Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (4) WHOS PERFECT was struggling for a while but she’s back on her game right now, picking up a pair of wins (and an excellent 3rd) from her last 3 starts – faces a few other live players tonight, but may be the sharpest right now. (6) BIG CITY DAISY made a break in the one start tonight’s barn had with her but they weren’t afraid to dip in and take her again last week – she’s always tough in 20s, and looms a major threat tonight. (1) RACIN FOR ROYALTY always races well when she draws inside, and her trainer/driver team have been extra hot lately – would be no surprise at all. (3) PINE BUSH MAGA hit board in 3 of her last 4 starts, is usually a good price, and remains a good one to include in exotics. (5) BARBADOS BABE is hard to gauge class-wise from her Delaware lines but she lands in a strong barn for her local debut and could outperform that 20-1 ML price. (7) JIVE DANCING A seems a little off her best game right now, and drawing Post 7 isn’t going to help her cause – minor share? (2) TRICKY WIC KY draws well returning to Yonkers but is 7-0-0-0 at The Hilltop. (8) QUICK MENU won a “fall apart” race 2 back but seems unlikely to ever get close from all the way out here
RACE 2 – (3) SWEET JOEL came up a little short when 2nd best in his local debut then was an easy “pocket rocket” winner in his last (his maiden victory) – solid chance to make it 2 in a row. (4) DRAMAS A is usually a solid player against these types but he’s now 0 for 6 here at Yonkers, and no match for #3 last week – he CAN win, but shouldn’t be the 7/5 ML favorite. (7) MAGIC JOURNEY held his own vs. Excelsior competition at 2 and has come back good at 3, already with a win and a 2nd from his first 2 starts – he also gets a bad draw for the first time in his life, and we’ll see if that derails him a bit. (6) FARKLE came out from well back last week but broke before he could start to put a bid together – he has the ABILITY to go with these, and maybe worth a look at a big price. (5) MATANZAS CREEK had Bartlett listed originally, but he ended up on #4 (on whom he wasn’t listed) – regardless, this guy does seem a notch below the main players, even with a couple of wins not too long ago in PA. (1) ALL INITTOWINIT may have been bothered by an equipment issue last week but he’s 0 for 20 and hard to endorse right now. (2) USHO EDCEDAOTHERGUY gets a big barn change, but we’ll just observe, for now
RACE 3 – (3) TWIN B FRESH BET came into his last start at 2 for 33 lifetime but a different version showed up that night, rattling off sizzling fractions and still hanging on for an eye-popping 1:52 victory (about 3 seconds faster than he’s been pacing most weeks) – can he do it again…suppose we’ll find out tonight! (5) BETTORS DESIRE was way back early in the same race as #3 but paced a BIG final half to rally for 5th, less than 4 lengths back in that sizzling mile – decent value option to consider. (4) ART IN HEAVEN was well out of it most of the way in his YR debut but had plenty of life finishing – he’ll be a good price here, and should be a lot closer to the action. (6) ALL MY LOVIN arrives from Canada and lands in a barn that improves most any horse that comes their way – tough draw, but wouldn’t dismiss his chances too quickly! (2) ALABAMA LUCKY picked up a are victory 2 back but was back to smaller pieces last week – ok for 3rd/4th. (1) HURRICANE EXPRESS seems overmatched right now
RACE 4 – (4) KOPI LUWAK tailed off for a few starts (after a nice form spree) but he bounced back with a nice 2nd on 6/1, then raced well again last week (but from an impossible spot) – may have the edge over these now that he seems back on his game again. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK didn’t even function in his first 2 starts off the long layoff, making last week’s ambitious speed show all the more surprising – has to be considered a legitimate threat off that MUCH improved effort! (3) GINGRAS BEACH took a tough nose loss last week after doing all the dirty work first over – he’s solid right now, and can have a say tonight as well. (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF throws some big miles but just hasn’t found one in a while – this is a spot where he can do some real damage IF he can bring one of his better efforts. (1) SHIPMASTER raced better off the class drop last week but was still just ok – leaning more to others right now. (6) WINDSUN RICKY may be coming back around but this is a very tough spot, even if he continues to improve – keep an eye for when he’s in a better scenario. (7) DOUGS BABE A is well off her game and now has to contend with Post 7, while taking on the boys
RACE 5 – (1) WAITFOREVER N was blocked with no room 2 back so it was no surprise to see her get well bet in last, and deliver the sharp victory – chance to make it 2 in a row. (4) SHEER ARTISTRY N dropped in for the $50K tag last week and was a close 2nd behind the top choice – she’ll have her chance to reverse that decision tonight. (2) PETROL QUEEN has been very consistent lately, though she hasn’t won in a while – good one to include in exotics. (7) MADDIES DELITE has won 3 of her 4 local starts, though helped by easy trips each time – may not be as fortunate tonight, but still have to respect her chances. (6) WIN WITH LYNNLY has been inconsistent, but does throw big efforts – has to be worth at least a look with that 20-1 ML price. (5) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR just hasn’t been as effective here since moving up from the “NW PM” classes – she’ll need to be better if she hopes to compete for a bigger piece. (8) OVER ICE is more than good enough to contend for a piece of this, but it won’t be easy to find a manageable trip from out here. (3) LAURIE LEE was empty 2 back and beat only the weaker ones last week – leaning elsewhere.
