Monday, July 6, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, July 6, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) BETTOR BY SEASIDE has taken 3 of his last 6 starts, while stuck with 7 or 8 holes in the other three – he’ll likely still be a fair price tonight, and that makes him worth a good look! (6) TOPVILLE SOMEBEAC H has been very sharp for some time, but his LAST victory was a major eye-popper (new 1:51.2 lifetime mark in a total blowout) – he does go for another new barn tonight, and also gets a tough draw…make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A’s last 2 wins came for the barn he’s re-joining tonight, and both were with Bartlett on board – came blame anybody for liking his chances tonight, but he’ll very likely be overbet. (5) STELLA R YANKEE finished with good pace from too far back last week but may face a similar scenario tonight – he’s also moving up a notch, but a live trip could still put him in the hunt. (7) OURMATEMENKO N rallied from way back to grab 2nd behind a blowout winner last week – he’s a proven player at this level, but another that may find himself looking at a tough trip. (2) BONDI SHAKE N never wins but did almost get 2nd at 94-1 last week– minor spoils? (3) INTIMIDATION would likely prefer to be in a little easier, but a small slice is not out of the question. (8) ROCKIN JUKEBOX gets the worst of the draw for his new barn after folding in the pocket last week

RACE 2 – (2) 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) – we’ll give him the narrow edge tonight. (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! (1) PEACE OUT POSSE has won 3 recent tries at this $30K level and draws the pole – hard to not give him a decent chance! (7) 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 is right. (5) HEAVEN ON HIGH N hasn’t beaten the 30s yet but he did finish 2nd in 3 of his last 4 starts – definitely ok underneath. (4) CA VIART SARGENT is generally not a threat to win, but does grab some decent pieces at big prices. (6) ROLLING WITH SAM gets a pass for his last, but still seems up against it from this spot

RACE 3 – (1) MUSIC HALL has just one win this year, and that’s 15 less than he had in 2025…that win DID come at this level, however, and he’s been hurt by a bunch of bad posts, in tough fields, for much of the year – should be a big threat tonight, though. (3) JON I LOVE DAT made nearly a quarter of a million dollars at 2 and 3 but his 4YO season has been off to a mixed start, at best – he does get a big barn and driver change for tonight, and that may help him find one of his better efforts…and that would make him a handful. (2) ROYAL DESIRE is solid right now, gets another good draw, and looms a solid threat to land somewhere in the exotics. (5) OPTICAL ILLUSION N used a beautiful trip to pick up his first win of the season vs. easier last week – could grab a share against these too, with another good journey. (6) SAMHARA N wasn’t sharp before the claim and just hasn’t clicked for his current crew either – waiting for better signs. (7) GDS THUNDER GB landed in a very soft field last week and overcame the outside draw to beat them – will be a lot tougher vs. this better bunch. (4) SPIRIT OF STLOUIS N arrived from Down Under with over $1M on his card…but has never come close to that form here in the U.S.

RACE 4 – (4) HIMSELF N had been hinting at a turnaround for a couple of starts (after the claim) so last week’s big effort was no surprise…but his 1/5 price was a bit unexpected – he steps up to face better tonight but he’s a streaky sort, and may be able to handle these too. (3) IKNOWBETTER was handled aggressively vs. better last week and ran out of gas late – he drops a bit, and has definitely gone miles that could beat these. (1) BET ON BIG JOE is a little light in the win column this year but he’s in the hunt nearly every week at this level, and very dangerous from this spot if the trip goes his way. (5) INVISIBLE N is always charging hard late, but may have too much work to do when they turn for home – a hotly contested pace boosts his chances to pull off an upset. (2) BRUTALLYHANDSO ME N is another that has enjoyed success at this level but may be a little off his best game – leaning more towards others. (6) QUOTE ME NOT N is the outsider tonight, both literally and figuratively

RACE 5 – (1) AMERITRIC steps up in class and loses Bartlett (to #4) but should be feeling pretty good about himself after back-to-back blowouts over a bit easier, and may be able to handle these too. (2) THE IDEAL DANCE R A pounced on a perfect trip to win 2 back then charged home full of pace from well back in his last – he stays in the same class (eligible at time of entry), and becomes very dangerous here with the right trip. (5) KEAYANG KAM IKAZE A was handled very aggressively last week and was up to the task – he’s another that was eligible to this (same) class at time of entry, and it would be no surprise to see him repeat. (6) SPEAKER OF PEACE rarely throws a bad one, but the draw puts him at the mercy of trip tonight – a live flow could help him land somewhere in the exotics. (4) LYONS FRANKY J arrives from Canada and joins our leading barn – he attracts our leading pilot as well, but he’d need a major form improvement to beat this bunch. (3) MISSED THE TRUTH A is also getting a big barn change but he’s 0 for 11 locally over the past 3 seasons – we’ll see if the change in scenery can elevate his performance. (7) THE GREEK FREAK would be very tough on his best effort but he just hasn’t been close to top form recently (even if close 2 and 3 back). (8) CAPTAIN FEAR would certainly be a surprise in this spot

