Monday, July 13, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, July 13, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) EVER M has beaten the 25s 7 straight times but has struggled a bit vs. the 30s – he steps up seeking his 5th straight, and this bunch is easier than the $30K fields he had been facing – may be able to keep the streak alive (3) OVERTHINKING is much better in 30s than 40s and picked up a 2nd off the drop last week– he also looked a bit “ouchy” , and maybe that’s why Bongiorno kept him glued to the cones – maybe a bit vulnerable? (4) LYONS BENJAMIN wasn’t great last week but he was also hurt by poor cover– he’s won a lot of races here the past 2 years, and has a real chance to outrace that 15-1 ML price. (1) NAMASTE HANOVER picked up 3rds in his last 2 local tries but it’s hard to say that he was “sharp” – leaning to others for the top slot. (5) RAYRAY still hasn’t been 1st or 2nd this year but he’s picked up 3rds in half of his 14 local tries– never a bad one for the bottom of tris and supers! (6) THONG CONTROL landed on a dream trip last week and was able to cash in– may have to settle for a more modest piece tonight with the bad draw. (8) JK STEVES SPIRIT went as far as he could on the lead last week before tiring to 3rd – won’t get any easier from Post 8. (7) WAVEMAKER will be coming from last – tough to like his chances 

RACE 2 – (8) MUSIC HALL had the rail when the card was canceled last Monday and looked like a very solid play – obviously the task becomes MUCH tougher from Post 8, but it also means a much better price…and he did win at this level back on 5/18. (5) JON I LOVE DAT made nearly a quarter of million dollars at 2 and 3 but his 4YO starts have been all over the map – he made a break 2 back and finished up the track in his last BUT he does move to a sharp barn for tonight and is worth considering…even if Bartlett takes #7 instead. (3) ROYAL DESIRE came back in April for his 2026 campaign and has been steadily sharpening – chance to pull off an upset here with the right trip. (1) SAMHARA N has really been struggling, and hasn’t hit board in 7 straight starts – maybe he can have a little more success from this spot? (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N was 2nd two back then scored off a perfect trip in last – steps up and draws poorly, and that may limit him to a smaller share. (2) GDS THUNDER GB easily handled a very soft field last week and that 2-1 ML price just seems way too low – willing to use underneath. (7) HUNTINGF ORCHROME struggled for 2 years for one of our top barns but that didn’t stop the public for sending him off as the favorite with last week’s barn change – he ended up crawling home from the top of the lane and it’s hard to endorse him tonight…even if Bartlett takes him. (4) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL has struggled since returning from Ohio 

RACE 3 – Tough race! (3) EVER HOPING A had no chance in his first start off the claim (8 hole) but did finish with pace – could be dangerous tonight with the move inside (and Bartlett), but note that he hasn’t won here since 2024! (5) HEAVEN ON HIGH N hasn’t beaten the 30s yet but he did finish 2nd in 3 of his last 4 starts – the good draw may result in a winning trip. (7) ALTA CLASSIC A got a little tired chasing a hot mile in 40s last week, just losing 2nd near the wire – he drops back down to 30s and was a winner in his last 2 tries at this level, with one victory actually coming from off the pace (not usually his favorite trip) – he did have a good draw last week when the card was canceled, and faces a MUCH tougher trip tonight…but will also be a much bigger price. (1) ROCKNR OLL GOLD weakened in his last 2 local tries but tonight’s move to 30s may help his cause – he’ll surely be making his presence from the pole, and worth considering if the price is right. (4) PEACE OUT POSSE isn’t the most consistent horse on the planet but he has three recent wins in this class, and would be hard to leave off your tickets if the price is decent. (5) PRETTY LOU won in PA in his 2nd start off the barn change, taking a new lifetime mark – he MAY be a little cheaper than these, but we’ll find out more tonight. (8) MIND HUNTER was racing off a sick scratch last week but still raced super off the claim, easily holding 2nd even after the fire-breathing winner drew off in a sizzling 1:51.2 mile – obviously a brutal spot tonight, but still worth a look if the price gets really juicy. (6) CAV IART SARGENT is generally not a threat to win, but does grab some decent pieces at big prices. 

