Empire of War prevails in Awad Stakes

Jockey Manny Franco kept Empire of War in the clear during the $100,000 Awad Stakes at Aqueduct on Sunday, and that may have been the difference in the one-mile turf stakes for 2-year-olds. Empire of War held on by a half-length over late-running Life Mission and A Thread of Blue, each of whom had trouble during the race.

Empire of War paid $5.70 as the favorite in the seven-horse field. The son of Declaration of War is owned by Three Diamonds Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher. The Awad, carded as race 4, was the second consecutive win of the day for Franco.

Absolved and Ole Mole raced as a team on the early lead, with A Thread of Blue saving ground while tucked in behind them. A Thread of Blue had to steady briefly nearing the backstretch.

Empire of War was unhurried while racing about five lengths off the early lead. Life Mission, who hopped in the air at the start to get away slowly, was a bit farther back.

Following a half-mile in 48.22 over the yielding course, Empire of War made a sharp three-wide move on the turn. He took the lead in upper stretch and then held off Life Mission and A Thread of Blue, both of whom finished well but belatedly.

"He handled it really well, and I think he's going to improve in the future," Franco said. "I knew I had some speed inside of me, so I wanted to wait early and see what the speed was going to do. When I asked, he was there for me."

Life Mission, who bested A Thread of Blue for second by three-quarters of a length, was sent in from Kentucky for the race by trainer Ben Colebrook. He remains a maiden but should lose that designation in his next start.

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A Thread is Blue had to wait until the stretch for racing room. He then drifted inward behind the tiring Ole Mole at a pivotal moment in upper stretch and had to be pulled outside that rival by Junior Alvarado.

Empire of War covered the mile in 1:37.39. He had won a Belmont Park maiden race on turf in his prior start and is now 2 for 4.