Aldrin looks to make giant leap in Tampa maiden race
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Aldrin has a legitimate case that he’s one of the most talented 4-year-old maidens in North America, and on Friday at Tampa Bay Downs, he’ll try to take one giant leap in his career by getting his long-overdue first victory. Aldrin, a $1 million purchase as a 2-year-old, will run in race 6, one of three $23,000 maiden special weight races that serve as the highlights of the 10-race card.
Aldrin, a Malibu Moon ridgling trained by Chad Brown for Mt. Brilliant Farm LLC and Gainesway Stable, has finished second in three of his six starts. As a 2-year-old, he was the runner-up to eventual Grade 1 winner Frosted at Aqueduct and to the Grade 1-placed The Truth Or Else at Belmont Park, and last year, he was the runner-up to the Grade 3-placed Hollywood Critic at Keeneland.
In his first try on turf and his lone start as a 4-year-old, Aldrin finished third to King’s Obsession and next-out winner Amen Alley in a $36,000 maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 8. Aldrin is sticking with turf for Friday’s race, which covers 1 1/16 miles and is for horses ages 4 and up.
The race is loaded with high-priced horses looking to break through. Ras Abrouq, a Malibu Moon colt trained by Graham Motion, sold for $450,000 as a yearling and will be making his fourth start. In his best effort, he lost by a neck to Czar on the Keeneland turf last fall. Geologist, a Medaglia d’Oro colt trained by Mark Casse, sold for $325,000 as a 2-year-old and will be making his second start. Orcus, a Tiznow colt trained by Larry Rivelli, sold for $310,000 as a yearling and will be making his 4-year-old debut after failing to place in four starts.
◗ Race 2 is for 3-year-old maiden fillies and covers 1 1/16 miles on the main track. A top contender is Caffeine, a Medaglia d’Oro filly who makes her second start for Derek Ryan after running three times for trainer Todd Pletcher. She’ll have top local jockey Antonio Gallardo aboard. Last month, she finished second in a maiden race here to Dark Nile, a well-regarded Pioneerof the Nile filly.
◗ Race 8 is for 3-year-old maidens and covers 1 1/16 miles on turf. A leading contender is Toughest ‘Ombre, a Tale of the Cat colt trained by Tom Albertrani who tries grass for the first time after finishing fourth in three consecutive richer maiden races.