Uncle Sigh, Can You Diggit get rematch in allowance

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Can You Diggit finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of Uncle Sigh when the two ran second and fourth in the $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes here on March 17.

There are reasons to believe that Uncle Sigh can turn the tables on Can You Diggit when the two head a second-level/optional $40,000 claiming race for New York-breds that serves as the feature on Friday’s nine-race card at Aqueduct. This one-mile race goes as race 8 and is the fifth leg of a pick six that begins with a $20,599 carryover.

In the Haynesfield, Can You Diggit had a relatively clean, outside trip, while Uncle Sigh was bumped leaving the gate and was steadied about a quarter-mile into the race while running on the inside. Both were in futile chase of the front-running upset winner, Hit It Once More. For Can You Diggit, the Haynesfield’s 9-5 favorite, it was his fifth second-place finish from 14 career starts.

In addition to some early trouble, Uncle Sigh was running back just three weeks after winning a race similar to this by five lengths.

“Maybe we ran him back too quick that day and he reacted from the race,” said trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

Noting the difficult inside trip, Rodriguez said of Uncle Sigh, “This horse likes to be on the outside.”

Uncle Sigh will break from post 4 under Junior Alvarado.

Rodriguez also will send out Nobody Move, whom he claimed for $40,000 on Jan. 28, when the horse ran second to Uncle Sigh. Rodriguez scratched Nobody Move out of an open, first-level allowance race last Saturday for this spot.

Can You Diggit, who seeks his first win since last May, breaks from the outside post under Angel Arroyo.

This seven-horse field includes Midnight Mission, a 4-year-old gelding by Mission Impazible who has won both of his starts and is trained by Todd Pletcher.

KEY CONTENDERS

Uncle Sigh, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 85-87-80

◗ The 14th-place finisher from the 2014 Kentucky Derby, he was a sharp pace-pressing winner in this same condition Jan. 28 when offered for the $40,000 claiming tag. He is in for the tag again on Friday.

◗ May have gotten farther off the pace than his connections wanted when forced to steady a quarter-mile into the Haynesfield Stakes.

Can You Diggit, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 89-93-83

◗ Has made six of his last seven starts in stakes, with runner-up finishes in the Albany last summer at Saratoga, and the Alex M. Robb and the Haynesfield this year.

◗ Finished second behind Broken Engagement in a spot similar to this Nov. 15 as the 3-5 favorite. Broken Engagement finished third behind Uncle Sigh here on Jan. 28.

Midnight Mission, by Mission Impazible
Beyers: 73-75

◗ Has been a pace-pressing presence in beating modest fields to begin his career with two victories.

◗ The team of jockey Manny Franco and Pletcher is 10 for 29 at the Aqueduct winter meet.