Friday, February 13, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, February 13, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) INFINITY STONE was 2 for 2 last Fall dropping in for this optional $12,500 tag and was able to take another last week, in his first start since November – hard to go against him, but also hard to get excited about what figures to be a very short price! (6) INTERNATIONALCRAZE tried to pull himself up past the half 2 back then did pull up/bolt to the top of the lane…he managed to shrug that (weird) effort off quickly, however, absolutely charging home in the lane last week to be a close 4th behind #1 – maybe he can add some value to the exotics with a similar effort? (4) MEETMEATTHEBAR hasn’t been on her game lately but this is a spot where Dube can be more aggressive and that may result in a better effort. (3) SHOW THE WILL tends to be wildly inconsistent but IF he shows up in the right mood, he may be able to grab a piece. (2) BARN CREDIT has turned in a mixed bag of efforts since moving to this barn in December – another that can land on the ticket if the “good” version shows up. (5) SEV ENSHADESOFGREY has faced better than these for much of his career but was really struggling at the end of last year – hard to know what to expect from him making his first start since 11/21. (7) CREATIVE VENTURE draws poorly for his first start of ’26 and was just 1 for 32 here last year – prefer to observe, for now. (8) PEMBROKE RE GAL has been struggling for a cold barn, and draws Post 8

RACE 2 – (1) ULTIMATE SPEED had a terrific 2024 season but struggled in ’25 – she took 9 months off, had a useful tightener on 1/30 then gave it a big try from Post 7 last week – if she can improve just a bit more in her 3rd start back, she may be able to get over the hump tonight. (2) MIKKI SIXX drops a notch, and is probably looking at a pretty nice trip from this spot – look for an improved effort. (3) SPIRIT OF PEARL A is very inconsistent, but she brought her “A Game” on 1/30 and delivered a brave first over score – she can be a big threat here too with a similar try. (6) ALTA MADEIRA N has always been camera shy at Yonkers but she’s definitely sharp right now, and has a chance for a decent piece…even with another bad draw. (4) LAURIE LEE will surely attract $$ with the class drop and good draw but for whatever reason, she just seems to race much better out of town these days, than here at YR (just 18-0-1-3 over the last 2 seasons) – could be vulnerable. (7) IDEAL COVER was horrible 3 back, completely reversed form to win her next (at 39-1) then was no factor again last week – inclined to just pass from out here. (8) UNDETERRED disappointed in her first 2 local tries this year before capitalizing on a pocket trip last week – won’t get that kind of trip tonight, however. (5) CANNERY ROW has lost at least 37 straight at YR, and is struggling now

RACE 3 – (4) QUEEN OF ALL made an uncharacteristic break on 1/22, but a few other horses did the same that night – she was handled conservatively in her next and just missed, then was a complete jogburger last week – she steps up a bit, but is used to facing even tougher…we’ll stay on board. (3) AUSTRAL HANOVER disappointed a bit when he couldn’t hold 2nd last week but it was still a much sharper performance – assuming he builds on that, he can be right back in the hunt tonight. (1) MON AMOUR just lost interest at the back in a hot mile last week – he drops, draws the pole, and figures to be able to have a much bigger say now. (2) MADE OF DREAMS is a solid 4-2-0-2 here at Yonkers but facing a bit easier – he qualified nicely for his 2026 return, and the good draw should help him take home a piece. (6) FULL OF MUSCLES does his best work on/near the lead and that may not be possible tonight – leaning elsewhere. (5) BLACK TIE BASH definitely does his best work with considerably cheaper

RACE 4 – (6) PRESSURE COOKER is used to facing, and holding her own vs. better than these – she comes off a game first over try in her last and this feels like a spot where Marohn can try to be more aggressive…good value horse to consider. (2) MIKI IN LUV toured the oval from Post 8 off a bad date last week but finished with way more pace than expected – she’s won here before at this level, and is another that could win here at a decent price. (3) BO NITAS BEST BET has been a disappointment (overall) since arriving from Ohio – tonight’s class drop may perk her up, but she seems vulnerable with that 9/5 ML price. (1) TIME TO STRIKE failed to get in play last week from Post 7 but she’s capable of much better, and the move inside may allow her to be part of the equation again. (7) AMBUS HED is a very tough competitor but she gets the worst of the draw once more, and that may leave her waiting for a better spot. (4) OVER ICE used an easy trip to pick up a 3rd place check last week but may not be as fortunate here (and she’s 11-0-2-1 at Yonkers). (5) MALUKA MISS N charged home in the lane to upset easier last week, but seems a notch below most of these.

