December 28, 2024

Saratoga Snacks mulls Empire Classic or Hudson

Last updated: 10/13/13 3:57 PM











Saratoga Snacks’ connections must weigh the purses, distances and likely pace scenarios before making a decision
(NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography)





Trainer Gary Sciacca was pleased with Saratoga Snacks’ final serious work
Sunday morning leading up to Saturday’s Empire Showcase Day at Belmont Park, but
has yet to decide whether he will run in the $250,000 Empire Classic at 1 1/8
miles or the $150,000, six-furlong Hudson.

“It’s tough,” said Sciacca, whose charge traveled four furlongs on Belmont’s
fast training track in :47 3/5 and was clocked by Sciacca galloping out six
furlongs in 1:13. “He’s going to run in one of them. I just don’t know which
one.”

A four-year-old son of Tale of the Cat owned by Bill Parcells’ August Dawn
Farm, Saratoga Snacks is 6-2-1 from nine lifetime starts, including victories in
the Shy Groom and Alex M. Robb Stakes. Second in last year’s Empire Classic to
Lunar Victory, he most recently finished third over a muddy track as the
favorite in the John Morrissey on August 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

“He got banged around in that race; he should have been an easy second,”
Sciacca said. “He came back body sore. I’ve always had trouble with his feet, so
a month ago I put glue-on shoes on him, and that’s made a world of difference.
He trains like a different horse. He came back good today; he hardly drank any
water, which is a pretty good sign.”

Sciacca said he would discuss the pros and cons of each race with Parcells
before they are drawn on Monday.



“One’s $250,000, one’s $150,000,” Sciacca noted. “The Empire Classic is 1 1/8
miles and he’s coming off a 2 1/2-month layoff. There’s not much speed in the
Empire; there’s plenty in the Hudson. If either race were seven furlongs or a
mile, I wouldn’t hesitate. One’s a little short, the other’s a little long. I
don’t know what I’m going to do. It would be nice to come back and win the
Empire Classic.”

Empire Showcase Day will feature seven stakes and 10 total races for New
York-breds, with the Empire Classic being the marquee event.

Readtheprospectus, a winner of seven straight, heads the group of probables
for the Empire Classic. A four-year-old gelding trained by Chad Brown for
Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, Readtheprospectus enters the Empire
Classic off a pair of stakes scores at Belmont: a 1 1/4-length triumph in the
Commentator Handicap and a half-length decision in the Spite the Devil overnight
stakes on September 19.

Probable him to join him are fellow stakes winners Awesome Vision, Bigger Is
Bettor, and Socialsaul, as are Moneyinyour Pocket and Warrioroftheroses,
according to NYRA Stakes Coordinator Andrew Byrnes.

Kharafa will attempt to retain winning form in the $200,000 Mohawk, a 1
1/16-mile turf race for three-year-olds and up. The four-year-old gelded son of Kitalpha posted his first stakes win in his most recent start when he took the
Ashley T. Cole by a head on September 15. Lubash, and Hear the Footsteps, second
and third, respectively, in the Ashley T. Cole, also are probable for the
Mohawk. Likely to join them are Abilio, Barrel of Love, 2011 Mohawk
winner Compliance Officer, Idle American, Lawyer Jim, comebacking Grade 1
victor Mission Approved and Street Game.

Fillies and mares have their own 1 1/16-mile turf race, the $200,000
Ticonderoga, which is expected to attract Harbor Mist, Inimitable Romanee, Jitney, Lady’s
Lunar Luck, Mystic City, Sally’s Dream, Wholelottashakin and Yes It’s
Pink. Dreaming of Cara and Effie Trinket are possible.

Mine Over Matter will be joined by stablemate B Shanny when he aims for a title
defense in the Hudson. Both Mine Over Matter and
B Shanny are trained by Michael Hushion. Also probable for the six-furlong dash
are Cay to Pomeroy, Flying Zealous, Moonlight Song, Night Maneuver and Palace.

Willet, who won the $150,000 Iroquois by 9 1/4 lengths last October, is back for
more in 2013. The five-year-old mare owned in partnership by trainer James Iselin
and Charlotte Assoulin has won two consecutive stakes: the Union Avenue in August at
Saratoga and the Princess Dixie overnight stakes on September 27 at
Belmont. The probables also include Galiana, Here’s Zealicious, Miss Valentine and Shesabronxbomber.

Wired Bryan, victorious in the Sanford in July at Saratoga, heads the
group of probables for the $150,000 Bertram M. Bongard, a seven-furlong race for
two-year-olds. In his most recent outing, he captured the New York Breeders’
Futurity by seven lengths on September 28 at Finger Lakes Racetrack. Slated to
face him are Captains Toews, Carolinian, Empire Dreams, Fox Rox, Noon Shadow, Ogermeister, So
Lonesome and Sol the Freud.

Juvenile fillies will compete in the $150,000 Joseph A. Gimma. Abbie’s
Butterfly, Court Dancer, Daddy’s Lil Saint, Miss Narcissist and Nutmeg are
probable for the seven-furlong race. Skye Saratoga is possible.



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