Thursday, February 26, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, February 26, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Winter Series, Leg 6 – good opener! (1) SD ELIMINATOR benefited from an easy trip in his Yonkers debut but still raced well for 2nd – he lands in a very well matched field tonight but the rail draw may help push him over the top. (6) SOUTHWIND MAC was the choice here last week and he almost got the job done at 9-1 – has to be worth a good look at that 15-1 ML price, even from Post 6. (3) KAMERAN HANOVER was used much of the mile last week before finally weakening to 3rd – he fits perfectly, and is another possible winner…with the right trip. (4) PSALMSFORTYSIXFIVE just wasn’t on his game 2 back but rebounded with a much better try last week, finishing 3rd after being used hard – another with a realistic chance tonight. (2) MUSCLE DAN is 10-1 on the ML but sports a very strong 17-1-6-6 local slate (last 3 years) – he has good early speed, and belongs in your exotics (8) MR CONTESTANT has 2 wins from his last 3 starts…but was parked from Post 8 in the others, and draws that same awful post tonight. (7) WINDSONG PIONEER fits well with this bunch but he draws horribly, and does his best racing on/near the lead – could be looking at a brutal trip. (5) BAR KEEP DE VIE looked good at the top of the lane the last 2 weeks only to hang badly in the final 1/16th of a mile – needs to find a better finish!

RACE 2 – (1) IRIS SEELSTER was under a snug hold early on last week (even before avoiding an early breaker), had to go around another breaker to 3/4s, made up a ton of ground on the final turn then was able to dig in late for 2nd behind the easy trip winner (MC ANGEL) – maybe worth a try tonight at a good price, with the move inside? (5) SEA STORM was very sharp in $10K claimers at the end of last year, and is now doing major damage vs. the 20s – she’s looking for 3 in a row and may very well be able to do that…but she’ll also be a very short price against some other sharp mares. (3) YOU BEDA ROCK was no match for #5 last week but she’s been very good for some time, and worth a look at any decent price. (4) MC ANGEL really benefited when DISARONNO HILL broke in the pocket (at 1/5!) last week but that doesn’t mean that SHE wasn’t good herself – she’s been holding form nicely for a while, and could have a real say here too. (2) EBONY LADY was putting in bad steps at a few points of her last mile so perhaps the 3 weeks off is a good thing – minor share? (8) I LOVED HER FIRST is better than she looks right now but she draws her 3rd straight 8 hole and that figures to leave her waiting for a better spot...again. (6) PINE BUSH MAGA really had no excuse NOT to be 2nd last week, and now gets a tough draw – too many other sharp ones in here. (7) CRÈME DELIGHT was a well meant 2nd last week but the move outside figures to slow her down

RACE 3 - NAADA Winter Series, Leg 6: (1) YOUMEANDWHISKEY was a pretty good 3rd here 2 back then made a nice recovery last week after an (uncharacteristic) early miscue – she has the speed to leave very hard from the pole, and may be able to wire these….at a fair price. (8) EYES OF JUSTICE perked up significantly with the class relief in his last pair, and did win 2 of 3 starts here in 2025 – could have a legitimate chance IF Hechkoff can avoid getting parked from Post 8. (6) TARPON SPRINGS N was an excellent 2nd in his local debut 2 back, but lost all chance after an early miscue last week – that 20-1 ML price looks very tempting. (2) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE was hung out from Post 8 last week and gets a complete pass – he could have a much bigger say with the move inside, but note that he’s winless in 30 local starts over the last 2 years. (4) IMA STANDUP GUY made an unexpected miscue from the pole 3 back – he behaved in his last pair, but finished poorly and ended up 6th both times – in need of a wake up call. (5) CREATIVE VENTURE is listed as the ML favorite despite finishing up the track in both 2026 starts, after going 1 for 31 at Yonkers last year – seems pretty vulnerable! (3) FASHION FOREVER finally gets a better draw, but still seems a bit below some of the others. (7) BARN CREDIT draws poorly after being claimed last week, and is just 1 for 31 locally over the last 3 years

