Mean Season faces stern test in sprint
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After Mean Season returned from an 11-month layoff with a third-level optional-claiming win at Laurel Park seven weeks ago, it was believed that he would run back in the Grade 3 General George, also at Laurel, on Feb. 15.
But as patient as trainer Bill Mott has been throughout his Hall of Fame career, it’s not surprising to see the 6-year-old Mean Season make his second start off that extended layoff in an optional-claiming race Thursday at Aqueduct. But this six-furlong event, which has a $75,000 purse and carries a $100,000 claiming option, is no walkover for Mean Season, who will take on several hard-knocking rivals.
Mean Season is eligible for this race under the fourth condition of the race – “have not won $30,000 since Aug. 1, 2015.” Mean Season won only $26,790 when he took that Jan. 9 race at Laurel by a half-length.
Mott said the seven furlongs of the General George and the bad winter weather were factors in wanting to stay home.
“He’s had one race in two years; I don’t think we needed to jump into that tough a spot until we know where we are,” Mott said. “That said, he’s pretty fragile, and we don’t want to waste races. Hopefully, he’s good enough to compete.”
When right, Mean Season is one of the faster sprinters out there. He recorded back-to-back triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in the winter 2013-14, winning a pair of six-furlong races over the inner track. But he was vanned off following his win March 1, 2014, and again after running last in the Gulfstream Park Sprint on Feb. 21, 2015.
Mean Season’s speed is his weapon, and he showed grit in winning at Laurel last out. He likely will have other speed to contend with Thursday with Classic Salsa and maybe Mewannarose.
First post starting Thursday at Aqueduct is 1:20 p.m. Eastern. This allowance race will go as race 8 of 9.
KEY CONTENDERS
Mean Season, by Henny Hughes
Last 3 Beyers: 89-56-107
◗ This 6-year-old horse is 4 for 5 in his career and has raced only twice in 23 months. He came off an 11-month layoff with a gutsy half-length victory at Laurel after being passed leaving the quarter pole. The bad news is that horses who ran in that race have combined to go 0 for 6 subsequently.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Mean Season. Trainer Bill Mott is 12-6-1-1 with a $2.37 ROI over the past five years with last-out winners in sprints on the Aqueduct inner dirt. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Nubin Ridge, by Gold Tribute
Last 3 Beyers: 96-88-79
◗ He benefitted from a contested pace to win an optional claimer over a “good” inner track Jan. 16 in his most recent start.
◗ Despite seven wins in 43 career starts, he has never won consecutive races.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Nubin Ridge. Trainer Chris Englehart 19-5-1-1 with a $3.67 ROI over the past two years with last-out winners in sprints on the Aqueduct inner dirt. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Mewannarose, by Bwana Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 97-89-91
◗ An uncoupled entrymate of Nubin Ridge, this runner came within a neck of upsetting the Grade 3 Toboggan at 46-1 when he showed uncharacteristic early speed.
◗ He was the runner-up to Salutos Amigos in two stakes late in 2014. He hasn’t won since taking an optional claimer at Monmouth Park on May 31, 2014.