Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, July 7, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) IDEAL SKIES recently won 3 straight and comes into tonight off a pair of sharp 2nds – she moves to a trainer that has been re-building his barn the last few months, and having great success along the way…deserves top billing. (4) REMI LOU was 53-1 for her previous barn on 4/13, but was sent off by the public at an incredible 1/2 off the barn change in her next start – she reversed form completely (winning by nearly 8 lengths in NJ), then picked up 2 more wins and 2 seconds from her next 4 starts – ran into a tougher trip in her last, but should be a great fit with the locals– the main danger? (1) SUNBURNT was just 1 for 28 locally over the last 2 yrs. when surprisingly claimed on 6/11 – she raced ok from an impossible spot the next week, then was an ok 3rd in her last – has at least a chance from this spot. (7) YUENGLING is an excellent 11 for 36 here over the last 2 seasons but just never looked “right” last week – moves to her 5th barn in 7 starts tonight, and MAY be looking at a very tough trip, even if she bounces back to one of her better efforts. (3) IRIS SEELSTER has been camera shy this year but has raced well enough times to at least consider for the bottom of exotics. (8) QUICK MENU won a “fall apart” race 4 back but has otherwise been less than stellar for some time – Post 8 won’t help her cause. (2) THATS A HUGE BEACH is in desperate need of a wake up call. (6) PULL ME THROUGH just looks overmatched arriving from out of town

RACE 2 – Tough race: (4) NANDOLO N hadn’t been close to top form since returning in May from a freshening, but he took off 3 weeks before his last Pocono start and raced MUCH better, charging home for 2nd in the off going – may not be a bad week to give the classy import a look. (2) NONE BETTOR A is obviously not the same horse at age 13 as he was as a youngster, but the $1.3M earner is still a very solid performer at this level – the right trip gives him a chance to beat these. (3) TH COLBY has hit board in all 4 local starts and will surely make his presence felt once more…he also figures to be overbet, and there just may be some better value with a couple of others. (7) UDD ERLY SWEET A wasn’t far behind a trio of horses that would likely all be favored in here last week, but his U.S. debut also had a break before the start (uncharted) – risky from Post 7 for sure, but also not impossible. (5) SPECUL ATING A is a solid racehorse and a switch to Bartlett never hurts…he’s also looking at a less than stellar trip from this spot, possibly leaving him battling for only minor spoils. (1) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK took off the gate from the 8 hole last week but will likely be blasting from the pole tonight – he’s also up at a level where he could have a hard time keeping it going. (6) MACS MARVEL is well off his best game and draws poorly. (8) BETTOR NOT gets his first bad draw in ages – pass this week

RACE 3 – (5) MC ANGEL is technically moving up in class but the field she beat last week is as good, or better than this one – she’s on the same kind of form spree right now that carried right up to the Open 2 years ago, and we’ll stay on board as she seeks her 4th straight. (3) MADDIES DELIGHT was moving to an outstanding claiming barn last week (while in phenomenal form) so it was shocking to see the total clunker she threw – seems like a good sign that she’s quickly back in the box (at the same level), and anything close to her best would make her a serious threat. (1) PETROL QUEEN threw a major dud 2 back but bounced right back to be 2nd last week – hard to leave her out of your exotics. (4) OVER ICE is winless in 24 local starts but did race “sneaky well” several times this year – she’ll win one of these nights, but you’d still need a good price to use her on top. (2) SPLASH OF PINK wasn’t bad at all when 3rd in her local debut – chance for another piece tonight. (6) ULTIMATE SPEED steps up off the reclaim AND draws outside – tough combination to overcome (especially after failing to BEAT the 25s a bunch of times)

