Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, June 24, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Some interesting newcomers in tonight’s opener: (4) PETEZA flashed some ability at 2 before quickly going on the shelf – he was sent off at 2-1 in his first start back at 3 (in a minor Ohio stake) but probably bled that night (as he returned on Lasix the next week) – he jogged in his next, then turned in a pretty nice 8 hole try for 5th (chasing a VERY hot 3rd quarter) – his last start produced an impressive 8 hole win at Northfield, and he debuts tonight for new connections– we’ll hop on board (1) PINE BUSH LANDAU has been a different horse since adding hopples, going 2 for 2 at Pocono to start off his 3YO campaign – could be the main danger if he continues to behave. (7) SERENITY AS broke in KY in her first start back at 3 but re-qualified at Chester then trotted a sharp final half to charge on by for the win last week – seems like the talent is there, but the filly will need some trip luck to get it done from out here. (8) AJAZ BLUE CHIP definitely has ability but also draws Post 8 after another miscue last week – he may be content just to stay trotting tonight, especially after landing out here. (5) CAPTAIN WILLIE has been on the improve in Canada and debuts for his new crew tonight after recently breaking his maiden – leaning to others, but can still see him outperforming that 20-1 ML price. (6) ZUZU ZOOM was a game winner in her YR debut but it was a very slow mile, and she did struggle on the final bend – tough draw for tonight. (3) CHATTY MATTIE had to re-qualify after a couple of breaks – keep an eye for next time. (2) CORE VALUES stays trotting, but feels a bi cheap

RACE 2 – (1) SHAKE IT just wasn’t any threat when 2nd best to EVER M last week but he goes to a new barn, gets a big post advantage, and that may help him to reverse last week’s decision (he’s been very sharp for some time). (6) EVER M also goes for another new barn tonight, not really a surprise since he’s now won 5 straight at this $25K level – he faces a tougher task from this much tougher spot, but he should also be a much better price…too sharp right now to leave off your tickets. (5) SIMPLY FAST was reclaimed by the barn for whom he won 3 starts back – he’s a bit of a question mark at this $25K level but his chances definitely go up if the pace gets contested. (2) ALWA YSCUTTINSCHOOL has been no factor in 3 starts since returning from OH but he’ll likely be sitting closer to the action tonight, and that may help him land a share. (3) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN is much better on the lead but still couldn’t make it hold up last week – guessing he won’t be cutting the mile tonight, and that can hurt his chances (4) GREAT SOMEWHERE has been struck on minor pieces and likely facing the same result here. (7) DONTBOT HERMENONE N never got in play when stuck in the back last week and could have that same issue tonight

RACE 3 – (1) ADALECIA’s local form is mixed for sure but she was a pocket trip winner at this level 3 back, and likely looking at another good trip tonight – we’ll give her the narrow edge. (4) BELLA ARTISTE was well backed in her only local try but got caught in a bad shuffle and lost all chance – she shows wins from both on and off the pace out of town, and could be a much bigger player tonight…with a better trip. (5) EVENINGSTARZRAPSODY was an EASY winner at 35-1 last week, just the latest “instant turnaround” for a barn that has had enjoyed major success with these types for the last couple of years – tougher spot here, but can’t be counted out. (7) RACIN FOR ROYALTY was a sharp first over winner last start but she never seems to race as well when she draws poorly– needs to be a nice price to be worth using on top. (6) STONECOLD GIRL feels like she may be improving, but tonight’s draw is going to hurt. (2) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ has been off her best game, but an easy trip gives her a chance for a piece. (3) PURAMERI is 1 for 42 at YR over the last 3 seasons – minor spoils only

RACE 4 – (3) SAMMY JO HANOVER kept some good company at 2 and 3, earning $250K along the way – her 4YO season has started off a little slow, but she’s been facing better than these out of town and may appreciate tonight’s seemingly much easier spot. (5) CRYSTAL COAST looked like she was going to be 2nd best to a stickout last week but flattened a bit in the lane, ending up 3rd – still worth a look here, if the price is right. (4) SEND IT DO WN SLIM was also a big earner at 2 and 3 but she’s still looking for her first victory as a 4YO– she MAY beat these tonight, but that even-money ML price is just way too low! (2) GABBYS WISH hit board in 2 of her 3 local tries last year and has a chance for a small slice tonight. (6) BLAZING QUEEN was a dull 4th in her local debut and now lands all the way outside. (1) BELL OF LAZARUS looked well short last week, returning from the long layoff

RACE 5 – This race shapes up as a two-horse affair (who will probably finish 1-2, if they both stay trotting): (3) MI NOAN drew Post 8 for his Yonkers debut last week but made the lead easily and was an effortless winner in a very sharp 1:55.3 mile – he would have been 5 cents on the dollar tonight (in the same class) if not for the presence of (1) HIGHLANDSTARBURST, who ALSO won at this level (from Post 7) in the same 1:55.3 last November – she’s dropping from the clouds here, and SHE would have been 5 cents on the dollar if not for #3! (4) PRESS had been a good roll before a miscue derailed his chances last week – good chance for a piece, if he rebounds with a clean mile. (6) DWOOD took too long to find his gear last week but did finish well once he did – chance to rally for a good chunk tonight. (2) BOOM CHICA BOOM is just 2 for 45 but she stays trotting and will be sitting close to the action here – chance to last for a share, if she doesn’t get tired chasing. (7) MAMY WATA set herself up with a good trip last week but squandered it – will likely be coming from too far back tonight. (5) RAUCOUS arrives from Canada and will probably be handled conservatively here – keep an eye for next time. (8) SHADY MAPLE BECKY moves to a new barn and ends up with Post 8 in a ridiculously tough field for this class.

