Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Chalky looking opener with the main three players all drawn inside: (2) MC ANGEL was sent off at 4/5 last week and raced well, but unable to gather enough momentum in the lane to do better than 3rd – she may end up 3rd choice tonight, and that alone makes her worth using. (1) UNCONTROLLED was a first over winner last week, continuing a nice stretch of sharp efforts – would be no surprise at all to see her take another. (3) DISARONNO HIL L will probably end up the favorite in here (moving to very high % barn and getting Bartlett) and she has a very real chance to wire these– there may be some better value with the top pair, however (4) HARPER SEELSTER was solid in her last 2, and could grab a board spot if any of the top trio end up with a bad trip. (6) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ got stronger as the race got longer last week – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) FORTUNADA raced well 3 back but then regressed quickly in her last pair – needs to find that better form. (7) CHILLIN BYTHE POOL is unpredictable – ok for 3rd/4th at a huge price. (8) SUNBURNT trailed all the way from a very similar spot last week.

RACE 2 – (5) LAFITTE raced well here in all 3 local starts, after joining his current barn – he was just freshened up and qualified sharply at Pocono…may be ready to pick up where he left off here in December. (3) FORWARD FLA SH had no prayer returning from NJ last week when he was sitting last and behind a badly gapping 7th horse– moves inside, and is a proven performer with these types. (2) BIG EGO landed in a no chance spot in his YR return last week but was pacing well late – he has ability, has raced well here in the past, and may have a big say tonight. (4) BETTORS DESIRE had some mixed efforts from his 9 local starts last year but did show ability when on his game – he just missed at PcD last week (3rd start off the layoff) and is definitely worth using in exotics. (1) GAITWAY PA TRIOT had pace finishing in his Hilltop debut but only after the pace really slowed from the final turn – leaning to others, but would consider for a small share. (7) AYR DAVE GB shows that eye-opening NJ blowout 2 back but his other 3 U.S. starts would probably leave him short against these, especially from Post 7. (8) TONTO RETURNS moves to this NW2-4PM class but still seems a notch below. (6) TWIN FURY makes his first start since 12/27

RACE 3 – (2) ALABAMA LUCKY stayed on gamely for 2nd two back after chasing a scary winner in a very hot 1:52.3 mile – he had to wait for room in the lane last week, but did rally nicely at the end for 2nd after shaking free – seems ready to get over the hump, but that 9/5 ML price is a bit low for a horse that’s been pretty camera shy. (4) TWIN B FRESH BET is another that’s light on career wins but he does have several recent efforts that could make him a big player here – possibility. (1) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN debuted for our leading trainer last week and was one of several horses to finish with good pace AFTER things started to really slow from the final bend– logical threat from this spot, but also figures to be heavily backed (7) TIN CUP CHALICE showed some ability in 8 starts as a youngster but then spent nearly 2 years on the shelf – he was a solid 2nd in his first start off that very long layoff, but ran into an impossible trip in his last – he’ll need racing luck, but he’s not impossible! (6) CHARLIES WISH has lines out of town that would make him a player here but was no factor at all in his local debut – mixed feelings. (5) NATHANS HONOR ships in off a pair of very nice Stga. tries but may be a notch below the locals. (3) AROLN DAHAYBLUECHIP won a couple of starts at 2 but has struggled to sharpen so far in his three starts as a 3YO

RACE 4 – (4) DWS DARLENE has been on a long form spree and handled the bump up to 25s very nicely last week, holding on to 2nd even after the razor sharp winner blew by her at 3/4s – one of several with a chance in here, and the price should be fair. (7) DELITFULCATHERIN N broke a string of three 2nd place finishes to get her picture taken last week, exploding in the lane to pace over the field easily – gets no help with tonight’s draw, but have to at least give her a look with that 15-1 ML price. (1) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT went her usual strong effort last week even if no match for #7’s late stretch burst– goes for her 5th barn in 6 weeks tonight, and she seems to thrive in all of them – remains a real threat. (2) YUENGLING has been sharp for a very long time but exclusively vs. the 20s – she exits some very sharp barns, moves up in class, and may be a bit overbet tonight. (3) ILLUSION SEELSTER went a scary mile 4 back but is still trying to get back to that effort – suppose she’s worth considering IF the price creeps up high enough. (5) MACHS LEGACY A has been off her best game so far in 2026 and last week’s move from 50s to 25s was a “drop and flop” effort – leaning elsewhere right now. (6) MIGHTHAVTIME N used a perfect trip to beat a soft bunch 3 back but has otherwise struggled this year…she also just raced on Friday night