RACE 4 – (3) DOWNBYTHEWATER shipped in very sharp from NJ and hung in pretty well in his first local start, considering he landed in the very tough 3-6YO Open – he was a sharp 1:51.2 in his next, then an excellent (hard used) used to GORGEOUS BIG GUY in his last – the one to beat tonight. (4) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N chased closely from the pocket last week and was right there 2nd at the end – IF he can land a live trip (off a contested pace) tonight, he’d have at least a chance to pull off a mild upset. (1) KWICK SAND A knows how to win races and may find himself sitting in the pocket tonight – another with a chance if the top choice falters. (2) FORWARD FLASH threw a rare disappointing effort last week, in his first try up at this level – license to bounce back tonight, and at least take home a piece. (6) BANDERAS was a wire to wire winner in this class last week but with an easy lead from an inside post – looking at a much tougher assignment tonight. (5) ALWAYS A THRILL just conceded from Post 8 last week – still in tough, but may at least be able to contend for a small share tonight. (7) FEDERER finished up well from an impossible spot last week but lands in a similar scenario tonight – wait for a better scenario

RACE 5 – (4) ARODA N arrived in the U.S. and prepped nicely for the Borgata Series but just never got going at that time and went on the shelf after Leg 4 – he was freshened up and has looked much better since returning, a close 2nd in NJ on 6/6 followed by an easy 1:51.2 win at Tioga last week – he steps up, but has more than enough class to handle it. (2) PARISS DRAGON was outmuscled by a couple of pretty tough horses in his local debut when a close 3rd – he certainly fits well in here, with a big chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (1) PANETTONE HA NOVER gets a pass for that mile in 6/23, wildly overdriven and predictably tired at the end – the scratch from his last is definitely concerning, but anything close to his best effort (with a sensible steer) would put him right in the hunt tonight. (3) COALFORD TOPGUY GB threw a (very) rare weak one last start but deserves a chance to bounce back – ok to include underneath. (5) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has been inconsistent at best lately – he’s capable of better, but others in here have been more reliable lately. (8) PRINTVILLE has been climbing the classic without the benefit of a recent win – brutal post, but a good bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) BOSTON BOUND fell off form a while ago and is still trying to get going again. (6) JETT STAR N has also struggled overall over the last couple of months.

RACE 6 – (4) ENRIQUE HANOVER was inexplicably taken off the gate last week but did pace an excellent final half to rally for 4th in his local debut – a more aggressive steer tonight may give him a chance to pull off an upset. (2) MOONSHINER N was sent off at less than 2/5 for his U.S. debut, grabbed a half in :58 but still wasn’t able to hang on – way too soon to write him off after one disappointing loss, but also hard to accept another very short price tonight. (5) KILLER BEE DEO scored at 62-1 last week, a MAJOR overlay considering he raced well from Post 7 just the start before– his price will come way down tonight, but he has a chance to be right in the mix once again. (7) DARKNSTORMY DEO ships in off a win at Hoosier and lands in one of our top barns – on the flip side, he’s just 2 for 24, draws poorly, and exits a listed trainer that wins at a high rate – ok for exotics. (8) CAPTAIN AMORE A was sharper in his 2nd U.S. qualifier (at Pocono) but draws horribly to start off his local career – maybe take a peek at the tote board? (3) OZZIES CRAZY TRAIN disappointed in his local debut but an easier trip may help him at least contend for a small piece. (1) WHISKEY VENOM drew inside for all 4 local tries and has managed just one 3rd – needs to be better. (6) HALF PAST MIDNIGHT finished way back from similar spots in his last pair.

RACE 7 – (5) FINVARRA A was clearly short on 6/15 after a LONG layoff but turned in a big first over try the following start, then absolutely charged home in the lane for 3rd last week after sitting last – feels ready to start doing some bigger damage. (1) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A was an “ok” 3rd after racing first over upon arrival from Nfd. – he’s eligible to be sharper tonight, but even that last effort would put him right back in the hunt here. (2) SHI PMASTER disappointed for a few starts before turning in a better one when 2nd last week – an easy trip puts him in play for another good chunk. (4) DELE ROW A was very well meant from Post 7 last week but still came up flat in the lane after working out a beautiful trip – he’s capable of better, but hard to know which version we’ll see tonight. (6) LEVINE seems a notch below the main players right now but may be able to handle the others (3) MARLBANK ROAD drops a win off the bottom off his card after tonight and the class relief should be welcomed. (7) RUSTY BE ACH is racing ok at Monti but will likely be overmatched here, especially from Post 7

