Goodtolook gets his spot
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When trainer David Cannizzo claimed Goodtolook out of a poor performance on dirt in January, he did so with the idea of waiting for an opportunity to get the 6-year-old gelding back on turf.
That opportunity comes Friday in a $52,000 starter allowance scheduled for 1 1/16 miles over the Aqueduct turf. The race is open to New York-breds who have started for a claiming price of $25,000 in 2015-16 and have not won two races this year.
Goodtolook has won 8 of 32 starts, including 3 of 9 on turf. His last victory came in an open-company, first-level allowance at a mile on the turf at Saratoga last Sept. 5 when in the barn of Danny Gargan.
Cannizzo believes Goodtolook can be the controlling speed in Friday’s race, which will have nine runners provided it remains on the turf. There are four horses entered for the main track, and there is rain in the forecast.
“The intentions are to go to the lead and see how far he can take them,” Cannizzo said. “Our main goal was to claim him, freshen him up, and get him ready for the grass.”
All Over Me has shown speed at times, though he is wheeling back six days after winning a $25,000 claiming race from off the pace going a mile over this course. Lyrical Miracle has shown speed, albeit on dirt.
“I truthfully think I’ll be controlling speed,” Cannizzo said.
Elroi, East Bay Lodge, and Ocala Jim look to be the best closers in the field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Goodtolook, by Disco Rico
Last 3 Beyers: 67-86-81
◗ Goes first off the Cannizzo claim in his first start off an 82-day layoff. Over the last three years, Cannizzo is 1 for 8 when bringing horses back off a layoff of 60 to 180 days in a route race.
◗ Goodtolook is reunited with jockey Luis Saez, who is 3 for 7 on him.
Elroi, by Leroidesanimeaux
Last 3 Beyers: 78-79-79
◗ For the third straight year, he returns from a little more than a five-month layoff in a turf race at Aqueduct. In 2014, he won a maiden race at odds of 8-1 off the layoff. In 2015, he finished second in what was the best effort of his 5-year-old season.
“Historically, he always fires pretty well fresh, and he does like Aqueduct, so that’s two ingredients that are pretty important,” trainer Peter Pugh said.
◗ Pugh said that Elroi was affected by a “nasty virus” at Saratoga last summer.
“He was off-kilter almost the whole year last year, which a virus can do to you,” Pugh said.
All Over Me, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 78-83-79
◗ Has won four of his last eight starts, with two of the losses coming at 1 3/8 miles.