Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) SHEIKH YABOOTY N toured the oval on 2/3 (first start off a long layoff) but was handled aggressively in her very next start, delivering a dominant victory – she was unable to replicate that performance trying to cut the mile last week, but she’s certainly eligible to bounce back tonight with a winning effort. (4) STONE COLD GIRL started off the year with back to back wins but wasn’t the same in her last 2 starts – she’s another that could bounce back with a winning mile…but she’s at least a bit iffy off her last pair. (5) STORMY SERENA (who somehow ends up with Gingras even though he was listed on #2) had a terrific 2025 season and was off to a great start in 2026…but made an uncharacteristic miscue in her last (off the claim) and has to be considered a bit risky off that mile – not really sure what to expect tonight. (7) COALFORDSNSHINE GB left well 2 and 3 back and was rewarded with 3rd place finishes, at big prices – she left again in her last but got parked this time, and may elect to take a more conservative approach tonight. (3) FORTUNADA, like most of barnmates, came up short in her first start off a layoff – we’ll see if she can be a little sharper tonight. (8) QUICK MENU was a close up 3rd last week, but mostly due to the very easy trip – unlikely to repeat that success from out here. (6) ANNELIESE HANOVER failed to pick up a check in her last 5 starts and draws poorly again tonight. (2) KENTUCKY MOONSHINE gives it another try after losing her local debut by 20 lengths

RACE 2 – (7) PINK FLOYD HANOVER failed on the front end last week but he’s won 3 of his last 5 starts and was just re-claimed by the barn for whom he jogged OFF the pace 2 back – could be a decent value option in a race with several possibilities. (1) EVER M likes to win races, and used a perfect trip to take his last – his barn off to an outstanding start in 2026, and he’s more than eligible to repeat from the pole. (6) MOVIN ON UP came into his last off a series of sharp efforts, was getting a class drop but was driven like a 50-1 shot and clear way too late to have any chance for better than his 4th place finish – definitely has appeal with that 8-1 ML listing. (3) SHAKE IT has won 2 of his 5 starts this year but those victories were at the $15K level – he’s 0 for 3 at tonight’s $20K level and while he’s still a possibility, that 8/5 ML price is definitely a turnoff. (8) SHINE A LIGHT earned a move up to 20s after 3 straight excellent tries vs. 15s – the draw will be tough to overcome, however. (4) CELLMATE was good for a while but just feels like one of several in the barn that have just tailed off recently. (5) DELIGHTFUL TERROR was dull last week and just seems well off his best game right now – leaning elsewhere. (2) DONTTELLMENOW was another from the barn that came up well short off the layoff – waiting for better signs

RACE 3 – Short, but sharp field! (2) THEFLYINGROCK’s lone loss in his last 4 starts came at this $40K level but he raced as well that night as in any of his victories – he’s been insanely good for a long time, and his versatile style may give him the edge. (5) JUST ENUFF STUFF has also been sharp for an extended period, for a variety of barns – he goes for another new one tonight…and another big effort is expected. (3) ORLANDO BLUE A was just scary good in his win 3 back, and his last pair (from tough spots) were excellent as well – legitimate chance to add some juice to the exotics, with the right trip. (4) LUCAPELO A had a good tightener on 2/9 (first start of ’26) then finished alertly last week – another that can do damage tonight if the trip goes his way. (6) HAMMERING HANK was sharp before the 12/15 claim and has been just as good for his current crew – we’ll see if he can overcome both a class hike AND bad post tonight. (1) WESTERN ERA draws the pole but his best work has come vs. easier

RACE 4 – (1) GREEN MEL changed hands to start off the new year and came up 2nd best to the very impressive TOP GUN HANOVER – he won his next, had no prayer the start after that (8 hole) then finished 2nd best (once more) to TOP GUN HANOVER last week, in an eye-popping 1:54.4 mile…the one to knock off tonight. (4) YOU GUESSED finished 3rd in the same race as #1 last week, but was well behind that one– his overall Yonkers is strong, and he may be able to leave the gate here and sit a good trip. (6) EXQUISITE TASTE has won 3 straight here at The Hilltop but did enjoy beautiful trips each time – her streak will be put to the test tonight as she gets the worst of the draw. (5) KAYS IN CHARGE raced well in all 3 local starts since arriving here for our leading trainer – a live trip puts her in play for another nice piece. (3) MANFORCE faltered after stepping up in class last week – has to show that he can hold his own with these better ones. (2) THE THING IS returns off a 2 month break – prefer to just observe, for now.

