Saturday, June 6, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Saturday, June 6, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (4) SHAKE IT comes into this off a win and pair of 2nds and was just re-claimed by one of our highest % barns (for whom he went 2 for 2 earlier this year) – we’ll give him the slight edge here over the equally sharp (2) MOVIN ON UP. The latter is on a good roll himself, winning 2 of his last 4 starts, while hitting board in the other pair – it may come down to whomever gets the better trip! (1) PINK FLOYD HANOVER seems a notch below the top pair right now but he draws the pole for one of our must successful trainer/driver tandems, and will be waiting in the wings should either of them falter. (3) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE was trapped at the back with no prayer last week but still finished ok, and has been in solid form for several starts – very possible for exotics. (5) DISMAS just didn’t function at all off the claim last week – sticking with others here. (6) DECISION DAY makes his first local try of 2026 after going 0 for 16 out of town – figures to be coming from too far back to really threaten. (7) ARTSAL IVE was no good at all in his first 2 local tries – he goes back on Lasix today, so keep an eye for any improvement
RACE 2 – (3) WHOS PERFECT struggled for some time but has come back around in her last few starts, and definitely likes to win races – we’ll give her the narrow nod in a fairly competitive affair. (4) JIVE DANCING A may noy be at her absolute best right now, but she’s more than sharp enough to come out on top if things go her way. (5) IRIS SEELSTER had been racing well in a bunch of her starts last year and finally found her way to the winner’s circle last week, charging home to get there on time – if things get a bit heated up front, she’ll have a chance to take another. (7) BIG CITY DAISY drops back down to 20s, the level she beat 3 starts back – gets no luck with the draw, however, and will need a lot to go her way to get it done from this spot. (1) SWEET SANDY was a wire to wire winner in her first local try but couldn’t quite keep it going last week – she’ll be able to use her speed once more (after drawing the pole), and certainly belongs in your exotics. (8) PEMBROKE SOUTHIE was no threat here in her first 2 starts off a long layoff but she buried a $15K field at Chester last week, and that may signal that she’s ready for even better – would have been listed higher if not for the awful draw. (2) QUICK MENU was a 25-1 upsetter in last week’s fall-apart race and will be hard pressed to match that today. (6) PINE BUSH MAGA was parked trying to leave from a similar spot last week – she fits ok, but may need a softer scenario
RACE 3 – (5) MINOTAUR was a solid winner 3 back, finished well from a bad spot in his next then delivered another victory last week, gamely wearing down a sharp SHAKE IT in the stretch – he never used to win races here in the past but he’s already 4 for 11 this year, and may be able to add another this afternoon. (4) FOXHUNT can be a hard horse to motivate at times but Holland had success with him back in April, and he may be a very live player off the re-claim. (1) TONTO RETURNS was a little sluggish at the start last week, then sat 3rd all the way and salvaged the show spot – he’s capable of better, and definitely one to use in exotics. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES helped his chances when able to drop into the pocket last week but may not be able to get around #1 as easily this week – still, chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) BLACK EDITION N drops to 20s after failing to threaten at all as the favorite in 30s last week – not sure what to make of his chances, especially after drawing so poorly! (3) WELL THATS MARKY and (6) THEMASKEDCRUSADR would need to improve significantly to have any say here
RACE 4 – (3) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY seemed a little iffy dropping below the level of the claim last week but he turned in an excellent effort for 2nd behind SHINE A LIGHT…maybe HE can be the one to finally knock off that seemingly invincible foe? (2) SHINE A LIGHT has now taken 11 in a row but even more remarkably is that almost every victory was effortless – they all lose eventually, however, so maybe this afternoon will finally be the day that he tastes defeat (new barn, no Bartlett, and a $2.10 price if he wins it). (6) COWBOY CARGO came closer than any other horse to beating #2 during this incredible streak, only a half length back on 4/22 – another possibility if trying to find an upsetter. (7) J B GRAM overcame an incredibly brutal trip to win his last, even if benefiting from a tiring leader and a VERY slow mile – too sharp right now to ignore, even from Post 7. (4) FULL SUPPORT was too far back last week but tonight’s better draw puts him back in the equation for a piece. (1) ADVANCE MAN picked up a couple of 3rd not too long ago and should find himself fairly close to the pace…another with a chance for a piece. (5) ROSE RUN ASTRO is in need of a wake up call. (8) CHECKONWILLIAM GB blasted to the top at 51-1 last week but came up empty in the stretch after shaking free from behind a tiring leader – just well off his game now
