Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, July 21, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) SPIRIT OF PEARL A was a very good 3rd behind a total stickout 3 back, broke in her next but then rebounded to win her last – we’ll give her the narrow call in a field with several question marks. (5) TALENT TO SPARE A took a month off then just qualified back nicely at Monti – she’s still seeking her first win of the year but she does fit with these, and the freshening may have done her some good. (2) KATIES UP will take plenty of $$ in her local return but her only win all season was in a cheaper race in KY, and she’s always been on the camera shy side here at Yonkers – feels like a vulnerable ML favorite. (6) REMI LOU A was super wiring the field in her local debut but wasn’t quite as effective when forced to race from off the pace in her last – she may have to deal with a few inside leavers once more. (4) TH SANDRA DEE came up light at the end off the claim 2 back then just never looked sharp in her last – needs to bounce back to her better form to have a chance here. (1) MIKI THE CLOWN was no factor at all from Post 8 last week but may bring a more serious effort from the rail tonight (her 2nd start for a barn that routinely improves fresh stock dramatically). (8) BOUT DAMN TIME A gets a pass for that last mile vs. 30s but tonight’s draw may offset the drop back to 20s. (7) STAY HAPPY continues to struggle

RACE 2 – Tough race! (5) KIMBLE A certainly benefited from a perfect pace scenario in last week’s jogburger but he was also very good – willing to stay on board as long as his price stays decent. (2) PYRO was very well meant last week and did well to hold 3rd (behind #5) after being hounded hard by another well-intentioned foe – could be dangerous tonight with an easier journey. (6) CAVIART SARGENT doesn’t win very often but he drops out of some tough $30K claiming fields and is actually “sneak ok” right now – upset possibility? (8) CARABAO drew three straight 8 holes after returning from a long layoff – missed a month, and now ends up right back behind the 8 ball – he DID qualify nicely at Monti, however, and could be worth a look if the price does end up juicy. (4) RUSTY BEA CH finished well for 2nd last week, though aided by a very easy trip – playable in exotics. (1) THE MIKI TAKER A will take some $$ drawing the pole returning from PA but his 16 local starts have produced no wins and just one 2nd, so be careful about taking a short price on top. (3) LEVINE has been struggling but the move inside may at least help him contend for a share. (7) LOTTO MAX may improve for his new connections but the Canadian invader draws poorly (off 3 weeks) for his local debut, and we’d prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 3 – (1) MADDIES DELIGHT threw a surprising dud off the claim 2 back but shrugged it right off, back on her game to take her next start – draws the pole, and remains the one to knock off. (5) OVER ICE still is winless at YR but she’s gone plenty of good efforts this year, and WILL get her picture taken one of these nights…maybe tonight? (6) MC ANGEL got used pretty hard last week and saw her 3 race winning streak upended – she’s been super for a LONG time, and could rebound quickly…but she may also race conservatively tonight after that last tough mile. (3) SPLASH OF PINK picked up a pair of 3rds from her 2 local tries and is eligible for another small slice tonight. (2) SWEET ODDS had some success vs. easier in PA for a couple of recent starts but has struggled here at this level in the past – suppose the good draw could help her chances. (4) WIN WITH LYNNLY failed to function here on 6/23 and had to re-qualify – sticking with others, but wouldn’t be shocked if she raced ok

RACE 4 – (1) MOONSHINER N came up a little short as the favorite in his U.S./Yonkers debut but jogged in his next then won again last week (in a sharp 1:52.1 mile) – the rail draw certainly stamps him as the one to beat, but he’s hardly a “cinch”. (5) RAGNAR LOTHBROK N jogged his stateside debut, just missed in his next then was a fast closing 2nd to #1 last week – may be able to reverse that decision tonight if things go his way. (3) ALWAYS BET ON ME changed barns and promptly delivered a 1:49.3 blowout at The Meadows – he proved it was no fluke when he shipped in and won his Yonkers debut the next week, but wasn’t quite as sharp when 3rd in his last (behind the top two choices in here) – way too soon to dismiss his chances, however! (4) GEORGES WISH won his last 2 at Tioga and now lands in one of our perpetually hot barns – he would seem a notch below the top ones in here, but maybe he can improve enough to be in the mix? (6) ART IN HEAVEN knocked off #1 three back, was a no threat 2nd to #5 the next week but was a dullish 4th in his last – tonight’s draw won’t help his cause. (7) ADAM CHEESEHEAD missed hitting the board locally for the first time last week; tonight’s draw could very well produce a similar result. (2) SWE ET PARLAY moves inside but the guess is that it won’t help him enough to be a player here.

RACE 5 – (2) CALLMEBIGPAPI’s only two recent “non stakes” tries resulted in a Pocono blowout on 6/2, then a close 3rd in his last (behind a couple of pretty nice rivals – deserves top billing here. (3) SPECTACULAR LEO wasn’t able to get in the hunt in his only local try but he’s 3 for 3 out of town since then, and definitely improving with each start – looking for a good effort from him tonight. (5) THE RASCAL N was heavily backed for his Yonkers debut but could only manage a no threat 2nd – seems capable of better, but it still may not be good enough to knock off the top choice. (4) ENTER SANDMAN was pretty well backed for his career debut at Chester and kicked home strong to make it a winning one – may be able to rally tonight vs. this better field as well. (6) SWEET JOEL looks good “on paper” but he tends to come up light at the end of his mile and he also gets a bad draw off 3 weeks – smaller piece only. (1) ENRIQUE HANOVER was surprisingly conservative in his local debut but did finish up well – the sick scratch from his last is definitely a concern, though. (7) CAPTAIN AMORE N wasn’t close in either U.S. start– watching for signs of improvement. (8) FLYING MAJOR ART N raced better in his 2nd Yonkers start but figures to struggle with tonight’s terrible draw

