Maker's Candy has figure edge over Allure of Money in New York Derby

Flashy local stakes winner Allure of Money will face a strong challenge from stakes-winning Saratoga shipper Maker’s Candy when Finger Lakes hosts one of the richest races of its season on Monday, the $150,000 New York Derby for statebred sophomores.

The 1 1/16-mile stakes highlights a nine-race card that has a first post of 1:15 p.m. Maker’s Candy would give trainer Mike Maker his second New York Derby win after he took last year’s edition with Barese.

Maker’s Candy, who has made the majority of his starts on the New York Racing Association circuit, did not debut until late in his 2-year-old season, and has still shown some immaturity. That was on display when he crossed the line first but was demoted to second for interference in the Gander Stakes in February at Aqueduct. He then made a foray out of state and was fifth in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby on a synthetic track.

Freshened up after those misadventures, Maker’s Candy returned in the seven-furlong Mike Lee Stakes on May 29 at Belmont Park. Ridden for the first time by Jose Ortiz, the colt broke a bit slowly before settling in a good striking position. He drifted wide off the turn, falling back in the process, then ground on through the stretch to win by 2 1/2 lengths despite drifting again through the late stages.

Ortiz will be in to ride on a dark day at Saratoga, and will surely know his mount’s quirks better now. Maker’s Candy is well drawn in post 6 in this seven-horse field, and Ortiz will likely look to settle his mount into a stalking position. The race’s speed is drawn inside of them, aiding in that task.

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Some of the early pace will come from Allure of Money, drawn in post 2 for regular rider Luis Perez and trainer Mike Ferraro. The son of Central Banker has an affinity for his local base. He was a nine-length winner of the Tin Cup Chalice Stakes last fall, and, in his most recent outing, scored a front-running 4 1/4-length allowance win at a mile and 70 yards.

Allure of Money will have to step forward from a figure perspective. His top Beyer Speed Figure is the 75 he earned in the Tin Cup Chalice. Maker’s Candy earned the field’s top number, a 90, in his maiden win and was given an 88 for the Mike Lee.

Allure of Money, from post 2, will have lightly raced but intriguing pace threats to deal with on both sides in the short run into the first turn. Tacony Road, drawn on the rail, adds blinkers off a front-running five-length local maiden win going six furlongs. Freudmein, from post 4, comes off an 11 3/4-length maiden win going seven furlongs at Belmont. He earned a Beyer of 83, the second-highest figure in the field.

Wynn Giant, in the outside post, is coming off consecutive pace-pessing, two-turn wins at Finger Lakes and should join Maker’s Candy in the vanguard. Completing the field are Mo Trump, second in the Aspirant Stakes last fall at Finger Lakes but off the board in five starts since, and local maiden winner Tiz Lucky.

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