Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) DASH N CACHE knows how to win races here at Yonkers, currently 3 for 8 this year – she should be feeling pretty good about herself after winning at Monti last week (with an amateur driver), and now reuniting with Yannick (for whom she’s already won twice this season) – gets the slight edge. (6) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE recently returned from a long layoff and has been racing herself back into shape – her last local try was ok (finished with pace from a hopeless spot), and that 2nd to ELEGANT A at Tioga 2 back would make her very tough here – main danger. (3) DISARONNO HILL has struggled to WIN races lately, though often using her speed to grab good pieces – no reason she can’t land somewhere on the ticket tonight. (4) SWEET SANDY was a determined 3rd after a tough trip last week, and did squeeze out a win here 4 back – ok for underneath. (2) DUCK INTO THE NITE has just one 3rd from her 8 local starts over the last 2 years but it did come 2 starts back – maybe 3rd/4th tonight? (1) THATS A HUGE BEACH has been way off form for some time, but the rail draw does give her a chance for some scraps. (7) STAY HAPPY has way more clunkers than good ones this year – sticking with others. (8) PINK RUBY pulled up with some issue on 6/2 and now lands Post 8 after being forced to re-qualify.

RACE 2 – (1) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N hit board in half of his 36 starts Down Under – he lands in very capable hands, and should be plenty tight off a pair of Pocono preps (with sharp final quarters, finishing right behind the talented LONG SHORE last week) – we’ll try him on top in his U.S debut. (5) JOEL AND THE JETS looked much better in his first try for a new barn last week and he has shown real ability (when right) in the past – we’ll see if he stays on an upward trend. (6) TWIN B FRESH BET showed that his eye-popping 1:52 mile two back wasn’t a fluke, scoring in 1:52.4 the next start – he does get a tougher draw for tonight, however, and also loses Holland (his pilot in the last two starts) – still hard to ignore his chances. (2) ART IN HEAVEN used a perfect pocket trip to upend the favorite last week and should be looking at another nice trip tonight – chance to take home a good chunk. (4) ALL MY LOVIN still hasn’t clicked for his new barn but it’s way too soon to write him off – maybe he can have a bigger impact with tonight’s better draw. (8) ALABAMA LUCKY has been very good lately, even grabbing a pair of wins – faces a very tough task from out here, though. (3) HURRICANE EXPRESS keeps lagging for way too long before finding his stride – ok bomb for a piece with the inside draw. (7) HALF PAST MIDNIGHT finished way back last week and lands another terrible draw

RACE 3 – PARISS DRAGON was off to a slow start in 2026 but the classy $628K earner seems to be getting his act together right now (in Ohio), and draws the pole for his Hilltop debut – he catches a few legitimate rivals here, but still will be tough on his best game. (3) MACS DELIGHT has been racing ok vs. a bit easier in PA but he gets a big barn change for tonight, and he used to keep some pretty good company at one time – would be no surprise at all. (2) UDDERLY SWEET A is a fresh import for a barn that has enjoyed some success with these types over the years – can’t fault his qualifier, so perhaps the tote board will offer some more clues. (4) JABBAR is at a level now where he can be very dangerous, but also lands in a pretty tough field – playable on top, but only if the price is fair. (6) THENU CAME ALONG A wasn’t bad last week and his overall form (out of town) has been very good too – just a very tough assignment for tonight, though. (7) DUNKIN is used to facing the best on the grounds most of the time but he’s been away since 10/27 and his return qualifier wasn’t all that inspiring – prefer to just observe, for now. (8) JETT STAR N seems unlikely to ever get close to the action this week

RACE 4 – (4) SWEET JOEL was 2nd to a currently sharp ALABAMA LUCKY in his local debut, won the next week then came up 2nd best to a solid NY Excelsior colt in his last – deserves top billing in this modest field. (6) ENRIQUE HANOVER moved to a barn that routinely improves these types overnight and only took 2 starts to pick up a win (in an amateur race, at Chester) – guessing that he’ll fit well with the locals too! (5) DRAMAS A hails from our leading barn but he’s 0 for 7 since arriving from Down Under, with a couple of miscues along the way – would not shock, but does figure to be overbet. (2) OZZIES CRAZY TRAIN is on the upswing and the homebred arrives from PA odd a maiden-breaking victory– he MAY be a little bit cheaper, but we’’ find out more tonight. (7) KILLER BEE DEO raced better in his 3rd local start but has missed 3 weeks and draws Post 7 – minor piece? (3) FARKLE showed ability out of town at times but has yet to make an impression here at YR – maybe the move inside will help a bit? (1) WHISKEY VENOM is another that hasn’t shown all that much in 3 local starts – needs to be better. (8) MA TANZAS CREEK broke in his local debut and now draws Post 8 – good week to just observe

RACE 5 – (1) BETTER B BOLD missed a few weeks after a sick scratch, qualified back nicely then finished with good life (from a tough spot) vs. better last week – drops a bit, draws the pole, and should be up for an aggressive try tonight. (5) MATAI PHIL N seemed a little off his best for a couple of starts so sending him to Tioga for his last pair (a win and a 2nd) could have boosted his confidence – anything close to his best effort would make him a big threat! (7) AMERICAN DEALER N is up in class with a terrible draw but IF Gingras can fire him away to a quick start, he’d have at least a chance to be a contender…at a nice price. (4) ROCKET CITY A tends to hurt his own chances by getting too sluggish at times during his miles – he does have 2 wins from 8 local tries, but others just have more appeal in here. (8) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A has struggled in several recent tries and draws Post 8 – his best effort would make him a threat here, but what are the chances that we’ll see it from this very tough spot? (3) MYSWEETB OYMAX just lost interest in the back last week but has several other recent tries that could at least give him a chance for a small piece. (6) BOSTON BOUND was on a nice form spree not that long ago but now has strung together a string of disappointing efforts – not sure this is a spot to look for a wake up call. (2) TASTE OF HONEY has been much better in his last pair and is only listed on the bottom because of the triple class jump

RACE 6 – (3) ZEBS KRAFTY was used all of the fiery :26.1 opener last week yet somehow still had plenty of pace in the lane after shaking free – he’s been on an outstanding roll since arriving at Yonkers, and we’ll give him the nod over some pretty seasoned rivals. (4) BONDI LOCKDOWN A doesn’t win as often as he should but he’s been very good for a long time, and may just be a good trip away from a visit with the photographer. (6) MOMENT IS HERE has come up 2nd best in both local starts this year, but is now 0 for 11 here at Yonkers – tough draw, but still a chance for a piece if Gingras can find him a manageable trip. (2) BETTOR NOT has been stuck on smaller pieces for some time and seems destined for more of the same tonight…and will need a good trip just for that. (5) SON OF THE SHARK A finished 2nd to barnmate UDDERLY SWEET A in his Gaitway prep – maybe see how that one does (race 3), to get a better feel about this guy’s chances. (7) NONE BETTOR A may not be the FFAller he once was, but he’s still a solid race horse at age 13 – not sure he’ll be able to have much say tonight, though. (1) WINDSUN RICKY’s recent efforts have been disappointing overall, and usually vs. softer. (8) SPECULATING A has some good recent miles, but will be coming from well out of it tonight

RACE 7 – Good race! (6) DOWNBYTHEWATER gets a terrible draw in a very good field BUT he’s extremely sharp, and figures to be a pretty good price – one of several that could come out on top here, depending on trip. (4) BACKSTREET SHADOW is having a nice bounce back year, after looking like the end might be near in 2025 – the 11YO moves inside, handles any trip, and deserves plenty of respect here. (1) GORGEOUS BIG GUY was no factor (then broke) in his local debut but rebounded quickly last week, using a 2nd over trip to rally late for the victory – he steps up a bit but he can use the rail to work out a good trip, and that would put him right in the hunt. (3) COPPERFI ELD had a chance to cut the mile in a winnable spot last week but elected to sit pocketed instead, and was caught behind a tiring leader – this is a tougher field, but he’s good enough to have a big say with a good trip. (2) KWICK SAND A just missed to #1 last week in one of his typically sharp efforts – leaning a bit more towards others tonight, but he’d still be no surprise at all. (5) T H TYSON was able to pick up his first local win of the year last week in a gutsy effort – may find this crew a little tougher than he’d prefer, though. (7) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR figures to be coming from too far back to threaten tonight. (8) FEDERER has been solid for a long time out of town but lands behind the 8 ball for his Hilltop homecoming

RACE 8 – (1) SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A recently just missed in the Northfield Open, and that would surely make him a serious threat (from the pole) against this bunch…short price, but a big chance. (7) DELE ROW A was stuck in the back for the 3rd straight start last week but was pacing well at the wire – he was doing some good work against Borgata horse not long ago, and a big wake up call could be on the horizon…maybe even tonight? (3) KEAY ANG KAMIKAZE A drops back down, moves inside, and should have a much bigger say tonight – could easily land somewhere in the exotics. (6) ROCKNROLL GOLD won off the big barn change in NJ 3 back but was sent on a suicide mission here the next week (holding pretty well, considering the trip) – he finished with pace from an impossible spot at The Swamp in his last, and has a legitimate chance to outperform his 20-1 ML odds tonight. (5) THE IDEAL DANCER A used a live trip to win one level down last start but he can make some noise with these too, if the trip comes up as kind. (2) GINGRAS BEACH hasn’t won in some time but he’s held form nicely at these levels – chance for a minor piece. (4) INFLATION PROOF is good now, but tonight’s class jump may slow him down a bit. (8) BOOKEM DANNO draws Post 8 while showing just one start in 2 months

RACE 9 – (2) BANDERAS didn’t have much success here last year but 2 of his 3 starts were in the Messenger elim. and Final – he ships in off a nice stretch of efforts in KY, and gets his usual pilot to handle tonight’s local assignment – we’ll give him the narrow nod in what shapes up as a pretty good race. (7) RESILIENT N is the “x factor” in here – he qualified impressively over U.S. soil as he rallied crisply for 2nd behind Invitational barnmate CELTIC SPIRIT N, but it’s hard to guess how serious he’ll be from Post 7 in his first pari-mutuel start – let the tote board be your guide. (5) HEMSWORTH N brushed a little early last week and it left him a little light at the end – he’s been rallying nicely for a while now, and may be a late threat tonight. (1) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N is a tempting horse with the class drop and rail but he can be a little tricky to drive, and he’s getting a new pilot tonight – would want a decent price to try him on top. (3) ESCAPE TO AMERICA is riding a three race winning streak and while he’s obviously in raging form, he’s also benefited from kind trips vs. much softer – he MAY struggle just a bit vs. these tougher ones. (6) SOHO DOW JONES A remains just like a box of chocolates….you never know what you’ll get! (8) ALWAYS A THRILL dominated cheaper last week from the pole but faces a much tougher scenario tonight – if the tote board suggests that he may be leaving the gate, you may want to give him a bit more consideration. (4) LAS ER SPEED got Holland to jump off a couple of main clients to drive him last week, took ALL the $$ and wired the field easily – tonight’s task will be much tougher, however

RACE 10 – (8) FINVARRA A came up short in his first start off a long layoff (in a crisp mile) but turned in a big one in his next, battling hard a long way first over and still right there on the wire in 3rd – may be worth a stab tonight, even from out here. (3) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS has been racing well against these types in PA and now makes his first local try of the year – could be a in a good spot to do some damage. (6) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N was no threat last week but he wasn’t bad, either – he drops another notch, and may be ready to be a bigger player again. (7) PYRO was “sneaky ok” last time and not bad in his prior pair either – would probably give him a bigger look had he not drawn so poorly here. (1) HUNTINGFORCHROME will surely attract attention debuting for our leading trainer tonight but he was 0 for 19 the last 2 years for a pretty sharp barn – wouldn’t be shocked to see him perk up from this spot, but he seems certain to be overbet. (5) PROMISING MOMENT has a couple of good recent PA effort since returning from a layoff – minor spoils at a big price? (2) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A gave it a decent try at a big price last week but still seems a little overmatched here, even dropping in class. (4) ALL ALONE was good 3 back, but threw a couple of duds right after that – leaning elsewhere.