Thursday, April 2, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, April 2, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) CHECKONWILLIAM GB is off to a rough start in 2026 after posting a terrific 16-6-4-1 record here last year – he DOES have some legitimate recent excuses, however, and may have a chance to pull off an upset of some (overdue) trip luck comes his way. (3) LOUS BEACH won his last 2 starts after being claimed by a suddenly red-hot barn – he moved to an eternally hot barn tonight (off another claim), and looms a legitimate threat to stretch his streak to 3. (5) DEETZY has found a home at this $15K level as the 14YO inches closer to the $1M mark in career earnings – any decent trip puts him in play for a big chunk of this. (1) MOVIN ON UP just missed dropping to this level 2 back then was able to dig in and prevail last week – obviously has a chance to take another, but he does need to be a little stronger at the end of his miles. (4) MASTER MIKI has some ok recent NJ tries and he goes from his trainer to Buter tonight – he’s also on the cheaper side, and his overall local record isn’t all that stellar. (7) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY has been a very consistent performer since arriving here in Feb. but tonight’s draw may leave him battling for minor scraps only. (8) OZONE BLUE CHIP drops back down to the level he beat 3 back but that was from the pole – much tougher assignment tonight! (6) DELIGHTFUL TERROR was a close 2nd from the pole 2 back but has struggled in most of his other starts this year.

RACE 2 – NAADA Spring Series – wide open race! (6) WINDSONG PIONEER has struggled this year but he’s been facing tougher, and his lone bright spot was his amateur race on 2/26, with Beltrami on board – he’ll be a good price, and he’s one of several that could take this, depending on how the race plays out. (3) YUCATAN PARTY MA N found himself way too far back last week to threaten but he gets a much better draw for tonight, is listed at 15-1 ML, and did win one of these 5 starts back – worth a look? (4) CERTIFY is another that was left with no chance in his last (8 hole), but did wire a field here back on 1/22 – another possible value play. (1) VALI HANOVER fits well for sure, is yet another moving in from Post 8, and has a very legitimate chance…he’s also listed at 7/5 ML, and that suggests there will be better value to be found with a few others (on top). (8) BIG CHARLIE MORAN was used hard last time and did a nice job holding 2nd after the winner blew by him – the post is the obvious roadblock, however. (7) ROGER RABBIT will take plenty of $$ here (especially with Sheridan driving) but he gets an awful draw, has a poor local win %, and may be a bit vulnerable. (2) CHAMPA BAY HALL is a newcomer that gets a good draw, but looms a question mark in her Yonkers debut. (5) PERRON has some questionable form out of town right now, and has always been camera shy here at The Hilltop

RACE 3 – (2) I LOVED HER FIRST has found herself in terrible spots pretty much on a weekly basis, but the ONE time things worked out for her (2 back) she rallied for a win – she figures to land on a good trip tonight, and may be able to knock off the likely prohibitive favorite. (1) YOU BEDA ROCK has won her last pair and 3 of her last 4 – the road to the winner’s circle clearly goes through her but she does go for (another) new barn, and figures to be a very short price. (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY N is listed at 20-1 ML but she had pace finishing the last 2 weeks, she does have a fairly recent victory, and she’s not a bad stab at all. (7) BOUT DAMN TIME A is racing very well right now but she gets another terrible draw, and hasn’t won in a long time– still, worth a look if the price is high enough. (5) CHARMING VIXEN has been racing well at Stga, since returning for her 2026 campaign – her 12-0-0-1 local record last year IS a concern, though! (8) WHOS PERFECT was a sharp front end winner 3 back but most of her other recent starts wouldn’t be good enough in here – Post 8 just makes it that much harder to use her. (4) SUNBUR NT pulled off a big upset here last year but her current form is really lacking. (3) STORMY SERENA has fallen on hard times ever since the 2/3 claim

