Friday, March 27, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, March 27, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series – Leg #1: (2) LOUIES GIRL N won all 6 of her Yonkers starts last year and while just one was at the Invitational level, she always gave every impression that she was going to be a top -class mare – she just returned from a 4 month break and immediately stretched her winning streak to 7 with a win at Pocono (at 5 cents on the dollar)…she was Bartlett’s choice and gets top billing here over a pretty classy rival. (6) ROCKET DEO used 3 qualifiers to prep for this year’s series then verified just how sharp she was with last week’s last-to-first stretch rush to win her first start of the year – she won 3 Series legs last year (4th in the Final), and while she loses Bartlett (to #2), she’ll have Dexter Dunn on board – the main danger! (1) ACUSHLA MACHREE N raced very well on a few occasions with Gingras and the pair reunite for tonight while starting from the pole– solid chance for a good piece. (4) SQUARE DEAL was a winner at DD on New Year’s Eve and has been outstanding ever since – she’ll get a major class test tonight, and we’ll find out if she’s up for it right now. (3) STRUTSVILLE lost all chance after an early miscue last week – the 4YO has ability, but has to prove she can hold her own with these types. (5) CO ACHELLABOUND N hasn’t been at “peak” form in a long time, and seems better suited with a bit easier right now. (7) PEACE TALKS has over $600K on her card but draws Post 7 after a disastrous last start at Dover (off a sick scratch), and is also 0 for 7 locally over the past 2 years – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 2 – (6) FASHION TERROR didn’t make a lot of starts at 2 and 3 but she did good work, and had a winning habit – her 4YO campaign has been off to a very rocky start but she lands in a very shaky field tonight, gets Bartlett, and this could be a spot where she could perk up in a hurry. (8) BEANOWN BABE raced well in her first start off the claim 2 back, was aggressively handled last week but just fell apart from the final turn – she was claimed that night and drops right back in the box, is listed at 20-1 ML, and may be worth a stab in a very beatable field. (3) IDE AL COVER disappoints more often than she delivers but she does throw enough good ones to at least be worth a look, if the price creeps up high enough. (1) TOBAGO TIME has been well off her game lately but she moves all the way inside, gets Gingras, and may be able to find a better effort. (5) TALENT TO SPARE A was tiring badly last week and fortunate just to cling to 3rd– she’s a threat on her best, but still leaning elsewhere (2) AU JUS HANOVER just stopped badly from the final turn last week (for her new barn) and finished way back – she’s now failed to beat a single horse in her last 3 starts, and in need of a major form reversal! (4) CERVI had no offer of an easy trip last week and probably needs to be in easier. (7) BROKDALE JESSIE never wins, is off form, and draws horribly

RACE 3 - Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series – Leg #1 – good race! (4) BATH BOMB only made 18 starts last year but she won 12 of them, good for $375K (lots of it in the lucrative KySS) – she’ll be starting off 2026 on Lasix, shows a pair of sharp qualifiers, and is 3 for 3 here at Yonkers – narrow vote in what feels like a very competitive affair! (2) TICK A LOCH A has been super ever since starting her U.S. career at the beginning of 2026, hitting board in all 6 starts (including 4X in our Invitational) – she should be a decent price in here, and could be part of the equation. (1) SILK CLOUD A was handled conservatively last week from Post 7, after missing 3 weeks – she’s a bit inconsistent these days, but always capable of major damage when in the right mood. (5) FEARLESS GINGER arrives for the nation’s leading barn showing plenty of good work in Ohio (and PA) – the guess is that she’ll be a good fit, but it’s also a little surprising that she’s never raced at Yonkers before. (6) ALWAYS BSTUNNING N shows a ton of excellent starts at Plainridge and may prove to be good enough to battle the top ones in this series…she also has been away since 11/25, draws poorly, and likely looking at a very conservative steer in this first leg. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW is a tough mare hailing from a terrific barn, but she’s had trouble winning at even lower levels for some time, and that 5/2 ML price just seems way too low.

