Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Tuesday, July 28, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (3) YUENGLING was 4 for 17 here last year and already 8 for 21 in 2026 – she was reclaimed by a barn she’s done well for, draws inside, and deserves top billing…but likely won’t be offering any value. (5) TWO BEAN DREAM has been doing good work here, and picked up 2nds in her last pair – logical player, and dangerous if the trip goes her way. (1) WHOS PERFECT hasn’t been on her best game but she’s no stranger to the Yonkers winner’s circle, and this is definitely a spot for a possible wake up call. (7) IDEAL SKIES was reclaimed by the barn for whom her gait just fell apart from the final turn two back (but still almost got 2nd) – her overall form is very solid and if that race was just an aberration, she can bring some good value to the ticket tonight. (2) DISARONNO HILL usually “figures”, but just hasn’t been able to get her picture taken in some time – would need a good price to try her on top. (4) SWEET SANDY has been a pleasant surprise since arriving here a few starts back and has proven that she does fit…but she also has missed a month after a sick scratch. (6) KENDRA N’s lines would make her a stickout at first glance…until you realize they are from SIX years ago – maybe the tote board will offer clues as to how ready she is off the “freshening”. (8) MS FRANCES ASSISI likely needs a much better post to be a threat again
RACE 2 – (5) ORLANDO BLUE A looked much better off the barn change last week, and may have had a chance to win had he been able to shake free into the stretch – could be worth sticking with. (2) FEELIN WESTERN was well backed last week, and just missed at the wire after charging home in the lane – no reason he can’t be a big player here too. (1) QUOTE ME NOT N will surely attract plenty of attention from this spot but while he often looks good rallying against better (off easy trips), he’s also disappointed when raced aggressively vs. cheaper – note that he’s just 1 for 19 this year before falling in love at a short price. (4) MARLBANK ROAD wasn’t bad vs. better in his last, and isn’t a bad one to include underneath tonight. (7) SAMHARA N enjoyed a very easy trip last week and gave the frontrunning favorite a scare at the end – not sure he can have the same success from out here, though. (6) MUSIC HALL sat a pocket trip from the pole last week and was still outfinished by a couple of others – will need to be a lot better to threaten from Post 6. (4) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL has 6 starts since returning from Ohio and hasn’t been a threat in any of them. (8) TEXAS HOLDEM is 0 for 18 on the season – moving from a pair of rails to Post 8 isn’t going to help his cause!
RACE 3 – (3) GO GO GRASSHOPPER shipped in razor sharp from NJ for his YR debut and went a BIG mile before coming up 2nd best to the scary-sharp GORGEOUS BIG GUY (who just missed to COACHES CORNER on Monday night) – the one to beat tonight. (1) HOWLENTHEHILLS made the lead fairly easily from Post 7 last week so it was a little surprising to see him get beat that night (even if by a sharp tripsitter) – should be the main danger from this spot. (4) ESCAPE TO AMERICA got sharp in early June and has held that form right up to this top level – no problem including him underneath in his current form. (6) MACS DELIGHT changed barns 3 starts back and hasn’t lost since…but if he wants to keep that streak alive, he’ll have to do it from Post 6, facing tougher – it’ll be difficult, but certainly not impossible. (2) MOMENT IS HERE is taking an ambitious leap to this level but he’s on his game, and the barn delivered a “natural hat trick” last night – maybe a small slice? (5) KEAYANG TACO A was super upon arrival from Indiana but has seen his form drop off after stepping up in class 2 back – even tougher here
