Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, June 2, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Tough opener! (2) TALENT TO SPARE A is sharper than her lines might suggest, and she’ll be much closer to the action tonight – chance to pull off the upset in a race that can go many different ways. (1) LUCKY LIL LADY hasn’t won in some time but she’s been right there most every week vs. the FM Open at Monti, and could be a good fit with the locals– the trainer and driver switches certainly won’t hurt her chances. (3) ADALECIA has Ohio lines that would make her a big threat vs. these but she backed up badly in her local debut (used very hard from Post 8), then was overmatched in NJ last week – more than capable of beating on her best effort, but would still need a decent price to use her on top (off those last 2 tries). (8) ARIELS BEST set a new lifetime mark in that last win in PA but apparently she bled (as she adds Lasix for tonight) – faces an uphill battle moving way up in class from Post 8, but the barn does pop some big longshots at times! (7) YUENGLING appreciated the re-claim and good draw last week, responding with a victory – won’t be as easy starting from Post 7, though. (5) DISARONNO HILL has fallen off form lately, and would need a big reversal to beat these – possible, but that 3-1 ML price is a turn off. (4) PINK RUBY may be able to scratch out a minor share with an easy trip. (6) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ was very good for a bunch of starts, but definitely came up flat in her last couple

RACE 2 – (3) WIN WITH LYNNLY was taken off the gate last week and responded with a crisp rallying 3rd from the back of the pack – might be a good spot to get more aggressive tonight, and she CAN beat these when on her game. (1) PETROL QUEEN has been knocking on the door with 4 seconds from her last 5 starts – maybe this is the week she gets back over the top? (4) WAITFOREVER N is winless in limited local starts over the last 3 years but she definitely fits with these, and just faced some solid fields at Plainridge – would really be no surprise. (6) MADD IES DELIGHT is now 2 for 3 at Yonkers, picking up front end scores both times – she may be looking at a tougher trip from THIS spot, however, so insist on a good price if looking for her to take another. (2) LAURIE LEE finally broke a LONG Yonkers losing streak with that win here on 3/6 and she’s generally raced well out of town since then – she returns having missed 3 weeks after a sick scratch, however, and that makes her a little iffy tonight. (5) OVER ICE wasted energy leaving hard right outside 2 others last week and cost her any chance – she could outrace her odds with an easier trip tonight. (7) SWEET ODDS has struggled in similar spots recently – sticking with others

RACE 3 – (1) QUOTE ME NOT N hasn’t won in some time but he’s been finishing full of pace for weeks vs. some very tough claimers, and should really appreciate this seemingly much softer spot – the one to beat. (2) JOEL AND THE JETS has ability for sure, but also must have some issues (long layoff after being pulled up here on 11/11) – he raced evenly in his first start back last week, and his barn IS on absolute fire…dangerous if 100% for tonight. (4) KE VIN KLINE N has taken a while to find his form here in the U.S. but showed better signs in his last pair, and may be ready to have a bigger say tonight – ok for exotics. (3) ADAM CHEESEHEAD was an easy winner in his last pair but was able to control the action vs. much easier – he’ll need to prove that he can be as effective vs. these better ones (6) BETTORS DESIRE returns off a couple of encouraging PA starts but draws poorly, and has struggled in a bunch of local tries. (5) HURRICANE EMPRESS was a little better in his 2nd YR start – chance for minor spoils

RACE 4 – Another good race! (3) REALLY BRIGHT is a newcomer that his hit board in 14 of 16 starts at 2 and 3, while stuck way in the back in the other pair – his versatility should help him in a race that could go several different ways, and getting Kakaley on board never hurts…one of many with a real chance here. (2) WAVEMAKER moved to NW7500 last week and was a determined first over winner over a classy frontrunner – a hotly contested pace would boost his chances to repeat. (5) FORWARD FLASH has developed into a very nice horse, and is another that has shown the ability to handle any trip that comes his way – another possible repeater with some racing luck. (1) CAPTAIN APPLE has similar PA form to REALLY BRIGHT, and will likely look to use his speed from the pole – he may also end up heavily pressured, while probably somewhat overbet. (6) LASER SPEED is capable of very big efforts when in the right mood (see last week!) but does face an uncertain journey from Post 6 – worth considering if the price is decent. (7) GANNONS VELOUCITY has been part of the equation in all 5 local tries but still hasn’t found the winner’s circle, and now draws Post 7. (4) BETTOR NOT is looking at minor spoils in this solid field

RACE 5 – (1) TWIN B ECHO found her form recently and has remained consistent the last few starts – she gave DWS DARLENE all she could handle last week before coming up 2nd best, and may be able to reverse that decision tonight. (4) DWS DARLENE won for the 3rd time in 4 starts last week and her (outstanding) record this year now stands at 15-7-5-1 – a major threat any time she’s in to go! (6) ULTIMATE SPEED has hit board in all 3 starts since dropping to this level – faces a tough task from Post 6, but still worth a look if the price is right. (5) MC ANGEL has been a beat in 20s but she can win at the $25K level too, if things go her way – another that’s playable at the right price. (2) SPIRIT OF PEARL A was hammered at the windows last week (despite a weak effort the start before) but did deliver the sharp front end score – we’ll see if she can match that success moving back up to 25s. (7) TH RIZZO drops in for a tag after a dull try last week (vs. better) – she seems like a good fit at this level, but the draw may slow her down considerably. (4) DISTANT LOVER broke when claimed on 1/27 and just re-qualified back last week – pass for now. (8) IDEAL SKIES won 3 straight in 20s but was no factor in 25s last week – now Post 8

