Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Good opener! (5) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N was sharp winning his U.S. debut here on 6/30 but came up just a little light vs. a sharp (4) ALWAYS BET ON ME last week – his price will be much better tonight, and he’ll get his chance to reverse that decision. The latter arrived at Yonkers off a 1:49.3 blowout at The Meadows (after a big barn change) and proved it was no fluke with last week’s dead game victory – solid chance to make it 3 in a row, but he may be a very short price in a well matched field. (2) MOONSHINER N came up 2nd best to #1 in his heavily backed U.S. debut but jogged last week – would be no surprise at all to see him take another. (1) ART IN HEAVEN was able to upset #2 two starts back then came up 2nd best to the top choice in his last – leaning a bit more to a couple of others, but he’s proven that he CAN beat these. (6) ALABAMA LUCKY has been very good for some time, and kicked home full of pace last week – he’s more than sharp enough to be a threat here, and the only real knock is the draw – worth a look at what figures to be another good price. (3) HURRICANE EXPRESS failed to show up last week but some of his other recent tries would give him a chance to rally for 3rd/4th (8) ALL MY LOVI N just hasn’t really clicked since arriving at YR and now draws Post 8. (7) SWEET PARLAY feels overmatched

RACE 2 – (7) REMI LOU came out breathing fire in her local debut for a barn that’s been extremely hot in NY, NJ, and PA, all at the same time – may have a bit tougher trip tonight but anything close to her last will make her very tough to knock off. (6) IDEAL SKIES was going to be easily 2nd best to #7 last week but started to get very rough on the final turn, and it was amazing that Bartlett kept her “pacing” to the wire (and almost holding 2nd) – if whatever was wrong is corrected for tonight, she can be the main danger. (1) YUENGLING picked up 2nd by default last week when IDEAL SKIES unraveled on the final bend – still, she’ll have her say tonight as SHE draws the pole, while the other two land outside. (2) SHEIKH YABOOTY N made a start at Pocono and probably wishes she’s stayed here at Yonkers, after finishing 21 lengths back – if she can shrug that off, she draws well enough tonight for a chance at a small piece. (4) JIVE DANCING A hasn’t been “terrible”, but she’s also way off her best game – in need of a wake up call. (5) SUNBURNT seemed like an odd claim when she was taken 4 starts back and hasn’t really upped her game since then – needs to be better. (8) MIKI THE CLOWN moved to probably the best “instant turnaround barn” possible, and not surprisingly won back to back starts (in PA) right after the change – tonight’s big class jump and poor draw may slow her down a bit, however. (3) PRINCESS AMERICA feels considerably overmatched

RACE 3 – (1) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS was empty here 2 back arriving from Pocono but he was the easiest of winners in his last, even if helped by a perfectly timed brush against a tiring leader – maybe that effort helped him build enough confidence to take another in this beatable field. (7) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A was just “meh” in his last 2 starts but he was also facing much better than these – this may be a spot for Buter to try to get aggressive, and that may work against these. (3) ITS A ME MARIO is a top-class pacer (when right) so it would normally be hard to play against him down at this level – on the flip side, he got beat vs. even easier at Tioga last week, going down (at 3/5) after making the top pretty easily – he may crush these, but there may be better value playing against him right now. (2) MISSED THE TRUTH A is 0 for 11 at Yonkers but joins a new barn upon returning to the local scene and is eligible to improve, especially with Bartlett on board – he may end up overbet, though. (6) QUOTE ME NOT has rallied for pieces in some good fields but has also disappointed in easy classes – he’s just 1 for 17 on the year, and we’re leaning elsewhere. (4) BELLS DAVID shows a couple of solid PA tries for his current trainer but vs. much easier – may find these a little bit tougher than he’d prefer. (8) JUST ENUFF STUFF hasn’t been close to top form in some time – Post 8 isn’t going to help! (5) POINTS NORTH best recent efforts have been vs. softer

