Dunham, 81, hoping Siena Magic proves himself a smart claim

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Veteran trainer Bob Dunham has a plausible excuse as to why his business has slowed over the years.

“I outlived my owners,” said the 81-year-old Dunham, who trained the 1972 sprint champion Chou Croute.

In Steve Shapiro’s Jupiter Stable, Dunham has found a new client. Shapiro and Dunham have claimed three horses, including Siena Magic, who starts in Thursday’s starter-allowance feature at Aqueduct. Dunham and Shapiro won with the first horse they claimed when Party On Prospect, taken for $20,000, won a maiden $30,000 claimer Jan. 25.

“He’s going to claim some as we go along,” said Dunham, who noted he began racing horses in the late 1950s. “We’re going to have some action. I never did claim much. I always had young horses.”

Dunham has claimed only five horses since 1999.

Siena Magic, a 4-year-old son of Candy Ride was claimed for $50,000 out of a winning effort Feb. 8. Siena Magic has actually won his last two and was claimed out of both races.

“He’s a nice little horse,” Dunham said. “A pretty sound horse.”

Both of Siena Magic’s victories came over wet racetracks. Though Thursday is expected to be dry, there was a chance for some precipitation Wednesday. Regardless, Siena Magic ran well in his only start on a fast track, rallying in the stretch to lose by only a neck to Curlin Creek in a maiden $40,000 claimer after getting bumped leaving the gate and steadying behind horses going into the turn.

“He got bumped pretty good that day,” Dunham said. “He had an excuse.”

Dylan Davis, aboard Siena Magic in that race as well as his Jan. 6 win, will be back aboard Thursday.

Manny Franco, who rode Siena Magic to a win last out, rides Mad Munnys, on whom he won a $40,000 claimer Jan. 20, beating Crea’s Bklyn Law and Bootlegger, both of whom are also in this field.

American Power, who has two seconds and two thirds in five tries in this condition, and Much Trouble, who goes first out for Danny Gargan, complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Siena Magic, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 82-72-71

◗ Has improved with transfer to dirt and addition of blinkers.

◗ Showed good late foot to just miss on Dec. 13 after having to steady behind horses entering the turn and rallying widest of all in the stretch.

American Power, by Power Broker
Last 3 Beyers: 90-87-85

◗ Has run well four straight times in this same condition and may get the right pace scenario to accentuate his late kick.

Much Trouble, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 83-71-69

◗ Makes first start for Gargan, who is 7 for 22 with a $1.90 ROI at Aqueduct the last three years with horses making a trainer switch to him.

◗ Finished second in a $40,000 claimer last out in his first start off a year layoff when trained by Armando De La Cerda.