RACE 5 – Tough race! (3) RITSON wasn’t involved at all last week but may have already been looking forward to tonight’s class drop – he lands in a seemingly well matched field, but seems worth a look at what figures to be a pretty good price. (8) LAFERRARIDMANCHE S was a good earner in Sweden, qualified nicely (twice) in NJ then delivered as the 3/5 favorite in his first U.S. start – Bartlett hops off #7 to drive him in his local debut and while that’s a major vote of confidence, he’s still tough to be thrilled about as the ML favorite from Post 8. (2) STREET GOSSIP came alive last week and turned in a big effort to just miss to #5 – definitely ok for exotics. (5) BAY BREE ZE HANOVER was used very hard last week but still survived a long battle with #2 to win her 2nd in a row – can’t discount the possibility of her making it 3 straight tonight. (1) CAL MILES N SHELL trotted home steadily for 4th after shaking free last week and draws the pole here – could grab another piece if the trip works out (6) MUSICAL RIDE has his moments but the guess is that he’ll be handled very conservatively tonight after recently making a pair of miscues. (7) OURMOMENTINTIME has been doing good work since recently joining our leading barn but he was just an “ok” 2nd in his local debut last week, and Bartlett jumps off to handle #8 – we’ll pass too. (4) EMPIRE BUILDER makes his local debut after recently changing hands – may need a little easier, but we should get a clearer picture after tonight.

RACE 6 – (4) SHUTUPANDDRIVE was pretty well backed at The Swamp last week in her 2nd start off a long layoff, but found herself completely blocked into the lane with no chance to pace – might be worth a stab tonight in a race where there are major knocks on ALL of the main players. (7) BRONX RIVER really fell apart at the end of her 3YO campaign but just qualified back ok after some time off – in her last local try she got down to 3/4s in 1:24.2 before weakening a bit to 4th in a 1:52.4 mile…barn sometimes will fire right off the bench. (1) SCHNAPPS would be very tough in here if anything close to her best, but she really just fell apart after joining her current barn this fall – playable, but only if the price is decent. (3) IM A BELIEVER cut the mile as the odds-on choice last week and got nipped with no excuses– she’ll probably be overbet again, and will need to be sharper to make amends. (5) BROOK DALE JESSIE never wins but isn’t bad right now – maybe 3rd/4th? (6) TALENT TO SPARE A has the ABILITY to beat these for sure, but would be hard to endorse as the 9/5 ML choice after being scratched injured from her last (and missing time). (2) QUICK MENU gets a good draw but hasn’t been sharp in a long time – maybe minor spoils? (8) HARPER SEELSTER would be a surprise from out here after failing to beat a horse in her last pair.

RACE 7 – (1) JETT STAR N wasn’t great in his last local start at this level (12/19) but he was 4 for 15 on the year, and either of his last pair at Stga. would make him tough from this spot – we’ll give him top billing. (6) ITZA DAN GERZONE A figures to have a good chance to outrace his odds last week and he did just that, holding nicely for 3rd after being used very hard early on – he’s listed at 20-1 ML for tonight, and remains a decent value horse for exotics. (2) SIP OF BOURBON moves inside for his 2nd try down at this level and an improved effort is expected – he’s done some damage here in the past when in the right mood. (3) FUNATTHEBEACH N has $1.4M on his card and is a former MGM Borgata winner…so it’s a bit sad to see him struggling most weeks even at this bottom levels – maybe this is a spot where he can come to life, but that 2-1 ML price makes him hard to endorse (7) LYONS PRIDE would be hard to consider off his current lines but note that he’s moving to a barn notorious for instant form reversals – not a bad one for longshot fans. (4) DEALERS TURN looked well short in his seasonal debut…waiting for some better signs. (5) STORMY WOODS A drops a notch but may still need an easier spot. (8) FRANCO NAN DOR N only made 3 starts last year – he gets a brutal draw for his first local try of 2026.

