Aqueduct: Boisterous out for repeat performance, carrying top weight in Red Smith

Trevor Miles/NYRA

Boisterous, who repeated as winner of the Knickerbocker last month, will try to do the same in the Red Smith.

Boisterous, who finished 2011 on a high note winning the Knickerbocker Stakes and Red Smith Handicap back to back, looks to close out 2012 just the same way on Saturday.

On paper, that's what the Phipps Stable homebred is supposed to do, as he shoulders 122 pounds and gives seven to nine pounds to five rivals.

The Grade 2, $200,000 Red Smith is scheduled for 1 3/8 miles on the Aqueduct turf course. It is the sixth race on an eight-race program that begins five minutes earlier than usual, with first post at 12:15 p.m. Eastern.

The 5-year-old Boisterous follows virtually the same schedule as last year, when he was freshened after a disappointing effort in the Sword Dancer Invitational and rebounded to notch his first two graded stakes victories for trainer Shug McGaughey.

After finishing off the board in the Arlington Million this summer, he returned from an eight-week break to win his second straight Knickerbocker with an explosive finish.

Last Sunday, Boisterous worked a half-mile in company with stablemate and Breeders' Cup Turf contender Point of Entry.

"He came out of his last race really good, and he was dying to work," said McGaughey. "I didn't want to do too much with him in between races...and he ran so good [in the Red Smith] last year, I'm hoping he can do it again."

Any cut in the ground favors Boisterous, whose last five victories have come on turf rated good to yielding.

Bombaguia led to the final strides in the Bowling Green in his next-to-last start, and appears the one to catch again in a short field for trainer John Kimmel.
 
"He put in a good effort," said Kimmel of the Bowling Green. "He ended up being the controlling speed in the race, which gave us a bit of an edge."

Lake Drop and Game Ball are back quickly after finishing fifth and seven in the Laurel Turf Cup last Saturday.

Lake Drop, purchased by Team Valor International after winning a Group 3 stakes in Italy, was the 9-5 favorite at Laurel and wound up beaten just a length after a tough trip.
Philly Ace and Westside Corral, both last-out winners, also entered. Westside Corral, claimed for $25,000 in July, is 2 for 2 over the course.

Isn't He Perfect and Pleasant Prince were entered for dirt only.