Thursday, February 19, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, February 19, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (2) SEA STORM wasn’t bad in her local debut (with a “fill in” driver), raced well for 2nd behind a streaking DISARONNO HILL in her next, then easily wired the field last week – Bartlett sticks with her, and we will too. (1) HOLI STARZZZ A improved in her 2nd local start then improved even more when 2nd best last week – logical threat from the pole, even if Bartlett stays with #2. (3) STAY HAPPY was racing off the layoff last week but driven like she knew a claim was in the box…and she certainly ad license to tire after some very hard use– she could be tighter tonight for her new connections, and worth at least a look if the price is right. (6) YOU BEDA ROCK is a very reliable player at this level, and does like to win races…she also gets stuck with a tough post, so insist on a nice price if considering on top. (5) BOUT DAMN TIME A usually gives a “solid” effort but she’s very camera shy, and much better to use underneath, rather than on top. (4) HUNTS FLOWER raced “ok” in a trio of 3rd place finishes – needs to find more if she hopes to battle for a bigger slice. (8) I LOVED HER FIRST does fit with these but she draws Post 8 again after struggling from this spot in her last. (7) TRICKY WICKY could really use a better draw

RACE 2 – NAADA Winter Series: (3) BIG LIMO won here last year and is capable of some big miles (and has thrown some recently in NJ) – we’re going to give him top billing, but that incredibly low ML price (3/2!) will make it hard to find any value with him. (1) KAMERAN HANOVER did struggle with Joe Lee in NJ 2 back but that race looks like an anomaly compared to many of his other recent miles – anything close to his best effort puts him right in the hunt here. (4) YOUMEANDWHISKEY hung in well for 3rd after being used hard in the opening quarter last week and her gate speed always gives her a chance – definitely ok for exotics. (5) BAR KEEP DE VIE looked like a winner turning for home last week but then hung badly in the latter stages…a reminder of why he was 15-0-0-0 here in 2025 – still, his overall recent form is good, and he may be able to rally for a piece again. (2) SD ELIMINATOR feels a little bit cheaper but he has a good post with a solid pilot, and that may be enough for a share. (6) TARPON SPRINGS S raced well for 2nd in his local debut but tonight’s draw may make it hard for him to find a decent trip. (8) SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE gave it a nice try on the front end off the layoff before tiring in the stretch – tough draw tonight, though, and note that he was 0 for 26 here last year. (7) IMA STANDUP GUY shrugged off the miscue from 2 back but he couldn’t sustain his first over bid last week, and now starts from all the way out here.

RACE 3 – (1) DISARONNO HILL has won 3 straight, 4 of 5 and 5 of her last 7 – she’s in raging form and pretty hard to go against…but note that she’s exiting a couple of our highest % barns and debuting tonight for a smaller outfit that’s off to a slowish start in 2026…at a VERY short price. (5) MC ANGEL had a nice little form spree going before getting used too hard 2 back and tiring badly – she rebounded with a very useful conservative try last week, and could be a big part of the equation tonight. (2) PINE BUSH MAGA finished well back last week but was also returning from a layoff – moves inside, and a big turnaround isn’t out of the question (6) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ draws badly for the 5th time in 6 weeks…but still not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (4) CATCH SOME SUN does look cheap off her NJ lines but she’s also getting a major driver change – maybe she can land a share? (3) SHAKE ME LOOSE has been struggling, and the good draw seems her best asset right now. (7) IRIS SEELSTER has been too far back to threaten lately, and seems destined for a similar scenario tonight. (8) UNDETERRED showed up with a big mile in that pocket win 2 back (from the rail) but has struggled with outside draws in 2 of her last 3 starts

RACE 4 – Good race! (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY was well backed and aggressively handled off the class drop last week but did get outmuscled in the lane – she’s capable of better, her price will be higher, and she’s one of several with a chance in here. (3) KEWPIE DOLL has 4 wins and 3 seconds from her last 7 starts, and his hitting on all cylinders for our leading trainer – the only knock is the 8/5 ML price. (1) PEDAL ON METAL stepped up to 60s last week, worked out another perfect trip and won his 3rd straight, all at good prices – pretty hard not to give him plenty of respect here! (2) WHEELZABLAZIN has been doing excellent work in 40s but his new trainer must have found that he’s been bleeding, as he debuts on Lasix tonight – steps up to face tougher but his trainer/driver finally picked up his first local win of 2026 the other night, and we’ll see if it gets things going. (6) DIAMANTE TRIO IT has been solid, her barn is clicking, but the draw may slow her down a bit. (5) LUCKY MUM N needed her first start off the layoff – maybe the tote board will offer clues about tonight? (7) MA ISABELLE started off 2026 with a win and a nose loss, but draws Post 7 while up in class, and having missed almost 3 weeks

RACE 5 – NAADA Winter Series: (2) SOUTHWIND MAC debuted for his new connections last week off a pair of sick scratches (and from Post 7) but wasn’t beaten that badly – drops right back in the box, moves inside, and may bring a stronger effort. (3) MR CONTESTANT was parked from Post 8 BEHIND another parked horse last week and still found a way to take home a check – he beat these 3 back, and looms a threat to do so tonight. (1) PSALMS FORTYSIXFIVE is usually good when he draws inside so it was surprising to see him throw a dud last time – he may rebound quickly, but that 8/5 ML price is a major turnoff. (4) HEY DUDE had no trouble getting around the half miler in Ohio but he feels like he MAY be on the cheaper side…we should get a better picture after tonight. (5) HALOA took $ the last couple of starts but was no factor 2 back, then broke trying to leave hard last week – leaning to others. (6) LOVE THIS BAR has beaten these in the past but feels off his best game right now and draws poorly. (7) FASHION FOREVER was invisible from a similar spot last week. (8) CUSTOM FIT backed through the field off a pocket trip in his only local try this year.

