Awesome Slew faces upstart Army Mule in Carter Handicap

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When Mark Casse looks at Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, the trainer mostly likes what he sees for his 5-year-old Awesome Slew.

Casse has a horse who is training great for his return from a five-month layoff. He likes Awesome Slew’s outside draw in the 11-horse field and the potential race shape. There’s only one thing Casse’s not sure about.

“The question of the day is how good is Todd’s horse?” Casse said, referring to Army Mule, a Todd Pletcher trainee who has won both of his starts emphatically. “That’ll be the determining factor. It’s a solid race. I think our horse stacks up well and is set up and ready to run a big race.”

Awesome Slew and Army Mule are two of the principals in the seven-furlong Carter, one of four undercard stakes on the 11-race Wood Memorial program.

One year ago, Awesome Slew won the Grade 3 Commonwealth at Keeneland. Casse had that race as an option this year – it, too, is Saturday – but wants Awesome Slew to attempt a Grade 1. He has not run since finishing third in last November’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

In four starts at seven furlongs, Awesome Slew has a win and three seconds, including a loss in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs last May, a race Casse believes his horse should have won.

“I still cringe about that,” Casse said.

Army Mule, a son of Friesan Fire, won his debut last April at Belmont but didn’t race again until Jan. 31, winning a first-level allowance race by 7 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream. Pletcher said this race has been the goal ever since. Joe Bravo rides.

Skyler’s Scramjet brings a three-race winning streak into the Carter, including the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap here on March 10. Though he was close to the pace in his last two victories, Skyler’s Scramjet did rate and finish in an allowance win here Dec. 22.

Red Dragon Tattoo and Green Gratto, last year’s upset Carter winner, should supply ample pace. That should aid Do Share and Great Stuff, who finished second and third in the Tom Fool. Favorable Outcome, Petrov, Fellowship, and Spartiatis complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Awesome Slew, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 100-98-99

◗ He has impressed Casse with his workouts for his return, including a six-furlong move in 1:11.20 from the gate March 3.

“I’ve never seen anything ever work at Palm Meadows the way he worked out of the gate,” Casse said. “There are not many horses in the world that could work as good as that. Now he’s got to run that way.”

◗ Has run well fresh and has handled an off track.

Skyler’s Scramjet, by Creative Cause
Last 3 Beyers: 103-92-101

◗ He is 4 for 5 since joining trainer Michelle Nevin’s barn, with the lone loss coming when he got involved in a pace battle.

◗ He is stretching out from six to seven furlongs for the first time in 11 months.

“I always thought he could go a little farther,” Nevin said. “It seems like he’s settling a bit more, too, so that should help.”

Army Mule, by Friesan Fire
Beyers: 102-90

◗ Has looked terrific in winning his two starts, but is jumping into the deep end of the pool. Bravo replaces Javier Castellano, who is at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Do Share, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 99-96-96

◗ Came off an 11-week layoff to finish second in the Tom Fool.

“I’m happy with the way he’s training,” trainer Linda Rice said. “He’s breezed really well into the race. If we get some moisture in the track, that helps him. I don’t know if it helps everybody else, too, but he certainly likes it. Based on his last race, the seven furlongs might help him as well.”