Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, March 25, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) PINK RUBY just missed after a dead game first over try 3 back, probably wins if she pulls first over the next week (finished 2nd) then DID win with a strong first over try in her last – she just may be the sharpest of this solid bunch right now (3) IDEAL SKIES got parked vs. the 25s in her first start off the reclaim– dropped back to 20s last week and came up 2nd best to #4 after cutting the mile…she’ll get her chance to reverse that decision tonight. (5) SHANGRI LA HANOVER disappointed in her first start off the claim (3 back) but rebounded to race well in her last pair – legitimate threat with the right trip. (1) CANNERY ROW is actually pretty good right now but remains a tough one to huge on top (she’s 0 for life here at Yonkers)! (7) I LOVED HER FIRST had a long stretch of bad posts and/or terrible trips before landing on a golden journey last week and cashing in– she’s GOOD enough to beat these, but may have trouble finding another good journey from out here. (6) IRIS SEELSTER has her moments – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) RACIN FOR ROYALTY is sharper than she looks but has been derailed by a stretch of terrible trips – faces another tonight. (2) MALUKA MISS N moves back inside but has been way off her game

RACE 2 – (4) OVERTHINKING has battled tougher recently and should appreciate the class drop – one of several with a chance in here, but he’ll need to bring his best. (5) CHICKEN N DICE was solid in his move up to 30s last week, finishing with good pace behind a very sharp top pair – wouldn’t be the first time he’s pulled off an upset. (1) THEFLYINGROCK N was insanely sharp for months before throwing an unexpected dull one last week– he missed 3 weeks before that start so we’ll see tonight if he can bounce right back (down a notch), or if he’s finally starting to tail off. (6) ALTA CLASSIC A is razor sharp right now, and comes off a pair off tough beat 2nds – the post IS a concern, though, as he does his best racing on/near the lead, and faces an uncertain trip from this spot. (2) WALKI SHAW N was no factor in his last pair but generally bounces back pretty quickly – a fairly close up trip could make him a late player. (3) HEAVEN ON HIGH N has gotten sharper with each star this year but still may find these a bit too tough right now. (8) MAXIMUS RED A was a very game winner in last, but steps back up and lands out here

RACE 3 – (2) RASPALIA N is now 4 for 4 since arriving in the U.S. and handed NILA MAREE N her only U.S. loss last start – wouldn’t say she’s a “cinch” in here, but she’ll clearly be heavily favored to extend her streak to 5! (3) PLEASE BE YOU overcame a less than stellar trip to charge home and win her seasonal debut, then was a solid 2nd best behind NILA MAREE N in her last – may pose the biggest threat to the top choice tonight. (4) ALWAYSBP UFFING IR won at a very short price last week but she was also very opportunistic, benefiting when a challenging SHE STINGS broke on the final turn, and then again in the lane when the tripsitter lost action and drifted…still can grab a piece from this spot, however. (5) ALWAYS B LAYLA IR has done all solid work since arriving in the U.S. but draws outside a few live rivals tonight, and may be facing a tougher trip than she’s used to – she was also WAY overbet last time. (7) SEND IT DOWN SLIM really disappointed when sent off at 2/5 for her 2026 return – she was much better in her next pair (3rds), but tonight’s draw may slow her sown a bit. (1) OBSESSED WITH LOU was helped by the misfortune of a couple of others last week but still a solid 2nd – may be looking at a bit smaller slice in here, even from the pole. (6) BETTORS TICKET hasn’t been a threat in 3 starts this year – very tough spot tonight

RACE 4 – Short field, but a tough race! (2) MARTINI STAR was just 1 for 15 last year but she hit board in 10 of the losses, racing mostly against solid Excelsior fields – she looked better in her 3rd start of the year, and may offer some value in a field with some questionable contenders (5) SOUTHWIND RICOCHET was a good Maritimes performer then raced well in 3 Stga. starts after changing hands – she was a little short at PcD last week, but was racing off a bad date – may be ready for a bigger effort tonight. (4) PAPIS DREAM started her career with a solid 2nd behind the very talented RASPALIA N but then disappointed in her next 2 starts, as the favorite – not really sure which version we’ll see here. (3) BROOKLYN BOMBSHELL chased NYSS horses all year at 2 but was never a serious player – her connections always deserve respect, but it’s hard to gauge her readiness off her Pocono prep. (1) ALWAYS BE AN ANGEL draws the pole, but just feels a bit too cheap. (6) AMERICANBEACHDREAM is 12-0-0-0 at Yonkers

RACE 5 – (2) SHAKE IT could do no better than 3rd last week after the leader tired and the top two finishers got the jump on him in the lane – he’s been terrific this year at this level, does well in every barn, and deserves the nod. (5) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES sat last with no prayer from Post 8 last week but actually was very good, pacing a big final 3/8ths from an impossible spot – his barn is having their best meet ever (so far), and he’s definitely worth a look if the price is fair. (6) PINK FLOYD HANOVER has been claimed for 6 straight starts but only has 1 win over that period – draws outside some main foes tonight, but he CAN race from off the pace as well – willing to include in exotics. (1) OZONE BLUE CHIP came to life in a big way crushing the 15s two back but wasn’t nearly as effective vs. the 20s last week – maybe he can grab a decent piece moving back to the pole. (7) FOXHUNT landed in a perfect spot last week and was able to rally for an upset victory – he’ll probably be finishing well again, but likely for a smaller share. (4) MR PROFETA’s efforts have been mixed…and it’s hard to say if the 20s may be a bit tougher than he’d like right now. (3) DISMAS broke last week and just hasn’t been clicking in general – in need of a wake up call. (8) ROCKMYSTER N is the outsider, both literally and figuratively.

