Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Good opener! (1) MAYBEMABEL was used for much of a tough opening quarter last week but still able to finish well for 3rd after a mini shuffle – she’s a proven winner at this level, and a dangerous player with any decent trip. (2) MC ANGEL has been very sharp for a few months now, but all vs. the 20s – she finally moves up to 25s (off the re-claim), and she may be sharp enough to pull it off right now. (4) KISSIN JOE is pretty light in the win column, but a reliably strong finisher – she gets a good draw off the claim, and a hot pace really boosts her chances – she does figure to get overbet, however. (5) MIGHTHAVTIME N’s efforts have been inconsistent for sure, but she does have 2 recent wins, and is another that could benefit tonight if the action gets heavy up front. (7) BIG CITY DAISY had a recent rough patch but is back to hitting on all cylinders again – she’s as good as anything in here right now, but will need a lot to go her way to win from out here. (6) DWS DARLENE has been sharp for some time but was done in by a bad draw last week, and may suffer that same fate tonight. (3) TWIN B ECHO was an ok 5th in her 2nd start off the layoff – she’s listed on the bottom here, but could easily grab a small piece, with a good trip

RACE 2 – (6) HAZEVILLE got a slightly better spot last week, was handled very aggressively and just missed, despite a tough trip – he gets yet another bad draw for tonight, but maybe he can find a just a bit easier trip and get the job done this time. (4) COALFORD TOPGUY GB now has FIVE 2nd place finishes from his 6 local tries – he adds Lasix for tonight, and we’ll see if that’s enough to get him over the hump. (5) MIND HUNTER hit the wire ok from an impossible spot last week and his overall form is actually very good right now – could easily outperform his 15-1 ML price. (3) TAHUYA DEVIL felt like he was a winning spot last week, had things his own way at 1/5 but still couldn’t get the job done – would need a much better price to try him on top tonight! (2) THE BIGBOSS A has raced well whenever he’s been in a decent spot lately and should be able to find a decent trip tonight – playable on the bottom of exotics. (1) DONTTELLMENOW recently sharpened and brings a 2 race winning streak into this – he does face much better, however, and will need to up his game even more to beat these (the draw certainly won’t hurt). (8) PRINTVILLE has been solid for several starts but will likely be coming from last in here – tough spot! (7) TWIG probably needs an inside draw to contend for even a piece vs. these

RACE 3 – (2) BONDI LOCKDOWN A has been racing very well lately, has a couple of recent wins, and gets Bartlett tonight (as Siegelman stays loyal to #1) – may be a good spot to work out another winning trip. (3) HEZA RISK TAKER A came up a little short to SPEAKER OF PEACE in his stateside debut, and that rival has now won 3 in a row – he gets a pass for last week (REALLY roughed up the entire mile), and looms a legitimate danger from this spot. (1) SPECULATING A was a sharp first over winner 2 back, but vs. much easier – he found his best too late last week and could only manage a 4th, but can still do damage here (up in class) if able to stay within shouting distance to the top of the lane. (4) SIX DEGREES has struggled to find the winner’s circle in some time but his crisp finishes have yielded a bunch of good pieces – more of the same tonight? (7) KEAYANG KAMIKAZE A was on the shelf for well over a year but has come back strong, racing well in a trio of starts this year– may have trouble finding a good trip from out here, but he’s still worth a look if the price is right! (5) SANTANA HANOVER shows some ok form out of town but generally does his best local work vs. a bit easier. (6) MYULTIMATEBAXTER N wired lesser 2 back then built off that with a pocket win over a heavy favorite last week – much tougher test here, however

RACE 4 – (1) CADILLAC BAYAMA has disappointed since returning from Ohio but he gets additional class relief, draws the pole, and may be able to race a lot better controlling the action – gets a tepid vote. (4) KWICK SAND A moves up to take on seasoned foes but he’s undeniably sharp, and may very well be a good fit with these right now – deserves plenty of respect! (2) AMERICAN DEALER N has thrived since the recent barn change and gets a pass for last week (8 hole) – he’ll be close to the action tonight, with a chance to do damage if he brings his best. (6) BOSTO N BOUND was a very sharp front end winner last start, finally getting over the hump after a trio of 2nd place finishes – the draw is a bigger concern than the class jump, and he’ll need some trip luck to be as effective here. (3) SPEAK ER OF PEACE is riding a 3 race winning streak, taking full advantage of a trip of good trips (after being in a bunch of BAD spots, just prior to that) – another that commands respect right now. (8) JETT STAR N is in career from, and brings a 4 race winning streak into this – it’s only because of the draw that he’s listed this far down! (5) INOWB ETTER got parked last week and gets a pass, but is a bit of a question mark vs. these, regardless. (7) CHURCHVIE WFRANKL IR used an aggressive drive to pick up last week’s overdue victory – brutal spot here, however!