RACE 5 – (5) SEVEN LAYER added hopples for his last qualifier (after breaking the week before) and trotted very nicely in a fast mile, in with pacers – he’s gone big miles (when in the mood) as a youngster, and may be worth a stab right off the bench. (1) ROTHKO bobbled early on last week and had to grab up and find a seat to drop in, then never found his best gear later on in the mile – he seems capable of better, and maybe he can bring a better effort in his 2nd local try. (4) CIVILIAN DRONE was off to a dull start and stayed lazy for too long last week, but was really gaining quickly at the end – he showed legitimate ability as a 2YO, and has always gotten around Yonkers just fine – could be a real threat tonight. (6) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO has been ultra consistent for weeks, even if wins have been hard to come by – always a good one for exotics. (3) WALKWHILEYOURTALKIN returns after almost 3 months off and did qualify nicely in PA – maybe he can rally for a small piece? (8) MESSENGER HANOVER has disappointed at short prices in all 5 local starts and all from good posts – hard to get too excited about his chances from Post 8. (2) WISH LIST won her (PcD) qualifier after a couple of months off, but in a slow mile – the bigger concern is last year’s 0 for 27 record, although she did hit board in 7 of 15 local tries. (7) HELP US HELP YOU picked up a 3rd in his only local try and the barn sent out a live one last week – brutal draw, however.

RACE 6 – (4) SMOOTH LOU was sent off as the odds-on choice in his last 3 starts, winning 2 and finishing 2nd in the other – he moves to a new barn tonight, but the guess is that his form will continue to hold – gets the narrow vote in a pretty competitive $15k division. (1) TIN ROOF RAIDER N saw his 3 race winning streak come to an end last start, but the winner is very sharp right now – he goes for his 3rd barn in 3 weeks, but he’s another that we’ll look to keep it going – legitimate threat! (3) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY paced a strong middle half to get into contention last week and can be forgiven for flattening a bit– he makes his 2nd start for a barn known for their ability to improve fresh stock quickly, and also gets a better draw – possibility! (7) MAJOR POCKET A has been “good” or “very good” in almost every start for several months – he’s shown that he CAN blast from tough posts, and shouldn’t be dismissed just because of Post 7. (2) DEEDENUTO A was “sneaky ok” for a couple of recent starts so last week’s decent 3rd place finish (at 39-1) was no real shock – maybe another minor share? (6) ULYSSES benefited from an easy inside trip last week (dropping back to 15s) but it was good just to see him function after a disastrous start the week before – tonight’s draw may really hurt, though. (5) LOUS BEACH landed on a perfect trip last week but hung badly in the latter stages – will need to be better for a chance at a good piece tonight

RACE 7 – (1) CANTHAVEME is just 2 for 35 lifetime but he was just a nice 2nd at Stga. debuting for connections that have been doing well with fresh stock lately – he gets Bartlett and the rail for his local debut, and may have found a winning spot. (4) IDITOROD has been very consistent, hitting board in 5 straight (one win) – an obvious threat, but also could end up a bit overbet. (2) MUSCLE SPASM is another newcomer that just finished 3rd at Stga. – he gets a good draw for his local debut, and could take home a nice piece of this. (5) MR INSTIGATOR wasn’t bad when 3rd here on 2/11 (behind a complete runaway winner) then trotted evenly from a no-chance spot last week – ok for the bottom of exotics. (6) STOVID drew Post 8 (off a bad date) for his local debut and was never involved – he’s eligible to be more serious tonight, and a look at the toteboard (for clues) couldn’t hurt. (3) JAKEY JUMPUP has some good miles here in the past (when sharp), but he’s been away for 3 months and may need a start or two. (8) HI PPIE SHAKE was never close after drawing Post 8 for her new connections last week and now draws outside again. (7) BABY TAO had good lines shipping in but was no factor at all in his local debut

