New York-breds stand out in open allowance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though Wednesday’s feature at Aqueduct is an open-company second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claimer, the 1 1/8-mile race likely boils down to a pair of New York-breds.

The in-form Mr. Buff wheels back two weeks after winning a first-level allowance race, while Calculated Risker returns after a stumble at the start led to a last-place finish in the $300,000 Empire Classic.

Trainer John Kimmel said he is wheeling Mr. Buff back in two weeks because he figured he might have to wait until January to run him 1 1/8 miles again. The next race in this division is set for one mile in December.

“He’s been very adept at 1 1/8 miles,” Kimmel said. “He can get into a nice rhythm and use his big, long stride.”

Mr. Buff has won his last two races going 1 1/8 miles around two turns. On Aug. 22, in Saratoga, he rolled to a nine-length victory in a second-level New York-bred allowance at this distance. He then finished fourth in a first-level open allowance to Plainsman, who has won three straight including Saturday’s Grade 3 Discovery. Mr. Buff also finished third to Pat On the Back in the Empire Classic before his allowance win.

“He came out of the race in good order, he’s eating well, he’s a nice, sound horse,” Kimmel said. “We’re going to run with it.”

Though his last two wins have come on the front end, Kimmel doesn’t view Mr. Buff as need-the-lead type. There is other speed in the race with Krewe Chief and Hammerin Aamer in the field.

Before he stumbled badly in the Empire Classic, Calculated Risker won a second-level allowance race at Saratoga going 1 1/8 miles in the slop.

“The horse is a two-turn horse,” trainer Ray Handal said. “He’s got to bring his ‘A’ game, but he’s training like he’s going to run his ‘A’ race.”

Trainer Bill Mott will send out the 3-year-old Own Agenda, coming off an allowance win at Churchill Downs on Nov. 1.

“He’s a grinder,” Mott said. “He’ll keep coming.”

This race is the eighth on a nine-race program and the fifth leg of a pick six that begins the day with a $20,589 carryover.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Mr. Buff, by Friend Or Foe
Last 3 Beyers: 89-87-81

◗ The positives are he’s in good form, comes off a win at this distance over the track, and has the speed to be on or near the lead.

◗ The negatives are he’s coming back on short rest, has to carry high weight of 125 pounds, and could face a challenge for the early lead.

Calculated Risker, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 67-83-60

◗ Has a history of running a good race after a bad one, and his most recent effort was a last-place finish in the Empire Classic, where he stumbled badly at the start under Javier Castellano.

“He did make a pretty good move from the half-mile pole to the quarter pole, but the damage was done,” Handal said. “Javier didn’t beat him up, which I appreciate it.”

◗ Manny Franco, aboard for the colt’s last win, is back aboard Wednesday.