Monday, January 19, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, January 19, 2026 – Race Analysis

Welcome back for the start our 2026 racing season – as you might expect, most of the horses haven’t raced since the close of the 2025 meet (4 weeks ago), and it’s hard to know what to expect from many of them – try to note which barns seem ready for action after the winter break!

RACE 1 – (3) SOUTHWIND PETYR doesn’t always bring his best effort, but he’s VERY good at this $30K level whenever he does (and can even do damage vs. the 40s) – we’ll give him the narrow edge in tonight’s opener. (5) HAMMERING HANK was on a good roll to close out 2025 but he’ll be debuting for a new barn to start off the new year (while also adding Lasix) – could be the main danger if ready for action. (8) ALTA CLASSIC A closed out the year in fine form, but lands all the way outside (after almost 5 weeks off) and it’s hard to say just how tight he’ll be for this – perhaps the tote board will offer some clues? (2) JETT STAR N won 4 of 15 local starts last year but was much better earlier in the season – he did get a Monti start during the break, and that could help him at least grab a piece tonight. (1) JIMMY CONNOR B won only 2 races last year and wasn’t all that sharp to end 2025 – he does draw the pole in an overall soft field, though, and that may keep him close enough for a small slice. (7) REIGNING DEO struggled to win races last year, and draws poorly for his seasonal return – maybe 3rd/4th? (4) FINAL CHEESE RECIPE struggled in his 2 local starts after a long layoff– watching for better signs (6) ROCKMYSTER N struggled to close out 2025, and draws poorly tonight.

RACE 2 – Tough race! (7) TIN ROOF RAIDER A wasn’t on his best game to close out 2025 so maybe a few weeks off will benefit him – Bartlett did wire a field with him from Post 8 not too long ago, and he’s one of several viable options in here. (5) GINGER TREE PETE raced twice in NJ recently, was used hard both times and did win his last – he has the right pilot to get him motivated, and certainly worth a look at 12-1 ML. (2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK was really struggling but was a form-reversing winner 2 back, then a game winner again in his last – he loves to win races, when feelin’ good. (8) KILOWATT KID N is more than capable at this $15K level and is another that has been racing recently (while others have been off) – make sure to get a good price if trying him on top from out here. (4) COLD CREEK FELIPE is dangerous at this level when in the right mood, but was way off form at the end of last meet – would need to be a big price to consider right now. (3) BLACK HAWK JOE A beat better not long ago but was empty at 33-1 after dropping to 15s in his last start of the year, and feels pretty iffy right now (1) JMS BEST BET gets the pole, but was just 12-0-0-1 here in 2025 – leaning towards others. (6) HOOSIER CELEBRITY was dull in his last few, and draws poorly to start off 2026.

RACE 3 – (1) WHATS STANLEY GOT A appreciated the significant class relief for his last start of the year and was a good looking winner – he faces a bit better tonight, but should still be very dangerous with the post edge over a few other live foes. (2) SOHO DOW JONES A jogged over a bit easier 2 back, then finished with pace from a tough spot in his last start of ’25 – would be no surprise at all, if the trip goes his way. (3) SOHO SPECTRE A arrived with strong credentials from Australia but did take 6 starts (and the addition of Lasix) to pick up his first U.S. score (in NJ) – he should be a good fit here, and may have a conditioning edge over the top pair – possibility! (6) SH ERLOCK N raced surprisingly well in the MGM Grand Prix Series but the tough draw (off the bad date) has us leaning to others for the top slots. (5) HELLABALOU slipped considerably in 2025 and seems a notchy below the top ones – he may be tight enough for a small piece. (4) CURLY JAMES A was all out to beat easier in his U.S. debut (10/27) and is winless since then – Bartlett opts for #2, and we would too. (7) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was an excellent first over 2nd to close out ’25 but figures to be conservative here after drawing so poorly

