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Ny Traffic, Shipsational Take Stakes On Empire Showcase Day

CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm's Americanrevolution, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher and expertly piloted by Luis Saez, successfully stepped up against older company to capture the featured $300,000 Empire Classic on Saturday's lucrative Empire Showcase Day card, at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

The special 10-race card devoted to horses bred in the Empire State boasted six stakes worth a combined $1.35 million.

“Today's Empire Showcase Day was a prime example of the success and integral role the New York-bred program has in the thoroughbred racing industry,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “Each of our three annual showcase days highlight the quality of talent being produced by the breeders of our state and the opportunities available in incentives for breeders, along with exceptional purses for owners and horsemen.”

Americanrevolution, a sophomore son of Constitution bred by Fred W. Hertrich, III and John D. Fielding, completed a hat trick of wins in August with an impressive five-length win in the nine-furlong Albany on New York Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The talented chestnut entered Saturday's test from a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on September 25 at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Penn. He made his return to state-bred company a winning one with a convincing 11 3/4-length score in the nine-furlong event for 3-year-olds and up which was contested over a sloppy and sealed main track in Race 9.

Sea Foam, winner of the Evan Shipman in August at the Spa, led the field through splits of 22.85 and 45.84 with two-time Empire Classic winner Mr. Buff tracking in second and Americanrevolution outside rivals and clear in third. Americanrevolution advanced at will through the turn, overtaking Sea Foam at the head of the lane and powered home to a visually-impressive score in 1:49.11.

Wild Banker completed the exacta by a nose over Sea Foam. Danny California, Captain Bombastic, Tiergan, Three Jokers, and Mr. Buff rounded out the order of finish.

Americanrevolution graduated at second asking sprinting six furlongs against older company over Big Sandy on June 20 and followed with a romping 7 1/4-length score in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes ahead of his Albany coup. A $275,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Sale, Americanrevolution is out of the Super Saver mare Polly Freeze. Sent to post as the 2-5 mutuel favorite, Americanrevolution paid $2.90 for a $2 win bet.

Elliott Walden, President and CEO of WinStar Farm, said the Constitution chestnut has proven to be among the elite sophomores currently in training.

“He's a very nice horse. I think he's probably the ninth or tenth best 3-year-old in the country right now,” Walden said. “Some of the better ones are retiring after this year so if he comes back well, who knows how it goes next year. He's certainly done nothing wrong and I'm very excited of what's ahead for him.”

Barry Schwartz's Sharp Starr made a triumphant return to stakes company, rallying from last-of-10 to post a 3 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 Empire Distaff for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going 1 1/16 miles in Race 8.

The 4-year-old Munnings filly, who won the Grade 3 Go for Wand to cap her sophomore season in December at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y., looked fresh in her first start in more than two months, overtaking Make Mischief at the top of the stretch and powering home a winner in a 1:44.23 final time for trainer Horacio DePaz.

Sharp Starr, off at 16-1, was put under a hold by Jose Ortiz as Trinni Luck led the field through the opening quarter in :23.19, the half in :46.62, and three-quarters in 1:10.91. Ortiz utilized a ground-saving trip before tipping Sharp Starr out entering the turn. With Make Mischief overtaking the tiring pacesetter, Sharp Starr took aim at her rival and overtook her in the stretch to register her first win in five starts this year. Sharp Starr, bred by Stonewell Farm, returned $34.40 in improving to 4-3-3 in 14 starts while increasing her career bankroll to $224,545.

DePaz said Sharp Starr could look to defend her title in the one-mile $250,000 Grade 3 Go for Wand on December 4 at Aqueduct.

“It's definitely a possibility,” DePaz said. “She handled the mile and a sixteenth fine here, so we'll see what her perfect distance will be. We'll keep that race under consideration.”

Ice Princess rallied for second under Saez, with Make Mischief running third. Mrs. Orb, Bank Sting, Maiden Beauty, Dancing Kiki, Byhubbyhellomoney, Trinni Luck, and Vienna Code completed the order of finish.

Iris Smith Stable's Shipsational kicked off the stakes action on Empire Showcase Day by fending off 4-5 favorite Overstep's re-rally effort to win the $250,000 Sleepy Hollow for juveniles contesting a one-turn mile in Race 3.

The Edward Barker-trained Shipsational, who captured the Bertram F. Bongard on September 26 at Belmont, notched his second consecutive stakes win by leading the six-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in :24.09, the half in :47.74, and three-quarters in 1:12.45 over a sloppy and sealed track.

Entering the stretch, Saez kept 6-5 Shipsational to task, repelling Overstep's bid from the outside under Irad Ortiz, Jr. to post a half-length victory, completing the course in a final time of 1:38.32 while paying $4.60 on a $2 win bet. Following Overstep was Who Hoo That's Me, Sterling Hill, Excursionniste, and Sundaeswithsandy completing the order of finish.

Shipsational, now 3-for-4 to start his career, could now target the 1 1/8-mile $250,000 Grade 2 Remsen on December 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Barker said he is looking forward to trying the Midshipman colt [bred by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone] around two turns for the first time in a race that offers 10-4-2-1 qualifying points to the 2022 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.

John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic splashed to an emphatic 8 3/4-length victory in the $150,000 Hudson, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up in Race 5.

Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr and piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., the 4-year-old Cross Traffic gray, bred by Brian Culnan, returned from a two-month layoff with vigor, taking over from pacesetter Foolish Ghost at the top of the lane and powering home in a final time of 1:17.51. The late-running Chestertown, who advanced up the rail through the turn before angling out for the stretch run, completed the exacta. Jemography, Foolish Ghost, Amundson, Our Last Buck, Judge N Jury, and Bronx Bomber rounded out the order of finish. Kaz's Beach was scratched.

Joseph, Jr. said the 2020 Grade 1 Haskell runner-up will now target the $750,000 Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap on December 4 at the Big A.

“He won well. The slop was a bit of a concern, but he had trained really well into this race and ran good,” Joseph, Jr. said. “It seems like one-turn is what he wants to do. I think we'll give the Cigar Mile a shot.”

Ny Traffic improved his record to 16-4-4-2 with purse earnings of $754,920. He paid $3.90.

Bloom Racing Stable homebred The Important One broke sharp and led the six-horse field gate-to-wire to notch her first career stakes win by posting a 6 1/4-length score in the $150,000 Iroquois for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs in Race 6.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, The Important One was sent to the front from post 2 under jockey Jose Lezcano, posting an opening quarter-mile in :23.04 with the half in :45.70. In the stretch, the 4-year-old Majestic City filly drew away from runner-up Miss Jimmy, hitting the wire in 1:18.03. The Important One, making her first stakes appearance in eight starts, ran her win streak to three while improving to 5-0-3 in 13 career starts for purse earnings to $278,190.

The Important One, one of three horses in the race off at 2-1, returned $6.20. Completing the order of finish behind Miss Jimmy was slight favorite Espresso Shot, Hannah Dances, Fight On Lucy, and Letmetakethiscall.

NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds' Venti Valentine, trained by Jorge Abreu with Ortiz Jr. up, made her stakes debut a winning one in the $250,000 Maid of the Mist, a one-turn mile for juvenile fillies in Race 7.

Sandy's Garden set splits of :23.24 and :46.68 under pressure from Sue Ellen Mishkin as Venti Valentine, who broke a step slow, saved ground in third. Ortiz, Jr. gave Venti Valentine her cue through the turn, advancing with purpose and finding racing room outside the tiring Sandy's Garden as the field straightened away. Once presented, the Firing Line chestnut, bred by Final Furlong Racing Stable and Maspeth Stable, drew off impressively to win by 3 3/4-lengths in a final time of 1:39.78. Captainsdaughter rallied from far back to complete the exacta.

Dufresne, Velvet Sister, Classic Lynne, Sandy's Garden, Vallelujah, and Sue Ellen Mishkin rounded out the order of finish. Luz was pulled up in the stretch run and vanned off. Starship Laoban was scratched.

Undefeated in two starts, Venti Valentine returned $8.70.

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Due to significant rainfall from a coastal storm that impacted Long Island Tuesday and Wednesday, a pair of $200,000 state-bred turf races originally scheduled for Saturday – the Ticonderoga for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, and the Mohawk for 3-year-olds and up – have been rescheduled for Friday, November 5, and Saturday, November 6, respectively.

Live racing returns Sunday at Belmont Park with a nine-race card highlighted by $200,000 Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up along with two divisions of the $100,000 Pumpkin Pie at seven furlongs over Big Sandy for fillies and mares. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

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Saturday’s Empire Showcase Day Draws Top New York-Breds To Belmont

A total of 100 New York-breds are entered for a special 10-race card on Saturday at Belmont Park to celebrate the best of New York for the annual Empire Showcase Day, featuring six stakes races worth $1.35 million, topped by the $300,000 Empire Classic and $250,000 Empire Distaff.

“Empire New York Showcase Day highlights the very best New York-breds in competition, displaying the talented thoroughbreds our state's breeders contribute to all divisions across New York racing,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “The day is a credit to not only our breeders, but horsemen, owners, and NYRA who have invested in the New York bred program with tremendous results. The lucrative purses and incentives eligible to New York breds makes our state-bred program exceptional. Empire Showcase Day caps our three annual stakes-laden all New York-bred cards on the NYRA circuit which have proven to be an attractive wagering product to bettors as well.”

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez, who has won 11 individual meet titles on the NYRA circuit, will be represented across four stakes by five horses Saturday, including Sundaeswithsandy [Sleepy Hollow], Bronx Bomber [Hudson], Trinni Luck [Empire Distaff], Danny California [Empire Classic] and Tiergan [Empire Classic].

“It's a very important day for us. We're here year round in New York and to be able to compete in these kinds of races is extra special,” Rodriguez said. “These type of horses don't come around often and this year we're lucky to have a couple horses that we claimed that are doing well right now.”

To win the nine-furlong Empire Classic, which is slated as Race 9, Michael Dubb and Karen Murphy's Danny California [post 6, Many Franco] will have to topple a talented field led by two-time race winner Mr. Buff and the upwardly mobile Americanrevolution.

Bred by West Point Thoroughbreds and 3C Thoroughbreds, the 6-year-old Afleet Alex chestnut was claimed for $40,000 in April and has posted a record of 1-1-2 in five starts for his new connections led by an optional-claiming score against open company on August 7 at Saratoga Race Course.

“He loves Saratoga so we gave him three races there this summer and he showed up every time,” Rodriguez said. “We've freshened him up and pointed him to this day and so far, so good.”

