Aqueduct: Rice seeks to recoup investment in Oltre' Oro in allowance feature

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Linda Rice has already obtained one promising 3-year-old via the claim box in Kid Cruz, who turned heads rallying from last to win the Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park on March 8. Rice is hoping that she claimed another useful 3-year-old in Oltre’ Oro, who makes his first start for Rice in Sunday’s $67,000 first-level allowance feature at Aqueduct.

Rice claimed Oltre’ Oro, a son of Ready’s Image, for $50,000 out of a one-mile maiden race Jan. 9 that Oltre’ Oro won by 7 3/4 lengths. It was Oltre’ Oro’s second start after he ran second sprinting against $20,000 maiden claimers Dec. 11.

“I was impressed with him the day he ran first time and then when he came back for $50,000 – I know it’s quite a bit of a jump from $20,000 to $50,000 – but I really liked him when he came into the paddock,” said Rice, who is part owner of Oltre’ Oro along with Robert Stone Jr.’s Sacandaga Stable. “I actually liked his pedigree. The mare’s thrown some small stakes horses. There was enough upside to take a chance on him.”

Rice entered Oltre’ Oro in a first-level allowance Feb. 16, but that card was canceled due to inclement weather. That race came back Feb. 21, but Oltre’ Oro had to scratch due to a foot abscess.

Rice has only been able to get one breeze into Oltre’ Oro since having to scratch him, but she feels the need to run him now if he has any chance to make any important 3-year-old races this spring.

“Despite the fact he’s a work short, one of the reasons I wanted to go ahead now and run is there are so many 3-year-old opportunities out there,” Rice said.

In this spot, Oltre’ Oro looms the primary speed from the rail under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Two of the horses that Oltre’ Oro would have faced Feb. 21, Village Warrior and Otoy, are back in this spot. Village Warrior finished second to Oltre’ Oro on Jan. 9 and then came back to win for $50,000 maiden claiming on Feb. 7. He finished a well-beaten third Feb. 21 behind 12-length winner Schivarelli.

Otoy has only defeated one horse in three dirt tries. His lone win came last September at Belmont on turf.

Pass the Coffee is 2 for 2 for trainer Nick Zito this winter, but won his debut for maiden $16,000 claiming and then won a starter allowance for claiming horses.

Lawmaker, a half-brother to Last Gunfighter, makes his first start since finishing last in a first-level allowance race over the inner track Jan. 26. Trainer Chad Brown is adding blinkers to the colt’s equipment for this race.