RACE 4 - Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series – Leg #1: (2) SEASIDE DIVA got sharper as the Series went on last year, and used a “miracle trip” to finish 2nd in the Final – she appears to have benefited from a recent freshening as her return try (in Ohio) looked pretty good…may be ready to win in this modest division. (3) TARAPASTA wasn’t a big player in last year’s Series but has been racing well in Ohio lately, lands in one of our top barns and should be able to have a big say here. (1) TURN THE PAGE does her best work with a bit easier but she brings a 3 race winning streak into this, draws the pole, and figures to make her presence felt. (4) LYDEO’s best local work has come vs. a bit easier, but an easy trip could still see her pick up a decent piece (6) MY SWEET LILLY has talent and has looked good in recent qualifiers (since adding Lasix) – she’s also a 4YO with just 14 career starts, and will need to prove that she can do battle with these types. (5) MILLWOOD BLISS N was a 13-1 upset winner in her 2026 (PcD) return but that was vs. easier – she disappointed in last year’s series, and is another that has to prove she belongs

RACE 5 - Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series – Leg #1: (6) WALKIN ON SUNSHINE was 10-5-3-1 here last year but unfortunately for her, the lone off the board finish was in the Matchmaker Final (where she got really roughed up) – she’s been prepping beautifully for THIS year’s Series, and couldn’t have looked any better than she did in last week’s effortless 8 hole score – Bartlett (understandably) opts for #4, but we’ll stick with this mare. (4) AARDIE B MIKI N began her U.S. career in last year’s Series, won all 4 legs she raced in then took the Final as well – he career has been more “mixed” since then, but she’s still more than capable when in the right spot – look for an aggressive try tonight, especially when Bartlett elected to stay with her. (1) COASTAL BABE N looked super winning her U.S. debut here on 2/27, wasn’t quite as good when she won her next (but may have bled), then was a little disappointing last week when 3rd after a pocket trip – way too soon to write her off, and we’ll see if she can get back to top form tonight (2nd time Lasix). (3) DOUGS BABE A has done her best work vs. a bit easier over the last couple of seasons but she has ton of class, Dunn on board, and fresh legs for the Series – ok to use underneath. (2) MY RED SEA was solid for months after returning to Yonkers but does feel like she may be tailing a bit – we’ll see if she can pick things back up as the Series begins. (5) ELUSIVE A had been outracing her odds for weeks before a disappointing try in her last – good bomb for underneath if you think she can bounce right back. (7) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND gets the worst of the draw and figures to have a tough time getting in play – keep an eye for future consideration

RACE 6 – (4) BAY BREEZE HANOVER had a dull outing on 3/5 but has otherwise been very good for some time, especially the last couple of weeks (vs. better) – she handles any trip, and we’ll give her the edge in this solid NW7500 division. (2) NYMERIA showed ability as a youngster but made just 9 starts in a disappointing 4YO campaign, then was off to a terrible start in 2026 – she does seem to be back on the right track now, however, after adding Lasix and building back some confidence vs. easier in PA – could be ready to be a big player here too. (1) B NICKING was “sneaky ok” from an impossible spot 2 back then a game first over 3rd last week, almost getting 2nd – more than sharp enough to do some damage from this spot. (6) FATHER MIKE broke as soon as he pulled last week, was back to last on the rim but was full of trot once into the stretch – he can make some late noise tonight, but insist on a fair price if using him on top. (3) MEMENTO MORI was an even 5th in his local debut, for a new barn – he drops from 40s, but a few of the others are dropping too…maybe 3rd/4th? (5) WILLY WALTON is another “dropper” but just seems off his game right now. Both (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU and (8) BLACK TIE BASH are probably both already looking forward to drops to NW5000 next time (hopefully with better posts)!

RACE 7 – Wide open! (4) FULL OF MUSCLES was a close 3rd at this level 2 back and not bad vs. a bit tougher last week – one of several with a legitimate chance in here, depending on trip. (3) DWS POINT MAN may be ignored after a pair of poor speed tries but he drops right back in the box, and may race better tonight from OFF the pace – he’s beaten better, when sharp. (2) SEVENSHADESOFGREY may find himself a bit closer to the action tonight and he’s looked pretty smooth lately- worth a look at the right price. (5) KAYS IN CHARGE added Lasix last week (after a couple of lesser efforts) and looked better finishing – she takes on more seasoned rivals tonight, but still can be right there, with the right trip. (7) ESCAPER tried to leave vs. better in his first start of the year but broke on the first turn – he qualified back ok (vs. an Open PACING mare), and can beat much better than these, when right…the guess is that he’ll be handled very conservatively tonight, under the circumstances. (1) P C FREE WHEELING has been a little unpredictable lately but her barn is going strong right now,, she draws the pole, and it would be no surprise to see her contending for a good chunk. (6) SKY BOX wasn’t at his best last week, but did take a step back in the right direction – tonight’s tough draw may limit him, however. (8) DARK MIND seems a bit overmatched, especially after landing behind the 8 ball

