The finale at Belmont on Saturday is the Empire Classic for NY Bred 3-year-olds and up at the elongated, one turn, 1 1/8 mile distance. As is the case with the majority of these state bred stakes races, many of these are quite familiar with each other, as evidenced by the bold type in their past performances. (6) FUTURE PROSPECT will be the favorite and rightfully so off of his stellar recent form. He has been in the exacta in eight consecutive races and his victory in the Funny Cide two back was truly remarkable. He dueled fast fractions then tenaciously held off the closers. You may think he's my selection, but not so hasty, I have reservations. His last race bothers me. Odds on at 1/2, he laid off the fast pace of a lonely leader. When that one began to stop, PROSPECT was asked to quicken and for more than a little while looked beaten. He eventually leveled off and won, but I remember thinking, "play against him next time", so here we are. In addition, in the aforementioned huge effort in the Funny Cide, the closers he held off were perennial hanger DR. DFC and the old warhorse NAUGHTY NEW YORKER who both came back to get beat again in PROSPECT'S subsequent victory.
So, I am going to land on a new face here. (2) SLEVIN is an improving 3-year-old making his first stakes start against older horses and I believe he is up for the task. Two starts back he gave Fiddlers Afleet all he could handle in the Albany at Saratoga. All that one did was come back to win the Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park with a $400,000 purse. SLEVIN'S last race though is why I really like him. He was 2/5 in an entry level allowance race and was supposed to win, but it was how he did it. He did everything but fall down at the break, was totally bottled up on the far turn, had to squeeze through a tiny hole in midetch, then with one baby crack of the whip, ran away from horses who had the momentum jump on him. He should sit a great trip here off the speed, and if the track comes up wet (which is a real possibility), he loves the off going. Anything 5-1 or higher would be very good. If you want to play exotics, of course FUTURE PROSPECT is logical, but consider using (10) RUFFINO, a lightly raced 6-year-old gelding. He beat Birdrun last time and that one came back to break the track record for 1 1/16 miles in his next race. Observations on some of the rest: DR. DFC always tries hard but hasn't hit the exacta in over a year. NAUGHTY NEW YORKER didn't run a step with perfect pace set-up last time, may be on the downslide. (4) WEATHERED is a hard hitting filly against the boys and looks up against it from a pace standpoint. (5) HAYNESFIELD did some good work on the AQU inner in early 2009, tough to see off the one sprint prep in seven months. (9) DR. V'S MAGIC and (12) LOVE ABROAD ran 1st and 3rd respectively in this race last year. Horse's form can often be seasonal, so including either of them at a big price could be prudent.
As always, happy hunting (winners). Build that bankroll, only two weeks to Breeders Cup.
Ross Gallo has been a professional handicapper for over 25 years and avid tournament player since 1998. He has won 8 tournaments, qualified for the NTRA NHC 8 times, and finished second in the inaugural NHC Tour last year. He created Ultimate Handicappers Invitational in 2003. Players, if interested, can get information at Canterbury Park or can call Mr. Gallo at (561) 310-1691.