RACE 4 – (2) ENERGY KING has hit board in 7 of his last 9 starts, with 8 holes in the other two – he was sent off favored and won last week, and remains the one to knock off tonight. (3) WARRAWEE WHISPER saw his 3 race winning streak snapped last week when collared by the top choice– he has a legitimate chance to revers that decision tonight, but shouldn’t have been listed at “even money” on the morning line. (4) IM OUT steps up off a dominant win in amateur race in his last – he’s sharp enough right now to be next in line should the top pair falter. (6) FOR A DREAMER hasn’t won yet in 2026 but he’s actually been very consistent, hitting board in 3 of 5 starts – won’t be easy to overcome tonight’s draw, however. (7) HAT TRICK MARLEAU rallied nicely from well back to be a solid 4th last week but another bad draw figures to limit him to minor spoils once more. (1) ICE BREAKERS K is just 1 for 39 at Yonkers over the past 3 years and probably needs to be in softer just to contend for a piece. (5) ALTUS HA NOVER is just 6-0-1-0 locally and another that seems a bit overmatched in here.

RACE 5 – (1) DISARONNO HILL was on a major roll heading into her last start but she broke in the pocket early on (at 1/5!) and just wasn’t right that night for a new barn – she goes for another new barn tonight and we’ll guess that she’ll be back to her usual self...but would still be cautious about betting the rent money at another very short price! (5) UNCONTROLLED hasn’t won in a while but she does turn in a good effort week after week – a good price makes her worth considering, especially with #1 being at least a little iffy right now. (3) MIKI THE CLOWN has been solid more often than not lately, and definitely one to include in exotics. (2) HUNTS FLOWER has been mostly “ok”, but will need to find more if she hopes to take home a better piece. (8) YUENGLING has won her last pair and 5 of her last 7 – she moves to a new barn tonight but that’s not as big a concern as the draw (she doesn’t have “great” gate speed) – her trip is definitely a bit iffy! (7) RACIN FOR ROYALTY is a solid performer in this class but gets her first bad draw in a while, and will need plenty of trip luck to be a serious player. (6) SP DANCIN WITHSTARZ gets another bad draw, while also off a sick scratch – sticking with others. (4) PRINCESS ARONA seems well off form right now – waiting for better signs

RACE 6 – (3) WELL THATS MARKY has taken 5 of his last 6 starts, the lone loss being a close 2nd – he steps up a notch (for new connections), but still feels like he deserves top billing. (8) DANCININTHEFIRE finished 2nd in his first start off the winter break – he missed a month and drew Post 8 for his return (adding Lasix), made his way to the top after a very tough opening quarter, and lasted for a long way (at 30-1) before weakening to 3rd – has to be worth considering tonight, with that 20-ML price. (6) OVER THE HORIZON wasn’t sharp for a few starts but was handled aggressively last week and pounced on a very good trip to score at 25-1 – he likes to win races, and it would be no shock to see him repeat. (4) ROSE RUN ASTRO has been ok in all his local starts this year, but will need to be stronger on the end if he hopes to battle for a bigger piece. (1) ALRITEALRITEALRITE went some nice efforts towards the end of last year but has been struggling in his last few – he does drop in for a tag and draw the rail, so we’ll see if that can help his cause. (5) LOUS THE ATTITUDE has a couple of ok tries at this level and can grab a share with an easy enough trip. (2) J B GRAM feels like he’s regressing again – at least his price will shoot up for anybody still looking to stay on his team. (7) MINOTAUR has clearly found his best game at Monti recently but he draws poorly for his Hilltop return, and was just 11-0-0-3 here last year