RACE 6 – (5) RESILIENT N charged home in his qualifier (right behind his Invitational barnmate) then was absolutely loaded in the lane in his U.S./Yonkers debut, after a conservative drive – guessing we’ll see a much more aggressive try tonight. (1) MY ULTIMATE BYRON N was in over his head in last week’s Invitational, and pulling him so early really made his night even tougher than necessary – drops back down, draws the pole, and figures to have a big say, for a long way (8) GORGEOUS BIG GUY broke in the back in his local debut but recorded victories in this next pair, from on and off the pace – if Buter can leave enough to improve at the start here, he can be part of the festivities here too. (2) KEAYANG TACO A steps up off the reclaim but he’s raced super since arriving at YR and can be right there tonight, as long as the trip works out. (3) ESCAPE TO AMERICA saw his 3 race winning streak snapped last week but was still right there 3rd – he’s in outstanding form right now, and could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (4) IMA PERFECT CHOICE looked shaky at times even in that win 2 back then did make a break last week – he’s not 100% right now, but that doesn’t mean he still can’t rally late for a piece. Both (6) CHU RCHVIEWFRANKL IR and (7) COLLECTIVE WORKS A figure to have a tough time getting close to the action

RACE 7 – (3) CAPTAIN MOORE A was outstanding 3 back (even if vs. easier), just missed 2nd to #2 in his next (despite having a much tougher trip), then paced a big final half in his last to be a close 3rd, despite coming from a very difficult spot – he’s more than capable of beating these, and overdue for a good trip! (2) VERDUN was content to tour 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 – look for a quick rebound with the move inside. (1) REDWOOD HANOVER hasn’t been at his absolute best for a while but it’s not like he’s been “bad”– legitimate threat with the rail draw. (4) STERLING CHOICE has plenty of talent and should win his share of these going forward – not sure if tonight is the right spot, though. (8) HOWLE NTHEHILLS (who had a terrific run through the Borgata Series) was hurt by tough trips in his last pair but is still very sharp – hard to say how aggressive they’ll be from Post 8 tonight, especially with a class drop looming next week. (5) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE was dull in his last and his best work comes vs. a bit easier. (7) MANOLETE is a talented 4YO but lands in a brutal spot for a rare local appearance. (6) EVILEYE FLEEGLE has certainly elevated his game since recently joining the top barn in the nation, but he has a lot to prove with tonight’s big class hike

RACE 8 – (2) 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 steak into this, using different trips each week while beating some very nice horses – remains the one to knock off! (6) DANDY IDEAL couldn’t quite find the wire in time in his first local start of the season (2nd at 2/5), but he bounced back with a big 1:48.3 victory at Pocono, defeating a pair of very classy Hanovers (Ken, and Ruthless)– legitimate danger, even with the outside draw (1) YOUNG BLUEY A chased a razor sharp BEST CHIP at Chester last week and can be forgiven for not making up any ground, despite a :26.1 final quarter – he could be looking at a very good trip tonight, and not a bad one to stab with if looking for a live longshot. (3) CATALPA RESCUE A upset #6 here in 6/15 then was 2nd best to a classy winner at Plainridge last week – can’t fault his current form, and a good trip could land him a nice piece here. (4) CE LTIC SPIRIT N is winless in 7 local tries, though he’s raced well in a few of them – leaning elsewhere. (5) SOHO FI RESTONE A was an excellent 2nd to MOSSDALE BEN N last week, but could be looking at a tough trip tonight

RACE 9 – (1) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY is 0 for 14 at Yonkers but has turned in some big moves in many of the losses– this does feel like a winning spot, but be careful about accepting too short a price! (7) OZONE BLUE CHIP is just 1 for 16 this year (after going just 2 for 27 in 2025) but he gets Bartlett tonight, and we’ve seen our leading driver send these types off the car, and deliver plenty of upsets – not impossible. (4) HES SPECIAL has been racing ok lately but he’s winless in 21 local starts over the last 2 years, and another that could end up overbet tonight. (6) CYRUS N was sent off favored in 4 of his last 5 starts, unable to deliver in any of them – still a good one to use underneath, though. (5) CRUNCH HANOVER beat a few others while well back in his local debut – jury still out on him. (3) ROCKET FREIGHT scored off a great trip 3 back but his overall recent form hasn’t been great – leaning towards others. (2) FRANCO NANDOR N draws well but is 0 for 18 locally the past 2 years and too often a non-factor. (8) BETTORBUCKLEUP seems unlikely to get near the action after drawing so poorly.