New York-Bred Stars Shine on Empire Showcase Day

ELMONT, NY – A total of 109 New York-bred horses competed across 11 races at Belmont Park on Saturday in the annual Empire Showcase Day, which includes 8 stakes totaling $1.2 million in purses.

$175,000 Empire Classic Handicap

Horses 3 and up going 1 1/8 miles on the dirt

“The big horse is back,” said winning rider Junior Alvarado. “I couldn’t be any happier for him. I really wanted to do it for him. He deserves it. He’s the best older New York-bred. I like him when he takes a hold of the bridle. That’s how he likes to be ridden. I just got out of there running. I wasn’t intending to get to the lead. I just wanted to get him out of there going forward and take my position, whatever it will be. He’s a horse that can go 22 (seconds) and 45 (seconds), too, but I just gunned him out of there to get a good position. If anyone else wanted the lead, they were going to have to work hard to get it, I wasn’t going to give it to them easily today.”

Mr. Buff returned $9.40 to win, $5.40 to place, and $3.70 to show. Bankit brought back $5.30 to place and $3.60 to show, while Sea Foam paid $3.60 to show.

“(Owner/breeders Chester and Mary Broman) have been with me since their inception in the thoroughbred game,” said winning trainer John Kimmel. “They’ve been big supporters and sent me a lot of top well-bred New York-breds over the years.”

$125,000 Iroquois Stakes

Fillies and mares 3 and up going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

Collegeville Girl returned $48.20 to win, $19 to place, and $10 to show. Prairie Fire brought back $10.80 to place and $7.10 to show, while Timely Tradition paid $4 to show.

$150,000 Mohawk Stakes

Horses 3 and up going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf

Somelikeithotbrown returned $4.50 to win, $2.90 to place, and $2.10 to show. Therapist brought back $3.70 to place and $2.60 to show, while Cross Border paid $2.70 to show.

$125,000 Hudson Handicap

Horses 3 and up going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

Tribecca returned $12.40 to win, $5.60 to place, and $3.60 to show. Big Engine brought back $3.50 to place and $2.60 to show, while Captain Bombastic paid $2.90 to show.

$175,000 Empire Distaff Handicap

Fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt

Lucky Move returned $10.40 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3.40 to show. Mrs. Orb brought back $4.60 to place and $3.80 to show, while Makingcents paid $5 to show.

$150,000 Ticonderoga Stakes

Fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf

Myhartblongstodady returned $4.20 to win, $2.90 to place, and $2.40 to show. War Canoe brought back $3.50 to place and $2.50 to show, while Niko’s Dream paid $3.60 to show.

$150,000 Sleepy Hollow Stakes

Juvenile horses going 1 mile on the dirt

Brooklyn Strong returned $9.60 to win, $4.90 to place, and $3.20 to show. Eagle Orb brought back $6.90 to place and $3.40 to show, while Breadman paid $3 to show.

$150,000 Maid of the Mist Stakes

Juvenile fillies going 1 mile on the dirt

Laobanonaprayer returned $19.20 to win, $6.30 to place, and $3.50 to show. Frost Me brought back $2.80 to place and $2.30 to show, while Chasing Cara paid $4.70 to show.