Look for Jan's Reserve late in Lost in the Fog
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Following the dominant victory by Jan’s Reserve in the King’s Swan Stakes here Nov. 27, trainer Mike Dilger’s first inclination was to ship the young horse to south Florida. Upon further review, Dilger discovered that New York’s program for 3-year-old sprinters was a bit more attractive than the one offered at Gulfstream Park.
Friday’s $125,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes is the first of four sprints offered for 3-year-olds on the New York Racing Association circuit, culminating with the Grade 3, $300,000 Bay Shore on April 9. Total purses for the quartet of races is $650,000. Conversely, Gulfstream offers just three sprints for 3-year-olds, with total purses of $325,000.
The competition figures to be easier in New York as well. Condo King and King Kranz, the one-two finishers in a fast-figured maiden race Dec. 5, were both entered in the Lost in the Fog and in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Jerome. Condo King is likely to run in the Jerome. King Kranz might stay in the Lost in the Fog.
Jan’s Reserve, a son of Ready’s Image, took advantage of a hot early pace and rallied from 10 lengths back to win the King’s Swan by 7 1/2 lengths at 21-1.
“He had been training very good going into the King’s Swan,” Dilger said by phone Wednesday from south Florida. “Visually, it was very impressive, but the fast pace in front of him definitely contributed to how impressive that performance looked.”
The speed in the Lost in the Fog figures to come from Zen Papa, who breaks from the rail, and potentially King Kranz, who breaks from the outside and gets blinkers added for the first time.
Sallisaw, second in the King’s Swan, and the Ramon Preciado-trained uncoupled entry of Atizapan and Purcell complete the field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Jan’s Reserve (Last 3 Beyers: 91-73-61)
◗ After winning his maiden on turf, Jan’s Reserve trained well enough on dirt to try the King’s Swan, his first start on dry dirt.
◗ Could get a swift pace if Zen Papa and King Kranz hook up early. Dilger said he will instruct Jose Ortiz to just have Jan’s Reserve run “at his own pace, wherever that puts him.”
King Kranz (Last 3 Beyers: 90-85-85)
◗ Has been beaten three times at odds of 8-5 or shorter, including a neck loss to Condo King at 1-2. Trainer John Terranova’s barn is in a major slump on this circuit, having gone 1 for 85 since Aug. 10.
◗ Cornelio Velasquez, who has ridden the colt in his last two starts and rides on Friday, thought King Kranz hung a bit in his last race, said Tonja Terranova, John’s wife and assistant. Blinkers were added to King Kranz’s equipment after that race.
“There’s definitely a big improvement with them on,” said Tonja Terranova.
Zen Papa (Beyers: 73-61)
◗ Was claimed for $40,000 by trainer Rudy Rodriguez for owner Michael Dubb out of a front-running win Nov. 8. Came back Dec. 9 and won his first try against winners, also in front-running fashion.
“He ran very, very good, better than I thought,” Rodriguez said of the Dec. 9 race. “Speed was not holding up that day, he was challenged, and he was still able to put everybody away. It gave us the impression he wants to be a racehorse.”