Bank Frenzy gets top billing in Empire Classic

A deep field of nine New York-bred runners will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct main surface in Sunday’s $250,000 Empire Classic S. The two-turn event came up strong with numerous strong performers in the field, and I will give the slight edge to #4 Bank Frenzy with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the stirrups. 

Empire Classic Wagers

• $20 win #4 Bank Frenzy ($20)
• $5 exacta key box 4 with 1,2 ($20)
• $2 trifecta box 1,2,4 ($12)

The chestnut began his career with conditioner Lisa Lewis and flashed considerable potential during his first nine starts, led by a runner-up result in the New York Stallion Series S. in the spring of 2023. He was a strong second-level allowance victor on the local oval in his final run for Lewis in April and was transferred to trainer Rudy Rodriguez following that triumph. 

Bank Frenzy rallied with excellent energy to earn his initial stakes win in the Evan Shipman S. at Saratoga on Aug. 18, prior to finishing a clear second while in with open allowance foes at one mile in his latest appearance. Central Banker gelding sports a 4-2-2-0 lifetime line at Aqueduct, and his lone try at nine panels resulted in a five-length allowance tally in his 2023 finale. The four-year-old has very good tactical speed, and I envision him sitting a few lengths off of a solid early tempo before taking the lead nearing the midstretch marker. 

Two-time stakes winner #1 Drake’s Passage didn’t fire in his latest run over a muddy strip at Saratoga most recently, but the Christophe Clement pupil is a sure-fire win threat with something close to his best showing, nonetheless. The speedy son of Tonalist was third in the Brooklyn S. (G2) behind the sensational Next on this surface two back, which followed a dominant score in the Commentator S. at Saratoga. Four-year-old bay looks like the one to catch, and perhaps beat, with regular pilot Manny Franco on board. 

#2 Donegal Surges is due to earn a stakes trophy for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The Candy Ride colt has three lifetime wins on the oval and comes in off a fine allowance score over open company in his most recent showing. Bay colt has run two of his best races to date at nine furlongs, and he has the early presence to stay in range throughout as well. Kendrick Carmouche retains the mount.