Thursday, March 5, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, March 5, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Excellent opener: (2) UNCONTROLLED had been knocking on the door for some time and finally was able to deliver a victory last week – if things go her way tonight, she’s one of several in here capable of coming out on top. (5) MC ANGEL was a bit opportunistic in her win 2 back (the heavy favorite made an early break) but definitely earned last week’s 10-1 upset – she’s been holding form for some time, and a “threepeat” is possible. (3) YOU BEDA ROCK wasn’t on her best game last week (4th) but she’s a proven winner vs. these types and should offer some decent value tonight. (8) SEA STORM has been terrific since arriving here 5 starts back but did get nipped at 2/5 last week (by #5) and lands Post 8 for tonight – certainly vulnerable from out here. (6) I LOVED HER FIRST is sharper than she looks on paper but has been hurt badly by several bad posts – she draws another tonight, but still worth at least a look at a big price. (1) CRÈME DELIGHT can often grab pieces from good spots like this but she’s been far too camera shy the past few years to try on top against these. (7) MIKI THE CLOWN has been consistent for some time, but figures to have a tough time getting in play this week. (4) EBONY LADY joined a new barn to start off 2026 and is still trying to find her better form

RACE 2 – Another good race: (1) CANTSTOP YANKEE started the year slowly but showed “sneaky life” 2 back, then almost pulled off the victory last week – maybe tonight? (5) MAHONE SEELSTER came up a little light at the end dropping back to 40s last week, after putting in a strong move to get closer to the leader – always dangerous with a trip in this class. (3) BAY BREEZE HANOVER had a ton of trot after recovering from a miscue last week and her overall recent form has been excellent – drops in for a tag tonight, and should be able to make her presence felt. (7) ENERGY KING has put together a long string of big efforts in this class, including wins in his last pair – gets a terrible draw, however, so insist on a good price if you think he can take another. (8) P L OSCAR was much better in his 2nd start off the layoff then built off that last week, defeating both #1 and #5 – he’ll likely face a tough trip after getting stuck out here, but can’t blame anybody looking to stay on board, at a juicy price. (4) WARRAWEE WHISPER came up a little short in his last pair and will go for a new barn tonight – wouldn’t shock, and his price will definitely drift up. (2) PREMIER VICTOR stole one on the lead at 16-1 two back but seems unlikely to be able to replicate that vs. these. (6) ICE BREAKERS K is the only one in here that would be a legitimate surprise

RACE 3 – (1) DANCININTHEFIRE was a solid 2nd at this level in his first start of 2026 – his next start was from Post 8 (after a month off!) but he was still a close 3rd after being used very hard (first time Lasix) – ended up with a no chance trip from another 8 hole last week but now moves all the way inside, and looms a major threat! (7) WELL THATS MARKY has been scary-sharp for weeks, looking just as good for a new barn in his last– the bad draw may result in a much more difficult trip tonight, and could leave him at least a bit vulnerable at a short price. (6) LOUS THE ATTITUDE had a dreadful 2025 at Yonkers but is racing much better to start off the new year – he could only manage a 3rd when wildly overbet last start, but can grab another decent piece tonight…at a better price. (3) J B GR AM turned in a better effort last week, a no threat pocket 2nd to #7 – he’s unreliable, but a chance for another share with a similar effort. (4) ROSE RUN ASTRO was massively overdriven last week, with predictable results– perhaps a small piece tonight with a more reasonable steer? (2) ALRITEALRITEALRITE was a dull 4th dropping in for a tag last week – needs to be better. (8) OVER THE HORIZON loves to win races but also tends to get lost when stuck at the back of the pack. (5) MINOTAUR still needs to show that he can hang with them at this level

RACE 4 – (1) BRONZER gets important class relief after racing over his head the last few starts – this field is more up his alley, and an aggressive steer from Siegelman may give him a chance to come out on top. (2) AQUARIUS FA CE S was much sharper in his 2nd start of the year (in NJ), gets a big switch to Gingras and is 8 for 19 here at YR – very logical threat. (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY had a terrific 2025 season and is still doing good work in ’26, rallying for 2nd in her last pair – fits nicely with these, and a good trip makes her dangerous. (5) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S won her US debut in NJ, picked up a nice 8 hole win in her Yonkers debut then was 2nd best last week to another recent import – gets a bit of a class test tonight, and we’ll find out if she’s up for it. (3) MA ISABELLE is on the cheaper side but racing well right now, with a chance to rally for a small share. (6) PEDAL ON METAL recently rattled off 3 straight, but vs. easier – will have to pass ‘em all to win from this tough spot

RACE 5 – (3) IM OUT has been very consistent lately and comes off a close up 3rd at this level last week – he’ll be a decent price tonight, and an easy trip might give him a chance to spring the upset. (2) BUSY MAKING MONI doesn’t always look all that sporty but he’s settled into a good groove lately, and is probably the one to knock off in here – he does figure to end up overbet, however (his lone WIN this year came vs. easier). (4) WHEELZABLAZIN drops back down to the level of the recent claim after a pair of failed speed tries vs. better – he’s listed to go without Lasix tonight, and we’ll see if he’s able to outrun this softer bunch. (5) FOR A DREAMER has been a steady player so far in 2026 – not sure he can come out on top, but he can definitely rally for a decent chunk. (8) MON AMOUR has been well off his game and gets stuck with another brutal post – keep an eye for any improvement, as he’s capable of much better. (1) WAVERLY HANOVER was a winner in her 2026 return but vs. much softer in PA – seems to be too ambitiously placed for her Hilltop return. (6) ENERGYSOURCE has struggled in his starts at this level, and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (7) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE was 0 for 28 here last year, facing easier!

