Complexity returns following a second layoff

It has been far from simple and straightforward for the 3-year-old colt Complexity since his connections popped the Champagne in October 2018.

Complexity was 5-2 in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after easily winning his career debut at Saratoga, followed by a three-length victory in the Champagne Stakes. Wednesday at Aqueduct, Complexity drops into a second-level allowance race also open to $62,500 claimers, the featured eighth race, after finishing 10th by 20 lengths in the BC Juvenile and 11th, beaten a similar margin, in his only race since, the Grade 1 Woody Stephens on June 8 at Belmont.

Complexity is one of seven horses entered to race seven furlongs on dirt, and if he gets back to something close to his best race, he should beat the six of them.

Chad Brown, who trains Complexity for Klaravich Stables, said Complexity came out of his Breeders’ Cup Start with “very sore shins that took a lot longer to resolve than we had hoped.” Brown looked for an allowance race where Complexity could launch his 3-year-old campaign, couldn’t find one, and ran him in the Woody Stephens instead.

“In hindsight it was a mistake. He wasn’t ready for it,” Brown said.

Complexity contested a hot Woody Stephens pace in a race ultimately dominated by closers, came out of the race with a quarter crack, and subsequently battled further foot problems that required patience from Brown.

“He’s recently put in a string of good works and I thought this was the right spot for him, a good place to start him back,” Brown said.

Jose Ortiz, Complexity’s regular rider, has the mount Wednesday and the seven-furlong trip should be fine considering Complexity’s debut win over six furlongs and Champagne score at a one-turn mile. As noted by his trainer, Complexity has put together an encouraging work pattern since early October, though he will surely start at a win price lower than fair value.

Down on the rail, Fuel the Bern is a candidate to upset this race at a price if he can work out a trip. Aqueduct appears to be his favorite surface and he’s considerably better than his most recent performance, a fourth-place finish in an optional-claiming sprint at Belmont.

Trainer Jason Servis has two entrants, Mr. Dougie Fresh, who has the more obviously contending form, and Hawaiian Noises, entered for $22,500 more than these connections paid when they claimed him from trainer Wesley Ward in September.

◗ Race 3 is a first-level allowance for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs that includes the talented Three Technique. Second in maiden races at Belmont and Saratoga to start his career, Three Technique graduated third out at Saratoga when he won a seven-furlong maiden race by more than five lengths.