Distance ability might be key in Saturday allowance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – With significant rain forecast for Friday and lingering into Saturday, the New York Racing Association did not card the $135,000 Artie Schiller Stakes – or any turf race, for that matter – for Saturday, moving the one-mile stakes to Sunday.

Thus, Saturday’s nine-race program is an all-dirt affair with a couple of second-level/optional $62,500 claiming races – one at six furlongs and one at 1 3/16 miles – headlining the proceedings.

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Race 8 is at 1 3/16 miles with the 9-year-old Rough Sea, the 8-year-old Two Thirty Five, and the 3-year-old Unbridled Bomber among the top contenders in the six-horse field.

Rough Sea, trained by Bruno Tessore, has enjoyed a terrific year, with four wins from 11 starts, including a victory in the Native Dancer Stakes at Laurel. Claimed for $12,500 13 months ago, Rough Sea has won 4 of 12 starts for Tessore, including a dirt race at the same distance of Saturday’s race.

“I think it’s a good distance,” Tessore said. “The only thing I don’t like is there’s not much pace. You can’t hold him, so he’s going to be close to the pace.”

Trevor McCarthy rides Rough Sea from post 5.

Two Thirty Five, a gelding by Stay Thirsty, has been popular at the claim box throughout his career, having been taken 11 times for a total of $423,000. He has been claimed four times this year, most recently two starts back for $40,000 by Linda Rice out of a win at Aqueduct. In his one start for Rice, Two Thirty Five finished third, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths, in an off-the-turf optional claimer going this distance at Aqueduct.

“Looks to me like he can clearly get the two turns, whether it be a mile and an eighth or a mile and three-sixteenths, and that’s key for a race like this,” Rice said. “And he’s run well in the mud. That’s another factor, so it makes it an attractive spot.”

Dylan Davis rides from post 4.

Getting to run around two turns is what trainer Jim Ryerson felt was the key for Unbridled Bomber, who sprung an 18-1 upset in the entry-level allowance ranks at 1 1/8 miles last out at Aqueduct. Though Unbridled Bomber got to run two turns at Saratoga in August, Ryerson felt his horse was hampered by being wide all the way around the track that day. Ryerson also felt Unbridled Bomber trained better at Belmont than over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga.

“I wasn’t surprised that he won, I was surprised how he won,” said Ryerson, referring to the horse coming from far back to win the Sept. 29 race. “He’s shown glimpses of ability, he just hasn’t had many opportunities to go two turns.”

Ryerson is not overly concerned with Unbridled Bomber’s 0-for-5 record over an off track.

“I think he can handle the going,” Ryerson said. “He’s just learning how to run a little bit.”

Parx Racing shipper Senior Investment might be the pacesetter under Kendrick Carmouche. Night Ops and Treasure Trove complete the field.

In race 3, Amundson goes first time off the claim for Rice, who took him out of a win for $40,000 last out. He could end up in a pace battle with Pirate Rick, which could set things up for Nova Rags, who returns from a five-month layoff for trainer Bill Mott.

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