Thursday, February 12, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, February 12, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) DISARONNO HILL has taken 3 of her last 4 starts, and 4 of her last 6 (including an impressive score from Post 8 last week) – has certainly earned top billing in her current raging form. (2) STAY HAPPY can throw some big efforts when “right”, but also throws a lot of duds – her entire barn begins to return from some time off, and her qualifier suggests that the freshening may have helped her…possible upsetter? (3) BLUEBIRD CRUSH rallied steadily to be 2nd to a sharp winner last week and was 3rd at this level a few starts back as well – she’ll be a good price, and may add some value to the exotics. (1) HOLY STARZZZ A raced better in her 2nd local try and hails from top connections – she still feels a bit cheaper, but we’ll see if she can build off that last mile (8) I LOVED HER FIRST got stronger as the race got longer last week, rallying from 3rd from well back – if Kelly can improve position at the start, she may have a chance to make her presence felt, at a juicy price. (5) HUNTS FLOWER has been just “ok”, and needs to be better if she hopes to have a real say here. (6) IRIS SEELSTER has been struggling, and gets another bad post. (7) TRICKY WICKY has yet to impress in her 3 Yonkers starts

RACE 2 – NAADA Winter Series: (1) IMA STANDUP GUY was the choice here last week but he broke as the car was leaving and never landed after that – it seems like a good sign that he drops right back in the box, and maybe he can take these wire to wire with a clean getaway. (2) BAR KEEP DE VIE had a brutal season here in ‘25 (15-0-0-0) but his current form is much better, and that includes last week’s effort – he could be looking at a very good trip, at a pretty nice price. (3) YUCATAN PARTY MAN raced here quite a bit as a younger horse and always had the ability to stay trotting (as seems to be the case currently, as well) – his Stga. efforts seem more than good enough to give him a chance in here. (4) HALOA is 6-0-0-0 at Yonkers and while she’s no better or worse than any of the others in here, it would be very hard to justify that 9/5 ML price. (5) SWISS HOUSE ON FIRE tired in his qualifier but the bigger concern is that he was winless in 28 starts here last year – not ready to hop on his team. (7) SOUTHWIND MAX draws Post 7 for his new connections off back to back sick scratches (which would have necessitated him to re-qualify, back in the day) – we’ll pass, and observe. (6) LOVE THIS BAR came off the cones and went into reverse last week – waiting for better signs before considering.

RACE 3 – (4) QUALITY BUD lacked any real room to pace in the lane last week and his barn sent out a couple of very live ones recently – maybe he can pull off the upset in what shapes up as a pretty wide open affair. (2) INTIMI DATION took decent $$ vs. better 2 back but wasn’t up for the first over trip – he finished ok from a hopeless spot in his last, and his best effort would definitely put him in the hunt here. (7) WHITE LOTUS looked super crushing his rivals last week but that was vs. a pretty soft field, and with the ability to control the action from the pole – he may be able to beat these too, but that 7/5 ML price just seems way too low. (5) BET ON MAC was an ok 4th last week, and is capable of better – leaning more to a couple of others, but he’d hardly be a shock. (1) STATESIDELCK DWN GB is racing “ok”, but no better than that – he’ll need to be sharper if he hopes for a shot at the top slot. (3) OZONE BLUE CHIP had a tough (overall) 2025 season, and has been away for 2 ½ months – will observe, for now

RACE 4 – (4) YOU BEDA ROCK turned in a pair of blowout victories in December but then drew horribly for 3 straight starts – moved back inside last week and jogged again, and tonight’s decent draw will give her a chance to repeat. (1) SEA STORM wasn’t bad 2 back with a “fill in” driver, then kicked home full of pace for 2nd last week, once clear – she’ll surely be handled aggressively tonight (with the rail and Bartlett), and may prove the main danger (2) BOUT DAMN TIME A often races “well”, but has just been too camera shy here at Yonkers to use on top at a short price – always ok for exotics, though! (5) MC ANGEL has been doing good work but tired last week after being used hard early on – an easier trip could see her land somewhere on the ticket. (8) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ has been plagued by bad posts and that’s certainly the case once more – she’s actually pretty good right now, and not a terrible bomb for 3rd/4th. (6) SHAKE ME LOOSE came into her last with a couple of excuses but disappointed – tough draw tonight will make it hard for her to find a decent trip. (3) TESLA POWER was off a bad date to her last – not ready to jump on her team, but will at least pay more attention now. (7) PINE BUSH MAGA won her qualifier but draws horribly after being away for a couple of months – guessing she’ll be handled conservatively

