Conditions suit Matt King Coal in return from layoff

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As the last of the better horses stabled in New York get ready to leave for the winter, one is getting ready to return.

Matt King Coal, unraced since finishing fourth as the second choice in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial here in April, returns Wednesday in a second-level allowance going a one-turn mile, as the final week of racing over Aqueduct’s main track commences.

In March, Matt King Coal came off a four-month layoff to win a first-level allowance going 1 1/16 miles over the inner track. The runner-up from that race, My Man Sam, finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes in his subsequent start.

Matt King Coal, meanwhile, set the pace in the Wood Memorial, only to fade to fourth, 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner, Outwork. Matt King Coal came out of the race with a hairline fracture of his pelvis and was given the summer off.

“I think I’ve done as much as I can with him in the morning, so I need to give him a race at this point,” trainer Linda Rice said. “He’s matured beautifully. He’s always been tall and leggy, but he’s filled out.”

Rain was in the forecast for Wednesday, but Matt King Coal has handled an off track. As a 2-year-old, he was beaten a nose by Gift Box in the slop while finishing 18 lengths clear of the rest of the field. He ended his 2-year-old season with a 5 3/4-length maiden win going a one-turn mile over a wet track at Belmont 13 months ago.

Matt King Coal, who breaks from post 5 under Jose Ortiz, is a confirmed front-runner, and there is other speed in this field, including Gentrify and Dixie Runner.

“He usually finds himself on the front end of things,” Rice said. “I’m going to leave that up to Jose. He’s a good gate rider, he’s a good speed rider; he’s ridden the horse his entire career.”

The allowance goes as race 8 and is part of the pick six, which begins the day with a $27,069 carryover.

KEY CONTENDERS

Matt King Coal, Cool Coal Man

Last 3 Beyers: 89-98-96

◗ He beat Portfolio Manager in his maiden win last year. Portfolio Manager came off a 13-month layoff to win a maiden race last Saturday at Aqueduct by 3 1/4 lengths.

◗ Has a win and a nose loss from three starts over a wet track.

Second City, by Distorted Humor

Last 3 Beyers: 88-88-89

◗ Looks to be the best closer in the field and could get a good setup.

◗ He is 3 for 9 over a wet track and has won a one-turn mile at Aqueduct, albeit for $40,000 claiming a few years ago.

◗ He is the only member of this field offered for the $62,500 claiming price.

Three Alarm Fire, by Pyro

Last 3 Beyers: 89-82-101

◗ Finished third after dueling on the lead with two rivals in a similar spot last out.

◗ Might be best served by coming from off the pace, like he did in winning a first-level allowance at Belmont in the fall of 2014, when he earned a career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure.