Far Mo Power comes into Ballezzi Mile off huge effort

Jubilation turned to disappointment for the connections of Far Mo Power after he was disqualified in last month’s $200,000 Parx Dirt Mile.

Far Mo Power seeks redemption against a strong field in Parx Racing’s $100,000 M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile, the co-feature on Tuesday’s program along with the $100,000 Jump Start for Pennsylvania-bred or -sired runners at seven furlongs.

Far Mo Power showed speed in the Parx Dirt Mile, stared down multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control, and bested that millionaire in the stretch. He drifted out a few paths under left-handed urging, however, and the stewards judged he interfered with Mind Control. Far Mo Power was placed second. Trainer Louis Linder Jr. disagrees with the decision.

“They hooked up at the three-eighths pole,” Linder said. “We were better than Mind Control that day, that’s for sure.”

Pennsylvania-bred Far Mo Power earned a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure.

“Off that big race, you always worry about the bounce, but he’s coming up to this good,” Linder added.

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Ridin With Biden also finished first on Pennsylvania Derby Saturday as he stretched out successfully to 1 1/2 miles in the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup. Like Far Mo Power, he was forwardly placed over a speed-friendly track.

Tuesday’s race wasn’t the original plan for Ridin With Biden, as trainer Butch Reid first considered the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at 1 5/8 miles on Nov. 4 at Keeneland.

“This race came up, he came out of the last race fantastic, we decided to have a look,” Reid said.

Buy Land and See made his first start for trainer Guadalupe Preciado a winning one against statebred turf horses in the Alphabet Soup. He is unraced on a fast dirt track.

Thomas Shelby scratched from the Grade 1 Woodward due to the presence of top handicap horse Life Is Good. Grade 3-placed this year, Thomas Shelby won his first start for trainer David Jacobson, a non-conditioned allowance at Monmouth Park on Sept. 10. Thomas Shelby earned a 96 Beyer and should be close to the pace along with Buy Land and See.

Grade 3 winner Senior Investment, third in the 2017 Preakness, seeks his first win of 2022. New Commission, Dontmesawithme, Logico, and Amatteroftime also are entered.

Jump Start

Reid has two contenders in the Jump Start.

Smooth B earned a 100 Beyer in an off-turf victory going five-eighths on Aug. 22 at Parx. He then finished fifth in the Grade 3 Turf Monster on grass.

“He handles the turf, but he’s better on solid dirt,” Reid said.

Beren, a six-time stakes winner, enters the Jump Start following a fourth-place finish over sloppy going in the Liberty Bell on Oct. 3 at Parx.

“He’s a horse that normally likes the slop,” Reid said. “That was a funny racetrack and I’m not sure he handled it. It was grabby and slick.”

Uncle Ernie will scratch to await a Wednesday allowance, per trainer John Servis.

Wait for It moves from route to sprint and poses a late threat. Bourbon Music has won four of his last six.

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