Monday, February 2, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, February 2, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (8) MAJOR POCKET A rarely throws a bad one, isn’t afraid to leave from the outside and held very well for 2nd in his first start of 2026 after getting outbrushed at 3/4s by a very sharp winner - could offer some value to kick off the night (for a barn coming off a strong week). (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER was a winner on Opening Night from Post 7, but did benefit from a perfect trip – threat to repeat for sure, but also figures to be overbet. (1) AMERI CAGREATAGAIN didn’t fire in his last start but he was off a month and he’s certainly capable of better – could see him grabbing a piece tonight. (2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK was an “ok” 3rd to start off the new year after winning back to back starts at the end of 2025 – he wouldn’t be any real surprise, though we are leaning more towards a couple of others. (6) MUSCLE BART A wasn’t at his best at the end of last year but his last start (at Dover) seems a bit more encouraging– his best effort could put him into the hunt (at a nice price). (4) SPINDOCTOR HANOVER has faced better in the past but seems well off his game right now, and Bartlett opts for #3 instead – we’ll do the same. (7) COLD CREEK FELIPE wins his fair share but also throws a lot of clunkers – tough draw after coming up empty in his last. (5) PINEBUSHDRAGONLIFE wasn’t close in his last pair in NJ and is 19-0-0-1 here at Yonkers

RACE 2 – (3) ITALIAN LAD N has been terrific since joining his current barn in October, and his first start of ’26 was a sharp one (2nd best to the streaking SPEAKER OF PEACE) – gets the narrow edge, thanks to the good draw. (6) JUST ENUFF STUFF did all kinds of damage one level down but he seems capable of winning at this level too, especially with Bartlett hopping on board tonight (our leading pilot is off to an insane 34 for 82 start this year) – big threat, even with the bad draw. (2) CUT N RUN lands in the exotics week after week but hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in some time…that trend may continue here. (4) WALKINSHAW N has been at his best one level down lately but could still rally for a piece vs. the 40s – that last qualifier suggests he’ll be ready for a solid effort. (5) BOILING OAR won just 2 of 33 starts here last year, though he did collect plenty of smaller pieces, in tough fields – he’s also missed 7 weeks, and that’s an obvious concern. MAXIMUS RED A took a big jump from 25s to 40s to start off the new year – he rallied well from way back, but may be stuck too far back (again) to really threaten tonight. (1) TWIG seemed overmatched heading into his last and did little to convince otherwise. (7) GDS THUNDER GB could use some class relief…and a much better draw

RACE 3 – Good race: (5) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL does his best work when things get hot up front and that may prove the case tonight – he gets a fresh set of hands (Gingras), and is one of several with a chance in here, depending on how the race plays out. (3) ALL OUT HANOVER raced well without a victory here this summer and now returns from Dover riding a 4 race winning streak – has to be respected in his current form! (2) PERFECT PROMISES raced ok from a no-chance spot in his seasonal return and should be looking at a much better trip tonight – logical player. (6) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH ended the year strong and returned the same way – he gets his favorite pilot back on board but also races for a new barn, from a tough post – playable as long as the price is fair. (7) WHY TOM ORROW RAY wasn’t bad at all last week (off a tough trip) but tonight’s draw may limit his ability to get into the hunt. (1) RJS RED DEVIL has some ability but he broke in his last local try and has been idle for 6 weeks – leaning towards others tonight. (8) LOUS THE ATTITUDE caught a soft spot and beat much easier last week – hard to like his chances tonight, though, as he moves up in class while drawing Post 8. (4) AVENGER FOR CE is winless in 10 local starts and finished distanced here last week

RACE 4 – (4) OVER THE HORIZON may have been a little short last start (after the winter break) and also landed in a tough spot – he likes to win races, and should offer some decent value in what shapes up as a competitive affair. (5) CHECKONWILLIAM GB picked up a 3rd in the same race as the top choice last week, and comes off a strong season here in 2025 (16-6-4-1) – logical threat. (3) BLACK HAWK JOE A rallied for 2nd off a very live trip last week, hails from a hot barn, and figures to be able to make his presence felt once more. (6) SAWYERS DESIRE was struggling to close out 2025 so perhaps the time off will help his cause – tough draw, but our leading trainer is clicking at over 40% to start off the new year. (1) ULYSSES hasn’t been close in 5 straight starts – we’ll see if he can perk up a bit with the rail, and the talented Brett Beckwith in the bike. (2) HOOSIER CELEBRITY draws well, but has been struggling for a while– waiting for better signs. Both (7) CENTURY IGLESIAS and (8) DEEDENUTO would be major surprises, especially from out here.

