Mr. Buff May Overpower Foes in Empire Classic

A total of 100 New York-breds are entered for a special 10-race card Oct. 30 at Belmont Park to celebrate the best of New York for the annual Empire Showcase Day, featuring six stakes races worth $1.35 million, topped by the $300,000 Empire Classic Handicap and $250,000 Empire Distaff.

Due to significant rainfall from a coastal storm that impacted Long Island Tuesday and Wednesday, a pair of $200,000 state-bred turf races originally scheduled for Saturday—the Ticonderoga Stakes for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, and the Mohawk Stakes for 3-year-olds and up—have been rescheduled for Nov. 5 and Nov. 6, respectively.

"Empire New York Showcase Day highlights the very best New York-breds in competition, displaying the talented Thoroughbreds our state's breeders contribute to all divisions across New York racing," said Najja Thompson, executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez, who has won 11 individual meet titles on the NYRA circuit, will be represented across four stakes by five horses Saturday, including Danny California  and Tiergan  in the Empire Classic.

To win the 1 1/8-mile Empire Classic, which is slated as race 9, Michael Dubb and Karen Murphy's Danny California will have to topple a talented field led by two-time race winner Mr. Buff  and the upwardly mobile Americanrevolution . 

Danny California, a 6-year-old Afleet Alex   chestnut claimed for $40,000 in April, has posted a record of 1-1-2 in five starts for his new connections led by an optional claiming score against open company Aug. 7 at Saratoga Race Course.

"He loves Saratoga so we gave him three races there this summer and he showed up every time," Rodriguez said. "We've freshened him up and pointed him to this day and so far, so good."

Tiergan, owned by Rodriguez in partnership with Michael Imperio and Andrew Gurdon, sports a ledger of 21-5-7-1. The 5-year-old Afleet Alex gelding, bred by Hibiscus Stables, captured the 1 1/8-mile Ashley T. Cole Stakes over a muddy and sealed main track last out on Sept. 24 at Belmont.

Chester and Mary Broman's homebred Mr. Buff has won the last two editions of the 1 1/8-mile Empire Classic. The 7-year-old Friend Or Foe   chestnut launched his current campaign with a pair of open-company stakes scores at Aqueduct Racetrack, taking the Jazil in January and the Stymie in February.

Trainer John Kimmel said he is hoping the strapping millionaire will return to winning form after a pair of off-the-board efforts.

"He's been training well into the Empire Classic," Kimmel said. "It'll be a tough race, but he's been working really well."

China Horse Club and WinStar Farm's 3-year-old stakes winner Americanrevolution comes off a third in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) Sept. 25 at Parx Racing.

"He's coming off a big third against some more seasoned horses in the Pennsylvania Derby," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "He's come a long way in a short period of time so the Empire Classic makes sense for him."

Rounding out the field are Captain Bombastic , Three Jokers , Wild Banker , and Sea Foam .