Cousin Stephen tops strong feature

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Friday’s $75,000 feature at Aqueduct could be mistaken for the Evening Attire Stakes, though in reality, it’s a third-level optional $80,000 claimer for older males going a mile over the inner track.

A field of seven was entered, though trainer David Jacobson said he most likely will scratch Castaway and run just Wealth to Me, who was originally entered in the Evening Attire. The Evening Attire was postponed until Sunday after Monday’s Presidents Day card was scrapped.

Coming off his last race, Cousin Stephen would have taken support in the Evening Attire. Instead, his connections have opted for this spot, hoping to see him perform in New York as he has out of town, primarily at Parx. Cousin Stephen has recorded two wins at Parx, including a visually impressive 5 3/4-length allowance win there Dec. 14.

“Numbers-wise, it came back a fast race,” trainer Chad Brown said. “We want to see him transfer that form back to New York.”

The last time Cousin Stephen raced on dirt in New York, he finished last in the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga last July. Brown said Cousin Stephen came out of that race sick. A turf experiment in September at Belmont failed, but his last two races on dirt at Parx were solid.

“He’s a horse we always thought had a lot of potential, and he showed us glimpses of it at times,” Brown said. “He lost his way a little bit in the middle of the summer. We’re trying to turn over every stone and make sure we’re not missing something.”

Race 5

KEY CONTENDERS

Cousin Stephen (Last 3 Beyers: 97-85-75)

◗ Received an outside stalking trip and won a second-level allowance while being geared down in the final sixteenth under Kendrick Carmouche, who is 2 for 2 on this horse and named to ride Friday.

◗ Most recent work of 48.80 seconds over the Belmont training track Feb. 14 was very solid.

Wealth to Me (Last 3 Beyers: 84-90-95)

◗ Returns to this circuit after three races at Laurel with mixed results.

◗ Jacobson said that despite the weather, Wealth to Me “has not missed a beat in his schedule. He’s going into this race really strong. I expect him to give a top effort.”

Cease (Last 3 Beyers: 94-89-93)

◗ On Dec. 31, 2013, he won an optional claimer by 9 1/2 lengths going a mile over the inner track and earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. He is winless in 12 starts since.

◗ Equaled that 101 Beyer when second to Transparent in an allowance at Belmont last September.