RACE 4 – Wide open! (2) DANCE PARTNER has some pretty uninspiring recent form out of town but facing tougher – he makes his first local try for a barn having an outstanding meet, and may have found a winning spot. (3) RUSTY BEACH used an easy trip to pick up a 2nd to repeat winner KIMBLE A two back but ended up parked when handled aggressively last week – the right trip could make him a legitimate player tonight. (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF will likely be heavily backed from this spot but he’s been unable to find his better form for some time, and MAY be at least a bit vulnerable tonight. (6) ITS A ME MARIO was a legitimate Open performer when he went on the shelf in April 2025 but he hasn’t been able to come close to that form since returning recently from the long layoff – another that could be vulnerable here, and he’s listed at 8/5 ML. (4) BENHOPE RULZ N in 8-0-0-0 at Yonkers this year but he was much better in his last, and his overall form seems to be steadily improving as well – upset chance? (7) HP MOMENTUM is another that’s light years from his best game right now – he’s racing “ok” at this bottom level, but he draws poorly off a sick scratch and that has us leaning elsewhere. (5) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A is a rare import bust for this barn, currently 0 for 13 here at Yonkers – maybe can grab some minor spoils. (8) KEVIN KLINE N will need to pass them all in the stretch and that doesn’t seem likely to happen
RACE 5 – (5) ROCKNACIOUS was used hard in a couple of KYSS in his last pair and now returns to a more comfortable spot, while getting Lasix back – one of several that would seem to have a legitimate chance in here. (1) ALWAYS BET ON ME just didn’t bring his best last week but he’s capable of much better – draws the pole, and could easily rebound with a winning mile. (4) GEORGES WISH shipped in off a pair of Tioga wins then raced well here for 3rd for his new trainer – would be no great surprise, especially with a live trip. (3) REINCARNATED found the winner’s circle at 2 and has done some solid work so far at 3 – should fit nicely with the locals for his YR debut, and potentially another love player. (7) DARKNSTORMY DEO was 2nd best to the streaking MOONSHINER N in his local debut 2 back, then easily handled THE RASCAL N to win his next start (and that one came back to win, as well) – can’t be ignored, even from Post 7. (2) SIGNAL CALLER won 4 races and $119K at 2 but just can’t get going at all (so far) at 3, completely malfunctioning in several of his starts – hard to predict that tonight will be when he finally gets it all together. (6) TWIN B FRESH BET delivered back to back sharp wins before having to pull up with some issue on 6/30 – qualified back ok, but would still prefer to just observe, for now. (8) ALABAMA LUCKY has been very good overall lately, but faces a daunting task trying to get in play from out here
RACE 6 – (3) ADONIS BLUE CHIP hit board in 5 of 6 starts to begin his career, catching a 1:48.4 mile in the other – catches a pretty modest bunch for his Yonkers debut, and looms the one to knock off. (2) KILLER BEE DEO was a HUGE overlay when he won at 62-1 three back, finished 3rd in his next but threw a dud last week – can have a big say here if he can bounce back to his better efforts. (1) SWEET JOEL will attract plenty of attention from this spot and surely be a big part of the action up front – he also tends to come up a bit weak at the end of his miles, so don’t rush to accept a short price on top. (8) CRAZY TRAIN shows some lines at Monti that would make him a legitimate player with these – the draw is a major issue, but at least has a pilot not afraid to give one a chance – worth considering. (5) AMERICAN ROAD TRIP feels a little cheap but he does get a barn change and that gives him license to improve. (6) OZZIES CRAZY TRAIN has been sluggish in all 3 local tries – needs to be better. (4) TWIN B CABO arrives from Stga. in a new barn, but may find these a little tough. (7) ENQIQUE HANOVER may perk up with a big mile one of the weeks but this doesn’t really feel like a spot for it
RACE 7 – Good race: (3) COALFORD TOPGUY N just toured the oval from Post 8 last week but he’s been a very solid performer all year long, and may have a chance to pull off the upset if the race goes to his liking. (4) HAMME RING HANK got the post relief to go along with last week’s class drop and delivered a sharp first over score – he steps up a bit, but can handle these types too, if on his game. (6) COURTS ON FIRE earned $460K at 2 and 3 but has struggled to get his 4YO campaign in gear – this could be a spot where he comes to life, but you’d still want a fair price to try him on top with the bad draw. (2) IMTHEBLACKFLASH N has definitely raced better out of town than here at Yonkers but he’s still worth considering for exotics with that 8-1 ML price. (5) KIMBLE A steps up again off back to back jogburgers but he did land on almost identical dream trips in both victories – he wouldn’t be a surprise, but he’s also unlikely to get hit with the deck once more. (1) MACS MARVEL has been well off his best game but is always eligible to rally for at least a small piece. (8) THE MIKI TAKER A used the easiest of trips to take home 2nd last week but that’s not likely to happen from out here. (7) MYSWEETBOYMAX draws horribly while nowhere close to his top game right now