Tiergan [post 8, Irad Ortiz, Jr.], owned by Rodriguez in partnership with Michael Imperio and Andrew Gurdon, sports a ledger of 21-5-7-1. The 5-year-old Afleet Alex gelding, bred by Hibiscus Stables, captured the nine-furlong Ashley T. Cole over a muddy and sealed main track last out on September 24 at Belmont.

Chester and Mary Broman's homebred Mr. Buff [post 3, Junior Alvarado] has won the last two editions of the Empire Classic. The 7-year-old Friend Or Foe chestnut launched his current campaign with a pair of open-company stakes scores at Aqueduct Racetrack, taking the Jazil in January and the Stymie in February.

Trainer John Kimmel said he is hoping the strapping millionaire will return to winning from after a pair of off-the-board efforts.

“He's been training well into the Empire Classic,” Kimmel said. “It'll be a tough race, but he's been working really well.”

CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm's Americanrevolution [post 5, Luis Saez], bred by Fred W. Hertrich, III and John D. Fielding, boasts a record of 5-3-0-1 with purse earnings of $367,035. The Constitution sophomore won the New York Derby in July at Finger Lakes and the Albany in August at the Spa.

Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the $275,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Yearling Sale purchase enters from a good third in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on September 25 at Parx.

“He's coming off a big third against some more seasoned horses in the Pennsylvania Derby,” Pletcher said. “He's come a long way in a short period of time so the Empire Classic makes sense for him.”

Rounding out the field are Captain Bombastic [post 1, Jose Lezcano], Three Jokers [post 2, Jose Ortiz], Wild Banker [post 4, Dylan Davis], and Sea Foam [post 7, Kendrick Carmouche].

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Ryan Racing's homebred Trinni Luck [post 10, Franco] steps into stakes company for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile Empire Distaff in Race 8.

The 4-year-old Trinniberg bay enters on a three-race win streak, including a gate-to-wire 5 1/2-length romp last out traveling 1 1/16-miles against open company, garnering a career-best 87 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She beat some nice horses in that race and she was comfortable doing it. She's improving every time we run her,” Rodriguez said. “The race is coming up deep which is expected because it's $250,000 and a stakes.”

A talented field is led by Gary Barber's multiple graded-stakes placed Make Mischief [post 4, Ortiz, Jr.] for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.

Make Mischief worked five-eighths in 1:00.91 Friday over Big Sandy in preparation for the 1 1/16-mile Empire Distaff.

“She worked really well. She loves it here. I like the way she gets across the main track,” Casse assistant Shane Tripp said.

The Into Mischief bay graduated at first asking in June 2020 Belmont and followed with runner-up efforts in the Grade 3 Schuylerville and Grade 2 Adirondack, both at Saratoga.

Through nine sophomore starts, Make Mischief has posted a record of 3-1-2, including a win in the Maddie May in February at the Big A and a close third in the Grade 1 Acorn in June at Belmont. She finished second by a neck last out in the nine-furlong Fleet Indian on August 27 at the Spa.

A talented Empire Distaff field includes Ice Princess [post 1, Luis Saez], Sharp Starr [post 2, Jose Ortiz], Dancing Kiki [post 3, Jose Lezcano], Vienna Code [post 5, Jalon Samuel], Mrs. Orb [post 6, Dylan Davis], Bank Sting [post 7, Joel Rosario], Maiden Beauty [post 8, Kendrick Carmouche], and Byhubbyhellomoney [post 9, Eric Cancel].

The stakes action kicks off in Race 3 with the $250,000 Sleepy Hollow for juveniles going a one-turn mile as Iris Smith Stable's Shipsational [post 4, Saez] will attempt consecutive stakes victories for trainer Eddie Barker.

Bred by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone, the son of Midshipman will stretch out in distance following a two-length conquest of the Bertram F. Bongard on September 26 at Belmont Park.

Pletcher, a two-time winner of the Sleepy Hollow, will saddle Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Overstep [Ortiz, Jr., post 2] – a 6 ¾-length debut winner September 25 over Big Sandy.

Bred in New York by Chester and Mary Broman, who were named New York Breeder of the Year in six of the past ten years, Overstep was geared down at the wire of his last out maiden coup going six furlongs. The son of Into Mischief was acquired for $360,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Completing the field are Sundaeswithsandy [post 1, Manny Franco], Who Hoo Thats Me [post 3, Dylan Davis], Excursionniste [post 5, Jose Lezcano], and Sterling Hill [post 6, Eric Cancel].

John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, Paul Braverman and Team Hanley's Ny Traffic [post 8, Ortiz, Jr.], a 4-year-old Cross Traffic gray bred by Brian Culnan, returns to sprinting in the 6 1/2-furlong $150,000 Hudson for 3-year-olds and up in Race 5.

Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., Ny Traffic enjoyed a productive sophomore season through a record of 7-1-3-1, including a game runner-up effort to Authentic in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth.

Ny Traffic opened his current campaign with a dominant 6 3/4-length score in a seven-furlong state-bred optional claiming sprint, garnering a career-best 103 Beyer. He returned with a good second to Informative in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile ahead of off-the-board efforts traveling nine furlongs in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup in July and the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic on August 27.