RACE 4 – (4) THE RASCAL N made his North American debut vs. much better in Canada, was pretty well bet and not far back in a 1:48.4 mile – he arrives at our leading barn, gets Bartlett in the bike, and looms a very short priced favorite for his Hilltop debut. (3) DARKNSTORMY DEO finished 2nd best to a standout in his local debut and may be headed for that same result tonight. (2) KILLER BEE DEO finished just behind #3 last start, after delivering a big upset the week before – remains a solid threat to land on the board. (7) CAPTAIN AMORE A hit the wire with life from an impossible spot in his U.S. debut – he gets another horrible post, but perhaps he can at least rally for a share this time. (5) FLYING MAJOR ART N shipped in showing good form out of town but was always way back in his YR debut, then was scratched sick last week – we’ll look for some improvement tonight. (6) OZZIES CRAZY TRAIN was dull in both local tries – waiting for better signs. (10 TALL DARK SHADOW was well back in both career starts (in PA) and feels like a work in progress

RACE 5 – (1) DELE ROW A worked out a nice trip then squandered it two back – he was nevertheless backed heavily at the windows for his last and DID bring a big effort this time, a sharp front end winner (easily holding off a strong 2nd place finisher) – Holland stays on board, and he may be able to step up and take another. (2) COURTS ON FIRE won his 2YO NYSS Final here at Yonkers, then was 2nd in the NYSS Final at 3 (behind the very talented DANDY IDEAL) – he’s been a little slow to get really untracked as a 4YO, but maybe a return to the Hilltop will help him find his better game. (5) UDDERLY SWEET A broke before the start in his U.S. debut (uncharted) then recovered to be an even 4th – he followed that up with a decent finish from an impossible spot last week, and may be ready for a more aggressive try tonight – check the tote board. (6) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A would be very dangerous here on his best effort but he’s been struggling lately, and also draws poorly – would need a pretty good price to try him on top right now. (3) KOPI LUWAK was a conservatively-handled 3rd last week (no factor) and Holland opts off to drive #1 – small slice? (4) PRINTVILLE is 0 for 19 on the year but did hit board in 9 of the losses – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) FEARFUL INTENT won 6 of 15 local starts in 2024-25 but he’s been at his best vs. cheaper out of town so far in 2026 – brutal spot for YR return. (7) NONE BETTOR A draws Post 7 after having no pop at all off a good trip last week

RACE 6 – (3) PANETTONE HANOVER had no chance after a suicide mission on 6/23 then was scratched sick from his next – he bounced right back with an excellent close 2nd behind PARISS DRAGON last week (helped by a much more sensible steer), and may be able to come out on top tonight in this well matched field. (1) PARISS DRA GON finished right behind a talented pair in his local debut (the winner jogged again in his next start), then dug in bravely to fend off #3 last week – solid chance to win again, even moving up a bit. (4) SOHO DOW JONES A remains ever-unpredictable – if he brings his best, he’ll have a legitimate c\hance to beat these…but it’s hard to ever take too short a price with him on top! (7) KEAYANG TACO A was a winner in his last pair after finishing 2nd in back to back starts just before that – he steps up a notch tonight off the re-claim, but can still be a real threat if he can land on a manageable trip. (5) THE IDEAL DANCER A is good right now but tonight’s double class jump may slow him down just a bit. (8) FORWARD FLASH fits for sure, but will need a lot of racing luck to be able to reach from out here. (6) COLLECTIVE WORKS A continues to pick up good pieces at big prices even as he keeps climbing up the class ladder – tough draw in a pretty solid field tonight, however. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK is dangerous on the lead vs. easier, but this doesn’t feel like his kind of spot

RACE 7 – (5) VANDERBILT N is a little hard to gauge right now with most of his recent lines either showing scratches or qualifiers…but he did race well in both local tries earlier this year, and did just qualify nicely at PcD – may be worth a play in a field where the favorites could prove vulnerable. (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A is used to keeping better company this, but he hasn’t been on his best game lately (even vs. easier, at Plainridge) – very tough on his “best”, but we may not see that tonight. (1) BOSTON BOUND has been mired in a dry spell for about 5 weeks after a nice form spree just prior to that – another that would be very dangerous if on his game tonight, but a question mark at best right now! (3) LYONS FRANKY J would seem a bit cheaper off his out of town lines but he joins our leading barn and will be handled by our leading driver…so some major improvement is certainly possible. (6) JETT STAR N was super earlier in the year but his best recent efforts have come in easier spot, from better posts. (8) HAMMERING HANK toured the oval from a similar spot last week and may do the same tonight, with a class drop next week on the horizon. (4) CAPTAIN FEAR was a 10 length blowout winner 4 back but hasn’t come close to replicating that effort since. (7) SPIRIT OF STLOUIS N would be a major surprise in this spot

