Thursday, January 22, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, January 22, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Winter Series: (1) CAL MILES N SHELL hasn’t been a threat in his last few NJ starts but he was also in some tougher spots – he can use his speed from the pole tonight, and obviously his pilot (who bred, and has owned him all his life) is extremely familiar with him – the one to catch and beat. (2) IM OUT should be able to sit much closer to the action tonight, and gets one of the best amateur pilots this week – could easily outperform his 15-1 ML odds. (4) ROGER RABBIT hasn’t done a lot of winning at Yonkers the last couple of years but his overall recent form is solid, and a good trip could put him in the hunt tonight. (3) STAR HAIRDRESSER has been racing ok at Monti lately, and enjoyed some success here in the past – chance to add some value to the ticket. (5) HALOA (2nd time Lasix) will be handled by her owner tonight – she hasn’t had much success in limited local action, but probably fits well enough here for a chance at a piece. (7) LOVE THIS BAR has done some damage in these events in the past and his current form is fine…will need a bunch of trip luck to overcome the brutal draw, however. (6) VA LI HANOVER makes his first start since April…prefer to just observe, for now. (8) SHOW THE WILL is capable of a big mile, but throws way more duds than good ones – tonight’s draw makes it pretty tough to like his chances

RACE 2 – (3) WELL THATS MARKY saw his 3 race winning streak ended at Monti last week when he was a strong 2nd best – his barn has sent out a couple of very sharp performers this week, and this guy looms a short priced favorite tonight. (6) I B LOVIN gave it a big try upstate last week in his 2nd start for a new barn – draws outside, but the short field (and Gingras) may help him overcome it…the main danger? (4) SHINE A LIGHT has been racing ok at Monti- Cory S. elects to stay in the bike, and he’s a very logical horse to include underneath. (1) J B GRAM has been struggling for a long time…but still can probably squeeze out a small piece in this spot. (2) METAMAN hasn’t been sharp in ages and has just ONE start in the last 9 weeks– prefer to watch tonight (5) HEART ON MY SLEEVE managed just one 5th place check from his last 9 starts – waiting for some better signs!

RACE 3 - NAADA Winter Series: (1) VELICIRAPTOR ships in sharp, has done well here in the past and has won with Krivelin before – not a fan of the 9/5 ML price, but still think he deserves top billing. (2) BARN CREDIT has upped his game since the recent barn change, is looking at a good trip and may give Calabrese a chance at picking up multiple wins tonight. (3) CERTIFY leaves very well for Polansky and that alone makes him a threat – certainly worth considering if the price is decent. (7) MR CONTESTANT gets no luck with the draw but he arrives off a sharp qualifier (for a new trainer) and has to be worth at least a look with that 20-1 ML price. (5) KILIMANJARO N ships down from Monti in good form, but may be a notch below a couple of these – maybe underneath? (8) PSALM SFORTYSIXFIVE has the ability to be a real player here but just can’t seem to get a good Yonkers draw these days – will need a lot to go his way to reach from out here. (4) CREATIVE VENTURE has been away since 12/12 and that figures to hurt his chances tonight. (6) DROP THE MIC has struggled in general here at Yonkers – tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause

RACE 4 – Tough race: (2) PIRATES CODE was a nice winner here on 11/19, making his local debut for a new barn – he disappointed in his next 3 starts (and has been away since 12/17), but he lands in a very soft field for his 2026 return and his barn has sent out a few sharp ones to start off the meet – maybe this guy will be ready too. (1) LOUS THE ATTITUDE draws the pole (with Bartlett) in a very soft field and has a decent chance, even if by default – he’s also listed at 7/5 ML, and it would be hard to take a very short price on a horse that was 15-0-0-1 at Yonkers last year. (4) DANCININTHEFIRE has just one 2nd from 7 local tries but his barn sent out a couple of very sharp horses off the winter break, and a good price makes him worth a look. (5) ROSE RUN ASTRO is a decent $15K claimer out of town, and that may be enough to be a player with these – really wouldn’t shock. (3) ON DAYBOO just hasn’t been sharp in some time – would need a pretty good price to consider on top. (6) ROCK THE CAPTAIN N has been racing in a lot of amateur races recently (out of town) but struggled even when paired with catch drivers. (7) ENFOR CER figures to be coming from well back with his owner/trainer at the lines – tough spot