A loaded Hudson field includes Judge N Jury [post 1, Saez], Chestertown [post 2, Lezcano], Foolish Ghost [post 3, Samuel], Amundson [post 4, Jose Ortiz], Jemography [post 5, Davis], Bronx Bomber [post 6, Jorge Vargas, Jr.], Our Last Buck [post 7, Franco], and Kaz's Beach [post 9, William Otero].

NY Final Furlong Racing Stable, Maspeth Stables and Parkland Thoroughbreds' Espresso Shot [post 6, Jose Ortiz] will make her final career start in the 6 1/2-furlong $150,000 Iroquois for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up in Race 6.

Trained by Jorge Abreu and bred by Twin Creeks Farm, the multiple stakes winning 5-year-old Mission Impazible mare boasts a record of 23-5-3-3 with purse earnings of $498,625. A two-length winner of the Biogio's Rose in March at the Big A, Espresso Shot will look to improve upon last year's fifth-place finish in this event.

Opposition will be provided by Miss Jimmy [post 1, Davis], The Important One [post 2, Lezcano], Hannah Dances [post 3, Luis Perez], Letmetakethiscall [post 4, Carmouche], and Fight On Lucy [post 5, Benjamin Hernandez].

In the $250,000 Maid of the Mist, a one-mile test for juvenile fillies carded as Race 7, Gold Square's homebred Sue Ellen Mishkin [post 6, Saez] will attempt to make amends from a distant seventh after a troubled trip in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga for trainer Jorge Abreu.

The daughter of Mohaymen dazzled in her August 13 debut at Saratoga, tracking a close second and drawing away to a 7 ¼-length triumph.

Abreu will also send out NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds' Venti Valentine [post 1, Ortiz, Jr.], who will attempt to parlay her come-from-behind debut maiden victory into stakes success. The daughter of Firing Line bested 11 other New York-bred juvenile fillies going six furlongs on September 26 at Belmont Park, overcoming a wide post and trip down the backstretch to find her best gear in the stretch to win by a nose.

Bred by NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Maspeth Stable, Venti Valentine is a half-sister to Espresso Shot.

Stonestreet Stables' Velvet Sister [post 7, Jose Ortiz] will vie to recapture her winning form from a first-out maiden victory in June at Belmont Park for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. The Bernardini bay, bred by Godolphin and Michelle Nevin, was a 9 ¾-length winner against open company going 5 ½ furlongs over Big Sandy en route to stakes placings against her New York-bred counterparts in the Seeking the Ante on August 17 at Saratoga and the Joseph A. Gimma on September 24 at Belmont Park.

Completing the field are Starship Laoban [post 2, Abner Adorno], Vallelujah [post 3, Jacqueline Davis], Classic Lynne [post 4, Dylan Davis], Sandy's Garden [post 5, Manny Franco], Captainsdaughter [post 8, Kendrick Carmouche], Dufresne [post 9, Jose Lezcano], and Luz [post 10, Samuel].

First post on Saturday's 10-race card is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

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Mr. Buff Strikes Again To Lead Empire Showcase Day Winners

Chester and Mary Broman's Mr. Buff got back on track to take the $175,000 Empire Classic Handicap in front-running fashion for the second straight year, putting the finishing touches on a thrilling day of New York-bred stakes action on Saturday's annual Empire Showcase Day card at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Winning trainer John Kimmel praised the Bromans for their continued support of his barn and the New York-bred program, which shined on Saturday with eight stakes worth $1.2 million.

“They have been with me since their inception in the thoroughbred game,” said Kimmel. “They've been big supporters and sent me a lot of top well-bred New York-breds over the years.

“They have really taken the New York-bred program to another level,” added Kimmel. “No one has done what he's done and bred his mares to the best stallions in the marketplace – Tapit, Storm Cat, American Pharoah, Justify – he's really tried to prove that you can raise a good horse in New York.”

A hard-knocking 6-year-old, Mr. Buff began 2020 with smashing wins in the Jazil and Haynesfield at Aqueduct, the latter of which was a 20-length tour de force against state-breds that netted him a sparkling 106 Beyer Speed Figure, but he was well beaten in each of his last two starts. His disappointing results in the Grade 1 Whitney and Grade 2 Suburban this summer led to many jumping off his bandwagon in the 1 1/8-mile Empire Classic for 3-year-olds and up on the main track, as he was sent off as a distant 7-2 second choice in the wagering.

Breaking from post 2 with regular rider Junior Alvarado aboard, Mr. Buff broke sharply and went out to lead the field through sensible splits of 23.50 seconds for the opening quarter mile, 47.56 for the half, and 1:11.50 for three-quarters, and while he readily yielded a soft lead in the stretch of the Whitney in his most recent outing, he had no such trouble on Saturday as he powered home a 3 1/4-length winner over a talented group of late-runners.

Mr. Buff completed the distance in 1:48.75 and returned $9.40 on a $2 win wager, and the win gave the millionaire his 15th victory from 40 career starts for the Bromans, who also bred the Friend Or Foe gelding.

“He's a 17.1 [hands] horse with a huge stride length,” said Kimmel. “The key is to get to the top of the lane and switch to his outside lead turning for home. I knew then it was over and there was no way they were going to beat him at that point.”

Alvarado said he was determined to make Mr. Buff's challengers work for a shot at defeating the defending champ.