RACE 4 – (3) YOUNG BLUEY A is a legitimate Invitational player and can be forgiven for finishing 2nd in PA in his last (pacing a final quarter in :26.1 and still unable to gain on the absolutely raging BLUE CHIP, who won Sat. night in NJ in 1:46.4) – feels like he’s in a winning spot. (1) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE came up empty last week but drops back down to a more comfortable level, and draws the pole – could be a bigger player this week. (2) BLUE LOU hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since February but he generally races well every week, and has hit board a bunch of times – can do that here too. (5) EVILEYE FLEEGLE was struggling in cheap classes at Hoosier but elevated his game dramatically after being acquired by the leading barn in the nation, winning back to back starts (including one here last week) – tougher spot, but maybe he’s up for it. (4) BONDI LOCKDOWN A is moving up 2 classes without the benefit of a recent win, but he is racing well enough for a chance at a small piece, with an easy trip. (6) JUMPINGJACKMAC N hasn’t been all that sharp but was able to win his last when the race fell apart – much tougher spot tonight, however. 

RACE 5 – (1) BETTOR BY SEASIDE had no prayer after drawing Post 8 vs. the 50s last week but he draws the pole tonight as he drops back down to 40s…the level he just beat twice on the front end – very dangerous with a similar effort. (5) LYRICAL GENIUS was reclaimed by the barn for whom he picked up back to back wins at the end of May, with Bartlett at the lines – deserves plenty of respect as his connections look for some déjà vu! (3) YOR OKOBI N hasn’t won at this level (so far), but he’s always competitive and finishing with good pace – could be a late threat if things fall apart a bit. (4) MANFERNO is a proven winner at this level, usually going off at very short prices – his best effort would make him very dangerous tonight but he does come off an absolute clunker in his last – moves to a barn that has done amazing work off the claim, and we’ll see if that last effort was just one bad blip. (2) BONDI SHAKE N is as camera shy as they come, but has been racing “well” for a long time – he does grab pieces, often at big prices. (6) INTIMIDATION has been racing well as he’s been climbing back up the class ladder but may be limited to minor spoils from this tough spot. (8) STELLAR YANKEE would have a chance to make some noise from a good post, but figures to be sitting too far back to threaten tonight. (7) ROCKIN JUKEBOX exits a barn that is winning at an incredible rate at THREE different tracks right now, and draws Post 7 off a total clunker. 

RACE 6 – (5) SPEAKER OF PEACE was curtailed by bad posts in 3 of his last 4 starts but just missed (first over) the one time he drew decently – he’s been a very solid player for a long time, can handle any trip, and we’ll give him the narrow vote tonight. (2) THE GREEK FREAK would be very tough in this spot if even close to 100% but he just hasn’t been at his best for some time – still a solid chance, but wouldn’t take too short a price on top right now. (7) AMERITRIC comes off a pair of very sharp wins over lesser for a barn that’s been sending out some razor sharp winners lately– the money usually shows up on the tote board, so give this guy an extra look if he seems very “live” . (4) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A was a decent 3rd two back and a pocket rocket winner last week – faces tougher here, but may be sharp enough to still grab a piece. (1) GINGRAS BEACH was dull last start but his overall body of recent work isn’t bad – ok for minor spoils. (3) DUNKIN went on the shelf in October, didn’t look all that good in his qualifier and definitely didn’t look any good in his first start back – watching for better signs. (6) WINDSUN RI CKY drops, but he draws poorly and just hasn’t fired in a bunch of recent efforts. (8) BOOKEM DANNO trailed all the way from a similar spot last week 

RACE 7 – (1) STERLING CHOICE was 6 for 6 here last year and while his 2026 credentials are more modest, he’s still established himself as a legitimate player at these top levels – he gets co-owner Mr, Bartlett back on board tonight, and has a chance to pick up his first Open victory. (2) CAPTAIN MOORE A has $84K on his card this year but would probably have quite a bit more if not for a bunch of tough spots/trips – he’s eligible to be a big threat here, especially getting a fresh set of live hands. (3) VERDUN just toured the oval from Post 8 last week but the classy 6YO picked up 3 wins and 3 seconds from his 6 starts prior to that – remains very dangerous, but won’t offer any value with that 8/5 ML listing. (5) HOWLENTHEHILLS raced well from very tough spots in his last 2 Invitationals – he’s been away a month, however, and also draws outside some very live players. (4) GORGEOUS BIG GUY was very sharp taking his 2nd straight last week but faces considerably tougher now, and will have to prove that he can hang with these too. (6) ESCAPE TO AMERICA is in career form right now but seems buried with the combination of a big class jump AND Post 6! 

