Friday, February 6, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, February 6, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (7) ULTIMATE SPEED had an outstanding 2024 season but struggled through an abbreviated 11 start campaign in 2025 – she took 9 months off and recently re-qualified nicely, followed by a useful tightener last week –she drops into a very soft spot, and may be ready to deliver a winning effort. (2) YOUNONOTHINJON just missed 2 back debuting for her new barn – paced evenly at the back vs. better last week (same race as #7), and should be able to have a much bigger say vs. these. (8) ALTA MEDEIRA N remains camera shy but she’s an excellent fit at this level, and certainly better than a lot of these– chance for a decent piece, even from out here. (1) UNDETERRED gave way on the lead 2 back then got lost at the back last week – draws the pole with Bartlett, but will need to bring a better effort to be a bigger player. (4) BROOKDALE JESSIE wasn’t terrible in either of her last 2 starts and may be a good bomb for 3rd/4th. (5) QUICK MENU was close at the end last week but mostly because of a good trip, in a weak race – her overall form just hasn’t been up to par for some time. (3) CANNERY ROW never wins even when sharp, and she may actually be off her game right now. (6) TRICKY WICKY was in a no-chance spot for her local debut but then came up empty from a good spot last week – waiting for better signs.

RACE 2 – (3) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON was a sharp, aggressive winner last week after finishing 2nd to AARDIE B MIKI N the week before (in NJ) – she has a post edge on her main foes, and may be able to take another. (6) AVF CLAIRE missed a year then resurfaced with our leading trainer in mid-December, quickly sharpening and hitting on all cylinders right now – she just missed to the top choice last week and remains a major threat, even with another bad draw. (5) SILK CLOUD A will attract plenty of attention dropping down from the Invitational but may not be on her best game right now (while the top pair certainly are) – a bit vulnerable? (2) GLITTERING HOPE blossomed quickly into a very mice mare but she made a break in the lane last week and is in tough tonight – maybe she can rally for a small piece? (1) STRUTSVILLE has been idle for 7 weeks and the guess is that she’ll need a start or two. (4) LLOYDS LOVES took 4 months off after tailing at “The Aces” in September and it’s hard to say just how sharp she’ll be off the bench – she certainly LOVES to win races when sharp, but may not be in fightin’ form just yet

RACE 3 – (2) ENERGYSOURCE was handled conservatively last week (after a miscue the week before) but he did finish with “sneaky alert” trot – he catches an extremely iffy bunch tonight, and may have a chance to pick up a rare Yonkers victory. (1) VALI HANOVER has a pair of (amateur) starts under his belt (after a long layoff), hails from a barn that has sent out some live ones recently, and draws the rail with Gingras – could have a big say tonight. (7) BU LLY BOY HILL would crush these if even close to 100% but he’s been way off form recently – the barn did send out a scary sharp longshot winner this week (ORLANDO BLUE A), so maybe this guy can find a form reversal too? (4) SHOW THE WILL is wildly unpredictable from start to start – IF he’s in one of his good moods tonight, he’ll have a chance to make some noise. (5) THE PRINCE is listed at 9/5 ML but was quite dull last week, and hasn’t been “sharp” in ages…won’t offer any value tonight. (3) WINDSONG PIONEER has his moments but several of his barnmates have been short off the winter break and he may be too. (6) ERIN has some good tries vs. cheaper at Monti but has to prove that she can trot with these better ones. (8) PEMBROKE REGAL drifted off the cones and quit last week…now draws Post 8.

RACE 4 – Short field, but a good race! (4) TICK A LOCH A jogged in her first 2 U.S. starts and quickly made her way to the Invitational – she was used very hard last week, and still almost pulled off the victory – we’ll try her on top tonight, but there are a few who could win in here. (6) AARDIE B MIKI N was insanely overbet 2 back but able to come up with the victory – she was content to just sit 7th last week but did finish full of pace, hidden in traffic to the wire – she gets assigned the outside once more, but figures to get herself in play tonight…making her a threat. (5) ACUSHLA MACHREE N has been used hard week after week but continues to deliver strong efforts at this top level – the right trip could make her very dangerous. (3) ELUSIVE A was our top choice 2 back…she didn’t fire that night but she did pounce on a good trip last week to stun at 40-1…clearly has a license to repeat, with a similarly good journey. (2) MY RED SEA finished with good pace to be a close 3rd in her last, and rarely throws a bad one – could easily grab a good piece. (1) FRONT PAGE STORY has beaten this class a few times in the past but others do seem a bit sharper right now.

RACE 5 – (7) HUNTRESS made 2 starts here last summer, just missing vs. Open Mares then winning one level down – she rejoins her favorite barn upon returning to Yonkers, and we’re willing to give her a try at what figures to be a decent price. (4) MORE GOODA N rallied crisply from a tough spot in her local debut, after racing well in her first 2 U.S. starts (in NJ) – she moves up a bit, but the guess is that she can still be a big player. (5) BONITAS BEST BET had a bad post off a bad date for her last start, and now drops in class while drawing much better – look for a bigger effort tonight. (2) NILA MAREE N is 2 for 2 in the U.S. but vs. considerably easier – it’s very possible that she’s good enough to beat these too, but won’t offer much value with that 9/5 ML listing. (1) PETROL QUEEN lost any chance with a miscue 2 back but did pace decently at the wire last week, from an impossible spot – may be able to add some value to the exotics. (8) AMBUSHED is tough as nails but tonight’s draw won’t give Stratton too many options – leaning elsewhere. (6) IM OFFGONE N gets a big barn change for her local debut but may be a little bit cheaper, and also draws poorly – prefer to just watch this week. (3) TWIN B SUNKISSED is forced to move up 2 classes without the benefit of a recent win.

