Reload must be at best to win Forbidden Apple
ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Shug McGaughey admitted to being “pleasantly surprised” by the way Reload returned from a 15-month layoff to easily defeat a strong field of high-priced optional-claiming horses here this spring. But McGaughey doesn’t sound like he’d be the least bit surprised if Reload were to come back to win Saturday’s $150,000 Forbidden Apple, which drew a field of nine older horses going a mile over the Belmont turf course.
Reload went to the sidelines due to “some soft-tissue issues,” according to McGaughey, following his neck victory in Gulfstream Park’s Grade 3 Canadian Turf during the winter of 2014. He rallied from midpack to a 2 1/4-length triumph while launching his comeback May 22, winning with something left.
“He’d been doing fine going into his last start but hadn’t done anything spectacular,” said McGaughey. “He’s trained very well since then, and you’d think he should move forward off the race.”
Reload will have to be on top of his game to continue his winning ways in a lineup that includes Grade 2 winner Grand Arch; King Kreesa and Vyjack, the first and second finishers in the Grade 3 Poker earlier in the meet; and Grade 1 winner Wicked Strong, who makes his turf debut on Saturday.
Grand Arch gets some class relief and turns back to a mile after finishing a wide-running sixth at 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 2. He had captured his 2015 debut just 17 days earlier in an allowance race at Keeneland.
“I think we came back too quick last time,” said trainer Brian Lynch. “It was a classic bounce. He likes the one-turn stuff, and I’m just so happy with the way he’s training right now.”
King Kreesa led throughout and held safe a late surge from Vyjack to register a three-quarter-length win in the Poker, his second victory in the race over the last three years.
Vyjack turned in a huge effort in defeat in the Poker. The race marked his turf debut and his first start since being transferred to trainer Bill Mott’s barn this spring.
Wicked Strong, 4, is winless in three starts since clipping heels and losing his rider during the Jockey Club Gold Cup in his 3-year-old finale.
Key contenders
Reload (Last 3 Beyers: 98-100-97)
◗ McGaughey said he’s not concerned about drawing the rail with Reload in the Forbidden Apple. “He should be able to save ground, and he’s comfortable down near the rail,” McGaughey said. “He came up the inside when he won the Canadian.”
Grand Arch (Last 3 Beyers: 94-100-92)
◗ He became Grade 1-placed when second behind champion Wise Dan last fall in the Shadwell Mile at Keeneland.
King Kreesa (Last 3 Beyers: 99-95-91)
◗ A very consistent sort, he’s finished in the money in eight of nine starts at a mile, winning four of those races.
◗ He will share the high weight of 124 pounds with Wicked Strong.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Grand Arch. Trainer Brian Lynch is 25-8-3-3 with a $5.00 ROI over the past two years in turf routes on the NYRA circuit.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Vyjack (Last 3 Beyers: 97-68-96)
◗ Had a wide trip and finished best of all in the Poker.
◗ He will benefit from a four-pound weight shift in his favor in the rematch with King Kreesa.
Wicked Strong(Last 3 Beyers: 93-103-102)
◗ Turned in an impressive five-furlong work on the grass here June 27.
◗ He is out of a mare who won once in 11 starts on turf. His half-sister Abbey Street won once in 19 turf starts, with earnings of $104,000 on grass.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Wicked Strong. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens is 34-1-3-2 with an $0.08 ROI over the past five years with horses trying turf for the first time after their debut (and 8-0-0-1 outside the maiden ranks). Click for more details. – Mike Hogan