Seymourdini makes belated 3-year-old debut
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Linda Rice is in Florida this week to attend the breeze show for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. sale of 2-year-olds in training that begins next week. On Friday, Rice will send out the sales-topper from last year’s OBS April auction when Seymourdini makes his long-awaited and already once-delayed 3-year-old debut in a first-level allowance/optional $80,000 claiming race at Aqueduct.
This one-mile dirt race was originally scheduled for April 3, but that day’s card was canceled due to high winds.
Rice bought Seymourdini, a son of Bernardini, for $900,000 on behalf of Iris Smith last April. Seymourdini debuted against Mohaymen, falling a half-length short in a six-furlong race last September. After a second to Mo for the Money in October, Seymourdini stretched out to a mile and rolled to a nine-length victory Nov. 22.
Rice said that Seymourdini “showed signs of stress” after that race, including backing out of his feed tub. She opted to turn the horse out for 60 days in Florida before bringing him back in February.
Leading up to the April 3 race, Rice mentioned that she’s always anxious about bringing a horse back to the races potentially one workout short. With the cancellation, Seymourdini was able to get in another breeze, his fourth of the year, going six furlongs in 1:14.55.
Its All Relevant, eighth in the Grade 2 Risen Star last out; Inside Straight, the only member of this field in for the $80,000 claiming tag; and Realm look like the main threats.
KEY CONTENDERS
Seymourdini, by Bernardini
Last 3 Beyers: 80-74-86
◗ Already owns a win at the distance and over the main track, though he did win the slower of the two maiden races contested at a mile Nov. 22.
◗ The horses he beat in his maiden win are 1 for 10 combined.
◗ Prior to his scheduled return, Rice said Seymourdini “has put on substantial weight, and he’s much better mentally” since last fall.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the last three years, Rice is 11 for 74 (5 for 37 at Aqueduct) with a $1.62 ROI when bringing horses back off a 60- to 180-day layoff at a mile or farther.
Its All Relevant, by Hard Spun
Last 3 Beyers: 61-89-78
◗ Drops into allowance company after being beaten 17 1/2 lengths by Gun Runner in the Risen Star.
◗ His top three Beyer Speed Figures were earned in one-turn-mile races, including a 78 recorded in a runner-up finish to Shagaf in a maiden race that was run in a faster time than Seymourdini’s on the same card.
Realm, by Haynesfield
Beyers: 66-69
◗ Was talented enough to win his debut last summer at Saratoga going 5 1/2 furlongs, though the horses he beat that day have gone a combined 1 for 17 since.
◗ In his lone start since, he finished a well-beaten third in a seven-furlong allowance at Gulfstream in February.