Bourbon Bay should get his way in Damon Runyon Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bourbon Bay ran third as the even-money favorite in last month’s Gander Stakes for 3-year-old statebreds. There are a few reasons to believe Bourbon Bay can rebound when he faces New York-bred 3-year-olds again in Sunday’s $100,000 Damon Runyon Stakes at Aqueduct.

Bourbon Bay entered the Gander after dead-heating for second with Prince of Pharoahs behind Independence Hall in the Jerome Stakes here Jan. 1. In the nearly seven weeks between races, Bourbon Bay missed some time due to a bruised foot. In the Gander, Bourbon Bay broke slowly, was between horses down the backside, stuck down inside around the far turn, and seemed to do his best running when Manny Franco was able to get him into the clear. He did lug in a bit late, though it didn’t cost him a placing.

“He got stuck in a bad position down the backside,” trainer Mark Hennig said. “I’m sure Manny would like to do a couple of things different if he could do it over again. We missed a little time with the horse between races because of a foot bruise. Hopefully, things are better and we march on.”

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Cutting back to seven furlongs and in a race with some apparent speed, Bourbon Bay should get some pace to close into under Franco.

Chowda pulled off a 15-1 upset in the Gander. Despite being passed by Bank On Shea in midstretch, Chowda battled back and was able to get the victory by three-quarters of a length.

Trainer Gary Sciacca likes the way Chowda has trained between races and expects another solid effort Sunday.

“I would think he would be in contention right away,” Sciacca said. “He feels more comfortable doing that, so he’s probably going to go. He’s a battler, he’s got a good foundation and he’s working great.”

Trainer Linda Rice sends out the uncoupled entry of Prince of Pharoahs and Scilly Cay. Prince of Pharoahs came out of the Jerome to run sixth in the Withers and then second in a first-level statebred allowance.

Scilly Cay won the Rego Park going 6 1/2 furlongs under Jose Lezcano and finished fourth in the Gander when ridden by Dylan Davis. He will be reunited with Lezcano on Sunday.

“I think they’re both well meant in there,” Rice said. “Scilly Cay didn’t perform in the last event. We were trying a mile, and Dylan Davis was unfamiliar with him. I thought it was a mistake to take him off of slow fractions. I’m hoping for a rebound performance.”

Dream Bigger, third to Scilly Cay in the Rego Park, was a two-time statebred stakes winner at 2. More Graytful steps up off a maiden victory. Titan’s Will has won two straight, both for Orlando Noda.

The Damon Runyon is scheduled for race 8 on a nine-race Sunday card that begins at 1:30 p.m. While NYRA will be racing, patrons will not be permitted to attend because of the coronavirus situation.