The Institute will get better pace setup than last time

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The Institute was able to transfer his decent form from Finger Lakes to Aqueduct, winning a first-level New York-bred allowance on Dec. 30 in his first start for trainer Horacio De Paz.

Compromised by a slow pace in his last out Jan. 18, The Institute seems likely to get the strong pace he needs to be effective when he runs in a competitive 10-horse field entered in a New York-bred second-level allowance/optional $45,000 claiming event that serves as the feature on Friday’s eight-race Aqueduct card. First post is 1:20 p.m. and the pick six on races 3 through 8 has a $30,249 carryover.

The Institute, a son of Into Mischief out of the Grade 1 winner Princess Violet, took advantage of a strong pace on Dec. 30 when he won a first-level allowance by 1 3/4 lengths. Less than three weeks later, he finished third in his first try at the next condition, where the half-mile was posted in 48 seconds.

“The way he’s been running he likes to sit behind horses and make that run. Obviously that’s easier to do with more pace,” De Paz said. “I thought he gave a very honest effort last time considering there wasn’t as much as pace as the time before, but he still got up for third.”

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This field has the likes of Ten Cent Town, Disco Deano, Be the Boss, What’s Up Bro, and Jemography, all of whom have shown to be effective as a forward factor.

D’ont Lose Cruz has also been forward in his races, but trainer David Duggan believes he can be effective from off the pace. D’ont Lose Cruz had two wins and two seconds from his first four starts. His runner-up finish in this condition last out – finishing 3 1/4 lengths in front of The Institute – was an indication the horse has returned to form.

“He just wasn’t thriving is the best way to describe it,” Duggan said. “Then we brought him back [in September], he popped a splint, and we had to give him more time. The last time he was good and he’s come out of that race very good. So, this is an acid test. If you win this, you know you’re where you’re supposed to be.”

Who Hoo Thats Me is another who would benefit from pace. He won this condition last January but is now back in for the tag. In the interim, Who Hoo Thats Me, trained by Jorge Abreu, has two seconds and a third in three starts, all against open company.

Manny Franco rides from the outside in this 10-horse field.

Rick Dutrow Jr. has the coupled entry of Ten Cent Town and Big Engine in this field. Ten Cent Town is a likely pace factor from the rail, while the 9-year-old Big Engine, taken for $25,000 last month, is in for the $45,000 tag and looks like he’ll be coming from off the pace.

Beach Boy Al and Zeebear complete the field.

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