Illman's preview: Jumpers take center stage

We begin Thursday’s card with a pair of steeplechase stakes races. The opener, the $75,000 William Entenmann Memorial, features Schoodic and Address Unknown, the 1-2 finishers of the restricted Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 14.

In-form rivals such as All the Way Jose, Choral Society, and Syros step up in class with a chance.

The second half of the early Daily Double is the Grade 1, $150,000 Lonesome Glory Stakes. Defending Eclipse champion Divine Fortune hopes to make amends after a dismal recent performance at Saratoga. Sent away part of an odds-on favored entry in the Grade 1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial on July 31, Divine Fortune failed to properly negotiate the course. The venerable 11-year-old didn’t hit the board in this race in both 2013 and 2012 and could be over-bet.

Demonstrative, second in the Smithwick before prevailing in the New York Turf Writers Cup at Saratoga, might well be the “now” horse in the division.

Barnstorming, coupled again with Divine Fortune, and All Together have upset chances.

Thanks to the steeplechase action, the early pick four begins with the fourth race.

Back from Dubai

Transparent, fourth in last year’s Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby behind Will Take Charge, Moreno, and Orb, makes his first start since January in the eighth race, a salty N2X optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles. Following the Pennsylvania Derby, Transparent shipped to Dubai for one unsuccessful start. His very best race puts him squarely in the picture, but the layoff coupled with a probable short price – he is listed at 9-5 on the morning line – makes him an unappealing betting proposition.

Escapefromreality, a hard-hitting New York-bred, narrowly missed in his last two races over wet tracks. His most potent weapon is his good early speed, and he projects for a front-running trip under Javier Castellano. He looks like a top contender.

Sinistra, like Escapefromreality, earned his two best Beyer Speed Figures over wet going. A game longshot winner of the $100,000 Evan Shipman Stakes at Saratoga on July 31 despite a wide trip, Sinistra disappointed a bit as the favorite in his subsequent outing Aug. 22. Perhaps John Velazquez will attempt rating tactics in this spot. Sinistra might be best utilized on the bottom of exotic wagers.

Although high-percentage trainer Jorge Navarro doesn’t have good statistics at NYRA tracks (0 for 9 over the past five years), his Goodtimehadbyall can factor at a price. A solid winner of his most recent outing, a $50,000 claimer around two turns at Monmouth, Goodtimehadbyall previously ran into graded-caliber runners such as Falling Sky and Itsmyluckyday. The 10-time winner handles one-turn racing just fine and can sit a good trip from just off the pace. He’s worth a play if close to his 12-1 morning line.

Promising New York-breds

Four of the six horses in the sixth race, an entry-level allowance for statebreds at six furlongs, already have reached par for the class level.

Cuantos finished ahead of three of these when nipped at the wire by the outsider Station Chief at Saratoga. Trained by Mark Hennig, Cuantos prompted the pace while racing well off the rail that day and made the front in upper stretch under a very confident Rajiv Maragh. Cuantos didn’t accelerate as much as hoped when Maragh finally did push the button, but the lightly raced colt acquitted himself well and figures to be right there again if able to work out a trip from the inside post position.

He’s the selection over the second-time gelding Swell, who was a handful in the gate before getting caught in a severe pace duel with Giantinthemoonlite while down on the deeper inside path. Although he couldn’t go with Cuantos late at Saratoga, Swell won the battle after doing a good amount of racing. He draws a much better post this time around.

Finally a bride?

Chalk players will lean on the consistent Edie in the ninth race, a $50,000 claimer at one mile on the Widener course. She’s taken two of three since being returned to trainer Chris Englehart and was caught in some traffic when second against a similar group Aug. 28 at Saratoga. While Edie looms as a must use in multiple-race wagers, I’ll try to defeat her with Sheza Heartbreaker.

To be honest, Sheza Heartbreaker isn’t as dependable as Edie, as she boasts a lifetime record of 52-4-11-13. Usually, she finds at least one better than her at the wire. Still, she gave an encouraging performance when finishing just behind Edie at the Spa. She was best of the three pace horses and could opt for a tracking trip this time around under Jose Ortiz.

Horse to watch

NOTACATBUTALLAMA
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Sept. 14, 4th
Finish: 5th by 5 1/2 lengths
Beyer: 88

Just didn’t fire over “good” going in the Ashley T. Cole Stakes, but he’s a better horse than he showed. He’s bounced back from some subpar efforts in the past and may just need some class relief in order to reach the winner’s circle.