Risk Model has speed but could sit off pace in Aqueduct feature

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though not initially on the schedule, there will be live racing Thursday at Aqueduct with an eight-race card topped by a seemingly open first-level allowance race for fillies and mares going six furlongs.

Racing on this circuit is typically conducted Fridays through Sundays in March, but this card was added after one card was lost due to weather in both January and February.

Led by Risk Model, the second-through-fourth-place finishers of a similar allowance contest run here Feb. 12 are back in this race, which drew a field of eight.

In that Feb. 12 race, Risk Model was making her first start for trainer Brad Cox and owner John Gardiner, who purchased her for $160,000 out of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. Risk Model, an 11 1/4-length maiden winner here Dec. 19, was part of the Paul Pompa Jr. dispersal.

In her first start for her new connections, Risk Model pressed the pace set by eventual winner Awesome Debate, but held off She’s a Blackbelt to get second by a neck.

Lorita Lindemann, who oversees Cox’s New York stable, said she was pleased with the effort, “especially not knowing the filly well coming out of the sale.”

Risk Model, a daughter of Into Mischief, does find herself in a field with other speed types, but her draw – post 6 of eight –should give jockey Kendrick Carmouche a good idea of how the race will set up inside of her.

“I think if she can get a good position she doesn’t have to be right there on the lead,” Lindemann said.

She’s a Blackbelt and Glass Ceiling, both trained by Mertkan Kantarmaci, were third and fourth in that Feb. 12 race.

Ilkay Kantarmaci, assistant to his brother, believes She’s a Blackbelt is “going into this race better than the last race. She’s going to be tough.”

He added that he thinks Glass Ceiling would prefer a little more distance than Thursday’s six furlongs.

Trevor McCarthy rides She’s a Blackbelt from post 8, while Manny Franco pilots Glass Ceiling from post 2.

Freedom Passage shipped here from Parx Racing to run second in a starter allowance on Feb. 8. She returned to Parx to win a starter allowance going six furlongs on March 2 for trainer Michael Moore.

Customerexperience, third to Freedom Passage in that March 2 race, is back in this spot for trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

Elegant Zip won a New York-bred first-level allowance on Jan. 31 but was seventh in this condition here run over a muddy track on Feb. 28.

Buyer’s Remorse, who figures to show speed from the rail, and Dial Me Up, who figures to show speed from the outside, complete the field.

First post for Thursday’s card is 1:20 p.m.