Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (6) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT had a terrific 2025 campaign, winning 10 races and $116K – her barn sent out some live performers (off the layoff) on Monday night, and we’ll give her the edge in her 2026 return. (2) WHOS PERFECT also comes off a strong year, though not quite as sharp at the end – her NJ start during the winter break could give her a conditioning edge, and she may prove the main danger with the good draw. (1) JIVE DANCING A will likely attract plenty of attention from the pole but she was just 1 for 18 at Yonkers last year, and it’s hard to say if the 5 weeks off will benefit her…be careful about taking too short a price. (5) DEFININGTHE MOMENT had some good efforts here last year but definitely tailed at the end of the season – still should be able to beat a bunch of these in a fairly soft $20K division. (7) CANNERY ROW has lost at least 34 straight at Yonkers and draws poorly off a last place finish in NJ – still, not impossible for 3rd/4th. (3) INTENSE LADY won 12 races last year (out of town) but ended the year losing repeatedly vs. cheaper…prefer to just observe in her local debut. (4) BROOKDALE JESSIE raced 27X last year and managed just a pair of 3rds – waiting for better signs. (8) GUMBELL seems to be on the cheaper side, and also has to deal with the 8 hole.

RACE 2 – (2) THEFLYINGROCK returned from a long layoff in October and raced super right to the end of the year – all of his barnmates showed up ready for action on Monday night, and we’ll look for a big one from him, as well. (3) STATESIDELOCKDOWN GB added Lasix last start at The Swamp and turned in a much better effort – he won 2 of 3 starts here last spring, and definitely deserves a look tonight. (7) BELMONT MAJOR N didn’t race here in 2025 but did have a strong year out of town – he ships in sharp from NJ, but Stratton will need to find him a trip after drawing so poorly. (6) EVER M was 1st or 2nd in half of his 14 local starts last year, and endured some bad trips in several other starts – he gets Bartlett for his seasonal return, and does have appeal at that 6-1 ML price. (4) HIGH ONROCKNROLL never wins, but cam grab minor pieces with easy trips – maybe 3rd/4th? (1) ALWAYS A LOOK goes back on Lasix to start off 2026 but his 12-0-0-0 local record last year is hard to overlook. (5) IM THE PRINCE throws his share of good miles but was dull to end 2025 – prefer to just observe, for now

RACE 3 – (4) MESSENGER HANOVER turned in a pair of solid starts (NJ and PA) after adding Lasix, and was having a nice 3YO season prior to that – he picks up Gingras for his local debut, and figures to be heavily favored tonight. (5) KANON LASER DK won his U.S. debut at Chester upon joining our leading barn, then was too far back to threaten in NJ last week– guessing he’ll be a very good fit here, and possibly the main danger (2) BO SILAS was winless in 20 local starts last year but did hit board in 9 of them – chance for a decent piece with the inside draw (1) LOOKATMEGOAMIGO made some $$ at 2 and 3 in Canada, but his 2 starts at 4 (in OH, for new connections) were less than stellar – he lands in one of our top barns for his Yonkers debut, and he’s certainly eligible to improve. (6) MANFORCE would often make his presence felt, but was winless in 7 local starts – tough draw off a bad date. (7) BLESS ME FATHER failed to threaten in 3 precious local starts and gets a horrible draw returning from NJ. (3) BELMONDO earned over $175K at 2 and 3 but failed to hit the board in 11 starts as a 4YO – he makes his local debut tonight, and we’re inclined to just observe, for now

RACE 4 – (1) NILA MAREE N easily won her first U.S. qualifier (here at Yonkers) then won her first U.S. start (in NJ) as the 1/5 choice – figures to be another very short price in her local debut as she draws the pole for our leading trainer and driver. (5) ALWAYSBPUFFING IR was very successful in the UK, compiling a 31-11-10-5 record – she makes her U.S. debut after a pair of solid NJ qualifiers, and may be able to give the top choice a tussle (3) ALWAYS B LAYLA (another UK import) took no real $$ in her U.S. debut (in Ohio), but did rally in the lane from 8th to 3rd – she makes her local debut for a top barn, and it would be no surprise to see a big effort from here. (4) NOT THAT HI LLARY was a nice 2nd in her Yonkers debut, followed by an ok 4th – she stayed active during the winter break with a 3rd place finish across the river, and has a chance to grab a piece here too. (2) NIGHTOFTREACHERY is just 1 for 30 lifetime, but still could tow along for a piece from this spot. (6) PAPIS OPINION may need a better draw to deliver one of her better efforts.

RACE 5 – (4) THEOBALD took a while to come around after joining his current barn in late October but he really put it all together with that easy victory on his last – hard to know if he can replicate that effort (after 5 weeks off), but he’ll be tough in this spot if he does. (7) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO came up 2nd best to the top choice last start after cutting the mile (after rallying from well back for 2nd in the start before that) – she’s another that’s hard to gauge off the layoff, but clearly capable of being a big player if ready for action. (1) SIX QUESTIONS failed to really up her game after joining her current (high %) barn in November, but she gets an excellent draw for her first start of 2026 and may be ready to deliver a sharper effort. (3) MASSETO struggled in his last pair but that was after moving up in class – his prior form was pretty solid, and could make him a player with this group. (6) ENTERTAIN ME is just 2 for 36 lifetime but has trotted a bunch of miles that could at least make him a contender here for a piece – tough draw, though. (2) DRINKING PROBLEMS was racing well in PA at the end of his 2YO season but may be facing tougher tonight – hails from top connections, and we should learn a bit more about him after tonight. (5) ME LISSA P shows a mixed bag of tries out of town – suppose she could outperform her 15-1 ML price if she brings one of her better efforts. (8) MARIN COUNTY begins 2026 on Lasix, but seems unlikely to get close from out here

