Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, March 11, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) WHOS PERFECT had a little pace finishing last week (from a no chance spot) and has won her share against these types when sharp in the past – could be a decent value play in a race with no stickouts. (6) JIVE DAN CING A was just 1 for 18 here last year but only took 3 starts to pick up her first win in 2026 – much tougher spot this week, but definitely a possible repeater. (8) SHEIKH YABOOTY N was very sharp in that win 4 back (2nd start after a long layoff) – she faltered on the lead in her next pair, but did rally nicely when taken off the pace last week – not a bad bomb to consider (20-1 ML). (1) STAY HAPPY can throw some big miles but also more than her share of total clunkers…like the one she threw last week – would need a pretty good price to gamble on a full form reversal. (2) QUICK MENU hasn’t been a threat to win in some time but she’s shown that she can grab her pieces when the trip is easy enough. (7) BOUT DAMN TIME A races “well” in many of her starts but she’s been quite camera shy, and tonight’s post isn’t going to help her cause. (4) STORMY SERENA is listed at 3-1 ML but has really fallen apart since the most recent claim. (3) THATS A HUGE BEACH has missed a month since backing through the field

RACE 2 – (3) MUSCLE SPASM landed on a very nice trip in his local debut and was a close 3rd – he adds Lasix for tonight, and his barn sent out a sharp winner the other night…worth a try in here. (5) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN was a nice 2nd off the layoff 2 back – ended up stuck in the back last week, then took a bad step on the final turn and went offstride – dangerous here on his best, but still wouldn’t take too short a price. (2) ZIDANE KEMP made a break here on 2/4 (first start as a 3YO), broke in his next qualifier as well, but behaved in the next qua. then won back to back starts at PcD – clearly has some ability, and could be a threat IF he continues to behave. (4) HIPPIE SH AKE was handled aggressively last week (after getting post relief) and turned in a solid try for 3rd – use in exotics. (1) BROMAX was a dull 4th on 2/11 and again on 2/18, then made a break last week – draws his 4th straight rail, but will need to better if he hopes to contend for a better piece. (6) WISH LIST hasn’t won since 2024 but can take home small pieces with the right trip – may not get it from Post 6, though. (8) HELP US HELP YOU failed to get close from bad posts in his last pair. (7) SISTER LO broke here on 2/18 and her subsequent qualifier and start at Monti don’t inspire a lot of confidence, especially from Post 7

RACE 3 – (4) KARLOO BRADLEY N had a tough 8 hole trip 2 back and things just didn’t work out last week – he loves to win races, and should be able to secure a pretty nice trip for himself from this spot – we’ll give him the nod. (6) BLACK HAWK JOE A jogged vs, cheaper 4 and 5 starts back, would have won his next if not for a bad drive, made what should have been the winning move 2 back only to come up 2nd best then benefited from an inside trip last week to grab 2nd behind a runaway winner – hard to leave him off your tickets, but he also may end up overbet from a tough spot. (2) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N is hard to get a read on right now but his best effort would make him dangerous here, and a good trip may be forthcoming – consider if the price is right. (5) CHICKEN N DICE pulled off a pair of upsets 3 and 4 back then got parked from Post 8 in his next, and was hurt by poor cover in his last – possible for sure, but he does exit a pretty sharp barn after last week. (7) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N fits well enough with these, but may need a better draw to be a serious threat. (3) HEAVEN ON HIGH qualified weakly then raced poorly in his seasonal return – watching for better signs. (1) ROCKMYSTER N hasn’t been functioning

RACE 4 – (3) PLEASE BE YOU had success here at this level at the beginning of her career last year, and did hold her own with some minor stakes competition after that – her qualifier suggests that she’ll be ready right off the shelf to begin her 4YO campaign, and this feels like a pretty modest spot. (5) ALWAYS B LAYLA IR has been solid in all 4 U.S. starts, picking up her first win (at PcD) last week – logical threat, but does figure to be overbet. (2) MARTINI STAR struggled to win races at 2 and 3, but was often right in the hunt vs. Excelsior competition – she caught off tracks both times since returning at 4 (in PA), and may be ready for a better effort tonight. (6) BETTORS TICKET had a useful start last week after nearly 3 months off – can grab a piece with a live trip. (4) LONELY GHOST was scratched sick from her first start since Nov. – leaning elsewhere for tonight. (7) MS FRANCES ASSISI was no factor in her 2 local starts last year – she seems capable with these on her best, but may have trouble handling the terrible draw. (1) AMERICANBEACHDREAM was 10-0-0-0 last year – prefer to just observe at this point

RACE 5 – (3) TOP GUN HANOVER has now won his last 4 Yonkers starts, and just keeps getting more impressive along the way – he’s missed 3 weeks and loses Bartlett, but would still be hard to go against. (4) MANFORCE threw a dud on 2/11 but bounced back with a pair of excellent efforts – he loses Holland (to #2), but Stratton can get good results from him as well – maybe can add some value to the exotics? (1) THE THING IS had some trot finishing in his 2nd start of the year and has always been good at grabbing small pieces – another with a chance to help the price of the exotics. (5) PIERRE IN PARIS made a couple of breaks at Dover but has otherwise done excellent work – should fit nicely with the locals, and it never hurts to have your owner (Gingras) on board. (7) EXQUISITE TASTE has won 4 of her 5 local starts, with good trot for 3rd in the other– she’ll be coming from well back, but may still find a way to grab a share. (2) SEVEN LAYER is 2 for 2 to start off 2026 but will be facing much tougher tonight – we’ll see if he’s up for it. (6) GREEN MEL weakened in the lane last week after getting roughed up a bit early on – may be looking at a tough trip tonight, as well.

