Comfort capable of firing fresh
ELMONT, N.Y. – If you’re looking for a fresh face in the second-level optional $62,500 claiming ranks on this circuit, then you’ll want to take Comfort in Sunday’s feature at Belmont Park.
The 4-year-old Comfort, trained by Todd Pletcher, has not run since winning a first-level optional claimer at Gulfstream Park West last November. That performance came off a seven-month layoff, following a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland in April 2015.
“He had time off, ran well in an allowance race, and unfortunately had to have more time off,” Pletcher said. “This is a pretty competitive race.”
The 1 1/16-mile race drew a field of seven, but it’s not the most consistent group of older males.
Our Caravan, in for the $62,500 claiming price, won at this level over Aqueduct’s inner track last December and then finished second in January at a higher level. He has not run since finishing fourth in the Stymie Stakes on March 13.
Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said he has been entering Our Caravan at several venues, but has been unable to get a dirt race to go for this 5-year-old gelding.
Farhaan, second at this level in March, hasn’t won since pulling a 7-1 upset in the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga in 2014.
Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Our Caravan, by Daaher
Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-93
◗ Has run three decent races since he was claimed for $62,500 last October.
◗ Biggest negative is he’s 0 for 2 at Belmont, but one of those races came in the Grade 2 Peter Pan in 2014.
◗ Gets rider change to Irad Ortiz Jr.
Comfort, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 80-90-82
◗ Is 2 for 3 on dirt, with his lone loss coming in a graded stakes 13 months ago. Has a steady string of works for return.
“I think we got enough in him,” Pletcher said. “This hopefully will tell us which direction we need to be going. Pedigree-wise you’d think he’d run this far.”
Mills, by Any Given Saturday
Last 3 Beyers: 90-95-78
◗ A well-beaten third in the slop last out at this level, but he broke poorly and found himself farther off the pace than he prefers to be.
◗ Two starts back, in the Stud Muffin Stakes, he finished second to Toledo Eddie, who was in the midst of a five-race winning streak.