Thursday, July 30, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, July 30, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) ALL MY LOVIN just never clicked here at Yonkers after arriving from Canada to one of our top barns – he was definitely facing (much) better in those NW2-4PM fields, however, and the move to claimers tonight might be just what the doctor ordered. (2) OVER THE HORIZON couldn’t get it done moving up to 20s last start but the winner has been good lately – he loves to get his picture taken, and is always a threat from a spot like this. (1) JK STEVES SPIRIT tired to 3rd in his local debut after cutting the mile vs. the much tougher 30s – no prayer 8 hole in his last, but he’ll surely make his presence felt with the drop and rail tonight. (4) LETSMAKELOTSAMON EY found the wire in time last start (for his first win of the year) but tonight’s move up to 20s may be a bit ambitious – small piece? (8) HANK THE HUNK fits well enough but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from out here – chances definitely go up if Stratton can improve a bit at the start. (5) HOT CAM was a dull 5th in his YR debut and will need to be better for a chance at a decent piece tonight. (6) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N is 0 for 21 on the year and figures to be too far back to make much noise in here. (7) SHORE NOT BEACH exits a very high % barn and wasn’t exactly thriving in Delaware in his last few starts

RACE 2 – (7) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT came out of a recent rough patch with a dead-game win 2 back, then obliterated her rivals in her last – she was taken by a barn that has been winning at an amazing 40% clip off the claim this year, and deserves the nod even from out here. (8) SPIRIT OF PEARL A was 2nd to a scary-sharp MAYBEMABEL 4 back, broke in her next bit bounced back to win the start after that, then was an excellent 2nd behind an odds-on winner last week – she draws worst for her new connections, but a quick start makes her a live player. (6) BIG CITY DAISY throws a dud here and there but has otherwise been excellent at this $20K level – she’s not the handiest mare on the planer but if she can avoid getting looped by the outside pair, she can be a real threat. (1) IDEALINFUN won back to back starts in June (her first 2 wins on the year) but was scratched injured from her next – took 5 weeks off, re-qualified sharply, and we’ll see if she can use her big post advantage to be a big player. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA should appreciate the post relief – an easy trip puts her in play for a minor share. (4) SUNBURNT has been stuck on small scraps since the claim and probably looking at no more than that here. (5) KIS SIN JOE is usually good for some late pace but she never wins, and may even struggle to rally for her usual piece tonight. (3) CANNERY ROW is winless for an eternity here at Yonkers, and lands in a very solid division tonight

RACE 3 – (5) ANTOGNONI S lost for the first time this year at Plainridge last week, but it was a 1:49.4 mile (racing for $300K) and he lost to his International Trot winning barnmate LEXUS KODY…can start a new streak tonight. (3) ASTEROID has been rock solid all year, handles any trip, and may be able to complete the exacta. (2) SIR PINOCCHIO hasn’t been bad by any means but he’s still winless in 2026, ever since moving to a new barn (after trainer Eddie Hart retired) – another prime candidate to come up 2nd best. (4) GREEN PASTURES has really blossomed into a very nice trotter this year – he’s always coming hard at the end, but may have too much work to do from this spot when they turn for home. (1) FULL OF MUSCLES has held form for a long time but this field is a bit tougher than he’d like to be facing

RACE 4 – (7) ALWAYS A STORY tired in a very fast Pocono mile last start (in a tough field) but tonight’s addition of Lasix suggests she may have bled – she’s been terrific all year, and may be able to find a way to get it done even from out here. (5) MONI BUYS HAPPYNES will be facing tougher than she’s used to in her Yonkers debut but she’s compiled an outstanding 13-6-5-1 record to start off her career and even more importantly, was just acquired by connections that have enjoyed uncanny success with trotters purchased out of town….especially mares – may be ready to battle these right off the bat. (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY probably isn’t in “peak” form but she’s definitely good enough right now to contend for a decent piece of this. (3) BAY BREEZE HANOVER was putting together a very nice season then got brutally parked on 5/14 taking on the Invitational Mares for the first time – she took a couple of months off, re-qualified, but was no factor at Tioga last week…maybe she’ll bring a better effort tonight. (2) MA ISABELLE probably isn’t a threat to win, but an easy trip could see her rallying late for a piece (6) R LAD Y W is another adding Lasix for tonight, but the bad draw (off 5 weeks) makes her feel a bit iffy. (1) HL OLMAYA is badly overmatched

