Identity Politics needs cleaner start than his last race

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Perhaps a better start will lead to a better finish for Identity Politics, who will make his fifth attempt at clearing the second-level allowance condition in Friday’s feature at Aqueduct.

Identity Politics got pinched back at the break in this same condition on Jan. 17. He had to be hard-ridden by Manny Franco and then tipped extremely wide in the stretch. Joevia, who was returning from a lengthy layoff, won the race with Identity Politics, who did his best running late, getting up for second.

This will be the third start off a layoff for Identity Politics, whom Chad Brown trains for Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables. His two previous wins came in the third start of a form cycle.

Puttheglassdown finished fourth in the Jan. 17 race and came back to clear the second-level allowance condition at Laurel on Feb. 21.

Originally, this race drew a field of 11, but Mr. Dougie Fresh and Sicilia Mike were re-entered for Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct.

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Identity Politics is well drawn toward the outside and should get some pace to close into under Manny Franco.

The wildcard in the field is Legit, an undefeated son of Curlin who has not run in 22 months. Trained by Todd Pletcher for Mike Repole, Legit won his debut at Gulfstream in April 2018 and then cleared his first-level allowance condition in the slop at Pimlico a month later.

Repole said Legit had myriad issues, including a foot injury that forced Pletcher to take him out of training.

“Good horse, lot of promise, lot of talent,” Repole said, adding that injuries are the “frustrating part of the game.”

Legit was entered in this condition going a mile on Feb. 6. But the track came up extremely sloppy that day and the decision was made to scratch. Legit has worked three times since then, and the 6 1/2 furlongs may be a better distance for him to return coming off the long layoff.

Vorticity was beaten a head by Tribecca in this condition on Feb. 9 going six furlongs. Though trainer James Lawrence said this race came up tougher than that one, he said he’s hoping “the extra distance will benefit us a little bit.”

Chateau finished a length behind Vorticity when he ran third in that Feb. 9 race. Prior to that, he finished behind the likes of Happy Farm and Wicked Trick, both of whom are entered in stakes here on Saturday.

Topper T is up from Florida for Bill Mott. He is making his first start since he won an off-the-turf allowance at Saratoga last July.

Seethisquick, Hawaiian Noises, Hoffenheim, The Sicarii, and Explorationist complete the field.

First post for Friday’s nine-race card is 1:30 p.m.