Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 18, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – Wide open: (1) EVER M was in a hopeless spot last week but was full of pace coming through the wire – he wins his fair share of starts, his barn is off to a great start in 2026, and he may be able to land on a winning trip from the pole. (7) PINK FLOYD HANOVER changed up his tactics last week and was even MORE effective from off the pace, delivering a powerful brush to blow by the leaders and draw off to his 3rd win in 4 starts – he lands in yet another new barn tonight but still has to be feared…even from out here. (4) SETH HANOVER is the only horse to beat #7 in the last 4 weeks (on 2/4), but he ended up with a terrible trip last week and lost all chance – he could end up with a much better journey tonight, and that puts him right back in the hunt. (2) BLACK EDITION N caught a hot mile last week but kept on trying and stayed on for 3rd – if things get testy in front of him tonight, he may be able to make some late noise. (6) SHAKE IT earned himself a move up to 20s after back to back jogburgers in 15s and he raced very well for 2nd, rallying from well back (behind #7)– tough spot here, but another that can do damage with the right scenario. (3) CELLMATE should appreciate the drop back to 20s but he does land in a field of very sharp players…not sure if he can be a major threat. (5) THE BIZNESS N throws more lesser efforts than big ones – leaning elsewhere. (8) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL would be a major surprise from all the way out here

RACE 2 – (3) YUENGLING had been going through a rough patch before that form-reversing win on 12/11, but is now 6-4-1-0 in her last 5 starts – clearly the one to beat in this field, but likely a VERY short price! (5) COALFORD SNSHINE GB had been off her game for a while but used her speed the last 2 weeks to secure two hole trips (from bad posts), and lasted for 3rds both times – chance to grab another nice trip tonight, and take home another good chunk. (7) UNCONTROLLED races well week after week but isn’t blessed with much early speed, and that has kept her out of the winner’s circle for a while – she gave #3 a nice battle in her last, but may have a tougher time doing so tonight, after drawing so poorly. (4) MIKI THE CLOWN races ok more often than not, and remains a viable option for the bottom of exotics. (2) CRÈME DELIGHT dropped down to 20s last week but never got in play – maybe the move inside can help her at least contend for a piece? (6) ANNELIESE HANOVER was “sneaky ok” at the back of the pack last week but tonight’s draw may leave her waiting for a better spot. (1) FORTUNADA has been away since 11/25 and most (not all) of her barnmates have come up short off the layoffs.

RACE 3 – (1) TOP GUN HANOVER took a couple of starts to start clicking for our top trainer but he’s now won 3 of his last 4, the lone loss being a 2nd to equally sharp barnmate KEWPIE DOLL (in PA) – he’s missed a month but that probably isn’t a concern, as he won here easily on 1/21 off a similarly bad date! (4) GREEN MEL came up 2nd best to the top choice on 1/21 (after moving to the nation’s leading barn), won his next, then landed on an impossible trip last week – remains the main danger. (2) MONI MAN had a lot of success on the Mass. Sire Stake circuit for his previous connections – he makes his 2nd start tonight for his new crew, and it’s hard to say how well he fits class-wise with the top two…suppose we’ll learn more tonight. (3) YOU GUESSED IT likes to win races and gave it a good front end try when 3rd last week – probably looking at minor spoils tonight, though. (5) SUNBURNT SILVER ADO seems a bit below the main players – he draws “worst”, but at least it’s only a 5 horse field

RACE 4 – (4) FOXHUNT struggled in his first start off the claim but was back on his game last week, delivering a sharp front end score – he earned the move up to 25s with that win, and we’ll give him the narrow edge for tonight. (6) BLACK HAWK JOE A benefited from the winter break and returned a much better horse, charging home for 2nd in his first start of the year then following that up with back to back front end blowouts – Kelly sticks with him (over #4, understandably), and it would obviously be no surprise to see him extend his current winning streak to 3. (1) EV ER HOPING A had just been “ok” in recent starts before offering some good late pace from well back in his last – he moves all the way inside and IF he can build off last week’s better effort, maybe he can give the top pair a tussle. (2) CHICKEN N DICE landed on an absolute dream trip last week and was able to shake loose late and nail a pair of long-battling leaders…at a HUGE 54-1 price - not sure he can be quite as fortunate tonight, though. (3) C BET HAN OVER is a solid player at this level but he’s been away for a month (after being scratched injured) and we’ll stick with others, for now. (5) DONTTELLMENOW was really struggling before going on the shelf back in November

RACE 5 – Good race: (1) CIVILIAN DRONE was 2nd here in a pair of NYSS at 2 but had a tough 3YO campaign, going 0 for 23 – he changed trainers to start off 2026 and immediately posted a solid victory at Stga -- could be a big threat in what shapes up as a nice race on paper. (5) ROTHKO also ships in from Stga, and shows plenty of moves in his starts – he picks up Brennan for his local debut, and has plenty of appeal at that 8-1 ML price. (4) BEERNSU NSHINE DEO has been solid for weeks, usually using her good gate speed to grab nice trips – no reason she can’t be right in the thick of it once more. (2) MESSENGER HANOVER continues to take plenty of $$ every week despite disappointing regularly – would consider underneath only. (6) KANON LASER DK won his local debut for our leading barn but “survived” is probably a better description – he was no factor on his last, and gets a bad draw for tonight. (7) ENTERTAIN ME upped his game 2 back and was able to deliver a 31-1 upset – he followed that up with a solid try for 3rd last week, and would have been listed higher if not for the terrible draw. (3) BELMONDO made a silly three wide move to 3/4s last week and it cost him a chance to be closer at the end (he really wasn’t bad) – a better trip would give him a chance at a small slice. (8) STOVID draws Post 8 off a bad date arriving from Canada for his new barn and the guess is that he’ll be handled very conservatively tonight

RACE 6 – (3) TAKE A CLOSER LOOK won his last pair before the winter break but has been stuck finishing behind TIN ROOF RAIDER N in his 3 starts in 2026 - he was probably thankful NOT to see that rival in the field this week, and perhaps he can get back to the winner’s circle tonight. (2) LOUS BEACH dropped to 15s last start, got parked the mile from Post 8 (behind another parked horse) and still somehow finished 4th – maybe he can build off that mile and do some bigger damage here…with a better trip! (1) MAJOR POCKET A was sent off as the odds-on choice last week, grabbed snail-like fractions while parking 2 rivals but still wasn’t able to hold off the tripsitter in a very slow 1:58.4 mile – he’s been good for too long to write him off after that one try…but you’ll want a (much) better price tonight if giving him another chance on top. (7) LETSMAKELOTSAMONEY gets a terrible draw for his YR debut but moves to a barn that picks up fresh stock routinely, and he’s listed at 20-1 ML with Gingras – has to be worth at least a look! (4) ULYSSES drops back down to 15s after a horrific try vs. the 20s – perhaps he’ll shrug it off and bring a good one tonight, but he’s pretty tough to recommend as the 9/5 ML favorite! (6) ROCKINBILLYSDREAM wins his fair share but he does his best work on/near the lead and may have trouble grabbing that kind of trip tonight. (5) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING is still dropping in the box regularly at age 14…but probably would like to be facing much softer stock at this point in his career

RACE 7 – (5) MARIN COUNTY showed speed last week that we hadn’t seen in his first 30 starts as he blasted to the lead from Post 8, yielded to the prohibitive favorite but blew up unexpectedly on turn two (apparently due to an equipment issue) – absolutely deserves a chance tonight to get it right! (3) IDITOROD picked up his first local win 3 starts back then hit board in his last pair – racing well now and a logical player. (4) MR INSTIGATOR worked hard trying to chase last week’s runaway winner and only lost the place spot (to #3) late in the mile – chance to be a player once more. (6) BO SILAS draws his 6th terrible post in the last 7 starts but has still managed to stay in decent form – chance for a small slice with some racing luck. (2) SISTER LO had some decent tries at 3, though finished distanced in her only local try – she makes her first start back in 2026 tonight (without hopples) but her trainer has really struggled here over the years, and that 3-1 ML price is a turn off. (1) BROMAX just never really got in gear in his start last week – eligible to improve, but still leaning elsewhere. (7) BABY TAO is hard to fault off his current Stga. form but he’ll be class tested tonight, and will also have to overcome Post 7. (8) HIPPIE SHAKE goes for a new barn this year – guessing she’ll be handled conservatively after drawing Post 8