“The big horse is back. I couldn't be any happier for him. I really wanted to do it for him. He deserves it. He's the best older New York-bred,” said Alvarado. “I like him when he takes a hold of the bridle. That's how he likes to be ridden. I just got out of there running. I wasn't intending to get to the lead. I just wanted to get him out of there going forward and take my position, whatever it will be.

“He's a horse that can go 22 and 45, too, but I just gunned him out of there to get a good position,” continued Alvarado. “If anyone else wanted the lead they were going to have to work hard to get it, I wasn't going to give it to them easily today.”

Bankit came out on top of the host of pursuers that lined up to take their shots at Mr. Buff in the stretch of the Empire Classic. The son of Central Banker trained by Steve Asmussen had similarly gone off form in recent starts after a promising start to his 4-year-old campaign, but he closed strongly on the inside and finished a clear second by three lengths over Sea Foam.

Heavy favorite Funny Guy had to settle for fourth in his return to the statebred ranks. The John Terranova trainee had previously beaten Mr. Buff in the Commentator on June 12 at Belmont and won the John Morrissey at Saratoga against New York-breds, but he couldn't get back to his best form in the Empire Classic and finished a neck behind Sea Foam.

Winston's Chance, Chestertown, and Evaluator completed the order of finish. Our Last Buck was scratched.

In the $175,000 Empire Distaff for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, the class-dropping Lucky Move turned heads with an impressive sustained rally around the far turn that propelled her to victory for trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero and owner Ten Strike Racing.

A 6-year-old daughter of Lookin At Lucky, Lucky Move had been a frequent visitor to the New York-bred ranks over the winter at Aqueduct Racetrack, but the remainder of her 2020 campaign was spent in open company stakes races, which produced a win in the Obeah at Delaware Park in late spring. Despite her credentials, she was sent off at 4-1 in the Empire Distaff and fittingly made a four-wide blitz under Irad Ortiz, Jr. around the turn to seize control of the lead in upper stretch, with enough left in the tank to hold off a late-charging Mrs. Orb for a 1 3/4-length victory.

Bred by Maltese Cross Stables and Stonegate Stables, Lucky Move returned $10.40 as the third choice in the wagering and completed the distance 1:43.36.

Fellow 6-year-old mare and race favorite Ratajkowski finished fourth, just behind Makingcents in third. Singular Sensation, Forever Changed, and Critical Value completed the order of finish.

Trainer Daniel Velazquez made a splash on Empire Showcase Day taking the first two stakes on the card, which were also the first two stakes scores of the young conditioner's career.

Laobanonaprayer kicked off the stakes action on Empire Showcase Day with an emphatic upset in the $150,000 Maid of the Mist for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on the main track, which she won by 5 1/2 lengths at odds of 8-1.

Owned and trained by the mid-Atlantic based horseman Velazquez, Laobanonaprayer entered the race as a maiden but surged to an easy win in the stretch after settling off the early pace and drafting behind runners around the turn before being tipped into the clear by jockey Kendrick Carmouche turning for home.

Laobanonaprayer, a daughter of Laoban bred by Christina Deronda, completed the distance in 1:38.06 and returned $19.20 on a $2 win wager. Her breakthrough score happened to coincide with her donning blinkers for the first time in her young career.

Co-favorite Frost Me finished second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Chasing Cara, who was followed home by Party At Page's, Infringement, and Mashnee Girl. Cara's Dreamer was scratched.

Velazquez, who saddled his first winner in 2009, waited 11 years to notch his first career stakes win but needed a little more than a half hour to record his second stakes victory when Brooklyn Strong followed his stablemate with a 2 1/4-length score in the $150,000 Sleepy Hollow for juveniles going one mile in Race 3.

Like his stablemate the race prior, Brooklyn Strong stayed off the pace before showing late speed. Eagle Orb led the seven-horse field through the opening quarter-mile in 23.63, the half in 47.17 and three-quarters in 1:11.86.

In the stretch, Brooklyn Strong continued to close strong under Jose Ortiz, overtaking Eagle Orb in the final furlong before drawing away to complete the mile in 1:37.16.

“We came in very confident with both horses. We loved the distances for them,” said Velazquez.

“You kind of foresee it and wish it but you don't know if it's going to happen, but it happened,” Velazquez added about his remarkable day. “There was a lot of hard work going into this.”

Owned by Mark Schwartz and bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Gallivan, Brooklyn Strong, off at 7-2, returned $9.60 and earned blacktype for a second consecutive stakes after running third in the Bertram F. Bongard on October 2 at Belmont.

Eagle Orb ran 2 1/4 lengths clear of the favorite Breadman for second. Hold the Salsa, Masked Marauder, Let's Workout and Boss Bear completed the order of finish.

Lawrence Goichman homebred Myhartblongstodady made every pole a winning one to run her current win streak to four in the $150,000 Ticonderoga for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going 1 1/16 miles on the firm inner turf in Race 4.

Trained by Jorge Abreu and perfectly piloted by Jose Lezcano, the 5-year-old Scat Daddy mare marked off moderate splits of 25.11, 51.05 and 1:14.51 with Short Pour tracking in second. The dark bay, who picked up her first stakes win last out in the Yaddo on September 4 at Saratoga, enjoyed a 2 1/2-length lead at the stretch call and despite bearing out in the stretch run extended her winning margin to three lengths in a final time of 1:44.66.

War Canoe earned place by a neck over Niko's Dream with Wegetsdamunnys, Pecatonica and Short Pour rounding out the order of finish.

