Chorus Line a singular sensation for DeLauro

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Edward DeLauro has noticed several differences between training Thoroughbreds and training Standardbreds, something he did for nearly 30 years.

“It’s a whole different ballgame,” said DeLauro, 71. “These horses are very fragile, soundness-wise; it’s tough to keep them together. The trotters, you can run them through a building and they’ll run the next day.”

One similarity between training the two breeds is that it’s good to have a fast horse in the right race. DeLauro appears to have Chorus Line properly spotted in a second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claiming race Thursday at Aqueduct. The race, the seventh on an eight-race card, will be run at a mile and 70 yards.

DeLauro got into the Thoroughbred business about eight months ago when a friend left him three horses in a will. He also started claiming horses and won a five-way shake to get Chorus Line for $20,000 at Belmont last October from a six-furlong race the filly won by 23 1/4 lengths.

Chorus Line then won her first start for DeLauro, a seven-furlong starter allowance, by eight lengths at Aqueduct. In her last two starts, both going two turns over the inner track, Chorus Line has an allowance win and a second in the Ladies Handicap. Granted, Chorus Line was beaten 13 1/2 lengths by Wonder Gal in the Ladies, but she’s not facing Wonder Gal here.

“She’s very versatile – she’s won at six [furlongs] and she’s won at seven,” DeLauro said. “Every time she won, she just sprinted off, so I thought she could go a little further. She’s a quality filly. She’s going to be pretty tough on Thursday.”

Samuel Camacho rides from post 2.

True History won at this level Jan. 20, running down the odds-on favorite La Inesperada. She was not offered for the claiming tag that day. She is in for the $62,500 on Thursday.

Camille Claudel, a 6-year-old mare, is also being offered for the claiming price and is dropping out of two stakes tries.

KEY CONTENDERS

Chorus Line, by Parading

Last 3 Beyers: 75-87-68

◗ Controlled the pace from the inside in winning a first-level allowance race here Dec. 11. The second- and third-place finishers came back to win allowance races.

◗ Was no match for Wonder Gal but finished two lengths clear for second in the Ladies Handicap.

True History, by Yes It’s True

Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-63

◗ Never left the rail while running by heavy favorite La Inesperada in her first start for trainer Ray Handal, who has had a nice winter meet, winning with four of nine starters.

◗ Her lone bad effort from her last six starts came on a sloppy track. Conditions should be dry on Thursday.

Oasis at Midnight, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 76-80-80

◗ Doesn’t win often – she’s 4 for 42 – but she has a history of spicing up exotics at a nice price. In two of her last five starts, she finished second at odds of 57-1 and 39-1.