Vincento has a lot going for him in statebred allowance

ELMONT, N.Y. – There are several handicapping angles that favor Vincento when he starts in Thursday’s New York-bred second-level allowance/optional $40,000 claiming feature at Belmont Park.

Vincento, a 6-year-old gelding by Include trained by Rudy Rodriguez, is a seven-time winner, with two of those wins coming in this same condition, one at Aqueduct in March, the other here last October. He is going turf to dirt, an angle that worked for him last fall here when he won a $25,000 claimer in the slop going a one-turn mile. In addition, Vincento is dropping in class after facing open company the last three times.

Vincento’s two wins at this class level came in one-turn mile races. Thursday’s race is at 1 1/16 miles, but still run around one turn. Luis Saez rides from post 6.

Rodriguez also sends out Storm Prophet, who has gone winless in 10 starts over the last 18 months. His last win came on Dec. 17, 2017, when he won this same condition going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct.

With only three starts under his best, Real Dan certainly concedes plenty in experience. After winning his first two starts – albeit 13 months apart – Real Dan finished seventh, beaten 5 1/4 lengths in this condition here on May 9.

“I don’t think his last race was as bad as maybe it looks on paper,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He sort of got untracked late. It’s tough for an inexperienced horse like him making their third start. The winner that day was making his 57th start. Sometimes you need some experience to battle those kind of horses.”

Real Dan, a son of Flatter, should appreciate the added distance he gets in this spot. Manny Franco, aboard for the gelding’s first two victories, has the call on Thursday.

Uncle Sigh, a runner in the 2014 Kentucky Derby, makes his first start since being claimed by Chris Englehart for $25,000 out of a seven-length victory in April. Three starts back, he finished fourth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Vincento, in this condition.

J J’s Dreaming returns from a six-month layoff for trainer Mark Hennig. He has run three times in this condition, with a second-place finish to Aveenu Malcainu being his best finish. That race was run over a fast track going 1 1/16 miles here. His last two starts have been run in the slop.

Trainer Mark Hennig said J J’s Dreaming has been “working aggressively” for his return, but that he believes this race will be a primer for the Saratoga meet. Last August, J J’s Dreaming finished second in a Belmont allowance in mid-June before winning a race at Saratoga by eight lengths.

Broadway Bay, San Juan Diego, and Blugrascat’s Smile complete the field.

First post Thursday is 3:05 p.m.