Friday, April 3, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, April 3, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) DRIBBLING BI may not be at absolute peak form right now but his last couple of starts were definitely steps in the right direction - he’s won at the top levels before, and this isn’t a bad spot to give him a try. (8) ULTION FACE S is another that’s capable of winning at higher levels – he turned in a couple of disappointing tries recently but was all business in that last 1:54.4 qualifier (beating a pretty classy PACING import) – just concerned that he may end up overbet, with the possibility of a tough trip looming. (4) BLACKHAWK ZETTE was very conservative in his first start off the layoff but could be tighter now, and draws much better – could be ready for a more contending effort (1) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been unreliable at best lately but an easy trip from this spot could help her grab a piece. (7) ORDAINED made $207K last year but was winless in 7 local tries, racing (at that time) for the nation’s leading barn – gets Yannick returning from Stga, and may be worth using for 3rd/4th. (2) CAL MILES N SHELL shocked at 30-1 three back then was 2nd at 29-1 last week– moves up even higher now, but maybe he can grab some minor spoils? (5) KASHA V has a couple of recent wire to wire wins over cheaper, but may be up a little too high right now (6) VINNY DE VIE is another that is paying the price now for some recent success

RACE 2 – (2) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING demolished a bit easier last week but certainly looked good doing so (for a barn that’s sending out a LOT of live ones lately) – she has a post advantage over her main foes, and may be able to use it to take another. (5) MIKI IN LUV had bad posts vs. better in her last pair and should appreciate tonight’s potent combination of a class drop and better draw – logical player with these. (6) ODDS ON ACES FULL ships in showing solid form (overall) at PcD, and was 2nd in both of her previous Yonkers starts – possibility if Timmy T. can find her a decent trip. (3) OVER ICE always seems to ship in showing good PA form…only to fail to replicate here at Yonkers – still willing to include underneath, though. (4) MACHS LEGACY A has struggled a bit this year but did have some “sneaky life” finishing last time– would consider for exotics if the price is good (8) LUCKY ARTIST A is too classy to ever ignore completely but this does seem like an improbable spot for the 13YO. (1) STEPABOVE THEREST looked short off a long layoff last week and may need another start or two. (7) TOBAGO TIME (no Lasix tonight?) used an easy trip to grab 2nd last week but her overall form really hasn’t been all that great

RACE 3 – Tough race: (3) TURN ON THE CHARM hasn’t been seen at Yonkers since finishing 3rd in the NYSS Final back in 2023 – her 2026 season started off very well at Pocono, picking up a win and a 2nd before landing in a tough spot last week – draws well for her long overdue Hilltop return, gets a big switch to Stratton, and is one of several with a chance in here. (5) TWIN B SUNKISSED went on a solid, consistent run after moving to her current barn this winter – her most recent lines are a little questionable, but her best effort would make her tough here. (1) TH RIZZO is always a player but she failed as the odds-on choice in her last 3 starts, and is listed at “even money” for tonight…seems like there’s better value taking a shot against her, at least on top. (7) ALLEGRA HANOVER turned in a good 3YO campaign but may have been a little tired before she arrived here last Fall (for her new barn) – good looking qualifier for her 2026 return, but may need a start before we see her best. (2) BRONX MIXER is still looking for her first win of the season but has raced well, in general – if #1 just looks to take these down the road she MAY trip out…with a chance to go by in the lane. (6) ALTA MADEIRA N doesn’t win very often but she throws her fair share of decent efforts – never a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) REMY BROWN A added Lasix last week and beat lesser in NJ – she may be able to handle the class jump…but maybe not from out here! (4) SCHNAPPS has a couple of better efforts recently but her overall form has been disappointing for some time.

