Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Empire Report
The Empire Report – Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – Race Analysis
Today’s report was prepared without the benefit of any results from Monday night…take a minute to see which barns sent out “live” ones on that card, and adjust your handicapping accordingly!
RACE 1 – (4) WAVEMAKER had an equipment issue in his first local start then struggled mightily in his next…he was a very sharp winner in his last, however, and has a legitimate chance to repeat tonight IF ready off the layoff. (5) MAJORCROWDCONTROL A finished just behind the top choice in his last, after getting caught behind a tiring leader to the top of the lane – he adds Lasix tonight (his 4th U.S. start), and may prove the main danger. (1) SHAKES PEARE was scratched sick from his last start of ’25 and hasn’t raced in 7 weeks – his best effort would make him very dangerous from this spot, but will we see that kind of mile under the circumstances? (3) THE BIGBOSS A raced well here upon arrival from Down Under this summer but that was for a different barn – he’s been struggling a bit vs. cheaper in NJ recently, and that win 2 back came vs. much easier – could be a bit vulnerable at a short price. (8) ESCAPE TO AMERICA doesn’t have a ton of early speed and may struggle to get in play, even for Gingras – small piece? (2) MOVIN ON UP managed just one win and one 2nd from 39 starts last year, though he did grab a bunch of smaller pieces – maybe 3rd/4th? (7) KINGSVILLE gets a bad draw and has missed 7 weeks – leaning to others tonight. (6) POP IT dominated a much easier group to close out 2025 – tougher task tonight!
RACE 2 – (6) DISARONNO HILL closed out the year strong, picking up a pair of wins and a pair of 2nds from her last 4 starts – hard to “love” her chances tonight (tough draw off 5 weeks), but she still deserves the narrow edge. (1) STONECOLD GIRL came up 2nd best to the top choice in her last start of 2025 and draws the pole tonight – may prove the main danger once more. (5) DWS DARLENE is a steady player at this level and does draw inside the top choice – another that could be a big player here if ready for action. (3) MC ANGEL was winless in ’25 until finally getting her picture taken in her last start of the season – prefer a couple of others, but wouldn’t be shocked to see her make her presence felt tonight. (4) PRINCESS ARONA raced “ok” in a couple of her local starts – ok bomb for 3rd/4th. (2) SHESINQREDIBLE DEO gets a good draw and Yannick but finished way back in her only local try. (8) MIGHTHAVTIME N hasn’t been sharp out of town and draws all the way outside after missing 7 weeks – prefer to just observe, for now. (7) ANNELIESE HANOVER throws some good efforts, but usually not from a spot like this
RACE 3 – (1) ODDS ON NO LIMIT only made 9 starts during his 3YO campaign but he was sharp in most of them, including a victory (here at Yonkers) in his Messenger elimination, and a nice rallying 4th in the Final – he’s been idle since re-qualifying on 12/9, but still worth a try tonight…assuming the price is fair. (2) ONEFORTHERO AD GB figures to be heavily backed as he picks up Bartlett after a 1:50.3 NJ blowout in his last – note that he was a beaten favorite here (twice) not long ago, before falling too much in love! (6) FEDERER picked up a pair of wins and a close 3rd in his last 3 local tries, and his 2 recent NJ starts should have him tight for tonight – next in line should the top pair falter. (5) THE WICKED ONE hit board in 4 of 5 local starts, with a bad post (up in class) in the other – chance to rally for a small piece. (4) CURRYS FLURRY seems a notch below the top ones, but could grab a piece with an easy trip. (3) ITS ELECTRIFYING N disappointed in his only U.S. start – prefer to just watch tonight.
