Ready for Rye back on turf in Lucky Coin Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Ready for Rye returns to turf and to the scene of his biggest win on that surface when he runs in Friday’s $100,000 Lucky Coin Stakes at Saratoga.

A field of nine was entered in the Lucky Coin, scheduled for 5 1/2 furlongs on the Mellon turf course, although Dream Mover is likely to scratch to run at Belmont Park, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.

Ready for Rye won five of his first nine races, including the Grade 2 Swale on dirt at Gulfstream and the Quick Call Stakes here going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in 2015. Since then, however, Ready for Rye has just one win from 11 starts, an allowance/optional-claiming win in the mud June 18 at Belmont.

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Following that, Ready for Rye ran in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 29, finishing sixth of seven.

“I really don’t think he cared for that track,” trainer Tom Albertrani said. “It was so deep here, it just seemed like he didn’t pick up his feet, so we just decided to try him back on the turf. It’s something we’ve always been wanting to do, even last year.”

Albertrani said Ready for Rye appears to be a different horse in 2017 than he was last year, when he went winless in eight starts, with two seconds and four thirds.

“This is the best I’ve seen him train since a couple of years back,” Albertrani said. “Last year, he was very light. I had a lot of problems keeping his weight and his muscle tone up, but this year, he’s been much better.”

Dowse’s Beach, a three-time winner over this course, is being wheeled back 13 days after finishing second, beaten a neck by Conquest Panthera, in the Grade 2 Play King Stakes at Woodbine.

“I thought we had it turning for home, just maybe seven-eighths is too far,” trainer Brad Cox said. “The second quarter was a little quick around the turn. He ran well, was proud of him, big effort, and he’s bounced out of it in good order. Rather than breeze him on Saturday, we’ll run him on Friday.”

Christophe Clement trained Dowse’s Beach for the first 21 races of his career before Cox claimed him for $62,500. Clement will send out Big Rock, a 5-year-old son of Rockport Harbor who is 3 for 3 at Saratoga, including an off-the pace victory here Aug. 3.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Ready for Rye, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 84-95-97

◗ His Belmont allowance win came off a seven-month layoff.

◗ He is 2 for 5 on turf, including his off-the-pace victory in the Quick Call Stakes.

Dowse’s Beach, by Disco Rico
Last 3 Beyers: 101-102-98

◗ Shortens up to a distance at which he is 3 for 4, all at Saratoga.

◗ Must avoid a potential speed duel with Doctor J Dub.

Big Rock, by Rockport Harbor
Last 3 Beyers: 95-94-93

◗ Finished second, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Dowse’s Beach, going six furlongs at Belmont in May.