Miranda expects Copernicus to run big in allowance sprint
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Two competitive first-level allowance races for New York-breds – one short, one long – top Friday’s nine-race card at Aqueduct that, if the weather forecast comes to fruition, could be the only program of the week run on this circuit.
A winter storm that could bring at least six inches of snow is forecast for Saturday and threatens both of the weekend cards. Cold and clear conditions are predicted for Friday.
Race 6 is a $57,000 allowance at six furlongs. Copernicus, whose only two wins came over the inner track, including a maiden score exactly one year ago, has run two solid races for trainer Luis Miranda, who claimed him for $14,000 on Nov. 19. Miranda gelded Copernicus before he ran him.
“He needed it real bad. He had his [testicles] twisted,” Miranda said. “He needed it like I need a million dollars.”
There appears to be plenty of pace in the race, which could set things up for Copernicus, who will break from post 8 under Eric Cancel.
“Let Super Nicky and Little Popsie fight, and we’ll stay right behind them,” Miranda said. “When he takes the lead this time, he won’t stop.”
In race 8, at a mile and 70 yards, Pop the Hood makes his first start since winning a maiden race at 40-1 on Nov. 7 over Aqueduct’s main track. Pop the Hood, a New York-bred son of Street Cry, raced in blinkers for the first time that day.
“That’s what he needed,” trainer Rodrigo Ubillo said. “We didn’t work him in blinkers, but we galloped him in them, and he focused more.”
Pop the Hood, who will be coupled in the wagering with Thirst for Glory, hasn’t run in two months, partly because Ubillo had to scratch him from a race after the gelding got cast in his stall.
Repent Twice, Zabaione, and Papa Shot are other contenders.
RACE 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Copernicus (Last 3 Beyers: 79-77-69)
◗ Raced twice in 11 days after being gelded and put together his two best races from a speed-figure standpoint.
“I ran him too soon after I gelded him,” Miranda said. “Now, he’s ready to roll. He’s doing super. He’s going to run big.”
◗ Miranda is just 3 for 49 at Aqueduct’s inner-track meets over the last three years.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Copernicus. Trainer Luis Miranda is 80-2-5-7 with a $0.81 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprints on the NYRA circuit. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Boldlee (Last 3 Beyers: 73-72-66)
◗ Has three wins and a neck loss in four starts since trainer Paul Barrow added blinkers to this gelding’s equipment.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Boldlee. Trainer Paul Barrow is 24-0-0-3 over the past five years in races on the NYRA circuit. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Little Popsie. Trainer Bruce Levine is 35-9-7-4 with a $3.38 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprints when going from claiming to allowance. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Private Thrill. Trainer Linda Rice is 64-3-7-9 with a $0.41 ROI over the past five years on the NYRA circuit when going from claiming to allowance. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Got Winged. Trainer John Toscano is 16-0-2-1 over the past five years on dirt when going from claiming to allowance.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
RACE 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Pop the Hood (Last 3 Beyers: 85-51-53)
◗ Comes off the best race of his career, upsetting a field of New York-bred maidens at 40-1 with blinkers added. Now tries two turns on dirt for the first time.
“I don’t think distance will be a problem,” Ubillo said. “I think he can run all day long. He has a lot of stamina.”
◗ Jockey Wilmer Garcia is 0 for 29 at the meet.
Repent Twice (Last 3 Beyers: 78-80-75)
◗ Was third two back going a mile behind Uncle Sigh and next-out winner Send It In.
◗ Hampered by a slow start and a soft pace when trying to rally from 10 lengths back in this condition Dec. 30.