RACE 5 – NAADA Winter Series: (1) IM OUT raced well in his last 2 overnights, showing good speed both times – like barnmate IMA STANDUP GUY (Race 2), this guy draws the pole and should be able to have a big say. (2) PS ALMSFORTYSIXFIVE gets a rare good draw and was just 2nd in his last start from Post 7 – logical player tonight. (6) MUSCLE DAN turned in his usual sharp local try last week, cutting the mile before coming up 2nd best to the tripsitter – he has the speed to still get a good start from Post 6, and could easily land somewhere on the ticket. (7) FASHION FOREVER has some solid overall recent form, but will need an abundance of trip luck to get it done from Post 7. (8) MR CONTESTANT won a leg of this series on 1/29 then ended up qualifying in NJ rather than race in Leg #3 – he’ll need a lot to go his way to win from out here, but it certainly isn’t impossible. (5) YOUMEANDW HISKEY has some gate speed but he has just one start since 12/7 and figures to be short. (4) TARPON SPRINGS was just 1 for 23 last year and doesn’t seem on top of his game right now. (3) HUNTERS GAL tends to lag much of the way, always leaving her at a major disadvantage

RACE 6 – (5) FATHER MIKE joined his current barn on 11/21 and rallied very nicely for 4th from well back – he won his next 2 starts (to close out 2025) and has actually been “sneaky good” in 2026, finishing alertly from impossible spots in his last 2 starts – we’ll give him the narrow nod as he drops in for a tag. (4) SHAKE N BAKE raced well in this class in both starts since arriving from Monti – a good trip would give him a chance to be right there. (8) ENERGY KING was racing very well at the end of 2025 and returned even sharper in ’26, picking up a win and a pair of close 2nds from his 3 starts – hard to say if he can overcome the draw, but he’d be worth a look at the right price. (3) PREMIER VICTOR is racing well again but may be a notch below a couple of the other top ones – the barn did send out a razor sharp longshot winner earlier this week. (2) CANTSTOP YANKEE was handled very conservatively last week after a first turn miscue the start before – he hasn’t won in a while, but his best effort could at least put him in the mix for a good piece. (6) WILLY WALTON was able to grab an easy trip last week and that led to a 2nd place finish – not sure he’ll be as fortunate from this spot, however. (1) NYMERIA drops in for a tag after looking dead short last week – feels iffy right now. (7) INCANTATION draws poorly after qualifying (after a break) and her barn is off to a very slow start in 2026.

RACE 7 – (2) LINDY THE BRAVE was just staring to click in his last pair of NJ starts after recently joining his current barn – either of his last 2 efforts would make him a big threat here, but note that he hasn’t raced since 1/11 before accepting too short a price. (1) J B GRAM gave it a decent try when 2nd three back, was wiped out in his next and then hurt a bit in his last when caught behind a tiring leader at the top of the lane – he’s very logical from this spot, but he figures to get WAY overbet, and was just 26-1-1-4 here in 2025! (6) FENDI HANOVER actually wasn’t bad last week, holding well for 4th after a tough trip (and the margin is deceptive, because the winner won by 8 lengths – needs to find a way to overcome the bad draw, though. (7) ROSE RUN ASTRO hit board in all 3 starts this year but he’s also come up light at the end of the mile in his last pair, off beautiful trips – not sure he can reach from all the way out here. (5) ON DAYBOO doesn’t feel like a real threat to win, but he’s capable of grabbing a decent piece in this very modest field. (8) BEANZY FRESH was aggressive from Post 8 last week (and well backed) but was pretty much on fumes by the final turn – Bartlett bails, and it seems like the right choice. (4) UWAITILLGOFIR ST went an odd mile in his local debut but was charted with broken equipment – he made a break after shaking free on the final turn in his last, and we’re leaning elsewhere right now. (3) FERRAGAMO HANOVER is 9-0-0-0 at YR over the last 3 seasons

