Sudden Surprise must rate to succeed in optional claimer

ELMONT, N.Y. – Sudden Surprise may no longer possess the talent that made him a four-time stakes winner as a 2-year-old. But the now 5-year-old gelding still can fire a big race now and then, as he did winning a $25,000 claimer four weeks ago at Belmont Park.

Trainer David Donk, who claimed him that day for Funky Munky Stable, hopes there’s at least one more big race in those legs as Sudden Surprise runs Thursday in a New York-bred allowance/optional $40,000 claimer going 6 1/2 furlongs that serves as the feature on the nine-race card.

Sudden Surprise, by Giant Surprise, is 12 for 26 in his career with 3 seconds. Many of those wins came on the front end, a spot he is unlikely to secure Thursday in a field that looks to have plenty of early speed.

“He’s not going to be the speed or he’s going to be in a speed duel,” Donk said Monday. “If he’s going to be successful, he’s going to have to rate a bit.”

Sudden Surprise did show the ability to rate in September 2017 when he won this same condition when offered for the $40,000 claiming price by Brad Cox, who had just claimed him off a winn for $25,000. He is again being offered for the claiming price on Thursday.

Donk said he would confer with John Velazquez, whom he has named to ride Sudden Surprise. Velazquez has ridden Sudden Surprise 14 times with 8 wins.

Sudden Surprise is drawn in post 7 in the eight-horse field, giving Velazquez a chance to see what other speed horses such as Stoney Bennett, Bluegrass Express, and Shiraz are going to do.

A contested pace could benefit Sicilia Mike, who is coming off a New York-bred first-level allowance win at Saratoga on closing day. That was just his second win from 28 career starts. He also has 11 second-place finishes.

“He made a turnaround in Saratoga,” trainer Gary Sciacca said. “He looks fantastic. I expect him to run well.”

Syndergaard won his first two starts, but is winless in six starts since. Heavy Meddle and Arthur’s Hope complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sudden Surprise, by Giant Surprise
Last 3 Beyers: 86-77-74

◗ The most accomplished runner in the field, he has twice won in this condition. He has four victories over Belmont’s main track.

Sicilia Mike, by Girolamo
Last 3 Beyers: 85-76-74

◗ Hardly reliable as a win candidate, but he does have 16 seconds and thirds and is 1-4-2 from seven starts at Belmont.

◗ He was a decisive first-level allowance winner at Saratoga on Sept. 3, a race from which the runner-up, Barely Impazible, came back to win impressively.

Stoney Bennett, by Bustin Stones
Last 3 Beyers: 80-81-88

◗ Could be the speed of the speed under Manny Franco.

◗ Has 2 wins and 1 second in 3 starts since being transferred to Linda Rice.