RACE 4 – (2) NILA MAREE N has won 4 of 5 local starts, the lone loss being a 2nd to the undefeated (in the U.S.) RASPALIA N, when racing off a bad date – she faces some legitimate competition here, but remains the one to knock off! (5) SHEER ARTISTRY N charged home to beat this class here 2 back then won again at PcD last week – the conditions were written to allow her back tonight at the same level, and a decent trip would make her a threat. (1) MISS PERIGNON N steps up a bit but the rail should help offset that– should be able to sit a decent journey, and end up battling for a decent piece. (7) FRONT PAGE STORY is another that was able to get into this race by virtue of some creative conditions, but the price she paid is Post 7 – hard to say how aggressive Lachance will be after landing in this spot. (4) SWEET HAYLEY JANE A was a winner in her last local try, but vs. softer – she’s been doing good work at PcD, and it would hardly be a surprise to contend for a slice. (3) SHEZ THE REASON A was off to a good start after arriving in the U.S. but has leveled off in these higher classes. (6) AMBUSHED is tough as nails but she’s in a tough field, from a bad post tonight.

RACE 5 – The Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #2: (6) LOUIES GIRL N has proven to be quite a find for her connections, undefeated in the U.S. with 7 wins here at Yonkers – she’s shown an incredible turn of speed when called upon, and her first leg victory was flat-out super…remains the one to beat, even with the bad draw. (3) ROCK ET DEO was used a bit for the lead last week then could only watch in amazement as LOUIES GIRL N whizzed past her to 3/4s – she did a great job easily holding 2nd, and we’ll see if she can the top choice a better tussle tonight. (4) ALWAYS BSTUNNING N looked like she MAY be a good fit for this series and that crisp finish in the first leg seemed to confirm that – she draws in with a couple of tough ones, but can still make her presence felt. (1) TURN THE PAGE N sat a two hole trip last week but the :55.2 final half was more than she could handle – another rail draw could help her grab another small slice. (5) CHERYLS SHADOW looked super in that “maintenance qualifier” but then disappointed off a two hole trip last week – seems destined for minor spoils tonight. (2) SQUARE DEAL was hard to gauge class-wise off her Dover lines and she did come up a little disappointing off an easy trip last week – the jury is still out on her. (7) COACHELLABOUND N wasn’t bad last time, but gets a brutal draw for tonight

RACE 6 - The Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #2: (4) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE has done outstanding work at Yonkers over the past 2 years, sporting a 17-11-3-2 record – she landed on a VERY tough trip last week and can be forgiven for coming up 3rd best to a pair of very nice mares, both of whom had EASY trips…she faces a sharp first leg winner in here, but we’ll still give her a narrow edge. (1) SEASIDE DIVA turned in a very sharp performance in the first leg, rating an easy half before unleashing a sizzling :55.2 final half to win it– a similar effort would make her very tough again tonight, but it’s hard to imagine her trip will be quite as easy! (2) ACUSHLA MA CHREE N wasn’t at her best last week and hasn’t been on her best game, in general – she does reunite with Bartlett, and the pair delivered back to back wins in December…maybe she can perk up and grab a better piece? (5) SILK CLOUD A is hard to gauge right now, and may have been hurt by some stretch traffic last week – she’ll be a nice price if you think she may be able to find one of her better efforts this week. (3) MILLWOOD BLISS N lost all chance with a break before the start last week but the jury is still out as to whether she can hold her own with these, even with a clean trip. (7) PEACE TALKS rebounded from a disastrous 3/18 start at Dover with a more respectable effort last week, but she draws poorly again and is just 8-0-1-2 at Yonkers over the past 3 seasons

RACE 7 - The Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #2: (1) COASTAL BABE was handled aggressively in the first leg and was a razor sharp 1:52.1 front end winner, safely holding off AARDIE B MIKI N (last year’s Series winner) to the wire – she has a BIG post edge over that same rival tonight, and that stamps her as the one to beat – again. (7) AARDIE B MIKI N was forced to grab a seat behind the top choice last week and while she had plenty of pace of her own coming to the wire, it wasn’t enough to get by – she still has to be seen as the main threat, but she’s not always that quick off the car and her chances tonight MAY depend on how many others leave inside of her. (3) LYDEO had some decent pace finishing last week and has a chance to land somewhere on the ticket tonight if she lands on another easy trip. (4) MY SWEET LILY is a lightly raced 4YO taking on classy older foes but she really wasn’t bad last week, considering it was her first start off a layoff and she was stuck trying to rally into a :55.2 final half – maybe she can add some value to the exotics? (2) STRUTSVILLE still needs to prove that she can hang with these types – she may get an easy enough trip from this spot to take home a decent chunk. (6) MY RED SEA feels like she may be a bit off her game right now, after a long form spree – the outside draw certainly won’t help. (5) FEARLESS GINGER was dull in her local debut last week – watch for any improvement

