Pino extends stay in New York
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When trainer Michael Pino brought a string to New York for the winter, he called it an experiment to see if he belongs on this circuit.
With eight wins and a .500 in-the-money percentage from 40 starters during the winter and spring meets, Pino did well enough to remain here at least through the summer.
“I was pleased with everything,” Pino said. “Learning experience. I’ll try to stay.”
Pino also has 20 horses based at Parx, a facility that is under quarantine due to the equine herpesvirus. He said there are a few horses in his New York stable who belong at Parx and vice versa.
One of Pino’s winter stars was Bust Another, a 3-year-old New York-bred who is a major player in Sunday’s $100,000 Times Square Division of the New York Stallion Stakes at Aqueduct. The Times Square and Memories of Silver share top billing on Aqueduct’s closing-day card.
Pino claimed Bust Another for $32,000 in January, winning a four-way shake to nab the gelding by Bustin Stones. He won a New York-bred allowance by 5 1/2 lengths and then finished second in an open-company, first-level allowance before winning an open-company, first-level allowance April 8.
“Watching film of his races, things were happening in the races he was overcoming that young horses just don’t do, and that attracted us,” said Pino, who trains Bust Another for Bing Cherry Racing. “We took it step by step. He’s been delivering pretty good. Now, we’re going to try a New York Stallion Stakes. He fits in the race.”
Bust Another drew post 2 in a six-horse field that includes the stakes winners Sudden Surprise and Dr. Shane.
Sudden Surprise and Dr. Shane ran one-two in a pair of stakes last spring. While Dr. Shane went for a break, Sudden Surprise finished second in the Gander Stakes in his first attempt around two turns before finishing last of six to stablemate Awesome Gent in the Jimmy Winkfield against open company.
“He got involved in a speed duel, and Awesome Gent ran a pretty big race that day,” said Todd Pletcher, the trainer of Sudden Surprise, who breaks from the rail. “He’s had a bit of time since then and seems to be coming up to this well.”
Nick Esler is very happy with how Dr. Shane has come back since a six-week vacation following a New York Stallion Stakes on Dec. 27. Esler said he brought Dr. Shane back in time to get five works into him and noted “he came to hand in three … He couldn’t be better coming into it.”
Esler likes the 6 1/2-furlong distance for Dr. Shane as well as the outside post.
“The 6 post is ideal,” Esler said. “There’s a little bit of speed inside of him. I think it gives him a chance to win the race.”