Geno staying on dirt for Gander Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – If Geno wins only one dirt race, he won the right one – the $500,000 Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Series last Dec. 18.

Saturday, Geno will get a second chance to affirm his affinity for the dirt when he runs in the $100,000 Gander Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds going a mile.

Geno, a son of Big Brown, made his first three starts on turf, winning once from three starts. As a son of a Laoban – a New York-based stallion at the time but since relocated to Kentucky – Geno was eligible for the lucrative Great White Way, a race he won by a neck over Un Ojo. That race looked a little better when Un Ojo, trained by Tony Dutrow, came back to run second in last Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes here.

“It’s nice to see Tony’s horse come back and run well,” said David Donk, trainer of Geno. “I was really encouraged by [Geno’s] last race. I think he kind of does what he needs to do so I think there’s more in the tank. This is a good test for him at a mile and see how he fares.”

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When entries are drawn for the Gander on Wednesday, the field is expected to include Barese and Agility, the one-two finishers from the Rego Park Stakes here on Jan. 9; impressive maiden winners Bold Journey and Bossmakinbossmoves; and Doin’ittherightway. Cut the Cord is possible.