Saratoga Snacks mulls Empire Classic or Hudson

"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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