Empire Dreams looks to pair wins in Thunder Rumble
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While the winner of last year’s Empire Classic – the richest race restricted to New York-breds – was chasing Grade 1 glory on Friday in Kentucky, the winner of this year’s Empire Classic has less-lofty aspirations.
Unlike Effinex, the Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up who was entered Friday in the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill Downs, Empire Dreams is by a New York-based stallion, which makes him eligible for Sunday’s $125,000 Thunder Rumble at Aqueduct, a seven-furlong stakes restricted to progeny of New York-based stallions.
Empire Dreams, a gelding by Patriot Act who did not run in this race last year, drew the outside post in an eight-horse field that includes five of the top six finishers from last year’s Thunder Rumble, led by Readthebyline.
“There are not a whole lot of options at this point, and this looked like a good opportunity to run with his own kind again and see what happens,” said Tom Albertrani, who trains Empire Dreams for West Point Thoroughbreds.
When Empire Dreams won the Empire Classic, it was his first victory in five tries at 1 1/8 miles. At Belmont, 1 1/8 miles is contested around one turn. The first two victories of his career, including a division of the Stallion Stakes here two years ago, came at six furlongs. Empire Dreams is 0-2-1 in three starts at seven furlongs.
“I always felt he was maybe a little better going shorter,” said Albertrani. “The last race, the way it unfolded, it worked out to his benefit with a good, quick pace up front.”
Empire Dreams figures to get another good, quick pace in front of him with Readthebyline, Comandante, and possibly Here’s Spartacus showing early foot.
West Hills Giant, Geaux Mets, John’s Island, and Loki’s Vengeance finished behind Readthebyline in this spot last year.
Key contenders
Empire Dreams (Last 3 Beyers: 94-87-87)
* Was gelded following his 3-year-old season and has enjoyed a solid campaign this year, with two wins and two seconds from six starts.
* Empire Dreams never has won back-to-back races in his 17-race career.
“He’s been sporadic, but that was one of his best races in the Empire Classic, and he came back with a really good work the other day,” said Albertrani.
Loki’s Vengeance (Last 3 Beyers: 84-90-81)
* Won a third-level allowance two starts back, defeating, among others, Green Gratto, who won Thursday’s Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap.
* Finished sixth in the Hudson Handicap, beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Palace, who ran second in the Fall Highweight. Weekend Hideaway, third in the Hudson, came back to win an open allowance at Gulfstream Park West last weekend.
* With Manny Franco riding Empire Dreams, Jose Ortiz has picked up the mount on Loki’s Vengeance.
John’s Island (Last 3 Beyers: 84-91-91)
* Always seems to be coming at the end but never gets there. Runner-up performances behind Clearly Now and Moonlight Song in sprints at Saratoga this summer put him in the mix in this spot.