Ichiban, winner of the Fleet Indian and two other races at Saratoga in 2023, takes on older foes in Sunday’s Empire Distaff. NYRA Photo.
The stars of the New York-bred program will be out in force Sunday during the annual Empire Showcase Day card to close the Belmont at the Big A meeting.
A total of 100 New York-breds were entered for the 10-race card that features eight stakes worth $1.6 million. The card starts at 12:35 p.m. ET with the co-featured $250,000 Empire Distaff Stakes set for 2:44 and the $250,000 Empire Classic Stakes set for 5:24.
“Empire Showcase Day is the highlight of the fall racing calendar for New York owners and breeders,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “We’re proud each of our three Showcase Days on the NYRA circuit throughout the year have proven to be premiere days displaying the strength and competitiveness of the New York-bred program for all participants.”
The 9-furlong Empire Distaff attracted a field of seven led by Ichiban, a three-time winner at Saratoga Race Course; and New York-bred champion Venti Valentine.
Bred by Southern Equine Stables LLC and owned by Cypress Creek Equine, Ichiban won the Fleet Indian Stakes on Saratoga Showcase Day for trainer Linda Rice. Venti Valentine, champion New York-bred 2-year-old filly in 2021, was bred by Final Furlong Racing Stable and Maspeth Stable and brings a two-race win streak into the Empire Distaff for trainer Jorge Abreu.
Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher’s multiple stakes-winner Barese comes into the 9-furlong Empire Classic off a victory in the Genesee Valley Breeders’ Stakes in early September at Finger Lakes. Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds and Lakland Farm, the 4-year-old son of Laoban also won an open-company allowance this summer at Belmont Park for trainer Mike Maker.
Barese takes on nine others in the Empire Classic, including a trio from trainer Linda Rice’s barn in last year’s runner-up Curlin’s Wisdom, graded stakes winner Un Ojo and Sheriff Bianco. The field also includes multiple stakes winner Lobsta, stakes winner Drake’s Passage, stakes-placed Olympic Dreams and Aggregation and allowance winners Cicciobello and Straight Arrow.
Ultra-consistent stakes winner City Man returns to defend title in the Mohawk. NYRA Photo.
The $200,000 Mohawk for older horses going 1 1/16 on the turf kicks off the stakes action in the second race at 1:08 p.m. The Mohawk attracted a field of eight led by last year’s winner and New York-bred champion turf male City Man.
New York-bred juveniles figure prominently on the card in the $200,000 Maid of the Mist for fillies and the $200,000 Sleepy Hollow.
Cara’s Time, Caldwell Luvs Gold and My Mane Squeeze, the first three past the finish in the Joseph A. Gimma in late September, are back for the 1-mile Maid of the Mist, which goes as the third race at 1:42 p.m.
El Grande O, winner of the Bertram F. Bongard two starts back; headlines the field of 10 in the 1-mile Sleepy Hollow. Barry K. Schwartz’s homebred son of Take Charge Indy takes on four of his former foes in the Bongard in Aggelos the Great, Bonne Chance, Skyler’s Starship and Detective Tom.
Runaway Rumour, winner of the John Hettinger last time out, bids for career-ending win in the Ticonderoga. NYRA Photo.
Lawrence Goichman’s homebred Runaway Rumour returns to defend her title in the $200,000 Ticonderoga for fillies and mares on the grass. The 5-year-old daughter of Flintshire won the John Hettinger last time out and most likely heads into retirement after the 1 1/16-mile Ticonderoga.
A pair of competitive 6 1/2-furlong sprints – the $150,000 Iroquois for fillies and mares and the $150,000 Hudson for 3-year-olds and up – bolster the star-studded card. Graded stakes competitors Sterling Silver and Funny How, along with Kentucky shipper Leeloo, top the field for the Iroquois, while Today’s Flavor, Win for Gold, Thin White Duke and 2021 winner Ny Traffic look tough in the Hudson.
NYTB Members:
Enjoy Empire Showcase Day with a reservation at Equestris Restaurant. Offering breathtaking views with floor-to-ceiling windows, Equestris is Aqueduct’s premier venue for horsemen, owners and breeders. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the premium buffet on the 10-race annual Empire Showcase Day, featuring eight New York-bred stakes races worth $1.6 million, highlighted by the $250,000 Empire Classic and $250,000 Empire Distaff.
Equestris Restaurant will be open this Sunday from 11am – 3:30pm. The premium buffet includes tax & gratuity:
- Adults: $75 per person
- Children (3-12): $30 per child
- Children under 3: Free
You can book your reservation directly through NYRA.com or by calling 844-NYRA-TIX. For individuals and groups with horses entered on the day, please feel free to contact NYRA’s Horsemen’s Relations Department at 718-659-2206.
Please click here to view Sunday’s menu at Equestris Restaurant.
