Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – Race Analysis
RACE 1 – (2) NUTTINBUTHEBEST hit board in her last 5 starts, winning 2 of them (and right there in the other three) – she catches a very soft bunch of 20s, and absolutely deserves top billing…just note that she HAS burned $$ in similar spots in the past! (6) WHOS PERFECT has been in and out lately and tonight’s draw is less than ideal – still, her best effort could put her in play for a good piece. (3) PINK RUBY hasn’t won in a while but her overall form has been very good since joining this barn in Nov., and any decent trip could land her in the exotics tonight. (5) UNDETERRED picked up a perfect trip win 3 back but has also struggled in most of her other recent efforts– would consider for exotics only if the price is juicy. (1) HOLI STARZZZ A was a nice 2nd two back but that was really the only “good” effort from her 4 local tries – would need to bring that type of effort tonight to have any real say. (7) ID EAL SKIES was claimed on 1/27 for $30K from one of our sharpest barns, and now returns 5 weeks later at the $20K level – sticking with others. (4) INTENSE LADY will look to save ground and hope for some minor spoils
RACE 2 – (2) JIVE DANCING A was just 1 for 18 at Yonkers last year and burned $$ on many occasions – her last start was actually pretty good, though, despite racing off a month (and just her 2nd start in 2 months) – she’ll get to call the shots here, and may have found a winning spot. (3) BEANTOWN BABE hasn’t won since 11/13 but has several decent tries since then, and her barn already has 5 wins this year (after only winning 5 races in ALL of 2025) – logical threat. (4) YOUNONOTHINJON was just 2 for 32 last year (different barn) and her 4 starts here in ’26 have been mixed– her best effort would probably give her a chance against these, however. (6) BOUT DAMN TIME A was just 2 for 31 in 2026, and already 0 for 6 to start off the new year – she throws her share of “decent” efforts, but has become very hard to use on top! (1) HARPER SEELSTER has been struggling mightily, but may at least be more competitive with the move inside. (5) CANNERY ROW is 0 for 38 at YR over the past 3 seasons
RACE 3 – Good field! (1) STAY HAPPY got a major vote of confidence when her previous connections claimed her right back last week – she should be plenty tight now (with a pair of starts under her belt) and may offer some good value in a race with several possibilities. (2) SHANGRI LA HANOVER probably knew she was getting claimed last week when Marohn surprisingly sent her to the top from Post 7 at 41-1…but she just kept getting braver on the lead and never looked back, scoring the major upset – she has a legitimate chance to repeat for her new connections. (4) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT makes her 5th straight start in a new barn but seems to race big for anybody that takes her – major threat, though likely to end up overbet in a very competitive field. (5) KISSIN JOE landed on a perfect trip last week and was able to convert it into a victory– may have trouble finding such an outstanding journey tonight, however. (7) FIGHTING EVIL did a nice job holding 2nd last week after chasing the scary-sharp blowout winner from the pocket – she also tends to be camera shy at Yonkers, and gets the worst of the draw. (6) DE LITFUL CATHERIN was way overbet last week but did pick up a 2nd for the 2nd straight week – new barn tonight, but also a tough spot. (3) KATIES UP struggled in her 2026 return – waiting for better signs before considering
RACE 4 – (3) BOOKEM DANNO was (rightfully) well backed for his last but forced to battle most of the mile and did super to still be right there 3rd – he’s very sharp right now, his price will drift up a bit, and he’s definitely worth using. (5) TITO N CHEDDAR missed 6 weeks to his first local try and still raced very well – he built off that last week and simply obliterated his rivals….he steps up a bit, but can still be very tough with these too! (2) WAVEMAK ER has been finishing strong every start and was able to turn a perfect trip into victory last week – license to repeat if things get a little testy once again. (1) CAPTAIN LUFFY landed on an impossible trip last week and gets a total pass – he should have a MUCH easier journey tonight, and that puts him in play for a good piece. (6) LOCHLAN HANOVER has been very sharp for ages but just couldn’t overcome last week’s impossible trip – tonight’s draw may leave him looking at another tough time, however. (4) BOXER SEELSTER is listed on the bottom only because he just hasn’t been handy – he WILL be pacing well late, and could easily grab a decent share.
