Monday, February 9, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Monday, February 9, 2026 – Race Analysis

*With the frigid conditions the past 2 days, it’s possible that some of tonight’s entrants could be off their usual schedules

RACE 1 – (3) TIN ROOF RAIDER A benefited from very nice trips the past 2 weeks and was able to convert both into victories – it looks like he may find another great journey tonight, and that would give him a decent chance to extend his winning streak to 3. (2) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK made strong brushes to the lead to 3/4s the past 2 weeks…only to get collared by the top choice both times…maybe he can turn the tables tonight? (6) CAPTAIN CO NAN would be hard to recommend off his last 2 NJ starts but he moves to a barn known for instant turnarounds, and that 20-1 ML price does make him at least a bit appealing. (4) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM is part of the equation more often than not, and hit board in his last 3 starts – he goes for a new barn tonight, and is more than capable of making some noise. (1) OVER THE HORIZON wins more than his fair share of starts but MAY be off his best game right now…a good price makes him worth a look. (7) IM A POWERPLAY A goes for a new barn after being forced to re-qualify after having some issue on 1/21 – he’s very solid at this level, but feels a bit iffy for tonight. (8) NEYREIT has done plenty of damage in this class but tonight’s draw doesn’t leave him too many good options. (5) MUSCLE BART A doesn’t feel like he’s on his best game right now

RACE 2 – (5) HAMMERING HANK was a sharp 2nd off the winter break on his first start off the claim– he finished ok from a no-chance spot in his last, and may be able to come out on top here if the trip goes his way. (6) WALKINS HAW N was a solid 3rd behind 2 sharp ones at the $40K level last week (off a bad date) and now drops down to 30s, where his last 2 starts produced a win and a close 2nd…could easily outperform that 10-1 ML price. (1) MAXIMUS RED A had no prayer last week but drops in class, moves all the way inside, and figures to be much more involved – chance to be part of the exotics. (4) BOILING OAR wasn’t bad last week in 40s (first start off the winter break) and should appreciate the drop to 30s…he did have trouble winning races in 2025, so insist on a decent price if using on top. (3) DISMAS was used too hard in his last pair in NJ but it’s hard to gauge how he fits with these – leaning more towards others. (7) ALTA CLASSIC A has been good for a while for a red hot barn but tonight’s draw may slow him down a bit. (2) CYRUS N has been away for 6 months and that qualifier was uninspiring. (8) FINAL CHEESERECIPE has really been struggling…Post 8 isn’t the cure.

RACE 3 – (2) JUST ENUFF STUFF did terrific work here last year vs. the 30s – he bumped up to 40s for his first local try of 2026 and raced super, an excellent 2nd to ITALIAN LAD N despite a much tougher trip – we’ll try him on top tonight. (6) THEFLYINGROCK moves up two classes tonight while landing outside…but he’s been razor sharp for some time, and just may be good enough at the moment to still have a big say. (1) LUCAPELO A shows nothing but scratches and qualifiers among his recent lines BUT he would be a very good fit here if anything close to his best – maybe the tote board will offer some guidance? (5) GDS THUNDER GB would look better with a good post in 30s but he did finish with life last week, and isn’t a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (4) WARRIOR FOR TRUTH has 3 wins and a close 2nd from his last 5 starts but he goes for another new barn tonight while making the jump up to 40s – may slow him down a bit. (3) DANCIN SANCHO drops quickly to 40s after a surprisingly weak effort in 60s, off the winter break – feels like a red flag

