – it’s possible he’s just off his game right now but it’s also possible that the switch to Zeron (and the rail) will help him find one of his big miles – willing to give him a try, if the price is decent. (2) BEACON BEACH landed in the hottest barn on the East Coast right now for his 2026 Yonkers return and came out a winner – two in a row is hardly out of the question. (5) THE BRODSTER seems a bit off his best game right now and his connections may be hoping tonight’s class drop can perk him up – playable as long as the price is fair. (3) KAYS IN CHARGE sat a perfect trip last week and still couldn’t get to #2 in the stretch – will need to find a bit more for a shot at the top slot tonight. (4) MON AMOUR is very consistent at this level but a little light in the win column – never a bad one to consider IF the price is good enough. (6) B NICKING had been sharp for some time and finally picked up his first local victory of the season last week – this is a tougher spot, so insist on a good price if looking for him to repeat. (7) P L OSCAR seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he doesn’t – brutal spot
RACE 7 – Interesting Invitational: (7) WOLFPACK ZACH has been the scourge of Saratoga this year, beating the competition 13 of 17 starts while developing into a VERY nice trotter – catches a very soft Invitational bunch for his Yonkers debut, brings along his usual pilot, and we’ll take a shot that he can thrive here too. (5) HIGH SPEED SWA N has been ultra consistent all year, almost always right there at the wire (even from tough spots)– he has no “Open” experience, but the same can be said for most of this field…look for a strong effort here too. (4) NYMERIA has had mixed results throughout the year but some of her better efforts could put her in play for a piece of this – her barn is also very hot right now. (3) R LADY W really disappointed last time but the addition of Lasix tonight can probably explain the issue – she has the talent to be part of the equation here if primed for a top effort. (2) MY MAN PETER has done plenty of good work since returning from KY but may find this bunch a little tougher than he’d prefer – the inside draw can’t hurt, though. (1) CLASSICAL JANE was a good earner at 2 and 3 – she’s racing well at 4, but vs. easier than these – not sure she can do battle with some of these. (6) EXQUISITE TASTE has been solid all year but she gets her first tough draw in ages, and in a stronger overall field than she’s used to facing – may struggle a bit tonight. (8) K J TITLE set a track record at Monti last week, but has no experience facing a group like this!
RACE 8 – (1) OVER THE HORIZON is a beast in 15s but did come up a little short (vs. #6) moving up to 20s last week – he did have license to be a little short that night (off 3 weeks), and may be able to make amends tonight, dropping right back in the box. (6) ALABAMAJAMMA took a month off recently and re-qualified, just missed in 15s then was able to step up to win in 20s last week, going off at 3/5 and collaring #1 – he was definitely helped by a pair of back side breakers, however, and could be at least a bit vulnerable as he looks to repeat. (8) COALFORDON EOFUS GB shipped in sharp from Monti and did very well to finish 3rd behind the top two – not sure if he can find a way into the hunt from out here, but he’s worth at least a look at a big price. (5) HOT CAM trailed all the way for his new connections at Chester last week but that was vs. presumably tougher than these – he faces easier now, gets a big driver switch, and has a chance to outperform that 20-1 ML price. (4) HANK THE HUNK used a perfect trip to pull off the upset 2 back but trailed badly in his last – could at least land somewhere in the exotics tonight if he can just shrug off that last dismal try. (2) SHORE NOT BEACH has been struggling in his last few out of town and exits a barn that wins at an astronomical rate…prefer to just observe, for now. (3) ONYX BOVINO has just one 2nd from 11 local starts – minor spoils only. (7) WELL THATS MARKY usually needs to be a lot closer to the pace to have any real say
RACE 9 – (5) ULTION FACE S has raced well in almost all of his Yonkers starts, and returns from Chester in solid form – gets Bartlett back, and this feels like a field he can handle. (4) FULL OF MUSCLES has remained sharp for a long time, even finishing up with good trot from the back last week (not usually his preferred style) – could be a real threat, especially after drawing inside #5. (2) WHEELZABLAZIN is hitting on all cylinders for his current connections, 2 for 2 since the claim with wins both off the pace, and on the front end – faces a tougher field here, but still deserves plenty of respect in his current form. (8) TORRONE flew to the top and JOGGED at 19-1 two back, then worked out a pocket trip from Post 8 last week and was able to hold 2nd, even after the powerful winner drew off – if he can loop to the front, he can grab another share! (3) CHAPHEART lands in a tough spot returning from Plainridge but he draws well, gets Zeron on board, and could land somewhere in the exotics. (1) SEVEN LAYER is having a very good year so far but was a “meh” 3rd last week stepping up to this level – we’ll see if he can be a bit sharper this week. (6) MASSIVE DESIRE hit the top for his new barn last week but saw his night ended when he made a break soon after – tough draw tonight, and may be content with a conservative approach. (7) RITSON has been good lately, but probably pushing it against this bunch…especially from Post 7
RACE 10 – (5) SHINE A LIGHT caught a hot mile last week, with the winner coming back to beat the 20s this week (at ten cents on the dollar!) – he goes back to a barn who won the last 4 starts they had with him, the last couple being blowouts with Holland – hard to past him tonight. (2) LAST BEACH got caught behind a quitter on the final turn last week and lost all chance – he won a couple of these back in March, and could be part of the action tonight. (7) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK was hitting board most weeks but not looking all that sporty this spring – he took a couple of months off, just qualified back nicely at PcD, and could outperform that 20-1 ML price. (4) ROSE RUN ASTRO picked up 2nds in his last pair after going back to his favorite barn – playable in exotics here too. (3) PINK FLOYD HANOVER is listed at 2-1 ML but really hasn’t been on his game lately – could rebound for sure, but won’t offer any value. (6) ARTIST BEST had no prayer last week but was a winner 2 back, and was racing well prior to that as well - another that could outrace his odds, with some trip luck. (8) DECISION DAY rallied late to hit board in 3 straight but may have trouble reaching tonight, coming from way back. (1) DEEDENUTO A has the rail (and speed, if he wants to use it) but just hasn’t been sharp enough to consider against these.