RACE 6 – (3) EVER M was a winner 3 back, full of pace for 2nd in his next and charging at the wire again last week – maybe he can reverse the decision on SHAKE IT this time? (2) SHAKE IT loves to win races, and did just that in his last pair – he exits a white hot barn (and loses Bartlett) tonight, but still has to be seen as the one to knock off. (1) PINK FLOYD HANOVER was on an excellent roll before being slowed a bit by a pair of 7 holes – moves all the way inside for his newest connections, and a good price makes him worth a legitimate look. (4) FOXHUNT did win at this level 4 back but seems just a tad below the top trio right now– very usable in exotics, though. (5) MOVIN ON UP felt like he was starting to really sharpen at the beginning of this meet but he does seem to have leveled off a bit – maybe 3rd.4th? (6) SARANAC BLUE CHIP was claimed last week from his long-time connections – he has license to improve, but faces a tough task tonight with the poor draw. (7) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL generally needs a much better draw to pick up his pieces. (8) REIGNING DEO hasn’t been sharp in some time and now Post 8

RACE 7 – (2) NILA MAREE N is 4 for 4 in the U.S. and her last 2 Yonkers wins came vs. solid older mares, at miniscule prices – she’s actually getting “class relief” here (in this newly worded condition), but she was also scr. sick from her last, and won’t have Bartlett tonight…still deserves top billing, but wouldn’t say she’s “automatic”. (1) RASPALIA N has looked super herself since arriving in the U.S., going 3 for 3 out of town (at short prices) – we’ll find out quickly if she’s in the same league as #2! (3) WIN WITH LYNNLY also gets to “drop” into this “NWPM” class, after doing some damage vs. the older mares – she moves back inside, and should be able to track along for a good piece. (7) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR has looked good since adding Lasix recently, but steps up in class tonight while also getting the worst of the draw – may still be good enough to take home a piece, though. (4) SEND IT DO WN SLIM was sent off at 2/5 for her first start of 2026 but gave way to 3/4s and folded badly – may race better here with a (much) more conservative drive. (6) TH SANDRA DEE returns from Stga. in solid form but may struggle a bit in this particularly good field (for this class). (5) SAMMY JO HANOVER looked well short for her 4YO return

RACE 8 – Good race: (1) MARIN COUNTY added Lasix to start off 2026 and he’s raced well/very well every start – he may get some action in front of him tonight, with a chance to show up late and pick up the pieces. (7) TRUMP THE WARRIOR struggled in his first 2 Yonkers starts but brought a good one last week, used very hard and still able to battle SEVEN LAYER to the wire – another tough spot, but a threat with a repeat of that last effort. (5) BO SILAS races well almost every week but still can’t find the Yonkers winner’s circle – remains a good one to include underneath. (8) BELMONDO was better than the lines look in a couple of his recent starts so it’s no surprise to see that he jogged at Pocono last week…though the 3/5 price is pretty shocking – would have listed him higher here if not for the awful draw. (3) STOVID was a big “go” in his 2nd YR start but couldn’t keep it going on the lead – he adds Lasix tonight, and that 20-1 ML price makes him a viable option for longshot fans. (2) MESSENGER HANOV ER has been a major disappointment on the local scene but the good draw at least puts him into the hunt for a piece. (4) CANTHAVEME tripped out and was a winner in his local debut – no factor at all in his next (8 hole) but can be closer to the action tonight. (6) SEISMIC STEP added Lasix for his ’26 return but was dull – leaning elsewhere

RACE 9 – (5) BROOKDALE MIKI was a winner at this level upon arrival 2/4, a solid 2nd vs. 20s the next week then in a no chance spot the start after that – he dropped back down to 15s in NJ last week and raced well, and may be worth a stab tonight in a race with several live players. (4) HANK THE HUNK has been very sharp and was in the midst of another big effort last week when he made a most untimely break nearing the wire – if he can just shrug that off, he can be a major danger tonight. (1) OZONE BLUE CHIP had a terrible 2025 season and was off to a slow start in 2026 – he does get a big drop to 15s tonight, draws the pole, and may be ready for the aggressive drive he’ll likely be getting. (3) TWO FACED always “figures”, always takes $$, but is still looking for his first WIN since ’24 –tough one to take on top (at a short price), but always playable in exotics (2) SMOOTH LOU appeared to be hitting on all cylinders but then raced poorly last week, off the claim – he moves to another new barn tonight and may rebound, but would be tough to take at a short price after his last effort. (8) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM can be a tough horse on the lead/pocket but is likely looking at a much different trip from all the way out here. (7) HES SPEC IAL has gone in the wrong direction over his last few starts. (6) BETTORBUCKLEUP failed to be a single horse in either of his first 2 starts this year.