Royal Posse Flashes Consistency in Empire Classic
On a wet and windy Empire Showcase day at Belmont Park, it was Royal Posse in the Empire Classic Handicap, last year’s runner-up, who highlighted the New York-bred showcase. The definition of consistent, Royal Posse has finished in the top two every race since Michael Dubb claimed the five-year-old gelding in May 2015.
In a field of eight, Royal Posse and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. left the gate as the 5-2 second choice and settled in third as Wake Up in Malibu led the first half-mile in fractions of :24.45 and :48.61. Hit It Once More was in close pursuit behind the leader. At the opposite end of the field, 6-5 favorite Governor Malibu broke slow from the second post and had to bide his time in last on the rail. Royal Posse gradually inched his way forward, and began to draw clear of the leader with three-quarters going in 1:13.31.
Hit It Once More tried to stay with Royal Posse, but failed to keep up. Meanwhile, Christophe Clement-trained Governor Malibu began a late surge under Joel Rosario from the back and carved a path between horses until he found an opening. The three-year-old Malibu Moon colt made a huge run, but there was too much work left to do on the sloppy track.
In the end, Royal Posse took the win over Governor Malibu by 3 ½ lengths in a final time of 1:52.15. The victory delivered $7.90, $3.40, and $2.50. Governor Malibu returned $2.70 and $2.10 while last year’s winner, Empire Dreams, paid $2.30 to show. Pax in Terra, Hit It Once More, Good Luck Gus, Clifton Pleasure, and Wake Up in Malibu completed the order of finish. Sea Raven was scratched.
Bred by Richard J. Troncone and Richard J. Troncone, Jr., Royal Posse began his race career under their name before being claimed by Epona Racing Stable in September, 2014. In May the following year, Michael Dubb claimed the gelding and placed him with trainer Rudy Rodriguez. Royal Posse went on that year to win the Evan Shipman Stakes and the Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes before winning the Mr. Sinatra Stakes, the Alydar Stakes, and repeating in the Evan Shipman. Today’s Empire Classic win raised his record to 33-10-10-0 and pushed his earnings up to $901,245.
“He loves the slop,” said Rodriguez. He's a very honest horse. He always trained good and we're just very blessed to have him in the barn. I didn't have much concern with the track conditions because he won in Florida on a sloppy and sealed track and he's a very game horse. When I saw him close to the pace today I was like 'wow' to see him like that but he wants to run all day.”
Added Royal Posse’s jockey Ortiz, Jr. “We got a good trip. He broke sharp and was very game today. He put me in there and from the three-eighths pole we were rolling. He's a runner. He's doing so good and Rudy is doing such a great job with him and keeping his momentum. He loves the mud, it wasn't a problem for him at all.”
Per Rosario on Governor Malibu, “It just took a long time to get him in the race today and I was riding him. He put a little run in at the end but, by then, he was too far away from me.”
By Christine Oser