RACE 8 – (2) FEARLESS PARTNERS was a winner at Chester in his 3YO return then was a good looking winner right here, the next week – he picked up a NYSS 2nd at Stga. in his next, but was unable to get in play in his last 2 NYSS tries, from some tough spots – hard to say if he’ll be wound tight for tonight’s overnight race, but he’ll be tough if he is. (4) ALWAYS BET ON ME was winless in 2024-25 before being acquired by the leading barn in the nation after his 6/13 start…and promptly went out to win his next start at The Meadows by 5 lengths, in 1:49.3 – it would be hard to dismiss his chances in his Yonkers debut! (3) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N was sent off at 1/2 for his U.S./Yonkers debut and won as he pleased – another that obviously would be no surprise tonight. (1) ADAM CHEE SECAKE is 6-3-2-1 since arriving at Yonkers, and draws the pole tonight – he MAY just be a notch below the top three, but we’ll see tonight. (6) ALABAMA LUCKY is racing very well right now, and his last start is better than it looks on paper – still, it will be hard for him to have a big impact tonight, with the bad draw in this tough field. (7) HURRICANE EXPRESS has been finishing his miles well, but may be coming from too far back to make much of a dent. (5) FARKLE used an easy trip to squeeze out 3rd last week but may have trouble replicating that here. (8) ROD EO COWBOY will be hard pressed to get anywhere near the action tonight

RACE 9 – (3) MACS DELIGHT got a big barn change last week and delivered a big effort, working a bit early on for the lead but powerful through the wire for a 1:51.2 score – no reason he can’t take another. (2) MATAI PHIL N isn’t at his absolute best right now, but he’s still racing “well” – he cut his last 3 miles, and may appreciate a more relaxed trip tonight. (7) JABBAR kept grinding last week and was dead game for 2nd behind the top choice – he’ll still be a good price tonight (because of the draw), but a bit of trip luck could help him land somewhere on the ticket. (5) MOMENT IS HERE picked up his first local win with style last week, one of the barn’s four winners that night – faces tougher now, but he may be feeling pretty good about himself after that effort. (1) ROCKET CITY A has a couple of wins this year, but usually ends up battling for minor spoils – looking more of the latter tonight. (6) SOHO DOW JONES A remains ever-inconsistent, but even one of his better efforts may not be enough from this tough spot. (4) LASER SPEED was hammered at the windows and jogged 2 back, but took no $$ last week and gapped cover – maybe glance at the tote board for guidance? (8) BETTER B BOLD is back on his game, it seems, but faces a lot of obstacles from Post 8 – will look good with a class drop next week

RACE 10 – It’s hard to “love” a horse that’s 0 for 20 on the year but (2) SIX DEGREES has raced well in a good chunk of those losses, usually vs. much better fields than this one – he raced well off the class drop in his last, and drops even more tonight…no excuses. (4) DISCOVERINGTHEHUNT is a mare taking on boys with mostly unexciting lines at Stga., and a weak local qualifier…she’s also getting a major barn and driver change, and maybe she can perk up in a hurry. (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF hasn’t been close to top form in some time but did pick up a 3rd off the class drop last week, and can probably at least be in the hunt here too. (1) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS just came up dull arriving from Pocono but he’s capable of better – won’t offer any value, but still a logical player in this spot. (7) KIMBLE A took an aggressive approach last week but that didn’t work out either – maybe he can sit back and rally for a small slice here? (8) CASINO ACTION N has some “ok” efforts from impossible spots – ok (big) bomb for 3rd/4th. (3) HP MOMENTUM was a weak 3rd last start in a weak field – needs to be a lot better. (6) ALL ALONE draws poorly and has been way off form – wake up call needed.