Saffie Joseph Jr. has been on a good roll of late, winning with 7 of his last 17 entrants through Friday’s races. And while Empire Attraction was not one of them, that’s likely to change after today’s Gulf feature.
The eighth race is a classified optional two-turner and there’s evidence to believe that Empire Attraction (7-2) will get off on a good foot here in his return to Tapeta track.
In his last on turf, the gelded 5-year-old made a mid-race move into a pace that was heating noticeably. He took the lead and held well but weakened from his early brush, settling for place. [See GP, MAY 20, Race 7].
His figures have improved since Joseph took over the training three starts back, including a game placing two starts back while failing to change to his correct right lead.
The return to an AW surface and the mini-turnback augurs well here.
Taking Empire Attraction to win at 5-2 or greater, an exacta box with impressive last-out winner Volcanic (5-2) and adding Mo Vanishing (4-1) to the exotics mix.
