Seymourdini makes 3-year-old debut in one-mile allowance

Going into this weekend, no horse had come closer to beating Mohaymen than Seymourdini, who got within a half-length of Mohaymen when they both debuted last September at Belmont Park.

It took Seymourdini two more starts to get his first win, scoring by nine lengths Nov. 22.

On Sunday at Aqueduct, Seymourdini makes his 3-year-old debut in a one-mile, first-level allowance/optional $80,000 claimer.

Trainer Linda Rice said Seymourdini showed “a few signs of stress” following his maiden victory, including backing out of his feed and getting “sulky.” She sent him to Ocala, Fla., for 60 days before bringing him back to New York in February.

“It took a little longer to get him going than I hoped,” Rice said. “I’m always nervous about bringing them back a work or two short, but I had the same feeling about Matt King Coal. I hope it turns out as well.”

Matt King Coal came back from a 129-day layoff to win a first-level allowance by a length March 6.

Rice noted that Seymourdini, a $900,000 purchase as a 2-year-old in training, was a bit immature physically and mentally at 2.

“He has put on substantial weight, and he’s much better mentally,” Rice said.

Seymourdini figures to be heavily favored against a field that includes Its All Relevant, who ran eighth in the Risen Star last out, Voluntario, Inside Straight, Moon Over a Beauty, and Hard Hitter, also trained by Rice.