Market Alert needs sharp beginning in Times Square

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Backers of Market Alert should know early their chances of cashing a ticket in Saturday’s $200,000 Times Square division of the New York Stallion Series for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.

“If he can break with them and put himself in the race he’s been running well,” trainer Jim Ryerson said. “When he broke real poorly and had a lot to overcome he didn’t deal with that. His last couple, he’s come away better and put himself in the race better and he’s run better.”

Market Alert ran perhaps his best race here Feb. 21, when he won a first-level statebred allowance by a half-length. That race came off a 77-day layoff since he ran third in a $250,000 division of the Stallion Series here last Dec. 6.

Ryerson felt that was a solid effort as well, considering Market Alert raced in between horses and jockey Jose Lezcano felt like he had to move earlier than he wanted in that seven-furlong race.

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“Jose would have liked to have sat a little more, but he didn’t want to lose his spot,” Ryerson said. “He felt it hurt him a little that day.”

Ryerson said the 11-week break between starts did Market Alert well physically.

“I thought in the paddock I could tell a difference with his weight,” Ryerson said. “I think it helped him weight wise.”

Market Alert, who gets Jose Ortiz, finished very well in his most recent work over the Belmont training track.

Lobsta rebounded from a well-beaten second behind Nicky the Vest in the Gander Stakes on Feb. 14 to win a first-level allowance for New York-breds by a neck. His last three races – which included a maiden win in the mud on Jan. 16 – came at a mile. Trainer Gary Sciacca expressed some concern cutting back to 6 1/2 furlongs for this race.

“We’re shortening him up, which I’m not crazy about, but he’s training like a bear,” Sciacca said. “He’s doing really, really well. I wish it was a little bit farther, but for $200,000 you got to take a shot.

Eric Cancel rides Lobsta from post 7.

It’s Gravy finished in front of Market Alert when beaten a neck as a maiden in the New York Stallion Series here in December. He came back to win a maiden race going a mile in the mud before finishing a well-beaten third behind Excellent Timing in the Damon Runyon on March 14.

Sinful Dancer is a maiden, having run second in his one and only previous start. However, his 83 Beyer Speed Figure earned in that race is the highest in the field. Javier Castellano rides for George Weaver.

Devious Mo, coming off an 8 3/4-length win versus maiden $25,000 claimers, Writer’s Regret, and Papa Smooth, also a maiden, complete the field.