Lobsta, My Boy Tate rematched in Say Florida Sandy

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – My Boy Tate has earned a Beyer Speed Figure from 93 to 98 a dozen times in his 28-race career. Lobsta earned a 95 Beyer – the highest figure of his career by 22 points – when he upset My Boy Tate in last month’s Thunder Rumble division of the New York Stallion Series at Aqueduct.

Whether you believe Lobsta can duplicate that last effort or if you’re just expecting more of the same from My Boy Tate will likely determine on whom you place your money when the two meet again in Saturday’s $100,000 Say Florida Sandy Stakes for New York-breds going seven furlongs at Aqueduct.

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My Boy Tate, an 8-year-old gelding by Boys At Tosconova, is a six-time stakes winner who won the Say Florida Sandy in 2018 and who is 7 for 14 over Aqueduct’s main track. Michelle Nevin, the trainer, breeder, and part-owner of the horse, felt My Boy Tate ran his race in the Thunder Rumble and was simply second best.

“I don’t feel like he ran a bad race at all,” Nevin said. “He showed up on the day and just got bested by the other horse. That horse ran huge.”

My Boy Tate did spot Lobsta six pounds in the Thunder Rumble. Saturday, both carry high weight of 124 pounds.

My Boy Tate will break from post 5 under Eric Cancel, who was selected to ride after Manny Franco was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday. Cancel rode My Boy Tate to victory in last year’s Haynesfield Stakes.

Lobsta was 28-1 when he won the Thunder Rumble. Lobsta hadn’t been out since July when he ran third to Americanrevolution in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes. Trainer Gary Sciacca said Lobsta was hampered by quarter cracks that needed time to grow out. He credited owner Eddie Fazzone with being patient.

“He gave him the time and he was rewarded for it,” Sciacca said. “A lot of times in this game you’re not, but he was.”

Sciacca wasn’t anticipating Lobsta being so close to the pace in the Thunder Rumble as he wound up pressuring stablemate and full brother Chowda on the lead. But Javier Castellano said Lobsta broke very sharp and he was just sitting on him.

Castellano has since moved his tack to Gulfstream Park but is coming in to ride Lobsta on Saturday.

“He wanted to come up,” Sciacca said.

While acknowledging there is the possibility Lobsta could bounce, Sciacca said “He’s had a little over a month, hopefully that’s enough time. He worked really well coming into it.”

Sciacca is anticipating Parx Racing shipper Alpha Chi Rho being the speed from the rail under Jose Ortiz.

Chestertown was second to runaway winner Ny Traffic in the Hudson Stakes last October. Battle Station has had most of his success on turf, but did win a dirt allowance at Laurel two back. Saratoga Pal is coming off an allowance win against New York-breds here Dec. 3.