Marathoners get ready for possible stakes appearances
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Wednesday kicks off the final week of racing at Aqueduct, and the featured second-level allowance race definitely has the look of a prep for the marathon turf opportunities for fillies and mares this spring and summer at Belmont Park.
A field of five will go 1 3/8 miles over the Aqueduct turf in a race that could produce starters for the Grade 2, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay on May 7 or, more likely, the Grade 2, $500,000 New York Stakes on June 10.
Trainer Christophe Clement has two of the five runners entered Wednesday in Carnevale and Trophee. Carnevale is making her third start in this country, with both previous starts at this level, and comes off a third-place finish at Gulfstream on Feb. 3.
In that race, Carnevale sat five lengths behind dueling leaders, inherited the lead at the top of the stretch, but couldn’t finish off the race, getting beat two lengths by Al’s Gal. That was her first start off a nine-month layoff, so perhaps she’ll move forward off the effort.
Trophee, a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Treve, is making her 5-year-old debut. She won her entry-level allowance condition at this distance last August at Saratoga but was beaten a half-length in a second-level try at Belmont. Since then, she has competed in a trio of graded stakes, including a fifth in the La Prevoyante at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 26.
Clement has the services of Jose Ortiz (Carnevale) and his brother Irad Ortiz Jr. (Trophee) on his horses. The Ortiz brothers have combined to win 56 of the 118 races run at this meet.
Queen’s Parade, beaten a head in the Robert Dick Memorial at Delaware at this distance last July, Bishop’s Pond and Torcida complete the field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Carnevale, by New Approach
Beyers: 85-87
◗ Came back from her first U.S. race last April “a touch sore,” according to Clement, and was given time off.
◗ She returned in February and may have made the lead too soon. Al’s Gal, the winner of that race, came back to run fourth in the Grade 3 The Very One, while the runner-up, Songoficeandfire, finished second in the Grade 2 Orchid.
“She’s a very honest filly the way she trains in the morning,” Clement said. “This is the first race I could find for her in New York.”
Trophee, by Mr. Sidney
Last 3 Beyers: 88-88-88
◗ Returns to allowance company for her first start in four months.
◗ Was beaten a half-length by Miss Chatelaine, a stakes-winning stablemate, in her lone try at this condition.
Queen’s Parade, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 84-91-89
◗ Was beaten by front-running winners in her last two starts to finish her 4-year-old season.
◗ Seems to prefer firm ground, which she should get Wednesday.