Cenzonite prepping for Thomas

Cenzonite, a fast-closing second last time out and a minor stakes winner at Calder last fall, tops a strong field of nine in Saturday's $23,500 allowance prep for the $75,000 Chris Thomas Turf Classic on Mary 2.

Andrew Ramgeet will handle Cenzonite in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for trainer Kirk Ziadie, whose barn is winning at a 30 percent clip this meeting and ranks second in the local standings.

Cenzonite compiled a solid record last season, winning three of seven outings while racing with high-priced claiming, optional claiming, and overnight stakes company. He posted back to back wins at Gulfstream Park last winter, then came back later in the season at Calder to be a fast-closing third in the Big Bubble Stakes on the turf after encountering traffic problems. In his final outing of 2008, Cenzonite rallied from next to last in the 7 1/2-furlong The Vid Stakes in September to post a mild upset.

Brought back at five furlongs in February after being off five months, Cenzonite finished an even fourth after racing wide. In his latest start, Cenzonite, now 5, rallied from next to last in a tough allowance race and fell just a neck short of Electricity on the Tampa Bay Derby card.

Special Tiger, who has a win and a close second in his last three starts, turns back from 1 3/8 miles and tops the challengers. Special Tiger slipped through along the rail in his most recent going 11 furlongs to look like a winner inside the final furlong, only to be outkicked by Stumbling Block, who was winning his second straight on the turf.

Sapphook and Boudoir, a pair of talent runners trained by James Gulick, also figure prominently.

Sapphook, a four-time winner on the turf and a winner of two of his last three starts before going to the sidelines last November, will make his comeback Saturday. Boudoir, who finished third, beaten just two lengths in the Wayward Lass here after dueling in that 1 1/16-mile stakes, takes on males Saturday in her third start of the season.