Force will try to find pre-race composure
ELMONT, N.Y. – For those who watched his pre-race behavior, it wasn’t a surprise that Force did not live up to his name when sent off as the favorite in the $250,000 Albany Stakes for New York-breds three weeks ago at Saratoga.
A bad actor in the paddock, Force was hot and bothered on the track and temperamental near the gate. He contested a modest pace until the three-sixteenths pole before fading to fourth, 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner, Good Luck Gus.
Force will try to make amends when he drops into a second-level New York-bred allowance that serves as the featured event on Thursday’s nine-race program at Belmont. A field of seven was entered for the 1 1/16-mile race. Sioux, a beaten favorite in last year’s Empire Classic, is the only one in this field entered for the optional-claiming price of $40,000.
Force, a son of Flatter trained by Mark Casse, hadn’t run against New York-breds until he shipped up to Finger Lakes and came from off the pace to win the New York Derby by two lengths at 13-1. That performance and a couple of bullet works at Saratoga made him the 2-1 favorite in the Albany, which was also his first time at 1 1/8 miles.
He raced outside of One Sided in the Albany through easy early fractions, but he had nothing left to offer, probably owing to having taken so much out of himself prior to the race.
Jose Lezcano rides Force from post 2. His main competition figures to come from Beyond Empire and All About Ashley.
KEY CONTENDERS
Force (Last 3 Beyers: 76-82-79)
◗ He was good enough to win a maiden race going two turns at Santa Anita during the winter but didn’t find the winner’s circle again until he shipped to Finger Lakes for the New York Derby.
◗ After his meltdown prior to the Albany, handicappers might be advised to watch his demeanor in the paddock and post parade prior to wagering.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Force. Trainer Mark Casse is 17-1-2-1 with a $0.28 ROI over the past five years in dirt routes on the NYRA circuit. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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All About Ashley (Last 3 Beyers: 63-79-76)
◗ He is another who was tangling with open company out of town and who appreciated facing New York-breds when given the opportunity. He is 2 for 2 over the Belmont dirt against statebred rivals and even ran well when beaten less than a length on the turf.
◗ He is coming off a bad performance going two turns at Saratoga.
Beyond Empire (Last 3 Beyers: 83-82-81)
◗ His 0-for-5 record at Belmont Park is a little disconcerting, though he did finish second, beaten a half-length, here in June.
◗ He finished third twice at Saratoga, races in which Royal Posse finished ahead of him. Royal Posse ended the Saratoga meet with a victory in the Evan Shipman Stakes.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Sioux. Trainer Michelle Nevin is 12-6-2-0 with a $8.61 ROI over the past two years going sprint to route on dirt at Belmont. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan