Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, June 9, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) MC ANGEL certainly seemed happy returning to her old barn last week, slingshotting off cover to blow by for a very easy victory – legitimate chance to make it 2 in a row. (3) ULTIMATE SPEED hit board in all 4 starts since dropping to 25s, though has yet to find the winner’s circle – she may be handled more aggressively here with the move inside, and looms a very logical threat. (6) TH RIZZO finished ok from an impossible spot last week after dropping in for the $25K tag – draws poorly once more, but does have some appeal with that 12-1 ML price. (8) BOUT DAMN TIME A is almost always in the hunt, but has been extremely camera shy over the past 2 seasons – she moves up tonight AND draws Post 8, but she also lands in a barn that wins at a very high % - worth at least a look with that 15-1 ML price. (2) ONEDERFULBEACH drops from 50s to 25s but isn’t on her best game right now – still has to be considered for the bottom of exotics. (1) ADALECIA used a perfect trip to just beat cheaper last time – it’s not out of the question that she can be a threat here too, but that 9/5 ML price makes her far less attractive. (4) DISTANT LOVER had no chance in her first start back since Jan. – could be tighter tonight, but would still like to see a better effort before considering. (7) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL struggles to beat 20s – now 7 hole vs. 25s!

RACE 2 – (2) SHEER ARTISTRY N has been coming up a little short vs. some very tough mares and takes an appropriate drop into a $50K claimer – may have found a winning spot. (1) WAITFOREVER N was blocked all through the stretch last week or might have been right there on the wire – she’s looking at a good trip here (top or pocket), and will get her chance to make amends. (5) WIN WITH LYNNLY gave it a big try on the front end last week before getting collared by the dream trip winner – she’s proven herself in this class, and should have her usual say tonight. (4) OVER ICE really wasn’t bad in her last couple considering she wasted value energy on aborted leave attempts both times – she gets Yannick back, and is a good one to include in exotics. (3) LAURIE LEE came up weak returning to YR last week and is just 1 for 23 locally over the past 2 years– sticking with others (6) SWEET ODDS is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.

RACE 3 – (6) HEZA RISK TAKER A is still looking for his first U.S. victory and gets yet another bad draw – on the flip side, he’s held his own vs. MUCH better than these, and may be able to overcome Post 6 with just a bit of trip luck. (1) GINGRAS BEACH was deceptively good 2 back and can be forgiven for finishing behind a pair of pretty nice rivals last week – legitimate threat! (3) INTIMIDATION steps up off a powerful win vs. cheaper, but he can hold his own at this level too – definitely ok for exotics. (2) SPLASH BROTHER turned in a pretty nice qualifier at PcD after 7 months off (behind the very talented DANDY IDEAL) but was no factor at all in his first start back – would only give him a look if the price was very juicy. (4) SHIPMASTER was battling much better in his first few local starts but was dull 2 back then no good at all last week – his best effort makes him dangerous here, but hard to take a short price off that last effort. (5) WINDSUN RICKY was a bit better last week but can’t really say he was “good” – will need to up his game quite a bit more to be a player tonight

RACE 4 – (5) THE GREEK FREAK went through a recent rough patch but looked MUCH better last week, charging home for 3rd from a difficult spot – he’s no stranger to the Yonkers winner’s circle, and looms the one to catch and beat tonight (with additional class relief). (1) TH COLBY recently returned for his 4YO campaign and has really sharpened, arriving from Chester off a win last week in a HIGHER class – he was an excellent 2nd in his only local try last year (behind CAPTAIN MOORE A), and looms the main danger! (2) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR was able to cash in a perfect pocket trip last week as the leader tired in the lane – may be able to chase the top pair around the oval tonight. (3) REALLY BRIGHT couldn’t sustain his first over bid well enough last week and weakened to 3rd in his YR debut – chance for a small piece in this tough spot. (6) SPEAKER OF PEACE has been good for ages, but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from out here. (4) JUST ENUFF STUFF is capable of big miles, but it’s been some time since we’ve seen one from him

RACE 5 – Wide open! (5) FARKLE flashed some ability last year (out of town) - he recently returned for his 4YO campaign and after a couple of horrible draws, he looked much better in his last couple of starts (at Tioga) – one of several with a chance to take this. (3) SWEET JOEL appreciated the class relief and was a close 2nd in his local debut – logical player for sure, but note that he’s still seeking his first victory, and did lose to a horse that was 1 for 43 coming into last week! (6) DRAMAS A hails from our leading barn and is sure to be well backed tonight – he’s also been fairly ordinary in his 5 U.S. starts, and could be vulnerable once more. (4) HURRIKANE LILLOUIE shows efforts that are all over the map – he goes without Lasix tonight and IF he decides to bring one of his better miles, he’d have at least a chance at the upset. (8) ART IN HEAVEN won a couple of times as a 2YO and has been facing tougher so far to start off his 3YO campaign – would have been listed higher if not for the dreadful draw. (1) ALL INITTOWINIT is winless in 19 career starts but showed marked improvement in his last Chester effort, and draws the pole for his Hilltop debut. (7) KILLER BEE DEO looked good winning a pair of Monti starts as a 2YO but still seems to be finding his game early in his 3YO season – tough spot. (2) WHISKEY VENOM was no factor at all in his local debut and currently just 13-0-1-1 lifetime

