Wide post formidable hurdle for Andesine

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – David Donk can feel Art Sherman’s pain.

On Saturday, the Sherman-trained California Chrome will have to navigate a trip from post 12 in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. On Friday at Aqueduct, the Donk-trained Andesine will try to work out a trip from post 12 in a $57,000 first-level allowance for New York-bred fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

“I’ll be like Art – I won’t complain about it,” Donk said Wednesday.

Twelve-horse fields are uncommon at Aqueduct in the winter. Over the last 10 inner-track meets – including this one – horses breaking from post 12 going two turns are 2 for 7. In January 2016, Daisy Cutter won a statebred allowance for fillies and mares from post 12 at odds of 14-1.

“It’s a bigger challenge, obviously,” Donk said Wednesday morning at Belmont. “She’s done well. We’ll let Irad [Ortiz Jr.] come away from there and get the best position he can.”

Andesine is one of six horses coming out of the same race on New Year’s Day going a mile and 70 yards. Breaking from post 9 in a 10-horse field, