Monday, March 30, 2026, Empire Report

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

RACE 1 – (2) GDS THUNDER GB is in career form right now and can be forgiven for being a notch below a few very tough rivals in his last 2 starts – he drops down to a much more comfortable level, and could have a big say tonight. (3) JETT STAR N is now 3 for 3 since being claimed away from his long-time connections, winning for 2 different barns – his current trainer already has sent out as many winners through March this year as he did for ALL of 2024-25 combined, and his stock has to be given plenty of respect (6) BE DAZZLED LOU A is now 3 for 3 since the 2/4 claim, but has benefited from beautiful trips – hard to say if he’ll be able to get a good enough trip from this spot to keep his streak alive. (1) LYONS BENJAMIN has been on a very long form spree but his wins have come vs. the 25s and 30s – he needs to prove that he can beat these types too, so insist on a fair price if trying on top. (5) ROLLING WITH SAM is feeling pretty good right now but he lands in a solid field and remains fairly camera shy – willing to include underneath. (4) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A will likely look to save ground and rally late for a piece. (7) GENTLE GIANT’s best recent success has come vs. much easier – brutal spot, even if barn is heating up

RACE 2 – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (1) SOHO FIRESTONE A was freshened up after an outstanding 2025 season that saw him finish 1st or 2nd in 16 of his 21 Yonkers starts, usually at the highest levels – he looked super in his qualifier, and his barn usually has them ready to rock right off the shelf…the one to beat. (4) CELTIC SPIRIT N shows some pretty big miles in Ohio, especially since adding Lasix 3 back – he lands in top hands for this series, but note that his Ohio trainer wins at a pretty astronomical rate…suppose we’ll learn more about him after tonight. (3) ALWAYS A THRILL gets a pass for his last as he just toured the oval from well back in last week’s prep – the good draw should at least put him in a play for a decent piece tonight. (2) SHERLOCK N rarely makes his own luck up at these levels, but he has a reliable late kick when things go his way – never a bad one for 3rd/4th. (5) AYE AYE CAPT AIN N has a big burst of speed in him but may find himself sitting too far back tonight to contend for more than minor spoils. (6) SKYLOU N has 2 U.S. starts and neither would be good enough to make him a player vs. these

RACE 3 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (1) REDWOOD HANOVER was super last year after joining our leading barn, compiling an 8-5-0-2 local record with some outstanding efforts along the way – he adds Lasix for his 2026 campaign, and that last qualifier stamps his as the one to beat right off the bench. (4) IMA PERFECT CHOICE has always hinted at some real ability and he’s elevated his game beautifully as a 4YO – his 3 race winning streak came to an end when handled very aggressively in his Invitational debut, but he was still a close 3rd – look for another strong effort tonight. (3) TWISTED DESTINY raced 17X as a 3YO and picked up 7 wins, banking over $400K – his two Yonkers starts resulted in a win in both his Messenger elimination and the Final, and he may prove worthy against these older Series horses…but he may also need a start or two before we see his best. (5) HEZA CHARTTO PPER A picked up a win here (vs. cheaper) in his 2nd start of the year but his overall form has been lacking lately – waiting for better signs before hopping back on his team. (2) DELE ROW A has been a solid performer for connections that have done some good with recent imports – he does seem ambitiously placed in here, however.

RACE 4 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (2) HUNTINTHELASTDOLAR doesn’t always look like he loves the half-miler but that hasn’t stopped him from thriving here at Yonkers throughout his career, including last year’s 10 for 17 season – his lone prep looks terrific, and he’ll be a handful if allowed to make his way to the lead without too much difficulty. (1) VERDUN was actually a bit dull last week but the guess is that he’ll be much more on his toes for the start of the series – he’s won way too many races here at Yonkers to ignore at that 6-1 ML price. (5) CATALPA RES CUE A was a strong 10-5-1-2 locally last year, and right there 3rd in his first local try of 2026 – he’s hit board in all 5 starts this year, but still seeking his first victory – the right trip might give him a chance. (3) ENDOFSTORY was very inconsistent in 2025 but turned in some big miles when on his game – he looked very good in his qualifier and even though Bartlett (understandably) opted to steer #2 tonight, this guy may be worth a kook if the price is good enough. (4) SWEET BEACH LIFE took a while to hit his stride as a 4YO but elevated his game into last summer and finished up with a solid season – he shows a pair of solid qualifiers for his 2006 return but he’s somewhat unproven at this level, and could be overbet with that 5/2 ML price

