Thursday, March 12, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, March 12, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Solid opener: (2) IM SOME GRADUATE has been excellent since returning for the 2026 season and was finally rewarded with a victory last week, after a tough first over trip – he draws inside a couple of main foes, and that may give him the slight edge. (6) SHINE A LIGHT has been super for weeks, the lone “blip” coming when he drew Post 8 vs. 20s – tough draw, but he debuts for a barn winning at a nearly 40% clip this year and deserves plenty of respect! (5) DANCE ON THE BEACH came up 2nd best to #2 last week, after winning his previous 2 starts – he was claimed by a barn starting to get more involved again on the local scene, and it would be no surprise to see him come out on top. (1) LOUS BEACH feels a tad below the top trio right now but he moves all the way inside, and a good trip puts him right in the hunt. (4) LYONS PRIDE hasn’t been “super” since the recent barn change but he’s been “ok” – maybe 3rd/4th? (3) MUSCLE BART A has been very inconsistent lately but even his best effort may only be enough for a small piece vs. these (7) PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE hasn’t been bad, but figures to be hampered by tonight’s draw. (8) GINGER TREE PETE may be coming around, but hard to make a case for him from out here

RACE 2 – (1) YOU BEDA ROCK likes to win races and knew what to do after landing on a perfect trip last week – tonight’s draw gives her a chance to make it 2 in a row. (4) STONECOLD GIRL started off the year with back to back wins – she had a couple of rough weeks after that but rebounded quickly, and comes into tonight riding another 2 race winning streak – very real chance to make it 3 straight. (2) UNDETERRED’s local efforts have been mixed- but she’s a capable player in this class when on her game– she moves from one very live barn to another tonight, and could easily grab a good share, with an easy trip. (6) SEA STORM has been terrific since arriving here in late Jan. but she ran into an impossible trip from Post 8 last week, and faces an unpredictable journey tonight – she’ll be a good price if you think Bongiorno can find her a manageable trip. (7) BEANTOWN BABE debuts tonight for our top trainer but gets a terrible draw, and has a few live ones inside of her – may have to wait for a better spot before we see her best. (8) BIG CITY DAISY had gait issues 2 and 3 back but looked much cleaner last week – would have been ready to give her a look tonight had she not drawn so poorly. Both (3) EBONY LADY & (5) TRICKY WICKY have been struggling, and would be surprises in this otherwise very solid field.

RACE 3 – Short, but well-matched field: (6) DANCININTHEFIRE almost pulled off a 30-1 stunner from Post 8 3 starts back, despite racing off a bad date – he ended up in a hopeless spot the next week then was good again in his last, picking up 2nd after being caught behind a tired leader on the final bend – could offer some good value if Kelly tries to get aggressive tonight (2) WHY TOMORROW RAY drops down a notch and it’s hard to know if it’s because there some issue, or because he hasn’t won in a while– his best effort makes him dangerous in this spot. (5) SIMPLY FAST drops in for a tag and he did beat a conditioned field 2 back, as the favorite – he always finishes well, and may be a dangerous late threat, with the right trip. (4) ROSE RUN ASTRO was seriously overdriven 2 back but was rewarded with a patient drive last week, able to swoop his way to a blowout win after a hot battle ensued up front – possible repeater, but last week’s 24-1 price will come WAY down tonight! (3) HEAVE AWAY raced well off the barn change 2 back, but wasn’t up for last week’s first over try – could contend for a piece with an easier trip – (1) TWIN B RISENSHINE has missed almost 3 weeks after struggling out of town since the 1/3 claim

RACE 4 – (3) ASTEROID was really on top of his game for weeks at the end of last year then took some time off after a rough trip in the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Final – he recently re-qualified, and that first start back (in NJ) suggests that he hasn’t missed a beat – willing to hop on board in his first local try of the year. (6) CECIL HANOVE R didn’t look his absolute best in his last couple of starts but he certainly wasn’t “bad”– still a very dangerous player vs. these types. (1) BRONZER really appreciated last week’s class relief and delivered a sharp front end score – with some renewed confidence, he may be able to grab a decent piece tonight, moving back up to the Invitational. (5) DR IBBLING BI caught a hot mile off a sick scratch last week and never got involved – he may be ready for a better effort now, but tonight’s draw may slow him down, just a bit. (4) STORMONT DIVIDE went on the shelf after only 4 starts last year, and feels like he’s still trying to find his best form after recently returning from almost a year on the shelf – prefer to just observe for now, especially after a break at PcD last week. (2) BESTFRIEND VOLO has been away for almost a month after backing up badly in NJ last start – pass for now

RACE 5 – (5) WHEELZABLAZIN came off Lasix last week, dropped back down to 40s, changed up his tactics and the result was a powerful stretch rally that carried him to the winner’s circle – legitimate chance to repeat. (3) WAR RAWEE WHISPER started off the year with 3 straight wins then hit board in his next 3 starts as well – he’s very solid at this level, gets a good draw and looms a big player once more. (4) BUSY MAKING MONI has hit board in 5 straight but just one of those was a victory – remains a very live threat, but leaning just a little more to the top two. (7) P C FREE WHEELING gets a bad draw while up in class but her last effort was more encouraging, and she did bang out six figures each of the last 2 seasons – chance to outperform her 20-1 ML price. (6) IM OUT is good right now, but did seem a notch below the top ones in his last – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause. (1) PREMIER VICTOR won at this level 3 back but was no factor in his last pair – needs to elevate his game if he hopes to be a bigger player again. (8) VLAHOS is a proven winner at this level but he’s struggled from bad posts in the past, and draws Post 8 tonight after missing 3 weeks – feels a bit iffy! (2) MYSTICAL WYNN just feels overmatched in here