RACE 8 – (7) SHINE A LIGHT gobbled up ground from the final turn 2 back as he rallied from 5th to 2nd at 30-1… he was sent off at 3/5 the next week and delivered the sharp front end score – he’s very sharp right now, and may be able to take another (at a better price!) from Post 7. (1) TIN ROOF RAIDER A draws the pole after winning 3 in a row to start off 2026 – Bartlett back on board, but he does go for a new barn tonight…maybe he’ll be at least a bit vulnerable? (5) BAD BOY TOO went a big try for 2nd upon joining his new barn last week – a similar effort could put him right back into the hunt. (4) DEEDENUTO A has some ok efforts hidden in some of those lesser looking lines – chance for a small piece at a big price. (3) LEAR SEELSTER was caught behind a quitter to 3/4s last week and lost all chance – he did have some decent efforts (out of town) not too long ago, and is another bomb with a chance for a minor share. (2) CAVIART SKIPPER was 0 for 37 last year, with 15 of those losses coming here at Yonkers – he’s also missed 25 days since his last start in NJ. (6) METAMAN was able to take home 3rd last week, thanks mostly to drawing the rail – probably won't fare as well after drawing Post 6

RACE 9 – (5) MOVIN ON UP came to life with a wake up call 3rd four starts back – he used a strong brush to win his next, battled hard on the lead to just miss the next week then was involved in another hard-used front end try last week, barely missing upon dropping in for $25K – he drops to 20s tonight, and we’ll see if that can get him back over the hump. (1) HURRIKANEKINGJAMES’ efforts can vary from week to week, and the last 2 starts are a perfect example – he goes for a new barn tonight and IF he’s able to bring his “A Game”, he can be a very dangerous player from this spot. (3) STATESIDELCKDWN GB had been just “ok” for a few weeks but brought a bigger effort last week, just missing after being bothered a bit to the top of the lane – can be a threat if he can build off that mile. (4) DELIGHTFUL TERROR changes hands once more, and just seems well off the form that saw him win 9 races here last year – we’ll watch for any improvement. (8) BETTOR BY SEASIDE is back at a level he likes, but another horrible post figures to derail him once more. (2) GALANTE A still races well out of town, but his local efforts have been lacking for a long time! (7) AUSSIE HANOVER wasn’t horrible last week, but faces an uphill battle trying to get anywhere near the action from out here. (6) BETTORBUCKLEUP had to re-qualify after finishing distanced in his 2026 return – remains on the “watch only” list.

RACE 10 – (3) SMOOTH LOU gave it a big try when 2nd two back, then followed that up with a sharp front end score last week– he’s thriving at this $15K level, and we’ll give him a shot to repeat. (4) ROCK THIS WAY finished markedly better in his 2nd start off the layoff and has won his fair share of races here…never a bad one to consider at a price. (5) HARD WORKIN MAN was ok from a hopeless spot last week, has won here in the past and is another possible value horse to consider (12-1 ML). (6) ALBERT ALPHA was helped by an opportunistic trip last week but still raced much better in his 2nd start for a new barn – definitely worth considering for exotics. (2) ROCKET FREIG HT landed on a perfect trip last week and was able to rally by the hard pressed leader in a slow mile – if the trip ends up just as good tonight, he can be around at the end once more. (8) WICHITA LINEMAN shows a couple of out of town wins at the end of 2025 but draws horribly for 2026 return and while hjs overall Yonkers history is good, he was just 12-0-0-3 here last year – it’s interesting that Bartlett did take him, but that 7/2 ML price is unattractive. (1) FULL SUPPORT backed through the field in his last – it may have been a minor issue, but he would still be tough to endorse off that mile. (7) CONTACT ZONE struggled all the way from Post 8 last week – doesn’t draw much better tonight