Lobsta, My Boy Tate resume battle in Haynesfield at Aqueduct
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The upstart Lobsta and the consistent veteran My Boy Tate renew acquaintances for the third time this winter when they square off in Sunday’s $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes for New York-breds at Aqueduct.
In the Thunder Rumble division of the New York Stallion Stakes on Dec. 5, Lobsta pulled off a 28-1 front-running upset, beating 3-2 favorite My Boy Tate by a half-length. In the $100,000 Say Florida Sandy on Jan. 8, My Boy Tate crossed the wire a neck in front of Lobsta. However, Lobsta was elevated to first when the stewards disqualified My Boy Tate and placed him fourth behind Chestertown for interfering with that horse in the stretch.
Gary Sciacca, the trainer of Lobsta opted to wait for the one-mile Haynesfield, meaning Lobsta, a 4-year-old son of Emcee, will be fresh having not raced in 10 weeks.
“When I gave him all that time off, he ran a monster race,” Sciacca said, referring to the 139 days Lobsta had before the Thunder Rumble. “I figured why rush him, I know he likes time. He’s training like a bear coming into the race. He’s working fabulous.”
Three of Lobsta’s last four works have been the fastest at the distance on those mornings.
Lobsta’s last two races have the best of his career. Sciacca attributes some of that to the addition of glue-on shoes, which have helped to alleviate chronic foot issues. Lobsta has worn glue-ons in his last two races and will wear them again Sunday.
Lobsta looks like the main speed under Javier Castellano, who is again coming up from Florida to ride him. Lobsta is 2 for 3 at a mile.
My Boy Tate hasn’t run a mile since rallying from off the pace to win last year’s Haynesfield. He has crossed the finish line first or second in each of his last seven starts.
“Tate’s a very honest, solid horse, always goes out and tries,” Nevin said. “Every now and again he’s going to bump into a fella that’s just a bit better than him, but he still gives you what he’s got.”
Nevin is hoping someone can run with Lobsta early.
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“He’s handled the mile well in the past, hopefully he gets the right setup,” said Nevin, who will also send out Our Last Buck in the Haynesfield.
Manny Franco will ride My Boy Tate from post 3.
Chestertown is coming off a solid four-length victory in an open allowance on Feb. 3, breaking a seven-race losing streak.
Water’s Edge, never worse than second in seven lifetime starts, makes his stakes debut after going through his New York-bred allowance conditions. He figures to be closest to Lobsta early.
Brew Pub, after losing his first 20 races, has won two straight, albeit both over sloppy tracks.