Aqueduct: Higher expectations for Gombey Dancer in Sunday allowance feature

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In some respects, Gombey Dancer ran better than his connections thought he would when he finished third, beaten a neck, in a first-level allowance race last month. With a race under his belt and the addition of blinkers, expectations will be higher for Gombey Dancer when he faces nine rivals in Sunday’s $62,000 first-level allowance feature at Aqueduct.

When Gombey Dancer ran in this condition on Jan. 19, he was making his first start since August and first start for trainer George Weaver. Gombey Dancer stalked the early pace, dropped back approaching the top of the stretch before making another run in the stretch.

“I told George the first race I know we weren’t going to win, but I knew we were going to figure him out,” said Blair Golen, Weaver’s New York-based assistant. “On the turn, at the quarter pole, I said, ‘Oh no, we’re done’ and then he pressed on; that’s why we’re going to put the blinkers on.”

Golen said that jockey Eddie Castro has worked Gombey Dancer with and without blinkers and said he prefers the colt with them.

“We just hope he stays consistent throughout the race,” Golden said. “He’s fitter now, he came out of that race so good. I’m glad this race came up for him.”

Castro will ride Gombey Dancer as Rajiv Maragh will be at Gulfstream to ride Groupie Doll in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes.

Sunday’s allowance race drew a competitive field that includes debut winner War Hero, the speedy New York-bred colt I’m Stoked, and the David Jacobson-trained Start Jumping.

War Hero, a 4-year-old gelding by War Pass, won a Dec. 26 maiden special weight race by three-quarters of a length here for trainer Chad Brown and owner Robert LaPenta.

“For a first-timer, he really showed a lot,” said Cherie DeVaux, assistant to Brown. “He had to get out, make a few different moves in the stretch to get clear. Since that race, he’s trained very well; his breezes have been great.”

Abel Castellano rides War Hero from post 9.

I’m Stoked, a New York-bred son of Hook and Ladder, takes on open company for the first time after winning a second-level optional claiming race for statebreds on Jan. 20. He will likely have to use his speed from post 10 under Manuel Franco.

Start Jumping finished a head in front of Gombey Dancer when those two were second and third, respectively, behind Erik the Red on Jan. 19. That race was his first with blinkers. He will be ridden by Cornelio Velasquez.

Dighton, Bos’n Alwyne, Make Your Move, Seeker, Bear’s Spirit, and Chasing Moonlight complete the field.