Taralena has good chance to make it two straight

ELMONT, N.Y. – After Taralena ended her 3-year-old campaign with a trio of second-place finishes, her connections hope the 4-year-old filly’s victorious return from an eight-month layoff signaled the start of a different type of streak.

Taralena, a neck winner of a first-level allowance race here May 4, will seek her second consecutive victory in a second-level allowance going 1 1/4 miles on turf that serves as the feature on Friday’s nine-race program at Belmont Park. First post is 3:05 p.m. Eastern.

Taralena ran an ambitious race in her 4-year-old debut, sprinting clear of a 99-1 shot early in the race and just holding off Glory to Kitten to win by a neck. It was 5 1/2 lengths back to the rest of the field.

“It was a pretty gutsy race,” said Christophe Lorieul, assistant to trainer Christophe Clement. “That’s why I think he wanted to wait a bit of time to run her back, so she wouldn’t bounce.”

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Taralena again looks like the primary speed among the seven who would run if the race remains on turf. There are two horses entered for the main track only.

The Clement stable will also send out Chicadoro, who was fourth in her return from a six-month layoff in a similar spot May 19.

“The other day, she might have needed the race,” Lorieul said.

Achnaha, who has raced in four consecutive graded stakes, and Feeling Bossy, a New York-bred who makes her 4-year-old debut, also are contenders.

KEY CONTENDERS

Taralena, by Arch

Last 3 Beyers: 85-78-83

◗ Has a win and a second from two starts at 1 1/4 miles. The win came last out in her first start off a 245-day layoff.

DRF FORMULATOR fact: Clement is 11 for 52 with a $2.12 ROI over the last three years second off a layoff with horses who won last out.

Achnaha, by Haatef

Last 3 Beyers: 82-84-92

◗ With a 2-for-25 record, she obviously is not fond of winning, but she has six seconds and five thirds and is dropping into allowance company for the first time in a year.

◗ Her last win came in a first-level allowance going 1 3/8 miles over this course last June.

Chicadoro, by Paco Boy

Last 3 Beyers: 84-82-84

◗ May have been compromised by a slow pace when she finished fourth May 19.

◗ Finished third behind Sassy Little Lila in a 10-furlong allowance here last October. Sassy Little Lila was second in the Grade 1 Just a Game last Saturday.

Feeling Bossy, by Courageous Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 84-80-78

◗ Ended her 3-year-old campaign last year with allowance wins at Belmont and Aqueduct, albeit at shorter distances than she tries in this spot.

“She acts like she can go all day,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said. “It’s not ideal, first time in a long time, but she’s been training for a long time, too. The course has been firm, so that could help carry her a little bit, too.”