Ricoriatoa goes longer on inner

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Owner Mark Lewis asked trainer Dominic Galluscio to find him a good young horse, and Galluscio hopes he found one in Ricoriatoa, who makes his first start off the claim for his new connections in a mile and 70-yard first-level allowance race Wednesday at Aqueduct.

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Lewis put up $60,000 to claim Ricoriatoa on Nov. 14, when the then 3-year-old finished sixth of seven in a six-furlong sprint run over a sloppy main track. Ricoriatoa hadn't run well in his previous start in the mud, so perhaps off tracks are not his preference. Also, three horses have come out of that Nov. 14 race to win.

Galluscio said that Ricoriatoa was "a little tough to be around," so he gelded the horse. Though Ricoriatoa has won as far as a mile, he has yet to race around two turns. Galluscio's options were six furlongs or a mile and 70 yards.

"I think a little further on the inner is better for him," Galluscio said. "Hopefully, it'll be an inside speed bias and I'll be okay."

Ricoriatoa will break from the rail under Richard Migliore, who was aboard for Ricoriatoa's win and two seconds last year when in the barn of Paulo Lobo.

Ricoriatoa may have company on the front end from Regents Ridge, who breaks from the outside post under Ramon Dominguez. The 5-year-old gelding is taking a raise in class for Cody Autrey.

Among the horses that would benefit from a contested pace is Tranquil Manner, who goes out for the red-hot Kiaran McLaughlin stable. A son of A.P. Indy out of the Grade 1-winning mare Composure, Tranquil Manner comes off a late-running second in this condition on Dec. 26, when he broke slowly and rallied six wide. That was his second start back after suffering a broken foot following a maiden win over the inner track last January.

In his first start back, Tranquil Manner ran into Rodman, who came out of that Nov. 11 first-level allowance win to take the Queens County Handicap and is being pointed to the Grade 1 Donn at Gulfstream.

Artie Magnuson, assistant to McLaughlin, said Tranquil Manner will run with a bar shoe, which he has worn in both starts since his return.

"The foot is fine, it's just more support," Magnuson said.