Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) YUENGLING recently won 3 in a row on the front end and with the rail (and Bartlett) tonight, that’s right where she figures to be – she won’t offer much value, but she’s certainly the one they’ll have to catch and beat. (3) UNCONTROLLED is ultra-consistent, but definitely light in the win column – if she can get a live trip off a contested pace, maybe she’ll have a chance to get over the hump tonight. (4) COSTA DIVA may be on the cheaper side but she has a bunch of solid tries in NJ and PA, shows speed and gets a big switch to Beckwith…certainly ok for exotics. (2) NITE TIME DEAL just ran out badly in the lane 2 back but looked much better last week, even if at the back of the pack – a close up trip puts her in play here for a share. (5) MIKI THE CLOWN wasn’t bad 2 back but was no factor last week – chance for a small piece if the “good” version shows up. (6) CRÈME DELIGHT should appreciate the drop to 20s but the draw does her no favors, and she’s definitely camera shy – maybe 3rd/4th? (8) COALFORDSNSHINE GB was able to take home 3rd last week thanks to a quick start, but tonight’s draw figures to compromise her chances significantly. (7) ANNELIESE HANOVER is struggling, and lands outside

RACE 2 – (4) FARAH TRIO IT added hopples at The Meadows 5 starts back and hasn’t lost since – any of those efforts would beat these, and she’s also joining our leading barn for his local debut – basically has only herself to beat, but looking at a $2.20 payoff. (6) IDITOROD was an opportunistic winner 2 back but still raced very well – he followed that up with another solid mile last week, and is a logical one to use underneath. (5) MR INSTIGATOR won in NJ 2 back, stays trotting, gets a big driver change to Gingras and is listed at 20-1 ML…hard to NOT include him in exotics. (8) MARIN COUNTY was actually very good 2 back (after 6 weeks off) then just missed in his last – sharp enough for a chance at a piece, even from out here. (1) BROMAX qualified nicely on 12/27 then stayed trotting (in NJ) on 1/9…hasn’t been seen in over a month, though, and that makes him a question mark for tonight. (7) THE TIME MACHINE struggled on 12/17, returned 7 weeks later and struggled again – he goes without Lasix tonight, so we’ll see if that helps. (3) MASSETO gets a better draw…maybe a chance for some minor spoils? (2) IM PRESSIVE LANDING was empty in his local debut last week – waiting for better signs.

RACE 3 – (3) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES dropped down to 20s last week, was hammered at the windows and left nobody else a chance, going right to the top and winning effortlessly by nearly 5 lengths – he meets some currently sharp rivals in here, but will be pretty tough if he can replicate that last effort. (1) DIAMONDBEACH was too ambitiously placed for $30K two back, but his last start (back in 20s) was better than it looks on paper – he recently was on a long form spree, and a good trip puts him into the hunt tonight. (2) HES SPECIAL finished with good pace in his last pair, even if helped by easy trips – sharp enough to grab another good chunk if the trip is as kind. (6) SHA KE IT was first or 2nd 19X last year, many at higher levels than this – he did come back at a reduced level after missing time, but his last couple of starts (blowout wins vs. the 15s) suggest he may be ready to start moving back up the ladder again – tough draw off the claim, though. (5) PINK FLOYD HANOVER looked poised to make it 3 in a row last week but got a little tired late and was collared by #8 – he’s obviously very sharp now, but is also facing a tougher overall field than in his last few starts. (8) SETH HANOVER sat pocketed to #5 last week and pulled off a 10-1 upset for a barn suddenly hot again – won’t be easy to overcome the brutal draw, though. (7) EVER M has his moments, but will be hard pressed to reach from out here. (4) CASH BACK missed time and drops in for a tag… feels like some red flags.

