Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (4) SHEIKH YABOOTY N was off nearly 10 months to her start on 2/3, offered little that night but suddenly came to life in a big way last week, popping out of the two hole to blow by the leader to 3/4s, running off from the others after that – if she shows up just as sharp this week, she may be able to take another. (5) NUTTINBU THEBEST drops back down to 20s and that immediately makes her a legitimate threat – she also tends to be a bit unreliable, so make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (1) KISSIN JOE failed to get in play from the back of the pack last week but she moves all the way inside, and did beat this class on 12/11 when she landed on a live trip – possibility. (2) BIG CITY DAISY has been burning $$ lately, and also got rough at a few points in her mile last week – she goes for another new barn this week, her price will finally start to drift up a bit and maybe it’s time to give her a look again? (3) JIVE DANCING A struggled for a lot of 2025 then tired on the lead in her first start of 2026 – she’s missed nearly a month since then, and that has us looking elsewhere tonight. (6) WHOS PERFECT raced ok last week, but was aided by a very easy trip – she draws poorly tonight, and also has several live players to her inside. (7) BEANTOWN BABE gets a tough draw after somewhat squandering a very live trip last week

RACE 2 – (1) DELITFULCATHERIN N had been struggling for some time but took some unexpected $$ last week and did kick home full of pace after a bad shuffle– could be a big threat tonight if she can build off that last mile. (6) STONECOLD GIRL got used very hard early last week then was caught behind a tired leader later on – deserves a pass, and she won back to back starts just prior to that– could easily rebound with a big try tonight (2) DOCS LOVE has ability but can be her own worst enemy at times– she rebounded from a disastrous try on 1/27 with a much more reasonable effort last week, and tonight’s class drop may be enough to make her a threat. (3) YOUNONOTHINJON was in tougher 2 back but that mile is sandwiched between a pair of good efforts – she fits well here, and a good trip puts her right in the picture. (4) PINK RUBY has raced well in most of her starts since joining this barn in Nov. – a hot pace would boost her chance considerably. (5) RACIN FOR ROYALTY never got in play last week but was knocking on the door for several starts just prior to that – leaning more towards others tonight, but she’d hardly be a surprise. (7) SHANGRI LA HANOVER has been ok since starting to take on older mares – brutal spot here, though

RACE 3 – (2) BETTER B BOLD has some rough looking lines out of town but most are when he was stuck in the back of the pack, vs. much better – his lines vs. more modest competition (when he could be handled aggressively) show a pair of wins and nose loss 2nd, and he meets a modest group in his local debut, while moving to one of our top barns – feels like a good spot. (3) CHURCHVIEWFRANKL IR hasn’t been a threat to win in a while but he’s always finishing well, and vs. better – could have a bigger say tonight. (4) CUT N RUN showed signs of tailing in his last couple, but he does move to a new barn tonight– possible, but would need a good price to use him on top. (5) TONTO RETURNS had alert pace finishing last week but was also helped by an inside route from the back of the pack – not impossible here, but that 5/2 ML just seems too low! (6) SHAKESPEARE just hasn’t been on his best game in a while – tonight’s draw won’t help. (1) TRICKY MIKI A made a ton of $$ Down Under but has never come close to that success since arriving in the U.S. – best work has come vs. cheaper.

RACE 4 – Short, but solid field: (4) BOOKEM DANNO was a BIG overlay when he won at 15-1 two back, then was pacing fastest of all at the wire last week, from an impossible spot – good spot to race aggressively, and maybe get it done at another decent price. (2) WAVEMAKER takes a while to find his stride but has been pacing very well at the end of all his recent efforts, and could pull off an upset if the trip falls his way. (6) LOCHLAN HANOVER has been on a lengthy form spree and was a winner at this level in his last pair – chance to extend that streak to 3, but may need a bit more trip luck from this spot. (3) BOXER SEELSTER seems to always hurt his chances by being too lazy early…and last week, not being able to be steered to the inside in the stretch cost him as well – remains a good one for the bottom of exotics. (1) BETTOR NOT has been very consistent but he’s moving up a bit in class and may have to settle for a bit smaller piece tonight. (5) CAPTAIN LUFFY is listed on the bottom, but mostly because of the draw – he’s raced more than well enough to contend for a piece, with a decent trip

RACE 5 – (5) ONEFORTHEROAD GB failed as the favorite in his first 3 local starts but did manage to get over the hump last week, delivering a swift 1:54.3 victory (despite getting on a line at times) – wouldn’t say he’s a cinch to repeat, but he definitely remains the one to knock off. (3) WAR NO MORE ended the year pretty strong in PA and just re-qualified sharply at PcD (his barn has been fairly cold, but may be showing signs of coming back to life) – maybe he’s ready to give #5 a tussle? (2) TOTALLY TOXIC has some solid form at The Meadows, though perhaps vs. cheaper…he moves to a barn that sent out some very live ones recently, and maybe this guy can have a say upon arrival. (8) TITO N CHEDDAR wasn’t bad at all last week considering he had missed 6 weeks – he fits for sure, but will need much to go his way starting from Post 8. (7) ITS ELECTRIFYING N raced much better in his 3rd U.S. start but gets no luck with the draw tonight – will need to get a quick start if he hopes to be part of the equation. (1) FURNEAUX appears to have the ability to hang with these but he’s been away since 1/3, and that could hurt his chances tonight. (4) ALRITEALRITEALRITE has been just okokok…needs to be better to contend for a bigger prize. (6) TIP OF TIME draws poorly after offering little in his 3 local outings

