Friday, February 27, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, February 27, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) PAYBACK MONI did good work at 2 and 3, banking over $160K – she’s recently shown that she can do battle with older rivals and she lands in top shelf connections for her local debut (at the bottom level) – that’s an awful lot to like…and that’s why she’ll likely be sent off at around 1/5 tonight! (5) P C FREE WHEELING finished with alert trot last week in an encouraging effort – she’s capable of taking on much better when sharp, and seems like a good one to include underneath. (7) SUNBURNT SILVERADO may have trouble working out a trip from out here but he’s definitely been facing much better, and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (1) MR KNOWI TALL failed to benefit from the huge switch to Bartlett last week but that was also from Post 7, vs. tougher – moves all the way inside and is a very logical player for a piece…but also figures to end up way overbet. (2) DARK MIND chased a fast mile last week and stayed around well for 3rd– gets a good draw, and has a chance for a small piece. (8) AIRMANS JACKPOT hasn’t looked sharp so far in 2026 and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help. (6) BIG CHARLIE MORAN just never seems to thrive here at Yonkers, going 0 for 18 over the last 3 seasons. (3) INTL BLOCKADE has been struggling for a while, and failed to finish 1st or 2nd in all 24 local starts

RACE 2 – (6) STREET GOSSIP just looped to the lead from Post 8 last week, got shuffled after yielding then had good trot at the end after shaking free – he’s not exactly a prolific winner, but he may be worth a stab tonight at what should be a good price. (2) SEVENSHADESOFGREY is off to a good start in 2026 after struggling at the end of last season – moves inside, retains Bartlett, and can have a real say here. (3) DRAW THE LINE finished with alert trot last week, moves inside, and is a logical threat to at least grab a piece. (8) KASHA V re-qualified with hopples and looked super last week, blasting to the front and never looking back (in a quick mile) – faces a tougher trip here, but still worth a look if the price stays juicy. (4) VINNY DE VIE is still trying to find his best form in 2026 – may be ready for a better effort, especially if the trip works out ok. (1) LOOKATMEGOAMIGO was a very game winner 3 back but has struggled in his last pair (after moving up in class) – we’ll see if he can do a bit better starting from the pole. (7) SENSEI AMNESIA fits well with these but does figure to be compromised by the terrible draw. (5) WILLY WALTON will attract some attention dropping from 40s but he really hasn’t been sharp in a while

RACE 3 – (7) REMY BROWN N has been racing “ok” across the river, her barn has been sending out live ones here recently and she gets a pretty significant switch to Bartlett – gets top billing in this field, even from out here. (2) AL TA MADEIRA N is generally camera shy at The Hilltop but her overall recent form is solid, she gets important post relief and her trainer has sent out plenty of live horses recently – logical player. (4) BRONX MIXER gave way to a very well meant winner last week, after an encouraging off the pace try the week before (first start of 2026) – she has some ability, and does figure to make her presence felt tonight (and was actually Buter’s choice over #2 and #7). (1) PREMIER DESIREY is an interesting newcomer on the scene – she made only $27K prior to her 8YO season but then won 9 races and $96K that year, making it up to the Open in Indiana – she recently changed hands, and her current form is very hard to gauge…check the tote board? (3) SCHNAPPS fell apart after moving to this barn in Nov. but seems to be doing some better work lately – we’ll see if she can continue to improve, and grab a piece of this. (5) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL never wins, but can grab some smaller pieces, with easy trips. (6) IM A BELIE ER seems to have tailed off again, and tonight’s draw isn’t the remedy

RACE 4 – (4) COASTAL BABE N only raced 4X in 2025 but was a Grade 1 winner in NZ the year before, and banked $260K Down Under – her qualifier certainly suggests she’s ready to do some damage in the U.S. right off the bat, and Bartlett sticking with her is an even bigger indicator. (5) SILK CLOUD A was turning in her sharpest mile of the year last week when she broke right at the wire and lost the win (disqualified to 2nd) – seems like a good sign that she’s right back in the box, and we’ll look for another big try tonight. (6) FRONT PAGE STORY was going to be a sharp 2nd best to #4 last week before ending up the winner (via DQ) – much less favorable spot tonight but she CAN rally from the back when sharp, and may still be able to grab a piece. (1) COACHELLABOUND N had a big drop off from 2024 to 2025 and is off to a slow start in ’26 – waiting for better signs before hoping on her team. (7) AVF CLAIRE missed a year but has been making up for lost time in 2026 (after landing with our top trainer) – she’s missed 3 weeks and draws Post 7, and the guess is that a pretty conservative try is coming (especially as Bartlett opts for #4). (2) MISS PERIGNON N was no threat trying this level last week – still feels a notch below the top ones in here. (3) FASHION TERROR lands in a very tough spot returning at 4 – we’ll just watch, for now