RACE 4 – Tough race: (6) AMERITIRC was sharp to close out 2025 and has returned in similarly fine form – goes for a new barn tonight (from a bad post) but he’s sharp enough for a chance to win IF some good racing luck comes his way (2) PERFECT PROMISES looked like a winner last week but never could get by the sharp WARRIOR FOR TRUTH in the lane – if he can get a fast start (and good trip) for his new barn, he can be a big player once again. (3) RACING RIPPER was in a no-chance spot in his local debut but did finish well at the end – could add some value to the exotics. (4) ALWAYSCUTTINSCHOOL was driven more aggressively last week and just never looked all that comfortable (but still finished 3rd) – might appreciate reverting to his off-the-pace style tonight. (8) LYONS BENJA MIN had some issue on 11/12 but has otherwise hit board for what feels like a zillion straight weeks – won’t be able to do that tonight, however, starting from all the way out here. (5) QUOTE ME NOT has just one start in nearly 9 weeks and will try to take on older rivals tonight – leaning elsewhere. (1) AVENGER FORCE feels like he may be a notch below these – we’ll see if the rail can act as an equalizer. (7) THEMASKEDCRUSADR N was an ok 3rd off an easy trip last week but may struggle to replicate that effort after drawing so poorly

RACE 5 – (3) DONTLIKEITLEAVE was moving from well back last week, had to swing wide to the top of the lane but continued to pace well right to the wire, 2nd best to a very well meant front end winner – gets a better draw, and a would be very dangerous with a similar effort. (1) OVERTHINKING (Beckwith’s choice over #3) was a dull 5th last week but he drops, draws the pole, and did win 3 in a row (out of town) back in December – logical spot for a big wake up call. (2) LOUS THE ATTTITUDE had a very tough year here in 2025 but he made his first start of ’26 a winning one, then finished ok from a hopeless spot last week– may be sharp enough to tow along for a piece tonight. (5) SANTANA HANOVER was driven very aggressively last week but ultimately disappointed – hard to back with confidence tonight, but also too soon to write him off after one disappointing try. (7) THE MIKI TAKER A raced better than expected last week, even if helped by a decent trip – brutal spot tonight, but an okay bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) VULCAN STAR N finished okay last week after getting shuffled – another ok bomb for a small slice. (6) WHY TO MORROW RAY does fit well here but his best game is on/near the lead and there does figure to be speed to his inside. (8) BITCOIN HANOVER does fit well enough, but will likely be trying to rally from last

RACE 6 – (1) AMMO couldn’t deliver on the front end last week (as the odds-on choice) but he was off 3 weeks and got run down by a classy tripsitter – he drops a peg, and may be able to make amends here. (3) IMA PERFECT CHOICE got just a bit rough on the final turn last week while making a good bid and just never got full momentum back, settling for a close 3rd – would be no surprise here, especially if the trip goes his way. (2) CHEVRON ART N is 2 for 2 here at Yonkers and may get to sit right behind #1…deserves a look, especially at that 6-1 ML price. (7) AMERICAN DEALER N threw an unexpected clunker last week – seems like a good sign that he drops right back in the box, and he’s rarely seen at a level this low…will offer a good price for anybody looking to just excuse that last mile. (6) COALFFORD TOPGUY GB joined our leading barn last week and turned in a very game first over try (to be 2nd to #2) – clearly the ability is there, but tonight’s draw could pose some problems. (5) TWIN B POWERBA LL is better suited vs. easier– look for him with class the drops the next week or two (8) ROCK THE BELLES lands all the way outside and may also be looking forward to some class relief. (4) HP MOMENTUM is capable of some big miles but that qualifier suggests we may have to wait a bit before we see one

RACE 7 – (2) AARDIES FLASH N was a little tough to read coming into his last (off FOUR qualifiers) but he definitely showed up ready for action, and would have been closer at the wire if not bothered through much of the lane by a badly drifting MIKI SHAN N – look for a big effort tonight. (3) ROCKIN JUKEBOX wasn’t bad from a tough spot last week, especially after being off more than 6 weeks – could be tighter tonight, and a good value horse for exotics. (5) MATAI PHIL N raced very well from impossible spots the last 2 weeks, clearly outracing his long odds – he’ll likely still be a juicy price, and a live trip could land him somewhere on the ticket. (6) MIKI SHAN N looked like he’d be no worse than 2nd when they turned for home last week but he got locked on a line badly and spent the stretch running out badly (into AARDIES FLASH N), and cost himself dearly – he seems to always have something go wrong here at Yonkers, and tonight’s draw won’t make things any easier. (1) WESTERN ERA took advantage of an aggressive steer last week and was able to hang on vs. cheaper – looking at a smaller piece vs. these, however. (4) BRUTALLY HANDSOME will look to save ground and rally late – chance for some minor spoils. (7) HIMSELF N got his picture taken last week but he was facing easier, and clearly tiring at the end – tonight’s class jump AND bad post figure to hurt his chances. (8) SIX DEGREES was 2nd from the rail in his last 2 starts, at two BIG prices – not sure he’ll be able to get near the action tonight, though.