RACE 4 – (1) FIRST CLASS RULE broke in his first 2 local starts but has been good in the 4 starts since then – he was stuffed (twice!) behind SENSI AMNESIA last week, and was hurt when that one tired in the stretch – he should be a fair price tonight, and is worth a shot in a race with several possible winners. (2) KAYS IN CHARGE gave it a good speed try in her first local start (off a bad date, joining our leading barn) then rallied nicely from off the pace last week, to be a close 2nd – legitimate chance. (5) YOU GUESSED IT was handled conservatively last week (off the qualifier) but definitely had trot finishing – he’s a proven winner at Yonkers, and will be an attractive price for sure. (3) EXQUISITE TASTE landed on perfect trips in both local starts and delivered victories both times – another sweet journey could see her extend that streak to three. (4) MANFORCE had been sharpening coming into his last, and was able to convert a pocket trip into a DH for win (along with #7) – he faces tougher here, but may be sharp enough to still have a say. (7) LOOKATMEGOAMIGO cut the mile in his 2nd Yonkers start and dug in bravely to DH with #4 – up in class from a tough post tonight, however. (6) SENSI AMNESIA came up a little short the last 2 starts and tonight’s draw won’t make things any easier

RACE 5 – (1) MAJOR POCKET A has been right there week after week, for months, and now draws the pole in a pretty soft field – looms a very short-priced winner. (2) ROCKET FREIGHT was aggressive in his 2nd start of the year and that led to a pocket trip and 2nd place finish to the heavy favorite – could find himself in a very similar scenario tonight. (6) ALBERT ALPHA was lazy much of the way for his new barn last week but did find some life, after the fact – maybe he can have a bigger say tonight, and add some value to the exotics? (3) I B LOVIN was no factor last week but did tow along ok for 4th – he gets a good draw with Bartlett, and that immediately gives him a chance for another piece. (7) DEEDENUTO A was no factor last week but finished much more alertly – maybe he can rally for 3rd/4th at a big price? (8) LOUS BEACH was solid here in 2025 but well off his game right now…the draw obviously won’t help his cause. Both (4) MOONLIGHT SHADOW and (5) LEAR SEELSTER were well back in the same race last week, and will need to be a lot better if they hope for even a small piece tonight

RACE 6 – (6) ZENMEISTER N was sent off favored for his U.S. debut and the Swedish import was able to deliver the victory, across the river – he’s missed some time since then, but his trainer has done a good job having his stock ready off similar bad dates…we’ll give him top billing. (4) BEERNSUNSHINE DEO has been turning in good efforts lately, both and off the pace – could easily be part of the equation again tonight. (3) ENTERTAIN ME disappointed on the lead 2 back but was a very sharp pocket winner last week – if she brings that same kind of effort tonight, she can grab a good piece. (1) DRINKING PROBLEMS started to click at the end of her 2YO campaign and has continued to race well into 2026, with a pair of 2nds from 2 local tries – no reason she can’t be right in the mix once more, even if Bartlett does opt to drive #6. (2) MESSENGER HANOVER just hasn’t raced nearly as well at Yonkers as he had been out of town – he tends to get overbet, and may be vulnerable yet again. (8) BO SILAS isn’t bad right now but lands his 5th bad post in the last 6 weeks and figures to be limited once again. (5) BELMON DO was a close 3rd in a “fall apart” race 3 back but struggled in his last pair. (7) BLARNEY CASTLE beat cheaper at Monti last week at a big price…this is a big step up!

RACE 7 – (2) MOVIN ON UP started the year off with a nice 3rd, was a razor sharp winner in his next then right there 3rd behind 2 sharp ones last week, after cutting the mile – drops in for a tag tonight, and it sure feels like a winning spot. (1) HEAVE AWAY benefited from an easy trip last week but was still very good – moves inside now, and looms a very logical player. (6) DELIGHTFUL DUDE N was a dead game first over winner 2 back then held nicely for 2nd in his last after getting blown away by the scary sharp THEFLYINGROCK – will need some trip luck from Post 6, though. (4) SCRIBBLERS has some decent tries in this class, moves to a new barn, gets Yannick on board and is very playable underneath. (5) CELLMATE has picked up a pair of 3rds at this level and could grab another small piece if the trip goes his way. (8) KARLOO BRADLEY N wasn’t able to overcome a tough trip last week and may be facing another one after drawing Post 8 for his new connections. (7) EVER HOPING A gets his first bad draw in some time and may not be sharp enough right now to overcome it. (3) CHICKEN N DICE hasn’t been on his best game – maybe some class relief would help?

