Friday, January 30, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Friday, January 30, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) IM A BELIEVER isn’t the most reliable/consistent mare on the planet but she does turn in some good efforts from spots like this – the last time she had the rail (with Gingras) at this bottom level, she wired the field by open lengths…déjà vu? (2) SHANGRI LA HANOVER has raced ok since jumping up to take on older mares, and she should be looking at a pretty decent trip tonight – chance to grab a decent piece of this. (3) INTENSE LADY had been facing cheaper out of town but turned in a good effort in her local debut, finishing 3rd at this level – chance for another chunk tonight. (6) THATS A HUGE BEACH had a decent tightener last week and gets Bartlett tonight – she’s been stuck on minor spoils for some time, though, and may be looking at more of the same after drawing Post 6. (4) QUICK MENU hasn’t been sharp for some time – needs to find more if she hopes to be a bigger player. (5) BROOKDALE JESSIE wasn’t too bad in her seasonal return but still feels like an outsider vs. these

RACE 2 – (4) CRUISE ALERT was handled aggressively off the class drop last week and delivered the front end score – she steps up a bit, but this feels like a spot she can handle as well – solid chance to make it 2 in a row. (2) TWIN B SUNKISSED also benefited from a class drop last week, scoring easily in NJ (for new connections) – she looms the main danger, but note that she’s listed at 7/5 ML and was just 1 for 17 here in 2025. (3) ONDERFULBEA CH is a hard knocker that came up a strong 2nd best to the top choice in her last – she’ll be waiting in the wings should the top two falter at all. (1) ULTIMATE SPEED was terrific here in 2024 but had her troubles in 2025, going on the shelf after being scratched lame last April – she just re-qualified, but we’d prefer to just observe, for now. (6) YOUNONOTYHINJON turned in a good one in her local debut, a close 2nd for her new barn (off a bad date) – she may have a tough time getting in play from out here, though, especially up in class. (5) IDEAL COVER was dead short in her first try off the winter break – sticking with others, for now

RACE 3 – (4) GREEN MEL moved to the nation’s leading barn before his last start and was an excellent 2nd behind a currently streaking rival – he steps up a bit and takes on older rivals tonight, but we’ll still give him the narrow nod (3) DIAMANTE TRIO IT looked just a little short when 3rd last week (first start in 5 weeks) – she’s eligible to be tighter tonight, and this field is well within her comfort zone – could be a big player. (5) RITSON trotted evenly at the back last week after drawing Post 7, vs. better – this is a much more manageable spot, and he could have a much bigger say. (1) ALWAYS A STORY raced twice here after joining our leading barn and finished with good trot from the back each time – he gets a good draw tonight, but he’s also been away for a month…maybe the tote board will offer some clues? (2) MA ISABELLE made her first start of 2026 a winning one, but vs. much easier – may struggle to repeat that kind of effort with these. (6) GO HAVE FUN used a good trip to grab a solid 2nd in his ’26 return but figures to have a lot of work to do starting from the outside tonight (while up in class).

RACE 4 – (2) WARRAWEE WHISPER was an overall disappoint after joining one of our top barns last summer but he seemed to benefit from the winter break, delivering his best local effort to date last week as he ran off and hid from a bit easier – a similar effort would give him a big chance to repeat…but that “even money” ML is definitely a turn off! (1) TOM SWIFTY was handled conservatively last week (after a miscue the week before) but did trot home steadily for 4th – could have an even bigger say tonight, with the expected good trip. (3) QUEEN OF ALL would crush these if anywhere close to her best…but she was already tiring on the final turn BEFORE that miscue last week, bringing her current form into question – would need a decent price to use her on top here. (5) THEOBALD picked up a win to close out 2025 then came back just as sharp after the winter break, winning again last week – he steps up to face tougher now, and may have to settle for a more modest piece. (6) ENOLA had some late trot to grab a check from an impossible spot last week – gets another bad draw, and is also moving up a bit. (4) DRAW THE LI NE has been away since 12/19 and is moving up in class, without the benefit of a win – sticking with others

RACE 5 – (8) AVF CLAIRE missed a year, resurfaced with out leading trainer and it didn’t take long for her to start hitting on all cylinders – usually it’s tough to overcome both a class jump AND Post 8…but this mare may be sharp enough right now to do so. (2) INTOTHEMYSTICMOON had good pace finishing here on 12/12 then was a close up 2nd to AARDIE B MIKI in her last (in NJ) – deserves plenty of respect in this spot. (1) AMBUSHED was able to chase a good looking winner all the way to finish 2nd last week, starting the year off up a bit in class – another rail draw puts her into the hunt once more. (4) PRESSURE COOKER may just deserve a pass for last week after landing Post 8 – she’s gone plenty of miles that would put her in play for a piece of this. (3) SWEET HAYLEY JANE A ran into a tough trip in her local debut but did hold well in the lane for 4th – the recent import does seem to have ability, and is playable for the bottom of exotics. (5) ZUMA BEACH is 4 for 4 at Yonkers and looked good every time – she’s also been on the shelf since last March, and may need a couple of starts before she’s ready to bring her best. (7) PETROL QUEEN figures to be handled conservatively tonight after drawing poorly, after a miscue last week. (6) WIN WITH LYNNLY can be a little “funky” going at times, and starts off the year way up in class from a bad post – the ability is there, but this may not be the place to look for it

