Monday, March 23, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, March 23, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (3) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH has been on a long form spree, including last week’s front end blowout against these– goes for a new (top) barn tonight, and remains the one to knock off- at a pretty short price. (1) LINDY THE BRAVE was compromised by horrible cover last week (behind #4) and did the best he could just to be 4th – may have the best chance at upending the top choice if he can just sit close and rally late. (5) THE WICKED ONE was no threat to #3 last time when he sat an easy trip then rallied for 2nd – will likely need that rival to get roughed up a lot more tonight for a chance to knock him off. (8) EVER M is very good right now and fits beautifully…but will need all kinds of racing luck to have a chance at the top slot from out here. (6) HARD TO CATCH hit board in his last 3 – not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (2) SCRIBBLERS raced well 3 back off the claim but reverted to lesser form in his last pair – in need of a wake up call. (4) WELL THATS MARKY had been super for a bunch of starts but laid an egg last week off the claim – definitely feels iffy off that poor effort. (7) ENFORCER needs a much better draw

RACE 2 – (7) OVER THE HORIZON was nearly 80-1 and beaten by 22 lengths two back…but was nevertheless sent off at an incredible 4/5 the next week, and turned in a scary-sharp effort to win easily – Bartlett opts off 3 others to stick with him (despite Post 7), and that’s a pretty strong vote of confidence! (5) HEAVE AWAY has struggled in his last couple but drops to the basement and that at least gives him a chance for a wake up call. (4) JB GRAM is just 1 for 38 over the last 2 years but he throws a big effort at times, and does get a big barn change for tonight – look for him to at least be a big part of the action. (8) MAJOR POCKET A gets another awful draw and it doesn’t help that #7 will likely be leaving right to his inside – he’ll need to leave and HOPE for a seat to have any real shot from this spot. (3) ULYSSES has way more bad efforts than good ones – Bartlett bails, and it’s easy to see why. (2) HARD WORKIN MAN may not be a threat to win but an easy trip could at least put him in play for a small piece. (6) ADVANCE MAN has some ok tries out of town but draws poorly and does seem cheaper. (1) JACKS LEGEND N did “function” last week, but would still need to show more to be worth a look again

RACE 3 – (1) CURLY JAMES A wasn’t finishing his miles well enough for a while but has really picked up his game the last 4 starts, picking up a pair of easy wins and a couple of excellent 2nds – he steps up a bit, but may be sharp enough to handle it right now. (2) BLUE LOU had no chance from Post 8 last week but did have pace from an impossible spot – his prior 2 local efforts were wins, and he could have a chance here with an easy trip. (5) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A picked up a win here in his 2nd start of the season but his form overall has been a bit mixed – his 13 wins here last year makes him hard to ever ignore, but he’d still need to be a decent price here to use on top. (6) CADILLAC BAYAMA was used up 3 back in his local return but raced better in his last couple, even if not a factor –he MAY be ready for a better effort now, but Bartlett will need to work some magic to find him a winning trip from out here. (3) MACS MARVEL will be pacing well late, but likely from too far back to be a real threat. (4) VICIOUS has been too lazy early in his last couple, loses his regular pilot, and may be looking for a class drop next week

RACE 4 – Horses 3,4,5, and 6 are eligible to the Borgata Series starting next week…and that MAY play a role in their strategy for tonight: (1) LOU HILL is one of the horses that will NOT be in the Borgata, and ironically is listed as the 6/5 ML favorite – he’s been on a very lengthy form spree, and had every reason to get a little tired in the lane last week after getting severely roughed up – very dangerous here if allowed to grab easy fractions on the lead. (3) CATALPA RESCUE A has a strong 10-5-2-1 local slate and just missed to #1 a couple of times at PcD – may prove the main danger from this spot. (5) VERDUN seems to be heading into the series in solid form, but does figure to be handled pretty conservatively here – will need a live trip to make his presence felt late. (4) DONEGAL LUTHER N qualified nicely in his U.S. debut, and his connections have him eligible to the Borgata – we’ll learn a bit more about him after tonight. (6) ALWAYS A THRILL jogged in both local starts this year but made easy leads in much softer fields – he CAN go with these too, but may be handled pretty conservatively from this spot. (2) ODDS ON WILDFI RE comes off a strong 3YO campaign for his owner/trainer but lands in a very tough spot for his 4YO return.

