Bavaro back sprinting in Winkfield Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Gary Sciacca remains puzzled as to why Bavaro ran so poorly in the Gander Stakes here on Jan. 28. Perhaps the 3-year-old son of Freud simply doesn’t want to run around two turns. Maybe he bounced from a 101 Beyer Speed Figure earned one start prior in winning a restricted stakes race.

Regardless, Sciacca is drawing a line through the non-effort and starting anew with Bavaro, who returns to sprinting in Monday’s $100,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct. The Winkfield, named for the last black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, drew a field of six and goes as race 8 on a nine-race Presidents Day program that begins at 12:50 p.m. Eastern. Following Monday’s card, first post switches to 1:20 p.m. when racing resumes on Friday.

Bavaro, named by his owner, the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, in honor of former tight end Mark Bavaro, won his first two starts sprinting. Last Dec. 17, he went gate to wire to win the Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Series and earned a 101 Beyer. He stretched out to a mile and 70 yards in the Gander, but after chasing the front-running Haul Anchor for five furlongs, Bavaro backed up and finished last of four, beaten 22 1/4 lengths.

Sciacca said he twice took blood to see if Bavaro may have been ill, but nothing showed. Sciacca said the horse is “training fantastic,” and he plans to instruct jockey Manny Franco to put Bavaro on the front end from post 5. He may have to deal with some pace pressure from Shoe Loves Shoe, a debut winner here Jan. 21 who will break from the rail under Angel Arroyo.

“I’m coming out of there running,” Sciacca said. “If that horse wants to run with him, fine, but I’m going.”

Caledonian, Sal the Turtle, Even Thunder, and the maiden Jamminwithbrandon complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bavaro, by Freud
Last 3 Beyers: 49-101-73

◗ He’s undefeated sprinting, with both wins coming in front-running fashion. He turns back to a sprint after a last-place finish routing in the Gander Stakes.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the last four years, Sciacca is only 6 for 96 with an $0.88 ROI on dirt with horses going from a route to a sprint; 1 for 31 over the inner track.

Caledonian, by Concord Point
Last 3 Beyers: 72-69-62

◗ Has two wins and a narrow loss in his last three starts, including a neck victory in the Lost in the Fog Stakes here Jan. 1.

◗ Scratched out of the Gander Stakes with a hind-end muscle pull but came back with a solid half-mile work Feb. 12 to get the green light to run. He would benefit from a duel between Shoe Loves Shoe and Bavaro.

Sal the Turtle, by Caleb’s Posse
Last 3 Beyers: 85-77-86

◗ Makes his third start in 46 days and comes off a first-level allowance win Feb. 5.

◗ Picks up Irad Ortiz Jr. after regular rider Rajiv Maragh had committed weeks ago to ride Even Thunder.