RACE 5 – (2) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN has thrived since joining our leading barn, rallying nicely for 3rd the first start, crushing the field the next week, then 2nd best to a very sharp winner in last week’s sizzling 1:52.4 mile – the one to beat tonight. (3) CHARLIES WISH had some life 2 back then built off that with an even better 3rd last week – may be the main danger. (1) BETTORS DESIRE has been ok since returning for his 4YO campaign, and draws the pole for a currently very hot barn – belongs in exotics. (4) AYR DAVE G took no $$ and was never close in his local debut, but has shown some better form out of town – maybe we’ll get a better effort tonight, with a chance for a small piece? (7) PEPSI POP improved significantly last week (at PcD) after joining a barn that routinely improves fresh stock in this manner – still may be a bit below the main players in here, though. (5) THE FAMILY MAN is listed at 3-1 ML but has shown nothing (so far) in 3 starts this year – sticking with others. (8) TICKET STATION had some success at 2 in Canada, and qualified back ok at PcD– brutal spot for his 3YO return, however (6) FLOOR IT FREDDIE returns at 4 after a 19-0-0-2 season at 3 – prefer to observe, for now

RACE 6 – (2) BOXER SEELSTER has been solid week after week, always finishing strong – there may be some heavy action up front tonight, and that would give this guy a chance to use his late kick, for a mild upset. (6) CONF EDERATESTAR N improved steadily in his first 3 U.S. starts (in NJ) and raced big in his local debut as well, even if he came up 2nd best to a very sharp winner – tough draw, but still a major threat with any decent journey. (1) TITO N CHEDDAR is 0 for 4 since moving up to this level but raced well each time (hitting board every week) – he’ll be a big part of the action once more after drawing the pole. (5) LASER SPEED flashed ability in his local starts this fall/winter, and elevated his game even more in his NJ starts (over the last few months) – he MAY be better on a bigger track, but still deserves plenty of respect here. (3) BETTOR NOT is a decent horse, though likely a notch below a few of the main players in here – chance for a small piece. (7) BOOKEM DANNO draws poorly for the 5th straight week, and will need some major trip luck to come his way to be a serious player tonight. (4) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER won 2 of his last 3 across the river but still feels like he may be at his best vs. a bit easier. (8) WAVEM AKER has raced well here several times, but will have to pass ‘em all to win from out here

RACE 7 – (1) TOBINS CHESTER was used virtually every step of the way in his YR return last week and still managed to pull off the very gutsy victory – this is a much tougher field, but he may be able to take another if he can bring that same kind of effort. (4) MANFERNO had some pretty uninspiring Dover form but he was reunited with his favorite barn last week, sent off favored and able to pick up the win in his Hilltop return – another with a chance to repeat. (3) MUSIC HALL hasn’t been able to find the form that saw him win 16 races last year but he was a game 2nd best to #4 last week (after a good battle), and does figure to find that top form one of these nights – consider if the price is right. (6) INTIMIDATION’s overall recent form is solid, taking on better – he’s a very good fit with these, but will need some trip luck to overcome the draw (he reunites with Holland, who steered him to his last victory). (5) PEACE OUT POSSE drops again, but just hasn’t been sharp – maybe a small piece? (8) JMS FINAL TREASURE can still throw a good one at times, but has struggled from spots like this in the past– leaning elsewhere (2) TEXAS HOLDEM doesn’t win very often and is a bit on the cheaper side – maybe minor spoils? (7) WASA HE AT SEEKER N pounced on a perfect trip to beat cheaper 2 back but seems up against it from out here

RACE 8 – (8) VENTURESOME ARDEN N surely needed his first start in 8+ months but did hit the wire with some good energy– he drops to the bottom level and while he gets the worst of the draw, Bartlett can probably improve position at the start with using him too hard – willing to give him a try, if not overbet! (4) YOROKOBI N has been racing ok vs. much better, but he’s incredibly camera shy and racing off a sick scratch – he MAY be able to win in this spot, but it would be hard to accept a short price. (6) OPTICAL ILLUSION N had a nice wake up mile last week – gets a terrible draw, but willing to give him a look if the price is right. (3) AUSSIE HANOVER benefited from great trips when 3rd in his last 2 starts but also raced much better – another small slice? (2) GREG THE LEG still has shown little in 4 starts this year – maybe he can improve a bit with the drop to the bottom level? (7) KIMBL E A sat just off a pair that battled the whole mile last week but was unable to pass either in the lane – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (1) CUT N RUN N draws the pole again but has been too far off his game to consider. (5) FIZZING N wasn’t terrible last week but still feels a bit overmatched

RACE 9 – Wide open: (5) C BET HANOVER was a little better last week, rallying for 2nd behind a blowout winner – he can race on or off the pace, and is one of several with a chance in here. (2) POP IT hasn’t been lighting the world on fire but one of his better efforts would at least give him a decent chance from this spot (8) PAXAMILLION was no factor in his first start of 2026 (at PcD) but he shows lines that could beat these, and it’s a rare chance for a big price on anything from this barn. (7) JMS DELIGHT has recent Monti lines that would make him a contender in here, but he’s also listed at 3-1 ML from Post 7…would need a better price than that to use him on top. (1) GINGRA S BEACH has offered little in 2 starts this year but at least has a chance for a big wake up call with Bartlett and the rail. (4) ENFORCER won 2 (fall apart) races not long ago but would be hard to recommend off his recent tries. (3) SPIRIT OF PEARL A is a mare taking on boys and not exactly at her sharpest right now. (6) GALANTE A still throws some good ones out of town, but seems to always struggle in his Yonkers starts.