Monday, February 16, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, February 16, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (5) BLOWIN SMOKE dropped down to 15s last week and gave it a good first over try, wearing down the leader but nipped late by a currently very sharp HARAMBE DEO – he gets a barn change, a decent draw, and could offer some value in tonight’s opener (3) CAPTAIN CONAN was off a bad date for a new barn last week but finished up well to be 4th – he’s eligible to be sharper the 2nd time around, and is another in here capable of pulling off an upset. (6) WELL THAS MARKY ended 2025 on a major roll and came right out with a victory to start off 2026 – his whole barn is just coming off a 3 week vacation, however, and he also gets a tough draw – could be at least a bit vulnerable and is listed as the 6/5 ML favorite. (1) IM SOME GRADUATE finished full of pace in his 2026 return and raced well in most of his starts last year – he was light in the WIN column, however, so make sure to get a decent price if using him on top. (2) CHECKONWILLIAM GB had been very reliable in this class until a couple of lesser efforts in his last 2 starts – we’ll see if he’s just gone the wrong way, or if he can rebound with a better one tonight. (7) MUSCLE BART A wasn’t bad at all last week but could be limited by tonight’s terrible draw. (4) PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE has a dismal 21-0-0-1 Yonkers slate…minor spoils only. (8) SHUFFLE UP HANO VER has also struggled at Yonkers the last 3 years (30-0-1-2) and has Post 8 to contend with.

RACE 2 – (1) WALKINSHAW N was claimed for $30K late in his 13YO season and now he’s been REclaimed by his prior connections at age 14 – his last win was an easy wire to wire score at this level with Bartlett on board– déjà vu? (2) LITTLE WILLY shipped in with similarly good out of town form for one start last year and was a good 2nd – he gets the talented Brett Beckwith to steer the “family” horse tonight, and he looms a danger with the right trip. (6) THEFLYINGROCK has been on an insane form spree, going from 15s just a few starts back to almost beating the 40s last week – he drops a peg to 30s, but will still need at least a little trip luck to overcome Post 6 (it’s possible). (5) ALTA CLASSIC A was used pretty hard last week and ultimately gave way – he moves from one top barn to another tonight, may have a clear path to the lead, and could be an up-close player from start to finish. (7) SOUTH WIND PETYR was a sharp winner on opening night but like the rest of his barn, has been on vacation the last 3-4 weeks- tough spot to be making just his 2nd start in 2 months. (3) CYRUS N was sluggish in his 2026 return and could be a little better this week – still leaning elsewhere, though. (8) LYRICAL GENIUS was a winner last week but with a pocket trip, from the rail, vs. 25s – this task is MUCH tougher. (4) HEAVEN ON HIGH N finished well back in his qualifier, and most of the barn has looked short returning from their recent layoffs

RACE 3 – (2) KWICK SAND A perked up in a big way with a blowout win in NJ 3 back – he was hopelessly blocked in his next then shipped in here last week and turned in a very solid 2nd behind the classy BACKSTREET SHADOW…sharp enough to win from this spot. (4) TWIN B POWERBALL was hurt behind a gapper to the half last week and did a very nice job just to pick up a 3rd place check – he drops another notch off that good effort, and looms a very live player. (6) OVERTHINKING was handled aggressively in his 2nd local start and raced well to be 2nd to a fire dup winner…he fits for sure, but moving from the rail to Post 6 could definitely hurt. (3) THE MIKI TA KER A was a nice 3rd here in his first start of the year but too far back to threaten last week...chance for a piece from this better spot. (5) KINGSVILLE raced ok from a no-chance spot on 1/20 (off the layoff) but has been idle since then, and has just that one start in 10 weeks – prefer to observe, for now. (1) CASINO ACTION N draws the pole after qualifying nicely but he was just 2 for 58 locally over the last 2 years, and a few of his barnmates have been short off similar layoffs. (7) ROCK THE BELLES left hard to earn a good trip last week, only to squander it – just not sharp these days. (8) HP MOMENTUM was dull last week off the layoff and draws Post 8 tonight – he may be looking ahead already to next week’s drop to NW5000

