Gregorian Gold back from injury in Thursday optional claimer
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – It’s always noteworthy when a maiden wins a stakes race like Gregorian Gold did last September, beating 10 opponents in the $119,613 Lady Finger Stakes at Finger Lakes. Making the performance more impressive was the fact that Gregorian Gold came out of the race with an injured splint bone.
That injury, combined with a respiratory issue, kept Gregorian Gold away from the races during the winter. On Thursday, Gregorian Gold returns to meet six fellow 3-year-old New York-bred fillies in a first-level optional $75,000 claiming race going six furlongs at Aqueduct.
Before winning the Lady Finger Stakes, Gregorian Gold had debuted at Saratoga, where she nearly pulled off a 13-1 upset. Gregorian Gold set the pace that day but succumbed late to Frosty Margarita, losing by 1 1/2 lengths while finishing four lengths clear of the field. Frosty Margarita has subsequently won three stakes and finished second in three others.
Gregorian Gold has plenty of natural speed, overcoming slow breaks in both of her starts to put herself on the lead.
“In both starts, she bobbled leaving the gate,” said Richard Lugovich, the owner, breeder, and trainer of Gregorian Gold.
Gregorian Gold will break from the rail Thursday.
“I like it,” said Lugovich, who has Dylan Davis to ride.
Gregorian Gold is one of five members of this field who are coming off a win. Flatterywillgetyou won this same conditioned race Feb. 26 when not running for the claiming price. She will be offered for the tag Thursday. Our Whim and Surprise Cameo, who finished second and third behind Flatterywillgetyou, also are in this field and offered for the tag.
This will go as race 8 on a nine-race card that begins at 1:20 p.m. Eastern and includes a pick six carryover of $23,922.
KEY CONTENDERS
Gregorian Gold, by Touch Gold
Last 2 Beyers: 60-65
◗ Returns from a 188-day layoff precipitated by a splint-bone injury and a respiratory issue.
“She’s a real nice horse, so I turned her out,” Lugovich said. “She only had 34 days off. She’s on top of her game.”
◗ Shows five breezes at Fair Hill leading up to her return.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the last five years, Lugovich is 0 for 6 when bringing horses back off a layoff of 180 days or longer.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Gregorian Gold. Trainer Richard Lugovich is 26-1-2-2 with a $0.26 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprints on the NYRA circuit. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Flatterywillgetyou, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 60-64-60
◗ After running third to the still-undefeated stakes winner Clipthecouponannie in her debut, this filly has won two straight.
◗ Broke a little flatfooted and held off a stretch challenge from Our Whim to win at this same condition by a diminishing head when not offered for the tag Feb. 26.
Roman Ceres, by Roman Ruler
Last out Beyer: 67
◗ Was bet down to 5-2 co-favoritism for her debut and lived up to the billing, chasing, passing, and drawing away from co-favorite Nick’s Funnybone to win by 2 1/4 lengths.
◗ Has three steady half-mile breezes over the Belmont training track since then.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Roman Ceres. Trainer Bill Mott is 9-5-0-1 with a $4.80 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprints in the second career start following a winning debut. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Madame Maybry. Trainer John Toscano Jr. is 20-6-2-4 with a $3.25 ROI over the past year in dirt sprints at Aqueduct with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan