The Caretaker finds more suitable spot in Aqueduct feature

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When The Caretaker won an open allowance race here on Dec. 29, it was a performance that might have been good enough to win a stakes race. Unfortunately, The Caretaker did not repeat that performance when he was actually entered in a stakes, finishing fourth in the Say Florida Sandy two weeks later.

Friday, The Caretaker will drop back to a more suitable level when he heads an eight-horse field entered in a second-level allowance/optional $40,000 claiming sprint that serves as the feature on Aqueduct’s eight-race card.

The Caretaker is one of three horses being offered for the $40,000 tag in this six-furlong race. Rudy Rodriguez claimed him for this price last October.

After running second in his first start for Rodriguez and owner Vincent Scuderi, The Caretaker won a first-level allowance by 4 1/2 lengths, earning a gaudy 97 Beyer Speed Figure. Thirteen days later, he was sent off the favorite in the Say Florida Sandy but could not duplicate the effort, and was beaten six lengths.

“I think I brought him back too quick. I should never have run him there,” Rodriguez said. “He’s had some time. We let him freshen up.”

If there is one caveat to taking The Caretaker as the favorite in this spot it’s the fact Rodriguez believes the horse was doing better when he was training at Aqueduct than he is now being based at Belmont. Aqueduct has been closed for training since Jan. 1.

“This track is very demanding,” Rodriguez said of the Belmont training track.

Apprentice Romero Maragh rides The Caretaker from post 7.

Rodriguez also sends out Summer Bourbon, a horse he has claimed four times over the years for a total of $100,000. Most recently, it was owner Andrew Gurdon and Gustavo Rodriguez, Rudy’s brother, who took Summer Bourbon for $25,000 on Dec. 30. He won for that same price on Feb. 8 and now is in for the allowance condition on Friday.

“He’s a nice, sound horse,” said Rudy Rodriguez, who was a bit concerned about the step up in class.

Junior Alvarado is named to ride Summer Bourbon from the rail.

Le General makes his fifth try in this condition for trainer Michelle Nevin. He finished third as the 3-5 favorite last out, having to work hard to get past the pacesetting Hushion and having nothing left to fend off Speightful Kitten and Kazmania. That race was run over a sealed, muddy surface.

There does appear to be other speed to press Hushion in this spot on Friday, perhaps giving jockey Manny Franco the option of sitting off the pace with him.

Part of that speed will be supplied by Bustin Shout and Bronx Bomber, who is part of an entry with Vicar’s Legend.

Playthatfunnymusic won this condition going 6 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 13 for what was his third consecutive victory in a five-week span. He has been soundly beaten in his last two starts in open company and should appreciate the return to facing statebreds.