RACE 8 – (6) RAILROAD STATION was taking on tougher in the Graduate Series (in NJ) the last 3 weeks but really didn’t embarrass himself – he was a big earner at 2 and 3, and raced very well here in a couple of starts at 4 this year (back in May) – may be able to overcome the bad draw against this bunch. (4) BETTER B BOLD toured the oval from Post 8 last week, likely knowing that he’d be getting class relief this week – moves inside, and should be able to make his presence felt. (2) COALFORD TOPGUY GB was a solid 3rd behind 2 sharp ones last week, in one of his typically solid efforts – belongs in your exotics. (3) ZEBS KRAFTY has been a very solid performer since arriving at Yonkers in May, including 2 recent tries with Siegelman in the bike – another legitimate threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) JABBAR is very dangerous at this level but gets a horrible draw tonight, with several live players to his inside – may be looking at only minor spoils tonight. (1) MACS MARVEL has been off his best game for a while, but did have pace in traffic last week – maybe he can rally for a small slice. (8) NANDOLO N lands behind the 8 ball after a weak effort last week – sticking with others. (5) TASTE OF HONEY drops a bit off a no threat 5th last week, but may still be in a bit tougher than he’d prefer

RACE 9 - (5) RESILIENT N charged home in his qualifier (right behind his Invitational barnmate) then was absolutely loaded in the lane in his U.S./Yonkers debut, after a conservative drive – guessing we’ll see a much more aggressive try tonight. (4) LASER SPEED gets Holland to jump off a couple of others, and the pair hooked up for two recent wins – look for an aggressive try from him too. (3) ARODA N showed plenty of promise heading into the Borgata Series but took some time off after just 3 starts – seemed to be coming back to top form but did disappoint here last week, a dullish 4th vs. cheaper – not ready to write him off just yet. (7) MATAI PHIL N hasn’t been “bad”, but he also isn’t as sharp as he was earlier in the year – he used to love to just sit back and rally at the end…maybe that could help him grab a good piece tonight. (1) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR is more effective with softer, but an easy trip could see him rally late for some minor spoils. (6) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A tried an ill-advised quarter move last week and ended up hung out with no chance – tonight’s draw may limit his options as well. (2) MYSWEETBOYMAX was scratched sick from his last after finishing well back the start before – prefer to observe tonight. (8) ODDS ON CAPITALISM draws Post 8 and has made just 1 start in 7 weeks – sticking with others

RACE 10 – (2) PYRO hasn’t threatened in too many of his 12 starts this year but he also hasn’t been terrible, facing much better than these– feels like a spot where Holland is going to be much more aggressive with him. (5) CASINO ACTION N has been plagued by terrible posts and some of his miles are better than they might look– his (rare) wins usually come at this bottom level. (1) RUSTY BEACH was no factor upon arrival from Monti last week but tonight’s class drop and major post improvement could help him have a much bigger say. (8) SIX DEGREES was sent off favored last week but he’s just not the type to cut a mile, and he faltered badly – he’ll likely be rallying from last tonight, but he still may be able to pass a bunch for a piece. (4) DONTBOTHERMENONE has probably been facing tougher in those $25K claiming races – could make a bigger impression against this bunch. (7) PINE BUSH ITALIANO qualified well at PcD but he’s been away since January and hard to endorse in his first start off the bench. (3) KIMBLE A has really been struggling – he’ll perk up one of these nights, but hard to make the case that it’ll be tonight. (6) ALL ALONE is another that’s been struggling lately – tonight’s draw won’t help.