Atras holds key in two allowances

ELMONT, N.Y. – A pair of second-level optional-claiming races top Sunday’s pedestrian nine-race card at Belmont Park, and trainer Rob Atras has solid contenders in both.

In race 6, a second-level/optional $40,000 claimer for New York-breds, Atras sends out Dynamax Prime in a field of nine set to contest 1 1/16 miles. Dynamax Prime made his first start for Atras a winning one, taking a first-level New York-bred allowance by one length here May 5 over a sloppy track.

“He broke really good and got a little far back, but when Irad [Ortiz Jr.] asked him to go he ran great,” Atras said. “We thought we’d take a shot in the second level. It looks like a considerably tougher race, but I think he’s got an outside shot. [Minksy Moment] looks pretty tough in there, but our horse is doing good so I expect him to run well.”

With Ortiz named to ride Minsky Moment – who came off a 16-month layoff to win a first-level allowance by 14 3/4 lengths – Manny Franco has picked up the mount on Dynamax Prime.

Minksy Moment’s two career wins came in the slop, and the main track will likely be fast Sunday.

Atras is hoping Minksy Moment gets involved in a pace duel with Three to Thirteen, who breaks from the rail.

Uncle Sigh, coming off a win for $25,000 claiming, will make his first start off the claim for Chris Engelhart. Blugrascat’s Smile has lost his last 13 starts, but has finished first or second in 20 of his 41 career starts.

In race 8, Atras sends out Royal Albert Hall against four rivals in a second-level/optional $62,500 claiming event at 1 1/8 miles.

Royal Albert Hall hasn’t run since winning the Bernardini Stakes on March 2. He had been plagued by foot issues, which prevented him from running in the Flat Out Stakes for which he was originally entered May 3 but did not re-enter back when the race was postponed until May 9.

“He’s going into the race a little better,” Atras said. “Hopefully, he runs good. It’s a tough race, not a ton of speed, but I like him at the mile and an eighth.”

Franco will ride Royal Albert Hall from post 5.

Prompt, a 4-year-old son of Blame trained by Bill Mott, is coming off a first-level allowance win on March 15 at Aqueduct. His two wins have come around two turns at 1 1/8 miles. Prompt is the only one of the five not in for the claiming price.

Zulu, trained by Jorge Navarro, drops in class and distance following a sixth-place finish in the Skip Away Stakes at 1 3/16 miles. He won the Old Hickory Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream.

G Zap and Turco Bravo complete the field.