Monday, March 2, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, March 2, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) ITALIAN LAD N has been a rock solid $40K claimer, and just won at that level 2 back – he drops to 30s, draws the pole, and figures to be a tough player…assuming a wheel didn’t fall off! (3) SOUTHWIND PETYR was a sharp winner on opening night (after the winter break) but missed a month to his last start and was no factor from Post 7 – look for a much more serious effort tonight with the move inside. (5) WALKINSHAW N was claimed late in his 13YO season then recently RE-claimed as a 14YO – Bartlett is the one guy that can get him to leave alertly, and a fast start would put him right in the mix here. (2) AMERITRIC was wiped out last week so ignore that line – the good draw could see him end up with a good trip…and a chance for a small piece. (4) MAXIMUS RED A may need to be in just a little easier for a chance at the top prize, but a smaller award is still within reach against these. (6) ALTA CLASSIC has been a steady performer for some time but tonight’s draw could make it tough for him to get into play. (7) JETT STAR N is the outsider, both literally and figuratively

RACE 2 – Tough race: (3) PRIMARY COLORS has been racing in NJ for our leading trainer and been a solid player for most of his 6 starts – he catches an uninspiring field for his local debut and will be calling the shots for our leading driver…but note that he won just ONE of those 6 starts before falling in love at a very short price. (7) LI TTLE WILLY struggled first over upon arrival from Stga. last week but that was vs. better – he was claimed away from a sharp barn but moves to a trainer that can wake up fresh stock pretty regularly…possibility, even from out here. (5) PRINTVILLE is still looking for his first win of the year but he’s finished well in a few recent starts and could become dangerous late if things get a little heated up front. (6) INTIMIDATION was definitely helped when the leader (he was battling with) broke into the final turn last week, but he still dug in gamely to the wire to preserve the victory – little tougher spot tonight as he moves up in class, and draws outside. (4) AIR FORCE HANOVER has been camera shy at Yonkers the last couple of seasons – wouldn’t shock, but still leaning elsewhere. (2) THE BIGB OSS A drops a bit but his best work still comes vs. a bit easier – minor share? (1) GREAT SOMEWHERE looked very good wiring much easier 3 back but he wasn’t able to build off that effort, and will need to elevate his current game to beat these. (8) THONG CONTROL gets stuck behind the 8 ball for the 3rd straight week!

RACE 3 – (1) THE GREEK FREAK wired the field 5 straight times upon arrival here last year but then found himself in a bit too tough– he was short in his first start off the winter break but that last PcD try (vs. better) suggests he may be ready to bring his best…the one to catch and beat? (2) AMMO faltered late on the lead 2 and 3 back but was a sharp (long) first over winner with a change in tactics last week – he can handle the class jump, and could be dangerous with an easy, close-up trip. (6) BONDI LOCKDOWN A is sharp right now and his last was better than it may look on paper – tough draw, but still has appeal with that 20-1 ML price. (3) SINBAD N hasn’t been a threat in either start since returning from Ohio but he gets a class drop and this could be the week he finds a better effort – maybe the tote board will provide some clues? (5) COALFORD TOPGUY GB had easy trips in his first 2 YR starts and finished strong (for 2nd) both times – it feels like he can handle tonight’s class jump, but it’s the possibility of a tough trip that’s concerning. (4) LOUS SWEETREVENGE is “in and out” these days but even one of his better efforts may leave him a little short here. (7) MUSIC HALL won an incredible 16 races last year but he’s 0 for 4 in 2026, facing tougher than he’s used to – he drops tonight, but he draws poorly and may have lost his edge recently. (8) ESCAPE TO AMERICA figures to be coming from last – wait for a better spot

