Three Two Zone returns following recent romp

The key handicapping question swirling about Friday’s eighth race at Belmont Park is whether Three Two Zone will run back to the outstanding show he put on in May.

“If he runs like he did last time, I think we’ll be in good shape,” trainer Ray Handal said.

Three Two Zone goes in a three-other-than allowance over six furlongs. It has an $80,000 claiming option being utilized by three of the five horses in the field. Among those making up the cast are Grade 3 winners Happy Farm and Chateau.

Three Two Zone won a two-other-than allowance over 6 1/2 furlongs May 21 at Belmont. He drew out by 8 1/2 lengths while covering the distance in 1:16.34. Three Two Zone was making his first start for Handal, who is winning races at a 30 percent clip at the Belmont meet.

“The horse was training great coming into the race,” Handal said. “I did not expect a 101 Beyer and to win by a pole.

“He is a really big, good-looking horse. He kind of grabs you in the morning. He’s very athletic and strong and powerful – has all those good qualities. What we’ve been working on more than anything is the mental part of it.”

:: Get ready for Saratoga and Del Mar with a Quarterly subscription to DRF Past Performances

The Beyer Speed Figure that Three Two Zone earned last out is 20 to 25 points higher than each of the last-race numbers put up by his rivals. Handal likes how the horse is heading into this test, but ideally would prefer just a bit more time between races off the career performance.

“We’re a little vulnerable in that aspect of things,” Handal said. “I think even if he regresses, he should be pretty good. But there are no slouches in there.”

Chateau was second by a length in the Grade 3 Runhappy on May 14 at Belmont. The winner of the race, Drafted, came back in his next start to win the Mr. Prospector at Monmouth Park.

Happy Farm is a 10-time winner coming off a runner-up finish in a $40,000 claiming sprint at this distance June 3 at Belmont.

Three Two Zone worked a near-bullet half-mile in 47.60 seconds since his defining win. It was the second fastest of 22 moves at the distance June 10 at Belmont.

“Since the race, I’ve seen a lot of improvement in him mentally,” Handal said. “He’s just been going in the right direction.”

Dylan Davis has the mount from post 2. The pair could get an ideal trip just off the leaders Friday.

◗ Earlier on the card, Eylara goes in a first-level allowance for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf. She will start as a chief contender in the fourth race on the strength of a third-place finish in her North American debut April 9 at Aqueduct.

Both the winner and runner-up from the race returned to win allowances in their next starts, one at Belmont and the other at Woodbine. Flavien Prat has the mount on Eylara – a half-sister to Group 2 winner Eziyra – for trainer Christophe Clement.