10/30/22
11 AQU The Empire Classic
$250.000 3yo&Up Foaled In NY 1 1/8m Dirt 3yo 121lbs Older 124lbs
It’s a big day of NY-bred stakes action at the unusual BEL-at-AQU meet, and we catch a real nice group of eight gents for The Empire Classic, a mile and an eighth stakes on the main oval. I’m giving Stolen the nod today, although this is a tough group. I think his graded experience sets him up for a win in this one. Force Of The Shark will be second pick, as he’s been making a good living vs. the NY-bred types, and just missed in the OK Derby (GIII) last out… you can make a case for a number of others and it should be a great race.
Here’s The Field –
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Joe Grind | Night Rider Stables | Castellano J J | 124 | 7/2 |
He really hasn’t run a bad race this season showing two wins back in May, but has also been close in a few graded efforts. When your worst race of the year is a fast closing fifth in the Awsome Again (GI), you know it’s a solid season. I’d give this one a big look today.
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Jump The Line | Mb Stables | Cedillo A | 121 | 9/2 |
The big barn always comes loaded and no difference here as this one has been running big in the NY-bred races, winning the NY Derby at FL back in July. He was fourth in the Wood Memorial (GII) over this track, and it was muddy that day. He should be in the mix.
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Day Of Black | Night Rider Stables | Prat F | 124 | 6/1 |
Second half of the Night Rider duo and was doing fairly well, but the last three have been a bit lacking. Won the Commentator at BEL, beating similar, but was fourth in the SD Hcp, last of fourteen in the JC Gold Cup (GI) and sixth in the Lukas (GII) at CD, last out. This is softer, but he needs to turn it around.
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Rent Free | Mb Stables | Hernandez R M | 121 | 5/1 |
Another from the big barn and he looked good winning an Alw race at MTH before that third place finish in the PRX Dirt Mile, last out. He’s been on the board in five of seven seasonal starts, so he can run, no doubt.
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Seydoux II | Arindel | Jaramillo E | 124 | 7/1 |
Claimed for $50.000 before that last out third vs OptAlw types at SAR, on a wet surface at the Spa. This is a bit of a step up from his recent company, so he’s going to need his best to be in the running with these.
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Stolen | D J C Racing Stables | Velazquez J R | 124 | 3/1 |
Only one win this season, but it was a big one, taking the Brooklyn (GII) at BEL, but he’s been close in a number of other graded races, so this NY-bred stuff could be much easier. His best will certainly make him tough.
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Catch A Buzz | Threshold | Moran D | 124 | 8/1 |
He’s still looking for his first win of the ’22 season, but has been close in a a number of races. Still, this is going to be a tough spot for him to bring home a check, unless he surprises me.
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Force Of The Shark | Arindel | Saez L | 121 | 7/2 |
Had his 3-race win streak snapped, all vs. NY-breds, by the way, when he was the runner up in the OK Derby (GIII) at RP last out. Three wins and three seconds from nine ’22 starts, yeah, he’s sure to be in the mix today.
COZMAN 6 / 8 Willie’s Green Card 1 / 6 / 8
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
