Jacaranda starts over in Thursday allowance
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Jacaranda looks to revive her once-promising career when she returns from an 11-month layoff in a $69,000, second-level optional-claiming race on Aqueduct’s nine-race program Thursday.
As a 2-year-old in the fall of 2014, Jacaranda won her debut by five lengths and the Grade 3 Tempted by 3 1/2 lengths. She attempted two graded stakes early in her 3-year-old season but was beaten a combined 82 lengths before being sent to the farm.
Mike Hushion, who trained Jacaranda for her first three starts before he took ill himself, has the filly back and likes what he’s seen from her in the morning.
“She’s training exceptionally well; looking forward to it,” Hushion said Monday after Jacaranda blew out three furlongs in 35.80 seconds. “She’s training as well as anything in the barn.”
Aaron Gryder rides Jacaranda from post 8.
Thursday’s feature drew a field of nine, including recent first-level allowance winners Stormy Sky and Rachel’s Temper, along with Making Havoc and Myfourchix, who ran second and third behind Clothes Fall Off in a Jan. 14 allowance. Clothes Fall Off set an inner-track record (1:02.89) for 5 1/2 furlongs that day.
KEY CONTENDERS
Jacaranda, by Congrats
Last 3 Beyers: 15-16-72
◗ She’s starting her career over after going to the sidelines 11 months ago following a last-place finish in Gazelle Stakes.
◗ Had 17 workouts before winning her career debut going 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont in September 2014. Has 17 works, including a three-furlong blowout Monday, leading up to her return.
DRF FORMULATOR Fact: Over the last two years, Hushion is 3 for 11 with a $2.47 ROI when bringing horses back off a 180-day-plus layoff in a sprint race.
Stormy Sky, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 84-83-74
◗ Got a dream trip behind a dueling trio to clear the first-level allowance condition when breaking from the rail last out under Eric Cancel. Has Cancel and the rail again Thursday.
“Eric’s good at getting her to rate,” said Blair Golen, assistant to trainer George Weaver. “If he wants her one back or five off it, he can do it.”
◗ Cancel begins his career as a journeyman on Thursday, losing his five-pound weight allowance.
Rachel’s Temper, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 85-63-85
◗ Comes back 18 days after running a career-top Beyer Speed Figure in winning a first-level allowance by 4 1/2 lengths Feb. 21. Finished second at 20-1 while running back on 18 days’ rest last November at Aqueduct.
Myfourchix, by Henny Hughes
Last 3 Beyers: 78-82-82
◗ May have moved into the fastest part of the race when finishing fourth in the Broadway Stakes on Feb. 21.
◗ Trainer Richard Schosberg said the filly has to be ridden with patience and is hoping that reuniting her with Irad Ortiz Jr. – aboard for her last win in November – will enable her to get that trip.