Chilly Bon Bon leaves tough rival in rear-view mirror

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When trainer Michelle Nevin wheeled Chilly Bon Bon back five days after an impressive allowance win at Aqueduct, she wasn’t counting on running into the fastest New York-bred older male on the grounds.

But that’s what happened on Dec. 14 when Chilly Bon Bon finished fourth, 15 1/2 lengths behind Diversify, who was winning his third straight race in what has become a four-race winning streak to begin his career.

On Friday, Chilly Bon Bon won’t have to contend with Diversify, but he does meet several tough opponents in a statebred second-level allowance/optional $40,000 claiming event going a mile and 70 yards that is race 8 on a nine-race card at Aqueduct.

On Dec. 9, Chilly Bon Bon won a first-level New York-bred allowance by two lengths. He didn’t beat much and was able to control things on the front end but still managed to earn a solid 87 Beyer Speed Figure.

Five days later, Chilly Bon Bon chased Diversify for the first half-mile before retreating. Still, he was beaten only 2 1/2 lengths for second.

“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” Nevin said of running back on short rest. “He ran into a pretty decent horse in Diversify, so I’m not going to beat him up for it.”

On Friday, Chilly Bon Bon meets six rivals, including Cards of Stone, who returns from an eight-month layoff for Todd Pletcher, and Becker’s Galaxy, who drops in for the $40,000 claiming tag after competing in a pair of restricted stakes.

KEY CONTENDERS

Chilly Bon Bon, by Frost Giant

Last 3 Beyers: 77-87-77

◗ He was a sharp, front-running winner of a first-level allowance, but Nevin doesn’t feel this gelding has to be on the lead.

“He’s a pretty relaxed horse,” Nevin said. “His race two back, he found himself on the lead pretty easily – it wasn’t like the jockey put him there.”

The jock that day was Kendrick Carmouche. The jock on this day will be Cornelio Velasquez from post 5.

Cards of Stone, by Bustin Stones

Last 3 Beyers: 54-70-66

◗ He was laid up after running sixth in the Mike Lee Stakes over a muddy track last May.

◗ Won a first-level allowance for statebreds by 13 lengths going two turns over the inner track in March. Any repeat of that effort puts him in the mix here.

◗ Carmouche rides from post 3.

Becker’s Galaxy, by Greeley’s Galaxy

Last 3 Beyers: 79-79-85

◗ Claimed for $25,000 three starts back, Becker’s Galaxy was second in a New York Stallion Stakes Series sprint and fourth behind Send It In in the Alex M. Robb going long Dec. 31.

◗ The 7-year-old gelding figures to be a forward factor as he seeks his 10th win in his 44th career start.