Tequila Hero, Southbeachsandy viable options to two favorites
Crackerjack Jones and Caleb’s a Survivor, both coming back less than two weeks after winning similar two-turn allowance races, will attract a lot of money in Monday’s $20,400 feature at Finger Lakes. But trip handicappers may gravitate to a pair of viable alternatives at better odds.
Tequila Hero and Southbeachsandy, who finished heads apart after losing considerable ground, may be offer the best value in the eighth race, a third-level allowance for New York-breds going a mile and 70 yards.
Crackerjack Jones, making his first start going two turns after 10 sprints to launch his career, improved his Beyer Speed Figure 19 points, earning an 89 for his 4 ¾-length score against open company in an allowance restricted to nonwinners of four lifetime on Sept. 25.
Caleb’s a Survivor was impeded during the stretch run of a second-level allowance on Sept. 23 and was elevated from second to first by the stewards.
Tequila Hero had to go extremely wide turning for home at this same class level on Sept. 19 and rallied mildly to get third, a head in front of Southbeachsandy, who raced three- to four-wide throughout the 1 1/16-mile race.
That allowance looks strong after winner Pete’s Project came back to repeat with an 85 Beyer on Sept. 29 and runner-up Futerazo picked up another second-place finish in an allowance at Belmont Park on Sept. 28, earning an 80 Beyer.
Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Crackerjack Jones (Last 3 Beyers: 89-70-62)
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Chris Progno is 0 for 9 with last-out winners returning in a dirt route within 14 days.
Caleb’s a Survivor (Last 3 Beyers: 82-71-67)
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer James Wright is 10 for 32 (31 percent) with last out winners returning in a dirt route within 14 days, including 1 for 2 with this horse.
Southbeachsandy (Last 3 Beyers: 80-82-81)
Gets what could be a key rider switch to Wilfredo Rohena, who is 3 for 10, producing a $2.28 return on investment, riding route runners for trainer Ralph D’Alessandro the past two years.
Tequila Hero (Last 3 Beyers: 80-73-61)
Winless in five starts since clearing his second allowance condition last October and is 0 for 6 in races between a mile and 70 yards and 1 1/16 miles.
DRF FORMULATAOR FACT: Trainer Michael Lecesse is 7 for 29 (24 percent) with horses who finished in the money last time out back within 21 days in an allowance route. That includes 2 wins and a second in 3 starts with this horse.