Monday, March 16, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, March 16, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH had no chance in his first start off the claim (stuck well back in 8th) but still finished up very well just to grab a 5th place check – he gets major post relief, likes to win races, and we’ll give him the slight edge. (4) THE WICKED ONE lost any realistic chance when stuck following an empty ENFORCER (60-1) last week, but still finished ok from a hopeless spot – another than can be expected to have a much bigger say tonight. (5) LINDY THE BRAVE raced super here in both February starts and returns off a win across the river – if the trip goes his way, he has a legitimate chance to pull off an upset. (3) HARD TO CATCH is extremely camera shy but his overall recent form is good, and he has a chance to land a piece of this (6) PERFECT PROMISES rebounded with a better 3rd last week after a couple of rough outings – tonight’s draw does figure to limit his production, though (7) WELL THATS MARKY has been very sharp for a long time but he exits a pair of top barns, draws outside and is also moving up in class – definitely seems a bit vulnerable as the ML favorite. (1) DISMAS draws the pole for the winningest trainer/driver duo in town, but he showed little in a pair of local tries and his recent NJ form is less than stellar as well. (8) ENFORCER would be a surprise, to say the least

RACE 2 – (3) LITTLE WILLY flew home like a wild horse 2 back to almost go “last to first” in his initial start off the claim – he was a dead game winner in his next (in a hot 1:52.2 mile) and we’ll stay on board tonight, even moving up a bit. (1) PRIMARY COLORS got it done as the prohibitive 1/10 favorite upon arrival from NJ, but it’s not like he dominated the competition – he can win here, but he’ll need to be sharper than he was last start. (7) BET TER B BOLD is 2 for 2 since arriving at YR and joining one of our sharpest barns– it’s possible he can take another, but he’ll have to overcome both a class jump AND terrible draw to do so. (4) OPTICAL ILLUSION came up big in his first start of 2026, overcoming an early miscue to still rally for 3rd – willing to just excuse that last start in the NJ fog, and look for him to potentially outrace his odds tonight. (6) SIX DEGREES will appreciate the class drop, but not the draw – will need some trip luck to be close enough late to do any real damage. (5) THE BIGBOSS A was sent off at 53-1 last week and was right there on the wire with the 1/10 favorite (PRIMARY COLORS)- have to at least consider him for a small piece off that effort. (8) SAMHARA is good right now, but likely looking at a fairly impossible trip. (2) GREG THE LEG looked dead short in his first start since last August

RACE 3 – Good race: (5) MATAI PHIL N has just been outstanding since returning from the winter break, delivering big-time finishes in almost all of his starts – if he’s reasonably close when they turn for home, he may be able to pick up his 2nd victory of the season. (2) GDS THUNDER GB is in career form right now, and can be forgiven for not having a little more at the end last week (after chasing the sizzling 1:22.1 pace) – more than sharp enough to win here with the right trip. (4) JUST ENUFF STUFF has been on a very long form spree and handled last week’s class bump beautifully for his new connections (game right to the end despite a tough first over trip vs. the heavily favored frontrunner). – more than capable. (6) CURLY JAMES A had been coming up a little light in several starts before getting the victory 3 back – he was a sharp 2nd to the currently razor sharp IMA PERFECT CHOICE in his next, and almost hung on last week after getting down to 3/4s in an eye-popping 1:22.1 – deserves respect, even with the terrible draw. (1) CHEVRON ART N has been solid overall since beginning his U.S. career in Dec, but may need to be in a little easier to get back to the winner’s circle. (3) AMMO was very good in that win 2 back (2 levels down) but has otherwise been a bit disappointing – leaning elsewhere. (7) HAZEVILLE can go with these on his best effort but another bad draw will likely leave him waiting for a better spot

RACE 4 – (1) SPEAKER OF PEACE was on a long form spree before being slowed just a bit by a couple of 8 holes – his last pair showed that he’s still on his game, and now he gets a class drop and the rail – hopefully Buter will drive him accordingly! (3) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR hasn’t won in a long time but he does kick home strong every week, for good pieces– good one for exotics, especially with that 8-1 ML price (4) BLAZE ON N wired softer 2 back then had good pace finishing from a tough spot last week – he seems to getting confidence back as he climbs back up the ladder, and may be able to have a real say tonight. (6) HELLABALOU is still a “decent” overnight horse, though clearly not the same animal that won the Borgata twice – he tends to get overbet on reputation, but fits well enough with these to do some damage with a quick start. (2) SPECULATING N drops another notch and can go with better than these, when sharp…but he just hasn’t been on his game lately – needs a wake up call. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM has leveled off a bit after a nice recent form spree – minor share? (7) CASINO ACTION N is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.