RACE 5 – (3) COPPERFIELD may have been tailing just a bit at the end of his 2025 season but he returned from a 3 month break with a blowout qualifier in NJ, followed up with a lifetime best 1:50.4 victory in his first start of ’26 – he went some big efforts when sharp last year, and has his favorite pilot on board tonight – gets the slight call in a race with several live players. (5) CURLY JAMES A was coming up a little short at the end of his miles for a while but has really sharpened in his last few starts, winning 3 of 5 with close 2nds in the other two – can be dangerous once more with another good trip. (1) VICIOUS has been surprisingly sluggish early on in recent starts but still finishing well, really charging at #5 at the end last week – can be a legitimate threat with a good trip tonight. (6) BE TTER B BOLD easily disposed of cheaper in his first 2 local starts then gave it a big go from Post 7 last week, used hard but still fighting right to the wire before coming up 2nd best to a currently razor sharp LITTLE WILLY – he’ll need some trip luck from this spot, but does have appeal with that 15-1 ML price (8) JUMPINGJACKMAC N drops down from the Invitational where he just missed in his first 2 starts of 2026 – clearly more than enough ABILITY to beat these…but can he do it from the 8 hole? (7) JABBAR is in career form right now but moves up another level, draws poorly, and faces several other sharp foes – tough assignment! (4) TENZING BROMAC N managed just one 3rd from his 4 local starts here last year – he’s capable of better, but may need to get into an easier spot to do any real damage. (2) ROCKSTAR ARTIST A finished way back in his U.S. qualifier – prefer to just watch, for now.

RACE 6 – MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (1) CAPTAIN ALBANO had an amazing resume before he ever made a start at Yonkers last year – he was a winner in his first 4 local tries before coming up 2nd best to COACHES CORNER in the MGM Grand Prix Final– he was freshened up after that, and makes his first start of the year tonight after a useful qualifier in NJ – wouldn’t bet the rent money on him, but he does deserve top billing. (3) DONEGAL LUTHER N was outsprinted home by the very fast LOUIES GIRL N in his U.S. qualifier (with his trainer on board), then turned in an excellent first stateside start when 2nd best to heavily favored LOU HILL (who had things all his own way on the front end) – may prove to be a legitimate player in this series! (5) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH has elevated his game dramatically the last few starts and has to be taken very seriously right now– a win tonight would put him over the $1M mark in career earnings, and it’s not impossible. (6) MOSSDALE BEN N probably isn’t as sharp right now as when he won the Borgata Final last year but he’s certainly trending in the right direction as this series begins – the terrible draw may limit his possibilities for tonight, however. (4) MATAI PHIL N has turned in some outstanding efforts since the start of 2026, albeit not at THIS level – we’ll see if his powerful late kick can help him rally for a piece tonight. (2) MACS MARVEL is a solid racehorse, but ambitiously placed against these types.

RACE 7 - MGM Borgata Pace, Leg 1: (1) ARODA N was pretty accomplished Down Under, winning 17 races and $238K – he lands in a terrific barn to begin his U.S. career, and after an excellent first qualifier (pacing right to the wire with the very talented mare ALWAYS BSTUNNING N), he was even sharper the 2nd time (pacing home in :26.4 as he matched SOHO FIRESTONE A stride for stride to the wire in a 1:51.3 mile) – may be worth a shot tonight starting from the pole. (6) COACHES CORNER has compiled an almost unfathomable 37-20-14-0 here at Yonkers, ending his 2025 campaign with a powerful victory in the MGM Grand Prix Final – that last qualifier suggests he’s ready to go, but he’ll be a VERY short price tonight and Bartlett MAY elect to be a little conservative after drawing outside – be careful about taking too short a price. (5) CHASE H HANOVER has shown that he can throw some BIG miles when on his game, and when the trip goes his way – he’s probably better on a bigger track, but can still be very dangerous at Yonkers when things go his way – consider if the price is right. (2) CAPTAIN MOORE A is probably a tad below the top players in this series but has shown that he can get the job done if things go his way – he’s certainly sharp enough right now to be right in the hunt from this spot. (3) HOWLENTHEHILLS was a big earner as a youngster but just 3 for 20 during his 4YO campaign – solid preps, but still needs to prove he can hang with the big boys. (4) WHY NOT NOW comes off a tough 3 for 32 season and would be a surprise here

