Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (4) BIG CITY DAISY just isn’t quite right some weeks and last week was one of them – her current barn knows how to make her tick, and the guess is that they’ll have her ready to rebound quickly…would still need a “fair” price to use her on top, though! (3) SPIRIT OF PEARL A just seems to know when she drops down to 20s and comes up with big efforts in those starts – should be a big player here too. (2) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT has been in and out all year but quite capable when in the right mood – she drops a notch off a decent try vs. the 25s, and could have a real say here. (7) JIVE DANCING A has a couple of recent excuses but overall, just isn’t on her best game– would still consider her for exotics at what figures to be a pretty good price. (8) PINE BUSH MAGA fits nicely with these but will be at a major disadvantage starting from Post 8. (5) THUNDRA makes her first local start of the year and does feel on the cheaper side right now. (1) BARBADOS BABE added Lasix for her local debut but backed through the field – waiting for a better effort before considering. (6) TRICKY WICKY is 8-0-0-0 at YR this year and gets a bad draw – sticking with others
RACE 2 – Very tough race! (2) ACAPULCO SUNBURN was driven very aggressively here vs. the 30s three back (before weakening a bit) then turned in a pair of sharp efforts out of town right after that– has to get a good look here as he returns at this much more realistic level. (1) KARLOO BRADLEY recently had a major rough patch but does seem to have turned back in the right direction again – drops to 20s after picking up a 3rd vs. 25s, and could have a big say tonight. (5) FOXHUNT had a successful stint in his last barn, going 2 for 2 (including last week’s VERY sharp front end score) – faces a more uncertain trip for new connections tonight, but still worth a look if the price is right. (7) LOUS BEACH was stuck on smaller pieces in several starts for $25K but finally drops back down to the level he really thrives at – might have been listed higher if not for Post 7! (8) MOVIN ON UP is a terrific 18-6-1-7 at YR this year, and has transformed from an excellent 15 to and excellent 20 – he gets his first bad draw in a while, though, and may be in for some rough sailing this week (3) HANK THE HUNK picked up a “right place/right time” win last start, but may be hard pressed to be as fortunate tonight. (4) MINOTAUR is 4 for 13 here this year but exits a few very sharp barns, and lands in a very solid field. (6) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N picked up 2nd sin his last pair, mostly thanks to excellent trips – may not be quite as fortunate tonight
RACE 3 – (2) HIGHLANDSTARDUST normally would have been a cinch dropping from the FM Invitational to this NW2-4PM class but she had the misfortune of running into the talented MINOAN last week and had to settle for 2nd best – she actually faces a much better overall field tonight, but still deserves top billing. (3) MATTHEWS has looked very good since the recent barn change, a solid 4th upon arrival at Pocono followed by back to back easy victories – could be a real threat in his Yonkers debut. (6) DIAMOND BAY won consecutive overnights out of town not long ago before taking on stakes competition for a few starts – she broke dropping in class last week but can still be a player (at least for a piece) in her local debut. (1) GOYA was a winner in her first start back at 3 then was a 7 hole 2nd last week to ZUZU ZOOM (who came back and raced well the following week) – belongs in your exotics. (4) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO races better off a helmet…an easy trip could see her rally for a small piece (5) BOOM CHICA BOOM hung in well for 3rd behind the two stickouts last week but may have a tougher time grabbing as good a piece tonight. (7) SIX AND STONES struggled from a similar spot last week
RACE 4 – (1) HEARTOFTHESUNRISE doesn’t show the greatest lines out of town but at least she was facing better than these out of town – feels like she may have found a winning spot for her local debut, but won’t be offering much value with that 3/2 ML price. (7) SQUANKUM LADYwas 2nd from Post 10 in an amateur race 2 back then 2nd in a TSS race at PcD in her last – she seems to have more ability than many of these, and could definitely outrace her 15-1 ML odds if Lachance is willing to get aggressive with her. (4) SHADOW DELIGHT runs into her share of bad trips but generally races ok when she avoids that – playable in exotics. (3) PA PERFECT had a solid 2YO campaign but is off to a 7-0-0-1 start at 3 – she’ll probably fit with this bunch, and may be able to make her presence felt in her YR debut. (2) SILENCE IS GOLDEN was 7-0-0-0 at 2 but has hit board in all 6 starts as a 3YO – she feels a little on the cheaper side, but we’ll get a clearer picture after tonight. (8) BLAZING QUEEN was no factor in 2 local tries and now lands Post 8 – will need lots of trip luck to be a threat from out here. (5) DORAL DELIGHT was 2nd in her last pair at PcD but is another of these shippers that just may be a little bit cheaper. (6) PAPIS CRUSH did win a NW1 at The Meadows on 5/7, but just had to re-qualify after a troubled PcD outing on 6/16 – prefer to just watch, for now.
