Difficulty level increases for Micromanage

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The $100,000 Evening Attire has undergone some revisions since it was first drawn Feb. 13 for its scheduled running on the Presidents Day card, which was canceled because of the cold. More changes may be in store for the 1 1/16-mile race for older horses, to be run over Aqueduct’s inner track.

One thing, however, remains constant: Micromanage is the horse to beat.

Micromanage seeks his third consecutive winter stakes victory in the Evening Attire, which for the second straight week drew eight entries. However, Kid Cruz and Cousin Stephen, not among the original eight entered, are intriguing newcomers should they run. Kid Cruz, a multiple stakes winner from a year ago, is expected to run. Cousin Stephen could opt for an optional claimer that he was entered in for Friday, a race that was canceled but could possibly be brought back next Thursday if it fills. Entries for that race were to be taken Saturday morning.

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After an endless spate of extreme cold, it is expected to be warm enough to rain Sunday, likely creating an off track. Micromanage won the Jazil Stakes on Jan. 19 over a muddy track.

Micromanage will be coupled in the wagering with the speedy Village Warrior as a Mike Repole-owned, Todd Pletcher-trained entry. Last October, Village Warrior almost stole the Temperence Hill Stakes, run over a sloppy Belmont main track.

The Evening Attire is slated as race 3 (post time 2:18 p.m. Eastern).

KEY CONTENDERS Micromanage (Last 3 Beyers: 100-104-49)

◗ A bit inconsistent last year, he has found a home on the inner track, winning two stakes this winter, both from off the pace, and earning a triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure in each.

◗ He will have to work out a trip from the outside post in the eight-horse field under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Kid Cruz (Last 3 Beyers: 93-90-93)

◗ He makes his first start since emerging from his fourth in the Travers Stakes last August with a chip in his left knee.

◗ Trainer Linda Rice entered Kid Cruz only after the race was postponed an additional week, and she acknowledges that this is a starting point for him.

“I’ve been very pleased with how he came back from his vacation, and he’s been training well, looks great; very happy with that,” she said. “He’s a dead closer going long. He’s a bit on the lazy side. I think he needs a race to move forward.”

Turco Bravo (Last 3 Beyers: 99-91-98)

◗ He was second to Micromanage in the Jazil Stakes, run over a muddy track. He has five seconds in five tries over wet surfaces, though his trainer, Gary Contessa, believes he’ll be better on a dry track.

“It’s always a trip thing with this horse,” Contessa said. “One day he’s going to get the perfect trip, and we’ll be sipping Champagne.”

Cousin Stephen (Last 3 Beyers: 97-85-74)

◗ He has done his best running at Parx, where he was most impressive in taking a second-level allowance race Dec. 14.

◗ His one win in New York came over a wet track going long over Aqueduct’s main track.