RACE 8 – Tough race: (2) BLACK EDITION N was stuck first over against a sharp front end winner but kept on trying and stayed on well for 3rd (dropping down to 20s) – maybe he can get the job done with an easier trip? (1) BR OOKDALE MIKI arrived from Canada to a new barn and delivered a game victory vs. the 15s – the rail should help him handle tonight’s jump to 20s, and make him a very live player once more. (4) BLACK HAWK JOE A returned sharp in 2026, rallying to just miss on 1/19 then blowing out a field of 15s last week – he’s another that definitely earned a move up in class, and would be no surprise in here. (4) ULYSSES was beaten by 7 lengths when 2nd to #3 last week but he was claimed by our leading trainer that night, so he’s more than eligible to improve significantly – another with a chance. (7) BETTOR BY SEASIDE gets the class drop he needs, but not the post he wants…would need to be a pretty good price to use on top from out here. (5) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins but is always eligible to grab a piece, when he lands on an easy trip. (6) AUSSIE HANOVER and (8) GALANTE HANOVER are the only 2 in here that would really be complete surprises

RACE 9 – (2) SMOOTH LOU was in tough spots for his first 2 starts this year but he was a BIG “go” last week, and can be forgiven for coming up 2nd best to a sharp winner (while well ahead of the others) – chance to make amends tonight. (2) BAD BOY TOO has been facing cheaper at Monti but has delivered some big miles lately – he moves to a barn that can pick one up in a hurry, and he’s no stranger to the Yonkers winner’s circle – possibility! (7) FAMILY RECIPE has been stuck on smaller pieces for quite a while, and tonight’s draw seems likely to limit him again. (4) JOHNNY CHIP has just one start in 6 weeks and folded badly that night – his best effort could put him in the hunt here, but that 2-1 ML price is just way too low! (1) METAMAN hasn’t been a threat in ages, and his only asset here would seem to be the draw. (6) ROCK THIS WAY looked well short last week – we’ll see if he can improve with a start under his belt. (5) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING finished 3rd last week but it was mostly by default – not sure the 14YO can replicate that moving away from the rail tonight. (8) CONTACT ZONE was 3rd last week, mostly thanks to a very easy trip – Post 8 does figure to slow him down considerably

RACE 10 – (3) PEACE OUT POSSE was invisible 2 back but he took all kinds of $$ last week and turned in a BIG effort, only losing to another ultra-well-meant rival – he’s a streaky horse, and deserves a chance to make amends tonight. (7) SHAKESPEARE was in tight for too long last week and it may have cost him a chance to win – he’s been “extra unreliable” lately, but would have a chance tonight IF he brings his best…and IF he can find a decent trip. (5) GENTLE GIANT is capable of beating better fields than this one when sharp, but hasn’t been on his best game so far in 2026 – would give him a look if the price is juicy enough. (6) MR PROFETA was 8th last week but still only 3 lengths back at the wire – he has a couple of ok recent tries, and isn’t a bad bomb for the bottom of exotics. (2) JACKS LEGEND N’ flashed a better effort 2 back but reverted to his “no factor” form last week – he just doesn’t win very often any more, so insist on a big price if considering on top. (4) ALWAYS ROCKIN has been camera shy the past couple of years, and not really sharp right now – minor spoils? (1) FIZZING N draws the pole but had no wins and just one 2nd from 33 local starts last year. (8) ALDDIN seemed like a shaky claim for $25K on 12/10 and is still struggling to get anything going.