RACE 5 – (6) POINT BREEZE displayed a lot of talent/potential at 2 but then missed her entire 3YO season – she’s looked very good in a couple of starts since returning at 4, but had to re-qualify after a couple of judges scratches – chance for a mild upset here vs. a couple of solid rivals. (5) YOULLFINDOUT got roughed up from Post 10 in NJ 2 back but rebounded quickly to deliver a determined win last week in her YR debut – very dangerous once more. (8) TURN UP THE MUSIC recently won 3 straight in PA and may have just been used a little too hard in her last, off a sick scratch – she’s making her 2nd start on Lasix in her Hilltop debut, and could be a legitimate threat here despite the bad draw (4) CRYSTAL COAST has gone some good efforts here in the past and returns off a close 2nd at Tioga – use in your exotics. (1) MARTINI STAR is just 1 for 33 lifetime but hit board in 19 of her losses – ok for 3rd/4th. (7) LADY OAKLEY returned sharp at 3, just missing in an Excelsior division at Stga. last week – tough draw in a good field tonight, however. Both (2) RICH EILEEN and (3) FIVE STAR RATING would be surprises
RACE 6 – Good field for this class: (5) PRESS took a few starts to find his form this year but has been getting sharper every week lately, and returns to YR off a lifetime best 1:55.1 win at Pocono last week – one of a few with a chance in here. (3) AJAX BLUE CHIP showed that he has talent when able to stay trotting and that was certainly the case last week, when he was an excellent 2nd in his local debut to repeat winner AUGUSTUS BLUE CHIP – can be a big player here too, if he continues to mind his manners. (2) GOYA raced well in 4 of her 5 starts as a 2YO, with a miscue in the others – she just qualified back nicely for a top training barn, and it would be no surprise to see her make some noise in her first start of the year. (6) ZAHEERA won over $100K at 2 and was solid in both starts back at 3 – she probably should have been able to win last week, however, and she draws outside several live players tonight – insist on a good price if using on top. (1) CHATTY MATTIE blew up before the start last week but picked up 3rd in her prior pair – chance for minor spoils if she behaves. (7) SIX AND STONES’ local efforts have been mixed, to say the least – tough spot, even if on her game. (4) NINA BLAZING just feels overmatched in this field
RACE 7 – (2) MACS MARVEL was definitely well meant last week, even leaving the gate a bit - he came up just a little short (after a tough 1st over trip), but may be in a spot where he can make amends. (4) ORLANDO BLUE A is a proven winner at the $40K level but he just had to re-qualify after making back to back breaks (after being claimed away from his long time barn) – he’ll be dangerous tonight IF he avoids any miscues…but has to be seen as at least a bit risky at the moment! (1) BONDI SHAKE N is a tough one to endorse on top (0 for 23 at YR the last 3 years) but he’s sharp right now, draws the pole, and WILL make his presence felt today. (6) ROLLING WITH SAM will probably be too far back if he takes off the gate here but Kelly MAY look over and see an opportunity for a quick start– chance to add some value to the ticket if that happens. (7) HURRIKANE CHEYENNE was our top choice when he won at 8-1 last week (beating #2) but this is a MUCH tougher spot – would need to be an even better price to use on top here. (3) PRINTVILLE is racing well for sure but he’s moving up 2 classes while still winless on the year, and listed at 3-1 ML – okay for underneath. (5) WATTSUP SUNSHINE A does his best work with cheaper.
RACE 8 – (2) HALFADOZEN was a winner 3 back, had no chance in his next (Post 7) then was an excellent 1st over 2nd to #4 last week – may be time for Dube to get more aggressive. (3) GLOBAL TWIST returns from Ohio off a nice 1:56.4 win at Nfd – he banked over $100K at 3, and deserves a look if the price is right (4) SEVEN LAYER is always tough in this class, and was perfectly driven to victory by Ginsburg last week – remains a dangerous threat to repeat, but also could be overbet today (8/5 ML). (1) BIZZY BRENDA lost all chance last week when way off the car from Post 8 – her “typical” effort would be more than good enough to put her in play for a piece tonight. (5) BO SILAS gets a barn change and takes off the hopples after holding his own vs. the 40s several times – maybe he can rally for a small slice? (6) MONI MAN is racing better than when seen here earlier this year but today’s draw figures to hurt his chances. (7) NICCOLO is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.
RACE 9 – Tough to find a winner in this finale! (6) DONTTELLMENOW has some ugly looking lines but he’s been facing much better, and some of those efforts were better than they look – maybe he can come alive with the drop to the basement? (4) THE FAMILY MAN is another that has some less than stellar form, due largely to bad posts in better fields – could be a very good fit with THIS bunch, however. (2) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A has been a rare import “miss” for this barn, but he draws well in a vulnerable field and may be able to have more of a say tonight (he WAS well meant last week, but ended up parked). (1) DEALERS TURN will likely look to control things from the pole but his 1 for 26 local record over the past 2 years makes him tough to use on top at a short price – ok for exotics. (3) FUNATTHEBEACH N is now 0 for 13 on the year with less than $4k on his card – it’s hard to watch him and fellow millionaire barnmate COVERED BRIDGE struggling like this, but maybe he can at least contend for a piece this afternoon. (5) CAMOUFLAGE MONEY was a little better last week, though the very easy trip was likely the reason – will need to be better for a chance from out here. (7) KARLOO BRADLEY N has gone way off form, and another bad draw isn’t going to help his cause.