RACE 4 – (3) ALL CLASS was scratched lame on 10/6, took some time off and qualified back nicely on 1/24, then had a useful tightener here on 2/3 – may be ready for a more aggressive try…and is one of a few with a legitimate chance in this short field. (5) VICIOUS was an outstanding 10-5-3-0 here last year and returned in fine form for his first start of 2026 – a quick start could make him a big player. (4) SHERLOCK N was stuck first over into a hot final half last week and still held his ground in the lane – he’s been good for some time, and a live trip could put him there at the end. (1) HEZA CHARTTOPPER A was 13 for 28 here last year (for $241K) and obviously capable of BIG efforts – it’s also a little tough to gauge his current fitness, so insist on a fair price if using on top. (6) SOHO DOW JONES A tends to race much better with an easy trip, and he may have trouble finding one from this spot. (2) SWEE THOMEALABAMA N upset these 2 back but with the benefit of a dream trip – suppose it COULD happen again

RACE 5 – (1) ITALIAN LAD N has gone endless strong miles since joining this barn in October and that includes last week’s sharp victory – he faces some other sharp rivals in here, but the rail draw may give him the edge to come out on top. (2) GDS THUNDER GB had sneaky pace finishing 2 back and built off that with last week’s impressive victory (at 15-1) – the barn scored with another longshot winner on Thurs. night, and deserves full attention right now! (4) JUST ENUFF STUFF has been extremely popular at the claim box and seems to thrive wherever he lands – he’s a weekly threat, and tonight is no exception. (5) LUCAPELO A had a useful tightener last week and does fit with these…drawing outside 3 very sharp foes isn’t going to help, though. (8) BOILING OAR has been solid in a pair of 2026 starts – he faces major obstacles from Post 8, but not a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics if you think he may be leaving the gate. (3) KOMODO BEACH has been on a good roll lately but vs. easier – we’ll see how that form holds up against these. (7) SLING SHOCK did some good work in 2025, especially at this level – brutal post after 3 months off, though. (6) WESTERN ERA draws poorly after making a break in his last – prefer others

RACE 6 – Tough race! (4) BITCOIN HANOVER gambled on a leaving from Post 8 last week and was rewarded with a two hole trip…and upset victory – he steps up a bit but he’s comfortable at this level too, and may be able to repeat in a field where most of the main players have some major question marks. (1) AMERICAN DEALER N would normally look like a stickout from a spot like this but the classy 9YO (approaching $1M in career earnings) has been off his game in ‘26 – could be the spot for the wake-up call…or maybe it isn’t? (5) AMMO can be forgiven for getting run down by a currently very sharp BLUE LOU 2 back but he tired against last week vs. easier – needs to find his “A Game” if he hopes to come out on top tonight. (2) COALFORD TOPGUY GB raced well in his local debut after joining our leading barn (he was 3-1 that night…the program has the wrong odds listed) – he’s taking on even tougher now, and would need to be a “fair” price to consider on top/ (6) BRUTALLY HANDSOME A drops again after finishing with pace in each of his last 2 starts – the draw was unkind, but he does have appeal with that 15-1 ML price. (3) GREAT SOMEWHERE was a very sharp winner \vs. much easier 2 back, and a close 3rd last week – he steps up again, and we’re leaning a bit more to a few others. (8) THONG CONTROL tried to leave from Post 8 last week but was forced to retreat to last (and that left him short at the end) – seems likely to just sit 8th in here, and hope to rally for a small share. (7) SAMHARA N is up in class from a terrible post – pass for now

RACE 7 – (4) AARDIES FLASH N had a solid 2026 return on 2/2 and probably would have been even closer at the wire if not bothered all through the lane by a drifting MIKI SHAN N – he was hammered down to 2/5 off that effort but did come up a head shy at the wire last week, with no real excuses – he remains the one to beat, but not one to bet the rent money on at another very short price. (3) SIX DEGREES was ignored at the windows in his first 2 starts of the year (20-1 and 30-1!) but still kicked home full of pace for 2nd both times – he drew poorly for his last (and was 50-1) but had that same crisp pace finishing (4th) – he move back inside, and may be the one with the best chance to pull off an upset. (2) ALWAYS BE ELITE N used a perfect trip to score vs. a bit easier in his seasonal return – he stayed fit with a maintenance qualifier at PcD last week, and should be a solid threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (5) YOROKOBI N has been extremely camera shy but has also raced well in many of his starts – ok for the bottom of exotics. (1) NIGHT HAWK had to be pulled up with some issue on 1/21 but qualified back shortly after and seems fine – he does his best work with a bit cheaper these days, but still a threat for a good piece from this spot. (6) WASA HEAT SEEKER N raced well (vs. easier) in his last pair in NJ but has missed 3 weeks and draws poorly – tough spot. (7) BENHOPE RULZ N makes his first start since 12/9 and figures to be taking a conservative approach from out here. (8) THENU CAME ALONG A followed up the win over easier 2 back with a decent 3rd last week, but seems up against it tonight starting from Post 8.