Sent to post as the even money favorite, Myhartblongstodady returned $4.20.

Ronald A Brown's Tribecca led gate-to-wire in the 43rd running of the $125,000 Hudson going 6 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up in Race 7 to give Carmouche his second score of the afternoon.

Trained by Chris Englehart, the 6-year-old Bustin Stones gelding set swift splits of 22.27, 45.29 and 1:09.54 under pressure from Arthur's Hope. Under siege from Captain Bombastic and Big Engine in the stretch run, Tribecca continued to find more and powered home a three-length winner in 1:16.01.

Bred by Laurel Least and Joseph Lech, Tribecca improved his record to 39-13-5-5.

A loaded renewal of the $150,000 Mohawk in Race 8 went to 6-5 favorite Somelikeithotbrown, who prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile turf event for 3-year-olds and up, a division that has routinely produced some of the finest performances in the New York-bred ranks.

After trainer Jimmy Bond's Rinaldi broke on top over Belmont's inner turf course, the speedy Somelikeithotbrown, who's historically been at his best on the lead, was ridden aggressively to the front by Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano. Their gambit paid off handsomely as, despite carving out some taxing early fractions on a firm turf course that had some give to it, Somelikeithotbrown stayed on resolutely in the stretch to easily thwart a challenge from Therapist.

The win marked the first time Somelikeithotbrown faced fellow statebreds since he broke his maiden by eight lengths as a 2-year-old at Saratoga in August 2018. The talented son of Big Brown, bred in tandem by Hot Pink Stables and Sand Dollar Stables, won the Grade 3 Jack Ruby Steaks as a sophomore and the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at the Spa earlier this year against open company for trainer Mike Maker.

Owned by Skychai Racing LLC and David Koenig, he completed the distance in a rapid 1:42.02 and returned $4.50.

Therapist finished second, 2 1/2 lengths in front of Somelikeithotbrown's stablemate Cross Border, whose resume entering the race was nearly as impressive as the winner's. Dot Matrix, Sanctuary City, and Rinaldi rounded out the order of finish. Yankee Division and Opt were scratched.

Parx-shipper Collegeville Girl schooled the field in the $125,000 Iroquois in Race 9, rallying from last-of-10 heading into the turn before surging under jockey Joel Rosario in the stretch. Angled out wide in the straightaway, the 4-year-old Central Banker filly picked off rivals one-by-one before overtaking Timely Tradition in the final sixteenth and fending off Prairie Fire by a half-length.

Trained by Richard Vega, Collegeville Girl, bred by Andy Beadnell, won for the second time in three career Belmont starts, returning $48.20 as a 23-1 longshot. Owned by Robert Brittingam, Salvatore De Bunda and Wire To Wire Stable, she completed the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up over Big Sandy in a final time of 1:16.48.

Prairie Fire, trained by Linda Rice, edged Timely Tradition by a neck for second. Officer Hutchy, Espresso Shot, Fair Regis, Bertranda, Spin a Yarn, Newly Minted and My Roxy Girl completed the order of finish.

Live racing resumes on Sunday at Belmont with a 10-race card highlighted by the Grade 3, $100,000 Athenia. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.

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Empire Classic, Empire Distaff Highlight Saturday’s Empire Showcase Day At Belmont Park

A total of 109 New York-breds are entered for a special 11-race card on Saturday at Belmont Park to celebrate the best of New York for the annual Empire Showcase Day, featuring eight stakes races worth $1.2 million, topped by the $175,000 Empire Classic and $175,000 Empire Distaff.

Veteran New York-based owner-trainer H. James Bond will saddle a pair of contenders on the lucrative card, including Evaluator in the featured 45th running of the Empire Classic, and Rinaldi in the $150,000 Mohawk.

“The New York breds are showing up all over the country and doing very, very well. A day like this, to show the rest of the world how good they are, is important,” said Bond. “It's usually full fields and it's nice to show all our hard work and give the owners and breeders their due acknowledgement for all the good things they do for us.”

R and H Stable's Evaluator will square off against multiple stakes winners Mr. Buff, Funny Guy and Sea Foam in a loaded renewal of the nine-furlong Empire Classic in Race 10.

Bred in the Empire State by EKQ Stables, the 5-year-old Overanalyze gelding captured the 2017 Sleepy Hollow in his first Empire Showcase Day appearance when conditioned by Michael Dilger. After finishing off-the-board in the 2018 Empire Classic, Evaluator was transferred to Bond's care and picked up his first win in four starts last out with a 13-length score over Empire Classic-rival Our Last Buck in a nine-furlong optional-claiming tilt over a sloppy Saratoga strip.

“He's a nice little horse. He's had a few setbacks over the last year but he's pulled through and he's doing very well training-wise,” said Bond. “There will be a few tough horses in there to run against, of course, but it's a good spot to run a mile and an eighth with him.”

Chester and Mary Broman's Mr. Buff will look to defend his title for trainer John Kimmel. A 14-time winner from 39 career starts with more than $1.1 million in the bank, Mr. Buff enjoyed a profitable winter at Aqueduct winning the Alex M. Robb against state-breds in December and the open Jazil in January before romping to a 20-length score over state-breds in the Haynesfield at one mile on the Big A main.

