Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) PINK RUBY just missed 2 back after a game uncovered try and may very well have won LAST week, had Stratton come first over (instead of sitting in – she’s very good right now, and we’ll give her top billing. (2) IDE AL SKIES tried the 25s off the re-claim last week but was hopelessly parked – drops to 20s, draws inside, and looms a legitimate threat. (1) FIGHTING EVIL will attract plenty of attention with the move inside but she’s always been camera shy at Yonkers and could definitely be vulnerable tonight – prefer to use her underneath. (5) PINE BUSH MAGA missed 3 weeks after a tough outing in her last but she’s a good fit with these when “right”, and it won’t hurt getting Bartlett tonight – could be part of the equation. (3) DAY TO PARTY picked up a no threat 3rd upon arrival from Stga. and has a chance for another small slice tonight. (6) CANNERY ROW never wins but is racing ok right now, and not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) JIVE DANCING A showed two back that she can still do damage in the right spot – hard to see her overcoming tonight’s horrible draw, though. (7) THATS A HUGE BEACH can throw a decent one at times…but probably not from a spot like this.

RACE 2 – (4) MAXIMUS RED A has generally been holding his own vs. better, drops down to a pretty soft $25K field and unless a wheel has come off, should be pretty tough in this spot. (1) JO PAS WARRIOR may be a bit on the cheaper side but the Stga. invader lands in a fairly soft field, draws the pole with Beckwith and may be able to have a real say. (3) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N is looking for his first victory of the year but has been racing “ok” from some tough spots – he fits well here, and a good trip could give him a chance in the lane. (6) BLACK HAWK JOE A was scr. sick from his last and while 2nd in his last pair, wasn’t quite as sharp as in some of his starts earlier in the year – could be at least a bit vulnerable, (2) HEAVEN ON HIGH was much more competitive in his 2nd start of the year and could be even better tonight – he also has a “mixed” local history at best, and does figure to end up overbet with Bartlett getting the drive, (7) C BET HANOVER gets another bad draw but still isn’t a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N stole a :58.2 half last week and delivered the victory – he’s looking at a MUCH tougher trip tonight, though! (5) ROCKMYSTER N has been struggling for a long time

RACE 3 – (1) ALTA CLASSIC A went a BIG mile last time, but was just unlucky to come across a winner who went an even BIGGER effort – we’ll see if he can make amends tonight. (6) LYRICAL GENIUS A seemed overbet at 3/5 last week but after seeing how easily he won for his new connections, it appears that the price was right – it sure feels like a good sign that Bartlett takes him over a couple of others despite the class jump and bad post…and he probably should be on your tickets. (2) CHICKEN N DICE went a huge effort for 2nd last week despite being stuck on a very long first over mission – he earned tonight’s class bump, and could have a say vs. these too. (3) ITA LIAN LAD N made a break 2 back after taking a suspicious class drop…but he did rebound with a solid try last week, for new connections – still have mixed feelings about where he’s at right now. (4) WALKINSHAW N will likely be stuck racing from the back here, and that could limit him to a more modest share. (5) QUOTE ME NOT N figures to be stuck coming from last…and that’s going to be tough to overcome

RACE 4 – Good race: (5) I LOVED HER FIRST had no prayer during a stretch of 3 straight 8 holes then got parked trying to leave from Post 6 in her last – she SHOULD be able to find a much better trip tonight (especially with Bartlett back on board), and she may even offer a pretty fair price for a barn that’s been winning at nearly 40% this year! (4) SHANGRI LA HANOVER threw an unexpected dud off the claim 2 back but rebounded with a much better try last week – she’s shown that she CAN beat these when things go her way. (2) STAY HAPPY brings a different version almost every week (just look at her last 2 starts) – if the “good” version shows up tonight, she’ll have a chance to beat these, with a good trip. (8) WHOS PERFECT responded to last week’s aggressive try with a sharp front end score – will be much tougher to replicate from Post 8, so insist on a good price if trying her on top. (3) IRIS SEELSTER likes to rally off a good trip – she’s worth a look at a good price if you think the pace could get heated tonight. (7) RACIN FOR ROYALTY has been sneaky good despite racing from some impossible spots – the problem is that she’s looking at a similar scenario for tonight. (1) HUNTS FLOWER hasn’t come close to winning a race here, but does accumulate a fair share of minor pieces. (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A has just been way too camera shy to consider from this spot – would really need things to fall apart up front

RACE 5 – (1) NILA MAREE N won her first 4 U.S. starts with extreme ease, at miniscule prices – she did have to settle for 2nd best in her last, but was racing off a sick scratch and lost to another equally impressive recent import – will be heavily favored to get back to the winner’s circle tonight (4) SEND IT DOWN SLIM was very accomplished at 2 and 3 but just came up terrible (at 2/5) for her 4YO return – her next start was much better, and we’ll look for another strong effort from her tonight. (2) PLEASE BE YOU was hurt by awful cover to 3/4s last week but quickly hit her high gear once free and clear and paced powerfully to victory through the lane – should be able to make her presence felt tonight, even against this (much) tougher group. (7) WIN WITH LYNNLY has the conditions opened up to fit her in once more, but she did struggle with a tougher trip last week and faces another unpredictable journey after drawing Post 7 tonight – still hard to leave out of the exotics, though. (6) MS FRANCES ASSISI was able to pick up 3rd at a big price last week thanks to a fast start – hard to say if she’ll be able to work out as good a trip in here, though. (3) NEILS DIAMOND added Lasix last week and was a winner across the river – not sure she’s up for the crew she’ll be facing tonight, but we’ll find out soon enough! (8) BETTORS TICKET rallied for minor pieces in her first 2 starts of the year but will be coming from way out of it tonight. (5) LONELY GHOST was well short off the layoff – still on the “watch only” list

RACE 6 – (1) SEVEN LAYER was very well backed last week despite the move up in class, aggressively secured a two hole trip but never found room in the lane to trot – Holland may look to call the shots here, and we’ll give him a narrow nod in a race with several live contenders. (6) MANFORCE threw a dud on 2/11 but has otherwise been sharp for weeks, and may have knocked off the heavy favorite last week if not for a most untimely late miscue – worth considering if the price is juicy. (3) KAYS IN CHARGE wasn’t as sharp in her last pair but she adds Lasix tonight and that might explain the drop off – could have a much bigger say. (5) THE THING IS may or may not be a notch below these but he was definitely blocked in the stretch last time, and could be worth a look (at least for exotics) at what figures to be a pretty nice price. (8) EXQUISITE TASTE has won 4 of her 6 local tries but seems destined to be trying to rally from well out of it tonight – not sure things could fall apart enough to give her a shot at the top prize. (4) BO SILAS has been knocking on the door for a while and finally picked up his first local win last week (in his 29th try!) – faces much tougher now, but a small share is still within reach. (2) IDITOROD has been very steady all year but is forced to step up after last week’s win and he may find this crew a little tougher than he’d prefer. (7) KARINCHAK adds Lasix after a dull 2026 return – the ability is there, but he may need to wait for a better spot before he can strut his best stuff

RACE 7 – (4) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR was a winner 3 back (2nd time Lasix), finished 2nd to a runaway winner (in a hot mile) in her next, but lost all chance last week when parked from Post 6 - she meets a pair of talented looking 3YOs tonight, but may have the conditioning edge to come out on top. (1) ODDS ON COMMANDEER prepped well for her 2YO season but found herself on the shelf after just 2 starts – looked good qualifying last week at PcD (adding Lasix, right behind #6) and hails from top connections – very dangerous! (6) SHE STINGS moved to her current barn in Fall of her 2YO campaign and closed out the year very strong – she just re-qualified, and beat #1 in that race…the draw may leave her racing a bit more conservatively, however. (2) OBSESSED WITH LOU paced evenly off the barn change last week and may be able to tow along for a small piece. (5) MARTINI STAR raced well in most of her 3YO starts (Excelsior circuit) but hasn’t looked good in a pair of 2026 starts – waiting for better signs (3) AMERICANBEACHDREAM has never hit board in 11 Yonkers starts. (7) ALWAYS BE AN ANGEL feels a bit cheaper, and also is stuck with the worst post

