One-turn mile suits Harlan Punch
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Harlan Punch takes a slight drop in class but more importantly cuts back to his preferred distance when he runs in a competitive six-horse field entered in a third-level allowance/optional claiming race that serves as Aqueduct’s feature on Friday’s eight-race card.
Since being claimed for $40,000 by David Jacobson last August, Harlan Punch has gone 3 for 6 with all three wins at the one-turn mile configuration that is in play on Friday. One of those wins came when Harlan Punch broke from the rail, the same draw he has in this spot.
Most recently, Harlan Punch finished last of four in the Jazil Stakes going 1 1/8 miles here on Jan. 20.
“I thought he ran good,” Jacobson said. “I don’t know if he’s at that level yet. Like Great Stuff, hopefully he could evolve.”
Great Stuff is a horse Jacobson claimed for $50,000 and who won last Saturday’s Grade 3 Toboggan at Aqueduct.
Harlan Punch, who will be ridden by Dylan Davis, should benefit from a seeming plethora of speed in this field.
Among those with early foot is Pioneer Spirit, a son of Malibu Moon who won a second-level allowance here on Jan. 13 by 6 1/4 lengths after running third to Harlan Punch in that same condition on Dec. 23. Pioneer Spirit, claimed for $35,000 by Brad Cox in October, did not set particularly quick early fractions last out over a muddy track but was able to finish pretty strong.
Cox said he would let the typically aggressive Kendrick Carmouche “play the break” and then decide where to place Pioneer Spirit early in the race.
“We’re not going to run him off his feet or anything,” Cox said.
The other speed includes Classy Class, drawn in post 2 and Fox Rules, drawn in post 6.
Securitiz, like Harlan Punch, would benefit from a fast pace.
KEY CONTENDERS
Harlan Punch, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 89-99-92
◗ Has won his last three starts at a mile, including a starter allowance on Sept. 9 that produced five next-out winners.
◗ Has shown versatility to be successful from on or off the pace, and the latter style may suit him better in this spot.
Securitiz, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 74-87-92
◗ Since winning the Seattle Slew Stakes at Belmont Park over Backsideofthemoon, the Jazil winner, he has gone off form with poor performances in the Richard Small at Laurel and Queens County here.
◗ Steve Moyer, assistant to trainer Jimmy Jerkens, sees reasons to be optimistic going into this spot.
“I love the way he’s training coming into this race, he’s in the [feed] tub, his color’s good, his weight’s good and there’s a ton of speed in there,” Moyer said.
◗ Moyer also noted that Manny Franco, aboard for the colt’s last win, is back aboard on Friday.
Pioneer Spirit, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 102-95-93
◗ Has only finished worse than third once in 11 career starts and is coming off a lifetime-best figure in a recent allowance win.
DRF Formulator Fact: The Cox-Carmouche combo went 4 for 4 in January at Aqueduct with a $5.42 ROI.