'Disaster' out to reclaim stakes form
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Master of Disaster, an early-season sensation, looks to fulfill that promise Sunday in the $75,000 Huntington Stakes for 2-year-olds at Aqueduct.
Based on his prior stakes experience, Master of Disaster figures to be the favorite in a field of seven juveniles going six furlongs.
Master of Disaster hit handicappers' radar screens when he debuted at Delaware Park in May with a 13 1/4-length win and a Beyer Speed Figure of 97. A $600,000 purchase at the Ocala 2-year-old sale in February, Master of Disaster seemed destined for stardom when he stepped up to the Grade 2 Saratoga Special in his next start and ran second to Henny Hughes.
He suffered a setback in his third outing, stopping badly in the Grade 2 Futurity at Belmont after chasing a riderless horse.
"I thought he had a rough trip chasing the loose horse," said trainer Steve Klesaris. "The Futurity is a throw-out."
bounced back with an allowance win at Delaware Park that earned him another shot at a stakes victory.
That seasoning edge could be decisive, as three rivals, including Justawalkinthepark, won their maiden last time out.
Trained by Alan Seewald, was an easy winner last time out in late September at Monmouth Park, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.
"He's coming up to it perfect," Seewald said. "He's worked well. Now he's got to step up a little bit to the next level.
also won maiden races last time out.
Nobody has a deeper bench than Todd Pletcher when it comes to 2-year-olds. He nominated six to the Huntington and opted to enter Friendly Torpedo. Friendly Torpedo won his maiden at Belmont for a claiming price in mid-September and most recently scored an allowance win at The Meadowlands Racetrack.
"It might be a little ambitious." Pletcher said. "The last race at The Meadowlands was a step forward for him. It looks like he's improved, and there are not a whole lot of options."
Trainer Tim Ritchey claimed Urban Guy for $40,000 at Delaware Park in mid-October. Urban Guy responded to his new surroundings with an easy allowance win on Nov. 1 and a Beyer Figure of 100, the best figure of any horse in the field.
Deputy Glitters finds a cozier spot after suffering a 32 1/4-length loss in Belmont's Grade 1 Champagne Stakes.