Race Recaps Glorious Empire Tears Up G2 Ft. Lauderdale December 15, 2018 Race Recaps Glorious Empire Tears Up G2 Ft. Lauderdale December 15, 2018 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Matthew Schera’s Glorious Empire burst sharply from the gate and never looked back en route to yet another scintillating gate-to-wire score, this time in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Breaking brilliantly from the rail under Edgar Prado at 7/1 odds, Glorious Empire was given free rein to post early uncontested fractions of :23.57, :48.13, and 1:12.57. Still unpressured from the likes of fellow speed horse Blacktype as he hit the top of the stretch, Glorious Empire kicked clear with relative ease and was never asked for anything close to his best before crossing with a 2 1/2-length lead in a final time of 1:48.44 for the 9-furlong event over a turf course rated good. “The instructions were very easy,” Prado said. “The horse loves to be on the lead. My only concern was (Blacktype). If the horse didn’t chase me, I was able to take a nice, easy lead and try to slow it down and have something left in the end, and that’s exactly what happened in the race. He broke sharp, I was able to put him in a good spot, and he was moving easy all the way around. When I asked him, he really gave me a good kick. He finished running really strong.” Qurbaan made a strong move late to close the gap but proved no match for the winner and settled for second, passing Hi Happy late. Inspector Lynley came charging from the rear but experienced traffic trouble and could only muster fourth over Divisidero, while the lukewarm 7/2 favorite Almanaar flattened in the stretch and took sixth. Zulu Alpha crossed in seventh ahead of Doctor Mounty, while Projected, Postulation, a non-threatening Blacktype, and Mr Havercamp completed the order of finish. Oscar Nominated and the two Also-Eligibles – Revved Up and Zennor – were all scratched. Glorious Empire’s win was his fourth in his last five starts, with his lone off-the-board performance coming last out in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The Irish-bred 7-year-old gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor improved his record to 25-10-0-3 with earnings of $966,227. “We had a great campaign in Saratoga and went into the Breeder’s Cup pretty confidently, but was a little disappointed in our run there, but ultimately just didn’t handle the turf,” Lawrence said. “We took good care of him and this was the next target for us; as he keeps checking off the list for us, he takes all the credit. With the 1 hole today, we planned it out where, if need be, we would sit back in second or third. He’s got such a big stride and he’s such a big, strong horse.” Glorious Empire returned $17 to win, $9 to place, and $7.20 to show. Qurbaan brought back $8.60 to place and $5 to show, while Hi Happy paid $4.40 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More