RACE 8 – (5) LYONS FRANKY J changed barns upon arrival at Yonkers and raced super in both starts, even if forced to settle for 2nd best both times – he faces several other sharp rivals in here, but a decent price makes him worth a stab. (3) BONDI LOCKDOWN A doesn’t win as often as he should but he’s been very good for weeks, and gets to drop two classes tonight after a close 3rd in NW30000 last start– deserves plenty of respect (6) FORCE FULL A was well backed for his U.S. debut, was handled very aggressively and delivered the victory – chance to repeat, even from Post 6. (8) WHATS STANLEY GOT A is listed at 20-1 ML but he comes off a very good effort and has left from bad spots in the past – wouldn’t dismiss him too quickly. (4) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A feels like he may be a notch below a couple of these but he’s a hard hitter, and eligible for a piece with a good trip. (1) OPTICAL ILL USION N and (2) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A get the two inside draws but both do their best vs. a bit easier – seem destined to contend for minor pieces. (7) SILKY CHOICE was a 4/5 jogburger here on 11/11 but went on the shelf after that, and never looked good in 4 Canadian starts after returning – recently came back to the U.S. to his old barn, but just not ready to jump on his team just yet.
RACE 9 – (3) SUGAR MAN got the class relief he needed at Pocono last week and delivered a 1:47.2 victory, punctuated by a :26 kicker – we’ll give him a try in his first local start of the season. (2) BOSTON BOUND endured a recent rough patch but his last couple were more like it – steps up a bit more, but the good draw may help him handle it. (4) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS turned in a MUCH sharper effort than expected in last week’s upset victory, even if helped by a very nice trip – willing to use him in exotics here, as his price figures to still be pretty good! (6) VENGEANCE BLUE CHIP used all of a perfect trip to scoot up the cones to victory last week – even tougher spot tonight, but maybe he can grab a piece if the good racing luck continues. (8) BANDERAS just wasn’t up for last week’s sizzling mile, ending up a non-threatening 4th – gets the worst of the draw tonight, and likely will need to wait for a better spot to be a bigger player. (7) WISH YOU WELL was a pretty game first over 2nd last week, losing out to a horse up the cones – not sure if he’ll be able to get in play tonight, though. (5) RAWTN TALE has some good looking lines in Ohio but was likely facing lesser, and exits a very high % barn – leaning towards others. (1) ROYAL DESIRE is in solid form right now, but may be pushing his limits up at this level.
RACE 10 - (1) JETT STAR N’s last line looks good on paper but it was even better visually – he went some big miles earlier this year, and may be ready to deliver another one tonight (and Marohn takes him over #4). (2) SWEET HOMEALABAMA N probably isn’t at his best right now but he drops, moves inside, and looms a big threat for a nice chunk. (4) DUNKIN showed good life in his 2nd start off a long layoff but came up terrible last week (at 4/5), racing poorly and not looking too sporty – definitely could be vulnerable tonight. (3) LEVINE hasn’t been sharp at all but he may just be able to sit close and take home a piece, even if by default!. (5) KOPI LUWAK has been well off form lately, but may still be able to at least land a share vs. these. (7) LAMANDIER A was well backed for his 2nd local start, cut the mile and barely lasted over a much easier group – tough draw makes it even tougher to like his chances. (8) WHITE LOTUS has some ability, but tends to struggle locally – can’t imagine he’ll appreciate Post 8 too much! (6) SONTTELLMENOW gets a bad draw while clearly well off his game.
