My Boy Tate seems primed for big effort in Say Florida Sandy

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Two years ago, My Boy Tate was among the top New York-bred sprinters, reeling off five consecutive victories including wins in the Say Florida Sandy and Hollie Hughes Stakes. Two months ago, My Boy Tate flashed glimpses of his former self when he returned from a 13-month layoff to win a division of the New York Stallion Stakes in November.

Saturday at Aqueduct, My Boy Tate will look to take a step forward off that performance when he seeks a second victory in the $100,000 Say Florida Sandy for New York-breds going seven furlongs.

My Boy Tate was away from the races for 13 months after kicking a wall in his stall. That caused a foot problem that eventually “traveled up the leg,” trainer and part-owner Michelle Nevin said.

Once those issues resolved, “It took me longer than I planned to get him back fit,” Nevin said.

He certainly was fit enough to go seven furlongs in the slop, winning the Stallion Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths over T Loves a Fight, whom he faces again on Saturday.

“It was such a big effort off the layoff, I hope we’ve given him enough time to recover from that,” said Nevin, who owns My Boy Tate with Little Red Feather Racing. “He is indicating all is good, he’s happy and full of energy.”

My Boy Tate, who is 5 for 6 at Aqueduct and 3 for 3 at seven furlongs, is the 123-pound co-highweight along with Celtic Chaos, who breaks from post 2.

My Boy Tate figures to get first run on Celtic Chaos, who does his best running from well off the pace.

Aveenu Malcainu will try to transfer his Laurel form to Aqueduct. Aveenu Malcainu, who won the Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga at 2, is coming off two straight allowance wins at Laurel. Both were at seven furlongs.

“It seemed like he enjoyed getting over that Laurel surface,” trainer Jeremiah Englehart said. “I’ve run him at Aqueduct before and he hasn’t run well. I thought I’d give him a shot against New York-breds.”

Aveenu Malcainu breaks from the rail under Jorge Vargas Jr.

Englehart is looking to end an 0-for-31 drought at Aqueduct.

T Loves a Fight finished second to My Boy Tate in the New York Stallion Stakes and then came back with a third-place finish to Firenze Fire in the Gravesend.

The Caretaker ran a big race last out in his second start off the claim for Rudy Rodriguez and is well drawn in post 7.

Morning Breez and Arthur’s Hope complete the field.

The Say Florida Sandy goes as race 8 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:30 p.m.