Clement loaded in undercard stakes at Aqueduct

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Before stuffing themselves with their favorite traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, handicappers can feast on six turf races at Aqueduct – all with full fields, including the $150,000 Winter Memories Stakes for fillies and mares and the $100,000 Central Park Stakes for 2-year-olds – as part of a nine-race card that begins at 11:50 a.m.

A favorable forecast with dry conditions and temperatures in the low 50s should allow for all these turf races to be run as scheduled.

The Winter Memories, which goes as race 8, drew 11 for the turf plus three main-track-only entrants. Classic Fit was not designated a main track only, but she has made her last seven starts on dirt and is re-entered for Friday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Comely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.

In the Winter Memories, trainer Christophe Clement sends out the uncoupled entry of Feel Glorious and Sorrentina Lemon. Feel Glorious won the Memories of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct in April, but his winless in five starts since then. She is coming off a half-length loss to New and Improved in the Grade 2 Sands Point on Oct. 12 at Belmont.

“She doesn’t always win, but she’s been very consistent,” Clement said. “She’s won at Aqueduct before. You got two or three fillies on form that are better than the rest, and she’s one of them.”

Junior Alvarado rides Feel Glorious from post 4.

One slot inside of her is Sorrentina Lemon, who won a maiden race in January at Tampa and then came back off eight-month layoff to win a first-level allowance on Sept. 11 at Belmont.

“She had a training setback a few months ago; she’s better now, so let’s try it,” Clement said. “It’s a bit ambitious, but it’s a fun spot to try and get her black type.”

Joel Rosario rides Sorrentina Lemon.

Chad Brown sends out debut winner Shelter Island, a French-bred filly who beat several next-out winners in a Sept. 21 maiden race at Belmont.

Tom Albertrani entered Panther Hit and Dyna Passer, the latter a half-sister to Sadler’s Joy, winner of last Saturday’s Grade 3 Red Smith.

Tuned, an allowance winner in her U.S. debut for Graham Motion, On the Town, Atomic Blonde, and Tass complete the field on turf.

Chapalu tops Central Park

Chapalu tops a full field of 2-year-olds set to run 1 1/16 miles on turf in the $100,000 Central Park Stakes.

After finishing second in his debut, Chapalu won a one-mile maiden race on turf at Keeneland coming from off the pace after steadying on the first turn. Three weeks later, he won the Grade 3 Grey Stakes over Woodbine’s synthetic surface racing on the lead.

He drifted out in the stretch of both victories, prompting trainer Arnaud Delacour to equip the colt with a ring bit and figure-eight bridle.

“We’ll see if it gives Javier [Castellano] a little more control,” Delacour said. “The horse is still learning.”

Clement will give City Man a try on turf after four starts – including a stakes win versus New York-breds – on dirt. Clement said City Man worked well in company with the highly regarded Decorated Invader on turf during the summer at Saratoga.

“Every time he runs, he’s a little like a grass horse; he travels so easily but he doesn’t quite finish as well as he should,” Clement said. “He’s a very good mover, his works have been good. He should stay.”

Pixelate, beaten a neck in the Awad Stakes, will have to overcome post 12 under Jose Lezcano.

Fair Haired Boy was beaten just 1 1/2 lengths when fifth at 30-1 in the Laurel Futurity with some trouble in upper stretch. Mo Ready, if he doesn’t run in a Wednesday allowance could be formidable having already won at the distance, albeit in August at Saratoga.

Mr. Kringle wheels back in two weeks off an easy maiden win when switched to the turf after a disappointing debut on dirt for trainer John Terranova.

Others entered include Old Chestnut, Vanzzy, Ashraq, Homeland, Stanhope, and Get Smokin.