Kertez, McKulick eye stakes in New York

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Kertez, winner of the Grade 2 Pan American, and McKulick, winner of the Grade 3 Orchid Stakes, will both likely make their next starts at Aqueduct in May, their trainers indicated.

Christophe Clement, trainer of Kertez and Pan Am third-place finisher Tawny Port, said both will be aimed at the Grade 2, $400,000 Man o’ War on May 11. Trainer Chad Brown said McKulick will likely target the Grade 3, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay at Aqueduct on May 3.

Kertez was in tight for a good part of the Pan Am before jockey Joel Rosario was able to get room to the outside, and he just nailed Harry Hood by a nose. Kertez, making his first start since September, earned a 94 Beyer Speed for his victory.

:: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets.

“He was a little bit fresh, a little bit keen, when [Rosario] got him to settle, he relaxed and showed a good turn of foot,” Clement said. “We got lucky, which is nice. It’s okay to get lucky. The one who was not lucky was Tawny Port. Irad [Ortiz Jr.] was convinced if he had a clean trip he would have won.”

Tawny Port, who went off the favorite, was only beaten a neck, and Ortiz told Clement after the race the horse found some trouble or else he could have won.

The Sheepshead Bay is a logical target for McKulick as she is 2 for 2 in stakes going 1 3/8 miles at Aqueduct, having won the Grade 3 Jockey Club Oaks in 2022 and the Grade 3 Waya last October. Moreover, Brown has won six of the last eight runnings of the Sheepshead Bay.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.