RACE 8 - The Ursula McIntyre FM Pacing Series, Leg #2 – good race: (6) TARAPASTA seemed to lose action in 3rd heading to the quarter last week, quickly recovered on the rim and somehow was able to just lose one spot and drop into 4th, ended up making a LONG first over bid into a sizzling :55.2 final half and still made the winner work hard to beat her – her price will go UP tonight (despite that huge effort), and maybe she can take advantage of a better trip and beat these. (3) BATH BOMB was sent off at an absurd 1/5 last week (off the layoff) and while she raced well, she did come up 2nd best – chance to make amends for sure, but she’ll likely be heavily backed once more! (1) HUNTRESS ended up qualifying last week in NJ rather than race in the first leg, and it would seem likely that she’ll be looking to make up for lost points, especially after drawing the pole – she picked up a win and a 2nd from her 2 starts here last year, and could be a big threat right off the bench. (5) TICK A LOCH A did a beautiful job wearing down #3 last week, scoring as the 11-1 overlay winner– she’s now 6-2-3-1 at Yonkers and has earned plenty of respect! (2) STAYINGWITTHEWIND now has 3 starts under her belt, moves inside, and is at least eligible to find a bit better effort tonight – small share? (7) ELUSIVE A rebounded from a dull try two back with a steady 4th last week – facing a long haul from Post 7, however. (4) DOUGS BABE A came up flat off a 2nd over trip last week and will need to be better if she hopes to be a player tonight, and through the rest of the series

RACE 9 – (1) KAYS IN CHARGE added Lasix 2 starts back and raced well both times – gets to call the shots tonight, and they may have a hard time catching her. (3) PEDAL ON METAL drops, moves inside, and did win 3 races earlier this year – look for a strong effort tonight. (8) ESCAPER is capable of beating much better than these when on his game, but he’s still trying to get back to top form since recently returning in 2026 – his last was more encouraging, but he MAY elect to take a conservative approach tonight after drawing so poorly (and with a class drop looming for next week) – tough call. (5) NYMERIA started to find her game recently vs. cheaper in PA and while still not in “peak” form, she’s certainly more than capable of grabbing a good piece with these. (4) FATHER MIKE benefited from some good breaks last week and used his good late kick to rally for the win – not sure he’ll be as fortunate tonight, but he can still rally for a share. (6) MUSICAL RIDE doesn’t win very often and draws poorly here – maybe minor spoils. (2) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN was a sharp winner last week but moves up considerably tonight – leaning elsewhere. (7) LUCKY MUM N hasn’t gotten anything going so far in 2026.

RACE 10 – (2) MEMENTO MORI made an uncharacteristic miscue last week but was “ok” vs. the 40s in his first Yonkers start – may be worth a stab in a race with no stickouts. (1) THE THING IS hasn’t really been much of a threat lately but he’s also been facing tougher – this is a very logical spot for him, but that 8/5 ML price is definitely a turn off. (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU has been stuck on smaller pieces lately and gets a poor draw for tonight – he’s also facing softer in here, and may be able to have a bigger impact. (3) IRA WHO was well backed for his YR debut on 3/6 but was outleft then broke trying for the lead – he returns after a nice try vs. cheaper in PA, but he figures to end up overbet again – just feels a bit risky to accept a short price. (5) NO DRAMA PLEASE is off to a slow start in 2026 after a rough 1 for 36 season last year – maybe he can beat some of the lesser ones? (7) BARN CREDIT was 2nd last week but there was only 4 horses left trotting – moves outside, and not sure he can repeat that effort tonight. (4) ALL TOO WELL makes his first start since November and struggled for much of last year. (8) WANIA has been no threat for a long time – Post 8 isn’t the answer!