Kathy's Humor offers value in Thursday allowance
ELMONT, N.Y. – Sympathy is definitely the horse to beat in Thursday’s first-level allowance turf feature at Belmont Park, but if you’re not into playing a horse who’s been a beaten favorite at 9-5 or shorter in her last three starts, there are alternatives.
Kathy’s Humor could provide the best value as the lone three-time winner in the field returns to the races off a five-month layoff in this 1 1/16-mile allowance scheduled for the inner turf.
Kathy’s Humor is a New York-bred daughter of Justenuffhumor who is 2 for 3 on turf with a third-place finish. She has not started since Jan. 7, when she finished seventh of nine against open company on dirt. Following that race, trainer Rick Violette gave Kathy’s Humor a freshening.
“Her last couple of starts were just so-so, we gave her a little freshening,” Violette said. “She’s doing great. It’s a tough race.”
Sympathy, a daughter of Henrythenavigator trained by Chad Brown, has faced seemingly tougher opponents than she meets here. She came off a 16-month layoff to finish second to Bride to Be in this same condition at Gulfstream in February. In April, she was beaten a nose by Truly Together. Last month, she finished second to Real Smart. Bride to Be and Truly Together both came back to clear the second-level allowance condition in their next starts, while Real Smart lost a neck decision to All in Fun last Friday.
Last Resort, a maiden winner here last month, and Dea, who twice finished behind Sympathy earlier this year, are the other two significant players in the seven-horse field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Sympathy, by Henrythenavigator
Last 3 Beyers: 77-81-80
◗ After trying 1 1/4 miles last time, Sympathy cuts back to 1 1/16 miles, a distance at which she finished second in her first start off a 16-month layoff.
◗ Figures to be on or close to the pace under Irad Ortiz Jr.
Kathy’s Humor, by Justenuffhumor
Last 3 Beyers: 63-76-80
◗ Is 2 for 3 on turf, and her lone loss came last September in a race that produced four next-out winners.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the last three years, Violette is only 1 for 28 on turf with horses returning from layoffs of 60 to 180 days. The one win was Kathy’s Humor at 5-1 in 2014 at Saratoga.
Last Resort, by Twirling Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 76-69-72
◗ Rallied from eighth to win a maiden race by a head going a mile here May 13.
◗ Could be compromised by a potential lack of pace in this heat.