Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (8) DISARONNO HILL gets the worst of the draw but has shown the quickness to blast to the top from these spots in the past – still feels like the one to beat (even from out here), but make sure to get a “fair” price if using on top. (1) IDEAL SKIES has bounced right back after the re-claim and picked up 2nds in her last pair – should get a very nice trip, and may be the main danger. (2) QUICK MENU has been noticeably sharper in her last few starts – it’s been a while since she’s visited the winner’s circle, but she’s a viable value play if not a fan of the top pair. (7) PINK RUBY has been sharp for weeks, is very rugged, nut MAY find herself in a bad spot if outstepped off the car by #8– her price will move up quite a bit tonight, and she’s worth a look if you think she can find a decent trip from this spot. (5) RACIN FOR ROYALTY has been in some impossible spots so it’s hard to really gauge her current form – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) CANNERY ROW was a little closer to the pace last week and it seemed to hurt her late pop – another good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (6) SHANGRI LA HANOVER’s form has been mixed lately – tough spot, regardless. (3) UNDETERRED is ok on her best efforts, but has been unreliable lately

RACE 2 – Tough race! (5) SHAKE IT threw a rare disappointing try last week, worn down by the form-reversing winner then tiring – he drops right back in the box for his new (sharp) connections, and he should be a better price tonight if you think he can bounce right back (he’s been favored in his last 4 starts). And speaking of rebounding, (3) SETH HANOVER is another that came up with a sub-par effort last week but who COULD be a threat if he bounces right back for HIS new barn. (8) WHY TOMORROW RAY is in a brutal spot but he debuts for a barn that has suddenly come to life in a big way, coinciding with a recent claiming spree – if Yannick can work out a manageable trip, he’ll have a shot to make some noise. (2) DANCE ON THE BEACH lost his last 3 vs. 15s but was VERY sharp finishing 2nd each time – we’ll see if he can be as effective trying to make the jump to 20s, off the claim. (4) SARAN AC BLUE CHIP was 35-1 and no factor in his first start off the claim but was a different horse last week, delivering the 9-1 upset – chance to be in the mix with a similar effort. (1) TONTO RETURNS finally moves inside but it’s hard to say if that’ll be enough to make him a contender (Bartlett opts for #3). (7) FOXHUNT gets a pass for his last after getting a hopeless drive – new barn now, and may need to wait for a better spot to show his best stuff. (6) SQU ADRON SEELSTER is really the only one in here that would be a genuine surprise.

RACE 3 – Some very sharp horses in here! (1) TRENDY TEEN dropped for the 3rd straight start last week but did finally bring his best, demolishing a field of 25s – he moves back up a notch to 30s, but he can go with better than these when sharp…the draw may give him the edge to come out on top. (3) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH is off to an excellent 6-3-2-0 start this year, the lone off-the-board finish being a good try from Post 8– he’s been on a major roll since December, and is dangerous every time he’s in to go! (2) EVER M has just one recent win, but he’s gone some HUGE miles in defeat recently– moves inside and the only question is why he has a different trainer listed this week (5) ALTA CLASSIC A comes into this off a trip of very close 2nd place finishes – another that’s in raging form, and hard to ignore! (4) OVERTHINKING was the beneficiary of a brilliant Bartlett drive in last week’s victory (off the class drop)- would be no surprise at all IF he can work out another dream trip. (7) THE WICKED ONE was solid in his last pair but just has too many sharp ones to his inside. (8) HARD TO CATCH has also been doing excellent work, and could have been listed higher with a better draw. (6) HEAVEN ON HIGH N is racing ok, but lands in a brutal spot tonight

RACE 4 – (2) QUOTE ME NOT N has been reliably finishing well, but usually from very tough spots – he may find himself closer to the action tonight, and that could give him a chance to come out on top in yet another wide open affair. (4) KARLOO BRADLEY N has been sharp, so last week’s 2nd (at 66-1) wasn’t nearly as shocking as it may seem – he moves inside, and could easily have a big say in the outcome. (1) JO PAS WARRIOR was “ok” in both local tries but moves to a barn that (as noted) has really started to heat up, and Gingras takes him (over #6) – may be ready for a big effort for his new connections! (6) SOUTHWIND PETYR can be tough vs. better than these when sharp but he may be a bit off his game right now – he drops to 25s, but draws poorly and Yannick goes with #1 – mixed feelings. (8 THEFLYINGROCK was on an insane form spree for months but is starting to show some wear and tear in his last couple – drop could help, but that’s likely to be offset by the draw. (3) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N may be handled more aggressively tonight and that could make him a bigger player– still leaning elsewhere, though. (7) MAXIMUS RED A drops down to the level he beat 2 back, but tonight’s draw figures to really slow him down. (5) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N may need some class relief in order to be a more serious player