RACE 5 – (3) WHATS STANLEY GOT A just wasn’t into cutting the mile when favored 3 back but he was a very sharp winner in his next start (with an easier trip), then paced home well from an impossible spot last week – he drops in class, and will be very tough if he brings his best effort. (4) COALFORD TOPGUY GB has now finished 4th in all 4 local starts – his last try wasn’t his best, but he reunites with Bartlett and may be ready to threaten with a live trip. (1) KOPI LUWAK returns from NJ in good form and he’s done plenty of damage here in the past when sharp – could be a threat with an easy trip from the pole. (2) HEMSWORTH N hasn’t clicked yet in 3 (well spaced) starts this year – he’ll reverse form eventually, but wouldn’t take a short price that it’s tonight. (5) THE IDEAL DAN CER A has been facing tougher (overall) but also hasn’t been a factor– may be looking at only a small piece vs. these too. (6) BOSTON BOUND shipped in sharp from NJ, but couldn’t find the wire as the 3/5 favorite – tougher spot now, but at least his price will climb up a bit. (7) HIMSELF N drops to a better level, but draws outside and just hasn’t been on top of his game lately. (8) VICI has held form for some time, but generally struggles when he lands so far outside – may need to wait for a better spot

RACE 6 – Good race! (2) SOHO DOW JONES A was surprise leaver last week (54-1 from Post 7) but was able to grab the early pocket, ending up pulling first over from 3rd and battled hard every step of the way, a strong 3rd place finisher – Stratton clearly got along very well with him, and maybe he can get the job done tonight with the better draw. (5) SHERLOCK N finishes well every start, but has been limited to smaller pieces – he’ll be a juicy price if you think he may be able to trip out, and be in the right spot as they turn for home. (7) ALL CLASS added Lasix last start, controlled the action and LOOKED like a winner…until getting nipped right on the money by #4 – another possible value play in a pretty wide open affair. (1) STERLING CHOICE (co-owned by our leading driver) is a perfect 6 for 6 at Yonkers but that streak will surely be put to the test tonight as he catches a strong group, after being away for 3 months – insist on a fair price if using on top. (4) VICIOUS found his best late 2 back and was able to nail ALL CLASS right at the wire- he received a puzzling drive last week, however (away in 4th from the pole), and could only manage 4th after finding life in the latter stages– wouldn’t be a shock. (3) BACKSTREET SHADOW benefited from being the only leaver last week and was able to work out a pocket trip despite starting from Post 8 (and finishing 2nd) – his current comeback is going well, but it’s hard to say if he can remain as effective against these types. (8) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N proved that he CAN do some damage at this level with the right trip, but he’s unlikely to get that from out here. (6) JABBAR is in career form but draws poorly while taking a big step up

RACE 7 – (1) MOSSDALE BEN N probably isn’t performing at the level he was when he won last year’s Borgata Final, but he’s certainly been solid in all 4 starts this year, always finishing with pace despite racing from well back all 4X (and picking up a win 2 back) – he drops and draws the pole tonight, and he’s shown that he CAN be more aggressive, when asked to…giving him top billing. (3) DIEGO N changed barns 2 back but didn’t survive the first turn after leaving from Post 8 – he was handled carefully at the start in his next before rushing up to take over, but he absorbed heavy heat from before 3/4s and could only take home the place honors – if he brings his best tonight, he can give #1 a real battle. (2) THE GREEK FREAK has taken 2 in a row as he continues his climb back up the class ladder – not sure that he can beat these, but he’s in line for an easy trip and that could land him in the exotics. (7) AYE AYE CAPTAIN had an outstanding 2025 campaign (10 wins, $200K) and has looked good in all 3 starts in 2026 – won’t be easy to find a manageable trip from out here, though. (6) TAHUYA DEVIL was moving way up in class last week and ended up coming up short in the lane despite a good trip – still needs to show that he can hold his own at this level. (4) MACS MARVEL struggled chasing last week’s sizzling clip but started to get motivated in the back by the final turn and was able to use his excellent late kick to deliver at 58-1 (nice overlay!) – hard to see him being as fortunate tonight, however. (5) CADILLAC BAYAMA tried badly in his YR return after being part of some hot early action – he was no factor at all last week, but wasn’t far back at the end – keep an eye out for improvement

