Aqueduct Race 3

Claiming

Prize Money: $61,341

GOLDEN PLATE (2) missed the placings two runs back then improved last start but found a couple better over 1609m at this track, beaten 3.5 lengths after being in contention on the bend. Well placed and there is no reason he cannot find winning ways. MILITARY ROAD (5) drops back in trip after he was well held last time in seventh over 1811m at this track (Dirt). Jamie Rodriguez sticks. Among the leading chances. EXPLORATION (3) is fitter for two runs back from a spell, progressing nicely last time to finish second, beaten 1.5 lengths, at this track (Dirt) over 1408m. Can go on to take this out. AWESOME EMPIRE (1) ran a better race last start to finish a close third over 1811m at this track after missing the placings at the previous appearance. Has his share of talent and is a top-three prospect.

Distance: 1609m
Track: Fast
Weather: Cloudy
Surface: Dirt
Class: CLM

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Awesome Empire (1) 1813336283
Trainer: Gustavo Rodriguez(USA)
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $107,789
Win / Place: 16% / 58%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: CLASSIC EMPIRE (USA)

Dam: TO DREAM ABOUT (USA)

Dam's Sire: Monarchos

100

Rating

Stats

Career

12: 2-1-4

Distance

2: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-0

Track

4: 0-1-1

Season

1: 0-0-1

1st Up

2: 1-0-0

2nd Up

2: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-1

Metro

10: 2-1-2

Non-Metro

2: 0-0-2

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Synthetic

3: 1-0-0

Dirt

8: 1-1-4

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

12: 2-1-4

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 0-0-1

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1609m - 1811m

Comments

At the latest run 3rd in a small field at this track on January 22 over 1811m, 1.75 len behind Adventurist carrying 56kg at $4.30. The start before that 8th of 10 at this track on December 13 over 1609m, 21 len behind Smilensaycheese with 54.5kg at $7.46. Not beaten far last start and worth including.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 6	22/1/26	Belmont At The Big A	1811m	CLM 4U	1	Manuel Franco	56kg	Fast	1:51.89	58.3 km/h	1.9L	2-1	$4.30	40	$64,275	$7,713	1. Adventurist 2. Baron Of Sealand 3. Awesome Empire
40 Day Freshen-Up
8th of 10	13/12/25	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	CLM 3U	8	K Carmouche	54.5kg	Fast	1:39.63	58.1 km/h	21.3L	6-8	$7.46	23	$50,536	$303	1. Smilensaycheese 2. Confabulation 3. Flat On
2nd of 6	20/11/25	Belmont At The Big A	1811m	CLM 3U	3	K Carmouche	54.5kg	Fast	1:50.05	59.2 km/h	2.5L	5-2	$8.51	29	$50,382	$10,076	1. Whiskey N Soda 2. Awesome Empire 3. Flat On
6th of 8	22/10/25	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	CLM 3U	5	Manuel Franco	54.5kg	Fast	1:36.02	60.3 km/h	9.8L	4-5	$6.59	29	$50,228	$502	1. Knox 2. Confabulation 3. Flat On
3rd of 7	23/9/25	Finger Lakes	1710m	ALLOW 3U	1	Christopher Elliott	54kg	Good	1:46.50	57.8 km/h	5.3L	5-3	$3.62	28	$41,131	$3,578	1. Janssen 2. Military Road 3. Awesome Empire
3rd of 5	26/8/25	Finger Lakes	1673m	ALLOW 3U	2	Luis R Rivera (Jnr)	53.5kg	Fast	1:43.70	58.1 km/h	2.8L	2-2	$9.40	18	$41,705	$3,991	1. Mr Ripple 2. Janssen 3. Awesome Empire

Golden Plate (2) 02x59x1583
Trainer: Linda Rice(USA)
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $133,907
Win / Place: 12% / 31%

5 yo Grey/Roan Gelding

Sire: TAPIT (USA)

Dam: SHE'S DELIGHTFUL (USA)

