The connections of Bank Frenzy were rewarded for bypassing a fight beyond their weight class in the Grade 2 Woodward Stakes last month to stay in their division for a scrap against New York-breds in the Empire Classic.  As he so often does against New York-breds - at least at a mile or farther - Bank Frenzy made the lead in midstretch, then held off a deep stretch challenge from Doc Sullivan to win the $250,000 Empire Classic by a neck at Aqueduct. It was 1 1/2 lengths back to Whittington Park in third as trainer Rudy Rodriguez sent out the first- and third-place finishers.  Bank Frenzy finished fifth in the John Morrissey Stakes in the mud at Saratoga on July 31. Owners Randy and Larry Sarf of LSU Stables had talked to Rodriguez about trying the Grade 2 Woodward in late September in part because it was a small field.  But the decision was made to skip that race, meaning Bank Frenzy would have nearly three months between starts.  :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. “I’m very thankful that Larry and Randy gave me the opportunity to give him a little break,” said Rodriguez, noting that a try in the Grade 3 Westchester in May “was a little hard for him. This is where he belongs, and he showed up.”  Bank Frenzy, under Manny Franco, stalked the pacesetting 9-5 favorite Iron Dome through a half-mile in 49.35 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.83  Bank Frenzy, who was in the middle of the track, took over from Iron Dome inside the eighth pole and then had to fend off a challenge from Doc Sullivan, who was rallying on the inside under Joel Rosario.  Bank Frenzy fended him off for his 10th victory from 20 starts. He earned $137,500 and increased his overall purse earnings to $839,420.  Bank Frenzy, a 5-year-old chestnut gelding by Central Banker, covered the 1 1/8-miles in 1:50.08 and returned $6.32 as the third choice.  “When I saw Joel going inside, I thought we were in good shape because he’s a fighter,” Rodriguez said. “I’m happy to have him in the barn. He’s a very special horse for us and he fights every fight.”  Following Whittington Park in the order of finish were Quick to Accuse, Dr. Kraft and Iron Dome.  Empire Distaff  After a stumble at the start, Valtellina had to be much the best to win Saturday’s $250,000 Empire Distaff.  She was.  Last early in a field of seven after the break, Valtellina came with a long, sustained run under Dylan Davis to run by pacesetting Bernietakescharge and win the Empire Distaff by 2 1/4 lengths.  Bernietakescharge, who put away a pace challenge from Vehemente, finished second by three lengths over the late-running Midnight Concerto. Boxed Wine finished fourth, a half-length in front of her Jorge Abreu-trained stablemate Kay Cup, the 2-1 favorite.  Vehemente and Sweetest Princess completed the order of finish.  Valtellina won for just the second time in her career, having lost 10 straight since a debut victory at Saratoga in August 2024.  Things didn’t look good when the gates opened as Valtellina stumbled and was last under Davis. But rider and horse stayed composed, got a solid pace in front of them when Bernietakescharge and Vehemente went at each other and then Valtellina rallied, first along the inside, then four wide in the stretch.  “Expletive, expletive, you got to be expletive kidding me,” trainer Ray Handal said when asked what he was thinking at the start. “But she came to run today. We definitely got a good setup with [Vehemente] grabbing the bit and trying to run off down the backside. Our filly put herself in contention and once she composed herself and got back in the race she had run on her mind.”  Davis knew that Valtellina does not like kickback, but he felt it was important to save some ground after the stumbling start.  “The kickback was a little worrisome, but she handled it great,” Davis told NYRA publicity. “I was letting her bide her time and she picked up the bridle into the second turn and I was just riding the turn. I didn’t want to move too early, but keeping her in contention. The rail opened up and I moved through there and then got back to the outside. I thought it was very easy for her.”  Valtellina, a daughter of Complexity owned by Pavillion Racing, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.03 and returned $10.94 as the fourth choice.  :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.