Personally would have gone on a conquering spree in this situation (in any endless situation?). Especially since Horatio is quite easily the weakest empire. 

Yep, had to quit.  Cravers kept me busy and the Vadyani killed me with influence.  Waste of time really, Vadyani was up to 29 CP way before me.  

I had an ultra Vod in my last game too, it's because of their broken hero skill. I don't think they can do much with their influence (maybe?) but they do need to be exterminated quick when they blow up like that. A couple of fleets per Ark sorts them out quick, don't bother invading just kill the Arks.

I try not to restart right at the beginning of the game and try to make it work.  With the Cravers constant attack after turn 5, I thought I was going to have a break after Horatio asked me to join the alliance.  Not really...  The constant war with the Cravers made both of us fall way behind.  I couldn't get any headway with them, even with twice as many ships they would always give me enough damage that I would be wasting my influence or dust to build more ships.  

As for the Vodyani I forget to keep them out of the game, until they fix them.  Hate it when I have to go hunting them down just because of the broken hero skill.  Not sure but I'm usually strong with my influence.  Even with the Craver war, I had to waste time researching empire development, trying to keep the  Vodyani at bay to no avail.