Toxic Gray returns from layoff in search of breakthrough win
?q=100)
Trainer Michael Miceli thought that Toxic Gray was on his way to a breakthrough victory earlier this year before a setback sidelined him in April. Back at Aqueduct off an eight-month layoff, the 5-year-old will try to get back on track in the third race on Thursday’s card, a $90,000 conditioned allowance with a $75,000 claiming option.
“He had an injury in April, which we took care of,” Miceli said. “He got the proper amount of time and rest, and he’s come back good with a series of decent works. We’ve had him out for four [workouts at five furlongs]. Eight months is a long time to be away, but he’s doing well.”
In three starts between January and April, Toxic Gray kept finding more against tough rivals at the nonwinners-of-two condition in New York. In February, the tactical runner finished 2 1/2 lengths behind Crazy Mason, next-out winner of the Grade 2 Carter. In his final race before the layoff, he earned a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure finishing a neck behind seasoned gelding Twenty Four Mamba.
“Whether he’s going to be able to do that off the shelf is another question,” Miceli said. “We’re just using this as kind of a stepping-stone. He’s properly prepared. He’s ready to go, and we’re going to just see what he can do for us.”
Miceli said that drawing the rail will force his hand to an extent, as he expects his horse to be near the front in the field of six. Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. will ride him for the first time at a familiar six-furlong distance.
Victory Way, a 5-year-old gelding trained by Bill Mott, also will be looking for a breakthrough off a layoff. Mott switched him to turf in his last start in September, but his form on dirt at Saratoga was much stronger. In a six-furlong sprint in August, he finished a half-length behind Acoustic Ave in a $115,000 allowance, earning a career-best 97 Beyer.
Toxic Gray and Victory Way might have a say in the early going, but they are unlikely to set the pace as 4-year-old Vettriano should be prominent for trainer Linda Rice. The New York-bred set the pace in his last two starts and will return to open company after a runner-up finish in the $200,000 Hudson on Oct. 25. He and jockey Kendrick Carmouche drew the far outside post.
Vettriano is one of two runners entered by Rice, along with Sheriff Bianco. Once a stakes contender, the 7-year-old gelding has lost six straight starts since April.
Barring any shifts in strategy, Toxic Gray and Victory Way should stalk behind Vettriano in the early going, leaving The Golden Gorilla as the most dangerous deep closer for trainer Jena Antonucci. Before trying a pair of Grade 3 stakes, the Bold Ruler and Vosburgh, the 4-year-old colt gave a better account at Gulfstream Park, finishing second in the $75,000 Benny the Bull in August.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.