RACE 6 – (7) SEVEN LAYER just didn’t fire his best shot last week and saw his 2 race winning come to an end – he gets Holland back on board tonight, and we’ve seen him rebound in the past – could offer some decent value with the bad draw. (3) BO SILAS raced very well for his new barn 2 back but was offstride before the start in his last – another looking to rebound tonight…and worth a look. (2) HALFADOZEN stayed inside and went from last to the pocket from turn three to the final bend last week – he didn’t have enough up the cones to win (when clear into the stretch) but was still a close 2nd - he’s capable, if he brings his best. (1) MONI MAN took too long to put away the tiring leader last week and that left him short when it mattered most – his overall recent form is solid, he has the pole and could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (5) MARIN COUNTY hasn’t been as effective since moving up to this level but he hasn’t been “bad”– small piece? (4) GLOBAL TWIST enjoyed a huge lead last week despite cutting modest fractions…but still gave way and finished 5th – he’ll need to be a lot better if he hopes to beat these. (8) BIZ ZY BRENDA never found a great gear last week but she kept on coming and was able to ultimately prevail in a race that just fell apart completely – will be hard to match that from Post 8, though. (6) HL OLMAYA wasn’t bad last time (off a long layoff) but faces tougher tonight, and from a bad post

RACE 7 – (1) ROYAL DESIRE was scratched lame on 5/26 but qualified back sharply 9 days later, then raced very well last week (full of pace after shaking free in the lane, almost grabbing 2nd) – he won 6X last year, and may be ready to pick up his first victory of 2026. (2) JUST ENUFF STUFF is capable of big efforts but just hasn’t found one in sometime – he lands all the way at the bottom level tonight, draws inside, and may finally be ready for a wake up call. (4) OPTICAL ILLUSION N took too long to put away the leader last week and it left him with too little at the end – still finished 2nd, though, and should be a big part of the equation tonight, as well. (3) KIMBLE A gets a long overdue inside draw and will get a chance to be a bigger part of the action – good week to include him in exotics. (8) MAD RIVER was surprisingly good (Post 8) two back, then an ok 4th last week (first over) – decent bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A is the rare import that just never clicked for this outstanding barn – leaning elsewhere. (7) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER draws poorly, and just seems to race much better away from Yonkers. (6) DEALERS TURN is 1 for 40 over the last 2 years, and just 1 for 27 here at The Hilltop

RACE 8 – (1) IDEAL SKIES did a nice job holding 2nd last week behind the fire-breathing, runaway winner – she recently won 3 straight at this level, including a start for the barn that just re-claimed here – deserves the nod from this spot. (5) BECA MITCHELL has burned some $$ here in the past but did rally nicely in her last pair – chance for some late heroics if they battle a bit up front. (3) TH RIZZO is just 1 for 19 this year and has failed the last 3X she was sent off favored – she seems to struggle at the end of her miles, and we’ll see if dropping to 20s helps her last a bit better. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA is still winless on the year but did hit board in 4 of her last 5 starts – remains a very viable candidate for the bottom of exotics. (6) LUCKY LIL LADY raced better last week, her 3rd local start – may have listed her a bit higher if not for the bad draw. (7) IRIS SEELSTER has just one win this year, coming 3 starts back into a slow final quarter – not sure she can get close enough to threaten from out here. (4) QUICK MEN U’s lone win this season came in a “fall apart” race, and her overall form has been lacking

RACE 9 – (2) FOXHUNT has 4 wins this year and the last 2 have come for his current barn – one of several with a chance to take this, but he does draw inside all of the others. (3) ITALIAN LAD N raced well in many of his starts after dropping to 25s this March but never did pick up a win – he tries 20s tonight, and that may help get him over the hump. (4) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY picked up a 3rd at this level 3 back, then beat a NW5000 field the next week – no chance spot in last, but definitely could have a real say tonight. (6) PINK FLOYD HANOVER is usually a player most weeks but just hasn’t won in some time – tonight’s draw won’t help his chances, but it will elevate his odds. (5) TONTO RETURNS has shown that he can win when the trip goes his way – worth at least a look with that 15-1 ML price. (1) JMS FINAL TREASURE has just one start in 5+ weeks and it wasn’t a good one – he’s winless in 2026, and in need of a major wake up call. (7) JO PAS WARRIOR draws horribly and just never really clicked after being claimed by his current connections. (8) AUSSIE HANOVER is 0 for 41 at YR in 2025-26…and Post 8!