Sandy takes aim at Carter

JAMAICA, N.Y. - After pleasing his connections with a strong work between races at Aqueduct on Thursday, Say Florida Sandy likely will make his 8-year-old debut in the $350,000 Carter on April 13.

, under jockey Aaron Gryder, worked six furlongs in 1:12.49 and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.30.

On hand for the work, which took place in between the fourth and fifth races, were Say Florida's Sandy trainer, Juan Serey, and his owner, John Rotella.

Say Florida Sandy hasn't raced since finishing third in the Grade 3 Gravesend in December. The horse was given some time off on a New Jersey farm before returning to Serey's barn last month.

"He's never been this fresh," Serey said after the work. "I didn't expect him to work that fast."

Gryder said, "It's amazing he's 8; he doesn't feel like it. He was tough coming back after the work."

Say Florida Sandy, who finished second in last year's Grade 1 Carter, was named the 2001 New York-bred Horse of the Year. A son of Personal Flag, he is the all-time leading New York-bred in money won with $1,772,545.

If Say Florida Sandy starts in the Carter, the Rotella-owned speedball Run Kush Run will join his stablemate in the role of a rabbit.

No jet lag for Peeping Tom

It's possible Peeping Tom will go for a defense of his Carter title, despite recently making a long journey to and from Dubai.

Peeping Tom finished sixth in the $1 million Godolphin Mile at Nad Al Sheba on March 23 and arrived back at trainer Pat Reynolds's Belmont Park five days later.

Reynolds said he is considering the seven-furlong Carter because Peeping Tom hasn't shown any ill effects from the Dubai trip, which really can be taxing on some horses.

"I think he shipped better than anybody, people included," Reynolds said. "I've been looking for the crash, but haven't seen it. He didn't take to the track, so he didn't expend himself and held something in reserve. We'll take a serious look at the Carter and see if it's in his scope."

Reynolds said he would work Peeping Tom this weekend and then make a decision.

After winning the 2001 Carter over Say Florida Sandy, Peeping Tom, a 5-year-old gelding, lost his next seven starts before finding the winner's circle again in an inner track allowance race on Feb. 10.

Early probables for the Carter, which is shaping up as a competitive race, are Affirmed Success, Burning Roma, Dream Run, Here's Zealous, Rusty Spur, Shibboleth, Snow Ridge, and Vodka. Weights are due out on Sunday.

* Bella Bellucci, working for the $100,000-added Comely Stakes on April 14, covered a half-mile in 49.53 seconds, breezing, at Aqueduct on Thursday. Bella Bellucci won her 2002 debut in the Santa Paula Stakes at Santa Anita on March 24. Trainer Neil Drysdale is using the Grade 3 Comely as a stepping-stone to the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 3.

* Dat You Miz Blue is expected to defend her title in Sunday's $75,000-added Broadway Handicap and has been assigned high weight of 123 pounds. Others probable for the New York-bred filly and mare sprint are Maddie May (121); Lovely Amanda (120); Shopping for Love (116); Beijio (115); Kawajlain (115); Halfway to Heaven (113); and Captain Lebo (111).

* Once again, a national wager will be tied to the Wood Memorial. The $1 pick three wager features the Grade 1 Wood, plus two other key Kentucky Derby preps, the Blue Grass from Keeneland and the Arkansas Derby from Oaklawn Park.