Trappezoid earns shot in allowance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bret Calhoun was unconvinced Trappezoid could win at the maiden-special level at Ellis Park at first asking – and besides, the Ontario-bred wasn’t eligible for the hefty bonuses restricted to Kentucky-breds in those races.

But after watching Trappezoid overcome a few spots of traffic to win a $30,000 maiden claimer in his career debut last month, Calhoun became emboldened to give the gelding a try in allowances.

“He had a horrific trip first time out,” said Calhoun. “I felt like he was a little better than where we ran him, but didn’t think he was quite good enough for straight maidens. But after what I saw, he deserves a shot in this kind of race. He got quite an education and showed a lot of heart to get up to win.”

Trappezoid is one of as many as 10 horses set to go Friday at Churchill Downs in the $53,000 feature at six furlongs. Twelve 2-year-olds are entered in the first-level allowance with a $75,000 claiming option, but trainer Jack Van Berg said earlier in the week that he will scratch both of his entrants, Northern Trail and Make Noise.

“I just need to give them a little more time,” said Van Berg.

Trappezoid will have the same jockey (Chris Landeros) and post position (2) he had in his Aug. 25 debut at Ellis. After lagging behind in the opening quarter-mile, the son of Trappe Shot was further shuffled back to last as the field turned for home, then had to alter course a couple of times before finding an outside lane and speeding home to prevail.

Among his opposition in the lone Friday allowance is Beautiful Game, a four-length winner of his only start, along with four other last-out maiden winners: Granian, Potential Danger, Fields of Dreams, and Mr. Gibbs.

With the apparent defection of Northern Trail, Beautiful Game will have the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field on dirt (61) and figures to come favored for the high-percentage team of trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.

The Friday feature goes as the ninth of 10 races and is part of the 20-cent Single 6 sequence (races 5-10), which had a jackpot of $20,545 when a four-day race week began Thursday. First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern.