Allowance matches early speed vs. late speed
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Thursday’s New York-bred second-level allowance/optional $45,000 claiming feature at Aqueduct looks to be a competitive affair regardless of which surface it is run on.
There are seven runners entered if the race remains on the inner turf course at a mile as scheduled. There are six main-track-only entrants who would likely start if forecasted rains force the race to the main track.
On turf, handicappers will likely have to choose between the front-running Call Me Harry and the late-running Catch That Party.
Call Me Harry was claimed by trainer Joe Sharp and owner Jordan Wycoff out of a sixth-place finish in this same condition going six furlongs July 24 at Saratoga. He successfully stretched out to a mile on Aug. 28, winning a first-level open-company allowance while allowed to dictate terms up front. Call Me Harry, a 6-year-old gelding by Street Sense, won this condition last October at Belmont Park when not offered for the claiming price.
In that Aug. 28 victory, Call Me Harry got away with a pedestrian pace and cruised to a 2 1/4-length victory over Shawdyshawdyshawdy, who came back to win his next start with a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure.
Call Me Harry, who breaks from post 2 under Javier Castellano, could prove the main speed once again Thursday.
Catch That Party has been a useful claim for owner Michael Dubb and trainer Mike Maker. Since taking him for $35,000 in March at Gulfstream Park, Catch That Party has won 2 of 3 starts, including a first-level statebred allowance by a head Sept. 4 at Saratoga. He comes from well off the pace and would likely benefit if another horse, perhaps Klickitat, who stretches out from a sprint, could be forward early. Klickitat was claimed by Linda Rice out of a victory in this condition going seven furlongs in May at Belmont and is back in for the tag Thursday.
If this race remains on turf, a potential price play could be Saratoga Flash. Trainer Natalia Lynch claimed this horse for Dailey Double Racing for $35,000 out of a winning effort at Saratoga on Aug. 20. On Saturday, Lynch won with first off-the-claim O’Trouble, who was taking a slight drop in class.
Lynch noted that in a Sept. 24 workout at Belmont, Saratoga Flash and O’Trouble worked in company and “Saratoga Flash galloped out way in front of him.”
“He’s been breezing really, really well,” Lynch said.
Jose Ortiz has the call from post 6.
Straw Into Gold, Barleewon, and Front Line Dancer complete the field on turf.
If transferred to dirt, Sheriff Bianco will attempt to win his second straight off-the-turf allowance race. On Oct. 1, he splashed his away to an 11 3/4-length victory going six furlongs in this condition. He would have to try a mile on Thursday.
Therisastormbrewin won this condition going a mile at Belmont in May, but was fifth, beaten two lengths, when trying it again on Sept. 24.
Trainer Jeremiah Englehart has the uncoupled entry of Six Percent and Troubleshooter entered for the main track.
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