Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (4) BIG CITY DAISY came up a neck shy last week to FIGHT NOT FLIGHT and that mare came back to win her next start by 5 lengths – she’s a very tough player at this $20K level, and gets top billing for tonight. (3) RACIN FOR ROYALTY did well to take home 2nd from a tough spot last week and always races better when drawn inside – should be able to have a big say from this spot. (6) TH RIZZO exits our leading barn but moves to a trainer that has shown the ability to improve horses from wherever they come – she’s been inconsistent at best this year, but her best effort puts her right into the mix (2) HURRIKANE MARIGOLD doesn’t have the most appealing Delaware lines but she gets a big barn change and is eligible to at least hold her own with the locals. (1) IRIS SEELSTER’s lone win this year came a few starts back in a race that fell apart – if she stays reasonably close from the start, she can contend for a piece of this. (5) QUICK MENU doesn’t feel like a threat for one of the top slots in here but an easy trip could help her grab a minor share. (8) PURAMERI is just 1 for 44 locally (last 3 years) and draws Post 8 – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) PULL ME THROUGH was way back from a similar spot last week
RACE 2 – (5) NAPALM seemed much the best heading into last week’s race but she failed to improve at all at the start, found herself well back by turn three and her late rally was only enough to take home the place honors – gets a new pilot tonight and will be hard to knock off if Lachance gets her away to a better start…or at least gets her into the hunt a lot sooner. (4) PRECIUS GEMMA has won both career starts, though likely facing easier up at Monti – she may be a very good fit here too, but we’ll have a clearer picture after tonight. (7) BLAZING QUEEN was never involved last start but was pacing well at the wire – maybe she can have a bigger say tonight if Bongiorno can blast at the start, and put her in play. (2) DORAL DELIGHT probably should have been able to finish 3rd last week, and will need to be a bit better tonight if she hopes to contend for a board spot. (1) ODDS ON COMMANDEER was sitting a two hole trip last week when she just completely unraveled into the final bend – she seems to have a little ability, but also some issues…mixed feelings about her chances here. (6) SWIFT SARABI was a no factor 5th in her local debut, then disqualified to last for going inside some pylons – the task won’t get any easier from Post 6 tonight. (3) TINAS WISH has been away for a month after a recent sick scratch – sticking with others this week
RACE 3 – (2) THREECURTAINCALLS drew Post 8 for her local debut last week, took way off the car and was never close to contention – on the flip side, she has several recent PcD efforts that would make her a big threat here, and the guess is that we’ll see one of them tonight with the move inside. (7) YOULLFINDOUT won her first 2 YR starts before being forced to move up way up to take on tough older mares – she dropped back down for her last and absolutely charged home for 3rd, almost grabbing 2nd…worth a look at a nice price tonight, even with another awful draw. (3) TALL DARK TEQUILA was used a bit to make the top last week but should have been stronger at the end after stealing a :58.2 middle half – she can be a threat here, but will need to be a little sharper. (1) SAMMY JO HAN OVER was a short priced winner 2 back but it wasn’t a “pretty” victory – she was no factor at all in her last, and may be looking at only a smaller piece tonight, even with the rail draw. (5) JORDANNA HANOVER was overbet (again) last week and came up weak in the latter stages after being used a bit early on – leaning towards others for the bigger prizes. (4) BRONX MIXER has some nice effort this year but also a lot of miles that were just “meh” (like last week) – minor share only
RACE 4 – (1) HIMSELF N showed improvement in his first 2 starts off the claim then put it all together in his last, thrashing a field of 40s as the 1/5 favorite – he steps up to take on the 50s tonight, but seems sharp enough right to handle it. (4) IKNOWBETTER disappointed last week when he tired after establishing a two hole trip – he drops in class here, and can be a major danger if he brings his best effort. (3) OURMATEMENKO N is probably better suited at the $40K level but he’s been racing well for some time, and may be able to have a say tonight if the trip goes his way. (2) SHIPMASTER disappointed for a few starts but raced a bit better in his last couple, staying on for a 2nd and a 3rd – a close up trip could see him bring home another piece. (7) INVISIBLE N will be pacing hard at the end, but probably from too far back for more than a minor share tonight. (6) BET ON BIG JOE last line looks good on paper, but he really should have been able to win off the trip he landed on – he’s very tough in this class when on his best game, but may be looking at a tough trip starting from Post 6. (5) T H TYSON was no factor last week and now drops in for $50K – his overall recent form is very solid, and a good trip could help him grab a piece.