RACE 5 – (4) BLAZE ON N was sent off at 2/5 (in NW20000) in his only local try but made a break after moving to the lead – he seems to have gotten his act together across the river and will be very tough here with a clean mile …but probably not one to bet the rent money on at a very short price. (5) COLLECTIVE WORKS A had been on the upswing so it was no surprise to see him pick up a win last week (his first at YR) – he faces tougher here, but is sharp enough to still make his presence felt. (1) KINGSVILLE’s miscue last week has been attributed to equipment issues so we’ll give him a pass – have to respect his chances from a spot like this, but he also could end up overbet. (7) TONTO RETURNS was ok 2 back off a ground saving trip but failed to build on it at all in his last – he may still be worth a look tonight at that 20-1 ML price, as Bongiorno will probably just send him from the car. (2) ITZA DAN GERZONE A steps up in class but is actually pretty good right now – not a bad one for 3rd/4th. (3) VULCAN STAR N is also moving up in class, but with a chance at some minor spoils. (8) SHAKESPEARE gets another bad draw and seems damned if he leaves, and damned if he doesn’t. (6) BUCHANON HANOVER is 27-0-0-3 locally over the past 3 seasons, and would be a surprise
RACE 6 – (5) BETTOR OR NOT was a sharp winner in his local debut – he came up a little short in his next pair (vs. a couple of pretty sharp winners) then was simply way overdriven while UP in class last week – drops back down and may be able to handle these. (6) STAY FOCUSED changed hands at the end of 2025 and has looked good so far in his new barn, qualifying nicely at PcD then winning his first start of 2026 (while adding Lasix) - would be no surprise at all. (3) THE FAMILY MAN banked $235K at 2 and 3 racing in the Midwest so clearly the ability is there – he starts off his 2026 campaign in a new barn, and it’s hard to gauge his readiness off that qualifier – perhaps the tote board will offer some clues? (2) ALABAMA LUCKY was 0 for 26 in ‘25 but did hit board in half his starts –he adds Lasix for his 2026 return, and may be a good one to include underneath. (8) CAPTAIN FEAR was actually favored at PcD in the race won by #6, finishing 2nd – his barn really came to life at the end of last week, and this guy may be able to make some noise…even from out here. (7) WAR NO MORE did finish 2nd in his 2026 return but he was 10 lengths behind the winner – won’t be easy to overcome tonight’s awful draw. (1) TIN CUP CHALICE showed some ability in a few of his 8 career starts but has been away since May of 2024 – we’ll just observe, for now. (4) TIP OF TIME showed little in any of his 5 Yonkers starts
RACE 7 – Wide open! (3) ATREACHEROUS A threw an unexpected clunker 2 back but rebounded with a “more like it” effort in her last – if they mix things up a bit in front of her, she may be able to use her late kick effectively tonight. (4) BRI EXPRESS N gets a pass for that effort on 2/10 when she disintegrated after being parked the mile – she re-qualified, returns in a different barn, and has plenty of recent miles that would make her tough in here. (5) IL LUSION SEELSTER is making a BIG jump from 25s to 50s but that last (eye popping) mile certainly earned her the chance– if she’s as good tonight, maybe she can do some damage at this level too. (2) YS SENSATIONALCITY just missed 3 back jumping up from 50s (off the claim) and she’s beaten these in the past as well – add her to the list of possibilities. (6) MACHS LEGACY A hasn’t been on her absolute best game recently but it’s not like she’s been “bad” – would have been listed higher if not for the terrible draw. (7) WIN WITH LYNNLY dropped in for this $50K tag 2 back and was a sharp front end winner – faltered badly trying to cut the mile in her last, however, and draws poorly again tonight as she returns to claimers. (1) MALUKA MISS N was able to rally by 25s two back but remains iffy against these tougher ones. (8) ACCESS GRANTED may be able to threaten at this level but may also have to wait for a much better draw to do so
RACE 8 – (4) BETTER B BOLD was an impressive winner in his local debut, getting stronger as the race got longer – steps up a notch, but this field should be right in his wheelhouse too. (3) OVERTHINKING gave it a good try on the lead 2 back, and was solid from off the pace in his last – logical one to use in exotics. (2) LEVINE drops, moves inside, and any half-decent trip would give him a chance to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) CHURCHVIE WFRANKL IR has been stuck rallying for smaller pieces for months…and seems destined for a similar outcome tonight, as well. (1) WASA HEAT SEEKER N probably needs to be in a bit easier to be a serious player. (6) PEACE OUT POSSE hit board in his last 3 starts but failed to find the winner’s circle, and now moves up 2 classes while drawing outside – not an ideal scenario!
RACE 9 – (7) PANETTONE HANOVER had gone bad towards the end of last year so the time off may really benefit him – when “right”, he’s much better than these…and that qualifier suggests he may be ready to fire right off the bench – tough spot for sure, but still worth a shot IF the price is fair. (3) THE MIKI TAKER A’s recent lines don’t look all that attractive but he really hasn’t been bad, vs. better – should be a decent fit against this bunch. (8) ROCK THE BELLES has been well off his game lately but he may take a shot at blasting anyway – could be a decent bomb to consider. (4) PYRO won off the layoff last year but was well off form when he closed out the year in December, and his qualifier hints that he may need a start or two. (1) TWIG has fallen way off form but may try to take this questionable bunch down the road – he could have a shot with a wake up call. (2) HARD TO CATCH put in a very nice rally to just miss last time but is just 1 for 26 at Yonkers over the last 2 years – definitely ok to use underneath, though. (5) ALADDIN struggled for much of last year and has continued to struggle since being claimed back in December. (6) GLIMPSE OF VICTORY may be able to save ground for minor spoils, but unlikely to threaten for more than that.