Allowance race no easy spot for Dads Caps

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Rudy Rodriguez was hoping that by skipping the Grade 3 Belmont Sprint Championship last weekend and running Dads Caps in an allowance race, it would be a confidence boost heading to Saratoga for his 6-year-old horse in search of his Grade 1 winning form.

After looking at the field assembled for Thursday’s $90,000 multiconditioned allowance race at Belmont Park, Rodriguez thinks he might have made a mistake.

“It looks like maybe we should have run in the race the other day,” Rodriguez said. “You’re trying to skip that race, and this race comes up just as tough. I guess we’re like everybody else, just trying to build confidence in our horses.”

Dads Caps meets stakes winners Stallwalkin’ Dude, Loki’s Vengeance, and the emerging talent Dannie’s Deceiver in this six-furlong race. Mewannarose and The Truth Or Else complete the lineup.

Dads Caps is a two-time winner of the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, but those are the only two races he has won over the last 2 1/2 years. He is coming off a terrific effort in the Grade 2 True North, where he was run down by Joking, losing by a neck.

Before that, Dads Caps finished seventh in the Diablo Stakes but was diagnosed with a case of the thumps, an electrolyte imbalance, out of that race.

David Cannizzo, the trainer of Dannie’s Deceiver, is hoping that either Stallwalkin’ Dude, who breaks from the rail, or the multiple stakes-placed Mewannarose, who is adding blinkers, can push Dads Caps early. Dannie’s Deceiver, a 4-year-old son of Quality Road, has won two of his last three starts with strong closing kicks.

Cannizzo said Dannie’s Deceiver missed 11 months in 2014-15 after almost losing an eye in a freak stall accident. He spent three months in the Ruffian Equine Clinic across the street from Belmont. Cannizzo credited his owners, the Z R J Stables, with paying for the necessary treatments to get the horse right.

“He’s always been a good horse; he’s finally showing what he is,” Cannizzo said. “I’m not too overly scared of anybody in there. My future goal is to go to the Forego.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Dannie’s Deceiver, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 94-93-87

◗ Though his last two wins have come at seven furlongs, Cannizzo believes six furlongs should be good for him as well.

“Three-quarters might help; you should get a little more pace,” Cannizzo said.

◗ Drawn nicely on the outside in this six-horse field and has Joel Rosario to ride.

Stallwalkin’ Dude, by City Place

Last 3 Beyers: 73-93-97

◗ The last time he raced six furlongs on a fast Belmont main track, he came within a neck of winning the Grade 1 Vosburgh.

◗ Was freshened up after running fifth in the Diablo Stakes here May 8.

Dads Caps, by Discreet Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 102-59-99

◗ Ran superb in the True North after a no-show performance in the Diablo Stakes.

◗ Has a 0-2-2 record from seven starts at Belmont.

◗ Could shake loose under Jose Ortiz.