Soaring Empire Upsets Hal's Hope Stakes

by Bodog Racebook | Jan 10 2011

Though Morning Line and Rule were the headliners in the $100,000 Gr. 3 Hal's Hope Stakes, it was Soaring Empire who rose to the occasion with a solid 1 ¼ length victory in the $100,000 Gr. 3 Hal's Hope Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Jan. 8.

Trying to bounce back from a close runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 6 was Morning Line, who was sent off as the even-money favorite and initially set the pace. Ridden by John Velazquez, the 4-year-old son of Tiznow was pursued by the pairing of Soaring Empire and Jose Lezcano. Soaring Empire took control of the race with six furlongs left to run and was able to fend off a hard-closing Rule, under Javier Castellano, before pulling away. His winning time over a fast track was 1:35.99. Rule gained a half-length advantage over Morning Line at the wire, who was followed by Tackleberry (who did not have an ideal start), Dream Maestro and Caixa Eletronica.

Cam Gambolati trains Soaring Empire, who earned $60,000 for the victory for owner Ol Memorial Stable and Glasscock. His career earnings now total $189,726 and his record improves to 9-4-0-2. It was the first graded stakes win for the Empire Maker colt, despite four tries in 2010; his best finish was in the Rutgers Stakes, a 6-furlong sprint at Monmouth Park on Nov. 6. His best graded stakes finish was in the Gr. 3 Pegasus Stakes, also at Monmouth, on June 19. Targeting the Gr. 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap at Gulfstream Park on March 12, Soaring Empire may turn up next in the Gr. 2 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship on Feb. 12.

And after a near 10-month layoff, Rule seems to be returning nicely to the same form that saw him capture four straight races, including the Gr. 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in Feb. 2010; he will be a horse to watch this year. The 4-year-old son of Roman Ruler is trained by Todd Pletcher for WinStar Farm and now has $811,700 in earnings from eight starts to go with a record of 4-2-2.

Get your wagers in on the next Bodog Race of the Week set for Jan. 15 – the San Fernando Stakes!