RACE 5 – (5) MINOAN made $151K at 2 and has looked good so far at 3, including a pair of easy local victories – he faces a few solid foes tonight, but he may be the best of all of them…and Karna did win with him from Post 7 on 6/17. (2) CAMERA MAN was a $168K earner as a 3YO and is doing some good work so far at 4 – could prove the main danger. (1) BRUHA shipped in sharp from PcD and was an excellent 2nd to SEVEN LAYER last week – he has speed from the rail, and figures to be a big player from start to finish. (4) DWOOD had good trot finishing in his first 2 local tries then just blew out the field last week, aided a bit by the favorite making a break, and the leader just quitting at 3/4s – he’ll be rallying late for sure, but may have 3 sharp ones in front of him when he turns for home. (8) WISHUPONASTAR DEO quit badly in the NY NY Mile last time but tonight’s addition of Lasix may explain the reason – the filly has talent, but may have to wait for a better spot to strut her best stuff. (3) HALFADOZEN just didn’t show up at all last week – she’s capable of better, and has a chance for a piece tonight if she bounces back with a better effort. (6) BIZZY BRENDA figures to be coming from too far back to do any real damage tonight. (7) MONI MAN used good trips to grab some small pieces but may have trouble ever getting close tonight
RACE 6 – (1) SERENITY AS arrived off a sharp win at Chester, rallied with plenty of trot from way back in her first local try then worked out a trip from Post 8 in her next, finishing 3rd behind the two favorites – she moves all the way inside tonight and we’ll give her top billing. (7) CHANT was a sharp winner last week, incredibly paying 18-1 after joining the leading barn in the nation (and after being favored here in her only other local try) – will need some trip luck to overcome tonight’s tough draw, but a real threat if she gets some. (3) RAUCOUS showed some better life in his 3rd local try, and may be ready to improve a bit more tonight – good one to include in exotics. (4) ZUZU ZOOM has a win, 2nd, and 3rd since arriving at Yonkers but does lose Stratton tonight – still worth including underneath. (2) AJAX BLUE CHIP has been a risky proposition (due to miscues) but has some ability when able to stay trotting – would want a good price to consider. (5) SHADY MAPLE BECKY hasn’t been any factor in 3 tries but draws a little better – we’ll see if that helps. (6) CORE VALUES was no factor at 69-1 in her only other local try. (8) FOREIGN XCHANGE may be improving a bit lately, but seems unlikely to get close from out here.
RACE 7 – (2) CALL ME ANGELITA dropped out of stakes action last week, added Lasix and dominated as the 3/5 choice – could be a very similar result tonight. (6) LOCHINVAR MATILDA finished 5th in her PARK MGM Filly Pace division but has otherwise been 2nd in all 3 Yonkers overnight races – might complete the exacta once again. (4) CRYSTAL COAST has been very consistent, hitting board in her last 4 local tries (and is now 13-1-4-5 at YR) – hard to leave her out of your exotics! (7) GABBYS WISH put in a very nice bid before weakening late two back then rallied crisply from an impossible spot in her last – she’s good enough to land a piece at a good price here, but will need some racing luck to overcome Post 7. (8) WAVE DANCER basically stole one last week, hitting the top in a soft field and capitalizing on the favorite racing from well out of it – will have a tough time pulling that off from this spot. However. (1) PAPIS OPINION was off a long layoff last week, got too hot early then chased a quick mile -license to at least be a bit better tonight. (5) MILAGRO was 13 for 29 at 3 (mostly PA fairs) but s 0 for 12 to start off 2026 and has been away for 23 days – leaning elsewhere. (3) SEND IT DOWN SLIM is now 0 for 12 this year yet takes plenty of money almost every start – just no value with her right now
RACE 8 – (4) CURLY JAMES A must have regained some confidence after dropping down to 15s and crushing the field 2 back, as he was able to come back and easily handle the 20s the following start (at ten cents on the dollar!) – would normally label him a stickout in here but he does change barns, & that adds at least an element of uncertainty. (3) ITALIAN LAD N was an outstanding 2nd two back (despite a brutal trip) but he surprisingly took NO $$ in his next start, and raced accordingly – his best effort would make him a player here, so check the tote board for some clues. (5) FOXHUNT could only manage a steady 4th last week after winning two straight just prior to that – he has 5 wins on the season, and could be a threat here if #4 fails to bring his best. (1) LOUS BEACH drops down to the level where he’s most effective BUT he’s been away for 4 weeks – hard to know what to expect tonight. (2) THEM ASKEDCRUSADR N is 0 for 20 on the year but the good draw at least puts him in play for a small piece. (6) GRE AT SOMEWHERE and (7) AUSSIE HANOVER both saved ground and brought home small pieces as a result last week – either could do the same tonight, with the same opportunistic trip. (8) MINOTAUR was unable to get in play in his last pair and it won’t get any easier from Post 8
RACE 9 – (2) HAPPY JACK B has struggled so far at 4, largely because he’s been facing some VERY tough competition out of town – he has over $500K on his card, was 2nd here to SUPER CHAPTER as a 2YO then a close 3rd in the Yonkers Trot last year – hard to imagine him getting beat dropping into this much softer spot, but he did make a rare miscue last week, for those looking for any reason to take a shot against him. (5) MATTHEWS shipped in off a pair of Pocono wins and was a nice 2nd behind the talented HIGHLANDSTARBURST – may be able to complete the exacta once more. (4) CHAPTER GEO J’s efforts have been a bit mixed, but he did storm home to pick up a nice victory (over the favorite) last week – could easily be part of the exotics tonight, as well. (3) GOYA had a win, 2nd and 3rd here at Yonkers before last week’s costly miscue – a clean mile gives her a chance for a small piece. (1) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO does her best when allowed to relax early, and rally late – always a chance for a piece. (6) MESSENGER HANOVER has some ok lines out of town but has been a chronic disappointer here at Yonkers – leaning elsewhere, (7) PRESS draws horribly, and broke in his last 2 local outings. (8) TREGARON is 1 for 26 over the last 2 years (in Canada) and draws Post 8 for his local debut
RACE 10 – (4) ALADDIN was winless for a long time before that victory on 6/18 but he came right back and took another last week…legitimate chance to get the “threepeat”! (5) IM SOME GRADUATE finished alertly from an impossible spot last week – he’s overdue for a big effort, and not a bad one to include on your tickets. (1) SMOOTH LOU hasn’t been good at all recently but he moves to a barn that can turn one around in a hurry, and a form reversal is not out of the question. (8) MR PROFETA picked up a solid 3rd from a tough spot last week – hard to see him finding a manageable trip from out here, but still worth at least a look at a big price. (7) BLACK HAWK JOE A has some good efforts to his credit but would look a lot more appealing with an inside draw – faces a tough assignment from out here. (2) MACH N CHEESE felt like the red flags were waving heading into last week (class drop, off a good effort, and a sick scratch) and sure enough, he came up terrible – iffy at best right now. (3) BROWER was easier to steer last start but still finished way back – waiting for better signs. (6) FRANCO NANDOR N has offered little lately.
