Control Group may be pressured in Alex M. Robb Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though Control Group is technically dropping in class when he runs in Sunday’s $100,000 Alex M. Robb for New York-breds at Aqueduct, he could find this spot more troublesome than the Grade 3 Discovery he won two months ago.

In the Discovery, Control Group was the primary speed, and he cruised to a three-length victory against a modest group of 3-year-olds.

In the Robb, which was originally scheduled for Dec. 31 but was postponed several times due to bad weather and insufficient entries, Control Group is likely to find company on the front end from Wake Up in Malibu.

Still, Control Group has won four of his last five starts – three at the Robb distance of 1 1/8 miles around two turns.

“He’s doing very good and the time off is going to help him,” trainer Rudy Rodriguez said. “He is facing some older horses that are pretty solid.”

While Rodriguez mentioned Wake Up in Malibu and Papa Shot by name, the two main threats to Control Group could be Extinct Charm and Can You Diggit. Extinct Charm, a runner-up in three consecutive stakes races in 2016 as a 3-year-old, missed most of his 4-year-old season last year due to knee surgery. He came back last fall to win one of three starts in 2017.

“He can run all day,” trainer Bruce Brown said. “Hopefully, we get a decent pace and a lot of tired horses at the end.”

Can You Diggit finished a nose behind Control Group when the two were second and third behind Twisted Tom in the Empire Classic at Belmont Park in October. He finished 11 lengths behind Control Group in the paceless Discovery.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said he would not have run Can You Diggit in the Robb when it was scheduled for last Sunday. But he liked the way Can You Diggit worked earlier this week and put him in this time.

“He should give a good account of himself,” Jerkens said.

Testosterstone, who owns a win at 1 1/8 miles, completes the field.

The Robb will go as race 3 on a nine-race card that also includes the Ladies Handicap.

KEY CONTENDERS

Control Group, by Posse

Last 3 Beyers: 101-89-90

◗ He is 5 for 8 since being claimed for $62,500 by Rodriguez for Michael Dubb and David Simon one year ago.

◗ May have to deal with some pace pressure from Wake Up in Malibu.

◗ As the 123-pound highweight, he is spotting six to eight pounds to the rest of the field.

Extinct Charm, by American Lion

Last 3 Beyers: 80-75-72

◗ Has been on or close to the pace in a pair of two-turn races this year, and prefers to come from farther off the pace.

◗ Gets the services of Dylan Davis, who is riding extremely well at this meet.

Can You Diggit, by Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 83-89-89

◗ May have been compromised by a slow pace when fourth in the Grade 3 Discovery.

◗ Gets eight pounds from Control Group.