Litfin's preview: Recently gelded contenders

Wednesday, May 7 preview

THE ULTIMATE EQUIPMENT CHANGE

In a policy that recently took effect, horses that have been gelded since their last start must be denoted as such at the time of entry, and there are two – Sampson County and Nicholson - that look like solid contenders in maiden claimers early on the first Wednesday program of the meet.

In race 1 at 1 1/16 miles, Sampson County, who has not been out since running fourth at Gulfstream in mid-winter for trainer Michael Dilger, breaks from the rail and figures to vie for favoritism with another Florida shipper, Tapulous.

Last week, Dilger sent out Adams Note ($11.20) to win first time out since last June. Like that horse, Sampson County also gets a switch to John Velazquez.

In race 3 at 6 1/2 furlongs, Nicholson makes his first start since March 10, when he rallied belatedly for third behind a slow pace on Aqueduct’s inner dirt. The new gelding projects for a better pace scenario if morning-line choice Master Yank hooks up in a duel with Golden Doc.

FIRST-LEVEL ALLOWANCE RACES SHARE TOP BILLING

A pair of preliminary allowance races with $77,000 pots are in the late pick four sequence, as Bay of Plenty makes his first start against winners in race 6, and Auld Alliance makes her first start in the United States in race 8.

Bay of Plenty earned a gaudy 93 Beyer Figure while riding the crest of a speed-favoring track at the Big A on March 22, The Darley Stable homebred, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, has been given several weeks off and has been “promoted” to the blue-and-white silks of Godolphin Racing. Such was also the case last Saturday with Pazolini, who was a punctual favorite off a 48-day break while moving from maiden to allowance company.

The 10-furlong distance will not be a problem for Auld Alliance, a half-sister to two earners of over $1.5 million overseas, who makes her 4-year-old and U.S. bow for celebrity chef owner Bobby Flay and trainer Graham Motion.

Auld Alliance ran against fillies twice last year, finishing second behind subsequent Group 2 winner Riposte, and graduating in a 14-horse field with the comment, “Straight to lead.”

Satisfaction's half-brother Dancing Forever won the 2008 renewal of the Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap at 10 furlongs on the inner turf in blinkers, and Satisfaction will be blinkers on for the same connections – the Phipps Stable and Shug McGaughey.