Bankit back in cashing mode for Haynesfield

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bankit has been a solid New York-bred over his career, winning stakes races at ages 2 through 5. If not for five losses by a head or a nose, he more than likely would have surpassed the million-dollar mark in career earnings.

Bankit will look to build on a two-race winning streak when he heads a field of five New York-breds scheduled to go one mile in the $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes, the final stakes to be run at the Aqueduct winter meet, which concludes Sunday.

The Haynesfield was originally scheduled for last Sunday but did not have enough entries to be carded. The $100,000 East View Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies was scheduled for this Sunday, but did not have enough entries to fill.

After winning the New York Derby at Finger Lakes in summer 2019, Bankit went winless in his next 13 starts. He was twice beaten a head in open stakes at Oaklawn Park in 2020 and was second to Mr. Buff in the Empire Classic for statebreds at Belmont last fall.

Most recently, though, he won the Alex M. Robb – beating Mr. Buff – at Aqueduct and the John Campbell at Laurel.

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“He’s hardly ever run really bad. He finally got a couple of wins, which is nice. He deserved them,” said Toby Sheets, who oversees trainer Steve Asmussen’s New York string. “He got good trips both times. He’s had some tough trips.”

Bankit, the only member of this field to have won at a mile, projects to get a good trip from post 5 under Manny Franco.

Trainer Michelle Nevin sends out the uncoupled entry of My Boy Tate and South Africa. My Boy Tate has won stakes at six and seven furlongs. Nevin is hoping his affinity for Aqueduct – he is 6-2-1 from 12 starts here – will help him stretch out to a mile, a distance at which he is 0 for 2.

“He’s going to get the track he likes. It’s a small field, hopefully he’ll get the right kind of trip and show up,” Nevin said.

My Boy Tate is coming off a solid victory in the Hollie Hughes for New York-breds at six furlongs. He rated kindly in that four-horse field and came home strong.

“It gives you confidence because he’s been training really well. He’s got great time between that race and now,” she said. “It’s just a matter if he can get the distance.”

Eric Cancel rides from post 3.

South Africa also is trying a mile for the first time. He was placed first after finishing second in a New York-bred allowance here Feb. 15.

South Africa did win a maiden race going seven furlongs last October at Belmont.

“That was probably one of his best efforts going seven furlongs,” Nevin said. “Maybe the added distance is going to help him.”

Kendrick Carmouche rides from post 2.

T Loves a Fight and Microscope complete the field.

Following Sunday’s card, the 11-day Aqueduct spring meet begins Thursday. Turf racing could begin as early as Friday.