Grand Sky back at winning level

Grand Sky didn’t have the smoothest of journeys in his most recent start, but should bounce back Thursday at Aqueduct when he returns to a level in the statebred ranks at which he already has won.

Trainer Jason Servis claimed Grand Sky for $40,000 out of a fifth-place finish in a New York-bred second-level optional-claiming turf sprint in June. He came back to win a similar race at Saratoga, and then stepped up to win an open first-level allowance.

Grand Sky dropped farther back than usual in his most recent race, an open second-level optional claimer, and didn’t find clear sailing until the top of the far turn. He rallied wide through the stretch but came up 3 1/2 lengths short of English Minister, who came running from last to defeat front-running Spring to the Sky.

Servis has entered Grand Sky for the optional $40,000 claiming tag in Thursday’s second-level statebred turf sprint.

Linda Rice has entered the complementary duo of Speightful Kitten and Whiskey Seven.

Front-running Speightful Kitten had a two-race winning streak halted in his last race when he weakened late and finished seventh, beaten 2 3/4 lengths. Prior to that start, he had won a maiden race and an allowance over statebreds.

Whiskey Seven rallied from seventh to pass Speightful Kitten and finish second, beaten three-quarters of a length.

Things may play out differently between the two this time around. If the quick Changewilldoyagood doesn’t draw into the six-furlong race from the also-eligible list, Speightful Kitten may have an easier time controlling the pace.

Race 6 on Thursday is a competitive one-mile maiden race for 2-year-old fillies.

Miss Aliphant, Fly So High, and Take Charge Tina will meet again after finishing second, third, and fourth in their career debuts. Chad Brown first-time starter South of the Shore also will take some money.

Miss Aliphant, who is trained by Jeremiah Englehart, chased front-running winner Redhairdon’tcare from start to finish going six furlongs last time out. She surged late when the winner shortened stride and was beaten only a half-length.

Last Friday, Redhairdon’tcare took on winners but tired to finish a well-beaten fifth after setting the early pace.

Fly So High, who races for the Phipps Stable and Shug McGaughey, closed well from seventh to be third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, and then galloped out well. She is stuck in the inside post Thursday but will receive Lasix for the first time, and by all indications should enjoy the extra quarter-mile in distance.

Take Charge Tina was in the hunt throughout her debut but finished evenly through a slow final furlong of 13.62 seconds. She will be first-time Lasix for this race and is eligible to improve for trainer Tom Albertrani.

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