RACE 4 – (4) MACHS LEGACY A changed hands this summer (a few times) and elevated her form dramatically – she was a sharp 2nd behind the oft-winning FRONT PAGE STORY to close out 2025, and could be a big threat to start off the new year on a winning note. (2) ATREACHEROUS A was claimed away in the midst of a major form spree then quickly reclaimed in her last start of the year – she takes on tougher to start off 2026, but may still be a very legitimate player with these. (1) IDEALINFUN can be a little inconsistent but her best effort would put her in the hunt tonight – would still want a decent price to try her on top, though. (6) MISS PERIGNON N threw a dud in her last start of 2025 (vs. a bit better) but was on a long form spree just prior to that – would have liked her chances much more with a better draw, though. (5) LAURIE LEE comes off a decent year overall BUT was 0 for 15 here at Yonkers – leaning towards others. (3) TWIST LITTLE GIRL N did pick up a Stga. win 2 back but her overall recent form would seem to leave her a notch below these
RACE 5 – (3) KAT returns at the $20K level after racing well vs. better at the end of last year – she usually goes off at a fair price, and is worth a good look tonight. (1) NUTTINBUTHEBEST won 3 of her last 5 starts and will be the deserving favorite tonight…she’s been known to disappoint in the past, however, so be careful about accepting a very short price. (5) SHAKE ME LOOSE raced well in 3 PA starts after a recent barn change, even if facing a bit easier – she gets a good draw with Gingras, and could offer some value in this spot. (4) IRIS SEELSTER usually offers a decent late rally – she’ll be a nice price if you think things could get a bit testy up front. (6) I LOVED HER FIRST wins her fair share (for a very sharp barn) but gets a tough draw for her seasonal return and that may limit her to a smaller piece tonight. (2) BLUEBIRD CRUSH draws well, but hasn’t done much in her limited local starts – prefer others. (8) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ was racing well to close out 2025 but faces an uphill battle trying to get in play from all the way out here. (7) HARPER SEELSTER is another that may need to wait for a better draw
RACE 6 – (2) YS SENSATIONALCITY was 1st or 2nd 17X last year, and concluded her season with back to back victories – hard to know if she’ll return as sharp as she left, but she’ll be tough to knock off if she does. (1) BRI EXP RESS N was trapped with pace in her first 2 local starts last year so it was no surprise to see her pick up a win on closing day when she was able to cut the mile – she should benefit from that race in NJ on 1/9…along with the rail, and Bartlett. (3) CYCLONE SISTER raced well in a pair of Stga. starts after a recent barn change – she definitely has plenty of back class, and may be able to have a big say with the locals as well. (4) VIBRANCE was inconsistent at best last year – her best effort could put her into the mix, but would still want a pretty good price to consider her on top. (6) IDEAL SKIES was a winner vs. the 20s in NJ during the winter hiatus – the tough draw (and class jump) may limit her to a more modest piece tonight, however. (5) MALUKA MISS N feels like she tailed off in her last pair (after being claimed) – prefer to just watch tonight as she makes her 2026 return. (7) TOBAGO TIME struggled in many of her starts to close out 2025 – she’ll start the year in a new barn, but the draw is horrible
RACE 7 – (3) DELE ROW A is winless in 3 U.S. tries (in NJ) but rallied crisply each time – he’s likely to be handled more aggressively in his Yonkers debut (with Bartlett getting the call), and he was racing in graded stakes Down Under just prior to arriving stateside – gets top billing. (4) VANDERBILT N is another recent import and he was a winner in his U.S. debut at Chester, followed up by a win at Monti – he steps up here, but can still be a big player. (5) WESTERN ERA appreciated the class drop and ended the year on a winning note in PA – he moves up a bit off that effort, but this level is still well within his comfort zone…use in exotics. (8) THENU CAME ALONG A made his first two U.S. starts here at Yonkers in December and picked up a 2nd and a 3rd – he lost his last 3 across the river, and tonight’s horrible draw may limit him to minor spoils. (2) DREAM BIRD probably needs to be in a bit easier to be a threat to win, but the good draw at least gives him a chance for a piece. (6) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A figures to be coming from well back, and unlikely to be able to threaten for more than a small share (1) ROLLING WITH SAM was solid in his last 2 starts of 2025, but does seem a bit overmatched with the double class jump. (7) CAPTAIN LUFFY rallied nicely for 4th in his local debut, followed up with a victory on 12/16 – he gets an awful draw tonight though, while moving up in class after missing 5 weeks