RACE 8 – (4) BLUE LOU missed 7 weeks prior to his last start but he showed no rust on the racetrack, tracking the odds-on AMMO all the way then blowing right on by in the lane – he loves Yonkers, and may be able to step up and take another. (1) THE IDEAL DANCER A has been good for some time, but was REALLY good last week when he charged home in the lane to run down a pretty nice opponent – drops in for a tag (and stays in the same class), draws the pole and could be right there once more. (6) WHATS STANLEY GOT A was in a hopeless spot last week but was 2nd to SOHO DOWN JONES A the week before, and was a winner the start before that – he has to be worth at least a look with that 15-1 ML price. (7) SINBAD N has been doing excellent work in Ohio but he’s missed time, draws poorly, and did struggle a bit locally last year – mixed feelings. (3) MUSIC HALL hung in pretty well in a good field last week and gets a bit of a drop tonight – he’s more effective vs. easier, but could still make at least some noise here. (2) TYPHOON BANNER N had an “ok” 2025 season but it was still a big drop off from the previous year – he makes his first start of 2026, and probably a good week to just observe. (8) SPEAKER OF PEACE is undeniably sharp, but faces a tall task trying to get in play from out here. (5) VICI has been a lot better lately but does seem to be in a bit too steep here

RACE 9 – (1) SOHO DOW JONES A was a sharp pocket winner on opening night but he was overdriven last week and faded in the lane after not quite being able to clear DIEGO N on the back side (one of several horses the past couple of weeks that Gingras popped out of the pocket too early with, then weakened) – he’ll be a fair price tonight and may be worth another chance. (8) DIEGO N worked hard to keep #1 from going by him to 3/4s last week, put him away into the final turn but left himself vulnerable in the lane after some hard use – Bartlett takes him (despite Post 8), and he’s worth using if the price is decent enough. (3) SHERLOCK N was able to be more aggressive last week and delivered a sharp first over score – no reason he can’t rally for a good piece tonight. (4) MACS MARVEL rarely throws a bad one and is always coming late – good one for the bottom of exotics. (2) VICIOUS lived up to his name here last year, turning in a 10-5-3-0 local record…he’s been away since November, and may need a start or two before we see his best. (5) SPECULATING A had a useful tightener last week – he drops a win off the bottom of his card after tonight, so keep an eye on him for future consideration. (6) SWEETHOMEALABAMA N really benefited from the battle between #1 and #8 last week, converting a dream trip into an upset victory – hard to see him being as fortunate tonight, though. (7) DELE ROW A picked up a win and a 3rd from his 2 local starts but the class jump and poor draw may be tough overcome

RACE 10 – (1) SHINE A LIGHT was well back at 3/4s last week but soon found his best stride and ended up a close 2nd at the wire (with a driver change from Cory to Jordan) – draws the pole here, and figures to be a handful. (5) CH ECKONWILLIAM GB threw a rare clunker last week but he was taken by one of our top claiming barns, and could bounce back in a hurry. (4) SAWYERS DESIRE had some pace to rally for a distant 3rd last week – he can certainly grab a piece here, but hard to justify that 8/5 ML price. (2) IM SOME GRADUATE just re-qualified after being away since 11/29 – he hit board in 8 of 13 local starts last year, and seems like a reasonable one for 3rd/4th. (7) PINE BUSHDRAGONLIFE is 20-0-0-1 here at Yonkers but may still be able to beat a couple of these. (3) COLD CREEK FELIPE hasn’t been close to his best in some time– watching for better signs. (6) SHUFFLE UP HANOVE R raced here 29X over the past 3 years and has no wins, and just one second place finish. (8) CENTURY IGLESIAS draws Post 8 after failing to beat a horse in his last pair.