Behrnik's Bank looks hard to catch in Fifth Avenue
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After dominating Pennsylvania-bred competition under the lights at Penn National, Behrnik’s Bank will attempt to shine under the spotlight of New York when she heads Sunday’s $150,000 Fifth Avenue Division of the New York Stallion Stakes for juvenile fillies at Aqueduct.
Though bred in Pennsylvania, Behrnik’s Bank is eligible for this race because she is by a New York-based stallion, Bank Heist. Behrnik’s Bank is owned and bred by Peter Kazamias, who also will be listed as the trainer for this race. Dimitrios Synnefias was the listed trainer for her two starts at Penn National.
Kazamias, who owns the stallion and the mare of Behrnik’s Bank, works in tandem with Synnefias at Kazamias’s farm in New Egypt, N.J.
The Fifth Avenue, contested at six furlongs, drew a field of only five and was carded as the third race on Sunday’s nine-race card. Following Sunday’s program, Aqueduct takes a five-day holiday break before racing resumes next Saturday.
Behrnik’s Bank caught everybody off guard when she used her speed to win a maiden race at Penn National by 18 1/2 lengths on Nov. 4. She ran six furlongs in 1:09.64 and earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure.
“We knew she was good,” Kazamias said. “We didn’t think she was that good. Everybody was in a little bit of shock.”
Offers came in, but deals didn’t get done. Behrnik’s Bank showed up Nov. 25 in the Blue Mountain Juvenile Stakes at Penn National and dominated on the front end by 13 lengths. She ran six furlongs in 1:10.22 and earned a 94 Beyer, even with jockey Edwin Gonzalez easing up on her in the stretch.
“In the stake, I was very confident,” Kazamias said.
Kazamias will be confident in this race as Behrnik’s Bank simply looks too fast for these rivals.
“If she breaks well, I think she’ll do well,” Kazamias said.
Frosty Margarita, who has two wins and three seconds from five starts, looms as the only threat. She did record a front-running victory in the Key Cents Stakes for New York-breds. Her 72 Beyer is the highest among Behrnik’s Bank’s rivals, but even that is not fast enough to win.
Trulamo, a two-time winner at Delaware Park; Taken by Surprise, a pace-pressing winner over the main track Nov. 6; and Crazy Love, a maiden winner at Finger Lakes, complete the field.
Though Gonzalez was aboard Behrnik’s Bank for her first two starts, Jose Ortiz will ride her from post 4 on Sunday.
“I don’t feel great taking Edwin off, but I just felt I’m making the best decision for the filly,” said Kazamias, who said he prefers to use a New York-based jockey.
Kazamias said he plans to stretch out Behrnik’s Bank in distance after Sunday’s race. He mentioned Florida or Southern California as possible winter destinations.