Far Mo Power due for better luck in Kris Kringle Stakes

Far Mo Power has been unlucky.

On Wednesday at Parx Racing, Far Mo Power hopes for better fortune in the Kris Kringle for 3-year-olds and upward at a mile 70 yards – one of the day’s three $75,000 stakes.

In the Parx Dirt Mile on Sept. 24, Far Mo Power bested subsequent Grade 1 Cigar Mile winner Mind Control but was disqualified and placed second for causing interference.

That decision didn’t sit well with trainer Lou Linder Jr.

“They hooked up at the three-eighth pole,” Linder said prior to Far Mo Power’s fourth-place finish in the M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile on Oct. 18. “We were better than Mind Control that day, that’s for sure.”

Far Mo Power endured a tough trip in the Ballezzi.

“Going into the first turn, he got sawed off hard, ended up on heels and was going backwards while everyone was going forwards,” Linder said.

Despite the stressful trip, Linder said Far Mo Power exited the race with only one minor abrasion on a quarter.

Trainer Butch Reid entered Ridin With Biden and Eloquist, but is uncertain if they’ll compete as frigid weather forced a cancellation of Monday’s card at Parx.

Both are cross entered in Friday’s rescheduled Robert T. Manfuso at Laurel Park and could be entered in Saturday’s Queens County at Aqueduct.

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“The way the weather was over the weekend, I’m not sure when we’re going to run. We haven’t trained here in a few days,” Reid said.

Trainer Jamie Ness confirmed that Ournationonparade will scratch from the Kris Kringle to start in the Manfuso. Monday Morning Qb will also be withdrawn, per trainer Lynn Cash.

Cash does start Double Crown, who pulled off a 42-1 upset in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap on Oct. 29 at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet. Although well beaten in his next two starts – the Cigar Mile on Dec. 3 at Aqueduct and the Prairie Bayou at Turfway two weeks later – Cash believes the gelding had excuses.

“He didn’t like the track in New York, total slop, but he was in over his head anyway,” Cash said about the Cigar. “We got boxed bad on the outside [at Turfway].”

American Patrol, a 5 3/4-length winner of a high-level allowance at Parx on Nov. 7 with a 97 Beyer, is a contender. American Patrol, purchased for $60,000 at the Keeneland January sale in 2021, has won five of seven starts for trainer Cal Lynch.

New Commission, Amatteroftime, Tough Tickets, Wait for It, Forewarned, Ruby Bleu, and Expensive Cut also are entered. Wish for Peace is an also eligible.

Mrs. Claus Stakes

Bourbon Bon Bay puts her four-race unbeaten streak on the line in the Mrs. Claus for fillies and mares at seven furlongs.

Trained by Ramon Martin for his wife and assistant trainer, owner-breeder Erin Hlubik, Bourbon Bon Bay earned her first stakes victory in the Cornucopia at Parx on Nov. 23.

“The track is a big concern for me,” said Hlubik, who describes herself as “overly conservative.”

“We haven’t been able to train because the track is frozen.”

Hlubik reports that Bourbon Bon Bay, 5, emerged from the Cornucopia “happy and fit.”

Trainer Jonathan Wong entered My Kentucky Girl and Empire House, both owned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. My Kentucky Girl received a 91 Beyer for winning a first-level allowance at Keeneland on Oct. 29, then finished second in the Youngstown Oaks against fellow 3-year-olds at Mahoning Valley on Nov. 21.

Empire House was third in the Grade 2 Zenyatta at Santa Anita on Oct. 2, then finished a well-beaten fifth after engaging in a speed duel in the Grade 3 Chilukki at Churchill Downs on Nov. 19.

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Centre Court Champ has won two in a row for trainer Robert Mosco, including a six-length romp in a second-level allowance at Parx on Dec. 12.

Missy Greer placed in a second-level allowance at Aqueduct on Dec. 1 for trainer Danny Gargan.

Also expected are Deco Strong, Moma Tiger, Sweet Willemina, Trolley Ride, Buy the Best, and Thistlefield. Reid has yet to commit with Ninetypercentbrynn.

Blitzen Stakes

Repo Rocks won last month’s Let’s Give Thanks in his first start for trainer Jamie Ness and looks strong right back in the Blitzen for 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs.

“We’ve had him in our program a little longer now and he seems to be thriving,” Ness said.

Twisted Ride ran second in the Let’s Give Thanks after battling for the lead. The 3-year-old gelding earned a career-best 95 Beyer in that race and still has upside potential.

Reid is taking a “wait-and-see” approach with his two Blitzen entrants. Morning-line favorite Beren is cross entered at Laurel on Friday and is also expected to be entered in Aqueduct’s Gravesend that same afternoon. Smooth B won a high-level allowance at Parx on Nov. 8 with a 93 Beyer.

Cash expects Going to the Lead to scratch, but he’ll be represented by Kadri. Wendell Fong, Marvalous Mike, Five Dreams, and No Cents also are entered.

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