Following a runner-up effort to Empire Classic-rival Funny Guy in the Commentator in June at Belmont, Mr. Buff has finished off-the-board in a pair of graded events.

Gatsas Stables, R.A. Hill Stable and Swick Stable's Funny Guy was a last-out second to Complexity in the Grade 2 Vosburgh on September 26 at Belmont Park after finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Forego presented by America's Best Racing on August 29 over a sloppy main track at Saratoga.

The John Terranova trainee, a son of Big Brown bred by Hibiscus Stables, will now stretch out to nine furlongs, a distance at which the four-time New York-bred stakes winner bested Empire Classic-rival Bankit in the 2019 Albany at Saratoga.

Watervillle Lake Stable homebred Sea Foam captured the 2017 Notebook at Aqueduct, the 2018 New York Derby at Finger Lakes and the 2018 Albany at Saratoga for trainer Christophe Clement. The seven-time winning son of Medaglia d'Oro, who was seventh in last year's Empire Classic, enters on a two-race win streak.

West Point Thoroughbreds, Chester and Mary Broman, Woodford Racing, Siena Farm and Robert Masiello's Chestertown, a $2 million purchase at the March 2019 OBS Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, matched a career-best 85 Beyer Speed Figure last out in a three-quarter length score in the Albany on September 4 at the Spa under Jose Ortiz for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

The Tapit grey graduated at second asking in December and wintered at Fair Grounds in Louisiana, where he was off-the-board in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. He entered the Albany from a distant sixth in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Saratoga.

“He's been doing well. Everyone was very excited about him at the beginning of the year and Steve has managed him very well,” said Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds. “He's a bit of a challenge and he's not a straightforward horse. That's one reason why we gave him to Steve. He has a proven track record with Tapits and they can be a challenge to train. Jose will ride him back following the win in the Albany.”

Additional Empire Classic contenders include Winston's Chance [David Donk], Our Last Buck [Michelle Nevin], and Bankit [Asmussen].

Veteran New York-based trainer Jeremiah Englehart will saddle four Empire Showcase Day stakes hopefuls, including Captain Bombastic [Hudson] and Party At Page's [Maid of the Mist], along with Makingcents and Critical Value in the co-featured Empire Distaff for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going 1 1/16 miles over Big Sandy in Race 6.

Englehart said Empire Showcase Day is circled on his calendar as a key day each year.

“It gives us a chance to show off some of our better New York-breds. We focus on buying New York-breds year in and year out, so it's always nice when you have horses that can make these races,” said Englehart. “We've been fortunate the last few years to have won some of these races. Hopefully, these horses will represent our team well on Showcase Day.”

The stakes-winning Makingcents, a Goldencents sophomore, ran twice at the just-concluded Saratoga summer meet, including a last out win in the Fleet Indian going a two-turn nine furlongs on September 4.

“I think it will be a little easier for her at Belmont than at Saratoga,” Englehart said regarding Saturday's one-turn test. “I don't know if she likes to go that far but she likes to run and she tries. I just hope she shows up and runs her race. It seems like her best race was at Belmont even though that was a very nice race she won at Saratoga.”

Ten Strike Racing's Critical Value captured the Bouwerie in June at Belmont when sprinting in her seasonal debut ahead of an off-the-board effort in the two-turn Fleet Indian in September at Saratoga.

Last out, the Bodemeister sophomore was a game third against older fillies and mares in a one-turn mile open allowance on September 27 at Belmont.

“I thought that was probably one of her better races even though she ended up being third,” said Englehart. “The circumstances of the race and who was in there, I thought she ran a really big race. Hopefully it doesn't take too much out of her coming into this race.”

Two-time stakes winner Ratajkowski will look to repeat in the Empire Distaff. Owned by Gary Broad and trained by Graham Motion, the 6-year-old Drosselmeyer mare won the Critical Eye going one mile on June 18 at Belmont in her last appearance on the track and won last year's Empire Distaff when it was contested at one mile.

Other contenders include last-out allowance winner Singular Sensation, trained by Mark Hennig; Forever Changed [Charlton Baker]; Mrs. Orb [Michael Miceli]; and Lucky Move [Juan Carlos Guerrero].

The $150,000 Maid of the Mist kicks off the stakes action in Race 2 featuring a field of seven 2-year-old fillies going one mile over the main track.

Englehart, who saddled Critical Value to victory in last year's edition, will be represented by Gold Star Racing Stable and Emcee Stable's Party At Page's.

The Gemologist bay, bred by T/C Stable, graduated at second asking in an off-the-turf sprint at Saratoga and followed with a head score in the Lady Finger on October 5 traveling six furlongs at Finger Lakes that garnered a field-best 67 Beyer.

“She's doing well. It's a little quick back for her but we thought she wouldn't have any issue with stretching out, so we're going to give her a shot and go from there,” said Englehart. “I think a lot will depend on how the race shapes up. I think she's pretty versatile and we can ask her to do different things.”

Other contenders include impressive maiden winner Frost Me [Kimmel]; two for Hennig, including last-out Miss Grillo fourth Mashnee Girl and maiden winner Infringement; a pair for conditioner Mitchell Friedman in Chasing Cara and Cara's Dreamer; and Laobanonaprayer for owner-trainer Danny Velazquez.

The Terranova-trained Breadman was an impressive debut winner on September 26 at Belmont, and the $340,000 purchase at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale will step up to stakes company in the $150,000 Sleepy Hollow for juveniles going one mile on the main track in Race 3.

