Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – (1) YOU BEDA ROCK delivered back-to-back blowout wins in December but was then derailed by a couple of 8 holes – she was able to rally from way back in her last to be a close 3rd, and a much more aggressive effort can be expected from the pole tonight. (4) EBONY LADY (former barnmate to #1) was brutally parked in her first start of the year then finished up with good pace last week, after a conservative trip – she takes a meaningful drop to 20s tonight, retains Bartlett, and a big effort is expected from her, as well. (5) MC ANGEL picked up her only win of the year in her last start of 2025, and has carried that good form into the new year – drawing outside a pair of very live rivals may hurt her chances a bit, however. (7) SP DANCINWITHSTARZ was in all kinds of road trouble last week before Brennan found her some room, and she responded with a crisp finish to be right there – she’s listed at 20-1 ML, but she’s capable of outracing those odds if she can find some trip luck. (6) I LOVED HER FIRST was in tight last week and it’s hard to say what she had in the tank – she’s a steady player in this class, but may struggle a bit after drawing poorly. (2) REMI LOU A was racing well vs. cheaper (for a different barn) not too long ago but is a question mark taking on the local 20s – suppose we’ll get a clearer picture after tonight. (3) BLUE BIRD CRUSH is 8-0-0-1 locally and seems a bit below the top ones. (8) SPEAK YOUR MIND seems buried here.

RACE 2 – (2) DRINKING PROBLEMS was starting to race very well at the end of his 2YO season and after missing 3 weeks, was terrific here in his local debut last week, a sharp 2nd best (to the favorite) in his first start at 3 – Bartlett gives him a big vote of confidence staying on board, and we’ll go with him as well. (5) TRUMP THE WAR RIOR was sent off at 1/5 for his local debut, and was already struggling on the final turn before he made that miscue – it’s way too soon to write him off but he does figure to be heavily backed once more, and Bartlett did opt to stay with #2 – some mixed feelings, for sure. (7) IDITOROD struggled in his first 4 local tries but ended up with a dream trip last week and was able to cash in with a victory – it’ll be hard to replicate that from Post 7, but he still looms a threat to land somewhere on the ticket. (6) ENTERTAIN ME got away with easy fractions on the lead last week but still wilted in the lane, even after being helped by #5s miscue on the final turn – still, a chance for a small piece. (8) MASSETO was no factor in either local start and draws worst for tonight – suppose he can grab some minor spoils, just by staying trotting (3) IMPRESSIVE LANDING did some good things last year but lately he has more scratches than races – a question mark, for sure! (4) ZIDANE KEMP arrives off a nice NJ qualifier and gets the services of Beckwith – he also tends to make breaks more often than he behaves. (1) CAPTAINESS SAWYER broke in 3 of her 5 times behind the gate but did show some ability in the other two – definitely risky in her Yonkers debut.

RACE 3 – (3) FIRST CLASS RULE broke in his first 2 local tries but was able to behave (and race excellent) in his last 3, which includes a win, a 2nd to the streaking DIPLOMACY, and last week’s sharp first over 2nd, after missing 6 weeks – deserves the nod tonight. (1) SENSI AMNESIA has been a rock solid player in this class, even if a bit light in the win column – could be right there with a good trip. (2) YOU GUESSED IT won 4 of 7 local starts last year, with breaks in the 3 losses– he’s missed some time since that sharp 1/10 qualifier, but a good price makes him worth at least a look. (5) EXQUISITE TASTE used all of a perfect trip to win as the favorite in her local debut– she’ll need to kick in sooner tonight if she hopes for a chance to make it 2 in a row. (6) KAYS IN CHARGE had a busy effort in her first try for our leading trainer and is eligible to be even sharper tonight – tough draw, however. (4) SUNBURNT SILVERADO weakened in the lane after cutting the mile last week – leaning more towards others tonight.

RACE 4 – (1) PINK FLOYD HANOVER took some “sneaky money” two back and wired the field confidently – he was sent off as the odds-on choice in his last, and was even more dominant…remains the one to beat, after drawing the pole! (2) SETH HANOVER raced “ok” last week from a tough spot after arriving from Monti – he should find himself much closer to the action tonight, and that could lead to a better result. (8) BELMONT MAJOR N made the top from Post 7 last week, got blown away by an insanely sharp THEFLYINGROCK to 3/4s but still only lost 2nd nearing the wire – chance for big chunk tonight, despite another terrible draw. (7) JACKS LEGEND N found better form at Monti recently and his last start was better than it may look on paper – good value horse for exotics. (3) UP THE CREEK was racing off a bad date last time and did finish with some sneaky late life – gets Bartlett and a good draw, and a piece is within reach. (4) LOUS BEACH is trying to find his form after returning from the winter break – others seem sharper right now. (6) BE DAZZLED LOU A is racing ok out of town, has won here in the past but gets a tough draw. (5) HES SPECIAL was 2nd to #1 last start but unlikely to get such a perfect trip tonight