RACE 4 – (3) ITALIAN LAD N turned in a whole bunch of sharp miles after joining his current barn this Fall – he’s always a good price, and could be a big threat here if ready to deliver his best. (4) SPEAKER OF PEACE had been good for some time, then was rewarded with a pair of wins to close out 2025 – very dangerous if he returns as sharp as he left! (2) I AMA ROCKET won 10X in Canada last year and lands in one of our top barns for his 2026 debut – his “class” is hard to gauge, however, and he’s also missed more than 7 weeks…maybe check the tote board? (1) SO HO SANTORINI N goes back on Lasix to start off 2026 and draws the pole…on the flip side, he was winless in 10 local starts last year, has missed 6 weeks and Bartlett opts for #4 – ok for underneath. (5) CUT N RUN N was stuck on smaller pieces the last few months, and will need to be sharper for his 2026 return if he hopes to contend for a top slot. (7) MAXIMUS RED A was sharp to close out the year but that was vs. 25s – may be too ambitiously placed in 40s. (8) ORLANDO BLUE A can be a player at this level with a good trip, but he’s unlikely to find one from out here. (6) TWIG just seems buried in this spot

RACE 5 – (4) HAZEVILLE isn’t always the most reliable performer but he can beat better than these when sharp and may be worth a look here…as long as the price is fair. (3) YOROKOBI A returned sharp from a recent layoff, turning in a trip of nice efforts – he was definitely camera shy in 2025, so insist on a decent price if using on top. (1) WINDSUN RICKY was invisible in his last 3 starts of 2025 but he would be very dangerous from this spot if he returns sharp from the winter break – the tote board may offer some clues. (2) VICI (new barn listed tonight) went through a very long rough patch but did get better at the end of the year, picking up a win in his last start – he does face tougher tonight, though. (5) QUALITY BUD is listed at 15-1 ML and did throw a few solid tries at the end of the season – not a bad stab for longshot fans. (7) GDS THUNDER GB used a perfect trip to beat cheaper in his last start but that was almost 6 weeks ago, and he lands a horrible draw for his seasonal return. (6) AIR FORCE HANO VER seems to need easier these days to be a serious threat. (8) LENNON HANOVER draws horribly off the hiatus and drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight

RACE 6 – (2) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE was racing well for weeks to close out 2025, finishing with good pace every start, vs. much better – if he returns anywhere near as sharp as he was to close out the year, he’ll be a major threat against these. (1) IMA PERFECT CHOICE raced hard for most of 2025 so the few weeks off may actually benefit him – can make his presence felt if ready to roll. (5) HIMSELF N put in a much sharper try to close out the year, coming up 2nd best after cutting the mile – his best effort makes him a threat here, but it’s hard to know how sharp he’ll be off the winter break. (3) BITCOIN HANOVER was winless in 10 local tries last year but he usually raced well, and did hot board 5X – ok for underneath. (6) TEN TOTHE DOZEN A closed out the year with a win over softer in PA, and he gets a tough draw for his 2026 return – wouldn’t be a shock, though others do look a bit more appealing. (4) TWIN B POWERBALL does his best work with a bit easier, but is another that’s capable of grabbing a minor slice. (8) LOUS SWEETREVENGE was consistent to close out 2025 but facing easier – he’s too classy to ever just dismiss totally, but this does seem like a tough spot to look for a top effort. (7) MATAI PHIL N gets a terrible draw off the layoff as he also has to take on older foes

RACE 7 – (2) DANCIN SANCHO arrived here this summer and quickly took a liking to Yonkers, going 9-3-4-1 – hard to know how sharp he’ll be off the layoff, but he’ll be pretty tough if he’s anywhere near 100%. (4) MUSIC HA LL won an incredible 16 races last year, including one at this $60K level (12/15, off the claim) – he wasn’t as sharp in a pair of NJ starts, but those miles should at least have him ready for a big effort tonight. (5) SWEETHOMEALA BAMA N finished the year with some sharp efforts – if the front end fails to hold up here, he may be the one to swoop by late (at a nice price). (8) IGNATIUS A has a pair of recent out of town wins, even if vs. a bit easier – he’s had some success here in the past, and a good price makes him worth at least a look. (7) NANDOLO N figures to be coming from well out of it, so insist on a pretty good price if you’re considering the classy 12YO on top. (1) SIX DE GREES not only fits cheaper (NW15000), he drops a win off his card after tonight– leaning towards others. (3) THE IDEAL DANCER A was racing well but hasn’t started since 12/2 (after being scratched sick on 12/15) – guessing he won’t be cranked up for his best tonight. (6) MYSWEETBOYMAX gets a tough draw for his seasonal debut, and may prefer to be in a bit easier as well

