Empire of Gold points to Aristides
Empire of Gold’s path back to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint will swing through Kentucky.
Trainer Terry Eoff said Friday that the Lone Star Park-based runner is being pointed to the $125,000 Aristides on May 29 at Churchill Downs.
The race will be run at six furlongs, the same distance over which Empire of Gold won an Oaklawn allowance in his most recent start April 30. He set a quick pace and won by 1 1/2 lengths, covering the distance in 1:09.13 and earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 96.
“He did everything right,” said Eoff, who co-owns Empire of Gold with Johnny B. Evans. “They hooked him as soon as they came out of the gate. As I’ve said before, the pressure doesn’t bother him a bit. They were going pretty fast, and when he turned for home, he drew off.”
David Cabrera was aboard and will have the mount in the Aristides.
“David said he knew they weren’t going to catch him,” Eoff said. “He said he’s such a nice horse. He said it’s just like stepping on the gas and he takes off.”
Eoff said Empire of Gold would work at Lone Star about seven or eight days out from the Aristides, then ship to Kentucky. He said the horse also would be nominated to the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile on May 31 at Lone Star, but at this point will remain racing around one turn in the Aristides.
“That’s what we’re going to shoot for,” he said.
Empire of Gold was a good fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint – at the age of 3. This year he’s made two starts. He launched his season with a third-place finish behind C Z Rocket and champion Whitmore in the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn.
◗ Raintree Starlet, who has won her last three races, is entered for the main track only in Sunday’s fifth race at Lone Star Park. The five-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares is one of three allowances on the card. Raintree Starlet is coming off a win in the Wilma Mankiller at Will Rogers Downs.