Turf allowance races featured Wednesday
ELMONT, N.Y. – Monday’s much-needed rain should be just a memory by the time the race week starts Wednesday at Belmont Park, where the final six heats on a nine-race card are scheduled for the turf.
Horse-for-course players won’t have trouble gravitating to their favorites in three allowance events that comprise the first three legs of the late pick four.
Animal Appeal looks like the horse to catch and beat at a relatively short price in the sixth, an open, first-level allowance race scheduled for six furlongs.
Excluded returns to his preferred venue and distance, albeit for a cold barn, in race 7, a first-level, New York-bred allowance at six furlongs.
In race 8, a second-level, New York-bred allowance/optional $40,000 claimer, Kundray seeks her third consecutive win, while Ack Naughty tries to avoid a seventh runner-up finish from 10 career starts.
Race 6
Key Contenders
Animal Appeal, by Leroidesanimeaux
Last 3 Beyers: 90-96-90
◗ After clearing her New York-bred conditions, she set a rapid pace before fading to third as the 4-5 favorite in the Smart N Fancy Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 28.
◗ Two of her three victories have come going six furlongs on turf at Belmont, including her last start here in June.
◗ Looks to be the controlling speed under Irad Ortiz Jr.
Enchanteresse, by Clodovil
Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-75
◗ Ran a respectable second off a nine-month layoff going 5 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga.
Wild About Harry, Henrythenavigator
Last 3 Beyers: 82-80-70
◗ Cuts back in distance after winning a second-level, New York-bred allowance going a two-turn mile at Saratoga.
◗ Won lone try sprinting on turf at Belmont in career debut year last September.
Race 7
Key Contenders
Excluded, by Girolamo
Last 3 Beyers: 69-78-57
◗ In two sprint tries at Belmont, he has a win and a third. The win came in a maiden $40,000 claiming race, while the third came in an entry-level allowance where the winner came back to run a good second in his next start and the runner-up came back to win.
◗ Finished ninth in a starter allowance going two turns at Saratoga.
“He was making his run, and they squeezed him at the three-sixteenths, and the kid wrapped up on him,” said trainer John Toscano Jr., who, after winning 11 races at the Belmont summer meet, has gone 1 for his last 54 on this circuit. “He’s a better sprinter, and the outside on the Widener is the best place to be.”
Heated Verdict, by Court Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 71-56-59
◗ Lost position at the break but still ran a decent third behind next-out winner Grand Sky in first start off a 10-month layoff three weeks ago at Saratoga.
◗ Last summer, won second career start after finishing second to an eventual stakes winner, Too Discreet, in debut.
Race 8
Key Contenders
Kundray, by Distorted Humor
Last 3 Beyers: 76-71-67
◗ Beat New York-bred maidens by three lengths here in July.
Ack Naughty, by Afleet Alex
Last 3 Beyers: 80-84-75
◗ Broke poorly, caught a slow pace and was seven wide in the stretch yet was beaten only 1 1/4 lengths in this condition at Saratoga last out.
◗ Has a win and three seconds from four starts over this turf course.
◗ Gets a rider switch from Irad Ortiz Jr. to Javier Castellano.