Class relief for Roman Approval in turf allowance

ELMONT, N.Y. – Roman Approval looks well spotted to end a year’s worth of frustration when he heads an eight-horse field entered in Thursday’s $80,000, second-level allowance feature scheduled for 1 1/4 miles on turf at Belmont Park.

Roman Approval is winless in nine starts this year and has lost 10 straight overall but has four second-place finishes in stakes company during that span. Most recently, he was in the news for being the horse who was bothered by Inordinate, a rabbit for Flintshire, in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga, where he finished sixth.

In his most recent start, he finished third in the $200,000 PTHA President’s Cup at Parx, where he took a bad step at the quarter pole while pressing the pace and was not persevered with in the final furlong.

“He hit a rough spot in the turf course,” trainer Mike Maker said. “Thankfully, everything worked out fine, and he’s okay.”

In this allowance heat, Roman Approval is returning to a course over which he has two wins and a second from four starts. In his other race, on Belmont Stakes Day, he was bothered in the stretch and was only beaten three-quarters of a length.

Roman Approval could play out as the primary speed in this field after breaking from post 8 under Jose Ortiz. Bank Float, who is riding a three-race winning streak at shorter distances, has been a pace factor in his longer races.

Decisive Triumph, a winner of two straight marathons, and Request, third in a race where Roman Approval ran second at Saratoga in August, are the other significant players.

Key Contenders

Roman Approval, by Roman Ruler
Last 3 Beyers: 82-84-96

◗ Has finished second 16 times from 36 starts but gets class relief while returning to a surface over which he’s run very well in the past.

“He’s been a hard-luck horse his whole career,” Maker said. “He had gate issues early on, we got him over that, but it’s been one thing after the next. Nothing’s easy at Belmont, but we get a distance he likes, so we’ll give it a shot.”

Decisive Triumph, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 84-65-80

◗ Has improved with blinkers and added distance, winning his last two, including an allowance at Kentucky Downs.

◗ Trainer Graham Motion is enjoying a solid fall meet with a 4-3-1 record from 12 starters.

Request, by Dynaformer
Last 3 Beyers: 89-94-92

◗ Type of horse who usually gets a share but rarely wins. His distance races have been solid, not spectacular.

“He’s a solid horse. He’s much better on softer ground,” trainer Chad Brown said. “By the time he runs, he won’t get it. I’ve been waiting all year for soft turf for this horse.”

Bank Float, Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 84-87-89

◗ Stretches out to 1 1/4 miles after wins going shorter at Parx, Laurel, and Kentucky Downs.

◗ Only member of this field in for the optional claiming tag of $62,500.