RACE 5 – (2) MAHONE SEELSTER had a bunch of “meh” starts here late in the year but came to life with a big rally for 2nd (at Chester) on 12/24, followed by a strong win (over cheaper) in NJ the next week – no chance spot in his last, but may have landed in a winning spot tonight to start off 2026. (5) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has been picking up a lot of pieces lately, even if not as sharp as he was earlier in 2025 – he gets Bartlett at the lines tonight, and we’ll see if that perks him up enough to threaten for the top slot. (3) BLUEBIRD BISHOP has been away since making a break on 12/18, but he loves to win races and the time off may actually benefit him – would certainly consider if the price is fair. (4) WHEELZABLAZIN can be inconsistent, but his best efforts would at least give him a shot in here – has appeal at that 8-1 ML price. (6) EYES OF JUSTICE won in this class 3 back and would have been listed higher if not for the bad draw – will need some trip luck after landing outside a few main foes. (1) FOR A DREAMER lands the pole but struggled in 40s for most of last year. (7) BARN HALL hasn’t been able to get back to that much sharper form he exhibited earlier in 2025 – the bad draw off the layoff figures to limit him tonight. (8) WILLY WALTON had been off his game but he landed on a perfect trip in his last start of ‘25 and went out a winner – brutal spot for his 2026 return, though.

RACE 6 – (6) FULL SUPPORT picked up just 2 wins last year but he did finish second 8X– several of his barnmates have returned sharp off the winter break, so maybe this guy is worth a look too (at a nice price)? (3) JOHNNY CHIP is winless in 10 local starts but did hit board in 6 of them – probably the one to beat with Bartlett on board, but that also means he’ll likely be way overbet. (4) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM picked up 5 wins here last year, ending the season with a front end 2nd place finish – legitimate chance IF he returns sharp off the hiatus. (2) DANCE ON THE BEACH fits well in this very modest field but he’s been away since 12/18 and races for a new barn – mixed feelings. (1) MOONLIGHT SHADOW draws the rail but his 15-0-0-3 record here last year makes him hard to consider for more than minor spoils. (5) SHUFFLE UP HANOVER was just 27-0-1-2 locally in ‘24-25

RACE 7 – (4) BELLISSIMO FACE S has won 11 of his 26 local starts, hitting board in 7 others – he can handle any trip, was Bartlett’s choice, and we’ll give him the narrow nod. (3) SEVEN REPS disappointed on the lead in his first Yonkers start but exploded from the pocket to win his next (#4 was 3rd that day) – if he brings that “A Game” tonight he can be a serious threat. (2) BRONZER closed out 2025 in fine form then was an upset winner in NJ on 1/11 – a good trip puts him right into the mix. (1) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been away since 12/18 and the guess is that she’ll need a start before we see her best – she may still be able to grab a small slice tonight, though. (6) MON AMO UR was a very sharp winner one level down two back then found himself in a no-chance spot the next week – he’s another that has missed time, and may not be ready for his best just yet. (5) DWS POINT MAN seemed off his best game before showing up sharp to beat cheaper in his final start of the year – that was six weeks ago, and he figures to be handled pretty conservatively here. (7) BESTFRIEND VOLO was a game winner in NJ last start but just wasn’t finishing well enough in a few of his recent local tries– Bartlett opts for #4, and it seems like the right choice. (8) AUSTRAL HANOVER (new barn tonight) was an 11X winner in “25 but draws Post 8 off the winter break and that figures to hurt (would still check the tote board, though)

