Thursday, March 26, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, March 26, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) LOUS BEACH came into his last with just a pair of 3rds from 8 starts this year but despite being claimed by a struggling barn, he was hammered down to 2/5 and ended up jogging, despite some hard use– deserves a chance to make it 2 straight, after drawing the pole. (2) LAST BEACH was a winner 2 and 3 back then paced evenly for 4th in a fast mile last week– he’s looking at a good trip here, with a solid chance to be part of the equation. (4) BROOKDALE MIKI has enjoyed some success at this level, gets a good draw for his new connections and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (6) HANK THE HUNK obviously gets a pass for his last (brutally parked :55.3!) and he’s a proven commodity at this level – tough draw, but merits at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (3) TWO FACED seems to grab a decent piece most every week but his last WIN was back in 2024…tough one to use on top! (7) SMOOTH LOU has 2 wins and 2 seconds from his last 6 starts but may have a tough time getting in play from another bad post. (8) SURFSIDE BEACH is probably sharper than his lines look right now but may have to wait for a better draw to strut his best stuff. (5) IM THE PRINCE was better last week– we’ll see if can build off it

RACE 2 – NAADA Spring Series: (1) SHAKE N BAKE has been fairly competitive vs. $40K claimers and gets both the rail and a strong pilot for tonight’s amateur race – he figures to be a very tough customer, but that 6/5 ML price assures that he won’t be offering any kind of value. (3) BUDDY EARL won here as the favorite not long ago, fits very nicely, and should have some familiarity with his pilot (his trainer!) – logical player. (2) BIG CHARLIE MORAN is looking at a nice trip from this spot but he hasn’t WON here in years, and would be hard to consider for the top slot (ok underneath). (6) HEY DUDE disappointed here 2 back but may have bled that night, as he returned on Lasix his next start – may be able to add some value to the exotics, despite a tough draw. (8) VALI HANOVER fits ok here and his pilot isn’t shy about leaving from bad posts – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) FASHION FOREVER has not won locally in a long time but he seems to be racing ok out of town right now, and a good trip may help him land a small share. (7) PAPA JOE LOZITO has some ok recent NJ tries but could be looking at a very tough trip in his first YR start of ’26. (5) NICCOLO passed tired ones for 4th last week (new barn) – we’ll see if he can build off that

RACE 3 – (1) DANCININTHEFIRE has been doing some overall good work vs. better, and draws the pole as he drops down to the bottom level – guessing he’ll be handled very aggressively…and be up for it. (4) LETSMAKELO TSAMONEY was very aggressive vs. the 2/5 winner last week and can be forgiven for weakening a bit at the end – he fits very nicely here, and can be a big threat if Bartlett finds him an easy trip. (5) TIN ROOF RAIDER A was caught chasing a sizzling pace last week and paid for it – he’s much better when he can relax and rally, and that’s what we’ll likely see from him tonight off the re-claim – legitimate late threat. (7) IM SOME GRADUATE has been very good since returning for his 2026 campaign but was scratched sick from his last, and draws Post 7 off 3 weeks – Kelly opted for #1, and we will too. (8) CHECKONWILLIAM GB seems back on the upswing after coming out of a recent rough patch but may need to wait for a better draw to strut his best stuff. (2) LONG SHOT BUCKETS has been limited to minor pieces and seems headed for similar tonight. (3) GINGER TREE PETE just hasn’t been sharp enough to seriously consider here – needs a wake up call. (6) ROCKET FREIGHT draws poorly, and is off-form

RACE 4 – NAADA Spring Series: (3) BONTONI DEGATO S recently returned from a long layoff – he jogged in his qualifier, then turned in a big rally for 2nd at Monti in his 2nd start back – he has an excellent local history, and should be a big threat tonight. (1) KILIMANJARO N has solid overall form, and was 2nd to a sharp winner last week – figures to be right in the thick of this from start to finish. (2) IMA STANDUP GUY hadn’t been finishing well but looked much better at the end of his mile last week – he’s no stranger to the Yonkers winner’s circle, and worth at least a look at that 12-1 ML price. (8) YUCATAN PARTY MAN will have a very tough time getting in play from out here but he’s been facing tougher at Stga. and was a winner 4 back in his only local try this year – good for longshot fans. (4) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE hasn’t won here in ages, but his speed always gives him a chance for a piece. (6) CREATIVE VENTURE picked up a (rare) win 2 back, but may have trouble getting into the hunt from this spot. (7) MUSCLE DETECTOR has some recent Monti tries that could put him in the hunt, but maybe not from out here. (5) OURMOMENTNTIME puts hopples back on – we’ll just observe, for now

RACE 5 – Tough race: (1) YOU BEDA ROCK was one of her barn’s two heavily-backed, off -the-claim blowout winners last week – she moves to another new barn for tonight, but draws the pole and has been pretty consistent all year – we’ll give her the slight edge in a well-matched field. (4) WHOS PERFECT knows how to win races, and is always dangerous from a decent post – chance to replicate that sharp front end score of two back. (3) SHEIKH YAB OOTY N has been inconsistent this year, but capable on her best efforts – she rallied nicely last week, gets a much better draw, and should be a pretty nice price. (2) STAY HAPPY is listed at 5/2 ML, presumably because Bartlett is on board – she’s winless in 2026, however, and does figure to get overbet. (7) SEA STORM is a proven player with these but her 4th straight bad post may leave her looking at only a smaller piece, even on her best. (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A often races well, but she’s struggled to WIN races here at Yonkers – at least she’ll be a big price for those looking to give her a shot. (8) DASH N CACHE was 2 for 2 here earlier this year but ends up in a brutal spot in her YR return. (5) STORMY SERENA has really regressed since the 2/3 claim

