Litfin's preview: Veterans drop down for sprint

The Sunday card kicks off with a “dropdown derby” of sorts, with eight veteran sprinters going six furlongs in the first $10,000 claimer at the fall meet. Needless to say, everyone is taking a drop – even Ten Items Or Less, who is back from Finger Lakes after getting through two restricted claiming conditions for $15,000.

Taking the biggest price plunge of all is the grizzled veteran Awakino Cat, a 9-year-old multiple sprint stakes winner on turf at Saratoga back in the day, who was eased for $50,000 three weeks ago.

Firster-filled maiden dash starts late pick four

A baker’s dozen of maiden 2-year-old fillies dash six furlongs in race 7, which affords late pick four bettors a chance to observe the betting action and pre-race appearance pertaining to nine first-time starters.

Among them is Overprepared, a $310,000 purchase at the OBS March sale trained by Todd Pletcher, who also trained her freshman sire, Quality Road. The dam, Daily Special, has produced Shadow Cast, whose four graded stakes victories were highlighted by the Grade 1 Personal Ensign.

Jimmy Jerkens (who trained Quality Road prior to Pletcher), sends out the promising pair of Etiquette and Treasure, who come off runner-up finishes, and have since turned in bullet workouts.

Will Slumber awaken?

Slumber has run exclusively in Grade 1 and Grade 2 stakes over the past year, beginning with a close fourth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont’s 2013 fall meet, and makes his first start since March in race 9, the $100,000 Bowl Game Stakes on the inner turf.

Although the 6-year-old horse has been idle since finishing third as the favorite March 29 in the Pan American, he has shown the ability to win fresh, having taken his United States debut for Bill Mott off a layoff exceeding eight months in 2012, and winning off a 378-day layoff last summer.

The main threats to Slumber look to be Sky Blazer, who made up more than 10 lengths behind Wise Dan in the Bernard Baruch, and St. Albans Boy, a Saratoga allowance winner at 21-1 and subsequently a close third in the Laurel Turf Cup.

Horse to watch

ASLAN
Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Last race: Oct. 17, 9th
Finish: 7th by 14 1/4
Beyer: 50

After posting improved pace and final-time figures with blinkers added Sept. 5, he tried turf for the first time and never appeared comfortable over yielding ground. Beyer Speed Figures have risen steadily on his preferred surface.