RACE 5 – John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #1: (2) COMMODUS A was having success Down Under but didn’t fire right off the bat here in the U.S.– he added Lasix for his last NJ start and turned in a better effort – may be worth a look in his local debut, even if Bartlett opts to drive his barnmate (#6). (3) GREEN MEL has been “good” most of his starts for his current barn, and “very good” in some of them – he can be a big threat tonight if he brings that “A Game”. (6) TOP GUN HANOVER won 5 straight local starts but was VERY lucky in that 5th victory, then made a break off turn three in his last – his best effort makes him very tough here, but he does feel a bit risky right now. (7) EXQUISITE TASTE was driven aggressively after drawing the pole last week and responded with her 5th win from 8 local starts – she’ll probably be at the mercy of her trip tonight, however, after drawing Post 7. (1) PIERRE IN PA RIS raced “ok” in his lone local try, but will need to be a bit better if he hopes to beat this bunch. (4) VELOCIRAPT OR has some local wins, but does seem a bit cheaper than the top ones. (8) SUNDAYS BRUNCH just never clicked after joining this barn last year – now 8 hole off the layoff. (5) HALFADOZEN seems ambitiously placed in here

RACE 6 - John Brennan Trotting Series, Leg #1: (2) ALWAYS A STORY always hinted at serious ability and she’s really hitting on all cylinders right now, even if taking a couple of close recent losses (sandwiched around a blowout victory) – she handles any trip, and we’ll give her the narrow edge thanks to that versatility. (4) ZENMEISTER S is 4 for 4 since arriving in the U.S. including 2 Yonkers wins – last week’s “maintenance qualifier” at PcD should have him ready for his best as the series gets underway. (5) KAZIO DK is a bit of a mystery with just one U.S. start (in NJ) – he gets a big switch to (owner) Gingras tonight, and that 10-1 ML price does give him some appeal! (8) DIPL OMACY (barnmate to #4) has won 4 straight local tries, including an easy win over good older trotters on 1/29 – would need a good price to use him on top from out here, however! (6) MA ISABELLE doesn’t win very often but she’s always eligible to rally for a decent piece, when things go her way. (3) BELMONDO probably bled in his last, as he adds Lasix for tonight – he’s really stepping up in class, but may show that he DOES belong with these – we shall see! (1) ALIMONY MIKE draws best, but may be a notch below these. (7) GO HAVE FUN figures to struggle trying to reach from out here.

RACE 7 – (4) AMERICAN CHEESE held her own in several NYSS starts at 2 – her Pocono qualifiers suggest she’s ready for a good 3YO campaign, and we’ll give her the call right off the bench. (6) SEND IT DOWN SLIM has been a little disappointing to start off her 4YO campaign but she’s also been facing much tougher fields – she may be very tough in tonight’s (seemingly) easier field. (5) MAGGIE Q N is listed at 10-1 ML but the import’s first U.S. qualifier wasn’t bad, and she may be ready to contend in her first pari-mutuel start – check the board for clues. (3) MARTINI STAR has hit board in 17 of 25 career starts but has only one victory – ok to use underneath. (7) PER FECT SMILE GB hasn’t clicked yet (out of town) since arriving stateside and draws horrible for her YR debut – her connections always deserve respect, though. Both (1) SOUTHWIND RICOCHET and (2) TINAS WISH feel like they may be a notch below, but either could grab a small piece thanks to their inside draws

RACE 8 – (1) SEVEN LAYER has been more than holding his own vs. better the last few starts and now drops back down to the level he beat twice to start off the year – will be tough to beat…at a very short price. (4) BEERNS UNSHINE DEO broke after hitting the top 2 back then got parked last week – some better luck could help her complete the exacta tonight. (2) SEISMIC STEP is capable of good miles when on his game and his last couple have been solid – another very logical candidate for the exotics. (5) MARIN COUNTY probably isn’t quite as sharp as he was right at the beginning of the year but he’s still going well enough for a chance at a piece, with a decent trip. (3) HIPP IE SHAKE has been grabbing small pieces since starting to draw better, and has a chance for another tonight. (6) WI SH LIST went her best mile of the year (so far) last week but tonight’s draw figures to curtail her chances. (8) STOVID hasn’t been finishing well enough, even after adding Lasix. (7) JAKEY JUMPUP hasn’t threatened yet in 2026 - waiting for better signs

RACE 9 – (5) JACKS LEGEND N was more functional 2 starts back then built off that with a game 2nd last week, pushing the favorite to his limits– not a bad week to give him a try. (3) MAJOR POCKET A is very consistent in this class, even with a bunch of bad spots/trips – has to be seen as a major threat in this very modest field. (1) HARD WORKIN MAN has some ok local tries when he’s landed on good trips…and he figures to get one tonight – definitely ok for exotics. (6) ADVANCE MAN wasn’t bad last week, considering the trip – small barn has been sending out a lot of competitive horses, and this guy may be able to grab a share, at a price. (8) ROCK THIS WAY has rallied from tough spots for pieces in the past, and definitely is a good bomb to consider for the bottom of exotics. (2) DEEDEN UTO A feels like he may be tailing off a bit, but could get a wake up call at any time – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) HEA VE AWAY was a 7X winner in 2025 but hasn’t come close to that form in ’26 – tough draw isn’t going to help. (4) UWAITILLGOFIRST has struggled just to function in his 3 local tries – pass for now