Americanrevolution makes statement with Empire Classic romp
With expected retirements, there will be a void in the older male dirt division in 2022, and on Saturday the 3-year-old Americanrevolution gave an indication he might be among those able to fill it.
Americanrevolution, third to Hot Rod Charlie in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby last month, dominated his older New York-bred rivals, taking the $250,000 Empire Classic by 11 3/4 lengths at sloppy Belmont Park. Wild Banker, the longest shot on the board at 56-1, rallied for second by a nose over Sea Foam.
The win was the fourth from six starts for Americanrevolution, a son of Constitution owned by WinStar Farm and China Horse Club and trained by Todd Pletcher. Prior to his third in the Pennsylvania Derby, Americanrevolution won three New York-bred races, including the New York Derby at Finger Lakes and the Albany at Saratoga.
He may not be facing New York-breds again for a while with a bevy of open company stakes to choose from in the near and long-term future.
“I think he’s probably the ninth or tenth best 3-year-old in the country right now,” Elliott Walden, president of WinStar Farm said to the NYRA publicity office after the race. “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 of him.”
Americanrevolution, under Luis Saez, was four wide and in the clear, about two lengths behind pacesetting Sea Foam. He moved into second, just a half-length behind Sea Foam after three quarters were run in 1:10.35, took over turning for home and was never hit with the whip while widening his advantage.
“I thought he proved in the Pennsylvania Derby he belongs with the best 3-year-olds in the crop,” winning trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Taking on older horses you’re a little concerned and running over a sloppy track, but he seemed like relished it. He broke well, put himself in a good spot and was always traveling strongly.”
Americanrevolution covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.11 and returned $2.90 as the prohibitive favorite.
Wild Banker, coming off an optional claiming victory at Monmouth Park on Sept. 18, rallied for a second, a nose in front of Sea Foam. Danny California was fourth, followed by Captain Bombastic, Tiergan, and Three Jokers. Mr. Buff, who won the last two runnings of the Empire Classic, was basically eased.
Sharp Starr upsets Empire Distaff
Nearly 11 months ago, Sharp Starr won the Grade 3 Go for Wand Handicap at 6-5. She had gone off-form since that race; when she took on New York-breds in the $250,000 Empire Distaff Handicap she was sent off at 16-1.
On Saturday, under Jose Ortiz, Sharp Starr found her form from a year ago, with a last-to-first upset in the Empire Distaff. Ice Princess, the 5-2 favorite, rallied to get second by a half-length over Make Mischief.
“It was good to see her come back to form,” winning trainer Horacio DePaz said. “We’ve always liked her. We gave her a little break during the summer, now she’s back.”
Sharp Starr, a daughter of Munnings owned and bred by Barry Schwartz, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.23 in the slop and returned $34.40 to win.
DePaz said Sharp Starr could bid for a repeat victory in the Grade 3, $250,000 Go for Wand at Aqueduct on Dec. 4.