Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, March 4, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – The opener is stacked with mostly all sharp horses! (3) SETH HANOVER is really on his game right now and may have won his last two if the trips were a bit easier – moves inside, and is just one of MANY with a chance to take this. (4) SHAKE IT had 10 wins and 9 seconds from his 30 starts last year and is already 3 for 6 to start off the new year (even if at somewhat lower levels) – Bartlett sticks, and he looms a very possible repeater. (2) FOXHUNT had no chance from Post 8 last week but jogged at this level 3 back – lots of appeal at that 10-1 ML price. (1) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES raced huge in defeat 2 back then reported home a winner last week – another with license to repeat, especially from the pole. (5) EVER M is as sharp as any of these, a winner 2 back and close 2nd to #4 last week – would be no surprise at all. (6) TIN ROOF RAIDER N has taken 4 of his last 5 starts (2nd in the other), but he moves up to 20s and draws outside 5 other very sharp foes – very tough spot! (7) SARANAC BLUE CHIP saved ground for 4th at a big price last week but faces an uphill battle after drawing Post 7 in this field. (8) LO US BEACH would be a surprise from out here, considering how good the others are right now

RACE 2 – (1) FORTUNADA raced much better in her 2nd start off the layoff, finishing crisply for 2nd after seeming to be struggling a bit on the final turn – if she can build a little more off that effort, she may be able to pull off a mild upset. (3) STONECOLD GIRL won her first 2 starts of the year then rebounded with another victory last week, after a couple of disappointing tries – legitimate threat to take another, but also figures to be a very short price! (5) SHEI KH YABOOTY N was very sharp winning in her 2nd start after a long layoff but faltered on the lead in her last pair – her price will definitely drift up tonight, and maybe she can turn in a sharper try with a more conservative steer? (2) QUICK MENU has been stuck on smaller pieces for a long time – tonight’s good draw could see her sit close, and land somewhere in the exotics. (4) COALFORDSNSHINE GB took off the gate last week and raced ok for 4th – another with a chance for a small slice. (7) BIG CITY DAISY was very close to making a break a couple of times 2 back then did go offstride last week – pass for now. (6) STORMY SERENA quickly declined after the recent claim

RACE 3 – (1) HEAVE AWAY debuted for a new barn last week and turned in an improved effort – he did win 9 races here last year, so perhaps he can build off that effort and threaten for the top slot tonight. (2) LYRICAL GEN IUS A got roughed up pretty hard last week and never really quit – he beat this class 3 back, and has a shot to do so tonight, for new connections. (3) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N beat these 4 back then was 2nd to the raging THEFLYIN GROCK the next week – he had terrible posts in his last pair but moves back inside, and could have a much bigger say now. (6) BLACK HAWK JOE A was hurt by a terrible drive when 2nd two back but really should have been able to win last week after landing on a perfect trip (he was gobbled up in the lane, and settled for 2nd) – he CAN beat these, but he’ll need to bring his best effort…especially from Post 6. (5) CHICKEN N DICE got parked from the 8 hole last week but was a winner 2 and 3 back – he does have a chance in here, though we’re leaning a bit more to a couple of others. (4) STATESIDELCKDWN GB has seen his form tick up lately but he moves up from 20s to 25s tonight and will need to prove that he can be effective at this level too. (7) C BET HANOVER has some solid tries in this class but tonight’s draw figures to hurt his chances significantly

RACE 4 – (3) SEND IT DOWN SLIM banked nearly $170K at 2 then came back to earn $254K at 3 – she’s won at Yonkers in the past, and her qualifier suggests she could be ready to deliver right off the shelf in 2026. (6) SAMMY JO HANOVER banked nearly $250K herself at 2 and 3, raced well for 2nd in her only local try and just qualified back nicely, finishing behind ROCKET DEO…we’ll see how aggressive she is after drawing Post 6 for her 4YO debut. (2) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR was right there behind the talented NILA MAREE N in her only local try and would have been a solid 2nd if not for a stretch miscue – she added Lasix 2 back in NJ and raced well both starts, and we’ll see if she’s up for a tussle with the top pair. (5) TH RIZZO also added Lasix last week and was a solid 4th vs. some decent older mares – she drops back to NW2-4PM but also catches a tough field for this class – definitely ok for exotics. (1) BETTORS TICKET just re-qualified behind #3, and the time off may do her some good – in tough tonight, but keep an eye for future consideration. (4) LONELY GHOST lands in a very tough spot off the layoff, and is just 2 for 31 lifetime – good week to just observe

RACE 5 – (2) IM SOME GRADUATE has looked good in all 3 starts since returning from the layoff, even from last week’s hopeless spot– he gets major post relief, and we’ll give him the edge over another very sharp rival (5) HANK THE HUNK had plenty of pace in traffic 3 back, was dead game winning his next and the horse who beat him last week (DANCE ON THE BEACH), came back to win again – gets Bartlett for tonight, and will be a major threat! (6) DEEDENUTO A had some sneaky life in recent starts so his last 2 third place finishes (at big prices) were hardly a surprise – still a good one for 3rd/4th. (7) ROCK THIS WAY is on the upswing, but may need to wait for a better draw to contend for one of the top prizes. (8) BLOWIN SMOKE is doing good work at this $15K level but is another that may need to wait for a better scenario to be a more serious player. (4) IM THE PRINCE was dull last week but did finish ok the 2 starts prior to that – maybe 3rd/4th? (1) METAMAN hasn’t been “sharp” in a long time but the rail draw at least gives him a chance for minor spoils. (3) GINGER TREE PETE is always capable of a big wake up call, though there aren’t any real signs it’ll be tonight

