Lady Kreesa shortens up for turf allowance
Horses may be in short supply, but there were more than enough New York-bred fillies and mares to fill divisions of a six-furlong allowance dash on the inner turf. The preliminary allowance races carry $62,000 purses and go as the third and seventh races Thursday.
The first division, which begins the pick six sequence on an abbreviated eight-race program, attracted eight turf-meant runners. Three of those – Baby B, Lady Kreesa and Sweetpollypurebrd – make their first starts of the year.
Lady Kreesa, a four-time beaten favorite following a maiden win on this course last June, shortens up to six furlongs for the first time. Her older half-brother and stablemate King Kreesa was among the favorites for the $100,000 Elusive Quality Stakes on opening day Wednesday.
Likely to go favored is Amber Morning, who won a six-furlong, $25,000 sprint on the Widener course last October. She returns to New York following a five-race campaign at Gulfstream Park, where she was claimed for $20,000 by John Toscano on March 11.
The second division has seven in for the grass, and once again handicappers have a bare minimum of recent turf form to go on. Only Barrier to Entry has run over that surface in 2015.
Past form at Belmont indicates that Royal Jest bears watching. In the fall of 2013, the homebred mare began her career with a runner-up finish at 53-1 on the Widener course. Last spring, she ran twice at six furlongs on the inner turf, finishing second from post 12 and returning three weeks later for her maiden win.
Also boasting past success at Belmont is A P Johnson, who makes her first start since beating $25,000 restricted claimers at the 2014 fall meet.
ALLOWANCE (RACE 3)
KEY CONTENDERS
Lady Kreesa (Last 3 Beyers: 55-71-72)
◗ She ran three races at this level on turf in 2014 and was beaten less than two lengths each time.
Amber Morning (Last 3 Beyers: 75-74-76)
◗ She returns to New York after posting her three fastest Beyer Speed Figures at Gulfstream.
ALLOWANCE (RACE 7)
KEY CONTENDERS
Royal Jest (Last 3 Beyers: 20-24-53)
◗ It might pay to look past her most recent figures on dirt, as her three Beyers on turf at Belmont are 69-69-71.
A P Johnson (Last 3 Beyers: 70-50-59)
◗ She is the only two-time grass winner in the lineup.
Given Fire (Last 3 Beyers: 57-73-76)
◗ Won off a 10-month absence last summer, so she might fire fresh again.