It's Englehart vs. Englehart in Sunday allowance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Followers of the New York Racing Association circuit are used to father-son showdowns between Chris Englehart and his son Jeremiah. In Sunday’s second-level allowance feature at Aqueduct, Chris Englehart will do battle with another son, Jeffrey.

Chris will send out Retonova against Jeffrey’s Playthatfunnymusic in the seven-furlong race, which also carries an optional claiming option for $40,000. Only Mascarello is being offered for the claiming price in what will be the last of eight races on the day.

Playthatfunnymusic is coming off a powerful 5 1/4-length victory in a first-level allowance here on Dec. 20 going a one-turn mile. He was scratched from this same allowance condition going 1 1/8 miles on Friday at Aqueduct.

Since Jeffrey Englehart claimed Playthatfunnymusic for $12,500 at Monmouth on Sept. 1, the gelding has won races at six furlongs, a mile and 40 yards, and a mile.

“The one-turn mile really hit him on the head; seven-eighths should be just fine,” Englehart said.

Englehart said that Playthatfunnymusic “right now is training the best he ever has.”

Dylan Davis rides from post 8 in the nine-horse field.

Retonova won his first two starts, including a division of the New York Stallion Series, at Aqueduct last winter and spring. Though Retonova did win twice at Finger Lakes, Chris Englehart didn’t think the horse particularly cared for that surface as much as he does Aqueduct.

“He didn’t seem to do as well at Finger Lakes for running against easier types of horses,” Englehart said. “I’m hoping getting him down here, he’ll show better numbers.”

Arthur’s Hope and Speightful Kitten finished second and third behind Syndergaard in a similar spot going six furlongs on Dec. 15.

KEY CONTENDERS

Playthatfunnymusic, by Disco Rico
Last 3 Beyers: 83-73-68

◗ Has won five of his last eight starts, all at different distances and utilizing different tactics. Jeffrey Englehart expects him to get a stalking trip on Sunday.

“He won’t be on the lead,” he said. “I’m sure he’ll be stalking. He’ll have a head of steam at the head of the lane.”

Retonova, by Boys At Tosconova
Last 3 Beyers: 71-65-72

◗ Returns to a surface over which he’s 2 for 2 and recorded his two highest Beyer Speed Figures.

◗ The only two times he finished worse than third were the only two times he went two turns.

“I thought he was going to want to go long, but I don’t think he wanted any part of it,” Chris Englehart said.

Arthur’s Hope, by Smart Bid
Last 3 Beyers: 93-77-82

◗ Lost by a nose to Syndergaard after leading virtually all the way going a one-turn mile last out.

◗ He is a two-time winner at seven furlongs, including a victory against New York-breds last May at Belmont Park.

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