Speed edge to Coined for Success

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - No one would have thought twice had trainer Del Carroll entered Coined for Success in Wednesday's $75,000 Alex M. Robb Handicap. After all, he finished second behind Carminooch in the Gander Stakes and Carminooch was favored to win the Robb.

But Carroll opted for what he hopes is a softer spot in Friday's third-level allowance race at Aqueduct. , winless in 11 months, looms the controlling speed in the 1 1/16-mile race, which also includes an optional claiming tag of $75,000. Five of the seven runners are eligible to be claimed.

A 4-year-old gelded son of Gold Token, Coined for Success has gone 0 for 8 since taking a second-level allowance race over the inner track on Jan. 30. He has finished second four times since, including in the Gander, when he set a moderate pace only to be swallowed by Carminooch in the stretch. Still, Coined for Success held second by three-quarters of a length over Naughty New Yorker. Naughty New Yorker finished a nose in front of Carminooch when the two were second and third behind the front-running Two Sixty Four in Wednesday's Alex Robb.

Friday, Coined for Success looks like he could control the pace from post 2 under Pablo Fragoso. Coined for Success has a record of 3-4-1 from 11 starts on the inner track.

Coined for Success's ability to control the pace could depend on what trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. does. Dutrow has entered both Limero and Classic Endeavor, but has named Eibar Coa on both so only one may run. Classic Endeavor, has finished first or second in 11 of 16 inner track starts, showed speed in his last race, and could be a nuisance to Coined for Success if he runs.

, a stalker, would be making his first start off the claim for Dutrow if he runs.

, Knox, and Admiralty Arch, who finished second, third, and fourth behind Happy Hunting at this condition on Dec. 8, are all back in this field. Admiralty Arch, who makes his second start off the claim by trainer Scott Lake, moves from the outside post to the rail and gets a rider switch to Mike Luzzi.

may have had the toughest trip of the aforementioned trio in the Dec. 8 race. While he was able to save ground for most of the race, he encountered traffic trouble from the quarter pole to the eighth pole. Ramon Dominguez, who begins riding here regularly on Friday, replaces apprentice Kyle Kaenel aboard Knox.