RACE 5 – (1) SUNDAY SHOES wasn’t as sharp in his last couple (vs. the 60s) and his connections drop him down to the level of the 6/4 claim – unless a wheel has fallen off (which IS possible), he figures to be pretty tough against these starting from the pole. (2) STACKING GREEN seemed headed in the wrong direction after a pair of clunkers in May but she quickly righted the ship, and raced very well in her last 4 starts (with a variety of trips – logical player. (6) BELLISSIMO FACE S was making his first start in 5+ months last week and rallied solidly in the lane for 2nd – figures to be even tighter tonight and looms a major threat…but may end up overbet from a tough spot. (4) WILLY WALTON was super 2 back so it’s hard to understand how he paid 25-1 when he won (easily) last week – he’s eligible to be a player here too, but his price will surely come down considerably now. (3) CHEF ROCCO was claimed for $40K on 10/23, scratched lame from his next start and only re-qualified last week…that prep was solid, but it would still be hard to use him in this good field off that long layoff. (8) WHISKEY PEDDLER showed how quickly he can leave the gate last week (also from Post 8) and was right there 4th at 54-1 – remains a good bomb for the bottom of tris and supers. (7) CRAZYLAND may take a conservative approach after weakening 2 back then breaking on the first turn in his last (did re-qualify at Monti to stay fit, though). (5) SMOKING JET just seems to fit better vs. a bit easier

RACE 6 – (1) DRIBBLING BI was the easiest of winners the last time he raced here at this level – he’s been holding his own vs. better in PA recently, and it feels like he’s returning to a winning spot (2) MISSISSIPPI STORM worked hard in the pocket to stay close into a hot 3rd quarter last week (after leaving from Post 7) then summoned up his back class to go by in the lane for the win – he should be sitting another good trip tonight, and could prove the main danger. (3) THE BRODSTER was off his game in his last pair but moves inside, gets Bartlett back, and a better effort may be forthcoming – ok for exotics. (7) FRANK LEAHY rallied to be right there on 6/26 then turned in a trip of sharp efforts at PcD – tonight’s draw may slow him down just a bit, though. (4) CAMERA MAN is facing tougher tonight than he’s used to but he’s good enough to grab a piece with an easy trip. (6) RITSON has been hanging in there since recently climbing back up the class ladder but this spot may leave him looking at minor spoils only. (5) P L OSCAR drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight and will look better when he can start to get some class relief

RACE 7 – (2) YOROKOBI N dropped to 30s last week but was caught in a bad spot heading to 3/4s, should have just stayed inside but ended up three wide from last on the final turn after coming off the cones, and his good late rally was just from too far back – he’ll be a fair price here, and may be able to get it done with some better trip luck. (3) C BET HANOVER was helped by some hot early action last week but still a very sharp winner, and a HUGE overlay at 36-1 – obviously his price will come down tonight, but he’s still more than eligible to have another big say. (1) HEAVEN ON HIGH N aired it out on the front end last week and did a nice job holding 2nd after #3 wore him down in the lane – he’s now finished 2nd in 6 of his last 7 starts…does that label him as “consistent”, or “camera shy”? (4) ALTA CLASSIC A sat pocketed last in the same race as the top 3 choices here, a close 4th up the cones – he feels like he MAY be a bit off his best game right now, but still one to fear. (6) EVER M saw his 5 race winning streak ended last week, but still a sharp 3rd (after cutting the mile) – drawing outside several live rivals could hurt for sure, but he’ll be a fair price and obviously knows how to win races. (5) PEACE OUT POSSE did give it a shot from Post 8 last week but was hopelessly parked – he may be ignored tonight, but he has 3 recent wins at this level and shouldn’t be counted out too quickly. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM was 3rd last week but really can’t say he was sharp – rail to 7 hole is going to hurt. (8) MIND HUNTER moves back up to 30s after coming up short in 25s last week – maybe if he had a (much) better post