RACE 6 – (4) HEMSWORTH N landed on a perfect trip 2 back and charged home for the victory – he was too far back to threaten in his last, but his crisp finish suggests that he’s still on top of his game – maybe they’ll mix things up enough for him to use his late kick once more. (1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A avoided a bad shuffle 2 back but then came up empty once clear – he got to cut the mile last week, but was collared late with no real excuses – major threat for sure, but may end up overbet from this spot. (5) ALWAYS A THRILL brought a good one last start, wiring the field from Post 7…but after a driver’s objection by Bongiorno, he was disqualified for interference and placed 3rd – he’s missed some time since then, so it’s anybody’s guess what we’ll get from him tonight. (3) FORWARD FL ASH has been good all year long, currently 9-4-3-1 at Yonkers on the season – he’ll be asked to take on some pretty tough older foes for the first time tonight, and we’ll see if he’s up for the task! (2) THIRSTY THURSDAY started the year off strong but regressed in his last pair – could probably use a conservative trip tonight. (6) BONDI LOCK DOWN A is almost always in the mix but doesn’t win all that often – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause

RACE 7 – (5) IMA PERFECT CHOICE was sent off at less than 1/5 last week but found himself unable to get the job done after allowing the classy AMERICAN DEALER N to have things way too easy on the lead, unable to reel him in despite pacing his own back half in :55 seconds – deserves a chance to make amends, but be careful about taking TOO short a price tonight! (3) BETTOR NOT takes on more seasoned rivals tonight but he’s been consistent for weeks, and should be able to have a big say here too. (4) JETT STAR N found himself in a VERY easy spot last week and gave his struggling barn its first winner in some time – we’ll see if he can follow that up with another good effort against this tougher crew. (1) MYSWEEETBOYMAX was pulled up here on 5/26 but his 6/3 qualifier suggests it was no major issue – he’ll surely make his presence felt from the pole. (6) KEVIN KLINE N picked up his first U.S. win last week but benefited from a good trip, vs. much cheaper – not sure he can have the same impact vs. these. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK finished way up the track in both of his 2026 starts – pass for now

RACE 8 – (1) BLUE LOU hasn’t won in a while but he’s hit board in 8 of 10 local starts this year, and likely looking at a very good trip tonight – we’ll give him the narrow edge in a well matched field. (6) COPPERFIELD wasn’t able to keep it going on the lead last week (after making the top from Post 7) but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to do it tonight – he brings some big efforts, and worth a look at a good price. (2) SOHO DOW JONES A isn’t always the most reliable player but the ability is there, he gets Zeron tonight and his barn has been “extra” hot lately – would be no surprise at all. (3) JABBAR is having a very strong year, and a live trip could help him land somewhere on the ticket. (4) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A went a scary 1:51.3 mile last week, one of the barn’s four (super) winners that night – he was re-claimed by his previous connections, faces tougher now, and probably looking at a much tougher trip. (5) INVISIBLE N has held form very nicely as he’s climbed up the class ladder but may be coming from too far back tonight to do any serious damage.

RACE 9 – (7) PAPI RICK flashed some ability at 2 and has come back very good at 3, going some excellent miles vs. PASS competition – he has more than enough talent to overcome the draw in his local debut, but he has made a couple of miscues in the past…worth a play as long as the price is fair. (3) BETTORS DESIRE raced well in a couple of PcD starts before returning to Yonkers last week, and put in a solid effort here too (made up good ground to the top of the lane before leveling off a bit) – the barn had a good night here on Monday, and this guy could be worth a look at a price. (4) ADAM CHEESEHEAD has 4 local tries, picking up a pair of wins and a pair of 2nds – have to respect his chances. (5) TWIN B FRESH BET has been in the mix on a pretty weekly basis, but is still winless at Yonkers (and just 2 for 33 overall) – remains a good one to include underneath. (8) QUOTE ME NOT has gone some nice efforts vs. classy claimers but really disappointed last week when dropping way down to this level, and left alone on the lead – it’s too soon to write him off after that one effort, and he could come up with a better try tonight…even from out here. (1) PERFECT CABERNET’s efforts have been all over the place to start off his career – really not sure what to expect from him in his YR debut! (6) ALABAMA LUCKY came into his last at 1 for 43 lifetime but was able to double that win total with a nice trip victory – may be looking at a much tougher journey tonight. (2) HURRICANE EXPRESS took home minor pieces in his 2 local tries and could be looking at more of the same tonight.