RACE 5 – Tough race! (2) AMBUSHED steps up a notch off a hard-fought win but she’s capable at this level too – there’s lots of nice mares in here, but many of the others come with question marks for tonight (and SHE loves to win races)! (3) GLITTERING HOPE had a recent rough patch but bounced back with last week’s “more like it” sharp 2nd place finish – a similar try puts her right in the mix. (1) ZUMA BEACH was very impressive winning 4 straight here last year but went on the shelf in late March and only returned recently – she disappointed on 2/13, and it’s anybody’s guess if she’s ready to strut her best stuff tonight (no value at 3/2 ML). (7) CHERYLS SHADOW had trouble winning races last year, but still banked nearly $200K thanks to endless strong performances – solid prep off the layoff, but hard to say how serious she’ll be from Post 7. (6) WORKLIFEBALANCE earned $316K at 2 and 3 so clearly there’s plenty of talent – very hard to know what to expect TONIGHT, however, as she makes her 4YO return. (4) IDEAL COVER gave #2 all she could handle before weakening last week – maybe she can rally for a small slice? (5) TIME TO STRIKE was a sharp first over winner last week but does face better here. (8) HUNTING HULA gets stuck behind the 8 ball after the layoff – keep an eye for future consideration.

RACE 6 – (3) AUSTRAL HANOVER is the tepid choice tonight – he hasn’t been “bad”, but he also isn’t at the peak form that delivered 11 Yonkers wins last year – he gets a fresh set of hands, and we’ll see if that can help him find the winner’s circle. (1) TORRONE returns from NJ and he won 10 races here in 2024-25 – an aggressive try figures to be forthcoming. (2) GO HAVE FUN disappointed on the lead as the favorite last week but his overall form is still very solid, and this is a good spot to sit close, and take home a decent share. (7) BENNY J held his own with better in the MGM Grand Prix Trot Series last winter, and was Bartlett’s choice (over #3) – he also has just one start in almost 7 weeks, and draws Post 7…insist on a good price if using on top. (5) MUSICAL RIDE has gotten past a recent breaking issue and is pretty good right now – chance to rally for a minor share. (4) EMPIRE BUILDER dead heated with #5 for the win last week, and is another sharp enough for minor spoils. (6) RITSON went an improved try for 2nd last start but may be hurt by tonight’s draw. (8) ONCE IN A LIFETIME is struggling…now Post 8

RACE 7 – (3) MARIA ALLEGONDA A had absolutely no room in the stretch last week but definitely had plenty of pace – the only other time she drew well recently she just missed (to a nice import), and this might be a good spot to give her a look…at a nice price. (1) BONITAS BEST BET gave it a good try last start and can be forgiven for being run down late by the promising SHEZ THE REASON A – very logical here, but also figures to be very heavily bet. (6) MAYBEMABEL landed in one of our sharpest barns for her local debut and did not disappoint – wouldn’t be surprised to see her make it 2 in a row, but this is a much tougher spot – consider if the price drifts up enough. (5) CHANCEOFLIGHTNING was right there last week (behind #1) off a very easy trip – if she can find another nice journey, another piece is within reach. (2) ONEDEFULBEACH is a very consistent weekly player, reunites with Holland (returning from NJ) and is very playable underneath. (8) IM OFFNGONE N wasn’t able to capitalize on last week’s class drop after drawing Post 7…and may face the same dilemma tonight. (7) TALENT TO SPARE A likes a better post, in an easier field. (4) TOBAGO TIME (new barn) has struggled overall for some time

RACE 8 – (3) CHULO was forced to take back to last in his 2026 return and had no prayer after that – draws much better now, figures to be tighter, and Bartlett stays on board – we’ll give him a shot. (2) SKY BOX lost momentum when pushed wide on the final bend last week (by the winner) but was still right there 2nd – he was claimed that night, and looms a big threat for his new connections. (4) DIAMANTE TRIO IT left nicely into the pocket last week but then saw her chances disappear when she went offstride – Kakaley is back on board, and her best effort puts her tight in the mix (1) OLIVER THE GREAT is a very nice trotter coming off an excellent year – hard to say how tight he’ll be after 11 weeks off, though (5) LUCKY MUM N has been quiet in her 2 starts since returning from the layoff – we’ll see if she can have a bigger say here. (7) FINITE has ability for sure but he makes too many miscues, and has done so here at Yonkers too – very tough spot, even if he behaves. (8) ENOLA is good right now but the draw figures to keep her waiting until next week. (6) FULL OF MUSCLES prefers to be on the lead, vs. a bit easier



RACE 9 – Very tough finale! (2) CASINO ACTION N doesn’t win often enough to ever get a confident vote but he had a useful try off the layoff last week, and Bartlett may just be able to wire this shaky crew. (7) CAVIART SARGE NT is as unreliable as #2 but he does have more “ability” than most of these, and at least he’ll be a decent price. (4) TEXAS HOLDEM went on the shelf after pulling up on 11/11 – IF he’s ready for his best off the layoff, this is a field he CAN go with. (5) DREAMBOAT HANOVER has been facing better but is also 5-0-0-0 at YR for a cold barn – tough to get enthusiastic about his chances as the 2-1 ML favorite. (6) DEALERS TURN was a little closer in his 3rd start of the year but was just 1 for 27 in 2025. (8) MR PROFETA would be worth a look from an inside post but faces an uphill battle trying to reach from out here. (1) AVENGER FORCE shows a total mixed bag of efforts – suppose he can make some noise if the “good” version shows up. (3) FRANCO NANDOR N made just 3 starts last year and is having trouble getting anything going in 2026 (so far).