Ready for Rye helps Albertrani turn things around

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Although Honor Code received a career best 108 Beyer Speed Figure for his performance in the Gulfstream Park Handicap, it was not the fastest performance on Saturday’s card. That honor went to Ready for Rye, who received a 109 for his easy victory over the odds-on Daredevil in the seven-furlong Swale.

Trainer Tom Albertrani said Monday that the seven-furlong Bay Shore at Aqueduct on April 4 is the most logical next race for Ready for Rye.

“For now we’re going to leave him at seven furlongs,” Albertrani said. “There are several important races at that distance on the horizon starting with the Bay Shore and continuing with the Woody Stephens and then the King’s Bishop at Saratoga. We’ll see how things go, but in the back of my mind, that’s probably what we’ll do.”

Ready for Rye's Swale win was one of three victories on Saturday’s card for Albertrani, who entered the day winless for the meet. He also sent out the maiden Fitzgerald to finish second later in the afternoon.

“It was a super day to say the least,” Albertrani said. “I knew going in we were live with all four horses and was hoping we could get at least a couple of wins out of it. Obviously it had been a little frustrating up to that point. We’d had a lot of seconds, but sometimes the way things work out those seconds become wins at the next meet. You just have to keep your head up, keep moving forward, and know it’s going to turn around sometime. I’m glad it happened Saturday.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher said the $1 million Florida Derby on March 28 is one of many options for Daredevil’s next start following his second-place finish in his 3-year-old debut in the Swale.

“I didn’t expect he’d have to run a 109 Beyer to get a win, so I thought he ran very well coming off the bench," Pletcher said. "He was just second best on the day. We’ll see how he comes out of it, but I thought he ran well enough to come back in one of the upcoming Derby preps. I’m just not sure which one yet.”