Empire Classic S. Black Type

Chart notes

STRAIGHT ARROW got brushed at the start by CICCIOBELLO due to pressure from UN OJO breaking outwards, raced forwardly placed four then three wide through the first turn before chasing three to four wide down the backstretch, continued four wide through the far turn given a notch to work and placed to light coaxing five-sixteenths from home, took over command narrowly swinging five wide into upper stretch, edged clear under a drive to the eighth pole and was under a light drive inside the final sixteenth to prevail kept to task. SHERIFF BIANCO three wide through the opening bend, chased four to five paths off the inside down the backstretch and through the far turn getting placed to coaxing at the three-eighths, tipped six to seven wide into upper stretch, offered up a mild kick to secure the place honors over his barn mate as they closed belatedly in tandem to the finish. UN OJO broke out at the start bumping CICCIOBELLO into STRAIGHT ARROW, raced three wide through the first turn, chased four then five wide coming under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, angled seven to eight wide into upper stretch, offered up a mild kick to close in on the winner in concert with the aforementioned foe inside the final sixteenth while well clear for the show honors. CICCIOBELLO got bumped at the start by UN OJO and in turn brushed STRAIGHT ARROW, raced three then two wide forwardly placed through the first turn and engaged LOBSTA in head to head combat midway on that bend, traded the front three then two wide down the backstretch and into the far turn, shook away from his main pace rival safely with seven-sixteenths to go and was confronted by the top with five-sixteenths remaining, yielded command and swung four to five wide at the top of the stretch, then weakened in the final furlong. DRAKE'S PASSAGE just off the inside through the first turn, chased three wide down the backstretch and then four wide through the far turn getting placed to coaxing at the five-sixteenths, angled six wide into upper stretch and made no late headway. OLYMPIC DREAMS hustled from the gate, chased two then three wide coming under coaxing three furlongs from home, spun just off the inside into upper stretch and weakened in the drive. BARESE coaxed from the start, chased along the inside and then just off the inside coming under encouragement with five-sixteenths remaining, angled four wide into upper stretch and weakened. LOBSTA dueled from the two path getting shaken off with seven-sixteenths to go, came under urging at the three-eighths, faded and swung three wide at the head of the stretch, then faltered to the finish. CURLIN'S WISDOM away with the field, quickly grew detached at the tail of the field when sluggish early along the inside through the first turn, chased three to four paths off the inside down the backstretch and then three wide through the far turn, went six to seven wide into upper stretch and trailed throughout while eased home to the wire.