Lehigh Five steps up into winners’ bracket

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Lehigh Five was no surprise when he won his debut by nearly 11 lengths at 6-5 in a 10-horse field sprinting Jan. 23. On Friday, the New York-bred 3-year-old will stretch out in distance and meet winners for the first time in a $57,000 first-level allowance race at Aqueduct.

The one-mile race drew a field of six and will go as race 7 on the eight-race card. As of Wednesday, the Thursday card seemed likely to be canceled because of a forecast for snow. If that were to happen, Friday’s card would have a pick six carryover of $148,147. This allowance race goes as race 7, the fifth leg of the sequence.

Lehigh Five would figure to be on most everybody’s ticket. Though he was dominant in his sprint victory, his pedigree – he’s by Birdstone out of a Touch Gold mare – suggests he should be fine stretching out.

“He’s supposed to get two turns, improve, and relish it,” trainer Rick Violette said. “I’m hoping to see that.”

Violette said he was surprised by how much early speed Lehigh Five showed in his debut. Breaking from the rail that day, Lehigh Five was hustled to the front by jockey Jose Ortiz and dueled with as many as three other horses before pulling away in the stretch.

“He was in a spot where he could have been intimidated, but instead he drew off,” Violette said. “He showed some quality and ran terrific.”

With Ortiz serving a three-day suspension for an incident in the Fountain of Youth Stakes aboard the Violette-trained Upstart, Junior Alvarado has the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lehigh Five (Beyer: 68)

◗ He gives up an edge in seasoning to his five rivals, but he should appreciate breaking from the outside post and figures to handle this two-turn mile.

◗ Violette said he would have preferred to have another sprint under the colt’s belt before stretching him out but said a first-level allowance going short didn’t fill.

Market Conduct (Last 3 Beyers: 61-83-69)

◗ He drops back in with New York-breds for his 3-year-old debut after running seventh in the Grade 2 Remsen last November in his 2-year-old finale.

◗ He finished third in both the Bertram Bongard and Sleepy Hollow stakes, both run around one turn last fall at Belmont.

Persuasive Devil (Last 3 Beyers: 70-61-66)

◗ He has not finished worse than third in all seven of his dirt starts.

◗ Won his two-turn debut Dec. 5 over the inner track before finishing second at 16-1 the first time he met winners.

Saint Joseph (Last 3 Beyers: 48-70-77)

◗ He is coming off a win over Persuasive Devil last November.

◗ He was sent off as the favorite in the 11-horse Damon Runyon Stakes, finishing sixth. He was gelded shortly after that race and will race for the first time as a gelding Friday.