One more sprint for Sunshine Alpine
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Strummer and Sunshine Alpine have impressed as two of the better 3-year-old sprinters on the grounds at Aqueduct this winter. Saturday, they will face off for the first - and most likely last - time in the $65,000 Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes.
in distance, but Sunshine Alpine was sold this week and the new owner, Joseph Kowal, wants to run in this race before most likely shipping him to California, where Kowal is based.
"Look at the last quarter-mile of his race second time out," Contessa said. "He was running over the top of horses. He looked absolutely awesome. The normal move would be to stretch him out, but he's got a new owner and a light field coming up in the Capossela."
Contessa will also send out , a horse he claimed for $62,500 in December who won a $75,000 maiden claiming race here on Jan. 27. Owner Maggi Moss, who had been part owner of Sunshine Alpine, also sold a 25 percent interest in Book Bishop to Ragozin Sheets head Len Friedman.
"He'll be tested for class," Contessa said. "We claimed him because he ran a 12 and his last number was an 8."
Sunshine Alpine will break from post 3 under Kyle Kaenel, while Book Bishop will leave from post 4 under Jose Santos.
Strummer, trained by Tom Bush, is 3 for 3 since adding blinkers and has been successful stalking as well as going to the lead. In the Winkfield, trainer Tom Bush thought Strummer would be stalking One Way Flight, but when that horse broke poorly Strummer wound up going gate to wire.
"He looks as good as any horse I have in my barn right now," said Bush, who is 7 for 41 at this meet. "He's a strong colt who is carrying a lot of flesh."
Strummer will be the 122-pound highweight under Norberto Arroyo from post 2. He will concede six pounds to the rest of the field.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin sends out the uncoupled entry of Like Now and Sing 'n Shout. Like Now will likely set the pace from the rail under Fernando Jara, while Sing 'n Shout will likely try to stalk from post 5 under Eibar Coa.