Aqueduct: Slower horse may be right choice in Sweet Envoy

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Eminent Tale and Tap Attack won races approximately 30 minutes apart on the Feb. 18 Aqueduct card. While Eminent Tale won a better race in a faster time, Tap Attack may be worth backing when the two meet in Sunday’s $60,000 Sweet Envoy Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.

Eminent Tale got loose on an easy lead and finished well to win the $60,000 Undaunted Mettle Stakes by one length over Sky Music. His final time of 1:43.01 was 1.01 seconds faster than Tap Attack’s time for the same mile-and-70-yard distance in winning a first-level New York-bred allowance by nearly eight lengths.

However, while Eminent Tale got away with a half-mile in 48.84 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.86 without pressure, Tap Attack was chasing fractions of 47.78 seconds and 1:12.76 before making the lead.

Scott Schwartz, the trainer of Tap Attack believes his colt can keep Eminent Tale within his sights on Sunday.

“He’s got a good post, we’re right next to the speed, we can track him around,’’ Schwartz said.

Tap Attack, a son of Tapit, has improved since being stretched out around two turns. He has 2 wins and a third from 4 starts. On Jan. 28, he finished sixth in a two-turn allowance race, but he was coming back just 11 days after winning a maiden with a career-best Beyer of 71.

In addition to Tap Attack keeping Eminent Tale honest, Surfactant is another who is likely to be up close. Surfactant won his dirt and 3-year-old debut by three lengths here on Feb. 12.

Living Right, second to Tap Attack on Feb. 18, and Uncle Smokey, third to Eminent Tale last out, complete the field.