RACE 5 – (6) SANTANA HANOVER was scratched injured on 12/15 but he looked qualifying here on 1/23, finishing full of pace after finally getting cut loose late in the mile – his pilot is certainly familiar with him, and he could be dangerous right off the bench if he can find a good trip. (7) DONTLIKEITLEAVE got parked from Post 10 in NJ 2 back then was in tough last week – the draw is an obvious obstacle, but a good price makes him worth at least a look. (4) ESCAPE TO AMERICA will attract attention with the move inside for his 2nd start off the winter break but his barn has been off to a slow start this year, and this guy does figure to get overbet- insist on a fair price if using on top. (3) I AMA ROCKET may have had some issue upon arrival last week as he just backed up badly after joining one of our leading barns – he drops right back in the box, and he did win 10 races last year (and has 52 lifetime victories) – a form reversal is possible. (2) WINDSUN RICKY could be excused for coming up short off the layoff but he was flat out poor – he’s reversed form at times in the past, but this may not be a spot to look for that. (1) VULCAN STAR N held together for 2nd to a dominant winner last week and draws the pole tonight…he is on the cheaper side, however. (5) THE MIKI TAKER A qualified okay but the import just hasn’t found his best form ever since arriving in the U.S. last year. (8) LENNON HANOVER may elect to race very conservatively here after drawing Post 8, especially with a drop to the basement looming for next week

RACE 6 – (3) AMMO has been facing much better in NJ and beat the 3-6YO Open here not that long ago – he gets Gingras for his Yonkers return, and deserves the nod over a somewhat questionable bunch. (4) FASTING has done some good work across the river since joining our leading barn, but vs. easier – he gets Bartlett to take him over #2, and that means he deserves a look here. (2) NANDOLO N was pretty sluggish in his 2026 return and Bartlett opts off for tonight…but would anybody really be surprised to see him perk up with a much better effort tonight, with a drop in class and move inside? (1) BLUE LOU has a good local history and draws the pole for his seasonal return – he’s also missed 7 weeks, making him a tough one to gauge in here. (5) HAZEVILLE turned in a solid front end try to start off the new year but was nipped late by a determined VICI – faces tougher now, and also draws outside a few main foes. (7) YOROKOBI N seems to always be in the hunt these days…but without ever coming out on top – may have trouble reaching contention tonight, up in class and from Post 7. (8) VICI was sharpening at the end of 2025 and was able to score in his ’26 return, for a new barn– hard to see him replicating that effort from this spot, though. (6) TWIN B POWERBALL could use some class relief…will be helped when $$ comes off his card after tonight

RACE 7 – (2) IMA PERFECT CHOICE was handled very conservatively in his first start of the year but finished up full of pace – he’s beaten better than these, and seems poised for a big mile off that last effort. (3) HIMSELF N comes out of the same race as #2, sitting a pocket that night before coming up a bit light at the end and weakening to 3rd – he’s another that should be tighter tonight, and the switch to Bartlett makes him very dangerous. (5) LOUS SW EETREVENGE had Post 8 vs. better off the bad date last week, but now drops a bit and gets a better draw for a hot barn – may be able to show up late for a piece of this. (4) OVERTHINKING raced well out of town after joining our leading barn but has leveled off since moving up in class – Bartlett opting for #3 tonight probably doesn’t bode well for this guy’s chances. (1) OPTICAL ILLUSION N is a good fit at this level but he’s been idle since 12/15 and that figures to hurt his chances for tonight. (7) BITCOIN HANOVER is capable of better than his last, but may need a better draw before we see his best. (6) AIR FORCE HANOVER likely needs to be in easier to be any kind of serious threat. (8) ELITE MACHINE weakened in the lane last week and now moves all the way outside

