The Empire Classic
1 1/8 on Dirt Purse $250
For Three Year Olds And Upward Foaled In NY
Belmont Park, Elmont, NY

–Stumble from Mb Stables draws the rail and catches a small field of only five total runners for this state-bred stakes race Saturday at Belmont Park. The only negative showing is the Stumble likes to leave the latch on his own pace and then crank things up late and that could be a problem here looking at this small cast. There is no doubt however that he is clearly the horse to beat and should be a very short price. Never Hold Back from The Sidley Stud falls into a good spot here. “Back” has more tactical speed than the top choice and the seven-year-old should pose a troublesome target throughout. Will surely have the green light to take them as far as he can. Propector Gambler from Acber Farms is a sharp four year old if you throw out the last race turf debacle and clearly you should. Gambler ran solid two starts back in The Cornhusker Handicap and a repeat of that race should make him a threat.

Of The Rest;

Criminal Law from DJC Racing Stables is a four-year-old that has run against very good competition the bulk of his career. He has banked more than $1200 and been to the winner’s circle five times. However, he has fallen on hard times since a win in April of this year over a track listed as “good”. He has not finished better than sixth in five starts since that April victory. If he is ever going to get back on track, this should be the spot for a much-improved effort.

Term Limits from TwinTowers Racing is a three-year-old facing a couple salty older runners and two four-year-olds with nine wins between them, in other words, he looks in deep Saturday. He did run well at Philadelphia last time, so there might be a glimmer of hope for those taking a flyer.

-Trackman

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded