Peeping Tom isn't without flaws

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Having run in 24 stakes in his last 30 starts, the Grade 1 winner certainly holds a class edge over five rivals in Wednesday's featured optional claiming race at Aqueduct.

But there are reasons to play against Peeping Tom, a millionaire gelding, in the six-furlong sprint, which could produce a starter for the $75,000 Paumonok Handicap on Jan. 24. First, Peeping Tom is now 7 and is coming off two mediocre performances in Grade 3 events. Second, as the 120-pound highweight, he will concede 4 to 9 pounds to his five rivals. Third, he will be break from the rail, a post position from which he has not won in his last seven tries. Finally, there are two interesting speed horses in the race that Peeping Tom must run down.

On the positive side, Peeping Tom has won the last two times he's run in allowance company, including a nose victory Nov. 1 at The Meadowlands, in which he ran six furlongs in 1:08.98. It was a terrific effort after he finished last in the Grade 1 Vosburgh.

Peeping Tom last ran in the Gravesend Handicap, in which he finished fourth behind Shake You Down. Trainer Pat Reynolds said he felt Peeping Tom didn't like racing inside of horses, but jockey Shaun Bridgmohan kept him inside that day because the inside had been playing so well.

"That's the day the track became fair and horses were closing on the outside," said Reynolds, who is pointing Peeping Tom to the General George at Laurel Park on Feb. 16.

Peeping Tom won the 2001 General George, which happened to be the last time he won from the rail.

Peeping Tom could benefit from a potential duel between Kazoo and Spooky Mulder. Kazoo won a race with similar conditions here Dec. 4, shaking off an early challenge from Super Fuse before drawing off to win by almost two lengths. Wednesday he'll be in receipt of four pounds from Peeping Tom, breaking from post 5 under Richard Migliore.

Spooky Mulder is the wildcard. Three starts back, in a $30,000 claiming race, Spooky Mulder ran six furlongs in 1:08.54 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 116. Trainer Scott Lake called that race an aberration and believes Spooky Mulder is more like a horse capable of running a 97 Beyer on his best. This will be Spooky Mulder's fourth race in less than seven weeks.