Breadman, the son of Constitution, will face stakes-winner Hold the Salsa, the Richard Lugovich-trained victor of the Bertram F. Bongard on October 2 going seven furlongs at Belmont. The Hold Me Back colt won his debut at Belmont on July 12 before running ninth in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on August 7.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez entered Eagle Orb and Let's Workout, while Brooklyn Strong, third in the Bertram F. Bongard, will make his second consecutive stakes appearance for Velazquez. Boss Bear [Mike Maker] and Masked Marauder [Rob Atras] will also vie for supremacy.

Myhartblongstodady will put her three-race winning streak dating to November 2019 on the line in the $150,000 Ticonderoga for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf in Race 4.

Trained by Jorge Abreu, the 5-year-old Scat Daddy mare won the Yaddo last out going the Ticonderoga distance on the Saratoga turf on September 4.

Clement will send out the Yaddo runner-up Wegetsdamunnys, who was second over grass labeled “good” that day also ran third in the Dayatthespa on July 29 over firm going.

“She's been very consistent at the level,” Clement said. “She still hasn't won a stakes yet, but she's always been in the frame.”

War Canoe, trained by Brown and second in the Dayatthespa, will seek her first win in four starts of her 7-year-old campaign. Niko's Dream [Barclay Tagg]; Short Pour [Hennig] and Pecatonica [Tom Bush] completes the field.

Team Hanley's multiple stakes winner Captain Bombastic will represent Englehart in the 43rd running of the $125,000 Hudson going 6 ½ furlongs for 3-year-olds and up in Race 7.

The sophomore Forty Tales chestnut, bred in New York by Chester and Mary Broman, will look to add to a stakes ledger that includes wins this year in the Mike Lee at Belmont and the NYSSS Times Square at Saratoga along with a second-out score in the Sleepy Hollow last year Belmont. He finished sixth last out in the Grade 3 Chick Lang at Pimlico.

He posted a sharp half-mile breeze in 49.41 seconds on Big Sandy on October 16.

“The breeze was good. His exercise rider said he finished up very strong against the bridle,” said Englehart. “He's a horse that always shows up. You're confident in him when you bring him over there because he always shows up.”

A loaded Hudson field includes Arthur's Hope [Marco Salazar], Big Engine [Linda Rice], Foolish Ghost [Ray Handal], Dugout [Larry Rivelli], My Boy Tate [Michelle Nevin], T Loves a Fight [Orlando Noda], Morning Breez [Robert Klesaris] and Tribecca [Chris Englehart].

Maker will send out a pair of formidable contenders in graded-stakes winners Somelikeithotbrown and Cross Border in the $150,000 Mohawk for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course in Race 8.

Somelikeithotbrown has registered triple-digit Beyer in three of his last four starts, including a career-high 105 when second over a yielding Pimlico turf course in the Grade 2 Dinner Party on Preakness Day October 3. His last New York appearance was a victory in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch on July 26 over firm Saratoga turf, while stablemate Cross Border also enjoyed success at the Spa, crossing the wire second in the Grade 2 Bowling Green on August 1 before being elevated to first after Sadler's Joy was disqualified for interference.

Cross Border then ran second to Channel Maker in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer on August 29 going a marathon 1 1/2 miles.

Rinaldi, owned and trained by Bond, enters off two wins, including a 2 1/2-length score in the West Point on September 4 at Saratoga, and will look to make the jump against a more accomplished field on Saturday.

“The waters are going to get deeper and deeper every time, but we'll just keep marching forward and keep our fingers crossed that he keeps getting better,” Bond said.

Seven-times stakes-winner Therapist, third in the West Point, last ran at Belmont with a victory in the First Defence on June 7. Clement said the son of Freud hasn't changed his demeanor much since he started his career 3-for-3 as a juvenile in 2017.

“He's a fun horse and always has been,” Clement said. “I'm not that aggressive with him. He's very consistent and he's been just a pleasure to be around.”

Rounding out the field is Dot Matrix, second in the West Point last out for trainer Brad Cox; Opt [Robert Ribaudo]; Sanctuary City [James Ferraro]. Yankee Division [Rudy Rodriguez] is entered for the main track only.

The $125,000 Iroquois at 6 ½-furlongs for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, set for Race 9, has been won by owners Chester and Mary Broman the last two years with Highway Star in 2018 and Pauseforthecause in 2019.

The popular owner-breeders will be represented by homebred Spin a Yarn, a five-time winner from six starts for trainer Christopher Progno. A sophomore daughter of Forty Tales out of the Elusive Quality mare Satin Sheeks, Spin a Yarn was a game second to Iroquois-rival Officer Hutchy in the NYSSS Park Avenue when making her stakes debut on September 3 at the Spa. Last out, she toppled a state-bred allowance field at Finger Lakes by 11 lengths.

Iroquois contenders include Newly Minted [Rice], Prairie Fire [Rice], Espresso Shot [Abreu], Timely Tradition [Handal], Fair Regis [Rob Atras], Officer Hutchy [Atras], Collegeville Girl [Richard Vega], Bertranda [Orlando Noda] and My Roxy Girl [Charlton Baker].

America's Day at the Races will present daily television coverage of the Belmont fall meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete America's Day at the Races broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

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