Jacobson entry has speed and a late kick

Trainer David Jacobson will have both ends of the pace spectrum covered Sunday when he sends out the coupled entry of Synthesis and Durante in the second race at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct.

The horses will travel six furlongs in the conditioned allowance that carries an optional-claiming price of $80,000.

“I think we’re the perfect entry,” Jacobson said. “Synthesis will come from behind and Durante will be close.”

A field of six is set to start, including Grade 3 winner Runninsonofagun and stakes winner Nova Rags.

Durante won the Grade 3 Bold Ruler at this distance last fall, wiring his rivals in October at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct. He will start from post 6 on Sunday under regular rider Manny Franco.

“Manny’s won a bunch of races on him,” Jacobson said. “I’ll leave things up to Manny. There’s not much for me to tell him. I’ll just tell him, ‘Play the break.’ He likes to lay close and if he finds himself on the lead, try to slow it down.’ ”

Synthesis will start from post 3 under Ramon Vazquez. He is shortening up in distance after running fourth in a two-other-than allowance at a mile April 20 at Aqueduct.

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“The six furlongs, he will be coming at you at the end,” Jacobson said. “I just don’t know if he’s got enough time to get up there in time, but I feel very confident that he’s definitely going to get a piece of the pie. We’ll see what happens. He’s surprised us in the past.”

Synthesis popped a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 104 in May 2023 at Belmont Park when he won a three-other-than allowance over Gun It and Following Sea.

“It just seems like he’s got that race brewing in him right now,” Jacobson said. “He’s doing so good.”

Jacobson likes the progress Durante has made since returning from a layoff in May. He will be making his third start back, and is moving into the allowance ranks after running a troubled fifth last out in the Grade 3 Runhappy.

“I just think he’s coming back into form,” Jacobson said. “With a little luck, I think he should be the horse. I think he fits perfectly.”

Durante, who is poised to go over $500,000 in earnings, races for Jacobson. The trainer also owns Synthesis.

Nova Rags was second at this level in March and might get a nice tracking trip off such rivals as He’smyhoneybadger, Durante, and Gun It. Junior Alvarado has the mount from post 2 for trainer Bill Mott.

Runninsonofagun, who is making his first start since April 2023, is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner My Conquestadory.

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There are several other races of interest on the card. The fifth race is a first-level allowance sprint for fillies and mares on turf. Proud Mary should get good support off a runner-up finish at the same level at Keeneland. The start was her first race since December.

The seventh is a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and up over 1 3/8 miles on turf. A chief contender appears to be Swordofhonor.

The eighth race is a second-level allowance at a mile featuring 3-year-olds and up bred in New York.

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