Thursday, March 19, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, March 19, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Spring Series: (3) SOUTHWIND MAC almost wired ‘em at 9-1 three back, broke trying for the lead in his next then almost scored from Post 8 (at 13-1) last week – he definitely deserves top billing but his price will unfortunately drop considerably. (8) CERTIFY is listed at 20-1 ML but his only local try this year produced a wire to wire jogburger – hard NOT to consider him if anywhere close to that price. (4) KILIMANJARO NL has some solid Monti form that would make him a big player here – he’s also just 2 for 33 over the last 2 years, and winless at YR for at least the last 3 seasons…hard to endorse on top at that 9/5 ML price but still very playable underneath. (1) MUSCLE DAN will make an early miscue sometimes, and that was the case last week – in the bigger picture, he’s hit board in a high % of his local starts, and remains a good one for exotics. (2) NASA is hard to gauge class-wise but he stays trotting, should be fairly close to the action and may be able to grab a piece. (6) NICC OLO has some uninspiring Stga. lines and draws poorly – we’ll see if the barn change helps his cause. (7) BAR KE EP DE VIE will have a tough time getting anywhere close. (5) MUSKINGUM just hasn’t been close in a long time

RACE 2 – (2) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY paced home steadily for 4th behind a trip of sharp foes last week after racing very well for a pair of 2nds just prior to that – his barn continues to do good work, and we’ll give this guy a narrow nod. (4) LOUS BEACH exits one of our top barns and lands in one that’s been struggling…but his new crew has recently began to claim a bunch, and that is often a signal that good things may start to happen – solid threat, but that 9/5 ML price does seem a bit low. (7) BROOKDALE MIKI beat this class in his first local try of the year then was 2nd vs. 20s the next week – he was in tough spots the last couple of weeks and unfortunately, this feels like another one – consider if the price is right. (1) ROCKET FREIGHT wins his fair share and does have legitimate excuses in his last couple – leaning elsewhere, but he really wouldn’t be a shock. (6) METAMAN has looked better in his last couple but tonight’s draw figures to limit him to a smaller share. (8) SURFSIDE BEACH had a useful mile upstate to start off his 2026 season – brutal spot tonight, but keep an eye for future consideration. (5) PINEBUS HDRAGONLIFE has some “ok” recent tries but his 24-0-0-1 local slate is hard to ignore. (3) IM THE PRINCE just hasn’t been any good in his last several starts – in need of a major form reversal

RACE 3 – (6) KEWPIE DOLL has really blossomed, with 5 wins and 3 seconds from her last 8 starts – she’s missed a month, but won off a similar layoff on 1/28– we’ll give her top billing, but won’t be betting the ranch at what figures to be a pretty short price. (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY got parked the mile 2 back but has otherwise been her usual solid self– a live trip makes her a very live player. (3) DIAMANTE TRIO IT remains frustratingly inconsistent but her best effort would give her a chance at a mild upset. (5) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S won her first U.S. start in NJ then followed that up with a local victory as well – she could only manage 2nd moving up in class the next week then was no factor at all in her last – the jury is still out on what her best level is! (1) SENSEI AMNESIA is a very steady performer but still a notch below a few of the main players in here. (2) LUCKY MUM N is still trying to find her best form since returning for her 2026 campaign

RACE 4 – (8) CHAPHEART went a big try from Post 8 upon joining our leading barn three back, was a winner the next week and then a strong 2nd best to a currently very sharp TORRONE in his last – he’ll obviously be at a major disadvantage starting from out here, but that also means he’ll be a much better price – could be a good value play! (2) WHEELZABLAZIN has benefited from a class drop and change in tactics, and parlayed that into a pair of excellent off-the-pace victories – legitimate threat to pull off the “threepeat” with the good draw. (1) BUSY MAKIN G MONI remains sharp, is right there every week but has come up just a little short to the top pair over his last 3 starts – he’ll have every chance to reverse those decisions tonight, but does tend to get overbet. (3) IM OUT is a notch below the top trio but the good draw gives him a chance to take home at least a piece of this. (6) GO HAVE FUN fits well and did finish with good trot from a tough spot last week – the problem is that tonight’s spot isn’t any better – chance for a piece, with some trip luck. (4) VLAHOS is a proven winner at this level when sharp, but just isn’t as reliable right now as the top 3 – he’s also coming off a break in his last, and may be handled conservatively tonight. (5) MEMENTO MORI is a newcomer racing off a bad date – prefer to just observe, for now. (7) FOR A DR EAMER needs a much better post to be any kind of serious player against these types.

RACE 5 – (1) STONECOLD GIRL won her first 2 starts of the year, had a couple of off weeks then rebounded to win her last 3– she changes barns tonight, but no reason to think she won’t bring another big effort (6) BEANTOWN BABE was very solid off the claim last week, even if helped by a ground saving trip – if she’s anything close to that 10-1 ML price, she’s absolutely worth considering. (2) YOU BEDA ROCK has been a very solid performer in this class, grabbing her fair share of victories – she’s one of a few these connections just recently claimed, and we’ll see how she fares for her new crew. (8) SEA STORM was used hard from Post 6 last week but still was a very good 3rd – she can have a say even from out here IF a bit of trip luck comes her way. (5) QUICK MENU has no 1sts or 2nds from her 7 starts this year but she’s been 3rd FIVE times…it could happen again here. (3) UNDETERRED clearly wasn’t a fan of last week’s aggressive steer but a much easier trip could see her rally for a minor share. (7) SHEIKH YABOOTY N was unable to make a dent from 8th last week, and will likely be trying to rally from a similar spot tonight. (4) STORMY SERENA was a little better last week but has struggled overall since the last claim

RACE 6 – Good race: (4) STORMONT DIVIDE recently returned from a year on the shelf and may be ready to do more serious damage – he finished with steady trot in last week’s Invitational, and may be able to handle this softer spot. (1) BRONZER is a different horse when he drops out of the top class, as evidenced by his easy front end score 2 back – legitimate threat to do it again tonight. (2) MAHONE SEELSTER charged home full of trot to just miss in his first start off the claim – he should end up with a good trip here, and could have a big say. (6) STREET GOSSIP just woke up 3 back with a big 8 hole try, was really super in his win the next week but did disappoint just a but when collared by a big longshot in his last – still willing to include him underneath at a good price tonight. (3) MA ISABELLE is a bit camera shy, but capable of rallying for a piece if the trip goes her way. (7) THE BRODSTER was 4 for 4 to start off his Yonkers career before settling for a good 4th last week (up in class, from Post 8) – this spot may leave him looking at a more modest piece once more. (8) TORRONE is one of a few in the barn that just perked up by leaps and bounds about 3 weeks ago – he won his last pair, but THIS spot does seem out of his range. (5) PED AL ON METAL is having a good year so far, but may be in a little tough tonight

RACE 7 – Solid field of 15s: (2) SIMPLY FAST has held his own with seemingly a bit better, usually finishes well, and may be in a good spot tonight…one of several with a legitimate chance in here. (1) DANCE ON THE BEACH won 3 and 4 back then was 2nd best to a razor sharp SHINE A LIGHT in his last pair – he was quickly re-claimed last week, and looms a major threat once more. (4) HANK THE HUNK has been good in all 5 local starts this year, and may have won 2 back if not for that late (costly!) miscue – a live trip makes him a dangerous player. (5) LAST BEACH was a wire to wire winner in his last pair – he’ll likely have to race from off the pace here, but he’s still more than capable of taking another (at a decent price). (3) TWO FACED always “figures”, but is still looking for his first WIN since 2024 – has become a very tough horse to use on top! (8) SMOOTH LOU rebounded from a surprise clunker 2 back with a much better mile last week – he fits for sure, but faces an uphill battle trying to work out a manageable trip from out here. (6) LONG SHOT BUCKETS had pace finishing a couple of times but came up flat last week after an inside trip – minor spoils only. (7) MUSCLE BART A has been completely in and out, but even one of his better efforts would likely leave him well short from out here.

RACE 8 – (3) CHULO had no prayer in his first start off the layoff (8 hole) but still raced well – just missed to a better trip DIAMANTE TRIO IT in his next, then was dead game in the lane last week to get his picture taken – faces a couple that were right there with him last week, but he still deserves the edge (6) BAY BREEZE HANOVER may have disliked the off going in that clunker 2 back but she was certainly back on her best game last week, a dead game 3rd despite being forced to race wide a long way – tough draw, but still merits a look at a good price. (1) P L OSCAR just missed to #3 last week and is very good right now – he does move to a new barn tonight, and we’ll see if it helps/hurts his performance. (4) WARRAWEE WHISPER won his first 3 starts this year followed by a quartet of 2nds and 3rds – seems destined for another smaller piece tonight. (7) P C FREE WHEELING has been on the upswing but another bad post figures to limit her to another lesser award. (2) WILLY WALTON will need to elevate his game a bit if he hopes to take home more than some minor spoils. (5) BUDDY EARL and (8) LOOKATMEGOA MIGO would both like to be in easier than this

RACE 9 – (2) SHINE A LIGHT has been sharp all year, hitting board in 7 of his 8 starts (4 of them wins) – he goes for another new barn tonight but still looms the heavy favorite to make it 3 in a row. (5) CHECKONWILLIAM GB had a recent rough patch but showed much better life 2 back then was well meant in his last, when unfortunately parked – could add some value to the ticket with a quick start. (1) TIN ROOF RAIDER A is another that’s been very good all year (7-4-2-0), and the rail definitely helps his cause (he’s not a great leaver) – we’ll see if he’s as good tonight for his new connections. (3) ROCK THIS WAY was “sneaky ok” 2 and 3 back so it wasn’t a big surprise to see him outrace his long odds last week (rallying for 2nd)– chance to rally his way onto the ticket tonight, as well. (8) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK was quickly reclaimed last week by his previous connections and his owners for that week probably didn’t mind at all (he backed through the field) – could rebound quickly in his old barn, but figures to struggle with tonight’s spot regardless. (4) TWIN B RISENSHINE folded off a pocket trip last week and will need to show up a lot better if he hopes to have a say in this. (6) GINGER TREE PETE has a couple of “ok” recent starts but tonight’s draw won’t help his cause (7) MINOTAUR lands Post 7 after a weak try and sick scratch– pass for now

RACE 10 – (5) DONTTELLMENOW had some life 3 back then was a close 2nd in his next – he had no prayer last week but he gets a good draw for tonight, and gets a big switch to Bartlett – we’ll give him top billing. (1) POP IT jogged in this class in the last race of 2025 but hasn’t been able to replicate that form after dropping back down recently – he almost has to be a player from THIS spot, though! (4) HUGH HESTON was no factor at all off the barn change last week but he was off a bad date, from Post 7 – drops right back in the box, moves inside, and a better effort may be coming. (3) DREAMBOAT HANOVER was a tiring 3rd at this level 2 back when wildly overbet – he has a decent chance at a piece tonight, but also figures to be overbet, once again. (2) DEEDENUTO A gets major post relief, and could easily outperform that 20-1 ML price – good one to include underneath. (7) DEAL ERS TURN is off to a slow start in 2026 after going just 1 for 27 last year – Post 7 isn’t going to help his chances. (8) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL grabs his share of pieces, but will need some major trip luck to do that from out here. (6) HES SPECIAL has been in a bad rut for his last few starts – waiting for better signs.