TRISTATE SHOWCASE: EMPIRE MAGNET AND OD CARDANO DUEL IT OUT

 On the evening of Thursday April 6th, two of the better dogs clashed at Tri-State in the Grade AA 11th race. Empire Magnet  - kennel name Empire - races for the McMillon/Ward Kennel. They are super proud of Magnet's record at Southland, and the talent the four year old 85 lb dog brought to the TriState kennel. 

Od Cardano - kennel name Roni - races for Double G Racing under trainer Greg Geter. The two year old 77 lb boy  is owned by North Shore Kennel.

So far in 2023, OD Cardano had 14 starts with 9 wins, 2 seconds and 1 fourth while Empire Magnet's record is 12 starts with 5 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third. 

With the field loaded into the start box, Empire Magnet was in the 7 box, and OD Cardano was in the 8 box. When the lid opened, the 2 box dog, GF Lucky Penny, got out in front. Both Empire Magnet and OD Cardano rushed the turn close together in second and third place. However, OD Cardano tried to get to the inside and bumped into Empire Magnet. Empire Magnet just kept running like nothing happened, but OD Cardano offstrided and dropped to fourth. 

Along the backstretch, OD Cardano got back on stride and was in third place. With GF Lucky Penny still in the lead coming into the stretch but taking a wide turn, Empire Magnet drives on while being chased by Od Cardano. Empire Magnet crossed the finish line first, with OD Cardano following for second place 1.5 lengths behind.

When asked how trainer Christopher Grieb thought of Empire's effort, "He’s the biggest dog in the race and he’s got to act like it. He got to the turn in second and shoulder to shoulder with a dog who already had 9 wins this season. Empire being the bigger dog, put his shoulder into the other dog and kept his momentum."