Dam's Sire: Mission Impazible

Rating

Stats

Career

16: 2-1-2

Distance

7: 0-0-1

Trk/Dst

3: 0-0-1

Track

5: 1-0-1

1st Up

3: 1-0-0

2nd Up

3: 0-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-0-1

Metro

16: 2-1-2

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

15: 2-1-2

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

16: 2-1-2

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1308m - 1609m

Comments

Returns from a 50-day let-up. Most recently 3rd of 9 at this track on December 27 over 1609m, 3.5 len behind Sergeant Capps carrying 56kg at $7.11. The run before that second last of 9 at this track on November 29 over 1609m, 14 len behind Bermuda Blitz carrying 56kg at $16.83. Major player on recent form.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 9	27/12/25	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	CLM 3U	8	R Silvera	56kg	Good	1:38.03	59.1 km/h	3.5L	8-2	$7.11	28	$65,850	$7,902	1. Sergeant Capps 2. Analog Jones 3. Golden Plate
8th of 9	29/11/25	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	ALLOW 3U	5	Jose Lezcano	56kg	Fast	1:35.80	60.5 km/h	14.9L	9-8	$17	36	$99,237	$745	1. Bermuda Blitz 2. Nuanced 3. Porosity
36 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 10	24/10/25	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	CLM 3U	3	K Carmouche	56kg	Fast	1:34.78	61.1 km/h	7.6L	10-6	$9.45	20	$88,280	$3,531	1. Crushed It 2. Celestial Glaze 3. House United
1st of 7	4/10/25	Belmont At The Big A	1308m	CLM 3U	6	K Carmouche	56kg	Fast	1:16.61	61.5 km/h	1.5L	5-2	$3.68	135	$62,405	$34,323	1. Golden Plate 2. Tapwrits Temper 3. Smilensaycheese
135 Day Spell
9th of 10	22/5/25	Churchill Downs	1609m	CLM 3U	7	Reyluis Gutierrez	56kg	Fast	1:36.29	60.2 km/h	15.5L	5-9	$3.81f	42	$89,062	$1,208	1. Infinite Luck 2. Stellar Vino 3. Shattuck
42 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 9	10/4/25	Keeneland	1710m	CLM 3U	4	Jose Ortiz	56.5kg	Good	1:44.07	59.2 km/h	6.0L	2-4	$6.33	322	$92,652	$2,641	1. Mo Hope 2. Indy Charges On 3. Smart Mo
322 Day Spell

Exploration (3) 1x42527x62
Trainer: Linda Rice(USA)
Jockey: Sahin Civaci
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $200,788
Win / Place: 16% / 58%

5 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: CURLIN (USA)

Dam: TANGERE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Malibu Moon

Rating

Stats

Career

12: 2-4-1

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

5: 1-1-0

Season

1: 0-1-0

1st Up

4: 0-1-1

2nd Up

3: 0-2-0

3rd Up

2: 1-0-0

4th Up

2: 1-1-0

Metro

12: 2-4-1

Dirt

12: 2-4-1

Anti-Clockwise

12: 2-4-1

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1408m

Comments

Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up second last of 7 at this track on December 10 over 1408m, 7 len behind Golden Symphony with 55.5kg at $8.42. Second run from a spell 2nd of 8 at this track on February 5 over 1408m, 1.5 len behind Spirit Dragon carrying 56kg at $8.42. Ready to find peak form.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 8	5/2/26	Belmont At The Big A	1408m	CLM 4U	1	Sahin Civaci	56kg	Fast	1:25.65	59.2 km/h	1.5L	6-3	$8.42	57	$61,341	$12,268	1. Spirit Dragon 2. Exploration 3. Scat Tu Tap
57 Day Freshen-Up
6th of 7	10/12/25	Belmont At The Big A	1408m	HCP 3U	2	Manuel Franco	55.5kg	Fast	1:25.50	59.3 km/h	7.9L	4-6	$8.42	74	$88,821	$1,332	1. Golden Symphony 2. Celestial Glaze 3. Shattuck
74 Day Spell
7th of 7	27/9/25	Belmont At The Big A	1408m	ALLOW OCLM 3	7	K Carmouche	55kg	Fast	1:22.04	61.8 km/h	8.5L	7-6	$12	42	$137,615	$2,064	1. Hurricane Nelson 2. Locke And Key 3. Treaty Obligation
42 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 7	16/8/25	Monmouth Park	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	7	Abner Adorno	55kg	Fast	1:10.48	61.7 km/h	1.3L	4-3	$5.90	31	$89,147	$17,829	1. Soze 2. Exploration 3. River Dog
31 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 7	16/7/25	Colonial Downs	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	4	Jevian Toledo	55kg	Fast	1:09.37	62.6 km/h	3.0L	7-7	$6.80	31	$113,150	$1,835	1. Augusta Melody 2. Radical Right 3. Call Me Andy
31 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 6	15/6/25	Laurel Park	1408m	ALLOW OCLM 3	6	Sheldon Russell	56kg	M	1:24.43	60.0 km/h	1.3L	3-2	$3.10	29	$91,081	$16,485	1. Band Camp 2. Exploration 3. War Master

