Reynolds Channel, Interceptor look for less eventful trips for new connections
?q=100)
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The new connections of both Reynolds Channel and Interceptor will be hoping for less eventful trips than their recent acquisitions had in their last starts when the two meet again Thursday in a starter allowance that looks like the best race on an eight-race New Year’s Day program at Aqueduct.
In a $50,000 claiming race here Dec. 11, Reynolds Channel and Interceptor were heads apart when finishing second and third behind Turn and Count. But Turn and Count lugged in significantly in deep stretch, forcing Interceptor into Reynolds Channel, turning the latter sideways while trying to rally along the rail. Turn and Count was disqualified from first and placed third, while Reynolds Channel and Interceptor were moved up to first and second, respectively.
Reynolds Channel had an uncomfortable trip even before the deep-stretch incident. He stumbled at the break and was stuck behind horses with Flavien Prat having to take a stern hold of him around the turn. A seam opened up along the rail in upper stretch, and Reynolds Channel was amenable to go through it and looked like he was going to win before the bumping ensued.
Reynolds Channel was claimed by Amelia Green, a former Todd Pletcher assistant, who went on her own in late 2024. Green is 1 for 6 first off the claim, the win coming with the first claim she made, Elliptic, who won in March after Green claimed her in January.
Reynolds Channel will break from the rail under Jaime Rodriguez, who is coming off a three-win Sunday.
Interceptor, despite breaking a touch slow from the rail, had a better trip than Reynolds Channel in the Dec. 11 race. He moved out into the clear in upper stretch and was going to give Reynolds Channel a fight through the lane before getting impeded by Turn and Count and bumping with Reynolds Channel.
Mike Maker claimed Interceptor and is adding blinkers to his equipment Thursday. While Reynolds Channel is now saddled with the rail, Interceptor breaks from post 6 under Manny Franco, who was aboard Interceptor for his last start and his lone career win last June 28.
There are three other runners in this field going out for new connections. Did It Dialed, fourth in a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance at Churchill for Brian Lynch in November, makes his first start for William Morey. Two starts back, Did It Dialed finished third in a Keeneland starter allowance that produced three next-out winners.
Salming goes first off the claim for $50,000 for Rob Atras. Salming finished fourth in that Nov. 23 claiming race behind Gamebred, who is back in this field. Redacted goes first off the claim for Panagiotis Synnefias.
Coffee Talk has two thirds in this company since being claimed by Linda Rice, who now stretches her out to a mile. Coffee Talk was fourth behind Did It Dialed at Horseshoe Indianapolis when in the barn of Brad Cox.
Remi’s Moon and House United complete the field.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.