RACE 6 – (1) ALWAYS A THRILL was off 4 weeks to his last but still gave it a big try, cutting the mile and only giving way grudgingly to the wire – he drops right back in the box and could be tighter tonight, as he’ll look to control the action once more. (4) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N probably should just get a pass for his last (stuck in the back in a sizzling mile in NJ) – he fit beautifully with these, and could be the main danger. (2) MYSWEETBOY MAX took a while to get motivated last week but was pacing very well late for 2nd, rebounding very nicely from a “distanced” line on 5/26 – his barn is going strong, and he has a decent chance to land in the exotics. (6) TH COLBY was very aggressive last week but was outmuscled in the latter stages – up in class from a tough spot, but may enjoy sitting back and rallying at the end– could grab a share. (5) JETT STAR N was able to take advantage of some major post relief (and the rail) with that front end win 2 back, then followed that up with a nice first over try for 3rd last week– he may have gotten some confidence back, and that would give him a chance for a piece of this. (3) BETTOR NOT is probably in a bit tougher than he’d like – minor spoils only. (7) LASER SPEED throws some good ones at times but this doesn’t feel like a spot for it
RACE 7 – (4) KWICK SAND A landed in tough spots in 2 of his 3 starts out of town and is probably very happy to be coming back to Yonkers (where he’s 11-5-3-3 this year) – he faces a couple of tough foes to his inside, but we’ll still give him top billing. (2) THE GREEK FREAK was handled aggressively off the class drop last week but was hounded hard by the tripsitter and gradually weakened into the stretch – he’s clearly not on his best game right now, but becomes a very dangerous foe if he can find that “A Game” tonight. (3) SPEAKER OF PEACE was too far back to have any chance 2 back then lacked any room at all in the stretch last week – he’s raced well for most of the past 2 seasons, and can be right there tonight with any half-decent trip. (7) IGNATIUS A was never a prolific winner at Yonkers in years past, but would race well more often than not – chance to contend for a piece IF Lachance can improve position at the start. (5) INTIMIDATION was wiped out 3 back then followed that up with wins in his last pair – steps up another notch, but sharp enough to rally for a piece, if the trip goes his way. (8) T H TYSON can be forgiven for not being able to run down ESCAPE TO AMERICA from behind that last week, especially since that one won again on Monday night – the class jump isn’t a concern, but the draw unfortunately is. (6) LEVINE chased the favorite for 2nd last week but faces tougher and gets a bad draw – a quick start would help his chances for a piece. (1) FEELIN WESTERN draws the pole but his Monti lines suggest he may be a little cheap for these
RACE 8 – Good race: (5) HEMSWORTH N has been racing well for several starts, utilizing his preferred off-the-pace style – there’s a chance they might battle enough tonight to allow him to rally for a mild upset. (3) JOEMIKIY OURSOFINE just doesn’t win often enough at Yonkers to list him on top but he’s definitely good right now, and has been facing tougher – a live trip might give him a chance to pick up a rare local victory. (2) JUMPING JACKMAC N was an “okay” odds-on winner last week vs. softer, but Bartlett gives him a big vote of confidence taking him tonight over #6 – deserves an extra look on that angle alone, but his 2-1 ML price is also a turn off. (6) COPPERFIE LD hasn’t won in a while but he’s almost always right in the hunt, and his speed allows him to grab good trips – has to get a look here, even if Bartlett foes with #2. (7) PANETTONE HANOVER is razor sharp right now but will have a tough time trying to circle the field from last. (1) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR moves up TWO classes off a loss and figures to struggle a bit vs. these. (4) BRUTALLYHANDOSME A couldn’t get involved last week and faces that same possibility against these too
RACE 9 – (3) TWIN B ECHO has a win and two 2nds from her last 4 starts and can be forgiven for being no match for the razor sharp MC ANGEL in her last – good value option in a race with several live players. (1) TH RIZZO was having trouble finishing her miles but may have built some confidence rallying nicely from well back in her last pair – very logical from this spot, but no value with her short ML odds. (4) DWS DARLENE disappointed last week in a rare tiring effort – was quickly re-claimed, and probably deserves a chance to redeem herself (she’s 16-7-5-1 here in 2026). (8) ULTIMATE SPEED lands all the way outside but she hit board in all 5 of her tries at this level and will be a juicy price – couldn’t blame anybody looking to use her. (2) DISTANT LOVER makes her 3rd start off the layoff, draws well, and may be able to improve enough for a small piece. (5) SPIRIT OF PEARL A beat the 20s two back but hasn’t been able to match that effort vs. the 25s. (6) SURVIVN FIRE is just 9-1-0-0 in Ohio this year – prefer to just observe in her YR debut. (7) MS FRANNCES ASSISI seems a bit cheap for these (and 7 hole)