Classic Empire’s Ava K’s Boy Wins Saratoga Maiden Special Weight

Sugar Maple Farm and H. Lewis Rapaport’s homebred Ava K’s Boy (2c Classic Empire x Ava K., by Dixie Union) became his sire’s newest winner on Thursday with a Saratoga Maiden Special Weight victory.

Racing 5 ½ furlongs on the Saratoga dirt, Ava K’s Boy raced in midpack for the first furlong before sprinting to sit just off the leaders as they entered the turn. That colt was happy to add distance to the race when racing four paths wide around the turn.

The wide paths proved to be the pace to be as Ava K’s Boy was chased by an even wider race favorite down the stretch to no avail. Ava K’s Boy flashed home a length in front in the end for trainer Carlos Martin in his second start.

Third at Saratoga on debut last month, Ava K’s Boy is the third winner from three to race out of multiple stakes winner and Grade III-placed Ava K. Ava K is one of two stakes winners out of stakes winning Bedside Manner alongside Grade II winner Skyway. One of that pair’s half-siblings has added to the stakes form as the dam of two stakes placed runners as well.

Ava K has an Uncle Mo colt at foot.

The sire of four stakes performers – the second most of any North American freshman sire behind Caravaggio – Classic Empire also has eight winners from his first crop as well.