RACE 6 – Tough race! (1) EVER HOPING raced well off the recent barn change (3rd, 1st) and may have just been in a little tough at Dover – he should benefit from those start, though, and the move to 25s seems sensible – one of several with a chance in here. (2) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES has gone plenty of big efforts at this level and then barn sent out several very live players on Mon. night – logical threat with the inside draw. (6) LYONS BENJAMIN won 10 races and $116K last year, and was plenty sharp to close out 2025 – his barn sent out a very sharp winner to start off the week, and this guy could be a big threat too…despite the bad draw. (5) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N is more than capable at this level when on his game – leaning a bit more to a few others, but would hardly be shocked to see him race very well here. (3) STARE ME DOWN just missed in his first 2 tries at this level, but did throw a dud in his last start of 2025 – a question mark as he makes his first start in 5 weeks. (4) HEAVE AWAY won 7 races here last year but his overall form to close out ’25 was somewhat “meh” – leaning elsewhere. (7) C BET HANOVER hit board in 5 straight at the end of last year but from good posts – may struggle with Post 7, off the winter break

RACE 7 – (3) GREEN MEL has been disappointing in his recent starts but he moves to the nation’s leading trainer to start off the 2026 season and he did show real ability in the past – maybe he can spring a mild upset for his new crew. (5) TOP GUN HANOVER took a couple of starts to find his form (after joining our leading barn) but has looked very good in his last 3 outings – major threat tonight, but does figure to be heavily backed. (2) BOURBONIS TA S added Lasix (in NJ) for her last but lost any chance after being parked – she trotted some sharp miles after arriving from Sweden, and could have a big say in her Hilltop debut. (4) BAY BREEZE HANOVER finished with sneaky good trot (from impossible spots) in her two local tries, and seems like a good one to include on the bottom of exotics. (6) SUNBURNT SILVERADO tired in his last NJ start but raced well (off the barn change + Lasix) in the 2 starts prior to that – he puts hopples back on as he tries Yonkers for the first time, but may struggle a bit after drawing poorly. (1) INCANTATION raced well in several starts after arriving from Canada but did tail off to close out the year – needs to find that better form as she makes her first start of 2026. (7) GLOBAL TWIST has been racing well out of town but MAY be a little cheaper, and also lands all the way outside.

RACE 8 – (4) ALWAYS B ELITE N was an easy winner at this level back on 10/21, in his 2nd U.S. start (then just missed one level up in his next)– he stayed fit racing in Ohio during the winter break, and may have found a winning spot for his local return. (1) NIGHT HAWK wired a bit easier in his last local start of 2025, but this level is well within his comfort zone too – should be a big part of the action from the pole. (3) ELITE MACHINE picked up a pair of 2nds at Stga. after a recent $30K claim, then just re-qualified at Monti after a sick scratch – he feels like a decent fit in this field, and could grab a decent share. (5) ROCK THE BELLES was facing tougher to close out ’25 and should appreciate the class relief…he’s also missed 5 weeks, and it’s hard to know how tight he’ll be for this. (6) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR figures to be coming from too far back to be a serious threat, but may still be able to pass a few for a small share. (2) OURMATEMENKO N was just 1 for 9 here last year, and seems more comfortable racing with a bit easier.

RACE 9 – (4) SHAKE IT was in the midst of an excellent season before a break and a scratch in August – he returned to the races in December and picked up a 2nd and a 3rd before going out a winner on 12/17 – we’ll guess that his connections will have him ready right off the bat to start off ‘26. (3) IM A POWERPLAY A is more comfortable at the $15K level these days but he’s a hard knocker and may have a conditioning edge in here – decent value horse for exotics. (1) TWO FACED raced well in so many of his starts last year but still ended the year 0 for 22….and was struggling late in the year after returning from a lame scratch (in July) – his best effort puts him right in the hunt, but it’s anybody’s guess if we’ll see it tonight. (2) FAMILY RECIPE was well off his best form in the latter part of the year, and the few weeks off may actually help his cause – ok for exotics. (5) PINK FLOYD HANOVER was unable to pick up a win since being claimed on 10/25 but he did race well in several of his starts – good value horse to use underneath at that 20-1 ML price. (8) LOUS BEACH has clearly been very good in this class, but faces a tall task starting from Post 8, off 5 weeks. (6) SMOOTH LOU was struggling to close out 2025 – prefer to wait for better signs. (7) JACKS LEGEND N has been competitive at Monti lately, but really struggled when last seen at YR.

RACE 10 – (1) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH won 3 in a row in October, hit a brief rough patch but then ended the season with a pair of sharp miles…we’ll give him the narrow edge in a very competitive finale. (2) KARLOO BRA DLEY N raced very well in his final 2025 start, despite cutting the mile from Post 7, off a sick scratch – he was 1st or 2nd 16X last year, and deserves plenty of respect. (6) FOXHUNT won just 1 of 8 local starts last year but went some BIG miles in some of his losses – he exits a sharp barn and draws poorly, but is still worth a look at what figures to be a good price. (3) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N picked up a win 2 back dropping to 25s, but was all out to do so…possible for sure, but does figure to be overbet. (5) BETTOR BY SEASIDE beat the 30s here on 11/13 but hasn’t shown he can win at this $25K level – needs to find more. (7) SIP OF BOURBON has thrown some big miles here in the past (when in the right mood), and arrives off a Monti blowout – brutal post, but one for longshot fans to consider. (4) CHICKEN N DICE wasn’t sharp to close out 2-25 and many of the others were – waiting for better signs. (8) HES SPECIAL made just 13 starts last year, winning only once – hard to endorse from out here/