RACE 6 – (2) DWS POINT MAN drops out of the Invitational, gets a good draw, and should sit a decent trip in a race that’s a little tough to predict – worth a look if the price is fair. (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY saw nobody leave last and tried to manufacture speed…but arrived late at the leader (winner) and ended up parked – just give her a pass for that, and look for a much better effort tonight, from off the pace. (8) ULTION FACE S demolished this class 2 back as the 1/5 favorite but was sent off at 1/10 the following week (at Pocono), and just folded up badly in the lane – he now has Post 8 after missing 3 weeks, but would still be worth using IF the price comes up considerably. (1) DIAM ANTE TRIO IT beat a bit easier last week but she can win at this level too, when sharp – would be no surprise at all. (6) MAHONE SEELSTER was back on his best game last week and picked up his 4th win of the young season – he was claimed that night, and now lands a bad post while moving up in class – tough assignment. (3) PEDAL ON METAL feels like he may be tailing a bit after starting off the season very strong – he also may need a class drop before we see his best, again. (5) SEND IT IN HANOVER has been doing excellent work at Stga. but still needs to prove he can be as effective vs. these types, here at Yonkers. (7) THE HAZLETON is a streaky sort and does seem to be on the downswing right now – major wake up call would be needed

RACE 7 – (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER has won 4 of his last 5 starts at this level, the lone loss being a 2nd behind the very sharp SHINE A LIGHT – he really wasn’t bad last week (chasing a HOT mile, in 20s), and we’ll give him the call back in for $15K. (4) MAJOR POCKET A was used hard for the lead from Post 8 last week and can be forgiven for only being able to bring home a 4th place check – he’s ultra-consistent, and the move inside should put him right in the hunt. (5) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY finished well from an impossible spot in his local debut then raced very well in his last pair (2nd both times) – absolutely belongs in your exotics. (2) LAST BEACH was able be more aggressive in his 3rd local try and was able to hold off #3 after an excellent 2 horse battle – should be right back in the mix tonight. (1) GOTHIC ROCK was just 1 for 19 last year and off to another slow start in 2026 – we’ll see if the rail draw can at least help him take home a minor share, (6) J B GRAM made a bad decision to park a very live rival last week and paid dearly for it, even if he somehow lasted for 3rd (13 lengths behind the winner) – tough draw tonight, and he’s just 1 for 33 at Yonkers over the last 2 years. (8) DEEDENUTO is ok these days, but faces a tall task starting from out here. (7) METAMAN went his best effort in ages last week, but tonight’s draw is brutal

RACE 8 – (2) CHULO was limited by Post 8 in his 2026 return but turned in a big one the following week, just missing to DIAMANTE TRIO IT (who has an easier trip) – gets over the hump tonight. (1) P L OSCAR landed on an impossible trip last week but was excellent in his prior 2, and could be the main danger from the pole tonight. (4) ENERGY KING has been sharp for a long time, moves back inside, and is another very solid player in here – hard to not have him in your exotics. (3) WILLY WALTON has been unreliable at best lately – maybe some minor spoils with an easy trip? (5) BAY BREEZE HANOVER dropped in for a tag last week and was no good at all – could have been the off track, but hard to know for sure! (7) GO HAVE FUN does fit with these, but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from out here. (6) WAVERLY HANOVER probably needs to be in cheaper...and with a better draw. (8) MR CONTESTANT has 3 recent amateur wins but this is a BIG step up!

RACE 9 – (6) CHECKONWILLIAM GB recently went through a rough patch but looked much better last week – he’ll be a nice price here, and may be worth a stab in a race that can go a bunch of different ways. (3) BELMONT MAJOR N comes off a strong 2025 season and was facing better when last seen here – his current form is a bit questionable, but he could be worth a look at the right price. (2) OVER THE HORIZON was taken to the back of the pack last week and just seemed to lose interest – he does have a strong local win % and may just shrug that mile off and bounce right back…but that 8/5 ML price does make it hard to give him a strong endorsement! (7) HARAM BE DEO has been on a long form spree and while his trip last week was less than stellar, he just didn’t LOOK as good as he has in many other recent starts– could be vulnerable right now, especially from out here. (5) ROCK THIS WAY has been hitting the wire with decent pace in recent weeks, and it’s only a matter of time before a race sets up in his favor…maybe tonight? (1) MOONLIGHT SHADOW turned in a much more promising effort 2 back but failed to build on it last week – not really sure what to expect from him tonight, but note that he has no wins and just 1 second from his last 20 local starts. (4) IM THE PRINCE just can’t find his better form – would be a surprise right now. (8) ROCKET FREIGHT would need things to fall apart in a big way to be able to reach from out here

RACE 10 – (1) CURBSIDE PICKUP was given back to his old trainer hoping for a quick wake up and that’s pretty much what happened, going a huge effort on 2/17 (despite an early miscue!) followed up by another big try in NJ last week – the one to knock off in the finale. (2) MIND HUNTER has been facing better at Stga. lately and is certainly used to facing better here at Yonkers – the main danger? (3) POP IT disappointed last week dropping down to this level but may have lost interest after being caught behind a weak, tiring leader – probably deserves a chance to rebound with a better effort. (6) DONTTELLMENOW flashed some better life 2 back then built off that last week, almost pulling off a victory – playable underneath. (5) LONG SHOT BUCKETS finished ok in a couple of his local starts – good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (4) BETTOR BY SEASIDE gets a better draw in his 2nd start off the claim so there’s at least a chance for an improved effort. (7) HUGH HESTON moves to a barn that can pick up fresh stock in a hurry but he draws horribly, and may have to wait for a better scenario to strut his best stuff – maybe the tote board will offer some clues? (8) KOURAGEOUS KEY ends up with the 8 hole after a very weak try from the pole last week.