Contenders galore in Thursday turf allowance
The weather forecast for Long Island on Thursday calls for a 50-50 chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Assuming Mother Nature cooperates, a field of 10 New York-bred fillies and mares will line up for Thursday’s $72,000 feature, a preliminary allowance scheduled for one mile on the Widener turf.
In a wide-open affair, any among Maura’s Pass, Moonlit Sonnet, Nile Empress, Race and Shine, Resolutely, Where’s the Risk, and Willow U have shown the ability to contend.
Maura’s Pass was a decisive winner against mid-level restricted claimers in her seasonal debut and has won twice from three starts since being transferred to trainer Jason Servis late last year.
Moonlit Sonnet, who is part of a William Schettine-owned entry along with Porcia, comes off a pair of third-place finishes at this level. Her only start on the Widener took place in May 2013, when she garnered her maiden victory.
Race and Shine has traded decisions with Moonlit Sonnet since returning from Florida, where she won two of four starts at Gulfstream Park over the winter. Race and Shine gets a switch to apprentice Eric Cancel, who entered the week third in the standings with 20 wins, eight of which have come on the grass.
Resolutely and Willow U each is making her first appearance since last October, when they finished off the board under these first-level conditions over good turf.
KEY CONTENDERS, Race 8
Maura’s Pass (Last 3 Beyers: 73-31-61)
◗ She earned a lifetime top figure winning her comeback race over the course at seven furlongs.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Maura’s Pass. Trainer Jason Servis is 60-9-9-6 with a $1.33 ROI over the past five years going sprint to route on turf but 11-4-0-0 with a $3.63 ROI when doing it with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Moonlit Sonnet (Last 3 Beyers: 66-72-0)
◗ Far and away her best performance was delivered in her one start over the Widener turf two years ago, when she beat maidens and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 81.
Nile Empress (Last 3 Beyers: 68-67-66)
◗ She gets points for consistency, having run figures in the 63-68 range in all five of her starts this year.
Race and Shine (Last 3 Beyers: 57-76-68)
◗ She is the only two-time winner on grass in the field.
◗ She exhibits a potential “bounce-rebound” pattern, having recorded a new Beyer top in her return to New York, followed by a 19-point regression.
Resolutely (Last 3 Beyers: 67-68-59)
◗ Idle since October, but may be ready to fire judging from a slate of workouts at Monmouth Park, capped by a fast blowout in 35 seconds Sunday.
Where’s the Risk (Last 3 Beyers: 70-45-42)
◗ After being pinched back at the start, the Delaware Park-based filly finished strongly and made up more than a dozen lengths when a close second in her initial turf route.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Willow U. Trainer George Weaver is 16-3-3-1 with a $4.40 ROI over the past five years in turf routes in the first start following a trainer switch and a layoff of 180 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Porcia and No. 1A Moonlit Sonnet. Trainer Joe Orseno is 106-2-5-12 with a $0.26 ROI over the past two years in turf routes (33-0-1-5 on the NYRA circuit). Click for more details. – Mike Hogan