Samraat, Transparent return from lengthy layoffs
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The return to the races of Samraat may garner more of the attention going into Friday’s $81,000 allowance feature at Aqueduct, but the return of Transparent may be what handicappers are talking about after the race.
Those two veterans head a five-horse field entered in a multiconditioned allowance race scheduled for one mile over the main track.
At this time in 2014, Samraat suffered his first defeat in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial here after starting his career with five straight victories, including the Gotham and Withers. Samraat ran fifth in the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Belmont Stakes before being sidelined with fractured right shin.
He has only had one race since, a fourth-place finish in a spot similar to this, before being sidelined again with a similar issue.
“His shin reared up again, and we had to address it,” trainer Rick Violette said. “We’re not going to take any chances. It wasn’t responding, so we sent him back to Larry Bramlage to do some work on him.”
Samraat has had nine works since Jan. 30, including six of five furlongs or longer.
“He’s fit without being fit to win the Derby,” Violette said. “Older horses sometimes need a race. We’ll see.”
While Samraat is coming off a nine-month layoff, Transparent is making his first start in 11 months for Godolphin and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Transparent, a 6-year-old by Bernardini, is making his first start as a gelding.
“He was a difficult horse,” McLaughlin said. “He’s doing really well. It’s been a long time since he’s run.”
In 2014, Transparent came back from an eight-month layoff to win a second-level allowance race at Belmont, setting a track record of 1:39.22 for 1 1/16 miles.
Race 3
Key Contenders
Samraat, by Noble Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 80-95-89
◗ For the second time in his career, he returns from a shin injury to try to jump-start his once-promising career. In his first try back, he was a well-beaten fourth last July 4 at Belmont.
“Win, lose, or draw, I just need him to run well enough to be encouraging and be able to run him in four to six weeks,” Violette said.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: In the last three years, Violette is 1 for 10 with a $0.72 return on investment when bringing horses back in a route race off a layoff of 180 days or longer. His one win came with Upstart in last month’s Razorback at Oaklawn.
Transparent, by Bernardini
Last 3 Beyers: 90-102-86
◗ Has not been out since finishing sixth of seven in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special last May 15.
◗ He is 3 for 3 in allowance company, including a 10 3/4-length victory going a mile here three years ago.
◗ Shows 10 breezes leading up to his return, including a five-furlong move in 1:00.85 at Palm Meadows on April 1.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: In the last three years, McLaughlin is 13 for 41 with a $3.25 ROI when bringing horses back in a route race off a layoff of 180 days or longer.