RACE 6 – (5) BE DIFFERENT ran into a runaway winner last week and had to settle for a well beaten 2nd best – he comes off an excellent 2025 season, and was holding his own vs. much better than these in most of his local tries – may have found a winning spot. (2) PREMIER VICTOR landed in a soft basement field last week and may have built some confidence with his front end score – his overall local record is solid, and he could be a player here, even stepping up a bit. (7) STREET GOSSIP has become pretty camera shy, though often racing well (in defeat) vs. some good trotters – hard to see him winning from out here, but he may still be able to beat out a bunch for a good piece. (3) AIRMANS JACKPOT just wasn’t on her best game late summer/fall then went on the shelf late in October – she’s been freshened up, qualified nicely, and may be able to have a real say IF primed for a big effort off the bench. (4) ROGER RABBIT is just 4 for 49 over the past couple of seasons at Yonkers but he’s gone some decent miles lately, and may be able to at least contend for a small piece. (1) KASHA V just broke for no reason last week in his first start of the year – seems a little shaky off that mile. (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU hasn’t been sharp and draws poorly – keep an eye on him, as he may look better dropping to NW5000 next week

RACE 7 – (3) FIGHTING EVIL has always been a bit camera shy at Yonkers but she wasn’t bad for her new barn last week, retains Gingras, and may have landed in a field right in her comfort zone. (4) SPIRIT OF PEARL A has a complete mixed bag of local tries – she definitely was no good in her last but she drops 2 classes tonight, and could be a good value play if the “good” version shows up. (1) ALTA MADEIRA N doesn’t win here very often but she fits ok with this bunch and wasn’t bad last week – ok piece. (5) TH SANDRA DEE wouldn’t be a shock here but there’s little about her lines that suggest she should be the 8/5 ML favorite – feels like there’ll be better value with others. (6) TALENT TO SPARE A is very tough to predict from week to week – she’ll at least be a nice price if you think she might bring one of her better efforts. (7) UNDETERRED got way too hot on the lead last week and paid for it late – brutal spot tonight, though. (2) CANNERY ROW never wins, and loses Yannick – minor spoils only

RACE 8 – Tough race! (8) P C FREE WHEELING really went south at the end of last year but the time off (winter break) seemed to help, as she turned in a MUCH better effort in her last – may be worth a shot (at a good price) in a pretty questionable field. (3) BULLY BOY HILL has been struggling just to behave lately but it’s not that long ago that he was battling in NW30000 – very dangerous if anywhere close to “right”, tonight. (4) BUDDY EARL has some good recent efforts and get Bartlett on board tonight – possible for sure, but shouldn’t be listed at 9/5 ML. (1) SHOW THE WILL throws more bad efforts than good ones but IF he delivers his best, he can at least have a say here. (5) BARN CREDIT was dull in an amateur race last week but had otherwise been racing better since a recent barn change – could rebound for Buter tonight. (7) MEETMEATTHEBAR could be tighter after last week’s start, but she would have been more appealing with a better draw. (6) PEMBROKE REGAL hasn’t been sharp in some time, and his barn has struggled to start off the new meet. (2) INTERNATIONAL CRAZE broke before the start in his first start of the year and may be looking at a conservative steer for tonight

RACE 9 – (3) TICK A LOCH A qualified sharply for her U.S. debut then went out and won her first start (in NJ) as the 1/5 favorite – she shipped in to Yonkers off that mile and was a very easy winner here as well, at that same low price – big step up tonight, but she just may be good enough to handle it. (6) ACUSHLA MACHREE N continues to run-in badly at times during her miles but that hasn’t stopped her from quickly becoming a legitimate Open player – she faces an uncertain trip from this spot, but she’s also shown that she can handle whatever comes her way…has earned plenty of respect. (7) AARDIE B MIKI N was wildly overbet last week but able to score the victory, despite being used pretty hard – she may face a tough journey tonight, so be careful about taking too short a price on top. (1) FRONT PAGE STORY lacked the pop she needed off a good trip last week, but may have been a little rusty off the winter break – she’s done enough damage vs. these types to merit consideration for exotics. (5) MY RED SEA was content to trail all the way in her first start of 2026 but definitely had pace finishing – one of many in here that can be right in the mix IF things go her way. (4) SILK CLOUD A picked up a pair of 3rds to start off the year, one from way back then first over last week – another that can do plenty of damage when she brings her best effort. (2) ELUS IVE A has an excellent Down Under resume and we probably haven’t seen her best yet in the U.S. – she’s listed tonight on the bottom, but it would be no surprise to see her do much better than that

RACE 10 – (2) ROCKET MAN HILL has been going some aggressive miles across the river since joining his current barn – he catches a pretty modest field upon arrival at Yonkers, gets Bartlett to drive, and seems the one to catch and beat. (5) BAY BREEZE HANOVER went a couple of encouraging miles upon arrival from PA but hasn’t been as sharp in her last few outings – if she can find one of her better efforts, she’d be a threat tonight. (6) ICE BRE AKERS K shipped in off a 2nd across the river and trotted a steady mile for 3rd last week – chance for another piece tonight, even with the bad draw. (1) IM OUT came up a bit flat in last week’s amateur race but had missed a month prior to that start – eligible to be a bit tighter tonight, and may have a shot to land somewhere in the exotics. (3) THE PRINCE was very good here early in 2025 but tailed off considerably, and never got back to his better form – we’ll see if the driver change to Gingras tonight can help him perk up a bit. (4) ENERGYSOURCE had just one win and two 2nds from his 32 starts last year, and started off ‘26 with a miscue– sticking with others, for now. (7) MAZEPPA N has finally managed to stay trotting most weeks, but he just hasn’t been very sharp – faces a tough task from out here.