Friday, March 20, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, March 20, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING isn’t always the most reliable mare but she can hold her own with better (when sharp), and she should be plenty tight after chasing the hot pace at PcD last week – we’ll list her on top, but wouldn’t take too short a price. (3) BIG CITY DAISY had pace finishing from impossible spots in her last pair, and more importantly, LOOKED a lot smoother than in her previous pair – moves inside, and could offer some value. (7) MISS DOTTIE MAE really held well last week considering that she never saw the pylons – she gets her favorite pilot back, but also could be a short price, from a bad post. (6) IDEAL COVER throws more duds than good ones but she IS capable of reversing form at times, and did shock here at 39-1, on 1/30 – ok for longshot fans. (4) AU JUS HANOVER’s recent lines out of town have been lacking (to say the least) but she does get a barn change, and would not be a total surprise. (1) TALENT TO SPARE A is another that can throw a good one here and there, but has been struggling in too many recent starts to get excited about. (8) TOBAGO TIME hasn’t been sharp, and lands Post 8. (5) CERVI just feels overmatched against these

RACE 2 – (2) DRAW THE LINE gave it a big try from Post 8 at 65-1 last week, blasting hard and still right there 3rd at the end – obviously her price will come way down tonight, but she may be able to come out on top this time. (8) PAYBACK MONI was sent off at 1/10 two back (first time with our leading trainer) but something just wasn’t right and she stopped on the lead – she was about to make the 3 wide winning move on the final turn last time but broke unexpectedly, recovering in LAST at the top of the lane and flying home to miss by half a length…would definitely use her tonight, assuming the price is juicy enough. (4) FATHER MIKE was a winner here at this level on 12/19 (he beat #2) and his last local try was a 2nd vs. the 40s – he’s been racing at Monti recently (with his owner listed as trainer, and doing some of the driving) but he gets Bartlett tonight, and may find his best game quickly. (1) SUNBURNT SILVERADO was a winner last week but trotted his final quarter in :31.1, and wouldn’t have beaten #8 had that one not gone offstride – he’ll be in the hunt again, but seems more vulnerable. (5) B NICKING wasn’t bad from an impossible spot last week – a quick start would help him grab a piece of this. (7) EYES OF JUSTICE fits with these, but figures to have a tough time overcoming the draw. (3) WINDSONG PIONEER seems to need to be in easier these days. (6) THE LAST CHAPTER draws poorly after tiring from the pocket last week

RACE 3 – (4) COASTAL BABE N arrived from Down Under with a very strong resume, qualified sharply, looked super winning her first U.S. start then was sent off at 1/10 stepping up to the Invitational the next week, winning that start as well – she adds Lasix now, and could be even sharper! (3) ELUSIVE A never takes any $$, but races super week after week – we’ve been using her in the exotics every start, and tonight will be no exception. (5) ROCKET DEO won 3 Matchmaker legs last year then was 4th in the Final– she should be plenty tight for her 2026 return (after 3 qualifiers), but may still be handled conservatively here with the Ursula McIntyre Series (formerly Matchmaker) beginning next week. (1) FRONT PAGE STORY is a hard hitting mare that’s more than capable of grabbing herself a piece with an easy trip. (3) LYDEO is a solid performer and hails from a barn having an even better year than usual – she may be just a tad below the top ones, however.

RACE 4 – (2) ALWAYS A STORY has been on our radar for a while so it was disappointing when she just couldn’t get by last week at 12-1 – to be fair, she trotted a HUGE 3rd quarter just to put herself in position to win, and should probably be forgiven for not getting by…chance to make amends tonight. (1) THE HAZLETON is a steaky sort that had been going through a major rough patch before offering more encouraging signs last week – legitimate threat to build off that, and possibly wire these. (4) DWS POINT MAN was handled aggressively last week and not up for it – he’s bounced back many times in the past, and could be a part of this with a more patient trip. (6) VINNY DE VIE took no prisoners last week and gave his hot barn another winner – faces tougher tonight (while moving from the rail to Post 6), and that may leave him with a smaller slice this time. (3) CAL MILES N SHELL turned in a 30-1 stunner 2 back but was unable to replicate that mile last week – still think he’s probably a little below the top ones in here. (5) DARK MIND is racing well, but may find these a bit tougher than he can handle

RACE 5 – (8) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE was an outstanding 10-5-3-1 here at Yonkers last year but unfortunately for her, the lone off the board finish was in the Matchmaker Final (where she got really roughed up on the lead, and made a tiring break in the lane) – she’s been prepping beautifully in Indiana, and has a chance to pick up a win here heading into next week’s Series. (5) STRUTSVILLE has made the transition to 4YO nicely (so far), and her connections think enough of her to make her eligible to the McIntyre Series– Warren has driven her well, and maybe she can add some value to the exotics. (4) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND needed her first start of the year, and may need another – still willing to use her underneath, though. (3) SHEZ THE REASON A has been a solid find for her connections, and the recent import is always pacing well through the wire – chance to rally for a piece. (7) SILK CL OUD A has been away for 3 weeks, draws poorly, and Stratton opts off for #2 – may be handled conservatively with the grueling series up next. (1) ULTIMATE SPEED was moving up TWO classes but still had some pace after shaking free in the lane (adding Lasix) – we’ll see if she can continue to hold her own at this level. (2) AMBUSHED loves to win races, moves back inside, but does prefer to be in a little easier. (6) GLITTERING HOPE gets a bad draw after a disappointing try last week.