RACE 8 – (4) LUCAPELO A is winless in 6 starts this year but he’s actually been racing very well – his barn is really clicking right now, and may offer some decent value in a race with a few possible winners. (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A was extremely camera shy throughout 2024-25 but he’s now taken 4 of his last 7, with sharp wins in his last 2 starts – he has to be feared in his current condition, but he’s also moving up in class, for a new barn, and does figure to be overbet (with that 6/5 ML price). (2) AMERITRIC had no prayer from Post 8 last week but finished with good pace for 3rd moving up to this level the start before, and had been doing very good work one class down just prior to that – legitimate threat with the move inside. (5) ORLANDO BLUE A can throw some big miles at big prices at times – leaning to a couple of others a bit more, but he’s a viable option for longshot fans. (3) INTIMIDATI ON was dull last week but a few of his other recent efforts would give him a chance at a piece…at a nice price. (6) SAMHARA N had a few good efforts before throwing a dull one last week – he MAY rebound, but tonight’s draw does figure to hurt his chances. (8) HAMMERING HANK can hang with these types, but maybe not from out here – hard to see a way into the race for him. (7) EVER HOPING A draws poorly while moving up in class, and is 0 for 16 here over the last 2 seasons.

RACE 9 – Good race! (6) HAZEVILLE has been one of the only horses in this barn to NOT throw a huge mile recently…but a trio of awful posts could be the main reason – this is hardly a “good” draw but at last Holland can think about being more aggressive tonight – maybe worth a stab at a big price? (7) HEMSWORTH N landed on a trip he loved 2 back and picked up his first win of the season – he finished well from an impossible spot last week and while he’s not usually at his best when fired up early on, he CAN be a big threat here IF Siegelman can improve position at the start without using him too hard. (8) AMERICAN DEALER N appreciated the change of scenery and has delivered three straight sharp efforts since changing barns – he faces an unpredictable trip tonight, but still worth including as long as the price is fair. (5) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A showed ability here in 2024 but then was away for over a year – he’s looked good in a pair of Pocono starts since recently returning to the races, and that 20-1 ML price does give him some appeal! (3) BONNIPRINCLOUIS N beat a very weak field 2 back off the barn change, then was a solid 2nd in his last (helped by an easy trip) – he faces much tougher now, and seems vulnerable as the 2-1 ML favorite. (4) SIX DEGREES is always good for a late rally, but his 2 for 30 local slate makes him a tough one to take on top. (1) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR always feels like he’s ready to land on that perfect trip and pick up a win, but it’s just been so long since his last victory that he’s becoming harder to consider on top. (2) CHEVRON ART N was dull on 3/16 then scratched sick from his next – leaning elsewhere for now.

RACE 10 – (2) ALL ALONE was an excellent 2nd in his seasonal debut behind the currently razor sharp JABBAR – he sat in the back of the pack from Post 7 in his next and while VERY well meant last week, he was simply overdriven vs. the standout winner (AMERICAN DEALER N), and weakened as a result - an easier trip tonight may yield better results. (4) BOILING OAR had some issue when claimed on 3/9 but it couldn’t have been too significant, as he qualified back strong right behind ENDOFSTORY – he’s the one to beat, but his recent bout with camera-shyness makes him a little risky! (5) THE BIGBOSS A was a little dullish when 4th last time but he does have some good recent efforts – could add some value to the exotics. (6) VENTURESOME ARDEN N had an outstanding 2024 season but struggled for much of 2025 – he makes his first start since last August, and would be hard to endorse as the 2-1 ML favorite (hard to gauge his qualifier as he was forced to chase a scary 1:51.3 mile)! (1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N is struggling to get his 2026 campaign in gear and hard to get excited about right now, even from the pole. (8) BETTOR BY SEASIDE showed much better life 2 back and built off that with a sharp win (over softer) last week – willing to include underneath in exotics at that 20-1 ML price. (3) GREG THE LEG has shown little in his 3 starts this year – watching for better signs. (7) EUPHORIA N is struggling, and actually fits cheaper – will wait for him to be in the proper class before considering

RACE 11 – (5) SHINE A LIGHT has won his last 5 starts at this level, mostly in dominant fashion – he’ll probably be sent off at ten cents on the dollar, but it’s hard to make any logical case against him tonight. (1) METAMAN saw his game improve recently, but was hurt by bad spots in his last couple – moves all the way inside, and may be able to complete the exacta. (4) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK trailed all the way last week after drawing Post 8 off the re-claim but he gets a much better draw now, and looms a very logical player to land somewhere on the ticket. (7) TWI N B RISENSHINE appreciated last week’s trip and rallied to be a distant 2nd behind #5– faces a more uncertain trip from Post 7, but still can be considered underneath. (2) GOTHIC ROCK has earned just $600 through 6 starts this year and needs to up his game considerably! (8) DIAMONDBEACH put together a nice long form spree not too long ago but has tailed off considerably, and now has to contend with Post 8. (3) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING is 14 years old and looked his age as he backed through the field off an easy 3 hole trip last week. (6) ALADDIN hasn’t clicked at all since being claimed during the winter, and last week was an even bigger step in the wrong direction.