RACE 5 – (5) BOURBON COUNTY did excellent work here last year (8-2-2-1), even prompting Bartlett to buy into him early on – he was freshened up for his 2026 campaign, should be tight now after a PcD qualifier and start (at the top level), and gets a condition written for him to fit into this class – we’ll look for him to take advantage. (1) SOHO DOW JONES drops, draws the pole, and is always very tough with a good trip (as he’ll be getting tonight) – the main danger. (4) BOSTON BOUND just missed to #3 as the heavy favorite 2 back, then was a crisp 2nd (up in class) last week – include underneath. (3) BONDI LOCKDOWN A was handled aggressively last start and able to score at 7-1 over #4 – another that can land somewhere in the exotics tonight. (2) SAMHARA N is very good right now, moves inside, and may be able to rally late for a share if things go his way. (6) ESCAPE TO AMERICA figures to be too far back to threaten for more than minor spoils. (7) IMTHEBLACKFLASH N faltered badly on the lead at 1/5 last week and now lands outside in a tougher field – may look better in NW10000 next week. (8) HAZEVILLE continues to be plagued by horrible draws – pass for tonight

RACE 6 – (4) AMERICAN DEALER N has really appreciated the recent change of scenery, going a big 8 hole try two back (after the barn change) followed by last week’s front end jogburger – he has more than enough back class to handle tonight’s slight move up. (5) COALFORD TOPGUY GB finished 2nd in his 4 local tries before a pretty close 4th last week – could be next in line should #4 fail to deliver. (2) THE BIGBOSS A nearly pulled off a 53-1 upset 2 back then did hit the wire alertly last week from a totally impossible spot – moves inside, and is a good one to include underneath. (8) INVISIBLE N qualified nicely in his first U.S. appearance, adds Lasix, and hails from sharp connections – check the tote board for some clues as to his intentions from Post 8 tonight. (3) OPTICAL ILLU SION N threw a dud last week but maybe disliked the off going– ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) BRUTALLY HANDSOME took advantage of the class drop and rail in last week’s front end score – looking at a MUCH tougher scenario for tonight, however. (1) CASINO ACTION N rarely wins and when he does, it’s vs. much easier than these. (6) GREG THE LEG has looked well short in both of his 20216 starts – waiting for some better signs

RACE 7 – Very tough race! (4) SPEAKER OF PEACE benefited from both a class drop and good draw last week and cashed in with a victory – he moves up a bit but he’s capable against these too, and can handle a variety of trips – one of many with a legitimate chance in here. (3) HEZA RISK TAKER A is hard to gauge off his U.S. qualifier as he blew out some very weak rivals – his connections have done well with some other recent imports, so it’s possible that this guy may be able to be a threat right out of the box. (7) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N is more than capable vs. these types but the obvious issue is the draw – IF Stratton can work out a trip (without using him too hard), he could be a very live player. (2) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR hasn’t won in a long time but he’s been right there in many recent starts, utilizing his good late rallies – maybe he can get there tonight, if things get too hot up top? (6) HI MSELF N may look to leave the gate tonight (after taking back in his last couple) but he just hasn’t been at his best recently, and would need to find his (much) better game. (8) HEMSWORTH N landed on his kind of trip last week and converted it to a victory – he’ll probably have to leave tonight to have a chance to repeat, but he often does NOT turn in his best efforts when fired up at the start! (5) SIX DEGREES has raced well in several starts this year but is still looking for his first win – another that would benefit if things fall apart up front. (1) VEGAS STRIP N just hasn’t clicked so far in the U.S. for connections that usually excel with these types.

RACE 8 – (1) LUCAPELO A turned in some good tries in this class (vs. some strong fields) to start off his season, and now returns from PA off a pair of good efforts – might be able to take advantage of the draw to pick up a win tonight. (4) JETT STAR N went a HUGE mile to win off the claim 2 back, then scored from the pocket for another new barn last week – hard to leave off your tickets in his current (raging) form. (6) LYONS BENJAMIN is now 7-3-4-0 on the year after coming up 2nd best to #4 last week – his excellent starts put him in the mix every week, even as he’s climbed the class ladder this year. (3) ROLLING WITH SAM was incredibly aggressive last week and only got a little weaker at the end – have to respect his chances off that mile. (2) INTIMIDATION finished with pace from a tough spot trying this class last week– could be worth a look here if the price is good enough. (5) ORLANDO BLUE A got a little tired late after a first over trip last week and almost won in this class 3 back – he’s always a good price and never a bad one to consider. Both (7) HAMMERING HANK and (8) AMERITRIC could be players at this level, but likely would need better posts to do so – leaning elsewhere tonight

RACE 9 – Another tough race: (3) SPECULATING kicked in too late last week but was a close 3rd vs. much better – he’s at a level where he could do bigger damage…if Siegleman can get him motivated a little earlier. (8) MIND HU NTER was a sharp first over (well backed) winner returning from Stga. last week – he moves up AND draws Post 8, but he’s certainly sharp and he HAS blasted from spots like this in the past – bomb threat? (1) JAHAN HANOVER wired softer 2 back then chased a sharp winner last week – he’s hardly a standout vs. these, but he does have the rail, with Gingras, for a barn that’s heating up. (6) SIP OF BOURBON has some overall decent form recently – gets a tough spot returning to YR, but worth a look if the price is juicy enough. (7) PRINTVILLE is racing well right now but just may be coming from too far back to threaten for the top slot (4) BONNIPRINCLOUIS N won for his new barn last week but beat a MUCH softer (weak?) field – maybe he can handle these too, but he’s sure to be overbet. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N has been off his game, but maybe looked a little better last week – wouldn’t be a total surprise. (2) NO TRESSPASSING’s barn came to life last week (with a couple of fresh claims) but this guy will need to elevate his game considerably to be a threat tonight.