RACE 8 - (6) SWEET BEACH LIFE is having an outstanding Yonkers season, currently 9-4-3-2 since a 4th place finish in his first start of the year (in the Borgata) – he brings a 3 race winning streak into this, using different trips each week while beating some very nice horses – he may need to make a couple of moves to win from out here, but seems capable of doing so right now! (5) MOSSDALE BEN N came up 2nd best to the top choice on 6/22, that effort sandwiched between a win in last week’s Invitational, and his victory in the Battle of Lake Erie – he’s enjoying a terrific year, and looms a major threat once more. (1) SOHO FIRESTONE A just missed to the top choice 3 back and gave #5 a good tussle last week – he gets the best of the draw, and has to at least get a look with that 20-1 ML price. (2) CATALPA RESCUE A built back confidence winning three straight vs. cheaper then used a nice trip to win the Invitational on 6/15 – returns off a pit stop in Plainridge (2nd behind FOR ONCE INMY LIFE), and could show up late tonight with the right scenario. (4) PINNY TIGER A was on an incredible roll after arriving in the U.S. but went on the shelf after going down at 5 cents on the dollar on 2/14 – have to believe he’ll need at least a start before we can expect his best. (3) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH has been away for 3 months and returns for a low profile barn – prefer to just observe, for now. 

RACE 9 – (2) CHASE H HANOVER got off to a good start with a win in the first leg of this year’s Borgata Series but his form fell off just after that – he was recently freshened up, re-qualified for a new (top) barn, had a solid Pocono tightener, and will be very dangerous tonight…especially if he hits the top without too much trouble. (3) HEMSWORTH N was no factor last week but may have already been looking forward to tonight’s class drop – always dangerous in a spot like this. (1) VENGEANCE BLUECHIP paced a strong final half at Pocono last week, will be sitting close to the action tonight and could have a big say should the top pair falter. (5) THENU CAME AL ONG A was “sneaky ok” in his last pair, gets Bartlett, and is listed at 12-1 ML – couldn’t blame anybody looking to use him. (4) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A has disappointed more often than he’s delivered here at Yonkers, but he’s not out of the question, if the race falls apart. (8) PAPIS ROCKET earned nearly $500K at 2 and 3 but is still trying to find some consistency as a 4YO – won’t be easy to overcome the draw in his first local try of the season. (6) KEAY ANG KAMIKAZE A was handled aggressively vs. cheaper last week and up for the task – moves up, draws poorly, and figures to take a more conservative approach tonight. (7) TENZING BROMAC N gets a terrible draw for his YR return and is just 6-0-0-2 on the local scene 

RACE 10 – (3) ROCKET FREIGHT throws his share of duds but showed three back that he can still find a winning effort, with the right trip – may be able to take advantage of a contested pace in here as well, possibly producing a mild upset. (8) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY had the rail when the card was canceled last week and moves to the bottom of the program tonight…but if Buter can just float him out of there to a better early spot, he CAN beat these – and at a much better price than he would have been last Monday. (1) OZONE BLUE CHIP seemed like a live longshot when he drew Post 7 with Bartlett last week (canceled card) but now figures to be much more heavily backed (despite the 12-1 ML) – playable for sure, but make sure not to accept too short a price, as he’s having a pretty tough year. (5) HES SPECIAL is winless in 21 local starts over the past 2 years and just 2 for 31 overall – ok for underneath. (7) CYRUS N tends to get overbet every week, yet has no wins and just one 2nd from his 19 local starts in 2025-26 – chance to rally for a share. (4) CRUNCH HANOVER beat a few others while well back in his local debut – jury still out on him. (2) ITS MAHOMES A is 1 for 31 over the last 2 years, and 10-0-1-0 at Yonkers over the last 3 seasons – sticking with others. (6) BETTORBUCKLEUP has some ok recent tries, but figures to have a tough time getting in play from this spot.