Cocktailsnkringle (4) 7283123p14
Trainer: Steven I Schauer()
Jockey: Christopher Elliott
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $147,933
Win / Place: 13% / 46%

4 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: PRESERVATIONIST (USA)

Dam: CASUAL COCKTAIL (USA)

Dam's Sire: Magna Graduate

Rating

Stats

Career

15: 2-3-2

Distance

6: 2-2-1

Trk/Dst

4: 1-1-1

Track

5: 1-1-1

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

3: 0-1-0

2nd Up

3: 0-1-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-1

Metro

15: 2-3-2

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

14: 2-3-2

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

15: 2-3-2

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1408m - 1609m

Comments

Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 30-day let-up. Most recently in a small field at this track on January 16 over 1609m, 8 len behind Cool Andy carrying 56kg at $7.66. The run before that won by a nose at this track December 12 over 1609m defeating Mo For The King with 54.5kg at $7.48. Among the winning chances.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 5	16/1/26	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	CLM 4U	4	Christopher Elliott	56kg	Fast	1:39.35	58.3 km/h	8.5L	2-5	$7.66	35	$77,728	$4,664	1. Cool Andy 2. House United 3. Dreambuilder
35 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 9	12/12/25	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	HCP 3U	3	Sahin Civaci	54.5kg	Fast	1:41.53	57.1 km/h	0.1L	3-1	$7.48	19	$62,787	$34,533	1. Cocktailsnkringle 2. Mo For The King 3. Metatron
8th of 8	23/11/25	Belmont At The Big A	1408m	CLM 3U	7	Jamie Rodriguez	54.5kg	Fast	1:23.00	61.1 km/h	99.0L	1-8	$13	11	$83,969	$840	1. Gamebred 2. Mike's Magic 3. Hot Spun
3rd of 7	12/11/25	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	HCP 3U	7	Ricardo Santana Jr	54.5kg	Fast	1:36.94	59.8 km/h	1.8L	3-2	$4.44	33	$62,595	$7,511	1. Sergeant Capps 2. Adventurist 3. Cocktailsnkringle
33 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 5	10/10/25	Belmont At The Big A	1609m	CLM 3U	4	Ricardo Santana Jr	54.5kg	Fast	1:37.37	59.5 km/h	0.1L	1-2	$2.90f	39	$62,405	$12,481	1. Neon Bordeaux 2. Cocktailsnkringle 3. Derek's Law
39 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 9	1/9/25	Saratoga	1609m	MDN CLM 3U	3	Jose Ortiz	54.5kg	Fast	1:38.82	58.6 km/h	0.5L	2-1	$4.58	15	$58,104	$31,957	1. Cocktailsnkringle 2. Kavanaugh 3. No Merlot

Military Road (5) 233x211227
Trainer: Miguel Clement(USA)
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $239,275
Win / Place: 15% / 92%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: QUALITY ROAD (USA)

Dam: PRIVATE ENSIGN (USA)

Dam's Sire: A.p. Indy

Rating

Stats

Career

13: 2-7-3

Distance

4: 0-3-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-1-0

Track

3: 0-2-0

1st Up

2: 0-1-1

2nd Up

2: 1-1-0

3rd Up

2: 1-1-0

4th Up

2: 0-2-0

Metro

10: 1-5-3

Non-Metro

3: 1-2-0

Dirt

13: 2-7-3

Anti-Clockwise

13: 2-7-3

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 1-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1609m - 1811m

