Dirt mile gets back to basics

ELMONT, N.Y. - And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

After conducting eight graded stakes in two days - and following three dark days - Belmont Park resumes Wednesday with a meat-and-potatoes nine-race card that is highlighted by a third-level allowance at one mile on dirt.

The Maryland-based trainer Gary Capuano - best-known for his work with 1997 Kentucky Derby runner-up Captain Bodgit - is shipping in Torpedo Run for the one-turn race. Torpedo Run, one of three horses in this six-horse field being offered for the optional claiming tag of $75,000, is 4 for 4 in one-turn mile races at Laurel.

With Coal Play and Mister Triester in the field, there would seem to be enough speed for Torpedo Run, who comes from off the pace. Though post 5 in this six-horse field would seem to be ideal, Capuano said he would actually have preferred if the horse had an inside post.

"It's better if you can sit against him and wait. Being covered up on the inside helps him," Capuano said. "The longer you wait the better it is."

Carlos Quinones, who is 4 for 7 on this gelding, has the call.

Trainer Richard Dutrow has the coupled entry of Reptilian Smarts and Pictural entered in this race. Last Thursday, Pictural finished sixth of seven in a similar spot going six furlongs.

Reptilian Smarts had a six-race winning streak snapped on May 15 when he finished third in this same condition. He may benefit from an expected faster pace this time.

Coal Play won a one-mile maiden race here last fall, but has since done his best running at Monmouth Park, including a runner-up finish to Big Brown in the 2008 Haskell. Mister Triester and Malibu Moonshine complete the field.

Provided the seven-furlong race stays on the turf, the best betting race of the day could be the seventh, where 10 New York-breds try to clear the first-level allowance hurdle. Hot Money was sharp in a six-furlong maiden victory going six furlongs on May 2.

"I was very impressed by his race the other day," trainer Christophe Clement said. "I would have preferred [this] race to be six furlongs on firm turf, but he should be switched off enough to go seven-eighths. The idea is to break and bury him, wait and make one run, and see what happens."

Smart Enuf returns from a 10-month layoff for trainer David Donk.