Thursday, June 18, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, June 18, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) BOILING OAR had sneaky pace in traffic two back (dropping down to 25s) then gave it another good try last week, battling much of the way with CURLY JAMES A before giving way late – he may be able to pick up his 2nd win of the season if the trip is a little easier tonight. (7) CURLY JAMES A was a big “go” last week, race very hard throughout the mile and almost pulled off a victory – terrible draw, but he has plenty of back class and seems to be coming back around. (5) C BET HANOVER benefited from the trip of trips and was able to beat out both of the top choices in his last – may not be nearly as opportunistic tonight, but still a threat for a good chunk. (3) AVENGER FORCE is winless here over the last 2 years but throws his share of good efforts, and is dropping a bit – ok bomb for underneath. (1) LOUS BEACH just hasn’t had the same success vs. the 25s that he did in 20s – still a threat for a piece with the rail draw. (6) KARLOO BRADLEY N turned in a form reversing victory last week but was helped by a bunch of others just not showing up – he steps up off the claim, draws poorly, and could be at least a bit vulnerable. (2) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N has been struggling – sticking with others, for now

RACE 2 – (4) WARRAWEE WHISPER was outleft last week then made a break when Gingras tried to get him rolling for the lead off turn one – it’s possible that the streaky 8YO is just off his game right now but he goes back to Bongiorno tonight, and the pair won 4 of their last 5 starts together – we’ll give him a chance to make amends. (1) BULLY BOY HILL has been “ok”, and figures to be sitting much closer to the action tonight – could be a threat, especially if #3 doesn’t bring his best. (7) SEVENSHADESOFGREY is good right now but he’s up in class, from a bad post, and hasn’t done much winning here the past couple of years – would give him a look IF the price is juicy enough. (6) KAYS IN CHARGE dropped in for a tag 2 back and was a “meh” 4th off a good trip – her last was just “ok” as well and while she’s still a legitimate player with these, she does figure to end up overbet. (5) FOR A DREA MER was dull last start but does have a history of grabbing minor pieces, with easy trips– ok for 3rd/4th. (3) OPTRIX may prefer to be in a little easier but he’s certainly racing well enough right now for a chance at a piece. (8) WILLY WALTON feels like he’s fallen a bit off his game, and has to contend with Post 8 here. (2) WINDSONG PIONEER feels a bit overmatched, his best work coming in cheaper amateur races this year.

RACE 3 – (7) SARANAC BLUE CHIP picked up wins in 2 of his last 4 starts and was a heartbreaking nose short in his last – his new barn has enjoyed some success from limited starters this season, and the bad draw can help his value tonight – gets the slight edge. (1) BLACK HAWK JOE A battled hard last week and stayed game right to the end – he’s looking at a very good trip tonight, and may be in a spot to convert that into a win. (2) CYRUS N returns off some close tries at Monti, but should be an excellent fit here too – he hasn’t won here since 2024, but does have a realistic chance tonight. (3) SAILBOAT HANOVER was a winner on 5/4 off the long layoff but hasn’t been as sharp in the 4 starts since then – still a logical threat to land somewhere in the exotics, though. (4) HES SPECIAL has been picking up minor checks every week and seems destined for a similar outcome tonight. (5) BETTORBUC KLEUP is another that has been stuck settling for smaller pieces most weeks – will need things to fall apart for a chance at better. (6) MUSCLE BART A wasn’t terrible last week, but he’s just 1 for 19 this year and gets a tough draw. (8) CAPTAIN DEE TEE draws Post 8 after folding from the pole in his last – pass for now