RACE 8 – (2) MASSIVE DESIRE was handled very cautiously early last week (off a miscue the start before) and was well back at the half – he did make up a TON of ground to be right there 3rd at the wire, and all of his local starts (except for the 2 miscues) have been excellent – could offer a fair price here. (3) HIGH SPEED SWAN gets Bartlett back and the pair have 2 wins and a narrow loss to KAZIO DK the last 3X they teamed up – big threat once more. (1) TORRONE showed his 19-1 blowout was no fluke when he held 2nd to an odds on winner the next start, then was an even 5th last week – chance to grab a decent piece starting from the pole. (4) BLOCKCHAIN was handled conservatively last week (after a miscue the start before) and kicked home with plenty of trot for 2nd – no reason he shouldn’t make his presence felt tonight, as well. (6) SEVEN LAYER is having a good year but still somewhat unproven at THIS level…tonight’s draw won’t help. (6) WHEELZABLAZIN took a very bas step heading to 3/4s last week and finished way back – seems like a good sign that he drops right back in the box, but we’d rather just observe, for now. (7) MY MAN PETER has just one start in 6 weeks (thanks to the cancelations) and draws Post 7 – prefer to wait for a better spot

RACE 9 – (2) AQUARIUS FACE S got class relief last start and fooled very few with his 1/10 jogburger victory – he faces tougher here, but this $40K claiming class is still well within his comfort zone…solid chance to take another. (1) BEACON BEACH was a winner at this level arriving from Buffalo 2 back (off the barn change) and was right there challenging between horses to the top of the lane when he broke last week – a clean mile puts him right back in the hunt. (5) KAYS IN CHARGE has been ultra consistent at this level, with 2 wins and 3 seconds from her last 5 starts – hard to leaver her out of the exotics. (6) B NICKING has gone a lot of good miles lately, including last week’s win off the claim – the draw puts him at a disadvantage, but he still could add some value to the exotics. (3) TALLY THE TAB won 20 races out of town the last 2 years but was a no threat 5th in his only local try – maybe some minor spoils? (4) VOSS BLUE CHIP put in a decent move to get into contention last week but flattened from the top of the lane – needs to find more. (7) RADIO LAB was an amateur race winner 2 back (helped by a slick drive) but could only manage an even 5th vs. the 40s last week – may need a better draw to be a serious threat. (8) SEA CAN races for a new barn off last week’s claim and lands behind the 8 ball – may need a better spot before he can strut his best stuff

RACE 10 – (2) DISMAS raced pretty well from impossible spots the last 2 weeks (8 holes) and did win 3 races earlier in the year when sharp – moves inside, and this may not be a bad week to give him a try. (1) GREAT SOME WHERE has been facing better and grabbing pieces in most of his starts – drops to 15s, draws the pole, and may be up for a more aggressive try against these. (3) J B GRAM finally got in a decent groove before taking 5 weeks off (along with the rest of the barn) – his return try last week was very encouraging (from the 8 hole), and he could easily be ready to be a big threat tonight. (4) MINOTAUR can beat better than these when sharp but he does seem off his game, and drops below the level of the recent claim – mixed feelings about his chances tonight. (8) MAXIM US RED A would normally love the drop to 15s but the horrible draw may leave him looking at a terrible trip – would need a pretty juicy price to consider on top from out here. (5) SARANAC BLUE CHIP had been very sharp recently but threw a clunker on 7/1 then a pair of duds after that too – hard to endorse right now. (7) WELL THATS MARKY does his best work on/near the lead and it’s hard to see him getting there from out here. (6) SOCIAL THE ORIES just seems badly overmatched.