RACE 8 – (3) HOT FLASH KIMMY raced in the Invitational in her first 2 starts of 2026 and had trot finishing both times – she gets some class relief and while this is a pretty solid field, we’ll still give her the edge. (4) DWS POINT MAN ended 2025 with a win and has been pretty solid since returning after the winter break – fits nicely here, and can be a big player with the right trip. (6) MAHONE SEELSTER is on a fine form spree, with 3 wins and a pair of 2nds from his last 6 starts – gets a poor draw tonight, but a good trip could still land him in the mix. (1) PEDAL ON METAL ended last year strong and that good form carried over into 2026, as he comes into tonight riding a 2 race winning streak – he faces a bit tougher, but still sharp enough to make some late noise. (2) KEWPIE DOLL has 4 wins and two 2nds from her last 6 starts and is clearly hitting on all cylinders right now – she’s also stepping up to take on older trotters tonight, and it’s hard to say how well that form will hold up against these. (7) LUCKY MUM N looked very good in her qualifier but lands in a very tough spot for her first start of the year – the guess is that she’ll be handled pretty conservatively from out here, but a quick glance at the tote board (for clues) couldn’t hurt. (5) CHIPPER DALE was terrific in 40s for a nice stretch but has leveled off a bit trying to tackle tougher – drops a bit, but may still be looking at a smaller piece. (8) SEND IT IN HANOVER has looked very good (at Stga.) since the recent barn change but this just seems like a brutal spot for his local debut.

RACE 9 – (4) HANK THE HUNK had to navigate a terrible trip last week but still ended up right there late, while full of pace in traffic (making his first start for a new barn) – maybe he can get it done tonight with a better trip? (3) TWO FACED has found a home at these lower levels after returning from a layoff in December and he’s a very logical threat for our leading trainer and driver from this spot…he also is winless since 2024, so probably not one to bet the rent money on as the odds-on favorite! (6) HARAMBE DEO was forced to race wide a long way last week but he was still able to keep coming for the game victory – tougher spot tonight, but still a possibility, with the right trip. (5) DANCE ON THE BEACH wilted on the lead last week but picked up a win and a pair of 2nds in the 3 starts prior to that – worth at least a look, if ignored in the wagering. (1) SHADOW CAT will attract some attention from the pole but he struggled to win races all of last year for our top trainer, and is hard to consider for the top slot - okay for underneath. (7) IM THE PRINCE flashed some life at the end last week, and might have gotten a longer look tonight if not for the awful draw. (2) GINGER TREE PETE just throws way too many duds these days to consider in this spot. (8) GOTHIC ROCK gets stuck behind the 8 ball for his 2026 return

RACE 10 – (2) BELLISSIMO FACE S was off a bad date (and sick scratch) to his last but was still right there 3rd after a tough first over trip – he should be much tighter now, he loves to win races, and deserves top billing in the finale. (5) WARRAWEE WHISPER finally started to pick up his game at the very end of 2025, and has started off the new year with a pair of victories – he’ll face a bit tougher field now, but has to be respected in his current form. (6) P L OSCAR hasn’t started since 11/20 but he qualified sharply (behind a pacer) and may be worth at least a look at that 20-1 ML price. (3) FOR A DREAMER was a nice trip 2nd to start off the year and trotted ok from tough spots in his last pair – ok for a piece. (4) B NICKING feels off his best game right now but a quick start (and good trip) may help him take home a small piece. (1) MR KNOWITALL has picked up a few 2nds at BIG prices with his owner/trainer on board– can’t blame anybody looking to throw him in underneath at another big price. (7) VLAHOS wire back to back fields 3 and 4 starts back but wasn’t the same horse in his last pair – not sure he can turn things back around from all the way out here. (8) ROGER RABBIT had been doing some better work but faltered in this class off an easy trip last week, and now draws Post 8.