RACE 4 – (6) HANK THE HUNK was deceptively good 2 back – he was hammered at the windows off that effort but ended up trapped behind a quitting leader, losing all chance…this is a much tougher spot, but the price will also be a lot better, for those looking to give him another shot. (2) WHITE LOTUS has always been an “all or nothing” type, capable of big efforts as well as total clunkers - he lands in a new barn upon returning from Ohio, and it’s anybody’s guess as to which version we’ll see tonight. (5) TIN CUP CHALICE shipped back in from Monti off a long streak of $2.10 blowouts but found it a lot harder to just outrun the locals – we’ll see if the class drop can help him carry his speed a lot further. (4) DANCININTHEFIRE perked up with a win dropping to 15s last week but steps back up to 20s tonight, and he’s been unable to get over the hump at this level in the past – insist on a good price if using on top. (3) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N is 0 for 18 this season, and would be a surprise tonight. (1) ONYX B OVINO’s local efforts have been mixed – chance for a piece if he brings one of his better tries.

RACE 5 – Good race! (4) B NICKING has been racing well for the last couple of months, and fits perfectly at this level– he moves to a new barn tonight, and may be ready to pay dividends right off the bat. (1) WHEELZABLAZIN had tailed off for a while but did show a much better effort two back…making last week’s victory at 28-1 a BIG overlay – he likes to win races when sharp, and there’s definitely a possibility he could repeat. (2) THEOBALD was facing much softer when here last but he really seems to have developed beautifully in Ohio over the last few months – he may be a good fit in this class in his Hilltop return. (6) JAS BLUESTONE is another in this field that likes to win races, and his last effort (off a sick scratch) wasn’t bad at all – tough draw, but still worth a look at a good price. (7) MON AMOUR won off the claim last week for a barn that has been on fire with fresh stock – looking at a tough trip from out here, but still wouldn’t dismiss him too quickly. (5) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS is good right now but may need to find an easier field to be a more serious threat. (3) HOOLIE N HECTOR got too hot on the lead last week and paid for it – another that probably needs an easier spot to threaten for one of the top slots, however. (8) SKY BOX is very solid in this class and only listed at the bottom because of the draw

RACE 6 – (3) TASTE OF HONEY’s few efforts after returning from a long layoff were extremely mixed, but he certainly delivered a powerful mile in last week’s victory – he moves a bit, but anything close to that last effort would give him a solid chance to repeat. (4) INFLATION PROOF was taken off Lasix two back and raced much better, followed by another nice effort last week – gets Bartlett in the bike tonight, and could have a big say. (1) THE FAMILY MAN is another that’s stepping up a bit but he raced well in his last pair and lands the pole tonight – should be able to at least make his presence felt. (2) NAMASTE HANOVER had room at the cones after sitting the pocket last week but lacked the punch to be a bigger threat – good one to include in exotics. (5) TEXAS HOLDEM gets Schnittker on board this week – that may result in a more aggressive try, and that may not be the best thing for him right now. (6) CASINO ACTION N usually gets his (rare) local wins at the bottom level, but always has a chance for a small slice if the trip goes his way. (7) MARLBANK ROAD elected to stay in NJ this year until tonight – brutal spot for his Yonkers return!

RACE 7 – (2) ARTIST BEST threw a dud 2 back but his last effort was sharper than it may look, finishing with good pace from an impossible spot – he’s done some excellent work when paired with Zeron, and that 10-1 ML makes him very attractive here. (4) GOTHIC ROCK was hanging badly through the lane last week but Bartlett used all his magic to get him home a nose in front– license to repeat for sure, but also certain to be overbet (5) ALADDIN found himself way back last week and just seemed to lose interest – his overall recent form has been very solid, and he may respond to a fresh set of hands tonight – another good value horse to consider. (1) SMOOTH LOU perked up with much better life 2 back – he was just “ok” last week, but anything close to his best effort would give him a legitimate chance tonight. (3) DELIGHTFUL TERROR is another that had been racing well before getting lost in the back last week – definitely could outrace his odds tonight. (7) ROCKET FREIGHT landed on a perfect trip last week and converted it for his 2nd win of the season – may have trouble finding a manageable trip from out here, though. (6) VEGAS STRIP N is the (very) rare import that didn’t work out for these owners – would need a major form reversal. (8) FEAR ROMEO draws Post 8 after backing through the field in his local debut

