Bavaro gets stamina test in Gander

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bavaro has proven that he has speed. Now, he must show that he has stamina.

On Saturday, Bavaro will get his first opportunity to go two turns when he heads a compact field of New York-bred 3-year-olds entered to run a mile and 70 yards in the $100,000 Gander Stakes at Aqueduct. With only five runners in the field, the Gander will go as race 3 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:20 p.m. Eastern.

Bavaro, a son of Freud named by owner Bill Parcells in honor of former New York Giants All-Pro tight end Mark Bavaro, has won his first two starts sprinting. On Nov. 19 over Aqueduct’s main track, he won a six-furlong race by 5 1/4 lengths. On Dec. 17 on the inner track, Bavaro won the Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series by 3 3/4 lengths. He ran six furlongs in 1:11.16 and was assigned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101.

“He’s had six weeks. I think he needed that, but he trained good from right after the race,” trainer Gary Sciacca said.

Bavaro has won both of his starts on the lead, but Sciacca said he believes the horse could rate if need be. The only other horse in the field who appears to have speed is Haul Anchor, who likely will have to go from the rail under Cornelio Velasquez. Bavaro will break from post 5 under Manny Franco.

“I love the post,” Sciacca said. “He can do whatever the jockey wants him to do.”

Bavaro is one of three runners in this field stretching out for the first time.

Caledonian won the six-furlong Lost in the Fog Stakes by a neck Jan. 1. He has yet to run beyond 6 1/2 furlongs.

“It’s a roll of the dice until they prove they can’t,” John Terranova, the trainer of Caledonian, said about the distance. “He hasn’t given a clear indication that he doesn’t want to run on. He’s got the right temperament.”

Bourbon Empire, a son of Majestic Empire, won his debut going 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont last October. He then finished third in the Notebook Stakes, rallying from last after a poor start. Bourbon Empire was scratched from the Damon Runyon Stakes at a mile and 70 yards due to an off track.

Haul Anchor handled the wet track just fine in the Damon Runyon, recording a 4 1/2-length front-running victory. He likely will try those same tactics Saturday.

Carradine finished third in the Damon Runyon, attempting to come from off the pace after winning a first-level allowance going a mile and 70 yards while racing on the front end.

“I thought he showed a little versatility as far as being off the pace last time,” trainer Linda Rice said. “It’ll be a tough race, but he deserves a shot in there.”