Portfolio Manager vs. Cinderela El Crome in feature

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As much as any handicapper, trainer Danny Gargan knows Portfolio Manager is the horse to beat in Wednesday’s first-level allowance feature at Aqueduct.

Gargan will try to do just that when he sends out Cinderela El Crome against Portfolio Manager in the six-furlong race.

On Nov. 15, Gargan sent Portfolio Manager out to a four-length victory in a starter allowance going seven furlongs over Aqueduct’s main track. That proved to be Gargan’s last starter for Midwest Thoroughbreds, for which he claimed Portfolio Manager for $40,000 last August. Gargan and Midwest parted ways shortly after that race and Portfolio Manager is now in trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn.

Gargan claimed Cinderela El Crome for $32,000 out of a race the same day Portfolio Manager won. Gargan said he is running the 3-year-old gelding back a little sooner than he normally does off the claim and added “his next race is probably going to be when he runs better.”

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Cinderela El Crome and Portfolio Manager both come from off the pace. That running style should be aided by the fact the other three runners in the five-horse field all seem to do their best running on the front end.

Curtis, trained by Gary Gullo, won a starter allowance at Belmont on the front end Oct. 22 before getting beat at 2-5 in a similar spot at Parx Racing next out.

Foreset won a $25,000 claimer Nov. 30 on the front end and was taken by trainer John Toscano Jr., who won a five-way shake to get the 4-year-old gelding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Portfolio Manager, by Harlan’s Holiday.
Last 3 Beyers: 89-86-88

◗ Has won two of his last three starts and finished third in the other race, which produced five next-out winners including Cinderela El Crome.

◗ He is 2 for 2 over Aqueduct’s main track.

◗ Gets Irad Ortiz Jr., who won 13 races – including three at Gulfstream on Saturday – from Thursday to Sunday.

Cinderela El Crome, by Flashstorm
Last 3 Beyers: 80-81-86

◗ His late-running style gives him a puncher’s chance in a race seemingly loaded with early pace.

◗ In last six months, Gargan is just 1 for 15 first off the claim.

Foreset, by Forestry
Last 3 Beyers: 85-78-72

◗ His speed makes him an early factor, but he will likely end up dueling with either Curtis or Gorgeous Charli.

◗ Toscano is just 2 for 34 the last year first off the claim after going 9 for 28 in such instances the previous year.