RACE 5 – Excellent race! (3) DOWNBYTHEWATER had success in Ohio at 2 and 3 – he was freshened up and off to a strong start at 4 (for his new trainer), winning his ‘26 return in a career best 1:50.3 over at The Swamp– Marohn handled him nicely in his 3/7 qualifier, and he should be a good fit in this very well matched field! (1) CAPTAIN FE AR is one of the barn’s performers to recently sprout wings, delivering an eye-opening (well backed) 1:52.3 blowout 2 back followed by a solid 4th last week (from a very tough spot) – has to be respected in his current form. (6) WOR LD OF WISHES held his own with top stakes colts at 3 and is another that’s off to a very good as a 4YO – ships in sharp from NJ, gets a big switch to Kakaley and could be dangerous with a live trip. (2) BOXER SEELSTER has elevated his game the last 2 weeks, picking up a win and a 2nd – if things get hot up front, look for him to show up late with a big rally. (5) KWICK SAND A is hitting on all cylinders right now, and comes into tonight off a razor sharp victory last week– would be no surprise at all to see him take another. (8) TAHUYA DEVIL was in very tough in his last pair and while he does drop a bit, he’s still stuck facing a very strong bunch from Post 8 – the ability is there, but he may still be looking at a smaller piece. (4) BETTOR NOT was overdriven last week and would be well served to be handled conservatively here. (7) BOOKEM DANNO wasn’t as sharp in his last pair – brutal spot here

RACE 6 – (1) YS SENSATIONALCITY took a little too long to get in gear the last couple of starts – she should be in for a more aggressive drive from this spot, and she does know how to win races – good spot to give her a look. (2) ATREACHEROUS A was a winner in her first start of the year but been stuck settling for smaller pieces since – a live trip could make her a threat for the top slot tonight. (6) BRI EXPRESS N charged home to score the upset 2 back but just never got involved at all last week – if she can leave tonight and work out a good trip, she may be able to deliver at another good price. (3) WAITFOREVER N had no chance arriving from Stga. last week after drawing Post 8 – much better spot tonight, but not a fan of the 3-1 ML price, especially when she was just 5-0-0-2 here last year. (7) MAYBEMABEL moved up to 50s last week after blowing away the 25s the week before but wasn’t up for the front end try – may show up late with a decent rally tonight, assuming she’s handled a lot more conservatively. (5) IDEALINFUN picks up a lot of good pieces but has been a bit camera shy the past 2 years – a bigger concern is just her 1 start in 6 weeks. (4) ONEDERFULBEACH picked up a 2nd at 40-1 last week, largely due to a perfect trip – may not be nearly as fortunate tonight, though

RACE 7 – (1) JUST ENUFF STUFF is winless in 6 starts this year but hit board in all of them, including a pair of very good tries after moving up to this level – willing to try him on top tonight, as long as the price is fair. (6) STER LING CHOICE won all 6 of his local starts last year, including a win at this level to close out the season – he was freshened up, but came up just a little short in his return last week – could be ready for a winning effort now, but he’s also listed at 6/5 ML from a tough post, so tread a bit cautiously. (5) BET ON BIG JOE won 3 of his 4 starts here last year but is 5-0-2-2 to start off ’26 – he can beat these, but will need to elevate his game a bit. (7) WHATS STANLEY GOT A couldn’t last on the lead last week but he may just be better with something to aim at – he’ll get that chance tonight, but also may find himself a little too far back to really threaten. (2) IKNOWBETTER should be tight for his 2026 Yonkers return after a pair of NJ starts – he may also be just a notch below a couple of the main players right now. (3) AARDIES FLASH N picked up a win 3 back but he really hasn’t been at his best so far in ’26 – leaning towards others. (4) COLLECTIVE WORKS A probably needs easier to be most effective

RACE 8 – (4) THONG CONTROL crushed cheaper on 1/27 then suffered through a trio of 8 holes – drew better in his last pair, and immediately turned in a pair of solid 3rd place finishes – may be able to get back to the winner’s circle tonight if a decent trip comes his way. (2) SHAKESPEARE hit the lead in a very soft field and had no trouble at all dominating the overmatched group – this assignment is much tougher, but the veteran may have built enough confidence to beat these too. (1) TWIG was a well-backed, form-reversing winner 3 down then ended up in no chance spots for his last pair– he’ll surely be handled very aggressively tonight, and should be a big player from start to finish. (5) MUSIC HALL hasn’t come close to finding the form that produced 16 wins last year but it’s not like he’s been terrible, either – chance for a piece, with an easy trip. (6) OURMATEMENKO N is “sneaky ok” right now, and not a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (3) RAYRAY rarely wins, but is always eligible to tow along for a minor share. Both (7) ITZA DANGERZONE A and (8) AVENGER FORCE have been racing well lately, but things would need to really fall apart for them to have much of a say from out here!

RACE 9 – (4) YOROKOBI N has struggled to WIN races the last 2 years but he’s often raced well against (much) better than these– definitely a spot where he can race aggressively, with a real chance to come out on top. (5) WASA HEAT SEEKER N won 3 of 11 here last year and this level is right up his alley – look for an aggressive try from him too!) (1) TEXAS HOLDEM has picked up small checks in his 3 starts this year – maybe he can do a little better from this good spot? (7) OUTLAW MAN N will attract some $$ in his 2nd start of the year but he burned $$ often last year, and definitely is on the risker side. (3) LOUS THE ATTIUDE feels like he’s tailing, but the move inside may help him grab a minor share. (8) CUT N RUN N is definitely off his game, and Post 8 isn’t the cure – leaning elsewhere. (2) GINGRAS BEACH was terrible to close out 2025 and his ’26 return wasn’t any more promising. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER is just 1 for 45 over the past 2 years…and 0 for 31 here at Yonkers.