Bigger names vulnerable at distance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - A better effort from Snake Mountain in his comeback race last month would have earned him a spot in Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap. But Snake Mountain didn't run well enough to suit trainer Jimmy Jerkens so he was entered in a Friday allowance race at Aqueduct.

, a multiple stakes winner, is among nine older males entered in the $54,000 classified allowance race. The mile race drew a strong field, including graded stakes winners Peeping Tom, Multiple Choice, and Classic Endeavor.

But the stakes winners might have their hands full with Aggadan and Deeliteful Guy, who look better suited to the distance than their more accomplished rivals.

Snake Mountain, who was sidelined with a foot abscess, finished fifth and last in his first start since October in a mile race in the mud on March 18. It wasn't a terrible effort, considering he was beaten only 1 1/2 lengths by the winner, It's So Simple.

"He was a little short," Jerkens said.

Snake Mountain, coupled in the wagering with , drew post 5 and will be ridden by Richard Migliore.

If the track is "soupy or hard," Peeping Tom probably won't run, according to trainer Pat Reynolds. Reynolds said the Grade 1 Carter on April 10, a race won by Peeping Tom in 2001, would be the gelding's next start if he doesn't run Friday.

finished fifth in the Grade 3 Toboggan on March 13.

"He dropped way out of it and didn't close much," Reynolds said. "Sometimes when he does that, it's time to look for an easier spot - something like this - to get his confidence back."

Pablo Fragoso will be aboard Peeping Tom, who drew post 3, for the first time.

Multiple Choice has performed well over Aqueduct's main track, but hasn't won since December 2002 and returns on only four days' rest after finishing fourth in a six-furlong race on Sunday.

Aggadan's career-best Beyer Speed Figure, 103, came in a mile race at Belmont Park last June. Deeliteful Guy, who should get the wet surface he loves, finished second in a mile race in his last start and beat Snake Mountain.

Aggadan is coupled in the wagering with Gracious Humor, who finished second in the same race that Multiple Choice ran in Sunday. Gracious Humor hasn't run beyond six furlongs.

Distance is also a question for Black Silk, who was fourth in the Toboggan, and Classic Endeavor, who is a better suited to two-turn races. Danthebluegrassman completes the field.