Cannizzo banking on youngsters to perform well during winter

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer David Cannizzo on Wednesday morning was talking about the potential he felt his barn had for a strong winter meet. Two races into Wednesday’s card, Cannizzo got his first victory when Battle Midway rallied down the center of Aqueduct’s inner track to spring an 11-1 upset.

This after winning eight races from 33 starters over Aqueduct’s main track during the fall.

However, Cannizzo believes the number of trips he makes to the winner’s circle will depend on how well his young horses perform over the inner track.

Cannizzo’s first pair of 2-year-old starters at the meet, Carolina Courage and Congaree Drive, finished third and fourth in races 1 and 3 on Wednesday’s card.

Cannizzo is hoping to see more performances like the one Royal Inheritance, a 2-year-old daughter of Regal Ransom, gave in winning her debut over the main track last Sunday at odds of 16-1.

“We liked her the whole time,” Cannizzo said. “She’s been a very nice filly. She bucked her shins and didn’t start at Saratoga. We gave her time to develop, and she came around.”

Cannizzo said Royal Inheritance, who earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure for her debut, would remain sprinting for the foreseeable future.

In past years, Cannizzo split his stable between south Florida and New York. This year, he intends to be based strictly in New York with about 40 horses. Cannizzo said he has about 29 2-year-olds, who will turn 3 on Jan. 1.

“We have a lot of young horses still to run that we like that are a couple of works away,” Cannizzo said. “It should be a good winter, looking forward to it.”