RACE 5 – (7) TH SANDRA DEE has won 3 of her 7 starts here this year and gets a complete pass for last week – she lands in a small barn that’s quietly won 5 of their 15 starts this meet, and may offer some good value despite the bad draw. (1) TH RIZZO showed uncharacteristic late gameness to earn a hard fought victory in her last – she’ll get every chance to repeat after drawing the pole, but she’s also likely to be way overbet. (2) MS FRANCES ASSISI wasn’t bad at all with the new trainer listed 2 back then was just in a hopeless spot last week – moves inside, and could make some noise with a decent trip. (3) TWO BEAN DREAM won off the barn change two back then wasn’t terrible last week with a (very) late fill-in driver – another that could land somewhere on the ticket, with some trip luck. (5) CHARMING VIXEN made a nice move last week before flattening in the lane – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) YOU BEDA ROCK finally drops back down to the level she prefers, but she gets a bad draw and it’s hard to say if the move to 20s will be enough to perk up her game tonight. (4) PURAMERI is winless here over the last 2 years (0 for 19) and just 1 for 43 over the last 3 seasons. (8) WHOS PERFECT gets another bad draw, and also loses Stratton
RACE 6 – (2) PETEZA arrived from Ohio sporting some good lines and easily delivered as the 2/5 choice for his new barn – big threat to repeat! (1) RAUCOUS chased a hot mile off a bad date in his local debut and gets a pass for coming up a little short – could be tighter for tonight, with a chance to tow along for a good piece. (6) LONG HILL has some similar Ohio lines to the top choice, though not quite as good – gets a tough draw for his new barn, but may be able to add some value to the exotics. (4) VERY BUSY stayed trotting last week and his lack of late pop may explain why he’s on Lasix tonight – could easily have a say here on his best effort. (5) CHAPTER GEO won here at a very short price on 5/2 but lost his next (with no excuses) at another very short price – could be vulnerable in this overnight, with his eyes likely fixed on upcoming NYSS races. (8) SERENITY AS kicked home with good trot in her local debut but another awful draw may force her to rally from well out of it once more. (3) CAPTAIN WI LLIE was struggling even before he broke last week. (7) SHADY MAPLE BECKY was way back in her local debut racing from a very similar spot to this one
RACE 7 – (6) OVERTHINKING beat the 30s on 4/13 and the only other time he raced at that level since then (June 4th) also produced a victory (as the prohibitive favorite) – drops again, and should be tough, even with the bad draw. (7) LYONS BENJAMIN has been claimed in 5 straight starts, but only produced one win during that stretch – gets the worst of the draw for tonight’s new connections but still looms a threat thanks to his good gate speed. (1) THON G CONTROL used an easy trip from the rail to pick up a 2nd last week and has a chance for another good piece from tonight’s similar spot. (3) WAVEMAKER was no threat in his last 3 starts but won as the favorite the race before that – if the “good” version shows up tonight, he can be a late threat. (5) RAYRAY has no 1sts or 2nds this year but did finish 3rd in HALF of his 14 starts – always a good one for the bottom of tris and supers! (4) JK STEVE SPIRIT moves to a new barn as he ships in off a pair off easy wins at Ocean Downs – hard to say how he’ll fit class-wise, however. (2) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL hasn’t threatened in 3 starts since returning to Yonkers
RACE 8 – (7) CREDIT TO FRANK gets the worst of the draw but he’s been very good racing from the back in several starts, and his barn was absolutely on fire Tuesday night – if there’s enough battle up front, maybe he can spring an upset? (4) BO SILAS was needlessly overdriven in the opening panel last week (he refused to drop into the pocket for most of the quarter) and that probably left him short at the end – could do some damage here with an easier trip. (6) SEVEN LAYER loses Holland tonight but Ginsburg recently won a pair of starts with him – dangerous, even with the bad post. (3) BRUHA arrives from PcD with solid efforts in most of his recent starts – could be a good fit with the locals. (5) MONI MAN has been pretty close in all 4 starts since returning from PA but just seems to come up a little light in the crucial stages each week – ok for a small piece. (2) WISH LIST owns a pair of recent upset victories, but vs. easier– she still needs to show she can hang with these better ones. (1) SAINTS PRESERVE US is listed on the bottom, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him have at least a say from the pole
RACE 9 – (1) EVER M has won his last 6 starts at this level and draws the pole tonight – there’s some solid players in here, but he still has to get top billing! (7) KOMODO BEACH shipped in and wired the 30s last week, making tonight’s DROP to 25s a guessing game – since he was entered for $24K a bunch of times in PA, we’ll guess that there’s nothing wrong, and he’ll be a big player tonight…even from out here. (5) C BET HANOVER has been a very solid player in this class for weeks, and tonight should be no exception – losing Holland does figure to hurt, at least a bit. (6) SIMPLY FAST has taken 6 of 16 starts this year and been claimed from 5 of his last 6 races – his new barn is having an excellent meet, but this guy will need a lot to go his way to be a real threat from this tough spot. (8) BOILING OAR has been doing good things since dropping to 25s but tonight’s draw may leave him waiting for a better spot to strut his best stuff. (3) GREAT SOMEWHERE has been towing along for minor spoils – hard to see him doing better than that here. (4) DONTBOTHERMENONE N seems a notch below the main players right now
RACE 10 – (1) SHINE A LIGHT is now 15 for 19 at Yonkers during this incredible 2026 season but he did show at least a small chink in the armor when he threw a dud 3 back (before jogging in his last pair) – he’s still clearly the one to knock off, but maybe he’s a little vulnerable again for tonight’s lower profile connections. (4) SARANAC BL UE CHIP has 3 wins and a nose loss 2nd from his last 5 starts – if you’re looking to take a shot against #1, you’ll want to have this guy as one of your alternatives. (6) CURLY JAMES A was banging heads in 75s not too long ago but now plummets to 15s, after mostly disappointing tries vs. 25s – would need a pretty good price to give him a look. (5) DANCININTEHFIRE is listed at 20-1 ML but he beat this class 2 back and has held his own with better several times – could offer some value! (2) DELIGHTFUL TERROR feels like he’s fallen off form again but this would be a great spot for a wake up call, as his trip tonight should be pretty good. (3) DISMAS has gone in the wrong direction since being claimed for $20K on 5/23 – watching for better signs. (7) CAPTAIN BATBOY is now 1 for 27 at Yonkers over the last 3 years and draws poorly. (8) VEGAS STRIP N is the (very) rare import to have NOT worked out for this owner – he’s now 7-0-1-0 locally, and stuck all the way outside tonight.