RACE 8 – Another tough race on what seems like a tough overall card! (8) BUSY MAKING MONI was scratched injured here back in May and just recently came back to the races (in NJ) – he should benefit from that tightener on 1/9, and the return to Gingras could help him negotiate Post 8…worth a look, if the price is right. (7) PASSIONATE PROMISE arrives sharp from The Meadows and these connections have sent over endless winners over the years – seems capable of being a threat in his current form, despite the awful draw. (6) CANTSTOP YANKEE “figured” week after week, always was in the hunt but just never could find the winner’s circle over the last few months – definitely worth considering for exotics at that 10-1 ML price. (4) B NICKING is unreliable from week to week but the 9YO still knows how to win races, when in the right mood – may be able to use his speed here, but would still need a good price to try him on top. (1) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was light in the win column last year but can still make his presence felt at this level with a good trip…as he figures to get from the pole. (5) ENERGY KING was just 2 for 36 here last year but was racing pretty well to close out 2025...that 4-1 ML price just seems way too low, especially with the time off. (3) PEDAL ON METAL was picking up pieces to close out 2025, but wasn’t particularly “sharp” – we’ll see if a little time off helps. (2) ANDOVER CONTESSA had some ok tries here last year but remains a bit of a question mark at this level

RACE 9 – (5) HAND DOVER DAN is a streaky sort and ended the year with a class-climbing form spree – like most of these, he’s racing tonight off a bad date…one of several with a legitimate chance to take this. (1) VLAHOS got parked upon arrival from Dover on 12/11 but came back to win his next on the front end – steps up a bit, but may be good enough to be a player here too. (3) DOROTEA TRIO IT is another that was holding form nicely as she climbed back up the class ladder to close out the year – if the tote board suggests that she’ll be ready for this, you may want to consider her for your tickets. (2) CHIPPER DALE was razor sharp to close out the year, but facing the 40s – gets a nice draw as he moves up in class and it would be no surprise to see him be a contender tonight (4) SOUTHWIND ARTURO doesn’t have a lot of local wins the past couple of years but his overall form was solid, and a good trip could see him grab a decent piece. (6) TILL I COLLAPSE AS used a perfect trip to crush the 40s here 2 back but that effort is sandwiched between a pair of miscues – the tough draw won’t help his chances. (7) THE HAZLETON shocked at 27-1 on closing day (in a “fall apart” 1 ¼ mile race) but will need a lot to go his way as he takes on tougher, off a bad date, from Post 7. (8) RITSON has been racing very well for some time, but will have to deal with both a class hike and Post 8 – may look better next week, with a class drop

RACE 10 – (4) CAVEMAN A couldn’t deliver as the favorite in his last 2 starts across the river, finishing 2nd and 3rd – he catches a pretty soft field upon arrival tonight, was Bartlett’s choice, and looms a short priced favorite in the finale. (1) VULCAN STAR N is just 13-0-1-5 in his Yonkers starts but his recent form suggests that he’s more than capable of grabbing a big chunk vs. THIS group, especially with the pole. (8) CRUSH KILL DESTROY fits well with these but he’s just 5-0-0-1 here at The Hilltop, draws Post 8, and Bartlett elects to go with #4…still a chance for a piece, though. (3) THAT DOG WILL HUNT hasn’t been particularly sharp in some time, but he gets a big switch to Kakaley tonight (moving out of amateur races) and has to at least have a shot to land somewhere in the exotics. (5) GREAT SOMEWHERE made just 3 starts last year and his current comeback attempt seems to be stalling out – would still give him a look IF he attracts some tote action, though. (2) EMINEM HANOVER was 15-0-0-1 here last year and hard to consider, even with the good draw. (6) MR PROFETA felt like he may be on the upswing after (another) recent barn change but he threw a dud to close out 2025 and hasn’t raced since 12/18