RACE 6 – (3) SEISMIC STEP is getting the tepid vote here – he had success on the NYSS circuit last summer but his efforts at this NW2-4PM level were a bit mixed – he’s been freshened up, returns on Lasix, and would be very tough here IF he’s anywhere near 100%. (5) BO SILAS is still winless here over the last couple of years but he’s raced well in many of his starts, and gets a rare good post – he came up 2nd best to a currently sharp winner last week, and perhaps can finally get over the hump tonight. (6) IDITOROD has been very consistent, hitting board in 6 straight – only one was a WIN, however, and he may be looking at a bit smaller piece once more. (4) MR INSTIGA TOR has raced “ok” in 3 local tries – may be a notch below a couple of the top ones, but still eligible for a piece. (8) HELP US HELP YOU fits well enough with this bunch but he lands all the way outside and is just 2 for 39 lifetime – tough spot, even with Bartlett at the lines. (1) BROMAX was a no threat 4th from the rail in his last 2 tries and will need to be better if hoping for a bigger piece tonight. (2) HIPPE SHAKE gets his first good draw for this barn – we’ll see if he can do anything with it. (7) JAKEY JUMPUP draws horribly for his 2nd start off the layoff

RACE 7 – Tough race: (1) KAYS IN CHARGE disappointed off the pocket trip last week but was right there in her first 3 local starts (after joining our top barn) – we’ll give her the narrow nod tonight, mostly because of her post edge. (7) GREEN MEL has raced 5X for his current connections and picked up 2 wins, 2 seconds to the talented TOP GUN HANOVER, and had Post 8 in the other – legitimate chance to overcome the draw with a bit of trip luck. (5) EXQUISITE TASTE landed on beautiful trips in her first 3 local tries and got her picture taken each time – she could only manage rallying for 3rd last week, but the right trip could land her back in the winner’s circle. (3) KARIN CHAK makes his 4YO debut after banging out $337K as a youngster – solid qualifier, but note that he did make a break in his only local try last year (as well as in the NYSS Final, at Btva). (2) BANK ON ME has been racing ok across the river vs. a bit easier – he gets a good draw as he debuts tonight for new connections, and can probably grab a share with an easy trip. (4) THE THING IS won 4 races here last year but was THIRD 10X – looked a bit short in his 2026 return, and may need another start. (6) MANFORCE rebounded from a weak try 2 back with a very solid effort last week, but may be limited a bit tonight by the bad draw

RACE 8 – (5) HARAMBE DEO shipped in razor sharp from Monti and held that form here at Yonkers, picking up a win and an excellent 2nd – returns off a very tough trip in NJ and deserves top billing. (2) LETSMAKELOTSAMON EY turned in a pair of solid tries upon arrival on the local scene (after joining a barn off to a great start this year) – may prove the main danger. (3) LAST BEACH’s last start was better than it looks on paper as he was forced wide at 3/4s and stuck out there through the final turn – gets a good draw, adds Bartlett, and could have a much bigger say. (6) MUSCLE BART A has shown some more encouraging signs recently – not a bad value horse to try to get onto the ticket, somewhere. (1) PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE is 22-0-0-1 at YR but a few of his recent tries would at least give him a chance for a small piece of this. (8) ROCKET FREIGHT threw a dud last week after a win and a pair of 2nds – could rebound, but it won’t be easy from out here. (4) CHECKONWILLIAM GB had a long form spree but does seem to have gone the wrong direction lately. (7) CAVIART SKIPPER hasn’t been sharp, and lands Post 7

RACE 9 – (3) SEVEN LAYER added hopples on 2/13 and looked good qualifying – he was a sharp winner in his 2026 debut last week, and we’ll give him a chance to repeat. (5) WALKEHILEYOURTALKIN was a sharp “trot at both ends” 2nd to #3 last week, also making his first start of the year – no reason he can’t be right back in the hunt tonight. (2) MARIN COUNTY returned in 2026 on Lasix and has raced well every week, culminating in last week’s victory – a good trip could land him right there at the end tonight. (1) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO has been solid for a long time but comes into tonight off a sick scratch, making her at least a little iffy – hard to “love” her chances, but also hard to dismiss them. (4) WISH LIST had a useful tightener last week – she never wins, but may at least have a chance for a small share tonight. (7) MESSENGER HANOVER has burned a lot of $$ here over his 6 starts – tough post to start turning it around. (8) CANTHAVEME was a winner in his local debut but the move from the rail to Post 8 figures to really hurt! (6) TRUMP THE WARRIOR didn’t seem to appreciate racing here in his other 2 YR starts.