Stakes-quality Cowan gets in under allowance conditions

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Cowan appears to have found some class relief in Friday’s feature at Aqueduct, returning to the same multi-conditioned allowance race he won here two months ago.

Though Cowan won a $105,000 allowance by a head over Durante on Oct. 14, the fact that NYRA only pays its winners 55 percent of the purse – whereas many jurisdictions pay 60 percent – makes him eligible for this race under the “has not won $60,000” in a single race condition. The purse for this race is $95,000.

Still, owner Lynn Cash is happy to have it at Cowan’s disposal as he seeks to bounce back from a fifth in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler and fourth in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight in his two most recent starts.

Cash, who was previously the trainer of record for his Built Wright Stable before turning those duties over to Ray Ginter Jr., said it’s all about the trip for Cowan. Specifically, Cash said, the jockey has to wait until the stretch to utilize his run as opposed to making that move, typically a wide one, around the far turn.

“When he won this race in October we were pinned down on the rail. He never moved till it opened up on the rail and he came through,” Cash said. “I’m trying to get the jock to sit on him and wait for the stretch. He’s a closing sprinter. There’s plenty of time to close in that long stretch.”

Jose Gomez, aboard for Cowan’s last three races, has the call from the outside post.

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Trainer David Jacobson has the coupled entry of Spun and Won and He’smyhoneybadger entered in this spot. Jacobson said Wednesday that Spun and Won is definite to run. He’smyhoneybadger could come out and wait for a race like the $100,000 Dave’s Friend on Dec. 23 at Laurel or the $150,000 Gravesend on Dec. 30.

Jacobson claimed Spun and Won for $62,500 out of a winning effort Sept. 24. He ran him first time back Nov. 1 at Delaware, where Spun and Won finished fourth.

“That was a monster race he ran [on Sept. 24]. I probably ran him back too soon,” Jacobson said.

He’smyhoneybadger was beaten a nose by Bold Journey the day Jacobson claimed him for $62,500. Bold Journey came back to win the Grade 3 Fall Highweight. He’smyhoneybadger finished third in an allowance Laurel Park.

Doug O’Neill isn’t a name one typically sees starting horses at Aqueduct, though earlier this year he did send the New York-bred Anejo to win two allowance races.

Friday, O’Neill ships in B Dawk from Keeneland. It has been almost exactly one year since B Dawk last raced, finishing last of 12 in the Prairie Bayou Stakes on Dec. 17, 2022, at Turfway Park. He didn’t return to the work tab until Nov. 4 and has six works since.

Trainer Bill Mott sends out the uncoupled pair of Nova Rags and Baby Yoda, who are a combined 1 for 9 in 2023. Baby Yoda was third and Nova Rags fifth when they ran in a condition similar to this Nov. 17 going seven furlongs.

Parx Racing shipper Bourbon Music could be part of the pace breaking from the rail under Kendrick Carmouche.

This race goes as the third on an eight-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m.

Slammin Gold tries winners

Arguably the best-bred horse on the grounds is Slammin Gold, who makes his first start against winners Friday in a first-level allowance for New York-bred juveniles that drew a field of 11.

Slammin Gold is a son of Tapit out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Bar of Gold, winner of the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Slammin Gold finished sixth on debut Sept. 14 before a runner-up finish in his second start Oct. 5. He finally broke through with a five-length maiden victory on Nov. 4.

John Kimmel, trainer of Slammin Gold, said the horse didn’t really know what he was doing in his first start and was rushed to the lead and faded in his second outing.

“He didn’t get anything out of his first race. I think he needed the second race,” Kimmel said. “Third race he showed what he could do, and I think he’s really going forward.”

Kimmel said he would have liked to have run Slammin Gold farther in distance, but the one-mile race did not fill.

Aggelos the Great, second or third in a trio of statebred stakes, and Detective Tome, second in the Notebook, appear to be the major competition. Elysian Meadows did look good winning on debut for trainer Bill Mott.

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