Monday Empire Report

RACE 1 – (3) MIND HUNTER has been razor sharp for weeks so while his last 8 hole victory was hardly a shock,

the $61.50 was a major overlay...he’ll obviously be a lot shorter price tonight, but he’ll also be a better price than

the $3 he paid 6/18 – chance to score another (mild) upset. (1) TWIG is just a different horse in this barn and comes

into tonight off a pair of outstanding efforts – he’s clearly the one to catch and beat but he’ll be a very short price,

and the barn did have a few performers come up short last week. (2) CENTURY ENDEAVOR wasn’t at his best in

his last couple but he’s having an outstanding year overall, and MAY bounce back with one of his better efforts –

he’s also looking at a very nice trip, and could offer some value here. (4) JUST ENUFF STUFF may not be a big

threat to WIN here, but he’s usually finishing well and is eligible to grab a small share. (7) SHAKESPEARE has

won 3 of 6 since the barn change and does fit at this level when sharp – faces a tough task reaching from out here,

though. (5) SLING SHOCK was no factor at all in his last couple, but was racing very well just prior to that – we’ll

see how he does for a new barn tonight. (6) PINE BUSH ITALIANO was 31-0-1-1 at YR prior to tripping out and

beating cheaper last week – big step up (and bad draw) for tonight. (8) BECHERS BROOK A is 0 for 14 at Yonkers

this year and was routinely losing to cheaper before heading to Ohio for a few starts.

RACE 2 – (3) HEMSWORTH N failed to rally at Pocono last week but he was used every step of that :25.4 opening

panel and that’s just not his thing – in a field of class-droppers he’s getting the biggest drop of all...and this may be a

winning spot. (6) NONE BETTOR A comes out of the same PcD race as #3 and the classy 12YO finished with good

pace, making his first start since November...he didn’t have the greatest 11YO campaign but that last start was very

promising, and he’s very tempting at that 12-1 ML price. (4) THE BIGBOSS A hasn’t shown a huge “brush” so far

but he’s exhibited determination in his last few starts – could be dangerous with the right trip. (5) THE IDEAL DAN

CER A was used harder than he’d like last week and came up flat at the end – he’s one of many class droppers in

here, and he does tend to get overbet. (2) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK was uninvolved the last 3 starts but not too

far back he picked up 2 big upsets, and nearly a 3rd- good one for longshot fans. (1) NIGHT HAWK drops and draws

the rail but lands in a strong field, and just hasn’t been on his best game. (7) VICI failed to get in play from Post 8

last week and may suffer the same fate here. (8) ORLANDO BLUE A is the outsider – literally and figuratively.

RACE 3 – (4) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR hasn’t been at his best for some time, but it’s not like he’s been

“awful” – he moves to a new barn for tonight, and gets a driver who will likely give him the “relax and rally” trip he

prefers – may be able to perk up and score off the class drop. (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A returns off a pair of no

factor NJ tries, but lands in a spot well within his comfort zone – anything close to his best effort makes him

dangerous tonight. (1) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A avenged a close loss to WINDSUN RICKY two back with a nose

victory last week, and gets to stay in the same class (eligible at time of entry) – he’s also listed on the ML at 6/5, and

it just feels like the top 2 may offer better value. (3) RAYRAY built off an amateur win at Tioga with a perfect-trip

2nd here last week – he’s facing much tougher tonight, though. (6) ROYAL DESIRE is racing “ok”, but gets a tough

draw here, (5) KIMBLE A generally needs a good trip vs. much easier to do his best work.

RACE 4 – (3) NUTTIN BUT FINESSE returned from a long layoff in May, took a couple of starts to get tight but

has been very sharp in his last few starts, including an aggressive try here last week (weakened late to 3rd) – may be

able to get over the top tonight with a bit easier trip (7) SHAKE IT was off slowly from the pole last week but turned

that into a live 2nd over trip, just missing to MIND HUNTER (and finishing ahead of #3) – new barn and bad post

tonight, but has been razor sharp for a long time and gets Bartlett – legitimate threat! (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A was

in a hopeless spot last week but has otherwise been a player nearly every start, for months – he’s light in the win

column, however, so make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (2) SIX DEGREES feels a notch below a few of

the top ones right now but is more than sharp enough to grab a small share with an easy trip. (5)WALKINSHAW N

has been hurt by some bad trips lately but he also feels a bit off his best game – may be looking at another tough trip

in here. (4) MACH N CHEESE held 2nd last week, but almost by default – he’s off his game, but note that his barn

HAS been hot lately. (6) JIMMY CONNOR B has been ok lately, but looking at a tough journey from this spot.

RACE 5 - (7) LYONS BENJAMIN came into his last riding a 4 race winning streak but just couldn’t hang on (at

2/5), after being used pretty hard – he was reclaimed by the barn for whom he jogged on 6/7, and reunites with Buter

(for whom he recently won back to back starts) – his price will be much better tonight, and we’ll give him the

narrow edge in a very competitive finale. (5) WELL THATS MARKY made two moves from Post 7 last week (vs.

the top choice) and was still an excellent 3rd– he’s very good right now, and looms a very legitimate threat. (1) AM

ERITRIC got a better draw, a MUCH better trip, and was able to capitalize last week with the $13.80 victory –

would hardly be a surprise tonight with another good trip. (3)WHY TOMORROW RAY is right in the mix every

week, and will surely attract plenty of attention moving in from Post 8 – he also has been coming up a little light at

the end of his recent miles, and may find himself a bit vulnerable tonight, as well (4) IM THE PRINCE is pretty

inconsistent, but he’s a dangerous player when he brings his best effort – not a bad one for longshot fans. (2) BLUE

COLLAR MAN almost pulled off a wire to wire 29-1 upset in his local debut – he steps up to face tougher tonight,

but has at least some appeal with that 20-1 ML price. (6) HARD TO CATCH is a reliable player in this class but

tonight’s draw could leave him too far back to really threaten. (8) THAT DOG WILL HUNT will be hard pressed to

get involved from out here.