RACE 8 – (3) NILA MAREE N was stepping up to face older mares last week but she was hammered down to less than 1/5 and she was a much easier winner than the final margin might suggest – this is probably a tougher spot, but she’s still the one to beat (but will surely be another very short price). (2) IM OFFNGONE N was handled conservatively for her new barn last week and went an even mile – she’s eligible to be sharper tonight, and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (4) LUCKY ARTIST A last started on 11/21 but the still-classy 13YO turned in a good looking qualifier, finishing right with a couple of pretty nice rivals – maybe she can do some damage right off the bench? (1) MORE GOODA N did good work in her first 3 U.S. starts but just didn’t fire last week – maybe she can rebound with a better effort with an easy trip from the pole? (5) ZUMA BEACH raced here 4X last year and came out on top each time, all impressively and all at very short prices – she went on the shelf after winning on 3/26, and did re-appear until this January – her last qualifier (in NJ) was 3 weeks ago, and we’re guessing that she’ll need at least a start or two before we see her best. (7) PETROL QUEEN was a solid first over 3rd behind #3 last week but that was starting from the pole – may have trouble getting close tonight. (6) MARIA ALLEGONDA N just missed to (8) SWEET HAYLEY JANE A last week, but the two of them had the two hole and the rail – now both are stuck outside, while also moving up in class

RACE 9 – (5) LLOYDS LOVES was really struggling at Running Aces when she went on the shelf in September – she made her first start back last week and returning to her favorite track seemed to perk her right up, as she passed the entire field into the stretch to register a 33-1 stunner – she’s a streaky mare who loves to win races so we’ll go with her on top…but with the understanding that her price will come WAY down now! (1) COACHELLABOUND N had an off year for sure in 2025 but still banked $110K – she qualified nicely after some time off, and the guess is that she’ll be ready to give a good account of herself tonight. (6) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY qualified behind a couple of top horses when 3rd on 1/23 then was very good in winning another prep last week – have a feeling she’ll be ready to deliver a solid try in her 2026 debut. (3) TURN THE PAGE N qualified effectively up at Monti and she’s a hard hitting mare – ok for the bottom of exotics. (4) SHEER ATISTRY was a conservative 3rd racing off 6 weeks in her last but has missed 3 more weeks since then – minor spoils? (2) STRUTSVILLE had a useful tightener off the layoff last week but does seem a bit ambitiously placed at this level – maybe the good draw will help. (7) FRONT PAGE STORY drops from the Invitational but still seems likely to race from the back after tiring badly on the lead last week – she may also already be looking forward to a drop to NW20000 next week

RACE 10 – (4) BUSY MAKING MONI isn’t at his absolute best right now but he’s still been right there vs. the 40s, and faces much easier tonight – the one to knock off in the finale. (1) WINDSONG PIONEER was a steady 2nd in his first start since the winter break and is eligible to be that much tighter tonight – could grab a good piece of this, (2) BE DIFFERENT made an uncharacteristic miscue 2 back and may have just been content to trot a clean mile last week – anything close to his best would put him in play for a nice chunk here…but he’s definitely at least a bit iffy at the moment. (8) GO HAVE FUN is good right now and gets a class drop – unfortunately, he also ended up behind the 8 ball, and that may leave him too far back to threaten for one of the top spots. (7) ENOLA is also pretty good right now and would have been listed higher had she not drawn so poorly. (6) ENERGYSOURCE was “sneaky ok” 2 back so last week’s sharp victory was no surprise at all – he’s facing tougher now, and also gets a bad draw… and that has us leaning towards others. (3) BUDDY EARL was a winner last week but basically got hit with the deck (everything went his way) – not sure he can replicate that good fortune against these. (5) EYES OF JUSTICE had been dull even prior to last week’s miscue – watching for better signs.