Pletcher going for sweep in Bertram F. Bongard
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After winning last Friday’s $125,000 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes for New York-bred juvenile fillies with Gambling Girl, trainer Todd Pletcher will go for a sweep of the stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds when he sends out Donegal Surges in Thursday’s $125,000 Bertram F. Bongard at Aqueduct.
The Bongard, at seven furlongs, was originally scheduled for last Sunday, but only had three horses in the race when entries closed Thursday. The field ballooned to five when the race was put up as an extra.
Donegal Surges, a son of Candy Ride, was a 5 1/2-length debut winner Aug. 11 at Saratoga, sitting behind horses, rallying four to five wide on the turn, and then powering home a much the best winner. Blame It On Daddy, second in that race, came back to win his maiden and is back in this field.
Donegal Surges came back 15 days later in the $250,000 Funny Cide Stakes and, over a sealed and muddy track, finished second to Andiamo a Firenze. That horse is scheduled to run in Saturday’s Grade 1 Champagne Stakes here.
“I liked both of his races, he’s also wanting more distance,” Pletcher said. “In the Funny Cide, I thought he ran well. He was closing, he just didn’t have enough time to get there.”
Donegal Surges finished 3 1/4 lengths clear of Acoustic Ave, who came back to win Monday's $97,854 Aspirant Stakes by 9 1/4 lengths at Finger Lakes.
Donegal Surges, a half-brother to the New York-bred stakes winner Surge of Pride, breaks from post 3 under Jose Ortiz.
Chester and Mary Broman bred Donegal Surges, who sold for $150,000 at auction. The Bromans bred and own Arctic Arrogance, who was a one-length debut winner on the Sept. 5 closing-day card at Saratoga and is a contender in the Bongard.
Arctic Arrogance, a son of Frosted, made his way to the lead soon after the start and didn’t have to face any kickback in his debut, which was run over a sealed, muddy track. He does appear to be the main speed in this race.
“He’s been a little bit of a difficult horse to get gate schooled,” said Linda Rice, trainer of Arctic Arrogance. “I was pleased he got away well. He still ran a little green, swapped his leads in the stretch. He’s still got a lot to learn, but the colt’s always showed talent.”
Jose Lezcano rides Arctic Arrogance from post 4.
Blame It On Daddy, a son of Blame, won his maiden in his second start, holding off the late-running Uncle Marty in a race where the pacesetter, Impressor, bore out on the turn and still almost came back to win.
Blame It On Daddy breaks from post 2 under Luis Saez.
General Banker, winless in four starts, and Jackson Heights, 0 for 3, round out the field.
The Bongard goes as race 3 on a nine-race card that begins at 1 p.m.
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