Aqueduct: Racing shifts to main track

Spring has evidently arrived at Aqueduct, and one sure-fire way to tell is that racing shifts to the main track Thursday.

The 23-day spring meet is highlighted by the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial and three other graded stakes Saturday, April 5: the Grade 1, $500,000 Carter Handicap; the Grade 2, $300,000 Gazelle; and the Grade 3, $300,000 Bay Shore.

Thursday also begins a stretch during which racing is scheduled for 10 of 11 days through April 6, when Princess of Sylmar is scheduled to make her seasonal debut in the $100,000 Cat Cay Stakes at one mile.

The first turf race of the season is in the condition book for Wednesday, April 2, weather permitting.

After several upsets on the inner track Monday, there is a pick six carryover of $30,051 for Thursday, when no fewer than eight races at distances from 6 1/2 furlongs to one mile will utilize some or all of the main track chute, including a pair of allowance-optional claimers.

Six 3-year-olds entered race 5, a $67,000 mile in which Aqua Regia, Lady Paradime, My Jimmy Chew Girl and U. S. S. O’Brien go for their preliminary allowance condition. Appearance and Flaring are in for the optional $75,000 claim price.

Aqua Regia ran Gazelle-bound Sweet Reason to a half-length decision under more advanced conditions March 7, when she was able to dictate a slow pace.

By the numbers, U. S. S. O’Brien will be a clear favorite, as her three Beyer Figures at a mile or longer are the best in the lineup.

Appearance and My Jimmy Chew Girl emerge from wins in starter allowances and can contend with further improvement.

Seven older New York-breds clash in race 8, a seven-furlong race with third-level allowance conditions.

David Jacobson’s uncoupled runners Big Business and Johannesburg Smile are in for the $75,000 claim price, as is Bake Shop.

Big Business, who won seven of his first 10 starts on the circuit, has been sidelined nine months since finishing off the board against stablemate Strapping Groom.

Johannesburg Smile, claimed for $100,000 twice last year, is third back from a layoff after a good second to stablemate Spa City Fever.

Wood developments

At Belmont Tuesday, Uncle Sigh, runner-up to fellow New York-bred Samraat in the Withers and Gotham, worked six furlongs in 1:15 on the training track. Gary Contessa reported the Indian Charlie colt went the first three-eighths in 38.20 seconds, the half-mile in 50.60 seconds, and galloped out one mile in 1:42.80.

Meanwhile, just as he did before winning the Withers and Gotham, Samraat posted a one-mile workout at Palm Meadows last Saturday.

“He’ll have his next breeze either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and there’s a plane to New York on Tuesday,” said Rick Violette Jr. “(The schedule) works for him, and there’s been no reason to change.”

Potential Wood favorite Social Inclusion is scheduled to ship to New York Sunday.

“We think he’ll like (Aqueduct’s track) and get some points so we can go to the Derby,” said owner Ronald Sanchez.

The Wood offers 170 qualifying points (100-40-20-10) for the Kentucky Derby.

Nine entered in BroadwaySaturday’s $100,000 Broadway Stakes attracted nine New York-bred fillies and mares when entries were drawn Monday, including the last two winners, Risky Rachel and Sunny Desert.From the rail out, the field is: Risky Rachel, Hot Rendezvous, Cape Cod Carol, La Verdad, Make the Moment, Vicki’s Dancer, Ave’s Halo, Here’s Zealicious, and Sunny Desert.