Thursday, February 5, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, February 5, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Winter Series – (1) IMA STANDUP GUY was used very hard from Post 8 last week and though he did get tired, he should benefit greatly from the start (his first in 2 months) – he moves all the way inside, won 5 of 16 local starts last year, and may be tough to catch tonight. (5) THE LAST CHAPTER is an excellent fit with these, and hit board in his last 4 amateur tries – there’s a lot to like, but he won’t offer any value (listed at 7/5 ML) and he did make a couple of recent miscues (a bit unusual for him) – could be at least a bit vulnerable. (3) MUS CLE DAN is also prone to miscues, but he did hit board in 12 of his last 15 Yonkers starts (15-1-5-6) – very playable in exotics, at a decent price. (2) STAR HAIDRESSER threw a dud last week but he’s capable of better, and looking at a good trip for tonight – ok to use underneath. (7) LOVE THIS BAR has had some good moments in these amateur races but tonight’s draw figures to compromise his chances significantly – minor share? (6) HALOA was no threat in her last and draws poorly for tonight – perhaps some minor spoils, with an easy trip? (4) SOUTHWI ND MAC arrives from Canada off a break on 1/19, and a scratch from his last – prefer to just observe this week. (8) FASHION FOREVER draws Post 8 after missing more than a month

RACE 2 – (1) ENERGY KING struggled to win races in 2025 but he was sharp at the end of the year and that carried over into 2026, where he was a winner on 1/22 before finishing a game 2nd last week – he was claimed by a barn that has been on fire lately, and Gingras is a part owner (he now has horses with several of our top trainers) – the one to catch and beat. (4) PEDAL ON METAL rallied very nicely for 3rd in his first local start of 2026 and built off that with a rallying victory last week (over #1) – remains very dangerous. (2) BUSY MAKING MONI is well off his “top” form, but did rebound from a miscue 2 back with a solid first over try last week – can’t be counted out, but he also shouldn’t be listed as the 9/5 ML favorite. (6) FOR A DREAMER held 2nd to a blowout winner 2 back then raced well again last week, rallying for 4th after being well back early on…chance to outperform his 20-1 ML odds. (5) ROGER RABBIT was able to cash in on a nice trip last week but that was a much easier spot – he’s good right now, but may be a notch below a few of the main players in here. (7) SHAKE N BAKE raced very well arriving from Monti last week but tonight’s draw figures to really compromise his chances. (3) EYES OF JUSTICE was no threat at all in his last pair – we’ll see if some post relief can help to a better finish. (8) CACTUSTOTHECLOUDS squandered a pocket trip last week and now lands behind the 8 ball.

RACE 3 – (6) TAKE ALL COMERS found his best form of the year in the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series (a series he won the year before) but really had no chance to repeat after landing on a tough trip in this year’s Final – he took a month off, and showed no rust winning the Winners Over across the river last week…we’ll give him the edge in this short field. (5) CECIL HANOVER also had a disastrous trip in that same Final, but was able to return here 6 weeks later and pull off a victory last Thursday (helped by the favorite breaking, and some very easy fractions) – he’ll also be tighter tonight, and seems the main danger. (4) HOT FLASH KIMMY finished with interest off the layoff last week, and may be able to rally for a piece tonight…with some trip luck. (2) BRONZER continues to hold his good form, even as he’s climbed all the way up the class ladder – another eligible to rally for a share. (3) THE HAZLETON has been able to capitalize on good trips in 3 straight races…if he ends up in the pocket again, his chances for another nice chunk go way up. (1) CHIPPER DALE is rightfully assigned the rail, but may just find these a little above his pay grade

RACE 4 – Tough race: (3) SHAKE ME LOOSE may have been a little short (off the layoff) when 4th here on 1/20, then had no chance after getting parked last week – maybe worth a look at a good price in a race that can go many different ways. (8) DISARONNO HILL has 3 wins and a pair of 2nds from her last 5 starts but faces a very uncertain trip after drawing Post 8 – she can win if some luck comes her way, but you’ll want a fair price to try her on top. (5) SEA STORM raced ok from a tough spot last week and gets a big driver change for tonight – wouldn’t be surprised to see her have a say in this. (2) BIG CITY DAISY ended up parked BEHIND another parked mare last week and had no prayer whatsoever – that being said, she never really looked all that strong, and was no factor the week before either – she debuts for a new barn tonight, and that 3/2 ML price just seems way too low. (1) HUNTS FLOWER raced ok here a few times but really should have been able to finish 2nd last week (off an easy trip) – ok for underneath. (6) IRIS SEELSTER just hasn’t looked sharp in her 2 starts this year – waiting for better signs (4) TESLA POWER has been away for 7 weeks and sports a weak 18-0-0-3 local slate (7) DEAR ABBEY draws poorly after coming up weak at the end in her last 2 starts.