RACE 4 – (4) GLUTES HANOVER has been developing beautifully as a 4YO and rallied very nicely (for 2nd) in her local debut – if the favorite in here falters, she may be able to pull off the minor upset. (6) PAYBACK MONI threw a completely unexpected clunker in her local debut (for our leading trainer) then broke making the winning move in her next – she did put it all together in her next start (making the top from Post 8 and never looking back) then followed that up with last week’s 1:55 blowout – on the flip side, she got VERY hot through the middle half last start, and did get a little choppy gaited late…maybe a tad vulnerable here? (3) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S has been a very steady player since arriving from Sweden this year, and was a solid 3rd last week – should be able to grab another nice piece tonight. (2) ENOLA has been very good for quite a while, trotting home well from a tough spot last week– she’s eligible for an even better piece tonight with what should be a better trip. (5) HOT FLASH KIMMY comes off back to back wins but may land on a tougher journey tonight – remains a very legitimate player, but others may offer some better value. (1) AIRMANS JACKPOT is good right now, but possibly a bit cheaper than a few of the others.

RACE 5 - NAADA Spring Series: (3) BONTONI DEGATO S had to work for the lead last week, ended up parking SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE , then really hurt his chances by drifting off the cones off turn three, and ending up battling with the tripsitter (to his inside) – he’ll be a better price tonight, and may be able to make amends, with his new pilot. (1) MUSCLE DETECTOR was caught in the back and unable to get in play last week but he should end up with a much kinder trip tonight, and his best effort could make him a threat here. (4) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE was parked every step last week, actually tipped wide on the final turn and still somehow was able to finish 4th – might have listed him on top if not for his dreadful local win % over the past 2 years (0 for 33)! (5) OURMOMENT NTIME was dullish to the final turn last week but found his stride into the lane (as the pace slowed) and almost got up for the win – possibility, but also figures to end up overbet tonight. (6) KILIMANJARO N couldn’t take full advantage of a great trip last week and now gets a terrible draw – maybe a minor share? (2) CALL ME THEFIRE MAN has some good starts here in the past but just seems too dull lately. (8) IMA STANDUP GUY landed on a dream trip last week and was able to grab the lead late then hold off OURMOMENTNTIME at the wire – he’s looking at a MUCH tougher scenario from Post 8, however. (7) CREATIVE VENTURE did win a “fall apart” race 3 back but has otherwise struggled in most of his starts.

RACE 6 – (1) SIMPLY FAST steps up to 20s after being a very sharp rival in 15s last week – he should be comfortable in this field too, and has a post edge over his main foes…gets the narrow nod. (7) COWBOY CARGO is the most recent “formless” horse to join this barn and immediately show dramatic improvement – he was a game 2nd to a stickout winner in his local debut, then just missed in his last after being used virtually every step of the mile – legitimate chance, even with the bad draw. (5) DISMAS had been struggling but showed up at his best last week and was an impressive, form-reversing winner – Bartlett stays on board, and a repeat of last week would make him a real threat here too. (2) DANCININTHEFIRE took a tough beat to a form-reversing tripsitter last start – he’s a big threat on paper, but he exits a high % barn and joins one that has been struggling…mixed feelings about his chances. (8) OVER THE HORIZON is riding a modest 2 race winning streak but he draws Post 8, loses Bartlett, and does feel very vulnerable tonight. (6) SURFSIDE BEACH has 3 starts since returning off the layoff and is still trying to find his game – another bad draw isn’t going to help! (3) SCRIBBLERS has gone in the wrong direction lately- waiting for better signs. (4) LEW HAUBER makes his local debut and does look on the cheaper side