RACE 4 – (5) LYONS BENAMIN has been razor sharp for a long time but his last pair were particularly outstanding –he’s not a cinch, but he certainly deserves top billing. (3) WHY TOMORROW RAY is a much different horse when close to the action and last week was a good reminder – his price may come down a bit, but should still be attractive enough to make him worth a look. (6) SCRIBBLERS was handled very aggressively off the claim last week only to take a heartbreaking loss at the wire – his chances figure to be compromised by the draw, but he’s also eligible to outrace that 15-1 ML price. (4) PERFECT PROMISES just missed 3 back, used a dream trip to beat #5 the next week but just didn’t look “right’ last week, even before the miscue – we’ll see if he can shrug that mile off and bounce right back. (2) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N has been limited to minor pieces at this level and likely looking at more of the same tonight. (7) QUOTE ME NOT hails from our top trainer/driver team but would need a lot to go his way to reach from out here. (1) ENFORCER feels a bit overmatched, even from the pole.

RACE 5 – (5) ALL ALONE has a good Yonkers history and certainly wasn’t embarrassing himself vs. some stiff competition at the end of last year – he just re-qualified sharply (for a new listed trainer) to start off his new year, and may be sharp enough to beat this modest crew. (1) JABBAR generally does his best work vs. a bit easier but he’s sharp right now, draws the pole, and seems good enough to have a real say here. (3) BENHOPE RULZ N drew Post 7 after a couple of months off and paced evenly at the back – he drops, moves inside, and does merit a look at that 10-1 ML price. (2) OPTICAL ILLUSION N would be dangerous here on his best effort but he’s listed as the 2-1 ML favorite despite being scratched from BOTH of his first 2 scheduled starts of the year, and getting outfinished by a trotter in his qualifier – possible, but won’t offer much value on top. (4) YOROKOBI N is a reliably solid finisher but he’s also very light in the win column – remains a good option to use underneath. (6) NIGHT HAWK gets a drop after a good try but that may be offset by the bad draw – his chances go up with a fast start. (7) OURMATEMENKO N would look a lot better with a class drop and much better post. (8) WHITE LOTUS looked good outrunning much cheaper 2 back but was tiring before the miscue last week, and now lands Post 8, up in class.

RACE 6 – (1) MACS MARVEL often hurts his own chances of winning by being a little too lazy for much of the mile but he certainly finishes powerfully most every week – if he’s anywhere close turning for home, he’ll be very dangerous against these. (2) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was well meant last week but just caved badly once they turned for home– he’s rebounded from these clunkers in the past, and a good price makes him worth a look. (5) GDS THUNDER GB is in career form and while he’s never battled at tis level in the past, he may be ready to do so right now – has really earned respect in his last few starts. (4) HIMSELF N reunites with Bartlett but while they teamed up to win 2 starts back, it was in a much easier spot – may get overbet tonight. (6) SPEAKER OF PEACE saw his long form spree somewhat derailed by back to back 8 holes – he gets a better draw tonight…but may still be too far out to strut his best stuff. (3) CHEVRON ART N faltered moving up to this level last week and still needs to prove that he can hang with these. (8) ROLLING WITH SAM was in NW5000 5 starts back but has climbed up to this much higher level after hitting board for 5 straight weeks – figures to be coming from too far back to threaten here, though. (7) DELE ROW A has done good work since arriving in the U.S. but draws Post 7 after 3 weeks off

RACE 7 – Very tough race! (1) VICIOUS raced super in his 2026 return and was ultra-well-meant last week… but lost all chance after getting caught behind a tiring ALL CLASS – he was claimed from that start and draws the pole for his new connections…we’ll give him the narrow nod over a very well matched group. (2) SWEETHOMEALAB AMA N got sharp last fall and held that form all through the end of the year, and now into 2026 – he’s proven that he can beat these when things go his way, and he’s always a good price. (3) SOHO DOW JONES A finished up well from a no-chance spot in his last after coming up 2nd best to a razor sharp DIEGO N 2 back – always a chance when the trip goes to his liking. (4) SHERLOCK N got sharp late in the year in his series efforts and has continued to race well in 2026 – if there’s enough battle up front, he can be a dangerous late player. (5) ALL CLASS was well backed last week, went to the front but tired badly – tonight’s addition of Lasix may explain that effort, and a quick rebound would hardly be out of the question. (8) DIEGO N became a major force after joining our leading barn but note that he’ll be campaigning for a new (top) trainer tonight – Bartlett opts off, so we will too. (6) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N was ready off the bench and charged by in the lane to score the upset in his 2026 return – he’s facing better in here, and may also be coming from too far back. (7) BET ON BIG JOE draws poorly off the claim and moves up in class after failing to beat lesser in his last few starts.