RACE 6 – (4) CARABAO N didn’t like cutting the mile on June 16th but was sharp in all his starts prior to that, and

sharp in all his efforts since then – he’s usually at the mercy of his trip, but can be very dangerous here with any

decent journey. (8) MANFERNO is one of several recent additions to the barn that has really thrived, and HIS form

has been outstanding – hard to predict if he can find a manageable trip from out here but he’ll be pretty dangerous if

he does. (2) WHY NOT NOW earned nearly $700K as a youngster but his 4 & 5YO seasons have been lacking, to

say the least – he did kick home full of pace in a much more encouraging effort last week, but he also benefited from

an easy trip...would consider on top only if the price is fair. (1) TOBINS CHESTER did good work upon arrival

from Canada but has struggled since moving well up in class – he’s in a spot where he can contend for a piece now,

but he’ll look even better when those 2 wins drop off his card the next 2 weeks. (3) CADILLAC BAYAMA has been

solid lately, but may be up a bit higher than he’d prefer– minor share? (5) PRINTVILLE is just 1 for 17 this year but

racing pretty well right now – chance for minor spoils, with an easy trip. (7) SHERLOCK N looked sharper last

week off the easy trip – tough draw, though, and drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight. (6) BENHOPE

RULZ N moves up in class and draws poorly – leaning elsewhere.

RACE 7 - (2) MULLINAX disappointed in his first start off the claim but quickly started to sharpen for our leading

trainer, and is now in absolute career form – his last pair have been visually sensational victories, and Bartlett elects

to stick with him tonight over a couple of interesting newcomers – so will we. (8) MACS DELIGHT arrives in

outstanding form, right there every week behind some of the best pacers in the country – brutal draw and Bartlett

(understandably) opts for #2...but wouldn’t dismiss him too quickly! (3) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N can throw some

big miles and we saw another one last week – use in exotics. (4) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A had no prayer at all last

week but was an easy front end winner in the 2 starts prior to that – could be part of the equation here with an easier

trip. (1) RACING RAMPAGE never got back to last year’s “top” form but he’s been a steady weekly player– chance

for a minor share. (6) JUMPINGJACKMAC N arrives from Down Under with quite a resume, closing in on $700K

in earnings and still racing in Group 1 events this Fall – he shows a solid prep for a trainer with a barn full of top

performers, but he MAY need a start after drawing into this sharp field...perhaps check the tote board? (5) LUCAPE

LO N recently won 3 straight but was in tough spots in his last pair, and this is another. (7) TWIN B POWERBALL

was able to hold 2nd off a pocket trip to #2 last time but is unlikely to get that kind of trip from out here.

RACE 8 - (4) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR was stuck with Post 7 off a bad date last start, but still put in a useful

effort for 4th – he won his previous 3 Invitationals, and was a player all through this year’s Borgata Series – the one

to beat tonight. (5) SOHO FIRESTONE A has proven himself at this top level, especially when he lands on a good

trip – worth a look if the price is right. (8) ALWAYS A THRILL has been outstanding as a 4YO but he’s lost 3 in a

row (despite racing well), draws Post 8, and Bartlett opts for #4...may be in for a tougher night. (2) MY ULTIMATE

BYRON A is one of many from this barn that suddenly came to life over the last couple of months, and this guy has

held that form beautifully – he was absolutely flying through the lane for 4th last week, and now moves inside – ok

for a piece. (1) NO CONTROL got lost in the back in NJ last week but is looking at a much better trip tonight – can

be used underneath. (3) HIMSELF N would like to be in a bit softer, but an easy trip could result in minor spoils. (6)

DIEGO N literally just stole the (weird) race last week, getting over the half in :58 and sprinting home to win what

became the equivalent of a $15K training mile – seems unlikely that he’ll be as fortunate from THIS spot, however.

(7) AMERICAN DEALER N lands his first bad draw in a long time and it figures to really hurt his chances.

RACE 9 – (2) COPPERFIELD struggled for a while racing in a bunch of KYSS races but perked right back up

returning to Yonkers, right there 2nd despite a bad trip (while adding Lasix for the first time) – gets a much better

draw than he had when his race was canceled last Monday night, gets Bartlett to hop back on board, and figures to

be very tough tonight. (4) T H TYSON showed ability at 2 but then made just 2 starts as a 3YO – he’s been making

up for lost time since returning at 4, and shows some very nice recent efforts out of town...has to be worth at least a

look in his local debut. (7) SOHO DOW JONES A went a very sharp mile on 6/30 (with a tough trip, off a bad date),

so it was no surprise to see him dominate his rivals from the rail last week (dropping in class) – he’s more than

capable of stepping up and beating these too...but the possibility at least exists for a tough trip, and Bartlett did opt

to drive the top choice tonight. (6) LAYTON HANOVER raced well for 2nd to #7 last start but he gets a tough draw

tonight (after drawing much better for last week’s cancellation) – seems destined for only a minor share from this

spot. (5) SEMI TOUGH somehow was able to hold on to 2nd last start even after getting his doors blown off by

SWEET BEACH LIFE – he has just that one start over the last 5 weeks, gets a new pilot, and may be looking at a

smaller piece tonight. (3) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N has been on a good roll but it’s also left him at levels a bit

higher than he’s used to – ok for a small share, (1) FUNATTHEBEACH N has fallen on some hard times – tough to

say if the class drop and move inside will be enough to perk him up. (8) LOUS WORLD lands all the way outside

after a dull one in his last.