Improving pair stand out in allowance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Science Fiction and No Deal began their careers a combined 0 for 27. The two female runners enter Sunday’s featured first-level allowance race at Aqueduct having combined to win five of their last six starts.

Science Fiction and No Deal look like two of the major players in a nine-horse field set to contest seven furlongs in the eighth and final race on Sunday’s Big A program.

Science Fiction, trained by Rob Atras for her last two starts, has won her last three races by a combined 19 3/4 lengths. All three of those wins have come at Aqueduct at races at six or 6 1/2 furlongs.

“She seems to have a lot more confidence now, even in her training,” Atras said. “I think she’s gotten better with each start.”

Science Fiction’s three straight wins have all come in front-running fashion. She has the rail Sunday and will likely be on or near the lead again.

“She can rate,” Atras said. “She’s just been the fastest horse in her last three starts. I know they were [against] a little easier, but this is the next logical spot. She’s won impressively, she’s trained good.”

The only other speed in the field looks to be That’s Speightful, who is coming off a maiden win here on Jan. 27.

No Deal, trained by Phil Serpe, lost her first 13 starts. Dropped to maiden $20,000 claiming on Nov. 24, No Deal romped to a 10 1/4-length victory. No Deal came back to beat starter allowance foes before finishing second to Big Birthday in her first start in this condition on Jan. 18.

“When we dropped her down and she won for maiden $20,000 some light lit up in her and she’s been good ever since,” trainer Phil Serpe said. “This is a little tougher group than she’s been running against. She’s doing well. Hopefully she runs well.”

Norma’s Charm and Kingdom’s Queen finished second and third in a one-mile race in this condition last out.

KEY CONTENDERS

Science Fiction, by Tale of the Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 74-77-65

◗ She has reeled off three consecutive blowout victories, all in front-running fashion, and she could play out as the primary speed again Sunday.

◗ She has never finished worse than third in 10 starts on dirt.

No Deal, by Special Rate
Last 3 Beyers: 82-70-65

◗ Her form is dirtied up by too many poor starts on turf.

◗ She has a 2-1-1 record on a dry, fast track.

Kingdom’s Queen, by Animal Kingdom
Last 3 Beyers: 71-70-62

◗ Her last three races have been her best, and if the pace is solid she figures to come with a strong late run under Jose Lezcano.

Norma’s Charm, by Creative Cause
Last 3 Beyers: 77-63-70

◗ She was closing ground in a 27-second final quarter to lose by a half-length last out in this condition going a mile.

◗ Trainer Uriah St. Lewis has finished in the money with six of his seven starters at the Aqueduct winter meet.