Could be a 'City' exacta in Ashley T. Cole
Sanctuary City and City Man head a field of New York-bred males attempting 1 1/8 miles in Saturday’s $125,000 Ashley T. Cole Handicap. Seven were entered to run on turf, two more were entered to run on the main track, though there is no rain forecast.
Sanctuary City, a son of Temple City trained by Jimmy Ferraro, ended a 12-race losing streak winning an open allowance going 1 1/16 miles at Saratoga on Sept. 2. Sanctuary City has not won beyond 1 1/16 miles in his 23-race career.
“I think he’ll run all day, it’s just a matter of what kind of pace you get up front,” said Ferraro, who has Manny Franco to ride.
Jerry the Nipper looks like the primary speed in the Cole.
Trevor McCarthy was aboard for Sanctuary City’s win at Saratoga but has elected to ride City Man for trainer Christophe Clement.
City Man won the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple going a mile at Saratoga on July 15 and then, under McCarthy, finished second to Emaraaty in the Grade 3 Bernard Baruch Handicap on the Sept. 5 closing-day Saratoga card.
City Man has two seconds from four tries at 1 1/8 miles though his 18-length defeat in the Fort Marcy in May should not be held against him, as that race was run over a bog at Belmont.
“I think he’s versatile enough to go from a mile to a mile and an eighth, that’s not the problem,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “I am running back rather quickly.”
The graded stakes winner Cross Border has been transferred to trainer Keri Brion with the idea of turning him into a jumper. He will start here before that jump career begins.
Action Jackson, Cold Hard Cash, and Advanced Strategy complete the field on turf. Bankit and Bossmakinbossmoves are entered main track only.
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