Belmont: Bernie the Jet finds turf sprint at right level

Bernie the Jet, who ran two bang-up races at six furlongs on Belmont’s inner turf course at the spring meet, returns to those conditions and heads a field of nine grass-meant sprinters in Thursday’s eighth race at Belmont Park.

Bernie the Jet breaks from post 7 in the starter-optional $50,000 claimer, and reunites with Luis Saez, who was aboard for two of the colt’s best races, a first-level allowance win and a runner-up finish in the Gone Fishin overnight stakes.

Along with Slamarama, haltered by John Toscano from a win over $20,000 beaten claimers two weeks ago, Bernie the Jet is in for the $50,000 claim price.

“There’s just not a bazillion races for a horse like him,” said trainer Gary Contessa. “He’s been a nightmare of a horse to place in races since he won the ‘a-other-than.’ When the ‘two-other-than’ does go it comes up too tough, and he’s not quite a 3-year-old stakes horse. Hopefully, I’ve found the right spot for him.”

Bernie the Jet earned a Beyer Figure of 82 for his allowance victory, the top grass figure by a narrow margin over I’m Wide Awake (81) and Abra (80).

I’m Wide Awake shipped from California to run fifth in the Quick Call Stakes in his New York debut, and was claimed out of his next start for $50,000 by David Jacobson. He has not run since that Aug. 11 dash, but earlier this year posted his maiden win down the hill at Santa Anita off a similar layoff.

Likewise, Abra and Velvet Cap have not been out since Aug. 17, when they were early pace factors at 1 1/16 miles and faded to finish off the board. That has turned out to be a key race, as the 1-3-4-6 finishers all came back to win their next starts.

Abra is the one to catch based on mid-summer form that also included a turf sprint here first off a claim by Linda Rice on July 14, when he led to the final yards before being overhauled by stablemate Palace.

Velvet Cap, is back sprinting second time off a claim by Richard Schosberg, who has compiled positive return on investment totals with turf sprinters and route-to-sprint turn-backs in 2012-13.

“He’s a first-time gelding, his pedigree says he fits, and he has talent if he behaves,” said Schosberg.

Apex, Bluegrass Springs, Mr. William, and Spiral Stair also entered for turf.