RACE 8 – (7) ALWAYS A THRILL won a bunch of races earlier in 2025 and while he struggled to find the winner’s circle the last couple of months, he still turned in some excellent efforts at the top levels – if the tote board suggests he’ll be aggressive tonight, he could be worth using (despite the draw). (5) MOSSDALE BEN N has struggled to get back to the incredible form he displayed here after first arriving in the U.S. (culminating with his win in the Borgata Final) – that being said, he still has to be seen as very dangerous in this spot. (3) MIKI SHAN N has no shortage of ability, but hasn’t had a lot of luck here at Yonkers (several clunkers, sick scratches, etc.) – IF he shows up on his best game tonight, he’ll have a chance for the upset. (1) IMTHEBLACKFLASH N won his U.S. debut for a crew that has enjoyed insanely incredible success with imports the last couple of years – he’s lost 4 straight since then, however, and may be better used underneath tonight. (4) MACS MARVEL was too far back to have any chance last start but has otherwise raced well in virtually all of his local starts (for 2 different barns) – legitimate chance to outperform that 20-1 ML price. (2) BARS AND NOTES gets a nice draw as the 4YO debuts on the local scene for a new barn…not sure this is a good level for him, though. (8) HEMSWORTH N has his moments for sure, but the guess is that he’ll be an observer tonight after landing Post 8. (6) LEVINE got sharp in early Nov. and raced well to close out the year – he’s probably pushing it up at this high level, however

RACE 9 – (5) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH seems to come to life when Brennan drives and he gets his favorite pilot back to start off 2026…he ended ‘25 with a victory, and has a chance to pick up where he left off. (4) AMERITRIC was 2nd to #5 in his last, and that was his first start off the claim…we’ll see if he can turn the tables tonight. (1) ALW AYSCUTTINSCHOOL doesn’t always get off to a great start but he can usually finish well, when the trip works out – good one for exotics. (6) PERFECT PROMISES picked up a win and a 2nd from his 4 local tries and the last 2 NJ starts could give him a conditioning edge for tonight – he gets Bartlett back, and that’s who was on board for his Yonkers win…not impossible. (3) WHY TOMORROW RAY felt like he was tailing a bit at the end of the year – prefer to just keep an eye on him, for now. (2) SCRIBBLERS had some solid tries at the end of the year – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (7) CELLMATE is hard to fault off his current form but he moves up in class and faces the possibility of a tough trip starting from out here. (8) AVENGER FORCE seems unlikely to get in play after landing Post 8

RACE 10 – Good race! (4) MAJOR POCKET A is right there week after week, handles any trip, and never seems to get overbet…we’ll give him the narrow nod in what figures to be a very tough race. (2) NEYREIT has done his best work here at this $15K level and finally drops back down after trying the 20s three times for his current connections – very dangerous if Yannick gets him to the front (and his recent NJ starts should have him tight). (1) CHECKONWILLIAM GB has been 1st or 2nd in 10 of his 16 local starts, draws the pole, and may land on a pretty nice trip here – dangerous if ready off the winter hiatus. (6) AMERICAGREATAGAIN has 2 wins and 2nd from his last 3 starts, and clearly is loving things at this $15K level– the only knock is the draw, but it IS a legitimate concern. (5) OVER THE HORIZON loves to win races but he was scratched from his last and has missed time – playable IF the price is good enough. (3) CENTURY IGLESIAS can sometimes take home a small check with an easy trip. (7) REAL WILLEY was winless in 15 starts last year and tonight’s draw figures to slow him down in his 2026 return. (8) DEEDENUTO A would certainly be a surprise from out here.