With no Gander, a chance for Hushion

ELMONT, N.Y. - Sunday's Evan Shipman Handicap lost its headline name on Friday when trainer John Terranova decided not to run millionaire Gander, who would have been the heavy favorite and 124-pound highweight in the race for New York-breds.

With Terranova electing to give Gander more time in between races, the $75,000-added Evan Shipman drew eight older male runners. The 1 1/16-mile dirt race is the closing-day feature of the Belmont Park spring/summer meet. Racing shifts to Saratoga on Wednesday.

The role of favorite might now fall to Turnofthecentury, a classy Holy Bull colt with multiple stakes wins.

Turnofthecentury, owned by Barry Schwartz and Eugene Hauman, carries 118 pounds, and concedes one to six pounds to his rivals.

Trained by Mike Hushion, who enjoyed a strong Belmont meet, Turnofthecentury is making his second start after a 12-month layoff. A 5-year-old, he returned to the races on June 20 and finished seventh after taking the early lead in a tough allowance sprint, won by Say Florida Sandy.

Hushion said the spot was a starting point for Turnofthecentury, who prefers longer races.

"I was pretty satisfied with the race," said Hushion, adding that the horse has trained well since. "He ran pretty deep into the stretch, and fast."

A big threat to Turnofthecentury is Ahpo Here, a winner of 6 of 12 starts. In his last race, on June 15, Ahpo Here controlled the pace and won an open allowance by 8 1/2 lengths. That 1 3/8-mile race was run over a sloppy track. In March, Ahpo Here gave a game effort when he won an open allowance, beating Seeking Daylight, who won last month's Grade 2 Brooklyn.

Richard Migliore rides Ahpo Here.

Sherpa Guide is coming off an effort that earned him a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 102. A 4-year-old trained by Tom Bush, Sherpa Guide won his last two starts against open company.

Bush said Jose Santos, aboard for those wins, is a good fit with Sherpa Guide. "He's ridden him great and has got him to relax off the pace," Bush said.

Mount Intrepid, who beat Gander by a nose in the Kings Point in April, usually gives a good account of himself, but is without a win in 10 starts at Belmont.

Compelling World, coupled in the wagering with Mount Intrepid, makes a quick turnaround after finishing last in a race here Wednesday.

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