RACE 8 – Short field but a good race! (1) CAPTAIN MOORE A turned in good rallies from tough spots in his first 2 starts of the year (at Pocono) – he was in another hopeless spot (here at Yonkers) last week, but was probably pacing fastest of all at the wire – maybe he can work out the winning trip from the pole tonight. (4) JUMPINGJACK MAC N was gaining from behind on MOSSDALE BEN N in his first start of the year then just missed last week to a currently razor sharp WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH – deserves major respect right now. (5) PINNY TIGER A was actually sent off at 5 cents on the dollar last start….but got caught up in an unavoidable intense battle with WHICH WAYTOTHEBEACH and just had little left late – could easily make amend, and obviously tonight’s price will be much better. (3) VERDUN had a useful first start of 2026 and was sharper last week when a close 3rd – he’d never be any real surprise. (2) IMA PERFECT CHOICE always hinted at serious ability and is in career form right now – remains to be seen if he can do the same damage at the Invitational level, however

RACE 9 – All 8 of these horses have either been “sharp” or “VERY sharp” lately! (3) THEFLYINGROCK has held form amazingly well even as he’s risen from the bottom claiming class right up to the 40s, never finishing worse than 3rd along the way – we’re giving him the narrow vote thanks to his extreme versatility. (2) JETT STAR N went an insanely good mile off the claim last week, pacing a FFA-type final half to win from a seemingly impossible spot – would have been the top choice off that effort if he wasn’t going for yet another new barn tonight (but still worthy of plenty of respect)! (1) ORLANDO BLUE A was no factor last week but barely missed at 40-1 two back and won at 39-1 (from Post 7) 3 weeks before that– good longshot to consider (4) AMERITRIC was a close 2nd in his last pair and while he’s moving up a notch tonight, still could have a big say in his current form. (7) LYONS BENJAMIN was a winner in his last 3 starts after finishing 2nd 4 straight times just before that – we’ll see if he can overcome both the class jump and terrible draw that he’s dealing with tonight. (5) OVERTHINKING had to retreat at the start last week but had otherwise been racing well for several weeks – drops in for a tag, but gets a terrible draw. (6) INTI MIDATION may not be as sharp right now as a few of the others but he’s been steady, and may be able to grab a small piece, at a big price (with some trip luck). (8) HAMMERING HANK is listed on the bottom mostly due to the draw, but he’d be a possible player with a better post



RACE 10 – (4) AMERICAN DEALER N changed barns last week and went a big effort from the 8 hole, right there 3rd (vs. better) despite 3 weeks off – short price now, but clearly the one to knock off. (2) ALL ALONE qualified nicely then was an excellent 2nd best behind the sharp JABBAR to start off the new year – was no factor last week, but may have already had tonight’s class drop in mind…look for a much better effort! (3) HESPOISEDTOPOUNCE A hasn’t raced here since 2022 but it seems like the 10 year old still has some life in his legs – hard to gauge how well he fits off his current Stga. form, but willing to include underneath in exotics. (6) PRINTVILLE finished ok in his last pair and is eligible to rally for a minor share tonight, as well. (7) YOROKOBI N is just 1 for 33 over the last 2 years but he usually finishes up well, and isn’t a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) WASA HEAT SEEKER N drops a bit after a failed speed try vs. a bit better – may find these a little too tough as well. (1) CAVIART SARGENT was able to capitalize on last week’s “fall apart” race and pick up a rare win – definitely shouldn’t be listed at 3-1 in this much tougher spot. (8) LOUS THE ATTITUDE could use a class drop…and (much) better post/