Repeat of last would make Frank'sgunisloaded tough to beat

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Frank’sgunisloaded fired a big shot Jan. 24 when he won a first-level allowance race off a 10-month layoff in his first start for trainer Danny Gargan.

Gargan hopes he has sufficiently reloaded the chamber when Frank’sgunisloaded makes his second start of the year in Sunday’s second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claiming feature going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct.

Frank’sgunisloaded will face five rivals, including 10-time winner Its All Relevant, who is one of four horses being offered for the $62,500 tag.

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Frank’sgunisloaded, a gelding by Kentucky Derby winner Orb, began his career in the winter of 2018-19 at Fair Grounds in the barn of Roger Brueggemann. After finishing fourth in his debut at six furlongs, Frank’sgunisloaded successfully stretched out to a mile and 40 yards around two turns and beat nine rivals. Among them was By My Standards, who came back to win his next two races, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.

Frank’sgunisloaded made his next start for Jamie Ness last March 24 at Laurel and finished third. When Midwest Thoroughbreds, which owns Frank’sgunisloaded, split with Ness last spring, Frank’sgunisloaded went to the farm for some time off.

Gargan got the horse last fall and had several solid works into him when he returned to the races Jan. 24. In that race, Frank’sgunisloaded received a sweet stalking trip under Manny Franco before drawing off to win by 3 1/2 lengths going a mile here.

“With Midwest you can always run for a tag if you want,” Gargan said. “I told them I really liked the horse and didn’t want to give him away because I think he has a lot of talent. We trained him with four glue-on [shoes]. His feet were his biggest problem.”

Asked about stretching Frank’sgunisloaded out to 1 1/8 miles around two turns, Gargan said, “I was more concerned about the mile than the mile and an eighth.”

With Franco having a commitment to ride Roaming Union, Kendrick Carmouche has picked up the mount on Frank’sgunisloaded.

Roaming Union, trained by Michelle Nevin, is dropping to the level at which he was claimed back in July when he finished second to Hofburg at Saratoga. He has run four times since with mixed results, including a fourth last time out against Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston going a mile. His last win came against $50,000 claimers going 1 1/8 miles here.

Small Bear is another who recorded his last win going nine furlongs at Aqueduct, albeit 14 months ago in an optional $80,000 claimer in the mud. He finished sixth versus Sir Winston last out on Jan. 31.

Patagonia is the most lightly raced member of the field, having won 2 of 3 starts, all for trainer Jonathan Thomas. He was expected to scratch out of Saturday’s $100,000 Bernardini Stakes to run here.

Krewe Chief, making his first start off the Mike Maker claim, completes the lineup.

Beginning Sunday and for all the 13 racing programs in March, first post at Aqueduct will be 1:30 p.m.