Sympathy's two U.S. losses both good efforts
ELMONT, N.Y. – A beaten favorite twice despite running solidly in her two starts in this country, Sympathy once again looms the likely betting choice Friday in a first-level allowance feature scheduled for 1 1/4 miles over Belmont Park’s inner turf course.
There is rain in the forecast that threatens what looks to be an interesting race on turf.
Sympathy, trained by Chad Brown, won a maiden race in Britain in the fall of 2014. She was away from the races for more than a year before returning Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park. Away last in a field of 12, Sympathy had to deal with some traffic before unleashing a strong late kick to win a three-horse photo for second, 1 1/2 lengths behind Bride to Be. Bride to Be and two others from that race came back to win their next starts, all in allowance company.
In her next start, Sympathy got a rail trip under Javier Castellano, and despite getting running room turning for home, she fell a nose short to Truly Together, a regally bred filly who was winning her second straight race.
Brown said he is looking forward to stretching Sympathy out to the 1 1/4-mile distance Friday. He did say that Sympathy would not run if this race is transferred to the main track.
Other contenders, provided the race remains on turf, are Real Smart, a daughter of Smart Strike who is making her first start in five months, her first in this country, and her first for Graham Motion, and Ice Festival, who is coming off a second-place finish in her seasonal debut.
If moved to dirt, this race would be run at 1 1/8 miles.
Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Sympathy, by Henrythenavigator
Last 2 Beyers: 81-80
◗ Ran a winning race last time and simply lost a nose decision to a filly who had a clear trip from the outside.
◗ May appreciate the wider dimensions of the inner turf course, where the rail will be set out at nine feet. Breaks from the rail.
Ice Festival, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 78-70-76
◗ Beaten three-quarters of a length as the favorite in her first start in five months and her first for Jimmy Jerkens at Gulfstream on April 3. Jerkens added blinkers for the filly’s last race after seeing improvement in her morning training with them on. She appeared to be fighting with her rider in the early stages of her race. Jerkens is removing the blinkers for this longer race.
“I thought maybe going this far, it’d be better to take them off,” Jerkens said. “She looks real good and strong.”
Real Smart, by Smart Strike
◗ Did win going 1 1/4 miles, albeit over a synthetic surface at Lingfield last November.
◗ Appeared to have a troubled trip when seventh, beaten four lengths, in a listed stakes, also at 1 1/4 miles at Lingfield. The runner-up from that race has won all three of her starts this year.