Aqueduct: Bandbox returns from nine-month layoff in Vodka Stakes

Bandbox, a three-time stakes winning New York-bred, returns to the races from a near nine-month layoff in Sunday’s $60,000 Vodka Stakes for New York-bred sprinters. A field of seven was entered for the race, including the coupled entry of Pretty Boy Freud and Uncle T Seven.

As a 2-year-old, Bandbox won the first three starts of his career, including the Charles Town Juvenile and the Sleepy Hollow. His worst race came in the Grade 2 Remsen, when he finished fourth behind To Honor and Serve, clipping heels entering the first turn.

In two starts this year, Bandbox was beaten a neck by J.J.s Lucky Train in the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel before taking the Private Terms, also at Laurel, on March 19. He has not run since.

[MORE: Full coverage of the Sunday card from Aqueduct]

Pretty Boy Freud, beaten a neck in the New York Stallion Stakes on Nov. 13, is entered back with Ortiz. The field includes the speedy Dr. Disco and the late-running Wee Freudian.

Also on Sunday is the $65,000 Damon Runyon for New York-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings. That field is led by Tug of War, a recent statebred allowance winner, Think I’m Hooked, and Pretension.

The East View, for New York-bred 2-year-old fillies, and the Pandera, for open company 2-year-old filly sprinters, were not carded for Sunday but could be brought back for Wednesday.

Toys for Tots weekend

The United States Marine Corps annual Toys for Tots drive will come to Aqueduct this weekend. Fans are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the track. Cash donations or checks will also be accepted.

The Toys for Tots drive is part of the New York Racing Association’s annual Spirit of Giving weekend which features a Stocking Stuffer promotion. Fans can purchase leftover giveaway items from earlier in the year for $1 each with all proceeds being donated to the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

Gary Contessa has agreed to donate 10 percent of whatever purse money his horses earn Friday and Sunday – he had no starters Saturday – while his owner Harold Lerner will contribute $10,000 and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has agreed to donate $5,000 to the Toys for Tots program.

NYRA has pledged to match financial donations by horsemen to the Toys for Tots program.

Vodka Stakes, Post Time: 1:45 ET Sunday

Purse: $60,000; 6 furlongs

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	ML Odds
	Law Enforcement	M. Hennig	A. Garcia	10-1
	Dr. Disco	B. Brown	M. Luzzi	9-5
	Uncle T Seven	J. Aquilino	C. Nakatani	3-1
	Bandbox	T. Dunkelberger	R. Jenkins	2-1
	Wee Freudian	R. Schosberg	J. Alvarado	12-1
	Pretty Boy Freud	I. Ortiz Jr.	L. O'Brien	3-1
	Dahlgren Chapel	D. Jacobson	D. Cohen	15-1