Long Weekend may be long gone in Gold Fever Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Tom Amoss has more than one fast 3-year-old sprinter in his barn. That affords him the luxury of placing the horses where they have the best chance to excel.

While No Parole can carry his speed beyond six furlongs, as he demonstrated winning the Grade 1 Woody Stephens going seven furlongs at Belmont Park on June 20, Long Weekend is viewed by Amoss as a six-furlong specialist. Thus, Long Weekend is a perfect fit in Friday’s $80,000 Gold Fever Stakes at Belmont Park.

“I like this horse at six furlongs, that is his strong suit,” Amoss said. “I don’t have a desire to stretch him out.”

Long Weekend is 3 for 3 at six furlongs this year, including victories in the Gazebo and Bachelor Stakes, both at Oaklawn Park. Given the uncertainty of racing schedules in the spring, Amoss flirted with the idea of shipping Long Weekend to Southern California for the Laz Barrera Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on June 20 at Santa Anita. Ultimately, he opted against the ship and the Gold Fever became a suitable plan B.

Like No Parole, Long Weekend is blessed with natural early speed and Amoss plans on having jockey Jose Ortiz utilize it from post 6 in the seven-horse field.

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“This horse is really gifted out of the gate – he’s quick,” said Amoss, who trains Long Weekend for Barbara Webber and her son Tyler Webber III. “I fully expect him to use that asset to try and create some separation early in the race.”

There is a chance of rain in the forecast for Friday but Long Weekend has already won over a “good” track, winning an allowance at Sam Houston on Feb. 19.

If there is another horse that could show speed early it’s Premier Star, one of two entered by trainer Mike Trombetta. Premier Star, formerly trained by Jorge Navarro, was a front-running winner of two sprints before unsuccessfully stretching out to 1 1/16 miles in the Sam F. Davis.

Following Navarro’s federal indictment on charges of allegedly administering illegal drugs to horses, Premier Star was turned over to Trombetta. In his first start for Trombetta, a second-level allowance at Laurel, Premier Star was away slow and never really got involved, finishing sixth.

“He definitely was compromised at the break,” Trombetta said. “I don’t think he enjoyed the kickback, he had to go wide. That’s one of those things that come with the territory.”

Trombetta also sends out Newstome, a stakes winner on dirt and synthetic. Last fall, Newstome won a restricted stakes at Presque Isle Downs and the James F. Lewis on dirt at Laurel. He is coming off a victory in the Woodstock Stakes over the synthetic surface at Woodbine.

In his previous trip to New York, Newstome finished fifth in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct, but that was at seven furlongs.

“That’s all that was available at the time,” Trombetta said. “He enjoys three-quarters more.”

Kendrick Carmouche rides Premier Star from the rail and Manny Franco pilots Newstome from post 2.

Hopeful Treasure, Listentoyourheart, Wondrwherecraigis, and Liam’s Pride complete the field.