Well-bred Zingarelli makes debut Thursday
After an all-claiming pick five, the quality of Thursday’s card picks up with a $60,000 maiden special weight race that is the richest race of the day and leads off a late pick four that includes a $59,000 optional claimer for New York-bred fillies and mares.
Nine newly turned 4-year-old maidens go a mile in race 6, where the regally bred first-time starter Zingarelli is among a trio of contenders sired by Bernardini, along with last-out beaten favorites Cosmo Blue and Flag On the Play.
Zingarelli figures to attract plenty of support off a slate of promising workouts, including a best-of-105 bullet from the gate for Kiaran McLaughlin.
McLaughlin also entered Laghubaar, a $400,000 yearling buy who adds blinkers after beginning his career on yielding turf and in the mud.
Hollywood Idol, who sold for $650,000 as a yearling, is also “blinkers on” after posting a bullet five-furlong workout for Jimmy Jerkens. Last year, Jerkens won stakes with Wicked Strong, Classic Point, and Effinex with the same equipment addition.
In addition to breeding Zingarelli, Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley/Godolphin operation also bred Flag On the Play and Point Hope, who were claimed during the second half of last year by Linda Rice.
Eight New York-bred fillies and mares clash in race 8. Lady Gracenote, Piccolo Flats, and Saythreehailmary’s are the principal contenders at a mile and 70 yards.
KEY CONTENDERS, race 6
ZINGARELLI (First-time starter)
Out of 2007 Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks winner Octave, he is a half-brother to Incognito, a maiden winner on Aqueduct’s inner dirt and fourth in the 2013 Belmont Stakes.
COSMO BLUE (Last 3 Beyers: 75-57-83)
The potential pacesetter has been freshened up by Todd Pletcher since leading to deep stretch going 1 1/4 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 25. That was his third loss as the favorite from four starts.
FLAG ON THE PLAY (Last 3 Beyers: 76-79-87)
He finished second in all three of his 2014 starts.
KEY CONTENDERS, race 8
SAYTHREEHAILMARY’S (Last 3 Beyers: 74-81-79)
She finished in the money in seven of eight dirt starts in 2014, including a runner-up finish in a New York Stallion Series event.
LADY GRACENOTE (Last 3 Beyers: 79-79-72)
Drops to an easier spot after finishing third behind stakes winners Carameaway and Miss Da Point.
The 8-year-old mare has compiled a 3-4-5 record from 17 starts on the inner track.
PICCOLO FLATS (Last 3 Beyers: 78-72-56)
Steps up after beating maidens and preliminary allowance foes in the fall.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Piccolo Flats. Trainer Danny Gargan is 12-4-1-1 with a $3.72 ROI over the past two years in routes on the Aqueduct inner dirt. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Prairie Stone. Trainer Bruce Brown is 44-2-4-9 with a $0.96 ROI over the past two years in routes in the second start after a layoff. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan