Shotski back at site of biggest win for comeback race

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Shotski returns to the site of his victory in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes in 2019 and returns to the races off an 11-month layoff in Friday’s optional-claiming feature at Aqueduct.

Shotski raced only twice as a 3-year-old, finishing second to Max Player in the Grade 3 Withers at Aqueduct last Feb. 1 and then fourth behind Ete Indien in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 29.

He had been shipped to Dubai for the UAE Derby in late March, but that race – part of the Dubai World Cup card – was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In subsequent training back in Maryland, Shotski wasn’t moving to trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer’s satisfaction. X-rays revealed bone bruising in multiple fetlocks and the decision was made to take Shotski out of training.

He did his convalescence at the Fair Hill training center in Maryland, and that is also where he began training last fall. He rejoined O’Dwyer’s stable at Laurel Park in November. Altogether, he shows 11 workouts leading to his return.

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“He’s a bit older, it takes him a few more works to get to full fitness,” O’Dywer said. “He’s a good-size horse, pretty robust. He seems pretty fit. He’ll tighten up from a race.”

O’Dwyer also believes Shotski will get a lot out of having a race over a deeper surface like Aqueduct’s main track.

Shotski, who is eligible under the second-level allowance condition of this one-turn mile race, will break from the rail under Kendrick Carmouche. O’Dwyer believes Carmouche can help Shotski get away from the gate cleanly.

“He’s not a slow horse, he’s a laid-back horse and might need some help away from there,” O’Dwyer said.

Kumar and Empty Tomb are both cutting back to a one-turn mile off a sound defeat going 1 1/8 miles.

Kumar, a son of Into Mischief trained by Rudy Rodriguez, finished 20 lengths behind Zoomer going 1 1/8 miles here on Dec. 20. Kumar has won his last three starts going a one-turn mile.

Empty Tomb, a 5-year-old son of Speightstown trained by Mike Maker, finished third, 18 1/4 lengths behind Backsideofthemoon in the Queens County Stakes here on Dec. 19.

His most recent victory came in this same condition – when not offered for the claiming price – at Belmont on Sept. 24 when he beat Backsideofthemoon. Since then, Empty Tomb has also been beaten by graded winners Performer and Hog Creek Hustle in allowance races. He is drawn in post 8 and will be ridden by Trevor McCarthy.

Zoomer, who won going nine furlongs in this condition at 22-1 on Dec. 20, is shortening up to a mile and is likely to be a price again for Bob Klesaris.

Mad Munnys, Ragtime Blues, Montauk Traffic, and High Velocity complete the field.

With eight races on Friday, first post is 12:50 p.m.