New York-breds look tough on either surface
ELMONT, N.Y. – New York-breds swept the top three spots in Saturday’s Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if something similar happens Thursday when Isn’tlovejustgrand, Knockher Off, and Sandy’z Slew clash in a $77,000 preliminary allowance.
The six-furlong race is scheduled for the inner turf, but the forecast calls for a 50-50 chance of showers. The weather shouldn’t bother the New York-bred contingent, as all three have won on turf and dirt.
In fact, Sandy’z Slew has posted his two highest Beyer Figures in the slop this year: an 88 for a runner-up finish off a layoff at Belmont’s spring meet, and a 95 for a close third in the off-the-turf Troy Stakes last out. In between, he won a second-level allowance against New York-breds on grass at Saratoga.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Sandy'z Slew. Trainer Rick Schosberg is 1 for 15 with a $0.81 ROI in turf sprints at Belmont over the past two years. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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“He’s doing great,” trainer Richard Schosberg said. “He had a good Saratoga on both surfaces. Still hoping for firm turf, but obviously if it’s off the grass he should be fine.”
Knockher Off also earned a top new Beyer (87) on dirt last time out. Although that was nearly 10 months ago at Aqueduct, the gelding won big when brought back from a similar layoff on turf last summer by Jimmy Jerkens.
Isn’tlovejustgrand is the field’s only two-time winner this year, having taken claiming sprints on the Big A’s inner dirt and Belmont’s inner turf for Mitch Friedman.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No.1 Isn'tlovejustgrand. Trainer Mitchell Friedman is 5 for 22 with a $4.93 ROI over the past two years in turf sprints. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Among the others in the field, Shatak and Shore Runner are logical contenders.
Shatak is lightly raced, and returned from a layoff to run a good third at this level for George Weaver on Travers Day.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Shatak. Trainer George Weaver is 2 for 38 with a $0.42 ROI over the past five years going from routes to sprints on turf. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Shore Runner just missed under these conditions June 6, and has been claimed from both subsequent starts. He was haltered for $50,000 by John Terranova two weeks ago when second at 3-5.
KEY CONTENDERS
Sandy’z Slew (Last 3 Beyers: 95-86-85)
◗ He has finished in the money in all three of his starts on Belmont turf, beaten less than a length each time.
◗ He won his turf debut at nearly 15-1, helping boost Richard Schosberg’s ROI in turf sprints to $3.39 the past two seasons.
Knockher Off (Last 3 Beyers: 87-80-69)
◗ He won by better than eight lengths off a virtually identical absence last year.
◗ This will be his initial start in open company.
Isn’tlovejustgrand (Last 3 Beyers: 84-71-88)
◗ He tops the field in starts (57), wins (8) and earnings ($393,270).
Shatak (Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-80)
◗ His Beyers have improved with every start.
◗ This will be his first one-turn race.