Trio of talented comebackers set for Friday optional claimer

Trainers Larry Jones, Steve Margolis, and Tom Amoss all circled the same race in the Fair Grounds condition book as a comeback spot for talented 4-year-olds.

That race is the seventh Friday, a second-level, six-furlong, dirt allowance also open to $40,000 claimers, and the horses in question are The Trunk Monkey, Embellishing Bob, and Kendall’s Boy. All of them can run. All are in the same race.

“We knew we’d have to have this horse pretty tuned up for his comeback – and he is doing well – but I never dreamed we’d have to face a group of horses like this,” said Jones, who trains The Trunk Monkey.

There is early speed to match the race’s quality. Besides the top three, all of whom have some degree of pace, the race includes the speed-burners Candip and M Dication. The pace should be sizzling, and the race interesting.

Key contenders

The Trunk Monkey (Last 2 Beyers: 86-86)

* Old Fashioned colt came highly touted to his career debut last season at Fair Grounds and ran gamely to win a maiden sprint in which Embellishing Bob finished third. Stretched out to a route next out and won by open lengths, but that Feb. 28, 2014, start was his most recent.

* He underwent throat surgery, which led to the long layoff.

“We took care of that and brought him back,” said Jones.

* Shows works dating to mid-December but came back into Jones’s barn way back in October at Keeneland. Jones, having an awesome Fair Grounds meet, has won with four of his last seven starters who were returning from layoffs of 180 days or longer.

* Jones hopes the rail draw won’t do in The Trunk Monkey, who might settle just behind the pace.

“I’m hoping the rail isn’t a huge factor against us,” Jones said. “Generally, his first two or three steps out of there aren’t his best.”

Embellishing Bob (Last 3 Beyers: 87-82-94)

* Ran very fast in winning a maiden race last meet at Fair Grounds, then was placed first over the disqualified Bayern in the Derby Trial.

* His form tailed off in two subsequent starts, and after a second-place finish June 28 in the Iowa Derby, he underwent surgery to remove a bone chip in his knee, Margolis said.

* Has posted five works, including several fast ones, at Fair Grounds but was breezing at Eisaman Training Center in Florida before his return to the track.

“He’s working just as well and physically looks just as good as last year,” Margolis said. “All the positives are there.”

Kendall’s Boy (Last 3 Beyers: 71-67-59)

* Gained notice in his career debut two summers ago at Saratoga, earning a 94 Beyer Speed Figure when second behind the talented Havana, but failed to progress during the rest of his 2-year-old season.

* Won well in a Fair Grounds sprint allowance to start his 3-year-old campaign, but his form went awry the rest of 2014.

* When last seen at Indiana Grand in June, he led on a dead rail, and that race is not as bad as it looks on paper.