RACE 6 – (2) QUEEN OF ALL banked about $320K at Yonkers over the last couple of years and is used to facing much better than these – she made an uncharacteristic miscue in her first start of 2026 but looked just fine last week, finishing full of trot to be a close 2nd (while handled carefully much of the way) – tough to go against her in this spot. (3) OURMOMENTINTIME made only 3 starts last year before going on the shelf – she resurfaced almost a year later in our leading barn (now without hopples), and has been sharpening nicely across the river - she’s stepping up, but just may be up for it. (4) GO HAVE FUN rallied nicely for 2nd off the winter break 2 back, then was in a no chance spot last week – very logical player tonight. (5) CAL MILES N SHELL’s best recent work has come in a couple of amateur races, but he’s comfortable at this level when on his game – chance for a piece of this. (6) DRAW THE LINE had a useful tightener off the layoff, and an easy trip could help him take home a small piece tonight. (1) VINNY DE VIE has missed 7 weeks – we’ll just observe, for now. (7) THEOBALD wasn’t nearly as effective moving up to take on older horses last week…tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause.

RACE 7 – (1) SWEET HAYLEY JANE A gets the potent combination of both post and class relief and an aggressive try figures to be forthcoming – the guess is that the recent import has the talent necessary to pull it off. (2) MARIA ALLEGONDA N has hinted at ability in some of her starts, gets major post relief and is listed at 15-1 ML – worth at least a look! (6) TH RIZZO has some mixed efforts since moving to our leading trainer – if she brings her best, she can be part of the equation. (5) IDEAL COVER was ignored in the wagering last week (after a poor effort the week before) but she brought a completely different version and gave Yannick a rare $80 winner – her price will come down for sure, but a similar effort would put her back in the hunt tonight. (7) TIME TO STRIKE raced well is all 3 starts where she took on older mares – she’s proven that she fits, but will need to find a way to overcome the awful draw. (4) CRUISE ALERT was able to get it done dropping to the basement 2 back but faltered on the lead up at the NW7500 level last week – she moves up another notch, and will need to be better. (3) OVER ICE is 0 for 10 at YR but an easy trip may allow her to grab a piece. (8) MIKI IN LUV lands Post 8 after missing 6 weeks – pass for now

RACE 8 – (4) THE BRODSTER was off 5 weeks heading into his last start but still was able to deliver the wire to wire score, improving his local slate to 3 for 3 – he stays in the same class and while not a cinch by any means, he does remain the one to knock off. (5) DIAMANTE TRIO IT was just “ok” in her first 2 starts of the year but is capable of better – a good trip makes her a legitimate threat. (6) RITSON had trot in traffic last week after a no chance spot the week before– he should be a decent price here, and may be able to add some value to the exotics. (3) ONCE IN A LIFETIME has nearly 3/4s of million dollars on his card but he had a tough 2025 season and hasn’t looked all that super to start off 2026 – keep waiting for some better signs from him. (7) HAND DOVER DAN broke as he was about to rally 2 back – he was handled conservatively last week, and did have good trot finishing – would have been listed higher if not for the bad draw. (8) GREEN MEL came up 2nd best for his new barn 2 back (off 5 weeks) then was able to hang on for a wire to wire victory last week – he stays in the same class but will need to be a LOT better to repeat from out here! Both (1) BLACK TIE BASH and (2) PREMIER VICTOR draw inside but both are moving up TWO classes, off losses

RACE 9 – (8) CHAPHEART hasn’t been seen here since 10/2022 but he was a winner that night, in his 2nd start off a big barn change – he gets another big barn change for tonight, has always liked Yonkers, and gets the nod…even from Post 8. (2) STREET GOSSIP didn’t look all that serious from bad posts in his last pair but he moves inside tonight and is used to facing much better – reasonable spot to look for a solid effort. (1) BAY BREEZE HANOVER was back on her game last week and was an easy wire to wire winner – she steps up a bit, but the rail could help offset that…a similar effort puts her right back in the mix. (6) BE DIFFERENT had a terrific 2025 season, was racing well coming into his last but made an uncharacteristic miscue as the odds on choice, never able to land at any point – has to be seen as a total question mark for tonight. (7) ICE BREAKERS K shipped in off a nice 2nd in NJ then picked up a pair of 3rds here at Yonkers – won’t be easy to overcome tonight’s terrible draw, though. (5) VELO CIRAPTOR bounces around between amateur races and regular overnights and probably shouldn’t be listed at that big 20-1 ML price – chance to add some value to the exotics, with a bit of racing luck. (4) IM OUT was no match for #1 from the pocket last week, but finished well ahead of the others – chance for another piece if Brennan can find him another easy trip. (3) P C FREE WHEELING flashed a bit better life 2 back but reverted to her weaker form last start.

RACE 10 – (2) INFINITY STONE is one of the more unpredictable horses to race here over the last several years but he can throw some big miles when in the mood, and seems the type that could appreciate the time off – he did win the last 2X he was entered for this cheap tag…maybe he can do it again? (4) HAT TRICK MARLEAU was dull in his first local start of the year but much better last week – drops a bit more, and looms a dangerous player. (1) AIR MANS JACKPOT was a bit short after missing 3 months but could be tighter tonight – the drop (and rail) certainly won’t hurt! (3) GLOBAL ACTION S weakened in his only local try last year and drops in tonight having missed a month – minor share? (6) MEETMEATTHEBAR last line looks pretty good, but she really was the beneficiary of an easy trip, in a race that fell apart – small piece only. (5) BARN CREDIT has been better overall since recently joining this barn but still may need to be in a little easier to be a serious threat. (7) INTERNATIONAL CRAZE broke 2 back then tried to pull himself at the half last week, eventually bolting off the course to the top of the lane – we’ll pass, for now!