Doctor Dempsey makes rare inner-track start for Baffert
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Aqueduct’s inner track isn’t among the usual haunts for trainer Bob Baffert. Since 2004, Baffert has run only six horses over the inner track, with one winner – Brigand in the 2013 Turnofthecentury Stakes – from a total of eight starts.
Baffert is listed as the trainer of Doctor Dempsey, who heads a field of eight entered in a second-level allowance race for New York-bred sprinters that serves as the feature on Friday’s nine-race card. This race was brought back from the Feb. 5 card that was canceled due to snow.
The race originally drew nine but was redrawn with eight. Bass River Road and Gypsum Johnny did not enter back. Pegasus Red, one of two horses in for the optional claiming tag of $40,000, is a newcomer to the field.
Doctor Dempsey, a 6-year-old son of Harlan’s Holiday, has raced only three times. He beat open company at Santa Anita in April 2014, then won a first-level allowance race against New York-breds at Belmont Park in June of that year. He was off for 18 months before returning to New York on Dec. 6 in this same condition and finished second, a length behind Rectify.
“It was 6 1/2 [furlongs]; it came up a little bit further than we wanted,” said Tonja Terranova, who assists Baffert when he sends horses to New York. “He ran hard and just got beat.”
Friday’s race is at six furlongs, and Doctor Dempsey, who will break from post 6 under Kendrick Carmouche, likely will try to wire the field.
On paper, the major threat to Doctor Dempsey appears to be Geaux Mets, who is coming off a win in a similar spot Dec. 31.
Geaux Mets, the 123-pound co-highweight, breaks from post 8 under Irad Ortiz Jr. for Rudy Rodriguez.
KEY CONTENDERS
Doctor Dempsey, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 83-94-79
◗ He came off an 18-month layoff with a solid second-place showing in an 11-horse field.
◗ He has had four solid breezes since the race.
Geaux Mets, by Posse
Last 3 Beyers: 92-88-85
◗ He has a second and a win in two starts since being claimed by Rodriguez two starts back for $40,000, the same price for which he is available to be claimed in this spot.
◗ He is 7 for 13 at this six-furlong distance and 3 for 6 over the inner track.
◗ From Jan. 22 through Feb. 7, the Rodriguez-Ortiz trainer-jockey combination is 8-1-3 from 13 starters, with a $2.98 return on investment.
Global Positioning, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 73-84-83
◗ He is the other speed in the race besides Doctor Dempsey.
◗ He returns as a gelding for his first start since a sixth-place finish in this condition while sprinting on turf last July at Saratoga.
◗ He was a handy winner of a first-level allowance on May 30, the last time he raced on dirt.