RACE 5 – Tough race! (3) SMOOTH LOU was in bad spots for both 2026 starts but gets a better draw in a softer field tonight, and may be able to handle this assignment – one of many with a chance in here. (4) BROOKDALE MIKI won a couple of races in Canada not too long ago, gets Lasix added for a new barn and Gingras in the bike – a few good angles (7) ROCK THIS WAY has been away since September but qualified ok behind a $40K claimer, and has won his fair share at Yonkers - brutal draw, though! (6) FAMILY RECIPE will attract plenty of $$ off the class drop but he really hasn’t been sharp, and gets a tough draw – could be vulnerable. (5) METAMAN has been stuck on smaller pieces for some time, and may be destined for the same tonight. (8) HARD WORKIN MAN fits well with this crew, but it won’t be easy to overcome the awful draw. (2) CONTACT ZONE was dead short off the layoff – still in “watch mode” only. (1) LYONS PEGASUS was just 31-1-2-1 in ’25 and off to a similar looking start in ‘26

RACE 6 – (5) TOPVILLE SOMEBEACH was in excellent form to close out last year and returned just as sharp in 2026, easily wiring the field last start (despite 5 weeks off) – he meets some solid rivals tonight, but just may be the sharpest right now. (7) KARLOO BRADLEY N worked hard chasing a hot pace last week but was still fresh enough in the lane to pace on by the favored frontrunner – his barn has been sending out some scary performers lately, and this guy has to be respected, even from out here. (2) CELLMATE bounced back from a no-factor try on 1/19 to be a solid rallying 3rd last week – he recently won 4 straight, and could be right in the hunt tonight with the move inside. (1) LYRICAL GENIUS A will attract attention tonight with the class drop and the rail and he does figure to be part of the action most/all of the way – he’s also notoriously camera-shy, so make sure to get a fair price if using on top. (3) SCRIBBLERS put in a nice bid last week before flattening into the lane – consider for 3rd/4th at that 20-1 ML price. (4) REIGNING DEO seemed to bottom out chasing a hot pace last week, and will need to be sharper if he hopes to be a bigger player tonight. (6) HEAVE AWAY was a frequent winner in 2025 but just doesn’t seem to be in fighting shape just yet. (8) CHICKEN N DICE was almost guaranteed to be parked if he left last week – Post 8 now

RACE 7 – (4) MANFORCE is still looking for his first Yonkers victory but he was ok 2 back (off the winter break) and actually very good last week – maybe he can trip out and deliver a mild upset. (5) LOOKATMEGOAMIGO was pretty well backed for his local debut, was in a good spot turning for home but just came up light in the lane – he may be worth sticking with, especially since his price should be better. (1) MESSENGER HANOVER disappointed as the favorite 2 back, and was just an “ok” 2nd off a perfect trip last week – his connections always merit a ton of respect, but he may end up considerably overbet (8/5 ML). (6) KANON LASER DK won his first start in the U.S. (at Chester) then was a winner last week in his Hilltop debut– he wasn’t overly “impressive”, however, and will need to be sharper if he hopes to repeat. (7) BO SILAS is 0 for 14 at Yonkers over the last 3 years but he picks up a lot of pieces and may be able to do so tonight – good bomb for the bottom of exotics. (3) THE TIME MACHINE turned in a pair of promising efforts off the barn change but then struggled in his next 2 starts – he’s been away since 12/17, and the guess is that he’ll be handled conservatively tonight. (2) MELISSA P rallied for 3rd in a fall apart race last start but still seems a notch below. (8) BELMONDO figures to have a tough time getting close from out here

RACE 8 – (2) FOXHUNT never got going last week but he’s gone some big miles here in the past, and he may appreciate the move inside – would be a big threat if he brings anything close to his best effort vs. these. (4) BLACK EDITION N had some sneaky pace finishing here on 12/12 and returns from NJ after racing from tough spots in his last pair – feels like a good fit, especially with Jordan hopping on board. (5) EVER M did a nice job rallying for 2nd behind a runaway winner last time, and won 4 of 14 starts here last year – can be dangerous if the trip goes his way. (7) GALANTE A always seems to ship in with good form out of town…but was just 1 for 30 locally over the past 2 years – would need a good price to consider him on top. (3) HIGH ON ROCKNROLL never wins, but he’s also not a bad one for the bottom of exotics (at big prices). (1) AUSSIE HANOVER hasn’t been a threat in ages – can the rail help him grab a small slice? (6) THE BIZZNESS N has been an “all or nothing” horse for some time…but with more “nothing” than “all” lately. (8) DIAMONDBEACH drops back to 20s, but Post 8 may offset that benefit

RACE 9 – (6) SHAKE IT flew off the car and never looked back last week, crushing his rivals– anything resembling that mile crushes these too. (2) FULL SUPPORT had a solid effort off the winter break, easily besting the others for 3rd (behind the dominant top pair) – looms the clear choice to complete the (short) exacta. (4) ROCKET FREIGHT likely needed that last start (after the winter break) but should be ready to at least contend for a piece, with that mile under his belt. (7) ALBERT ALPHA would be hard to like off his (dismal) lines but he moves to a new barn, so there’s at least a chance for some improvement. (3) LEAR SEELSTER ships in off a poor effort but has some better tries not too long ago – needs to find one of those better efforts. (8) DEETZY ended 2025 poorly and his first start of ’26 was dull as well…now 8 hole. (5) MOONLIGHT SHADOW has been struggling for a very long time. (1) MID NIGHT LIGHTNING is still racing at age 14…but hasn’t been better than 7th in his last 8 starts!