RACE 6 – NAADA Winter Series Final: (3) MR CONTESTANT drew two inside posts from his last 5 amateur starts and won them both – it certainly doesn’t make him a “cinch” here, but it does make him one to seriously consider (with Yogi Sheridan in the bike). (2) MUSCLE DAN is just 1 for 18 at Yonkers over the last 3 years but he hit board in 14 of those starts – his speed always has him in the hunt, and a good price makes him worth using. (8) SOUTHWIND MAC just missed getting into the pocket last week but ended up parked instead, making a break on the 2nd turn – he’ll need all kinds of trip luck to win from out here but he figures to be a huge price, and really isn’t impossible. (1) HALOA is listed as the ML favorite despite being no better than 4th in any recent start – wouldn’t say she CAN’T win, but there does figure to be better wagering options. (4) LOVE THIS BAR gets a better draw but just doesn’t seem close to top form lately – small piece? (6) IMA STANDUP GUY put in nice moves in 2 of his last 3 starts only to come up weak in the lane – he could have a say here IF he can find one of his better efforts from last year. (5) BARN CREDIT is just 1 for 32 locally over the last 3 years– leaning elsewhere (7) BAR KEEP DEVIE is better now than his 19-0-1-0 local record would suggest, but it’s hard to see him getting in play from out here.

RACE 7 – (5) TAKE ALL COMERS has been on a great roll (overall) but just wasn’t at his best last start (off 3 weeks) – he’s more than capable of bouncing right back and we’ll list him on top…but would still need a better price this week for a wager. (7) CECIL HANOVER has been a great acquisition for Gingras and Co., turning in a long run of sharp efforts since joining the barn last August – he does get the worst of the draw tonight, however, and MAY end up with a less than stellar trip. (6) MISSISSIPPI STORM wasn’t really a “shock” when he upset these at 14-1 last week but the EASE with which he did was quite impressive – not sure he can find a manageable trip from this spot, but he can be a threat once more if he does. (3) DRIBBLING BI turned in an outstanding 2025 season and picked up a 2nd (to #7, at Pocono) to start off the new year – he was scratched sick last week, however, making him a bit of a question mark for tonight. (2) QUEEN OF ALL has taken 3 straight vs. cheaper and her confidence level should be pretty high – definitely ok to use underneath. (1) DWS POINT MAN doesn’t seem a threat to beat these, but an easy trip from this spot could help him take home minor spoils. (4) THE HAZLETON was on a nice roll (helped by good trips) but does seem to have started to go in the wrong direction again

RACE 8 – (3) POP IT gets to take a double drop tonight and it’s down to the level that he wired back on 12/19 (the last race of the 2025 season) – déjà vu? (6) HP MOMENTUM can beat WAY better than these when “right”, but he hasn’t looked good at all in his 2 starts this season – he’ll get a wake up call eventually, so check the tote board for any clues that it may be tonight. (5) DONTTELLMENOW, like most of his barnmates, raced better in his 2nd start off the layoff – chance to grab a piece of this if he can build some more off that effort. (4) CAVIART SARGENT was used hard from outside posts in his last pair with predictable results – a more conservative approach from this spot could see him rally for a piece. (1) KOURAGEOUS KEY makes his 2nd start of the year and may be able to contend for a piece – not really sure how he was installed as the ML favorite, though. (8) BETTOR BY SEASIDE debuts for a new barn (off the claim) but may need to wait for a better spot before we see his best. (2) LONG SHOT BUCKETS is just 2 for 31 lifetime and his barn has struggled so far in 2026. (7) FUNATTHEBEACH N has been a non-factor in almost every start for weeks – would need a major form reversal to have any say here



RACE 9 – (1) SHINE A LIGHT elected to sit last after drawing Post 8 vs. 20s last week but he drops back to 15s, draws the pole, and we’ll give him the slight edge over a very sharp rival. (4) DANCE ON THE BEACH is looking for 3 in a row for a barn off to it’s best start ever…but he’ll have to beat #1 to make that happen. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW woke up a bit at Monti 2 back then built off that with a 2nd here last week – a similar effort could help him land on the board once more. (8) MAJOR POCKET A took back to 7th last week and it resulted in a rare off the board try– he may have to try to leave here if he hopes to be part of the equation (3) DEETZY has at least been more competitive in his last pair – maybe 3rd/4th? (2) GOTHIC ROCK hasn’t been terrible, moves inside, and may be able to at least take home a minor piece tonight. (7) FULL SUPPORT used easy trips from the pole to pick up a pair of 3rds, but tonight’s poor draw does figure to curtail his chances. (6) COLD CREEK FELIPE got that unexpected wake up call 3 back but quickly reverted to his lesser form in his last pair.