RACE 8 – Tough race! (5) BLACK HAWK JOE A came into his last off a pair of front end blowout wins…and somehow received the only drive that could have possibly gotten him beat (didn’t leave, elected to steer directly into a blindswitch on the back side, didn’t shake free until late and then flew home to just miss) not sure what happened there, but he deserves a chance to make amends tonight. (3) BE DAZZLED LOU A was claimed from his last for a barn that has always done great work here, and may be ready to start coming to life again (after finally picking up their first win of the meet last week) – worth a look at a good price. (2) KARLOO BRADLEY N was in a tough spot after drawing Post 8 off the claim last week but moves inside tonight, and knows his way to the Yonkers winner’s circle. (1) RACING RIPPER was a decent 3rd in his local debut but no factor at all in his next – he could add some value to the exotics tonight if he brings that better version. (4) LYRICAL GENIUS A was just 3 for 38 last year but has already won 2 of 5 to start off 2026 – no chance 8 hole in last, but could easily be part of the action tonight. (7) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was a dead game winner 3 back, 2nd best to a razor sharp THEFLYINGROCK in his next, then stuck with Post 6 in his last – unfortunately, he lands Post 7 tonight. (8) CHICKEN N DICE used a dream trip to score the 54-1 shocker 2 back then won again at 8-1 last week, hitting the top in a race that sort of fell apart – brutal spot tonight, though. (6) HEAVE AWAY moves to a new barn but still seems like an outsider vs. this crew.

RACE 9 – (2) STATESIDELCKDWN GB just missed (at 15-1) two back then built off that effort last week, taking everything (4) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES could throw at him and prevailing in dead game fashion – he gets the better draw for tonight, and has a chance to take another. (4) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES raced super for his new barn last week, battling hard a long way with #2 before coming up 2nd best – could easily reverse that decision tonight. (7) SETH HANOVER was heavily backed off the claim last week, went a big mile but got nipped late by a perfect trip winner – the bad draw means he’ll likely be a good price, and he could pull off a mild upset with some trip luck. (5) BETTOR BY SEASIDE never saw the cones from Post 8 last week and somehow still managed to finish 3rd – definitely ok to include in exotics. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL moves inside and picks up his fair share of smaller pieces, at nice prices. (8) FOXHUNT is sharp right now but he doesn’t have great gate speed, and faces a difficult trip from Post 8 – ok for longshot fans. (6) SARANAC BLUE CHIP can sometimes make his presence felt during the mile but he’s only 2 for 35 locally (past 2 years) and draws poorly. (1) BETTORBUCKLEUP is still trying to find some functionality in 2026 – not sure the rail is enough to put him into the mix right now

RACE 10 – (8) IM SOME GRADUATE faces a daunting task from Post 8 but he had good pace finishing in his first start of the year then just missed in a very quick mile last week, to a razor sharp WELL THATS MARKY – worth a try if the price is good enough. (5) ROCKET FREIGHT has been very consistent lately for a barn off to its best start in years – logical threat once more. (3) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM can be somewhat inconsistent but he picks up his fair share of wins and may be in a good spot for an aggressive try. (1) FULL SUPPORT threw a mega-clunker 2 back but was able to rebound quickly, picking up a 3rd last week – draws the pole again, and could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (7) LAST BEACH raced ok last week off the barn change, but will need lots of trip luck to make any real dent from out here. (4) MOONLIGHT SHADOW is just 18-0-0-3 locally over the past 2 years – minor spoils only. (6) CAVIART SKIPPER was winless in 15 Yonkers starts last year, hasn’t been sharp lately and draws poorly. (2) LEAR SEELSTER hasn’t been better than 5th in his last 7 starts, often finishing well back.