Defending Champion Saratoga Snacks Back for $300,000 Empire Classic

Headlining the field as the 2-1 morning line favorite is Saratoga Snacks, the defending Empire Classic champion. After finishing second in the Empire Classic in 2012, the ridgling son of Tale of the Cat came back to win last year which is the last time he has made a trip to the winner’s circle. Trained by Bill Mott, the five-year-old gelding will have Joel Rosario aboard as he goes for his first win of the year after finishing sixth against allowance company. He has had a bullet workout since his last race.

Sioux making stakes debut after back to back wins

Second choice on the morning line at odds of 5-2 is Sioux for trainer Michael Hushion. Purchased for $200,000 by Peachtree Stable, the three-year-old son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again will be making his stakes debut after winning both starts this year for a total of three wins from five starts. He was much the best against state-bred optional claiming competition last time out and will have regular rider Jose Ortiz in the irons.  

Hard-knocking Sinistra back against state-bred company

Also in the field at morning line odds of 8-1 is Sinistra, a four-year-old son of Stonesider trained by Karl Grusmark. The bay gelding has been extremely consistent this year and has been on the board in ten of his thirteen starts, most notably with a win in the Evan B. Shipman at Saratoga in July. He was last seen finishing third against an open optional claiming field at Belmont and will have John Velazquez back aboard as he goes for his fifth career victory.