RACE 6 – (2) ENOLA has outraced her odds a few times recently, including last week (a crisp rallying 3rd at 21-1) – she figures to finally take a bit more action tonight, but should still be a good enough price to be worth a look. (5) MON AMOUR had been struggling before that MAJOR wake up call two back (2nd from Post 8, at 39-1) – last week’s close 2nd proved it wasn’t a fluke, and there’s no reason he can’t have a big say tonight, as well. (4) SKY BO X disappointed last week, after a few good starts just prior to that – if he can shrug that mile off and get back to his previous form, he can be a serious player here. (3) MUSICAL RIDE is not a prolific winner but he does fit with this crew, and could rally for a piece with an easy trip. (6) SEVENSHADESOFGREY has been behaving so far in 2026 and definitely racing well – he’s also been slowing down on turns in a few recent starts, and that could really hurt starting from Post 6 tonight. (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU doesn’t feel like a threat to win but a good trip always gives him a chance at a piece. (7) KASHA V remains ever inconsistent, with a pair of powerful front end wins sandwiching a pair of no factor efforts – doesn’t feel like his kind of spot.

RACE 7 – (1) BRONX MIXER hinted at some ability as a youngster and has definitely been sharpening through 5 starts of her 4YO campaign – she’s looking at an aggressive try tonight, and may be ready for it. (4) TH RIZZO was a solid 4th adding Lasix 3 back, blew by to a blowout win in her next and was a game first over 3rd vs. a bit better last week – logical favorite. (2) PRESSURE COOKER has been a little disappointing in some of her recent starts but she should be able to sit an up close trip in here, and stick around for a decent chunk. (3) PETROL QUEEN can be her own worst enemy at times but she was smooth last week and ended up in a perfect spot to cash in on a “fall apart” race – steps up a bit, but could still land somewhere on the ticket. (5) MIGHTHAVTIME N was blocked in the lane last week and may have had more than she was able to show – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) JORDANNA HANOVER was sent off favored last week but had to work for the lead then was stuck dealing with a parked rival after that – she moves up in class now, draws poorly, and that has us leaning elsewhere. (8) LUCKY ARTIST A draws Post 8 after missing a month – prefer to just observe tonight. (7) REMY BROWN N was a pocket winner at the bottom level 2 back but now moves up in class, from Post 7, after fading in NW7500 last week

RACE 8 – (5) BE DIFFERENT was struggling for a few starts recently but his last couple suggest he may be trending back in the right direction – gets Bartlett tonight, and will be tough with anything even close to his best. (3) MONI MAN caught a sizzling mile in his only local try but has looked better out of town in a few starts since then – returns to YR at the bottom level, and should be a very good fit here. (2) ICE BREAKERS K is just 1 for 42 locally over the last 3 years but he does grab pieces, and this is definitely a spot where he can land in the exotics. (1) ENER GYSOURCE has done little lately but he drops back to the level he beat 6 starts back, and may turn in a much better effort here. (6) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE usually races in amateur events so it’s hard to know what to expect from him with a catch driver– willing to give him consideration with that 20-1 ML price. (7) INCANTATION was good upon arrival here last year then went south– hinted at life 3 starts back but was unable to build on it…on the positive side, her barn had to heavily-backed blowout winners on Thurs. night! (4) HALFADOZEN made some money at 2 and 3 but is really struggling right now. (8) INTL BLOCKADE is 0 for 15 at YR and draws Post 8

RACE 9 – (2) STAY GROUNDED’s last local try (1/27) was in NW20000 and now he returns to face a blank field, at the bottom level – he SHOULD handle these easily...but note that he’s winless in his last 15 Yonkers starts, before falling in love at 1/5! (4) BETTOR BY SEASIDE raced much better last week in his 2nd start off the claim – maybe he can pull off the upset if #2 fails to deliver? (8) FASTING would be a serious threat even from Post 8 if at the top of his game…but his last few starts have been lacking, and he’ll probably still be fairly well backed. (3) FRANCO NANDOR N (finally) showed improvement last start, even if helped by the easy pocket trip – ok for exotics. (7) EU PHORIA N could be tighter in his 2nd start of the year, and does have some back class – ok bomb for a small piece. (1) ALADDIN gets a better draw, but it’s hard to say if that’ll be enough to make him more competitive. (5) GOTHI C ROCK is still trying to find some form in 2026. (5) FUNATTHEBEACH N and barnmate COVERED BRIDGE have earned nearly $3M between them...but neither is even competitive any more, and it’s tough to watch them racing this way at the bottom levels – always hoping to see any kind of spark!