RACE 7 – (7) QUALITY KID came up a little flat in the lane in her local debut (for our leading trainer) but was racing off a bad date – eligible to be tighter tonight, and the bad post will help her price…not a bad week to give her a look. (5) WHEELZABLAZIN goes for new connections tonight after having success for his last couple of barns – threw a bit of a dud last week, but would be very dangerous here on any of his better efforts. (1) SENSEI AMNESIA is just 1for 17 at Yonkers but usually races well, and hit board in 10 of her losses – should be a big part of the action from start to finish. (3) HOOLIE N HECTOR was beaten 15 lengths when 2nd in his qualifier but he was also facing a pacing mare racing in the McIntyre Series – his connections elect to drop him in at the $40K level for his return, suggesting that they may be expecting a strong effort from him…check the tote board for clues (2) ICE BREAKERS K never wins, but does grab pieces – not a bad bomb for 3rd.4th. (4) ENERGY KING was sharp for a while but feels like he’s been regressing lately – leaning elsewhere, for now. (6) BO SILAS has trotted well in most of his starts but jumps up to 40s when just 1 for 31 racing in modest NWPM fields. (8) SUNBURNT SILVERADO probably needs a lot better draw to be a serious player with these

RACE 8 – (7) OURMATEMENKO N gets another bad draw and doesn’t have the greatest WIN profile…but he IS sharp, and lands in a field well within his comfort zone – a good price makes him worth a stab. (2) OUTLAW MAN N gave it a go last week but ended up parked and gets a pass – he definitely disappoints more often than he delivers, but this is the type of field he CAN beat. (4) BROOKDALE MIKI was quickly reclaimed after an even effort last week – his best effort would make him a player here, and his lone local win did come with Gingras on board. (3) FR ANCO NANDOR N doesn’t have a lot of starts over the last 2 years and struggled in most of them – he does seem to be trending in the right direction now, and he’s worth considering for exotics with that 20-1 ML price. (6) TWO FACED always gets bet, usually gets a good piece, but he hasn’t WON a race since 2024…tough to use on top! (1) PYRO has missed 3 weeks after showing little in his first 2 starts of 2026 – still watching for any signs of improvement. (5) BUCHANNON HANOVER sports an ugly 29-0-0-3 local slate – minor spoils? (8) RAYRAY backed up badly last week and now lands behind the 8 ball!

RACE 9 – (2) SEA STORM has been doing the best she can through a series of 4 straight terrible posts but picked up 2 wins and 2 seconds in the 4 starts that she drew “well” just before that – moves back inside, and seems sharp enough to take advantage. (6) UNCONTROLLED came up a little light at the end last week but she also sat a lot closer than usual and was forced to chase a hot pace – she’s been incredibly consistent for some time, and has a chance for a good piece tonight, despite the bad draw. (7) BEANTOWN BABE took no $$ and was never in play in her first start off the claim last week – she’s capable of better, her barn is going strong right now, and she may prove a live longshot this week. (4) DASH N CACHE gets post relief and reunites with Yannick for the first time since they won together on 2/3 – could be a part of this. (1) HUNTS FLOWER backed up last start but the addition of Lasix for tonight suggests that she may have bled – would consider for a piece with that 15-1 ML price. (3) STAY HAPPY is listed as the 8/5 ML favorite despite some less than stellar recent form – probably not a bad one to take a shot against. (5) IRIS SEELSTER hit board in a pair of late February starts but did little before and has done little since.

RACE 10 – (2) IM SOME GRADUATE was no factor last week but that was after drawing Post 8 after a sick scratch – his form this year has otherwise been excellent, he moves inside, and a big effort is expected. (3) HANK THE HUNK has some recent excuses but his overall form is solid, and a good trip could put him right there tonight. (5) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM rebounded from a couple of tough 8 hole tries with a nice trip 3rd last week – if he can blast his way out to another good trip tonight, he can definitely be part of the equation. (1) FULL SUPPORT moves back to the rail, and he hit board the last 2X he drew this coveted spot – ok for 3rd/4th. (4) ROCKET FREIGHT is listed at short 7/2 odds despite going off at BIG prices every week, and lacking any real current form – better value with others. (6) J B GRAM draws poorly tonight after backing up off a pocket trip in his last (off the claim)– leaning elsewhere. (8) BETTORBUCKLEUP is 4 starts into his 2026 campaign and hasn’t offered anything – needs to pick up his game. (7) ALWAYS ROCKIN drops, but has really been struggling and is 2 for 38 locally (last 3 years).