Kid Cruz seeks to end string of seconds in Queens County

Kid Cruz will try to end his severe case of seconditis in Saturday’s $100,000 Queens County Stakes at Aqueduct.

Kid Cruz, the winner of the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes in 2014, has finished second in each of his last four races, including a half-length defeat to Page McKenney in the Swatara Stakes at Penn National on Nov. 25. That was his second start following time off for surgery to remove a bone chip from a knee, a procedure he also had done following his third-place finish in the 2014 Travers.

“We were a bit concerned we wouldn’t get him back the second time around, but he’s come back really well,” trainer Linda Rice said.

In the Swatara, Kid Cruz earned a career-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure.

Kid Cruz drew post 3 and gets in with 115 pounds under Jose Ortiz. Tommy Macho, the Grade 3 Discovery winner, breaks from post 4 under the top weight of 122 pounds. Javier Castellano is named to ride.

Others entered in the Queens County at 1 1/8 miles are Desvelo, Mylute, Turco Bravo, and Financial Modeling.