Lulu Rocks enters allowance off big effort
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Lulu Rocks is a significant newcomer to the field in a $57,000, first-level allowance for New York-bred sprinters that was rescheduled from Sunday to Thursday at Aqueduct.
Sunday’s card was one of 11 full programs that have fallen victim to Mother Nature this winter, and Thursday’s eight-race card is also, pardon the pun, on thin ice due to a forecast that calls for a high of 21 degrees, with winds of 20 to 30 mph.
Bruce Levine, the trainer of Lulu Rocks, was originally targeting a similar race as this for his 4-year-old New York-bred son of Bustin Stones that was in the condition book for Feb. 27. But with this race being pushed back to Thursday, Levine said he fears the Feb. 27 race may not go.
“He ran so big last time, I wanted to give him the extra time,” Levine said Tuesday. “I don’t know if they let this race go that a week from now it’s going to go again.”
Lulu Rocks is coming off a lifetime-best Beyer Speed Figure of 81 when he finished a clear second to odds-on choice Between the Lines in this condition Jan. 15. Lulu Rocks chased the pace early and battled for the lead in upper stretch but could not run with Between the Lines late.
“The right horse beat him last time,” Levine said. “He ran the best race of his life last time.”
Levine has Kendrick Carmouche to ride Lulu Rocks. Levine and Carmouche teamed up Monday to win the Grade 3 General George Handicap at Laurel with Misconnect.
Beginning Thursday, Aqueduct will race on a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule through March. First post is now 1:20 p.m. Eastern every day.
KEY CONTENDERS
Lulu Rocks (Last 3 Beyers: 81-74-68)
◗ Two starts back, Lulu Rocks finished third, beaten a neck, in a $25,000 claimer at Laurel Park.
“The race at Laurel was a tough field, believe it or not,” Levine said.
◗ Owns a win and a second in two starts over the inner track.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Levine is 4 for 30 over the last three years in the second start off a layoff of 45 days or more over the inner track.
Perfect Disco (Last 3 Beyers: 68-66-65)
◗ Comes off a front-running victory as the 1-4 favorite against a weak group of $16,000 claimers in his last start.
◗ Looms the primary speed under Jeremy Rose.
◗ Gary Gullo, the trainer of Perfect Disco, has won with nine of his last 20 starters over the inner track dating back to Jan. 23.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Perfect Disco. Trainer Gary Gullo is 20-7-3-0 with a $3.63 ROI over the past two years in sprints on the Aqueduct inner track with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Shinnecock Bay (Last 3 Beyers: 61-70-45)
◗ Has posted speed figures in his last two races that make him competitive in this modest field.
◗ Finally broke through for a maiden victory in his 11th and most recent try.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Shinnecock Bay. Trainer Tom Albertrani is 30-1-7-3 with a $0.12 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprints with last-out maiden winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan