Kimmel changes direction, enters Mr. Buff in Haynesfield

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After initially thinking about stretching Mr. Buff out in distance in the $100,000 Bernardini Stakes going 1 5/16 miles on Feb. 29, trainer John Kimmel instead opted to shorten the New York-bred up in distance and on Monday entered him in Saturday’s $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes for New York breds going a one-turn mile.

In his last seven starts, Mr. Buff has won five stakes going 1 1/8 miles, including the Alex M. Robb by 7 1/2 lengths on Dec. 28, the last time he faced New York-breds. He is coming off a five-length victory in the Jazil Stakes here on Jan. 25.

Mr. Buff is 1 for 8 at the one-mile distance, the victory coming in an allowance race here in April 2017. However, he has run some strong races going a one-turn mile, including a runner-up finish behind Backyard Heaven in a March 2018 allowance for which Mr. Buff earned his career-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure.

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“I’m sure he can handle it,” Kimmel said Monday.

Kimmel said one reason he opted for the Haynesfield was because Junior Alvarado, who has ridden Mr. Buff in nine of his last 10 starts, will be at Gulfstream on Feb. 29.

“I didn’t want to put a new pilot on and test the longer distance,” Kimmel said. “Even though it’s not his optimal distance he could probably run a ‘B’ race and still win.”

Mr. Buff, a 6-year-old gelding by Friend or Foe, has won 13 of 35 races and has earned $992,411 for owners/breeders Chester and Mary Broman.

The Haynesfield drew a field of six, including Syndergaard, who hasn’t been out since May, and Honor Up, who won this race last year but is winless in just three starts since. I Love Jaxson, an allowance winner on Sunday, Twisted Tom, and Fleet Irish complete the field.