Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, June 17, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) DISARONNO HILL was stuck in a rough patch recently but seems to be back on track, just missing in her last pair after cutting the mile – feels like a spot where she can get the job done. (3) SHAKE ME LOOSE has been racing well (overall) out of town but vs. lesser – she MAY be able to land on a good trip here, and did pick up a Yonkers win in 2025 – might add some value to the ticket. (1) EVENINSTARZRAPSODY is hard to gauge as she broke before the start in her local debut – she recently exited a low % barn and landed with a trainer that has done super with these types in the past…worth another chance? (7) BECA MITCHELL loved the easy trip last week and rallied nicely for 2nd – she’s burned a lot of $$ in her 7 local starts, so insist on a good price if considering her on top (8) KISSIN JOE tried to be more aggressive last week but didn’t like that trip at all – she’s very good when she can sit and rally, but that would leave her trying to pass 7 of them from this spot! (4) LUCKY LIL LADY took home a pair of dull 5ths in her 2 local tries and needs to be better. (2) BEANTOWN BABE was empty last week after being scr. injured the start before – remains risky. (6) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL throws a good one at times, but the camera shy mare lands in a tough spot for tonight.

RACE 2 – (1) AJAX BLUE CHIP was an excellent 2nd in his local debut, broke the next start but rebounded with another good try last week, finishing full of trot after being handled conservatively – very dangerous tonight if he minds his manners. (4) CHANT got a little experience at 2 before being turned out – she’s come back solid at 3, and will surely appreciate tonight’s class relief (after racing in NYSS the last 2 starts) – logical threat! (7) GOYA showed ability at 2 and made her 3YO return a winning one (for a strong trotting barn) – gets a terrible draw, but can still be a big player with some trip luck. (5) ZUZU ZOOM is developing nicely for strong connections, picking up a win vs. easier in PA 3 back, then finishing ok in a quick NJ mile last week – gets a good pilot to help her navigate the 4 turns here at Yonkers. (8) VERY BUSY won here as the heavy favorite on 5/9, but made breaks in his last 2 local tries – may take a somewhat conservative approach tonight, especially after drawing Post 8. (2) NYCTOPHILE is listed at 15-1 ML but she’s stayed trotting, and hit board in 2 of her pari-mutuel starts – ok bomb for a piece. (6) DWS CHA CHING has been ok when he trots but he makes too many miscues for our tastes. (3) BRANDERS would be a surprise, especially after not functioning at all in his last

RACE 3 – (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A had a horrible trip in her first start off the claim but still raced well, just to rally for 4th – she drops back to 20s, gets Bartlett on board and we’ll give her the narrow nod (she’s a little too camera shy to endorse with too much confidence)! (2) IDEAL SKIES has missed 3 weeks after being scratched sick from her last but she drops back to 20s and just beat these 3 straight times – have to respect her chances. (4) STONE COLD GIRL won 5 races earlier this year but then fell off form – her last was a bit more encouraging, and we’ll see if she can build off that tonight. (1) IRIS SEELSTER rallied to her first victory of the season 2 back but then never got in gear at all last week – she can have a big say of she brings her best…but that’s a BIG “if’. (7) ADALECIA will appreciate the drop back down to 20s, but not the draw – chance to contend for a small piece. (3) SP DANCIN WITHSTARZ has been struggling – her last was certainly better, but that was in large part due to facing a very soft field – still leaning more towards others. (5) THATS A HUGE BEACH raced a little better last time, but her overall form is still not up to snuff. (8) PURAMERI hit board in her last pair, but it’ll be tougher to replicate from Post 8

RACE 4 – (1) MOVIN ON UP moves from one high % to another, draws the pole with Bartlett and that may be enough to tip the scales in his favor in a fairly well matched race. (3) PINK FLOYD HANOVER gave it an aggressive try last week but ran into a sharp winner – the barn (and driver) have really been clicking lately, and he remains a solid threat. (4) SIMPLY FAST was no factor at all off the claim last but may not have been all that serious (8 hole vs. 25s) – drops back to 20s, moves inside, and he’s enjoyed plenty of success in spots like these. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES is usually part of the equation but hasn’t done a lot of winning lately – good candidate for the bottom of exotics. (6) MINOTAUR has become a very solid player against these types but he draw poorly off the claim and may have a little too far to come this week. (7) BLOCKBUSTER TRADE is solid right now but the poor draw figures to leave him battling for minor spoils tonight. (5) WELL THATS MARKY perked up with a much better try last time but he may have trouble matching it from this tougher spot. (8) ARTSALIVE hasn’t clicked at all in his 3 local tries and lands outside once more

