Birdstone Stakes one for the marathoners

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Turco Bravo and Kid Cruz, stakes winners on this circuit at marathon distances, square off in Wednesday’s $100,000 Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga at the unusual distance of 1 3/4 miles.

Turco Bravo, second in the Birdstone last year, has put together a solid 7-year-old campaign, with victories in the Stymie at Aqueduct in March and the Flat Out at 1 3/8 miles at Belmont in May. After running second in the Grade 2 Brooklyn on June 11, Turco Bravo finished sixth of seven in the Grade 2 Suburban on July 9.

Trainer Gary Contessa said Turco Bravo developed a quarter crack shortly after that race.

“We had to walk him for a while,” Contessa said. “We put a patch on him, and he’s done fine since.”

Javier Castellano rides Turco Bravo from post 5.

Kid Cruz, trained by Linda Rice, is a six-time stakes winner, including a half-length victory in the Grade 3 Excelsior going 1 1/4 miles at Aqueduct in April. Turco Bravo was third, beaten 7 1/4 lengths, in the Excelsior.

Since then, however, Kid Cruz has thrown in two poor races, a seventh-place finish in the Brooklyn and a third as the 3-5 favorite in a $50,000 stakes at Delaware Park.

In his wins this year in the John B. Campbell at Laurel and the Excelsior, Kid Cruz raced closer to the pace than he had in many of his previous starts. He reverted back to his old ways in his last two starts.

“He’s never been an easy horse to ride,” Rice said. “Sometimes he’s there, sometimes he doesn’t show up, and finally they get him in gear, and it’s a little late. He’s a little quirky that way, can be a little frustrating. We’ll see what happens at 1 3/4 miles.”

Contessa has also entered Old Time Hockey, a horse he claimed for $40,000 out of a turf race earlier at this meet. Pace is often lacking in these marathon races, and two starts back Old Time Hockey won an off-the turf allowance at Delaware by six lengths by racing near the lead.

“The horse actually can run that far,” Contessa said. “It’s an interesting horse. I give him a little shot in there.”

There is rain in the forecast for Wednesday, and a wet track could enhance Old Time Hockey’s chances as well.

Key Contenders

Turco Bravo, by Caesarion

Last 3 Beyers: 94-95-94

◗ Prior to the Suburban, he had put together a consistent string of solid efforts, with two wins, a second, and two thirds.

“I think he’s getting better with age,” said Contessa, who also believes the older male division is not as tough as it was last year.

◗ He has five seconds but no wins from seven wet-track starts.

Kid Cruz, by Lemon Drop Kid

Last 3 Beyers: 91-92-103

◗ Earned his two fastest figures in winning the John B. Campbell and the Excelsior this year before tailing off in his last two starts.

◗ In 2014, he finished third in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy and fourth in the Grade 1 Travers over this track.