RACE 8 – (4) WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was a sharp 2nd in his last start of 2025 and his 2026 return was sharper than it may look on paper – could offer decent value tonight in a race with no stickouts. (6) AMERICAN DEALER N became camera shy in 2025, but still raced well many times, vs. much better than these – he didn’t earn $975K by accident, and a good price makes him worth a look tonight, with Beckwith back on board. (2) CURLY JAMES A (3/2 ML) will attract plenty of tote action but he’s just 1 for 7 here in the U.S., and that win was all-out, vs. easier… could be at least a bit vulnerable here. (1) SIX DEGREES seems better suited with cheaper but he was right there at 30-1 last week, and his barn is really clicking…deserves some respect. (3) HELLABALOU has lost quite a bit off his fastball over the last year or so, and was well short in his first start of the year…leaning elsewhere. (7) MATAI PHIL N was sneaky good last week but another bad draw figures to limit his chances for tonight – keep an eye for future consideration. (5) ROCKIN JUKEBOX has been away since 12/16 and the guess is that he’ll need a start or two. (8) MYSWEETBOYMAX gets stuck behind the 8 ball for a barn that’s struggled to start off the year

RACE 9 – (3) DIEGO N broke in his first start after the barn change but then rattled off 4 straight very impressive scores – he just re-qualified sharply after a freshening, and may prove very tough to catch tonight. (1) SOHO DOW JONES A was a sharp “pocket rocket” winner last week (off the winter break) and may be looking at that same trip tonight – chance to be right there all the way. (6) BLAZING HOME N is winless in 15 Yonkers starts but he did race well during the MGM Grand Prix Series, and now returns from Ohio in stellar form – a good price makes him worth a look (8) MOSSDALE BEN N finished with plenty of pace from an impossible spot last week but may find himself unable to get close enough from Post 8 tonight. (5) IMTHEBLACKFLASH N has been a solid performer since arriving in the U.S. this fall but may prefer to be in just a touch easier. (2) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N returned sharp in 2026, delivering an impressive first over victory – he’s looking at a much smaller piece vs, these, though. (4) MACS MARVEL raced very well in almost every 2025 start but is another that may need to find a softer spot in order to strut his best stuff. (7) SPECULATING N has been away since 12/15, and would definitely be a major surprise.

RACE 10 – (2) SHERLOCK N seemed overmatched heading into the MGM Grand Prix Series but he actually held his own – he likely needed that start last week (after a month off), and may have a chance to spring a mild upset in the finale with some racing luck. (4) MIKI SHAN N has plenty of ability but he hasn’t had the best of luck here at Yonkers, seemingly derailed often by sickness, bad trips, etc. – maybe this is the night he puts it all together and gets back to the winner’s circle? (5) AARDIES FLASH N is a tough call – the ability is there for sure, but it’s hard to say why his connections just qualified him FOUR times – he did win ALL of them, however, and it would be no surprise if he was ready to deliver a big effort tonight. (3) THE GREEK FREAK rattled off 5 straight wins upon arrival on the local scene before leveling off at the higher classes – he’s been away since the meet ended (on 12/19), and it would be a tough ask for him to be ready to beat these types. (1) SPEAKER OF PEACE brings a 3 race winning streak into this but he’ll be stepping up in class (off the claim) and may have a much tougher time against a few of these – the rail does help, though. (8) WHATS STANLEY GOT A went out a winner in 2025 but he got too hot on the lead in his 2026 return and was no match in the lane for the sharp tripsitter – the guess is that Stratton will take a conservative approach tonight, not wanting to get him all fired up again. (7) HEZ ALLTHE RAGE N has been away since June, draws poorly, and we’ll just observe, for now. (6) LEVINE drops a bit for his 2nd start of the year but still seems to be in too steep.