RACE 5 – (2) OPTICAL ILLUSION N drops, moves inside, and Holland will have an opportunity to be much more aggressive tonight – good spot to give him a look. (4) AMERTRIC elected to race very conservatively last week, after tiring the week before – he did finish alertly, and is used to facing much better…the 8/5 ML price is a turn off, however! (1) JAHAN HANOVER will use his speed from the rail for sure, and looms a very logical threat – he’s also just 1 for 13 locally over the past 2 years, so don’t fall in love at too short a price. (6) ROYAL DESIRE was scratched lame on 5/26 but came back to qualify nicely soon after – he won 6 races here last year, and is worth a look if the price get juicy enough (7) KIMBLE A is a very good fit with these but has to contend with his 5th straight bad post – another that can be considered if the price is high enough. (3) GDS THUNDER GB was in scary form a while back but just hasn’t been able to get back to that level in some time. (5) MAJORCROWDCONTRL A is 0 for 9 in the U.S. in a rare misfire for this barn. (8) FASTING hasn’t had any success in his recent YR starts – now 8 hole

RACE 6 – (8) MINOAN produced a strong 2YO campaign (10-3-2-3 $151K) and has come back just as good at 3, arriving with three straight 2nd place stakes finishes – he draws outside (and loses the McCarthy Brothers), but still should be the one to beat. (4) PRESS struggled in his first 2 local tries but was an excellent 2nd in his last pair, sandwiched around a victory at Pocono – the main danger. (2) BOOM CHICA BOOM is just 2 for 44 lifetime but she stays trotting, moves inside, and grabs plenty of pieces – definitely ok to include underneath. (1) BEERNSUNS HINE DEO tired after cutting the mile in her last pair but may do better tonight chasing a couple of the top ones – another logical player to use underneath. (4) TREGARON shows less than stellar Canadian form but arrives at a top barn and is eligible to show some quick improvement. (7) SIX AND STONES has some mixed local form but she’s not afraid to leave the gate, and that gives her at least a chance for a piece. (6) OVERALLS qualified for the NYSS final at 2 and even picked up a 3rd – she’s been slow to come around at 3, however, so make sure to get a fair price if using on your tickets. (5) HL OLMAYA is in watch mode only, making her first start since November

RACE 7 – (8) TWO TWENTY SWIFT won half of her 12 2YO starts while banking $222K along the way – she qualified sharply for her 3YO return then came up 2nd best in a NYSS event – we’ll give her the narrow edge, despite Post 8. (6) EXISTENTIAL also had a lucrative 2YO campaign, and finished right alongside #8 in her last start of the year (in the Matron) – she started her 3YO campaign back in May and picked up a win here on 5/23, was 2nd in a NYSS race after that but made a break at Buffalo last week – the main danger! (3) BLAZING QUEEN has been racing well in PA, and should fit nicely with the locals – chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (4) SEND IT DOWN SLIM I still winless in 9 stats this year, but did hit board in 6 of them – another that can contend for a piece. (7) CRYSTAL COAST was a good trip 2nd last week, finishing well ahead of the others – a quick start (and a good trip) puts her in play for another nice chunk. (5) BELL OF LAZARUS did win here this year but she’s been idle since Nov. and the guess is that she’ll need a start or two. (1) MARTINI STAR is 0 for 14 at Yonkers and 1 for 34 lifetime – chance to tow along for minor spoils. (2) NOTHING MATTERS broke her maiden at PcD last start but just seems a bit below these right now

RACE 8 – Good race: (5) BO SILAS changed tactics for his new barn last week and gave it a good front end try before weakening to 3rd – he should still be a good price tonight, and maybe he can improve a bit more and pull off an upset. (4) SEVEN LAYER looks for 3 in a row and remains in the same class – Ginsburg clearly gets along well with him, and it’s hard to fault him right now. (3) BIZZY BRENDA came up 2nd best to #4 last week and has raced well since returning to the races in May – a live trip gives her a chance for a big piece. (2) MONI MAN returned sharp from PA and raced well in his last pair – another that becomes dangerous if the trip goes his way. (1) SAINTS PERSEVERE was 3rd here on 5/15 then finished ok in a tough spot in his next – returns off a win at PcD. and would hardly be a surprise from this spot. (7) WISH LIST won 2 of her last 3 starts but tonight’s class hike and poor post figure to slow her down a bit. (8) HALFADOZEN was a good first over 2nd two back but failed to threaten in his last, and draws Post 8 tonight. (6) GLOBAL TWIST draws poorly after making a break in his Hilltop return

RACE 9 – (3) SHAKE IT steps up off another claim but he was razor sharp last week and loves to win races – we’ll give him top billing, even at the $25K level. (2) EVER M struggled vs. the 30s for 3 starts but perked up with the drop to 25s last week and scored for the 5th time this year – stays at that same level for his new connections and looms a major threat. (5) DONTBOTHERMENONE N came up a little light at the end last week after being used early on – makes his 2nd start for his new trainer, and could be right in the hunt once more. (1) MAXIMUS RED A has been pretty unreliable this year but this is a spot where he can do some damage, if he shows up with one of his better efforts. (8) MACH N CHEESE kept coming last week to pick up 2nd – brutal draw, but may still be able to beat a few of these. (4) GREAT SOMEWHERE is having a tough year – maybe he can tow along for some minor spoils. (7) RYDINGTOTHEWIRE was scratched sick off the claim and now drops below the claim price – red flag? (6) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL will have to improve on his last pair to grab any kind of piece tonight.