Thursday, June 11, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, June 11, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) WARRAWEE WHISPER returns to the barn for whom he recently delivered a trio of blowout scores – we’ll take a shot that he brings another of those big efforts tonight. (1) KAYS IN CHARGE dropped in for a tag last week and was a “meh” 4th, despite a very nice trip - could be a bit vulnerable tonight at that 6/5 ML price. (2) FOR A DREAMER was a very good 2nd last week behind a runaway winner – gets another good draw, and a chance for another good chunk. (6) WHEELZABLAZIN was going some big miles when sharp, but fell into a tough patch at the end of April – his last effort was at least a bit more promising, and he’s worth at least a look with that 20-1 ML price. (5) BULLY BOY HILL finished ok from an impossible spot last week and may be able to rally for a small share tonight. (4) SONGS IN THE WIND made an early miscue last week then seemed to get fired up, forcing Gingras to gradually take him to the back of the pack – he seems a bit cheap even if he avoids any mishaps tonight. (7) HOOLIE N HECTOR probably needs a better post, in an easier field, to be a real threat again

RACE 2 – (1) BRONZER threw an unexpected clunker 2 back but was right back in the box and rebounded with a sharp victory – he steps up a bit, but the rail draw should offset that – one of a few with a legitimate chance in here. (3) SUNDAY SHOES has done excellent work (overall) since arriving from Canada in March but his last (blowout) win was particularly impressive – he exits our leading barn but moves to another that is thriving right now, and good off the claim…dangerous, even moving up. (6) MASSIVE DESIRE is another in a long list of trotters picked up out of town by Gingras and Co., then elevated significantly upon joining our leading barn – he’s 2 for 2 since arriving, but we’ll see if tonight’s class jump and terrible draw slow him down at all. (2) MA ISABELLE trotted home well in last week’s sizzling 1:53.3 FM Invitational and picked up a pair of upset wins in Brennan Series legs not long ago – would be worth a look if the price is good enough. (4) P L OSCAR doesn’t WIN a lot, but he does grab plenty of pieces (thanks to his good speed, and ability to stay trotting) – always ok for the bottom of exotics. (5) SEA CAN is back on the upswing but he loses Yannick and figures to be coming from the back tonight

RACE 3 – (1) SKY BOX was a game first over winner last week, even if the final quarter was pretty slow – he gets the best of the draw for a hot barn, and we’ll give him the narrow edge as he looks to repeat. (4) B NICKING recently sharpened at Pocono and brought that good form right back to Yonkers, and excellent 2nd to a sharp winner 2 back, followed by a steady finish from a no-chance spot last week – sharp enough right now to be dangerous, with the right trip. (2) JAS BLUESTONE is a threat in this class virtually every week but he’s missed 3 weeks (after a sick scratch), and it would be hard to justify a short price on top tonight. (3) WILLY WALTON has been solid overall lately, even if a little dull last week (in a very fast mile) – belongs in your exotics. (5) CACTUSTOTHECLO UDS has been picking up small pieces at this level the last 3 weeks and an easy trip would give him a chance for more of the same tonight. (6) MON AMOUR picked up 2nds at this level in his last pair and the only reason he’s listed on the bottom (for his new barn) is because of the very tough draw.

RACE 4 – (4) FULL OF MUSCLES crossed the wire first in 2 of his 3 tries at this level, then ran into a pretty tough trip last week– could be pretty dangerous here if he gets to cut the mile, or sit the pocket. (3) MAHONE SEELSTER broke on the final bend before he could rally last week but has otherwise been sharp all year long – certainly worth a look with that 8-1 ML price. (1) THE BRODSTER is listed at 7/5 ML and while his connections always deserve the utmost respect, he’s a question mark at this level…could be some better value to be found elsewhere. (6) MISSISSIP PI STORM is always dangerous when he drops out of the Open but tonight’s draw makes his trip tough to predict – if Holland can hustle him away to a fast start, he would become a major threat in a hurry. (5) VANDY LANE broke in his first 2 local tries but his connections turned him around quickly, beating a bit easier 2 back then kicking home strong for 2nd behind a runaway winner last week – hard to say if he’ll be in position to do damage tonight when they turn for home, however. (2) PIERRE IN PARIS returns off a pair of sharp PcD tries but he moves up in class, and did make breaks in his last 2 local starts – leaning elsewhere, for now

RACE 5 – (1) BOILING OAR took another drop down the ladder last week and was actually full of pace in the lane, with no place to go – Zeron is back on board tonight, and we’re willing to give him a shot. (5) CURLY JAMES A has fallen on some seriously hard times, considering he beat the 75s right on the bottom of the program – he WAS a big “go” last week, however, with his chances wiped out on the first turn when he had to abort his leave attempt – worth at least a look tonight, with his best draw in some time. (4) C BET HANOVER was quickly re-claimed last week and while he doesn’t win as often as he should, he does grab plenty of good pieces – very usable in exotics. (3) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N wasn’t close in his last pair but those were from bad posts, vs.30s – drops back down, moves inside, and is a proven player at this level when on his game. (7) HEAVEN ON HIGH N followed up his win 4 back with runner-up finishes in his last 3 starts – would have been listed higher if not for his first bad draw in a while. (2) LOUS BEACH hasn’t been nearly as effective since moving up from 20s – good draw, but will need a better effort if he hopes to contend for a good piece. (6) RAYRAY has been grabbing pieces for weeks now, and can be forgiven for struggling to rally into last week’s quick final half – may have trouble finding a manageable trip tonight, however. (8) THONG CONTROL will be hard pressed to have much impact trying to rally from last