RACE 8 – (7) ANTOGNONI S when last seen here was winning the MGM Grand Prix Final by 10 lengths (bringing his outstanding Yonkers record to 15-11-2-1) –he took time off after that and while his 3 (out of town) starts to begin 2026 have been spaced out, he won ALL of them, looking sharper each time – has to get top billing, even after deservedly being assigned Post 7. (5) ASTEROID can be a very tough horse when sharp and he’s certainly on his game right now – no reason he can’t grab another big piece, even if forced to race off the pace. (6) GREEN PASTU RES has impressed all year and it wasn’t a huge surprise to see him quickly become an Invitational winner (beating SIR PINOCCHIO to do it!) – tough draw for tonight, but can still be charging late for a share. (1) BLACKHAWK ZETTE was off a sick scratch to his last and that may be why he was on the dull side – maybe he can be sharper tonight, and take home a minor piece. (2) TAKE ALL COMERS is off his best game for sure, but still more than good enough to grab a slice with an easy trip from this spot. (3) DRIBBLING BI’s last was more like it, finally looking more like his “good” self (after finishing 2nd to ASTEROID in PA the week before) – we’ll see if he can continue to thrive, now back up at the top level. (4) MISSISSIPPI STORM can never be counted out for a piece against these, but we’re still leaning more towards others right now

RACE 9 – Tough race: (2) SUNDAY SHOES was sent off at 4/5 last week (moving up to this class off the claim) but ran into a terrible trip, still finishing full of trot for 3rd – maybe worth another try, assuming the price is a bit better. (3) HIGH SPEED SWAN hit board in 7 of 9 local tries, finishing 4th in the other two – moves inside, handles any trip, and very dangerous if things go his way. (5) MASSIVE DESIRE is the latest out of town trotting find for Gingras and Co., currently 3 for 3 here at Yonkers since arriving from Ohio – he wired these easily last week, and it would be hard to leave him off your tickets tonight. (1) SEA CAN is back on the upswing, just missing in this class 2 back and finishing with good trot from a tough spot last week – chance to pull off a mild upset if the trip goes his way. (4) VANDY LANE broke in his first 2 local tries but has now behaved in 3 straight, racing well each time – another with a chance to upset…or at least grab a good piece. (6) GLUTES HANOVER was super for weeks after arriving on the local scene, doing plenty of damage in the FM Invitational – she does feel like she MAY be showing a little wear and tear recently, and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (7) CANTSTOP YANKEE has a bunch of very good recent tries…but he also has Post 7 tonight, off a sick scratch. (8) MAHONE SEELSTER lands all the way outside after making a break 2 back, then failing to fire last week

RACE 10 – (4) FORTUNADA perked up with a much better effort last week, giving the favorite a scare to the wire – maybe she can build off that and come out on top tonight. (2) IDEALINFUN seemed overbet last time but turned in her best effort in some time and got her picture taken – dangerous if she brings that same kind of mile tonight. (1) KARPATHIAN QUEEN was a close 3rd in her local debut starting from the same spot as tonight – definitely can land in the exotics again, and maybe even a chance to win, with some improvement. (8) YUENGLING lands in an awful spot off the reclaim but she loves to win races (11 for 34 at Yonkers) and can’t be counted out, even from out here. (7) SUNBURNT has been racing well enough to attract a claim last week, despite being just 1 for 38 locally over the past 2 seasons – would have given her a longer look with a better draw, but at least she’ll be a big price for those looking to take a stab with her. (3) MIGHTHAVTIME N raced ok last week after recovering from an early miscue – leaning elsewhere, but wouldn’t be shocked to see her race ok tonight. (5) SHEIKH YABOOTY N gets a pass for last week (equipment break) but she hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in some time, and would be a bit of a surprise tonight. (6) CANNERY ROW is 0 for a zillion at Yonkers but does grab small pieces, when in a good mood.