Empire of War Strikes in Awad in Stakes Debut
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Empire of War gets his first black-type victory in the Awad Stakes at Aqueduct
Empire of War made his stakes debut a winning one, firing off a powerful stretch kick to capture the $100,000 Awad Stakes Nov. 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Trained by Todd Pletcher for owner Three Diamonds Farm, Empire of War arrived at the one-mile juvenile race on Aqueduct's yielding inner turf course off an impressive 1 1/4-length maiden win on the Belmont Park lawn.
Settled into fifth position along the rail through the early running under jockey Manny Franco, Empire of War was content to track the contested early half-mile splits of :22.79 and :48.22 set by Absolved under pressure from Ole Mole, Honorable Hero and A Thread of Blue.
Franco urged Empire of War into contention approaching the final turn, traveling outside his rivals to take command at the top of the lane. The son of Declaration of War had plenty in reserve to hold off Life Mission for a half-length score. A Thread of Blue was third.
Empire of War finished in 1:37.39 and returned $5.70 as the 9-5 favorite.
"The race set up very nicely for him," said Pletcher's assistant trainer, Byron Hughes. "The speed went, and Manny saved ground going into the first turn. He got him into the clear down the backside, went five wide into the turn, and kicked home—it was a nice win. He's really stepped up since we've run him on the turf and has been very impressive ever since.
Franco was content to let his horse relax behind rivals.
"I knew I had some speed inside of me, so I wanted to wait early and see what the speed was going to do," Franco said. "They went in front of me and my horse took me there, and when I asked, he was there for me."
Bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Wycoff, Empire of War is out of the Empire Maker dam Shehadmefromhello and is a half brother to multiple grade 1 winner Separationofpowers. Empire of War banked $55,000 and improved his record to 2-0-1 from four starts.