Comments

Returns from a 51-day let-up. Last start second last of 8 at this track on December 26 over 1811m, 9 len behind Dreamlike with 56kg at $31.22. The race before that 2nd in a small field at Finger Lakes on November 5 over 1609m, 0.3 len behind Burn Notice with 55.5kg at $1.33. Capable of a better run.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 8	26/12/25	Belmont At The Big A	1811m	ALLOW OCLM 3	4	Jamie Rodriguez	56kg	Fast	1:51.81	58.3 km/h	9.5L	1-5	$31	51	$134,763	$1,348	1. Dreamlike 2. Double Your Money 3. Bramito
51 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 6	5/11/25	Finger Lakes	1609m	ALLOW 3U	4	Keiber J Coa	55.5kg	Fast	1:39.55	58.2 km/h	0.3L	2-2	$1.33f	43	$41,069	$7,145	1. Burn Notice 2. Military Road 3. Seams Like Destiny
43 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 7	23/9/25	Finger Lakes	1710m	ALLOW 3U	6	Keiber J Coa	56kg	Good	1:46.50	57.8 km/h	0.1L	3-2	$1.59f	35	$41,131	$7,156	1. Janssen 2. Military Road 3. Awesome Empire
35 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 5	19/8/25	Finger Lakes	1710m	ALLOW 3U	2	Keiber J Coa	56kg	Fast	1:47.53	57.2 km/h	8.8L	2-1	$1.15f	39	$41,085	$21,395	1. Military Road 2. Burn Notice 3. Notfanutin
39 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 3	11/7/25	Delaware Park	1710m	MDN 3U	1	Jamie Rodriguez	56kg	Fast	1:45.08	58.6 km/h	5.5L	1-1	$1.10f	29	$68,807	$41,284	1. Military Road 2. Work Hard 3. Mr Funtastico
2nd of 6	12/6/25	Delaware Park	1673m	MDN 3U	6	Jamie Rodriguez	56kg	Fast	1:41.36	59.4 km/h	4.5L	6-3	$1.90f	283	$69,984	$17,496	1. Energize 2. Military Road 3. L Golden Boy
283 Day Spell

Brave Blend (6) 9737323314
Trainer: Josue Arce(USA)
Jockey: Melvis Gonzalez
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $136,040
Win / Place: 10% / 47%

5 yo Dark Bay/Brown Gelding

Sire: OMAHA BEACH (USA)

Dam: ULTIMATE BLEND (USA)

Dam's Sire: Tiznow

Rating

Stats

Career

19: 2-2-5

Distance

2: 0-0-2

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Metro

19: 2-2-5

Turf

6: 0-1-0

Dirt

13: 2-1-5

Fast

6: 0-1-0

Anti-Clockwise

19: 2-2-5

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1408m

Comments

Comes off a 39 day let-up. Last start 4th of 8 at Parx on January 7 over 1308m, 9 len behind A Votre Sante carrying 56.5kg at $3.50. The race before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 4 len at Churchill Downs November 26 over 1408m defeating Purse Thief with 54.5kg at $1.57. Preferred in something easier.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 8	7/1/26	Parx	1308m	HCP 4U	7	Melvis Gonzalez	56.5kg	Fast	1:19.74	59.1 km/h	9.3L	3-4	$3.50	42	$38,864	$2,332	1. A Votre Sante 2. Solo In Paris 3. Friday Surprise
42 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 8	26/11/25	Churchill Downs	1408m	CLM 3U	1	I Ortiz Jr	54.5kg	Fast	1:23.85	60.5 km/h	4.0L	3-2	$1.57f	24	$54,962	$31,066	1. Brave Blend 2. Purse Thief 3. Tis Charming
3rd of 6	2/11/25	Churchill Downs	1207m	CLM 3U	4	I Ortiz Jr	54.5kg	Fast	1:10.13	62.0 km/h	3.0L	2-2	$2.23f	11	$116,031	$11,603	1. South Bend Tom 2. You Belong Here 3. Brave Blend
3rd of 8	22/10/25	Keeneland	1207m	CLM 3U	2	I Ortiz Jr	55kg	Fast	1:11.56	60.7 km/h	2.3L	6-2	$12	32	$88,280	$8,498	1. Tom Cat Tuesday 2. Colonel Caliente 3. Brave Blend
32 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 5	20/9/25	Churchill Downs	1308m	CLM 3U	1	J R Leparoux	55kg	Fast	1:17.23	61.0 km/h	1.3L	1-1	$1.60f	47	$87,156	$17,431	1. Big Salt Lick 2. Brave Blend 3. Clear Echo
47 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 7	4/8/25	Ellis Park	1609m	CLM 3U	7	J R Leparoux	56kg	Fast	1:38.03	59.1 km/h	7.6L	6-3	$2.51f	31	$62,016	$6,082	1. Indy Charges On 2. Guardian 3. Brave Blend
31 Day Freshen-Up

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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