Royal Posse: Will he stay or will he go?

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Royal Posse’s futility over Aqueduct’s inner track continued when he stumbled badly at the start of last month’s Jazil Stakes and finished fourth as the 6-5 favorite. It not only ended a four-race winning streak but made him 0 for 7 over the inner track.

His connections are now trying to decide whether to give him another shot over the inner in the $125,000 Stymie Stakes on March 12 or opt for a change of venue. He is nominated to the $75,000 John B. Campbell Stakes at Laurel next Saturday.

In one breath, trainer Rudy Rodriguez says Royal Posse “will most likely run in the Stymie.” In the next, he makes a case for running him in the John Campbell. Both races are contested at 1 1/8 miles, a distance at which Royal Posse has excelled.

Noting that Royal Posse also stumbled once over the inner track prior to the Jazil, Rodriguez said, “Maybe his footing is not there.”

Royal Posse breezed a half-mile Friday in 50.02 seconds over the inner track, his second breeze since the Jazil.

“He looks good, he came back good,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez has two others nominated to the Campbell – recent allowance winners Splashtastic and Stormin Monarch – which is on the undercard of the Barbara Fritchie and General George.

“I’m looking to run something in that race, maybe two,” Rodriguez said.