Crackerjack Jones faces Empire Dreams in Genesee Valley Breeders' Stakes

Crackerjack Jones will race over his home track following two good tries at Saratoga in the $50,000 Genesee Valley Breeders’ Stakes at Finger Lakes on Monday. His strongest challenge may come from Empire Dreams, who will be returning to the races after 8 1/2 months on the sidelines.

The sharp recent form of Crackerjack Jones gives him a decided edge over Empire Dreams, who had a career year in 2015, winning the $300,000 Empire Classic, the $200,000 Commentator, and the Alex M. Robb Stakes for New York-breds downstate. The Genesee Valley is a 1 1/16-mile race for statebreds.

Empire Dreams, a 5-year-old gelding owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and trained by Tom Albertrani, bankrolled $422,000 last year. This will be his first start since winning the Robb last Dec. 31.

Following two works at Fair Hill last March, Empire Dreams didn’t breeze again until July at Saratoga. He comes into the Genesee Valley off a steady string of nine works dating to July 22.

Albertrani has reasonable statistics bringing horses back from long layoffs. According to DRF Formulator, over the last five years, Albertrani has won with six of 70 starters (9 percent) returning from layoffs of 150 to 350 days. He has a positive ROI of $3.06 with those runners. Empire Dreams will be making his first start in 262 days.

Crackerjack Jones has started four times this year. He was second in the George W. Barker to begin his 6-year-old season in June for trainer Christopher Prognos. He won a no-conditions allowance race at Finger Lakes in his next start.

At Saratoga, Crackerjack Jones finished third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the John Morrissey. He then finished second while stretching out from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles in the Evan Shipman.

Crackerjack Jones should be forwardly placed throughout from post 1. He was bred and is owned by Chester and Mary Broman.

Fox Rules defeated Crackerjack Jones by 6 1/2 lengths in this race a year ago for trainer M. Anthony Ferraro. He comes into this off a second to 7-1 upsetter Peter’s Project, who also is in this field.

Baime finished second to Breakin the Fever a week ago in an overnight handicap sprint. He should take this field as far as he is able on the front end.