Finger Lakes horses invade for Aqueduct allowance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The conditions of Thursday’s feature at Aqueduct are written as such that horses who have won multiple allowance races at Finger Lakes remain eligible for this $57,000, first-level allowance condition.

Thus, Rico Capote, Decesion Point, and Riverdance Rock, who have won a combined 23 races, would seem to hold an edge over locally based runners Between the Lines, Lulu Rocks, and Perfect Disco, who have combined to win six races.

Chris Englehart, who won his 12th consecutive training title at Finger Lakes in 2014, sends out Rico Capote, a front-running winner of three straight and an eight-time winner overall. Decesion Point, a seven-time winner trained by Ralph D’Alessandro, has won three of his last four, with the only loss coming two back to Rico Capote.

Jeremiah Englehart, second to his father in the Finger Lakes standings in each of the last three years, sends out Riverdance Rock, a horse he claimed for $10,000 in October after losing him for $6,500 a month earlier.

KEY CONTENDERS

Rico Capote (Last 3 Beyers: 87-83-83)

◗ After reeling off three straight wins in a 21-day period last fall, Rico Capote was given a freshening by Chris Englehart.

◗ Englehart said he wanted to run the horse sooner than this, but the combination of not being able to find the proper race and a quarantine at Finger Lakes prevented that.

◗ Englehart said he fears a potential speed duel with Riverdance Rock.

“I’m not expecting a win from my horse,” he said. “I’m just hoping for a credible-enough effort to move forward for his next race.”

Decesion Point (Last 3 Beyers: 69-78-76)

◗ Since being claimed by D’Alessandro for $7,500 in July, he has won three of four starts, losing by 3 1/2 lengths to Rico Capote when that gelding produced a lifetime-best figure.

◗ Was second in this condition four years ago in his lone try sprinting over the inner track.

Between the Lines (Last 3 Beyers: 84-76-72)

◗ Returned from a 10-month layoff to run a decent second to repeat winner Brass Pear.

◗ Has good form over the inner track, with a win and two seconds from four starts. In his lone out-of-the-money finish over the inner track, he was fourth to Marriedtothemusic, who went on to become a stakes winner.

◗ Should get a good pace scenario with plenty of speed in this field.

Thnxtomyuncle (Last 3 Beyers: 58-74-73)

◗ Has a 1-for-22 career record, having lost all 10 of his races in 2014, but he should get plenty of pace in front of him to set up his late run.

◗ Turns back to a sprint – he was third in his last two sprints – after finishing seventh going a two-turn mile in this condition last out.