Daisy Cutter a threat vs. open company
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After winning two straight races against New York-breds, Daisy Cutter appears to have found a relatively soft spot as she wades into open allowance company for the first time in Friday’s $67,000 feature at Aqueduct.
Seemingly well suited to a life on turf, Daisy Cutter has made a successful transfer to dirt this winter for trainer Linda Rice. On Jan. 3, coming off a 10-week layoff, Daisy Cutter overcame the outside post in a 12-horse field and ran down Beating Heart Baby to win by a half-length. Following a 54-day layoff, Daisy Cutter stepped up into a second-level statebred allowance and rallied from midpack to beat Literata by a head.
On Friday, Daisy Cutter will be running back in three weeks. In August at Saratoga, Daisy Cutter won an open-company $40,000 claimer while running back in 23 days.
Cornelio Velasquez rides Daisy Cutter, the 123-pound co-highweight, from post 5.
There does not appear to be much speed in this 1 1/16-mile race, which could make William’sluckygray an upset candidate. She is stretching out from three sprints but has won going long on turf while on the lead.
William’sluckygray is trained by Gary Sciacca, who has had a terrific meet, with 11 wins from 84 starters. Twelve of his last 20 starters have finished in the money.
“They say run the pony when things are going like that,” Sciacca said. “The horses are running extra good, and even the ones that are getting beat are running good.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Daisy Cutter, by Bellamy Road
Last 3 Beyers: 80-69-69
◗ Has relished the inner track this winter, with two workmanlike victories off midrange layoffs.
◗ Has enough tactical speed to lay close, which may serve her well in a field void of pace.
◗ She was one of four next-out winners from a Jan. 3 New York-bred first-level allowance race.
Jademarie, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 79-62-72
◗ Rallied from far back to finish a clear second at 42-1 at this condition the first time off a $25,000 claim made by trainer David Donk in mid-January.
“I entered her back in a couple of claiming races,” Donk said. ‘They didn’t fill. I had no option, so I ran her back in an allowance race. She has some back class, and she runs a little bit on everything. I’ll be very curious to see her run back again. She seems to be doing well.”
Flick of an Eye, by Afleet Express
Last 3 Beyers: 71-75-67
◗ Has more speed than she showed last time out when hampered by an outside post and an inside trip Jan. 30.
◗ Reunited with Kendrick Carmouche, aboard for her lone win, which came going two turns at Parx last September.