Graceful Gal wheels back off maiden win for Friday allowance
It’s not a New York Showcase Day program, but Friday’s card will feel like one, as all four non-claiming races are for New York-breds: three maiden special weight races and a $57,000 preliminary allowance for New York-bred fillies and mares scheduled for turf as race 8.
With chances to run on the grass dwindling to a precious few, the race predictably attracted an overflow group of 16, including one also-eligible for turf and five entered for the main track only.
After defeats as the favorite at Belmont Park in her first two route attempts, Graceful Gal improved sharply on Aqueduct turf opening day, when she overcame a wide trip against males for a maiden win by nearly six lengths.
Graceful Gal earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 80, the highest in the field, and may prove tough to beat right back for trainer Leo O’Brien.
Also exiting a win over the course is Aesthetique, who returns to the allowance ranks after going wire to wire against restricted claimers.
Aesthetique is one of two in the main body of the race to have won more than once, along with Take It Inside, a two-time winner at Delaware Park this year and a habitual front-runner who could supply some early pace from the outside post.
Contested early fractions could benefit Keen Katana, who returned from a 51-day layoff toward the end of the Belmont meet and rallied from off the pace to finish second by a nose at this level.
In the event of a switch to the main track, Touching My Toes would inherit the role of the favorite after a sharp pace-setting performance to miss by a neck in her first start for Linda Rice.
Nonnie Connie, fourth as the 6-5 favorite in an off-the-turf allowance Nov. 9, would become a threat along with Rock N Cozy, who was haltered by David Jacobson out of a win over restricted claimers last out.
Key contenders
Graceful Gal (Last 3 Beyers: 80-66-67)
* Her dam, Cloon, is a half-sister to Celtic Sky, the winner of the Kingston and West Point stakes on turf.
Aesthetique (Last 3 Beyers: 76-62-70)
* In with a feathery 112 pounds beneath apprentice Israel Rodriguez, she is carrying nine pounds less than Graceful Gal and Keen Katana.
Keen Katana (Last 3 Beyers: 74-66-71)
* She comes off her fastest race, which also was her first start on non-firm turf.