RACE 6 – (2) BUSY MAKING MONI has hit board in 7 straight, but only one was a win – on the flip side, he avoids the very sharp rivals who have been beating him lately…we’ll give him the narrow nod to get over the top tonight. (3) QUALITY KID has been doing terrific work at Nfd. vs. conditioned claimers– she’s missed 3 weeks and will be taking on much tougher tonight, but she’ll also be doing it for our leading trainer/driver team…have to respect, but be prepared for her to end up overbet. (4) IM OUT benefited from an easy trip last week but was still trotting well late for 3rd – chance for another piece tonight. (1) AIRMANS JACKPOT has found some much better form lately, but hasn’t WON in a long time and will be facing a bit tougher here – ok piece, but still leaning to others, on top. (5) EMPIRE BUILDER is listed at 20-1 ML but his 3 recent local starts were good, and he could easily outrace his odds. (6) WARRAWEE WHISPER won 3 straight to start the year but has been stuck on smaller pieces the last 5 starts – tonight’s poor draw may hurt his chances. (7) FOR A DREAMER needs a better post to contend for a share with these. (8) ENERGY KING threw an unexpected dud last start, and now lands out here

RACE 7 – (5) TOBINS CHESTER ships in from PcD off a trio of aggressive efforts – he races on Lasix for the 2nd time, has a decent local history, and his barn may finally be starting to come around – one of several possibilities in a wide open affair. (6) KIMBLE A returns from Dover showing some mixed form, but against better– he’s won races here in the past, and is worth a look if the price is decent. (3) COWBOY CARGO arrived off a trip of horrible Dover tries but like so many before him, improved dramatically immediately upon joining this barn – he was 2nd to a very sharp SHAKESPEARE last week, and could be right in the mix tonight, as well. (7) SEEN HERE only made 5 starts in his 4YO season but appears to be sharpening early in his 5YO campaign – he was 1 for 2 here in 2024, gets Bartlett, but we’ll see if he can overcome the draw. (4) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL raced well for 4th at 87-1 last week and has a history of grabbing small pieces, at big prices – always ok for 3rd/4th. (1) LEAR SEELSTER really perked up in his last pair (out of town) – we’ll see if he can be competitive with these better ones too. (2) BUCHANNON HANOVER is just 28-0-0-3 at YR over the last 3 years – tough to endorse! (8) POP IT gave it a good speed try when 2nd last week but moves from the rail to the 8 hole, and that’s going to hurt!

RACE 8 – Interesting race: (1) PAYBACK MONI was sent off at 1/10 three back (joining our leading barn) but came up terrible – she WOULD have been a blowout winner in her next if not for a final turn miscue, but did put it all together with last week’s very impressive 8 hole score – steps up considerably, but may be up for it. (3) QUEEN OF ALL returns for new connections after 3 weeks off and she’s had plenty of success against these types over the years – guessing she’ll bring a good one tonight. (6) MA ISABELLE is listed at 20-1 ML but she’s been bringing solid efforts all year, and a good trip may help her grab a piece of this. (5) GLUTES HANOVER makes her local debut at a lofty level after a string of sharp Pocono tries vs. easier – suppose we’ll find out quickly if she’s ready to tackle these types. (4) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S used a perfect trip to rally for 2nd in this class last week – she may be able to be a big player here too, but that 2-1 ML price is definitely unattractive. (2) DIAMANTE TRIO IT remains very inconsistent but even her best may leave her with only a piece tonight. (7) ENOLA has been good for a while and the public finally caught on last week (won at 9/5) – tough draw, and up in class here. (8) LUCKY MUM N hasn’t found her best form in 2026, and lands all the way outside

RACE 9 – Tough finale to close out a tough card! (1) BRONZER was a front end winner at this level 3 back then missed by a nose last week, after a first over try – draws another rail, and looms a big threat, once more. (5) TORRO NE is one of several in this barn that have elevated their games dramatically over the past few weeks – not sure what trip he’ll get, but he’s a possible upsetter if it’s a good one! (6) CANTSTOP YANKKE was really sharpening for his previous barn then got his picture taken last week in his first start off the claim (in dead game fashion) – may be good enough to threaten these too, with the right trip. (4) THE BRODSTER won his first 4 local starts before a solid 8 hole 4th, up in class, off a bad date – he lost all chance after bobbling at the start last week, but he moves inside and is another that could do some damage in here. (2) CHAPHEART has been good all year but exits our top barn (claimed) and moves up a bit in class – we’ll see if he’s up for it. (8) MAHONE SEELSTER was excellent in both starts since the recent claim but will need lots of trip luck after drawing out here, (7) BLACKHAWK ZETTE draws poorly off 3 months – pass for now. (3) P L OSCAR is sharp for sure, but taking on much tougher off the re-claim.