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Heavily favored Empire Dreams (Patriot Act) earned his second career stakes victory for owner West Point Thoroughbreds on Saturday when he ran down Fox Rox in late stretch in the $161,000 New York Derby for New York-bred 3-year-olds run at Finger Lakes at 1 1/16 miles.
Drawn in the outside post of the six-horse field, 1-2 favorite Empire Dreams escaped unscathed when Fox Rox veered out sharply at the break from post one, affecting three horses to his outside. The favorite then took back into fourth to enjoy a comfortable trip in the two path, four lengths behind pacesetter Lady’s Smart Alec.
Gearing up around the far turn under jockey Manuel Franco, and moving into second four wide by the head of the lane, Empire Dreams set his sights on new leader Fox Rox, who inherited first after pressing the pace.
The new leader proved a stubborn foe, but Empire Dreams poked a head in front at the sixteenth marker before spurting off to a 2 1/2-length victory. Fox Rox, second across the line, was demoted to fifth after a jockey’s objection and a stewards’ inquiry. Completing the order of finish were Eye Luv Lulu, Let’s Discuss, Free Mugatu and pacesetter Lady’s Smart Alec. Effinex was a late scratch. The final time was 1:45.55 over the fast going. [VIDEO]
“This is my first time in this race”, said a grateful Franco. “I am thankful to the trainer for the opportunity.”
Trained for West Point by Tom Albertrani, Empire Dreams improved his record to 3-4-1 from nine starts and increased his earnings to $320,500 with the win. His second stakes victory, on top of the six-furlong Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Stakes run at Aqueduct last November, was his first race beyond seven furlongs.
On the board in all four starts this year, Empire Dreams ran second to Loki’s Vengeance in the NYSS Times Square on closing day at Aqueduct, and last out was a solid runner-up in the Mike Lee at Belmont behind the talented Captain Serious, who went on to finish a strong second in the Grade 2 Dwyer last weekend.
Bred by Pegasus Dream Stable and foaled at Donna Sammons’ Farm in Elizaville, Empire Dreams was purchased by West Point for $35,000 at the 2013 OBS spring sale of 2-year-olds in training. Out of Ascended Dreams, an unraced daughter of Thunder Gulch, he has four winning siblings from four to start, including stakes-placed Court of Dreams by Powerscourt (GB).