RACE 8 – (6) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO is winless in 5 starts this year but has been racing well, vs. tougher fields – she was an ok 3rd in her last (off a sick scratch), and may have found a winning spot. (8) SEISMIC STEP went some good NYSS miles last year and is 8-3-2-1 here at Yonkers – his 2nd start back in 2026 was much sharper than the 1st, and he might have been the choice tonight if not for Post 8 – he may still be able to overcome the draw, but make sure to get a fair price if he’s your play. (3) HIPPIE SHAKE appreciated the post relief in her last couple, picking up a pair of 3rds – chance for a piece here too. (1) MUSCLE SPASM added Lasix last week but was a “meh” 4th – he seems capable of a bit better, and maybe we’ll see it tonight. (2) STOVID was handled aggressively after adding Lasix last week but weakened the same way she has in the past – needs to finish better! (5) WONT LETEM is hard to like off his recent lines but he did win 11 races last year (Indiana Fairs) and gets Bartlett tonight – a wake up call is not impossible. (7) MR INSTIGATOR has been trotting “evenly” in his recent efforts – probably needs a much better draw to be a serious player. (4) JAKEY JUMPUP hasn’t clicked yet in 2026 – waiting for better signs

RACE 9 – (4) MOVIN ON UP has been in declining form, but it’s not like he’s just fallen apart completely – he drops to 15s looking for a spot he can handle and may have found one…but wouldn’t bet the rent money on him at a fairly short price. (2) DEETZY was doing excellent work early in his 13YO season but father time seemed to catch up with him as the year went on – he seems to be competitive again down at this $15K level, and we’ll see if this is a spot where he can pick up a victory at age 14. (8) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM blasted to the top from Post 8 LAST week, but was worn down by the sharp winner and tired – he does win his fair share of races, and isn’t a bad one to consider, at a good price. (6) STARE ME DOWN did some good work with higher priced claimers not long ago, but his current form is iffy, and he gets a tough draw – would only consider at a pretty good price. (1) DELIGHTFUL TERROR hasn’t been on his game at all but he did win 14 races here the previous 2 years, and draws the pole with Bartlett – a case could be made that a wake up call could be coming. (3) LYONS PEGASUS was just 1 for 31 last year but at least has shown SOME life in a few recent starts – at 20-1 ML he does have at least some appeal. (7) FU LL SUPPORT was ok in a couple of recent starts but from inside posts – hard to like his chances from out here. (5) KEYSTONE DASH has been away since August and his 2 qualifiers were less than stellar

RACE 10 – (2) SETH HANOVER sports a solid 13-2-3-5 local slate (last 3 years) and is racing very well right now – he moves from one top barn to another, and the guess is that his fine form will continue – he draws inside a few main foes, and that could put him over the top. (3) PINK FLOYD HANOVER got too hot on the lead last week and weakened in the lane – he’s proven he can beat these, and has a chance to do so tonight for yet another new barn. (5) STATESIDELCKDWN GB has recently sharpened for his current crew, and should appreciate the drop back down to 20s (after finishing 3rd in a hot mile in 25s, last week) – very logical player. (4) ANTS MARCHING is a little tough to gauge class wise but he shipped in last week off a nice win at Stga. and chased the favored winner all the way around the track for 2nd – the FORM is there, but we’ll see how he fits at this $20K level. (6) OZONE BLUE CHIP liked the class drop and perfect trip last week and delivered his first victory in a while – he moves up to 20s tonight. Draws poorly, and he may have trouble replicating last week’s winning effort. (1) SARANAC BLUE CHIP drew poorly for his first start off the claim but moves all the way inside tonight, and is eligible to have a bigger say. (7) SPINDOCTOR HANOVER is 0 for 15 at Yonkers and draws Post 7 – maybe minor spoils? (8) HURRIKANEKI NGJAMES was claimed by a barn hitting at nearly 40% in 2026 but he’s stuck all the way outside, and may have trouble even getting close to contention this week.