Friday, March 6, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, March 6, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) IRA WHO shows mostly solid recent starts at Dover and now moves to our leading barn, while also picking up our leading driver – he has some back class, and the guess is that he’ll find it quickly for his new trainer. (1) PISCES RISING recently returned from a long layoff and that last win at PcD (vs. cheaper) suggests that he’s ready to go on a good roll– looking at a good trip with Yannick and the rail (3) VOSS BLUE CHIP has a new trainer listed and can be pretty unreliable…but he’s also capable of holding his own with better than these, and a good price makes him worth using in exotics. (6) AIRMANS JACKPOT was a bit better last week, and may be ready to start improving some more – tough draw, but capable of rallying for a piece. (7) SUNBURNT SILVERADO is down at a level where he can be a bigger threat, but may need to wait for a better spot to do so – minor share? (5) BE DIFFER ENT can handle much better than these when “right”, but he’s certainly been well off his game lately– not sure we’ll see a wake up call just yet (2) SD ELIMINATOR gets a good draw but does feel a bit on the cheaper side (8) SHOW THE WILL throws a good one here and there, but even his best would likely leave him short from out here.

RACE 2 – (1) IM OFFNGONE N was 3rd 3 levels up three back then finished with pace from impossible spots in her last pair – moves all the way inside, and should be a major threat against this crew. (5) PETROL QUEEN has ability, but has hurt her chances by putting in bad steps in several of her starts – if she can pace cleanly all the way, she can be dangerous tonight (at a good price). (6) REMY BROWN N used a fast start to grab a pocket trip last week, leading to her victory – she’s up in class here, but another good start could put her right back in the mix. (2) LAURIE LEE used a very easy trip to pick up 2nd here 3 back but for whatever reason, she’s struggled in most of her local tries over 2025-26 (while generally racing well out of town) – it’s possible she could beat these, but she’d be hard to endorse at that 6/5 ML price! (3) MARIA ALLEGONDA N was very well meant last week but couldn’t make things hold up on the front end – maybe a small piece tonight? (7) BRONX MIXER raced well in all 3 starts since returning at 4, but tonight’s draw figures to slow her down considerably. (4) IM A BELIEVER turned in a bit better effort last week, but her best efforts do come vs. cheaper

RACE 3 – (4) CHAPHEART gave it a big 8 hole try two back upon joining our leading barn, then was a very sharp first over winner last week – he’s always been a very nice trotter, and may continue to improve for his current crew - gets the nod, even moving up a bit. (6) OLIVER THE GREAT lacked stretch room in his first start back in 2026 but appeared to have plenty of trot– he can beat better than these, and deserves a look, even from Post 6. (2) TORRONE was sent on a major speed mission last yet despite being pushed to a wild :56.1 half (parking out BENNY ), he was able to somehow hang on for the win – his barn sent out a few VERY live horses recently, and this guy may be able to have another big say tonight. (7) ALWAYS A STORY is a talented mare but recently made 3 straight breaks – she stayed trotting in her last qualifier and outkicked a pretty nice PACER, but this is a tough spot, especially debuting for a new barn. (3) LUCKY MUM N is racing herself back into shape after some time off – maybe she can grab a minor share? (1) BLACK TIE BASH drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight – keep an eye for future consideration. (5) B NICKING likes to be on/near the lead vs, easier – not his kind of spot

RACE 4 – (2) FRONT PAGE STORY won via DQ off the class drop 2 back, raced pretty well despite an impossible trip last week and now drops even further, to a level well below what she’s beaten in the past – figures to be a very dangerous player once more. (6) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY was handled conservatively in her first start off the layoff then was a solid 3rd in her next – she should be ready for a top effort now, and Bartlett figures to handle her aggressively despite the bad draw – legitimate threat. (1) GLITTERING HOPE recently bounced back from a brief rough patch, rallying for 2nd two back then pouncing a perfect trip to win her last – belongs in exotics here too. (3) IDEALINFUN is a consistent mare, though not a frequent winner – she goes for a new trainer tonight, but still may have to settle for a smaller share. (7) ZUMA BEACH won 4 straight here last year but then went on the shelf for almost a year – she was clearly short in her return (2/13) and came up a little light last week, as well – she may be ready for a bigger effort now, but may need to wait for a better draw. (4) WORKLIFEBALANCE was dead short off the layoff last week – sticking with others, for now. (5) CRUISE ALERT has gone off form – waiting for better signs

RACE 5 – (2) HUNTING HULA got away last in her first off the layoff and appeared ready to finish well back… but found MUCH better life in the lane and was only 3 lengths back at the wire, pacing a BIG final 1/8th – she drops, gets major post relief, and just may be worth a stab tonight. (3) CHERYLS SHADOW went right to the top from Post 7 in her first start back in 2026 but came up light in the final 75 yards – figures to be tighter tonight and her barn sent out some airplanes on Wednesday night…but that 7/5 ML price is definitely a turn off. (1) PRESSURE CO OKER gave it a big try from Post 6 two back (when 2nd) but took back to 8th from a similar spot last week and never got in the hunt – look for a much more aggressive try tonight, and include her in your exotics. (4) SHEZ THE REAS ON A is now 2 for 2 in the U.S. with a win in NJ followed by last week’s local victory – she’ll get a bigger class test tonight, and we’ll learn a bit more about her! (7) LUCKY ARTIST A is still loving her work at age 13 but she fits the bottom level right now, and may opt to race conservatively from this spot, opting to wait for a class drop (and better post) next week. (8) IDEAL COVER tends to be pretty inconsistent but she did score a 40-1 shocker with Gingras not long ago – okay for longshot fans. (5) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING seems better suited with a bit easier – leaning elsewhere. (6) MISS DOTTIE MAE is another that prefers some softer competition