RACE 8 – (2) PINNY TIGER A lost his first local start (because he was trapped while loaded in the stretch) then easily won his next four – he’s won 3 of 4 out of town since then (lone loss was 2nd by a head), and he returns off back to back wins at the top levels at The Meadows and Pocono – he catches a pretty soft Invitational tonight, and the very classy import looms the one to beat. (1) CADILLAC BAYAMA has done plenty of good work at Yonkers in the past, though usually at lower levels– he seems to have elevated his game in Ohio for his current connections, and could have a big say from start to finish from this spot. (6) MOSSDALE BEN N had a pair of useful tighteners to start off 2026 but has been idle for 4 weeks – still worth at least a look, at what figures to be a pretty nice price. (7) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A was a bit dull in his first start of the year but a very game winner last week – the poor draw does figure to limit his involvement for tonight, though. (3) VERDUN needs no introduction to Yonkers fans but his dull qualifier suggests that he’s not ready to show his best stuff. (4) JUMPINGJACKMAC N finished up ’25 in fine form but he missed 3 weeks from his first return qualifier to the 2nd, then was scratched sick from his first scheduled start of the year – prefer to just observe tonight. (5) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was very game in his last 2 wins but those were much easier spots – he’ll have to prove that he’s ready to battle these tougher ones

RACE 9 – (4) IMTHEBLACKFLASH N should probably just get a pass for that last start in NJ – his local efforts have been very good, he fits very nicely with this bunch and may be able to pull off a mild upset. (2) AARDIES FL ASH N was heavily favored in his last pair, failing to hang on 2 back and all out to win his last – he’ll be a big threat once more, but also figures to be overbet…once more. (6) IMA PERFECT CHOICE was sharp in victory 2 back but flat-out super in last week’s score – he’s more than sharp enough to handle the class bump, but may need some trip luck starting from Post 6. (8) MATAI PHIL N has just been scary sharp since returning for his 2026 campaign, charging home to beat #2 two back, then rallying from 8th to 2nd in the lane last week – has to be feared, even from out here! (5) SIX DEGREES has been knocking on the door at big prices but did hang at the end last week with victory in his sight…Kelly opts for #4, and we do too. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A may need to be in a bit easier for a chance at the top prize, but is eligible to grab a piece starting from the pole. (3) CURLY JAMES A had been coming up light in most of his starts before wiring a softer bunch in his last – not impossible, but still leaning to others. (7) SPECULATING A may be able to save ground for some minor spoils

RACE 10 – (2) BOILING OAR had trouble finding the winner’s circle in 2025 but often facing tougher than these – he’s been racing okay to start off 2026, his barn has been excellent, and maybe he found a winning spot here. (5) BR UTALLYHANDOME A has been racing ok from no-chance spots – he fits very well with this bunch, and a live trip would make him a live player. (3) SAMHARA N had sneaky good pace finishing last week – willing to give him a look tonight IF the price is juicy enough. (4) WINDSUN RICKY was heavily backed last week and able to prevail, even if it wasn’t his sharpest effort – Bartlett opts for #6, but Holland has won with him many times in the past – will need to be a bit sharper to beat these, though. (6) MYSWEETBOYMAX drops but hasn’t looked all that good lately for a barn off to a slow start this year – he also figures to end up overbet. (1) OZONE BLUE CHIP could be tighter for his 2nd start of the year but he had a tough 2025 season, and would be somewhat of a surprise in here, even from the pole. (8) JAHAN HANOVER drops a notch but doesn’t seem nearly sharp enough right now to overcome Post 8. (7) SIMPLY FAST was all out to prevail over much easier last week -hard to like his chances from this terrible spot.