RACE 5 – (1) ULTION FACE S has battled and held his own vs. much better than these – he returns off a useful tightener in NJ, and looms a very short priced favorite tonight. (2) AUSTRAL HANOVER was no factor at all in his first 2 starts of the year but both were from Post 7 – logical spot to look for significant improvement as he gets some major post relief. (4) MAHONE SEELSTER is hitting on all cylinders right now – he’s moving up a bit in class, but can still have a big say in his current form. (5) DWS POINT MAN had good trot finishing 2 back (off the winter break) then was a no-threat 2nd last week to the sharp frontrunning favorite – a good trip could land him somewhere on the ticket. (8) MON AMOUR raced ok in the Invitational last week and while he does fit well here, he may have a tough time getting close to the action from out here. (7) FATHER MIKE is doing good work since arriving here for his current barn in November, but is another that may find himself too far back to seriously threaten. (6) FULL OF MUSCLES was a solid 2nd last week and has a few other good recent tries – his best efforts come on/near the lead vs. easier, however, and this may not be a good spot for him. (3) NYMERIA was bothered before the start of that last qualifier but really didn’t look good regardless – she made only 8 starts last year, and we’ll just observe, for now

RACE 6 – (1) WHEELZABLAZIN was 3rd in his first local try of the year and sharper last week, when a solid 2nd behind a sharp favorite…he’s not the most reliable trotter on the planet but he lands in a suspect field tonight, and may be in a spot where he can grab a victory. (6) BELLISSIMO FACE A would be very tough (even from Post 6) if anywhere close to his best tonight but he was scratched sick on 1/22, and comes into tonight having missed more than 5 weeks – maybe he’s a bit vulnerable? (5) CANTSTOP YANKEE had a long streak of racing well week after week, at short prices, but without the benefit of a victory – he SEEMS to have tailed off now, but that 20-1 ML price makes him worth at least a look (hoping he can bring one of his better efforts after getting in tight and making a break last week). (3) WILLY WALTON gets major post relief and will surely be handled aggressively…but it’s hard to say if he’s sharp enough to be a threat right now. (4) B NICKING shows his usual assortment of mixed efforts – he’s at his best on/near the lead, and he might have leavers inside of him denying him that opportunity tonight. (7) VLAHOS wasn’t the same last week when forced to race first over, rather than cut the mile – tonight’s bad draw could result in another trip that he won’t be fond of. (2) BLUEBIRD BISHOP loves to win races when sharp, but he just seems way off his game at the moment. (8) MR KNOWITALL picked up a trio of big-price 2nds recently with his owner/trainer on board, but it’ll be hard for them to replicate that starting from all the way out here.

RACE 7 – (3) J B GRAM went an improved try when 2nd two back and seemed well meant in his last before getting wiped out early on – he was way too camera shy last year to ever “love” his chances, but he may have found a field where he does have a chance to come out on top. (5) UWAITILLGOFIRST was handled very aggressively for his new barn last week (after more than 6 weeks off) and his effort may have been affected by an equipment issue – it’s hard to get a good read on him, but a big price makes him worth a look in this blank field. (2) ENFORCER was sent off 51-1 two back but a driver change to Bartlett saw the public knock him down to an incredible 9/5 last week…and he found a way to pick up the win (after going just 1 for 39 in 2025) – suppose he has to at least be considered tonight, even if Bartlett opts for #8. (4) ROSE RUN ASTRO was a close 3rd last week but he would have been a winner if sharp (after grabbing a perfect trip – could end up overbet here. (8) BEANZY FRESH (Bartlett’s choice) drops in for a tag but draws all the way outside after not racing since 12/6 – possible, but would need a pretty good price to use him on top. (1) STARE ME DOWN has a few starts from last Fall that would make him very dangerous here but his most recent efforts haven’t been as good, and he does feel iffy at the moment (even from the pole). (7) ON DAYBOO is as good as anything in here but gets a terrible draw – he IS 20-1 ML with Gingras, so can’t blame anybody looking to give him a try. (6) FERRAGAMO HANOVER is the only one that would be a real surprise

