Englehart considering Cigar Mile for Pat On the Back

ELMONT, N.Y. – Pat On the Back, winner of the $300,000 Empire Classic on Saturday’s Empire Showcase Day program, could make his next start in the Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile on Dec. 1 at Aqueduct, trainer Jeremiah Englehart said.

“We always wanted to try him in open company in a one-turn mile,” Englehart said Sunday, the day after Pat On the Back beat Can You Diggit by 1 1/2 lengths in the Empire Classic, a one-turn, 1 1/8-mile race.

Englehart noted that he had planned to run Pat On the Back in the Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Handicap, a one-turn mile race Sept. 22 at Belmont, but the horse had a foot issue that developed into a quarter crack.

Englehart said he felt Pat On the Back’s best race this year came in the $200,000 Commentator Stakes for New York-breds, a one-turn mile race in May where he was beaten a nose by Diversify. Diversify came out of that race to win the Grade 2 Suburban and Grade 1 Whitney Stakes.

“Watching Diversify get better as he progressed made me think he could possibly do the same as well,” Englehart said. “I think that’s the next step for him.”

Pat On the Back overcame a stumbling beginning to win the Empire Classic, his sixth win from 21 starts. Two starts before that, Pat On the Back won the Saginaw Stakes for New York-breds going 1 1/16 miles around one turn.

“He’s just a real honest horse, he’s done very well for us,” Englehart said.

Pat On the Back, who earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure for the Empire Classic, is owned by Harold Lerner, Jack Cohen’s Nehoc Stables, and Wayne Cutler’s AWC Stables. Lerner and Cohen also own Runaway Lute, who won Saturday’s $150,000 Hudson Handicap for his second straight victory.

Runaway Lute, trained by Gary Contessa, earned a 94 Beyer for the Hudson victory. Plans for his next start have yet to be determined.