RACE 8 – (1) STORMY SERENA comes off a terrific 2025 season that saw her make 40 starts, while banking over $125K – she ended the year with back to back wins, and looms the one to beat tonight…IF the time off didn’t hurt her. (8) DISTANT LOVER finished just behind the top choice in her last pair, and comes off an outstanding season of her own (13 wins, $114K) – she CAN blast from Post 8 IF ready, so perhaps the tote board will offer some clues as to her fitness. (2) CRÈME DELIGHT raced ok in her 3 starts after dropping in for the $25K tag – she gets a good draw, should sit a decent trip and does have a chance to land somewhere in the exotics. (5) UNCONTROLLED had a couple of upset victories last year, and is usually good for a late rally – another one to consider for underneath. (4) BIG CITY DAISY had 4 wins and a second to close out 2025 but that was at the $20K level – she may be able to be effective vs. the 25s as well, but she does lose appeal with that 2-1 ML price. (3) EBONY LADY starts the year in a new barn, and racing up in class – prefer to just observe tonight. (7) TRICKY WICKY gets a terrible draw arriving from NJ and may also be on the cheaper side. (6) LADYCORONA went through an awful stretch at the end of 2025 – we’ll keep an eye out for any improvement to start off the new year.
RACE 9 – Tough race! (1) PINK RUBY had been terrible for a long stretch but really turned things back around after joining her current barn back in November – she could end up with a very good trip here, and is one of several with a legitimate chance to come out on top. (5) YUENGLING probably was disappointed to see last meet come to a close as she was a game winner in her last 2 starts of 2025– could be a big threat here too, if ready off the layoff. (4) COALFORDSNSHINE GB should appreciate the drop back down to 20s as she makes her first start of 2026– would be no surprise at all. (6) DEAR ABBEY saw her game pick up after adding Lasix late in November – gets a tough draw, but still worth a look at what figures to be a juicy price. (2) ANIMATION was sent off favored in her local debut but didn’t lift a hoof – may benefit from the time off, but it would be hard to give her an endorsement as the ML favorite! (3) RACIN FOR ROYALTY can do damage at this level but she was scratched sick on 12/11 and has been idle for almost 7 weeks. (7) HUNTS FLOWER raced ok a couple of times in this class but tonight’s draw figures to really limit her chances. (8) YOU BEDA ROCK was parked from Post 8 to close out the season, and gets the same horrible draw for tonight…while also moving to a new barn.
RACE 10 – (8) CHEVRON ART N qualified nicely (in NJ) for his U.S. debut but came up short as the favorite in a pair of starts (though racing ok, both times) – it won’t be easy to win from out here in his Hilltop debut, but this is a pretty modest field and he may be able to pull it off. (2) PRINTVILLE drops down to the basement after a couple of “ok” tries vs. better in his last pair – may be a spot where he can be a legitimate threat. (3) HARD TO CATCH was 3rd in a quick mile 3 back, and reunites with Bartlett tonight…logical player in this field, even though he tends to be camera shy here at Yonkers. (1) ITZA DANGERZONE A struggled after arriving from Down Under last year, going 8-0-0-2…we’ll see if he can up his game a bit in the new year. (7) MISSED THE TRUTH A got parked from a bad post in his only recent local try and faces the same dilemma tonight. (5) SIMPLY FAST debuts for a new barn but seems on the cheap side and has been away since 12/7. (4) LONG SHOT BUCKETS exits a very high % Stga. barn and is another that is stepping up in class, while off a (very) bad date. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER hasn’t been a threat in some time, and comes off a 1 for 36 season.
