Amulay seeks to end string of near misses

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Amulay, beaten three straight times at odds of 2-1 or less, will try to make amends Friday when she heads a field of seven entered in the $69,000 feature going one mile at Aqueduct.

Though she has lost her last three races, the combined margin of defeat is one length. Amulay was third, beaten a neck, in a spot similar to this second-level optional $62,500 claimer on Dec. 28, a race won by Holiday’s Jewel by a nose over Lunar Surge. Lunar Surge has since come back to win the Maryland Racing Media Handicap at Laurel Park.

The December race was Amulay’s 11th of 2014, a year in which she recorded four wins, three seconds, and a third.

“She had a hard year. I tried to give her a freshening. She’s doing okay,” said Bruce Levine, who trains Amulay for owner Roddy Valente. “She’s eligible for the Claiming Crown, so this gets her started.”

Levine was referring to New York’s inaugural Claiming Championships, which will be held March 21. Amulay is likely to run in the $80,000 Sis City Stakes that day.

Her primary competition in Friday’s fifth race will include Lady Gracenote and Hot Rendezvous, both of whom are in for the optional claiming tag, and Agawa, beaten a nose at 21-1 odds in this condition Feb. 5.

KEY CONTENDERS

Amulay (Last 3 Beyers: 74-94-85)

◗ A consistent sort, she returns from a 61-day layoff against a field seemingly weaker than she has been meeting in this condition. Moreover, she could be the primary speed should jockey Jose Ortiz elect to be aggressive from the outside post.

“She runs hard; she tries. She’s always right there,” Levine said.

Hot Rendezvous (Last 3 Beyers: 67-70-70)

◗ Has lost five straight since a victory over this track Feb. 23, 2014. Finished fourth in a tougher field than this Feb. 11 and is a three-time winner over the inner track.

◗ Does her best running from off the pace and could be compromised by an apparent lack of pace.

Lady Gracenote (Last 3 Beyers: 67-77-79)

◗ Finished two noses behind Hot Rendezvous in the same Feb. 11 race won by Royal Suspicion.

◗ Two starts back, she won a second-level optional $40,000 claimer for statebreds, her fourth win over the inner track.

Agawa (Last 3 Beyers: 84-64-81)

◗ Has only raced four times on dirt but has a win and two seconds in allowance races, including a nose loss to Evening Show last out. She finished ahead of subsequent stakes winner Lunar Surge.

◗ Agawa was likely overmatched when finishing seventh in the $100,000 Affectionately Stakes.

◗ Could get first run on the closers as she figures to lay close behind probable pacesetter Amulay.