Empire Line holds off Evaluator in Damon Runyon

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In his second career start, Empire Line showed some toughness to go along with his talent, fending off a late challenge from the stakes-winning Evaluator to win Monday’s $100,000 Damon Runyon Stakes by a nose at Aqueduct.

Empire Line won his debut by two lengths, running down a loose-on-the-lead Flash Drive going six furlongs here on Dec. 1.

Monday, after stalking the pace from third under Eric Cancel, Empire Line made the lead in midstretch then repelled the late run from Evaluator, who was coming off a victory in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes in his most recent start.

“When the other horse came right next to me I thought I was going to get beat, but he kept on trying, he never gave up,” Cancel said.

Blair Golen, assistant to trainer George Weaver, said Empire Line had a tendency to idle when alongside horses in the morning.

“He’ll hang out with his company, you got to get into him to put a head out in front,” Golen said. “I figured Eric would be determined enough to keep his head out there. I’m sure now he’ll be fitter out of this race, with more experience, we’ll be able to keep getting better.”

Manny Franco, the rider of Evaluator who was last early, said his horse raced a bit green in the stretch and that cost him.

“When I tried to make him switch leads, he put me right behind the winner,” Franco said. “I had to get him outside again.”

Empire Line covered the mile in 1:38.78 and returned $6 as the favorite. Evaluator, trained by Michael Dilger, finished second by 4 3/4 lengths over Morning Breez, the pacesetter. He finished 6 1/4 lengths ahead of Battle Station, who was followed by Smooth Move, Seven Lilies, and Jaye Jay, the second choice at 2-1.

Empire Line is a son of Morning Line owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and basketball coach Rick Pitino and trained by George Weaver. Terry Finley, president of West Point, said his group purchased the colt as a 2-year-old at the Timonium auction for $180,000. Finley said Pitino had also bid on the colt and called West Point shortly after the sale to see if he could buy into him. The two parties are 50-50 partners, Finley said.

Finley said Empire Line would likely run in the next New York-bred stakes for 3-year-olds which is the Gander on Feb. 18.