Favorite Tale returns in strong allowance Monday
Give the no-conditions allowance at Parx Racing on Monday a name and you've got yourself a stakes race – one that's worth a lot more than a $60,000 purse.
The six-furlong sprint only has six entrants, but there is hardly a toss-out in the group. A lot of factors came together at the right time to make this race possible.
Favorite Tale shipped back to Parx from Florida this week, and while trainer Lupe Preciado had been considering the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet at Oaklawn Park on April 10, he has decided to run here instead.
David Jacobson is bringing back Stallwalkin' Dude on nine days' rest following a strong third-place showing in the Grade 3 Tom Fool. He also entered his New York-bred stakes runner Eye Luv Lulu.
Andrew Lakeman has his undefeated 4-year-old El Deal ready to run after giving him 10 months off due to remodeling of the bones in his ankle.
And finally, Ramon Preciado has entered the tough pair of Trouble Kid, the winner of last year's Grade 3 Gallant Bob at Parx, and Beach Hut.
But Monday's race goes directly through Favorite Tale, who had a difficult October last year, when Preciado needed special permission to leave Parx during an equine herpesvirus quarantine to make the Breeders' Cup. After shipping him to a private farm with a training track and then on to Keeneland, Favorite Tale finished a hard-trying third to Runhappy and Private Zone from the outside post in the 14-horse BC Sprint.
He concluded his season by winning the $200,000 Fabulous Strike at Penn National on Nov. 25. Preciado wanted to go to the Golden Shaheen on next Saturday's Dubai World Cup card but took a pass after Favorite Tale came down with a foot problem in Florida.
"He had an abscess in one of his feet," Preciado said. "He would have needed a race before Dubai, and when the foot came up, I told the owner that everything happens for a reason and that we probably shouldn't go."
Preciado has worked Favorite Tale three times at Gulfstream Park West. Following an easy three furlongs, he has given him two five-furlong drills, the most recent of which was the fastest of the day.
"He's doing pretty good now," Preciado said. "He did not really miss all that much time. I just went easy with him until he was over it."
Favorite Tale, 5, is 8 for 18 in his career with earnings of $891,000.
No-conditions allowance, Race 7
Key Contenders
Favorite Tale, by Tale of the Cat
(Last 3 Beyers: 83-103-105)
• Favorite Tale is 5 for 5 at his home base of Parx, including a 2014 win in the Grade 3 Gallant Bob.
• Irad Ortiz Jr. will be in to ride.
El Deal, by Munnings
(Last 3 Beyers: 95-81-90)
• A perfect 4 for 4 in his career, this will be the toughest competition he has faced.
• Lakeman has worked him seven times since Jan. 30, including a bullet half-mile over the Belmont Park training track March 6.
• Jose Ortiz, who has been riding at Parx on Mondays and Tuesdays when Aqueduct is dark, has the mount. Ortiz is 5 for 12 at the meet.
Stallwalkin' Dude, by City Place
(Last 3 Beyers: 94-69-103)
• He made a bold move to put his head in front in the stretch of the Tom Fool but was outfinished by stablemate Salutos Amigos and the up-and-coming Always Sunshine.
• He is quite capable of running well on short rest. He won both the Diablo Stakes at Belmont last May and an Aqueduct allowance in April with nine days between races. He won an optional race at Gulfstream Park West in 2014 on six days' rest.
• Cornelio Velazquez will be aboard.
Trouble Kid, by Harlan's Holiday
(Last 3 Beyers: 88-86-103)
• He has finished off the board in his last two races but is 3 for 4 at Parx. Expect better. Much better.