RACE 8 – (3) BET ON BIG JOE has been ultra consistent since arriving at Yonkers, compiling a 6-3-2-1 record – he was a little disappointing when 2nd two back, but actually a solid 2nd last week (behind a stickout winner) – we’ll give him the edge for tonight (1) JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE was ultra-conservative for weeks and always full of pace finishing – an aggressive try (vs. easier) led to a victory off the winter break but he wasn’t nearly as good the next week – his last 3rd was better, and he can be dangerous here with the right trip. (2) MACS MARVEL drops to a more comfortable level after spinning his wheels into a hot final half last week – if he’s close turning for home, he can be a legitimate late threat. (7) VICI had a long rough patch but has been doing some very good work in a recent climb back up the class ladder, and that includes a crisp rallying 2nd last week – if you think Bartlett can negotiate a decent trip from out here, he’s worth a look (at least for exotics). (4) TYPHOON BANNER N came up light at the end last week but that mile should at least serve as a decent tightener – definitely one to include underneath. (6) AYE AYE CAPTAIN N blossomed into an excellent horse last year, with a very big brush – he wasn’t great in his qualifier, however, and may need a start or two before we see his best, (5) HEMSWORTH N remains ever unpredictable but he has just one start in 2 months and feels iffy for tonight. (8) SPEAKER OF PEACE had been on an extended form spree but was unable to overcome the 8 hole last week, and lands there again for tonight

RACE 9 – (5) LYONS BENJAMIN raced his eyeballs out from Post 8 last week only to take a brutal beat at the wire – it was his 4th straight narrow loss, and he just seems way overdue to get to the promised land. (2) WHY TOM ORROW RAY tends to race much better when close up to the action and he may get that opportunity tonight – he figures to get overlooked in the wagering, but may be worth a peek. (3) QUOTE ME NOT N dropped in for a tag for his start of the year and used an easy trip to be a close 3rd (off a bad date) – seems capable of pulling off a mild upset if things get too testy up front. (1) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH is one of several that have been racing very well in this field, and he’ll try to hold that form as his new connections move him up in class – he’ll be part of the action for sure, but hard to say if he can last all the way with these. (4) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N gets some post relief, retains Beckwith, and is another that can make some late noise if the race goes his way. (6) PERFECT PROMISES just missed 2 back then benefited from a perfect trip last week to nip #5 on the wire – he clearly fits, but faces an uncertain trip in a well-matched field. (7) AMERITRIC has been on a nice form spree but weakened a bit last week after being used very hard battling with #5 – would have liked his chances a lot more with a better draw! (8) ENFO RCER won back to back fall apart races vs. much easier – would be a surprise against these!

RACE 10 – Another tough race on a card that’s full of them: (3) WHATS STANLEY GOT A came up 2nd best to the tripsititng SOHO DOW JONES A in his first start of the year then was in hopeless spots for his last pair – moves inside, and we’ll look for a much more aggressive try tonight. (2) SINBAD N returned sharp from Ohio but drew Post 7 (off a month) in the same field as #3, and also took a very conservative approach – he’s another that may be much more serious tonight. (7) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was sneaky ok in his first start of 2026 then used a very aggressive try to win the next week – he steps up in class AND draw outside tonight so that 5/2 ML price just seems way too low…but he IS sharp enough to be a threat, if Kakaley can find him a manageable trip. (5) SPECUL ATING A finished ok from no chance spots in his first 2 starts of the year – he’s won at big prices in the past, if you’re looking for a potential upsetter. (1) CHEVRON ART N has done good work since arriving in the U.S. but will be taking on tougher tonight – he may find these just a bit out of his comfort zone (hard to say for sure). (6) TH E IDEAL DANCER A is good right now but the draw figures to leave him in the hunt for more modest spoils this week. (8) MATAI PHIL N is in career form right now and was able to reel in a classy odds-on favorite last week – a lot would have to go his way to get close from THIS spot, however! (4) ROLLING WITH SAM has hit board in 4 straight but tonight’s class jump does seem beyond his pay grade.