RACE 7 – Good race: (3) UP HELLY AA arrived from the Maritimes a few years back showing lots of wins, but wasn’t able to replicate that form here at Yonkers – it looks like he found that form again last year, however, as he won 9 races and $100K out of town – he ships in sharp from Stga,, gets Brennan, and is one of several legitimate threats in here. (5) HOT FLASH KIMMY was a little disappointing off the class drop 2 back but did rally a bit better last week, and is capable of more – maybe with a live trip? (4) CHIPPER DALE has seen his form tail off at this higher level but he moves to a new barn tonight, adds Lasix, and may perk up with a better mile. (7) QUEEN OF ALL should be feeling good about herself after back to back wins, and is more than capable at this level when sharp – the draw is the obvious concern. (8) THE BRODSTER is a perfect 4 for 4 at Yonkers but that streak could be in jeopardy as he draws Post 8, up in class, off a sick scratch – feels like there’s better value to be found elsewhere. (1) WHEELZABLAZIN was handled aggressively off the claim last week (up in class) but did get a little tired in the lane – the barn is starting to finally heat up, and scored off the claim on Wed. night (BE DAZZLED LOU A) – not impossible. (6) PEDAL ON METAL saw his 3 race winning streak ended last week when 3rd best – tonight’s draw may make it tough for him to get back to the winner’s circle. (2) MA ISABELLE hasn’t been a prolific winner here at Yonkers but she may get a good trip from this spot, and that would certainly put her in the hunt for a good piece – she’s listed on the bottom, bit could easily do better than that

RACE 8 – (6) TAKE ALL COMERS was really starting to peak during the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series but ran into an impossible trip in the Final – he was freshened up, and picked up wins in NJ and here at Yonkers to start off 2026…he’s missed 3 weeks (the race hasn’t filled), but the guess is that he’ll be ready for action. (5) CECIL HANO VER came up 2nd best to #6 on 2/5 then delivered a major brush and crush victory at Pocono – would be no surprise to see him reverse that last decision. (3) DRIBBLING BI turned in an outstanding 2025 season and was off to a good start in 2026, picking up a 2nd to #5 in PA last week – he could be waiting in the wings should the top pair falter. (4) MISSISSIPPI STORM is still banging heads at age 11 and the millionaire should be tight now with a pair of starts under his belt – chance to rally late for a small share. (2) BRONZER and (1) DWS POINT MAN were deservedly assigned the inside posts, but both do seem a bit below the top players in here.

RACE 9 – (3) MAHONE SEELSTER didn’t embarrass himself vs. better the last 2 starts and now drops back down to the level he beat twice to start off the new year – the one to knock off tonight. (4) P L OSCAR was much better in his 2nd start off the layoff, and that’s been the case for several others in the barn as well – no reason he can’t have a real say here. (5) CANTSTOP YANKEE has been struggling but did show some sneaky life finishing last week – not a bad spot to include him in exotics, at a good price. (2) SHAKE N BAKE has been stuck on smaller pieces since arriving here on 1/29, and could be looking at more of the same tonight. (7) ENERGYSOURCE was used hard early last week and paid for it – he moves from the rail to Post 7, and the guess is that he’ll be handled pretty conservatively tonight. (6) INCANTATION hasn’t been sharp in some time – she just qualified ok adding hopples, so maybe keep an eye on her for future consideration. (1) ROGER RABBIT draws the pole but just seems to need easier to be any kind of player these days

RACE 10 – (2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK won his last 2 starts of 2025 but has been stuck knocking on the door in 2025, with 4 straight close up finishes – he moves to a new barn for tonight, so maybe that’ll help him get back to the winner’s circle. (6) DANCE ON THE BEACH turned in a very sharp performance to win last week for a barn off to likely it’s best start ever – he’s not all that consistent, however, so make sure to get a fair price if looking for him to repeat. (7) TWO FACED always gets bet, always “figures”, races well most every start BUT he’s still winless since 2024 – tough to keep taking short prices on top! (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE got a nice wake-up call when 2nd two back but he tired badly when driven aggressively last week – hard to know which version we’ll see tonight! (5) GOTHIC ROCK gets a better draw for his 3rd start of the year and may show some improvement – not a bad week to include in exotics. (3) DEETZY hasn’t been sharp in a long time but at least turned in a more promising effort last week – we’ll see if he can build off that mile. (4) ON DAYBOO is inconsistent at best, as well as camera shy these days – minor spoils only. (8) HES SPECIAL rallied off easy trips for a couple of starts but does seem to be tailing again – Post 8 isn’t going to help!