RACE 6 – (2) GREEN MEL hit board in 6 of 7 starts this year (for his new barn) and was absolutely flying at the wire last week – his 3 second place finishes have all come behind TOP GUN HANOVER, but maybe tonight he can finally get a little revenge. (3) TOP GUN HANOVER has won 5 straight Yonkers starts, mostly at very short prices – he WOULD have lost last week, though (if MANFORCE didn’t break near the wire), then did barely hang on by a nose (over GREEN MEL) after that – maybe he’s a little vulnerable right now? (5) KARINCHACK was no factor in his first start back at 4 but he added Lasix last week, shot to the top from Post 7 and never looked back – he’s made nearly $350K in his career, and definitely deserves plenty of respect! (1) EXQUISITE TASTE has won 4 of her 7 local starts, with terrible posts in her 3 losses – she moves all the way inside and figures to have a bigger say here, but she may still be a little below a couple of the others. (6) SEVEN LAYER came up 2nd best to a very sharp #5 last time and has looked good in all his starts this year – the draw may limit him to a smaller piece tonight, however. Both (4) IDITOROD & (7) BO SILAS have done well vs. easier this year, but have to prove they can trot with these

RACE 7 – (2) MARIN COUNTY was caught between horses on the final bend last week (with trot) and he MAY have made that break by stepping on a wheel – regardless, his overall form has been solid all year, and he’s worth a look tonight at what should be a fair price. (5) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO was in a winnable spot last week, went right to the top but lost all chance after an early miscue – most of her efforts this year would give her a real chance tonight. (4) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN would be a legitimate threat here on his best effort but he tends to be inconsistent – playable as long as the price is fair. (3) BROMAX was much sharper in his 4th start of the year and was a solid first over winner – if he builds off that mile, he’d have a chance to outperform that 10-1 ML price. (6) WONT LETEM got a fortunate tuck early on last week, had more good luck when able to sit to the final turn before pulling, then used a solid rally to outkick the hard used frontrunner – would hardly be a shock to see him repeat, but he won’t offer much value as the 5/2 ML favorite. (1) WISH LIST is 0 for 18 at Yonkers and has been dullish in all 3 starts this year– chance for a small piece, thanks to the draw. (8) MR INSTIGATOR hasn’t been “terrible”, but likely needs a much better post for even a piece. (7) JAKEY JUMPUP is still trying to find some form in 2026

RACE 8 – (4) DEETZY has been sharpening recently at this $15K level and put it all together last week with a very game first over score – the uber-classy 14YO may be able to take another as he closes in on $1M in career earnings! (1) MOVIN ON UP gave it a big front end try dropping to 15s last week before getting nipped on the wire (by #4) – remains a major threat. (5) ANTS MARCHING was a notch below the top three finishers last week but that was in 20s – the drop to 15s could make him an even bigger player. (6) STARE ME DOWN was also just off the top ones last start, and another tough draw may limit him to battling for another smaller piece. (2) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM can vary tremendously from week to week but he’s much better when on/near the lead and he MAY get that trip tonight – chances go up considerably with the right journey. (8) DELIGHTFUL TERROR squeezed out late between #4 and #1 last week and even with them on the wire – the move from the rail to Post 8 really figures to hurt, though. (7) FULL SUPPORT probably needs a much better draw to be any kind of player. (3) KEYSTONE DASH makes his 2nd start off the layoff after showing nothing the first time around

RACE 9 – Tough finale: (1) JO PAS WARRIOR shipped in off a Stga. win but could only manage a 3rd upon arrival – he should be able to work out a good trip from this spot, with a chance to pull off a mild upset (if a little sharper). (4) BLACK HAWK JOE A felt like he MIGHT not be as sharp as he looked on paper in his last few starts, and was a “meh” 4th last week – dangerous if he can find his “A Game” tonight. (5) TRENDY TEEN was 1st or 2nd in 16 of 27 starts last year, usually vs. much better than these – he dropped to 40s to start off the new year at PcD. then lacked stretch pop dropping to 30s the next week– he tries the 25s in his first local start of ’26, and it’s hard to gauge just what his “correct” level is right now. (7) KARLOO BRADLEY N could be a good bomb – he lacked room last week or might have been closer, he’s a proven winner at this level and he’s listed at 20-1 ML – worth a stab if you think Holland can find him a manageable trip. (2) ITALIAN LAD N drops below the level of the $30K claim after just 2 starts – could be a major red flag. (6) DELIGHTFUL DUDE wired this class 2 back but pretty much just stole that race – no factor last week, and may have trouble getting in play tonight. (3) ALWAYS ROCKIN has always been camera shy at YR, and his best recent work has come vs. much easier. (8) PERFECT PROMISES is probably looking at a very conservative trip after making a break in his last.