Bongard Stakes draws cast of familiar foes

ELMONT, N.Y. – In order to win Friday’s $100,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds at Belmont Park, it appeared as though Eagle Orb was going to have to turn the tables on Thin White Duke, who defeated him on the square four weeks ago in the Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga.

However, Thin White Duke is cross-entered in Tuesday’s $120,438 Aspirant Stakes at Finger Lakes. The fact that Thin White Duke is the only non-maiden entered in that eight-horse field may prompt his connections to run in that spot instead of this one.

The Bongard, at seven furlongs, drew a field of seven, including the 1-2-3-5 finishers of the Funny Cide, which was run Sept. 4 at 6 1/2 furlongs.

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Thin White Duke, after receiving a ground-saving trip from Joel Rosario, wheeled out at the top of the lane and outfinished Eagle Orb by a half-length.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said he was hoping Eric Cancel would have given Eagle Orb a similar trip from the rail to the one that Rosario had worked out.

“Two jumps out of the gate he wanted to get [outside] right away,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to be behind and just be patient.”

Eagle Orb was the recipient of a perfect trip behind dueling leaders when he won his maiden Aug. 21 at Saratoga. He came back in two weeks when he ran in the Funny Cide. Now, he has four weeks between starts.

Eagle Orb also will pick up the services of jockey Jose Ortiz.

If Thin White Duke runs in this spot, he would be ridden by Manny Franco, who was aboard for the gelding’s first four starts. Rosario is riding at Keeneland on Friday.

Lookin for Trouble was a front-running winner of a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race Aug. 7 at Saratoga. In the Funny Cide, he again controlled the pace on the front end but was passed late by Thin White Duke and Eagle Orb. In the Bongard, he could get some early pressure from Half Right, who was on the pace when he upset an off-the-turf maiden race at 17-1 for Doug O’Neill.

Brooklyn Strong ships in from Delaware off a solid three-length victory in an open maiden $40,000 claiming race going a two-turn mile. Off a step slowly, Brooklyn Strong became a bit eager and rushed into contention down the backside while parked three wide. After racing between horses, he drew away late from favored Alwaysinahurry.

Cancel rides for trainer Daniel Velazquez, who has 1 win from 12 previous starters on this circuit.

Windy Nations won a maiden $25,000 claimer at Monmouth and has since been purchased privately by Paradise Farms Corp. and David and Sherri Staudacher and turned over to Mike Maker, who also is the trainer of Lookin for Trouble.

Hold the Salsa, who upset Thin White Duke when both debuted July 12 at Belmont but who was fifth in the Funny Cide, completes the field.

The Bongard goes as race 9 on a 10-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m.