RACE 8 – Another tough race: (2) KOMODO BEACH was having an awful 2025 until moving to his current barn in November, and just getting sharper every week – he was off 24 days to his last start but was able to deliver a hard charging win across the river, and may be able to take another against a pretty questionable bunch. (1) SHAKESPE ARE would be very tough to beat from a spot like this if even close to 100%, but he was just an “ok” 2nd two back, then turned in a dud in his last – total guessing game. (6) BET ON MAC was in terrible spots in his last 3 NJ starts and had no chance – he doesn’t have the greatest local slate, but he gets Bartlett and did jog on the lead 4 back – possibility? (3) QUALITY BUD likely needed that start on 1/19 and gets some class relief tonight – add him to the list of potential players. (7) INTIMIDATION was well backed last week after shipping in sharp from Monti but his first over bid came up well short – he does drop a bit, but that may be offset by the awful draw. (5) KOPI LUWAK N is listed as the ML favorite and while he does drop a bit, his form has been less than stellar – certainly seems vulnerable. (8) MR PROFETA has been ok, but figures to be well out of it from this spot. (4) STORMY WOODS A seems a bit cheaper, and hasn’t raced since 12/28 (sick scratch).

RACE 9 – (5) HARAMBE DEO made only 4 starts last year but he won 3 of them – he’s already off to a fast start in 2026 with a win and close 2nd and while these efforts have come vs. a bit easier at Monti, it really wouldn’t be a surprise to see him do equally good work against the locals. (2) BLOWIN SMOKE shows a bunch of mixed recent form but vs. better – hard to say if he’s dropping because a wheel fell off OR if just seeking a winning spot, but he has to be respected from this spot. (1) GINGER TREE PETE was a little disappointing on the lead 2 back but then kicked home full of pace from an impossible spot last week – can’t dismiss his chances tonight from the pole. (4) DANCE ON THE BEACH ended the year on a strong note then returned just as sharp after the winter break, an excellent 2nd two back followed by last week’s (easy tip) victory – remains a very viable threat. (7) TWO FACED had no chance last week after being forced to retreat to 8th at the start – he was a solid 2nd the week before but note that he was winless in 22 starts last year, and figures to be pretty well backed despite Post 7 tonight. (6) HANK THE HUNK was 0 for 15 locally the past 2 years but does move to a new barn, that’s been known to improve fresh stock quickly – would still need a pretty nice price to try this guy on top. (3) GARDYS LEGACY A just hasn’t looked good in a long time – major form reversal needed. (8) IM THE PRINCE continues to struggle…and now Post 8!

RACE 10 – (1) WHITE LOTUS finished just behind a couple of nice horses when racing here in NW2-4PM back in October and certainly meets no killers as he makes his first start of 2026 – he qualified well enough in NJ to assume that he should be ready for action tonight. (6) ITZA DANGERZONE A is listed at 20-1 ML but he was a decent 3rd two back and his last effort was better than it looks on paper – good one for longshot fans. (5) FENDI HANOVER shows a bunch of decent NJ efforts, even if facing some soft fields – another possible value option? (7) SIP OF BOU RBON was an ok 4th last week, even if helped by an easy trip – if you think Kelly may take a shot to leave in here, he may be worth considering. (3) ALADDIN seemed like a risky claim for $25K recently and his current crew seems to still be trying to figure him out – maybe Yannick can coax a better effort out of him? (4) STATESIDELCK DWN GB showed better life adding Lasix 3 back but came up flat in his next couple – too soon to write him off, but also hard to make a good case for him right now. (2) PIRATES CODE was a winner here off the barn change on 11/19 but hasn’t been sharp since then – needs to up his game. (8) FUNATTHEBEACH N has nearly $1.5M on his card but is barely recognizable these days – sad to see him like this.