Pace the key in Jimmy Winkfield Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Pace was definitely a factor when Devine Entry and A Different Style finished second and fourth, respectively, in the Heft Stakes on Dec. 30 at Laurel Park.

While A Different Style was used up by Diamond King in a hotly contested duel, Devine Entry was certainly the benefactor, though he surrendered a clear lead in midstretch to Diamond King, who came back on again to win that race by 1 1/2 lengths.

Saturday, A Different Style and Devine Entry meet again in the $150,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct, where pace will certainly dictate yet again how these two fare in the seven-horse field.

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A Different Style, trained by John Servis, appears to be the fastest of the early speed types, while Devine Entry, trained by Linda Rice, will hope that a horse like Jumpmaster, Smooth B, or California Night can keep A Different Style occupied up front.

Devine Entry has a win and two seconds in three dirt races. Actually, he finished first in an off-the-turf allowance race Nov. 25 at Laurel, but was disqualified for interference. He came back to clear that allowance condition before running second in the Heft.

The Jimmy Winkfield is the first leg of a cross-country pick four wager that includes races 10 (Suwannee River) and 11 (allowance race) from Gulfstream and race 6 (San Vicente) from Santa Anita. It also will be shown on Fox Sports 2 during a two-hour broadcast beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS
A Different Style, by The Factor

Last 3 Beyers: 61-82-79

◗ Faded to fourth after being caught up in speed duel with favorite and eventual winner Diamond King in the Heft Stakes.

◗ Did withstand a challenge at the quarter pole and drew clear to victory in James F. Lewis III Stakes on Nov. 11 at Laurel.

◗ Kendrick Carmouche replaces John Bisono.

Global Citizen, by To Honor and Serve
Beyer: 70

◗ Global Citizen was a good-looking debut winner at Laurel first out, overcoming being carried out some in the stretch before drawing clear to win by a length.

“He did everything really professionally,” trainer Horacio DePaz said. “He was not the best gate horse in the morning when we were getting him ready, but he got out of there, put himself in a good position, and everything came together. He did have that horse lean on him coming out of the turn and he leaned on him down the lane, just being a little green. He’ll definitely improve moving forward.”

Devine Entry, by Point of Entry
Last 3 Beyers: 77-67-69

◗ After receiving a perfect trip behind dueling leaders, he looked like a winner of the Heft before yielding the lead to Diamond King, who came back to finish third in the Grade 3 Swale at Gulfstream.

◗ Junior Alvarado replaces Horacio Karamanos in the irons.