RACE 6 – (7) TH SANDRA DEE was a winner in her last 2 starts at this level, and moves tonight to a barn that’s extra dangerous off the claim – deserves top billing, even from out here. (1) CANNERY ROW has now lost an incredible 58 straight starts here at Yonkers but does have some pretty decent recent tries – very playable in exotics. (5) SUNBURNT wasn’t bad when forced to rally from well back on 5/19 then built off that with back to back 2nds (including one behind #7, in her last) – definitely can make her presence felt here too. (6) BUBBLE LOU rallied for 2nd in her local debut but failed to get it done in a weak field the next week – struggled vs. better in her last and while the move to 20s could help, she’d still need to be a “fair” price to consider on top. (3) SHEIKH YABOOTY N tends to be fairly unpredictable but she’ll have an opportunity to outrace her odds tonight if in the right mood. (2) FORTUNADA has been well off her best game for a few starts yet is listed as the ML favorite – feels like there’s much better value out there. (8) LONELY GHOST turns in an ok rally at times but she’ll be coming from way back tonight. (4) DUCK INTO THE NITE was 6-0-0-0 here last year and her current NJ form is fairly uninspiring.

RACE 7 – (6) PAYBACK MONI has gone some HUGE efforts this year but last week’s was best of all, crushing her foes with the fastest Yonkers trotting mile of the year (1:53.3), while establishing a new track record as well – pretty hard to go against her right now, especially since she doesn’t even need to be on the lead to do her damage! (2) R LADY W chased the top one around the track last week and while no match, she did an excellent job safely holding the place spot – her 4YO campaign has been off to an excellent start, and she has a chance to complete the exacta once more. (4) ALWAYS A STORY has been hitting on all cylinders lately, finishing with plenty of trot from a tough spot last week – she can race on or off the pace, and should be able to make her presence felt one way or the other. (3) HIGHLANDSTARBURST had no prayer from Post 8 last week but the move inside will keep her much closer to the action here – talented mare has a license to grab a piece of this. (1) HOT FLASH KIMMY has been good for the bulk of the last 2 years but does feel like she may be just a bit off her best right now – leaning elsewhere. (5) NYME RIA had valid excuses in her last pair but may be stuck trying to rally from last tonight

RACE 8 – (5) SIR PINOCCHIO couldn’t get it done (at 2/5) in his first local try of the year but he still raced super in his nose loss – the 5YO millionaire is looking good (so far) for his new trainer, and has a good chance to make amends tonight. (2) GREEN PASTURES has really elevated his game this year and finished full of trot for 4th in his first foray into the Invitational ranks – he still makes the occasional miscue, but he can take home a big piece here if he stays trotting. (4) ASTEROID worked out a perfect trip last week and was able to nip the very hard used SIR PIN OCCHIO on the wire – he can make his presence felt here too. (6) UP YOUR DEO has made the most of his limited Yonkers starts throughout his career so it was no surprise to see him make his first start of 2026 a winning one – he’s looking at a tougher trip tonight, though, and may have to settle for a smaller prize. (1) TAKE ALL COMERS felt like he was coming back to his better form recently, making last week’s tiring front end try even more disappointing – too classy to ever just dismiss, but others do seem sharper at the moment. (7) SOUTHWIND COORS had to work to make the lead last week then was put to long intense pressure by the top choice, still holding on for a close 3rd at the end – the issue tonight is the draw, and it may very well negate his chances. (3) BLACKHAWK ZETTE has been on his game, but missed 3 weeks after a sick scratch – leaning elsewhere tonight.

RACE 9 – (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was a sharp front end winner off the claim last week (from Post 6) and moves all the way inside tonight – the one to catch and beat. (2) SMOOTH LOU was in a bad rut for a few starts but raced much better last week – could have a real say here if he builds off that improved effort. (3) GOTHIC ROCK continues to pick up pieces every week without really threatening to win– remains a solid one to include underneath. (6) DELIGHTFUL TERROR finished ok from an impossible spot last week and was on his game the 3 starts prior to that – another tough draw tonight, but a legitimate chance to outrace his 20-1 ML odds. (5) VEGAS STRIP N has been a (very) rare bust for connections that have done unfathomably well with a slew of imports – leaning elsewhere (7) ALADDIN has been a solid player for several weeks but tonight’s draw does figure to slow him down a bit. (8) STAY SHARP arrives from PA off a win and a 2nd vs. cheaper – rare chance for a big price on Gingras if you think he can get into the hunt. (4) MUSCLE BART A struggled when here earlier this year (6-0-0-1).