For Almanaar, the potential is there

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Almanaar was a multiple Group 3 stakes winner in France last year, but in his two starts in North America this year he has yet to display that type of talent.

Trainer Chad Brown still has high hopes for the 4-year-old English-bred gelding, and he hopes to see an improved effort from Almanaar in Wednesday’s third-level allowance feature at Aqueduct. Almanaar is one of four horses in this one-mile turf race who exit the same-conditioned race on Oct. 19 at Belmont, in which Almanaar finished third.

That day, as in his previous start Sept. 17, Almanaar was a bit headstrong early in the race, which may have taken away from his late kick under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

“First race didn’t unfold at all as we had hoped,” Brown said. “He missed the break and a big hole opened up inside and he ran off with the jockey. It was definitely not the North American debut we wanted for a horse like him,” Brown said. “Second race, Irad got him to settle a lot better. Yeah, he threw his head up a little bit early, but all in all, I thought he had a pretty good trip and ran well. He should move forward.”

In that Oct. 19 race, Almanaar finished 1 3/4 lengths behind stablemate Night Prowler and was beaten a nose for second by Bay of Plenty, who is back in this spot.

Bay of Plenty was making his turf debut and first start in 13 months last out. He set the pace before giving way late to Night Prowler, a multiple Grade 3 stakes winner in 2015.

Ice Cutter and Weekend Express, fourth and fifth from that Oct. 19 race, are back in this nine-horse field. Fire Away, unraced since April, makes his return for trainer Shug McGaughey.

KEY CONTENDERS

Almanaar, by Dubawi

Beyers: 96-89

◗ In France, he defeated Full Mast and Inordinate, who have since come to the United States and run well at the allowance level.

◗ Needs to settle a bit better earlier in his races than he did in his first two starts.

“The horse has been a little headstrong to settle,” Brown said. “He’s been a work in progress, but I think the horse has a lot of talent.”

Bay of Plenty, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 97-99-102

◗ Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is looking forward to the two-turn configuration of this one-mile race.

“I like that better,” McLaughlin said. “It’s an advantage for a forwardly placed horse.”

Fire Away, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 96-91-92

◗ Returns off a seven-month layoff precipitated by bone remodeling issues, according to McGaughey.

◗ Ended his 3-year-old season last year with two allowance wins, including one at Aqueduct.

◗ In his lone start this year, he closed strongly between horses but fell a half-length short to loose-on-the-lead winner Triple Threat.