Six months after controversial call, Be of Courage, Sell Something meet again

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The last time Be of Courage and Sell Something faced each other, the former appeared to be a much-the-best winner before a questionable call by the stewards reversed the order of finish.

That was six months ago in a first-level allowance for New York-breds at Aqueduct. Friday, Be of Courage and Sell Something meet again in a second-level allowance/optional $45,000 claiming race at Aqueduct. Be of Courage comes in off a win while Sell Something is coming off a layoff in the 1 1/16-mile race.

In November, Be of Courage made a long-sustained rally under Ruben Silvera and while he did come in a few paths in the stretch, he appeared to be clear. Irad Ortiz Jr., on Sell Something, sensing Be of Courage coming in, moved his horse inward and created a chain reaction that resulted in some bumping. Leftembehind was the most affected and the stewards felt that horse, who finished fourth, was cost a placing. Be of Courage was disqualified from first to fourth.

“That was awful,” said John Pregman, trainer and part-owner of Be of Courage. “I went to the stewards, I went to the racing commission, you can’t fight it.”

After one poor try on dirt and a winter break, Be of Courage came back on April 28. He rallied from 10th and six wide under Javier Castellano and was a fortunate nose winner over Gem Mint Ten.

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“He was much the best his last race,” Pregman said. “He likes to get covered up. Javier knows him really well now. If we get a good trip, I think we’ll be tough.”

Trainer Horacio De Paz secured his first win of the Belmont at Aqueduct spring meet last Saturday when Twenty Six Black came off a 10-month layoff to win a New York-bred second-level allowance/optional $45,000 claiming turf sprint.

Friday, De Paz brings Sell Something back from a six-month layoff in this turf route. In the November race where Sell Something was elevated to first, Ortiz used new tactics, putting a horse who usually came from well off the pace within two lengths of the lead.

“Irad stayed low in the saddle to the middle of that first turn to establish position and then he sat there chilly,” De Paz said. “I think that was the biggest difference. I think the horse ran one of his best races. Irad got him involved and got him going.”

Ortiz is committed to ride Clever Forever for Todd Pletcher. Sell Something picks up Flavien Prat, who is 9 for 25 at this meet.

Last Nov. 10, Itsallcomintogetha finished second in this condition to Runningwscissors, the veteran New York-bred who on May 11 here recorded his 15th career victory.

Itsallcomintogetha finished fifth in the Silks Run Stakes going five furlongs in March at Gulfstream Park but now gets back with New York-breds and back to a route.

“I think he’s going to run well. He’s a bigger, stronger version of himself,” trainer Phil Serpe said.

Born Dancer finished fourth in the November race in which Itsallcomintogetha was second. Born Dancer broke through the gate prior to the official start of the race. Prior to that, he had won his two previous starts.

Let’s Go Big Blue, Cable Ready, Bar Fourteen, and King of Comedy complete the turf entrants.

Rocket and Roll, Horse Be With You, Baldizar, and Dr. Kraft are entered to run only if the race is moved to the dirt.

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