Aqueduct: San Pablo heads six-horse field for Queens County

San Pablo, a five-time stakes winner trained by Todd Pletcher, heads a field of six entered in Saturday’s $75,000 Queens Count Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.

San Pablo enjoyed a solid winter here last year, winning two overnight stakes and running second to Marilyn’s Guy in both the As Indicated and the Grade 3 Excelsior.

After a break, San Pablo has won 3 of 5 starts, including the Grade 3 Iselin at Monmouth Park in August and, most recently, the $100,000 Swatara Stakes at Penn National on Nov. 21. In between, he finished ninth in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont.

Chris DeCarlo, who won his first race of the fall meet on Wednesday for Pletcher, has the call on San Pablo from post 5.

Isn’t He perfect, second to San Pablo in the Birdstone at Saratoga and third to him in the Swatara, looms the major threat under Mike Luzzi.

Gallant Fields, entered in a third-level optional $75,000 claimer on Thursday’s card, was supplemented to the Queens County field by owner Jeffrey Singer and trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.

Indy Scent, Arch Traveler, and Tonto Fontenot complete the field.

The Queens County will go as the eighth on a nine-race card and be part of a late pick four with a guaranteed pool of $250,000. Two other overnight stakes on the card failed to fill.

Gullo fined, suspended

Trainer Gary Gullo on Monday will begin serving a seven-day suspension and was fined $1,000 for the finding of a prohibited substance in one of his horses at the Belmont fall meet.

Can’t Catch Me Now, who finished third in the sixth race at Belmont on Sept. 19, tested positive for Flunixin, a non-steroidal inflammatory.

Can’t Catch Me Now was ordered unplaced in the order of finish.

Gullo’s suspension runs through Dec. 16.

Holiday spirit in full swing

The New York Racing Association and the U.S. Marine Corps will host their annual Toys for Tots drive this weekend at Aqueduct.

Patrons may bring a new, unwrapped toy to the track Saturday or Sunday. There will be donation boxes at the main clubhouse entrance and the Turf and Field entrance. Toys will be distributed to children in need.

NYRA will also host its annual Stocking Stuffer promotion, selling left-over giveaway items for $1, with proceeds donated to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

Sale items will include Saratoga picnic mats and pilsner glasses, stadium seat covers, and a variety of T-shirts.

The stocking stuffer promotion will take place on the first floor of the Aqueduct clubhouse, and items will be sold up to 10 minutes before post time of the eighth race both Saturday and Sunday.

Also Saturday, the Belmont Child Care Association will hold its annual holiday party at the Turf and Field Club at Belmont Park.

At this event, children of backstretch workers will be able to pick out presents for their family members.

Those interested in contributing to this event can do so by visiting www.belmontchildcare.org or by sending donations to BCCA, Gate 6, 2150 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003.

◗ Following Wednesday’s sixth race, track announcer Tom Durkin began his winter vacation. John Imbriale will call the races until late March