RACE 8 – (2) LUCKY ARTIST A may be worth a look tonight – she missed a month to her last and just toured the oval from Post 7 but really wasn’t beaten all that badly – she’s right back in the box, moves inside, and still finds ways to get her wins every year, even as she approaches retirement age…that 15-1 ML price is definitely appealing. (4) TH RIZZO has been good ever since adding Lasix 4 back, though she did come up a little short (as the heavy favorite) in her last pair – still a big threat, but don’t fall in love at another short price. (3) IM OFFNGONE N lost all chance 2 back when forced to abort her quarter move but raced much better last week with a more comfortable pocket trip – she fits well, and another good trip makes her a threat. (1) HUNTING HULA finished with pace in her first start off the layoff but disappointed when first over the next week – she’s missed 3 weeks since then, and looms a question mark for tonight. (5) JORDANNA HANOVER was used hard as the favorite 2 back and couldn’t finish the job – was an ok 5th from a tough spot last week, and has a chance to rally for a piece tonight for her red-hot barn. (7) MIKI IN LUV has the ability to be a big threat with these (right on the wire with much better at PcD 2 back) but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from out here – maybe 3rd/4th? (8) BRONX MIXER had every chance from the pocket last week but came up a little short in the latter stages – her overall form is solid, but she’s another that may struggle to get into the hunt. (6) STEPABOVETHEREST has missed nearly a year – watch mode, for now

RACE 9 – (1) HIGH SPEED SWAN arrived from Indiana to one of our leading barns to begin his 4YO campaign and delivered a bunch of excellent efforts out of town – he was forced to race from the back in his local debut last week but he was absolutely charging at the wire to just miss, and may have even got the job done had Bartlett got after him a little earlier – moves all the way inside, and we’ll give him the slight edge. (2) DRIBBLING BI comes off an outstanding 2025 season that saw him regularly hold his own at our top level – he’s just getting his act in gear in 2026, and the top one MAY be a little better right now…or maybe he’s not? (3) STREET GOSSIP has gone some big miles this year – good spot to just sit fairly close, and stay on for a good chunk. (6) ALWAYS A STORM went a big mile before taking a tough nose loss (at 12-1) two back, but easily made amends with last week’s 4 length jogburger (at 3/5) – she’s a talented mare, but tonight’s draw may limit her output a bit. (4) VINNY DE VIE is one of several in the barn that really came alive recently but he’s probably up a but higher in class than he’d like right now – minor spoils? (8) MON AMOUR recently suffered through a rough stretch but has really come back around in his last 3 starts (all very good 2nds) – would have been listed higher if not for the awful draw. (5) RITSON was a front end winner in his last pair but vs. much easier – may struggle a bit vs. this much tougher bunch. (7) PEDAL ON METAL is having a solid season, but faces a tall task trying to get close from out here.

RACE 10 – (1) PARADISE MONI rallied nicely at Stga. last week to be right there 3rd in his first start since November – he was facing much better than these upstate, and may have found a winning spot for his YR debut. (4) DROP THE MIC has won 3 of his last 5 starts in NJ for a barn that has recently come to life across the river – definitely can be a real threat in his current form. (8) MONI MAN has some ability, and has excuses in his 2 local tries (caught a fiery 1:54.4 mile on 2/18, then made an early miscue last week) – he’ll be a big price if you think Lachance may be able to get in the hunt. (7) BE DIFFERENT seemed like he MAY be starting to come back around, but then made a break last week and galloped the entire way – really no clue what to expect from him tonight, but would need a pretty good price to consider him on top! (3) INCANTATION was very good after first arriving here but then tailed off dramatically – her barn has come to life with a few others recently (and had a 3 bagger on Thurs. night)…maybe she can perk up too? (6) ENERGYSOURCE tried to just outrun ‘em on the lead last week but got exhausted at the end – moves from the rail to Post 6, and that figures to hurt his chances. (5) PSALMSFORTYSIXFI VE was dull off an easy rail trip last week and will need to be better to have any say in here. (2) BARN CREDIT is now 1 for 33 locally over the last 3 seasons and comes off a pair of qualifiers – waiting for some better signs!