RACE 6 – (5) PLEASELETMEKNOW has $948K on his card but less than $20K has been added over the last 2 seasons – his last effort was MUCH more encouraging, and perhaps the classy 7YO is ready to deliver a winning effort. (1) JETT STAR N has gone some HUGE efforts this year and he drops off a cliff tonight while moving all the way inside (after 3 straight 7 holes) – hard to ignore his chances, but also hard to take too short a price on a barn that just went 23-0-0-1 for the month of May! (6) KIMBLE A left from a spot that almost guaranteed he’d be parked last week and that’s exactly what happened – his form is otherwise very good right now, and he’d have a chance here to outperform his odds with a much better trip. (2) LEVINE moves back inside and that should at least put him back in the hunt – a little camera shy for our tastes, however. (4) TEXAS HOLDEM rallied ok for 3rd last week after a big parked-the-mile try the week before – definitely good enough right now to grab a piece, with a good trip. (3) STON EBRIDGE WIZARD benefited tremendously on the final turn last week when he bypassed a bunch of bothered rivals and parlayed it into an improbable victory – leaning elsewhere, but his white-hot barn is tough to ignore at the moment! (7) COVERED BRIDGE faltered on the lead vs. easier in his last local try and now lands Post 7 vs. better. (8) ITZA DANGERZONE A is just 1 for 18 at YR with the win coming on the lead, vs. much easier

RACE 7 – (7) GLOWING LOU has never been a great “finisher” but was pacing ok late last week in his first local try in a while – his barn is clicking at very high rates at four different tracks right now, and this guy may be worth a stab tonight in a race with no stickouts. (5) TWIN B FRESH BEST was a solid 2nd best to the odds-on winner last week and he’s been a very steady player in this class, overall – his 2 for 32 career slate is concerning, but most of these are in the same boat! (1) SWEET JOEL is still a maiden but he’s been chasing minor stakes competition out of town and did race well in a pair of PA overnights to start off the season – possibility from the pole. (4) DRAMAS A has been “ok” so far in the U.S., but did make a break last week – he’s a possibility here, but likely to be overbet. (2) ALABAMA LUCKY avoided making the same 2nd turn bobble he made both 2 and 3 starts back but came up a “meh” 3rd last week – at 1 for 43 lifetime, he’d need to be a pretty decent price to use on top here. (2) WHISKEY VENOM has been struggling since returning as a 3YO, and is 0 for 12 lifetime – sticking with others. (6) KILLER BEE DEO gets a tough draw after offering little in his Yonkers debut

RACE 8 – (3) JABBAR upset a NW20000 field from Post 7 four starts back and was a close 3rd behind LITTLE WI LLY and VERDUN last week – he’s having an excellent season, and looms a major threat tonight. (5) PANETTONE HANOVER was sharp out of town (for a barn on fire in 3 different states) and did kick home with plenty of pace from an impossible spot last week – much better draw tonight, and a very live player. (2) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A barely avoided a terrible shuffle last week but was quickly empty after shaking free – he did turn a sharp victory the start before (dropping out of the Borgata Series), and THAT version would make him very dangerous here. (6) THE GREEK FREAK definitely feels well off his best game right now but WOULD have a chance if he could produce one of his better efforts – would give him a look IF the price creeps high enough. (1) THIRSTY THURSDAY outran much easier 2 back but lacked pop off a cover trip last week – facing much tougher now, and will need to be a lot better. (7) HEZA RISK TAKER A remains winless since arriving in the U.S. and he’ll look more appealing NEXT week, with a class drop (and hopefully better draw). (8) MAJOR HOTHHOOVES N lands in a brutal spot for his local debut – pass for now. (4) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK finished way back in his first try after 6 months off

RACE 9 – (1) INTIMIDATION and (4) TASTE OF HONEY were racing 2nd and 3rd over last week when MAD RIVER ran out badly from the pocket on the final turn, wiping out BOTH of them – would consider using both tonight, as either is capable of getting the job done here. (6) JAHAN HANOVER has some less than stellar current form but he figures to be more aggressive with tonight’s class drop, and could be a player on his best effort. (2) WIN DSUN RICKY has been off his game for a while but always seems to eventually get things going again – logical wake up spot, and the tote board may even offer some clues. (5) JMS FINAL TREASURE just throws way more clunkers than good ones – sticking with others. (7) GREG THE LEG offered nothing in his first 9 starts this year but at least offered a brush last week– keep an eye for any further improvement. (3) MACH N CHEESE struggled badly in his qualifier (new barn) after a break upstate the start before. (8) MAD RIVER was running out in turns last week, finally crashing badly on the final bend – now he also has Post 8 to deal with!