RACE 6 – (1) JABBAR was in no-chance spots the last 2 weeks but his prior start saw him finish right there with MACS DELIGHT, now 3 for 3 since a recent barn change– he’s having an excellent year (for a barn doing the same) and looms a very dangerous threat from the pole. (3) LYONS FRANKY J turned in a big effort in his local debut (joining our leading barn), coming first over and actually gaining rapidly late into the teeth of a :27.1 final quarter – anything close to that effort is going to make him a serious player once more. (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A went a somewhat “weird” effort from the two hole last week, eventually settling for a 3rd place finish – he can never be dismissed at this level, but the top two seem more likely right now to come out on top (7) EVERLAST STING DEO has been doing some very good work out of town but he’ll be taking on some tough older foes in his local debut, and he’ll be doing it from Post 7 – may be tough to overcome. (5) MACS MARVEL isn’t “great” right now but an easy trip puts him in play for a small piece. (8) COURTS ON FIRE has the ability to be dangerous at this level but maybe not from out here – minor spoils only. (4) SOUTHWIND CELSIUS steps up considerably and may find this bunch a bit tougher than he’d prefer. (6) MYSWEETBOYMAX is in the midst of a rough patch right now.

RACE 7 – (7) HOWLENTHEHILLS’ last line may not look all that great on paper but he did pace his final half in :53.3, a close 5th in a hot 1:51.2 mile – he battled better every week in the Borgata, and may be able to improve quickly at the start tonight – willing to use him from out here, as long as the price is fair. (1) FORWARD FLASH was pacing well late from an impossible spot last week and has really blossomed into a nice horse this year – could have a real say with the move all the way inside. (2) BANDERAS was a winner upon arrival from the KYSS then finished with pace from a very tough spot last week– any decent trip makes him a live player here (3) PANETTONE HANOVER came up 2nd best in his last pair to PARISS DRAGON and that one just won his 3rd straight on Monday night – an easy trip could see him rally for a share. (4) KEAYANG TACO A was never in play last week of the reclaim but it was also a very tough spot – could at least be back battling for a piece with a decent trip. (6) JOEMIKI YOURSOFINE will appreciate the drop, but not the draw– leaning more towards others. (5) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been holding form for some time, but another class jump may slow him down a bit.

RACE 8 – (1) UDDERLY SWEET A was handled aggressively in his 3rd US start and parlayed his pocket trip into his first US victory– he steps up a bit but the rail draw may very well offset that…license to repeat. (4) MULLINAX has been doing some good work vs. a bit easier at Plainridge and makes his first local try of the year off a victory last week – he’s gone some big miles here in the past with Bartlett, and may deliver another one tonight. (2) KEAYA NG KAMIKAZE A may look better in a bit cheaper but he can hang with these too, with a trip – worth considering if the price is decent. (3) BOSTON BOUND had been struggling for a while but the class drop, rail, lead, and a :57.3 half was able to make him look very good in a hurry last week – may have built back enough confidence with that win to be a big player here too. (5) OPTICAL ILLUSION N is racing well right now but likely limited to a minor share with tonight’s class hike. (8) COALFORD TOPGUY GB has been ultra-consistent all year long but may have a tough time finding a way into the mix with a rare bad draw. (7) MATAI PHIL N is definitely off his best game, and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help matters. (6) STELLAR YANKEE may be hard pressed to get involved tonight

RACE 9 – (4) DUNKIN was pretty dismal in his first start back off the long layoff but he was well backed for his next, and turned in a big effort to just miss – if he can build on that even a little more, the classy 6YO may be able to get in the win column. (3) HAMMERING HANK had no prayer with back to back 8 holes but moves back inside and should be able to have a much bigger say. (1) CENTURY HEINEKEN has been close in almost all of his recent starts and draws the pole for his first local try of the year – should be able to be a close up presence throughout. (2) HEZA RISK TAKER A finally picked up his first local/U.S. win last week but he was life and death to do so (at ten cents on the dollar!) – definitely can grab a share here, but that 9/5 ML price seems too low. (7) SUMOMENTSOM WHERE has been just “ok” since arriving at YR and tonight’s draw may be tough to overcome. (5) GINGRAS BEA CH finished with some pace in traffic last week – ok for 3rd/4th. (8) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A is still winless in the U.S. and draws Post 8 – he’s racing a bit better, so keep an eye for when he draws better. (6) WINDSUN RICKY continues to struggle – watching for some better signs

RACE 10 – (1) MUSIC HALL is having a somewhat nightmarish season (so far) after winning 16 races in 2025 – he does land in a very winnable spot tonight, though, and an aggressive drive will surely be forthcoming! (3) IN EXCE SS N is a little hard to gauge off his out town lines but he’ll probably be a good fit with these, especially with Bartlett on board – likely to end up way over bet, though, with that 9/5 ML price. (4) KEVIN KLINE N returns from PA and may be able to rally late for a piece, if he doesn’t get lost during the mile. (2) SAMHARA N has been struggling for some time but if he just sits a close up, patient trip here, he can at least contend for a spot on the board. (5) QUOTE ME NOT N has been known to rally for pieces vs, better than these – ok for the bottom of tris and Supers. (6) CASINO ACTION N was well meant last week but lost all chance when parked out by an equally well meant PYRO – guessing he’ll be handled pretty conservatively after last week’s tough outing. (7) SIX DEGRE ES definitely feels well off his game, but even his best effort might leave him well short from out here. (8) MARLB ANK ROAD is just 1 for 16 this year – doesn’t figure to improve on that from behind the 8 ball!