Sensational Slam's fortunes on rise

ELMONT, N.Y. – The fortunes of Sensational Slam have ebbed and flowed dramatically over the years. He made the first five starts of his career in stakes, winning three, including the Fred “Cappy” Caposella Stakes over Aqueduct’s inner track in the winter of 2011.

Shortly thereafter, Sensational Slam became a regular in claiming races, and over an 18-month period, from August 2011 through February 2013, the Canadian-bred son of Grand Slam was claimed six times.

Trainer Pat Quick was the last to have claimed Sensational Slam, taking him Feb. 16, 2013, for $20,000. He and his owners the Paradise Farms Corp. have done quite well with Sensational Slam, having won 4 of 14 starts with earnings of nearly $175,000.

Although he was overmatched in a pair of graded stakes this winter, Sensational Slam comes into Wednesday’s $100,000 Diablo Stakes going six furlongs at Belmont Park in career form.

Sensational Slam will face five rivals in the Diablo, a race that originally was carded for last Saturday but did not have enough entries to fill.

Two starts back, Sensational Slam won an optional claimer for which he was offered for $50,000. Last out, he ran second to Vyjack in an optional claimer and was not being offered for the $100,000 tag. In both starts, he came with a strong closing kick.

Against Vyjack, Quick said Sensational Slam “ran a great race.”

“He just ran up against a monster – and he was gaining on him, right?” Quick said.

Sensational Slam is only 1 for 7 at Belmont, but the win came in his last start here, when entered for $15,000 claiming last October.

“I just think he’s going so good it’s not going to matter,” Quick said when asked if he’d prefer to run at Aqueduct. “I think we have a good shot. It’s going to be a very close race. They’re all going to be right there. It’s whoever gets the best trip.”

David Jacobson sends out the uncoupled entry of Royal Currier and Tenango. Both horses are cutting back to six furlongs, which is probably good for both horses.

Royal Currier, who figures to show his speed from the rail under Javier Castellano, led to the eighth pole against Vyjack and Sensational Slam in his last start. Nine of his 12 victories have come at six furlongs.

“He probably can go seven-eighths once he’s been racing awhile, but three-quarters is right up his alley,” Jacobson said. “I love him.”

Though Tenango has recorded three of his four wins at six furlongs, Jacobson believes any distance up to a mile is good for him. He finished second to Integrity in the off-the-turf Elusive Quality Stakes on May 1.

“You know you’re always going to get a good race out of him,” Jacobson said. “He shows up every time we put him out there.”

Carried Interest and Green Gratto, one-two in a swiftly run optional claimer at Aqueduct last out, are both in with a chance.

Saturday’s Charm, last in the Grade 1 Carter on April 5, gets some class relief as he looks to end an 11-race losing streak.