RACE 6 – (5) BACKSTREET SHADOW is on the comeback trail, after a rough 2025 (7 start) campaign – he finished full of pace on 2/3 in his first start back, then was the easiest of front end winners last week – we’ll give the $1.7M earner a vote of confidence that he can step up and beat these too. (3) JABBAR was handled aggressively 2 back off the class drop and delivered a sharp victory – he paced home well from a tough spot last week, and seems good enough right now to grab another piece tonight. (1) MYSWEETBOYMAX works his way back down to the level he beat back on 11/17, but his current form is iffy at best – it would be no surprise to see him right in the hunt tonight, but that 7/5 ML price makes it hard to give him an endorsement! (2) POP IT has some mixed recent efforts – an easy trip could help him take home a decent piece…if in the right mood. (4) PRINTVILLE’s best work has come vs. lesser – could use a hot pace to help his late rally work better. (6) JAHAN HANOVER had no impact in either start since returning from NJ and draws poorly for tonight

RACE 7 – (5) IMA PERFECT CHOICE got a little steppy on the final turn two back and even though he recovered quickly, it may have cost him a shot to win – he looked plenty smooth last week, however, and charged through the lane to win going away – he can handle tonight’s class bump, with a bit of racing luck. (1) HAZEVILLE had his game face on last week and used a sizzling :27.3 third quarter to establish a considerable lead, making it hold up through the stretch– another that can handle the step up, but will need to bring his best once more (6) LEVINE was no factor in his first 2 starts of 2026 but showed up much sharper in his last, charging home for 2nd behind the heavy favorite – he may need to leave the gate if he hopes to have the same kind of say tonight, though. (2) ESCAPE TO AMERICA worked hard chasing #1 last week, all out to hold 2nd while unable to threaten in the lane – he’ll need to be sharper tonight if he’s hoping for a crack at the top slot. (7) ORLANDO BLUE A was HUGE in that eye popping 39-1 upset two back…he finished with plenty of pace last week as well, but he’ll need a LOT to go his way to be able to reach from out here. (3) BARS AND NOTES has been 6th in all 3 local starts – needs to find a lot more. (4) THE BIGBOSS A seems somewhat overmatched at these higher levels

RACE 8 – (4) FASTING just never really showed up last week but he was 3rd vs. light years better 2 back, and has several recent NJ efforts that would make him very tough here as well – look for him to rebound with a bigger try. (3) COLLECTIVE WORKS A is now 0 for 15 in the U.S. but he’s flashed some ability at times, and his last pair were very good – possible upsetter? (1) CURBSIDE PICKUP has been somewhat of the back sheep of the nation’s leading barn; struggling mightily in many of his starts – he returns tonight to a trainer that DID have success with him in the past, and there’s certainly the chance for a wake up call tonight. (2) PEACE OUT POSSE took all kinds of $$ two back, went a MUCH improved effort and can be forgiven for coming up 2nd best – he quickly reverted to his lesser form last week, though, and will need to find a much better effort to be a real threat tonight. (5) GLIMPSE OF VICTORY used easy trips for small pieces in his last pair – more of the same tonight? (6) FIZZING N gave it a good try last week but that was in a “fall apart” race – he had no wins and just one 2nd from 33 local starts last year, and figures to be overbet tonight. (8) CAVIART SARGENT may try to leave here but he usually gets spent when used hard early on – just a rough spot! (7) MR PROFETA will get a look when he draws better in an easier field

RACE 9 – (6) LENNON HANOVER won in this class back in November – he gave it a big (unexpected) try from Post 7 last week, hanging around a long way at 50-1…he meets a blank field tonight, and gets top billing with the switch to Kakaley. (1) SIMPLY FAST was better than his lines look in his first 2 local tries and raced very well from Post 8 last week – moves all the way inside, and could be a big player now. (5) HARD TO CATCH is camera shy for sure, but does fit with this bunch – ok for exotics. (7) BETS SHOW OFF wasn’t close in his first local try and he may just tour the oval from Post 7 tonight…but a quick check of the tote board couldn’t hurt. (3) BUCHANNON HANOVER is 17-0-0-0 at YR over the last 2 years (26-0-0-2) over the last 3) so he’d be pretty hard to consider at that 5/2 ML price…even with Bartlett on board. (2) LAST BEACH looks unplayable on paper (and has missed time) but he does move to a sharp barn, and that’s a good angle if looking for a late night longshot. (4) ALADDIN was having a dreadful 2025 before being claimed on 12/10 and has mostly struggled since then. (8) TWIG is way off form and stuck dealing with another 8 hole.