Aqueduct: Dr Disco eyes softer spot for stretch out

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Bruce Brown has wanted to run Dr Disco in distances longer than the six furlongs the 3-year-old has run thus far. Brown had two races this weekend at Aqueduct from which to choose and is leaning toward Sunday’s $60,000 Packett’s Landing Stakes for New York-breds going one mile as opposed to Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Bay Shore Stakes against open company at seven furlongs.

Though not officially out of the Bay Shore as of Friday morning, Brown said that both he and owner Joseph DiRico were worried that the Bay Shore might be throwing Dr Disco “into the deep end” earlier than necessary. He said the Packett’s Landing is simply a better spot.

“Seven-eighths, you have to run hard the whole way,” Brown said. “A mile against New York-breds, you have a better shot to relax and not blow his mind too soon.”

Dr Disco, a son of the speedy Maryland-bred stakes winner Disco Rico, has won three of five starts, including a two-length score in a second-level, statebred allowance race over the inner track on March 17 in his last start. He dueled three wide with two other horses, and it wasn’t until deep stretch that he was able to edge clear.

“He does things pretty effortlessly,” Brown said. “He’s got a nice long stride that makes us think he’s a horse that’ll want to go further. He’s run fast, but he’s done it pretty easy.”

Dr Disco will break from the rail under Mike Luzzi, who was aboard for the most recent victory. Brown said he would have preferred an outside post where Luzzi may have had a better chance to rate the colt.

Bold Deed, a flashy-looking chestnut son of Anasheed, comes off a front-running, 6 1/4-length victory going two turns after finishing second going six furlongs in his debut. Both races were over the inner track. Trainer Mike Hushion was actually looking to run Bold Deed longer, but he doesn’t mind cutting back to the one-turn mile.

“I think it’s difficult when you go the other way, from two turns to one,” Hushion said. “I like the one turn; it gives everybody a chance. It takes a lot of the excuses out of the game.”

Schoolyard Cat wheels back just nine days after winning an off-the-turf, first-level statebred allowance going a one-turn mile over the main track. Gold Raptor returns from off a two-month layoff for trainer Linda Rice, who won two races here Thursday.

Surfactant, Jitalian, and Tap Attack complete the field.