Coming back on two weeks’ rest Straight Arrow took control in the stretch and pulled away to take the Empire Classic Stakes at Belmont at the Big A Oct. 29. It was New York-bred day at the meet.
After winning an allowance optional claiming race earlier in the meet, trainer Michael Dini decided the best move for the gray or roan Arrogate gelding was to get him back on the track, even in the muddy conditions brought on by the day’s rain.
“To me he’s like a 3-year-old going to the Kentucky Derby,” Dini said. “He’s lightly-raced and I really don’t train hard. The meet is coming to an end and he’s a hard horse to train. It took two years to get him to the races.”
Dini is still getting a feel for his trainee, who started on turf two starts back. And while that didn’t go as planned, he believes Straight Arrow’s future is pointed to turf.
That wasn’t a concern Sunday, as Straight Arrow’s focus was on the dirt.
After Un Ojo broke outward from the eight slot, that break applied pressure on Cicciobello to come into contact with Straight Arrow coming out of the 10th position. However, he didn’t get rattled and stayed within range of Cicciobello, who led for the better part of the opening three-quarters of a mile in the 1 1/8-mile contest.
Approaching the top of the stretch, Straight Arrow went four wide before taking the lead at the top of the stretch. From there, it didn’t take much urging to get him home.
The 4-year-old paid $7 for a $2 win ticket.
“He’s a good horse,” said jockey Jairo Rendon. “I had never ridden him before last time and I had just watched replays and kind of know what he likes. He’s a good horse and knows how to run, you just ask him when you’re ready to go and he gives you everything. He made my day here.”
Bred by Patricia Generazio and owned by Laura Barrish, Straight Arrow improved to 4-1-0 from seven starts with $295,000 in earnings.
IN OTHER ACTION….
*Spirit of St. Louis rallied down the stretch to overtake City Man to win the Mowhawk Stakes and give jockey Manny Franco his 2000th career win.
*My Mane Squeeze battled two rivals at the top of the stretch and pulled away for a three-length win in the Maid of the Mist Stakes.
*Javier Castellano bided his time aboard Know It All Audrey to overtake Ichiban late in the Empire Distaff Stakes.
*Amanda’s Folly , owned and trained by Linda Rice, outdueled Silver Skillet by a neck to claim the Ticonderoga Stakes.
*Sterling Silver caught Leeloo in the final furlong and held on for a neck win in the Iroquois Stakes.
*A late-charging B D Saints didn’t have enough to catch El Grande O in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes.
*Rotknee engaged early leader Today’s Flavor before holding off NY Traffic to win the Hudson Stakes.
Video: Empire Classic S. (BT)
