D'funnything figures on turf or dirt

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Turf or dirt, D’funnything is a serious player in Friday’s New York-bred second-level allowance/optional $40,000 claiming feature at Aqueduct.

The $59,000 race is scheduled for six furlongs on the outer turf course. Rain forced Wednesday’s two scheduled turf races to the dirt, but dry conditions are forecast the remainder of the week. However, colder temperatures also are expected, which leaves turf racing an uncertainty.

Sixteen horses were entered, but four were designated as main track only. Ten will run if it remains on the turf.

D’funnything, a 4-year-old gelding by D’Funnybone, made the first 14 starts of his career on dirt, winning seven of them. He was transferred to the turf Sept. 1 at Saratoga, where he finished third but was placed second when the stewards disqualified With Exultation for interference in the stretch.

D’funnything came back to win this condition on the front end at Belmont Park. That day, he was not offered for the claiming price. Friday, he is eligible to be claimed for $40,000. Trainer Charlton Baker said D’funnything will run turf or dirt.

“His past form on dirt is just as good,” Baker said. “His last two turf races were okay, and it’s a little easier on him.”

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If on turf, D’funnything will likely face some early pace pressure from Uncle Youdge, who is drawn in post 3.

That could set things up for Psychic Energy, who took advantage of a contested pace to win a frist-level allowance going six furlongs on the outer turf course Nov. 18. Psychic Energy goes out for Linda Rice and will have Irad Ortiz Jr. up.

The Crocheron Kid, despite his 3-for-33 record, is another contender if this race is run on turf.

If the race is run on dirt, My Boy Tate would likely go off favored. A lightly raced 3-year-old gelding by Boys At Tosconova, My Boy Tate has won his last two sprinting on dirt, including a first-level allowance win by 6 3/4 lengths here off a three-month layoff.

Trainer Michelle Nevin explained that My Boy Tate had three months between races due to him kicking the back of his stall and suffering a bruised foot during the latter half of the Saratoga meet.

Though My Boy Tate has won his last two on the front end, Nevin believes the gelding is versatile to sit if need be.

“If you look at his first two races, he could have been on the lead, but he relaxed,” Nevin said.

Bobby On Fleek, Saratoga Giro, and Global Positioning are the other main-track-only entrants in the field.