Hawthorne: As usual, Block well-stocked for allowance route

STICKNEY, Ill. – Two-turn main-track allowance races for older horses don’t come around all that often these days. They would be more common if every trainer had the same kind of stock Chris Block does this winter at Hawthorne.

Block has started a somewhat amazing eight different horses in dirt-route allowances during the ongoing Hawthorne meet.

“I do have a lot of them, and the fortunate part is I’ve actually had spots where I can run them,” Block said.

Another such spot, a third-level allowance also open to $75,000 claimers, is the feature on Sunday’s eight-race Hawthorne card, and – unsurprisingly given the dynamics of his stable – Block has two entered, Bambazonki and No Apologizes. Both are realistically potential victors of a 1 1/16-mile race in which all six entrants have at least a moderate claim on win contention.

Both Block-trained runners exit second-level allowance race wins in Hawthorne dirt routes, and each had a somewhat favorable setup: Bambazonki, a 3-year-old with limited dirt experience, shook loose on an easy lead and coasted to victory, while No Apologizes, a one-run closer, had a fast pace at which to run in his win.

The presence of Part N Parcel makes another easy lead unlikely for Bambazonki, but 4-year-old Illinois-bred No Apologizes could get a decent setup, and appears to be an improving horse.

“He always makes a solid run, and I’m hoping that with a little more age on him, he’s going to get even better,” Block said.

A former Block-trained horse, Mavericking, is the likely favorite for leading Hawthorne trainer Roger Brueggemann. Mavericking appeared to be on his way to victory in a race at this class level Nov. 27, but coughed up a two-length stretch call lead and was nailed late by Afford, settling for second. It is not the first time Mavericking has failed to fully finish off a race he might have won, and at a short price Sunday, and with Brueggemann-trained runners performing below their usual glittering form this week, he might be worth standing against.

Luv Bandit has possibilities. The 4-year-old Luv Bandit, a four-time Hawthorne dirt winner, is good enough to beat this group on his best, and racing in the same race as Mavericking last out, he was imprudently moved early into a very fast pace.