Aqueduct: Rattlesnake Bridge targets Jerome

Though Rattlesnake Bridge was on the same flight that brought Uncle Mo from south Florida to New York, that’s as close as his connections want to get to the defending 2-year-old champion for the near future.

While Uncle Mo will run in Saturday’s $1 million Wood Memorial, Rattlesnake Bridge is being pointed the Grade 2, $150,000 Jerome here on April 24.

“We feel it might be the right spot,’’ trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “It’s a great spot, it’s a one-turn mile. If we were to run big or win it maybe we could run in the Preakness.’’

McLaughlin also said that Riviera Cocktail, runner-up to Little Mike in the Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream last weekend, could be a candidate for the Grade 3, $100,000 Fort Marcy Stakes at Belmont on May 7.

Samyn back on horses

Jean-Luc Samyn, who lost the tops of his index and middle finger of his right hand in a snow-blowing accident in February, got on horses earlier in the week and is hoping to return to race-riding before the end of the Aqueduct meet.

Samyn said he got on a couple of horses for John Hertler on Wednesday and said things went fine. Samyn said he was scheduled to get on a couple of more horses Sunday morning.

“I did quite well, moving forward,’’ Samyn said. “The way you hold the reins, everything is there. It was even better than I thought. I’m going to work hard to get back before Aqueduct closes.’’

Samyn, 54, said he has maintained his fitness by jogging and exercising every day.