Gullo starters set to contend in co-featured allowance races

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Gary Gullo isn’t sure how much longer his good fortune is going to last, but he certainly hopes his luck doesn’t run out Friday, when he saddles five runners on Aqueduct’s nine-race card.

Gullo is third in the inner-track standings with 18 victories from 62 starters, and his runners have finished first or second 50 percent of the time.

In Hurry Up Alan and Discreet Force, Gullo has morning-line favorites in the second and ninth races. In Perfect Disco and Billy the Bull, Gullo has strong contenders in the co-featured New York-bred allowance races. In My Bobby, Gullo sends out a 12-1 shot in a New York-bred maiden race that goes as the sixth.

“They’re all in a good spot,” said Gullo. “If I win one, I’d be happy.”

Race 5

Key contenders

Perfect Disco (Last 3 Beyers: 67-68-66)

* Finished fourth in a spot similar to this first-level statebred allowance Feb. 27, his first race in 11 weeks. Prior to that, he won a $16,000 claimer in gate-to-wire fashion.

“That’s a good race for him,” Gullo said. “He’s speed, and there’s not much speed in there.”

* Two of his three career wins have come over the inner track.

Sidearm (Last 3 Beyers: 90-60-65)

* Has not raced since finishing second in a spot similar to this last June 5 at Belmont, his third consecutive second-place finish.

* Makes his first start as a gelding.

* Has two seconds and three thirds in five starts over the inner track.

Pete’s Fleet (Last 3 Beyers: 77-78-83)

* Has not raced since getting beat a neck by stablemate Laila’s Jazz – who’s running in the eighth race on this card – in a Finger Lakes allowance last July 25.

* Has three wins and four seconds in his last seven starts, all at Finger Lakes.

Race 8

Key contenders

Billy the Bull (Last 3 Beyers: 79-75-88)

* Has won this New York-bred second-level allowance condition twice, including once for the $40,000 optional-claiming price for which he again is being offered.

* Has finished fifth in a pair of first-level allowance races, including a 2 1/4-length defeat Feb. 7, his first start in nearly three months.

“He was a little outclassed in those races, and he needed the last race, too,” Gullo said.

* Though there appear to be other speed types in the field, Gullo said, “I think he’s fast enough to be on the lead.”

Escape to the Moon (Last 3 Beyers: 74-55-61)

* Won as a first-time gelding Feb. 5, his first start off a nine-month layoff.

* If a speed duel develops, he appears to be the best off-the-pace runner in the field.