RACE 6 – (8) CHULO was starting to go the wrong way at the end of September so the time off probably did him a lot of good – he raced very well in a bunch of his 14 starts here last year, often vs. better than these – his qualifier suggests he MAY be ready to do damage right out of the box, even from Post 8. (2) VLAHOS beat this class (and one higher) recently, threw a couple of duds after that but did finish alertly from well back in his last – guessing he may be ready for a big mile tonight. (1) FOR A DREAMER has just one 3rd from his 4 starts in 2026 but he’s raced fairly well each time – definitely could grab a share from the pole. (5) PREMIER VICTOR ended up an easy (16-1) winner last week in a race where HE raced solid, and the majority of the others didn’t show up at all – his (small) barn is really clicking right now, and he can be a big player once more. (7) P L OSCAR wasn’t terrible last week in a race he surely needed – figures to be tighter now, but the draw is brutal. (4) ICE BREAKERS K just never wins at YR, but he can grab smaller pieces with easy trips. (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU generally needs a better draw to be competitive in this class. (3) ROGER RABBIT has a few good recent tries, but vs. cheaper.

RACE 7 – (2) BROOKDALE MIKI has looked good for his new barn since arriving from Canada, an impressive winner on 2/4 followed up by a 2nd place finish behind a razor sharp winner, in a fast mile – deserves top billing vs. these. (7) LOUS THE ATTITUDE gets a terrible draw but is doing good work so far in 2026 (after a rough 2025), and may be able to be a player with a bit of trip luck. (6) LINDY THE BRAVE shipped in sharp from NJ and was able to deliver a determined victory last week (his 2nd in a row) – we’ll see if Holland can find him a manageable trip from Post 6. (1) ON DAYBOO has been stuck on smaller piece for some time but does get a barn change for tonight – maybe he can elevate his game and be a bigger threat? (5) J B GRAM looked home free on the final turn last week but was nailed late by #6…a reminder as to why he was just 1 for 26 here last year – willing to still use him underneath. (3) ROSE RUN ASTRO came up light at the end from good spots recently – another that seems better used underneath, rather than on top. (4) OVER THE HORIZON just hasn’t been on his game lately – waiting for better signs. (8) DANCININTHEFIRE adds Lasix after finishing 2nd in his only start of ’26…but that was a month ago, and he’s stuck behind the 8 ball tonight

RACE 8 – (2) SKY BOX arrives from NJ and this $40K class seems like a good level for him – he reunites with Kelly (for whom he recently went 2 big efforts across the river), and he was 5-2-2-0 when he last raced here in ’24 – worth a try vs. the locals. (4) ENERGY KING had no prayer last week when parked from Post 8 but he still lost by less than 5 lengths – his overall recent form is excellent, and he could be a big player tonight. (7) WARRAWEE WHISPER was an easy winner dropping in for this tag last week, extending his winning streak to 3 – figures to be looking at a tougher trip from out here, but still deserves plenty of respect. (1) SHAKE N BAKE just didn’t fire after a very easy trip last week, surprising since he had been racing well in his other recent starts – we’ll see if he can rebound with one of his better tries here. (3) WILLY WALTON was an easy trip 2nd two back but in general, hasn’t been at his sharpest – leaning more towards others. (5) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS has been stuck on minor shares and likely looking at similar for tonight. (6) CANTSTOP YANKEE is still trying to find better form since returning from the winter break. (8) B NICKING was a solid front end 2nd last week, but lands in a brutal spot for tonight

RACE 9 – (4) HANK THE HUNK showed significant improvement 2 back upon joining this barn (as so many do) then was a dead game, determined first over winner last week– gets top billing over a few other sharp ones (6) TWO FACED raced well in the bulk of his starts (whether in 15s or 40s) but somehow remains winless since ‘24– he’ll have a say here for sure, but hard to endorse on top as the 9/5 favorite. (2) DANCE ON THE BEACH appreciated last week’s easier trip and was a solid 4th – can grab another good share if not roughed up. (5) HES SPECIAL raced more aggressively last week and wasn’t up for it – an easier trip could see him rallying for a good share. (1) COLD CREEK FELIPE raced much better than expected last week and sometimes can string good efforts – ok for exotics. (7) IM THE PRINCE had better life finishing the last 2 weeks and might have been listed higher with a better draw. (3) GINGER TREE PETE is struggling again. (8) GOTHIC ROCK lands another 8 hole – pass for now