RACE 6 – (6) STREET GOSSIP got a BIG wake up call 2 back, looping to the top from Post 8 then finishing full of trot after being shuffled back – he followed that up with a major rally to win from 6th last week, trotting a back half in :56 seconds– he’s not known for winning all that often the past couple of years, but may be ready to take another in his current form. (2) FULL OF MUSCLES gets the potent combination of both post and class relief, and may be primed for a more aggressive try – chance to be a bigger player tonight. (4) SEVENSHADESOFGREY lost 2-3 lengths on every turn last week and still only lost by a nose – he’s been sharp in all 3 starts in 2026, but he could be vulnerable here (at a short price) if not cleaner around the bends! (1) MUSICAL RIDE has been solid since getting over a recent breaking issue – definitely one for the bottom of exotics. (8) SKY BOX quarter moved to the lead off the claim last week but wasn’t able to finish the job – won’t be any easier from Post 8, even with the class drop. (7) INCANTATION added hopples last week and did race better – brutal spot tonight, though. Both (3) CAL MILES N SHELL and (5) WINDSONG PIONEER seem to need to be in easier these days to have any real say

RACE 7 – Tough race: (5) TALENT TO SPARE A was invisible as the lukewarm favorite 3 back but she was scr. injured the start before – this is the type of field where she may be able to shoot right to the top, and win from either on the lead, or the pocket. (1) TOBAGO TIME is going to get hammered at the windows with the class drop, rail and Bartlett but she’s disappointed in the majority of her recent starts, and may prove vulnerable at a very short price (2) MIGHTHAVTIME N gets post and class relief for a very hot barn but also has missed 3+ weeks after a sick scratch – would want a fair price to try her on top. (7) ALTA MADEIRA N is generally camera shy at YR and also draws horribly – she does have some sneaky good recent efforts, though, and her barn is quietly off to a good start in 2026 – decent value play? (3) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ has shown little lately but has also drawn poorly regularly – could offer a better effort from this improved spot. (4) SCHNAPPS just fell apart after joining her current barn last winter – some hints of coming back around recently, but last week was a big step backwards. (6) DAY TO PART Y was facing easier upstate and draws poorly upon arrival. (8) KAIRAKICONFIDNTL N has failed to function in almost all of her local starts the past 2 years (and now draws the 8 hole)

RACE 8 – (1) COASTAL BABE N beat easier in her stateside debut but the WAY she did suggests that her upside is significant (drew off effortlessly in the lane with a :27.3 kicker)– her Down Under resume suggested that she has major class, and drawing the pole tonight will be a big help as she takes on the Invitational Mares. (2) ELUSIVE A was allowed to draw for the inside despite a win, 2nd and 3rd in her last 3 starts – may help her grab another big chunk! (4) TICK A LOCH A has been quite a find for her connections as the recent import is 5-2-2-1 in the U.S. and has established herself as a legitimate Open mare – a good trip puts her in play for another nice slice. (6) AARDIE B MIKI N didn’t even pretend to be interested after drawing Post 8 last week – tonight’s draw is a bit better, and we’ll see if Bartlett can get her in play. (7) LLOYDS LOVES returned from her layoff with a vengeance, winning all 3 local starts– she does go from the rail to the 7 hole tonight, and is definitely in danger of landing on a very tough trip (3) COACHELLABOUND N wasn’t terrible last week, but will still need to be better to battle for a piece against these. (5) STAYINGWITHTHEWIND has been away nearly 4 months – prefer to just keep an eye on her tonight

RACE 9 – Wide open: (3) SENSEI AMNESIA has been facing some solid competition and holding her own – she moves inside, and her barn is starting to heat back up – one of several with a chance in here. (7) VINNY DE VIE took a very tough beat on the wire last week, one of a few from the barn to come up big – the post is the obvious concern. (6) KASHA V has looked much better since recently adding hopples – no chance spot in last, but maybe he can make some noise with the bit of post relief he gets tonight. (5) ONCE IN A LIFETIME moved up from 8th to 3rd just by staying inside last week but then failed to rally in the lane – plenty of back class, but he hasn’t really been able to find it in some time! (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU could end up with a nice trip tonight but he’s sure to get overbet, with the rail and Bartlett. (2) SHAKE N BAKE drops from 40s but has just been “meh” for a barn that has struggled to win races here in 2026. (4) RITSON was an ok 2nd two back but has otherwise struggled in most of his other recent starts. (8) LOOKATMEAMIGO lands Post 8 after struggling from easier spots in his last pair.