Alberobello ready to take next step in allowance

ELMONT, N.Y. – When Alberobello won the final race at Keeneland on April 14, she became the ninth winner from as many foals thrown by the Carson City mare Carson Jen.

Ultimately, trainer Todd Pletcher hopes Alberobello can join four of those previous eight foals as a stakes winner. For now, however, Pletcher is content on taking the next logical step by running Alberobello in a first-level allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs that serves as the co-feature on Thursday’s nine-race card at Belmont Park.

Alberobello, by Bernardini, is related to, among others, the Grade 1 winner AZ Warrior, and stakes winners EZ Warrior, JZ Warrior, and Jojo Warrior. Alberobello was upset by 61-1 Divine Queen in her debut on March 10 at Tampa. Alberobello came back five weeks later to cruise to a 6 1/2-length victory over 10 rivals at Keeneland.

“She was a little green first time out, improved dramatically second time out, and hopefully continues doing so,” Pletcher said. “I think she benefitted from the race.”

Alberobello, owned by the China Horse Club International, will break from post 7 in the eight-horse field, giving John Velazquez options on how to ride her, though she could be the main speed in the field.

Greatreviews, a daughter of Leroidesanimaux, is coming off a 6 1/2-length victory against Florida-bred competition on March 22 at Gulfstream Park. Seven weeks earlier, she finished sixth in an open allowance at Aqueduct, but trainer Bill Mott said she emerged from that race with a lung infection.

Mott also has Naples Princess entered in this field. Naples Princess hasn’t run since July. Mott said he had sent Naples Princess to New York in late March to run, but she developed a foot bruise that kept her out of the entries until now.

The field of eight includes Cache and Navajo, both dropping out of graded stakes tries; Isotope, a four-time winner; She’s the Berries; and New Year’s Wish.

KEY CONTENDERS

Alberobello, by Bernardini
Beyers: 81-68

◗ Raced between horses early then tipped wide, but could not reel in longshot Divine Queen when she debuted at Tampa.

◗ Broke quickly and got an outside stalking trip before dominating an 11-horse field when taking a maiden race in April.

“I hope that she’s a stakes filly down the road but this is a natural progression,” Pletcher said. “I wouldn’t have minded it being a bit little farther.”

Greatreviews, by Leroidesanimaux
Last 3 Beyers: 95-49-77

◗ She has won two of her last three, with a last-place finish in between owing to a lung infection.

◗ Mott believes that shortening the filly in distance from a mile has been key.

“She does get a mile, but she’s able to come with a stronger run going shorter,” Mott said.

She’s the Berries, by Badge of Silver
Last 3 Beyers: 79-56-60

◗ Came off a six-month layoff to run second to Devine Mischief racing on Lasix first time in solid effort Derby week at Churchill Downs.

◗ Her two best figures have been on dirt, including a head loss in debut here last June.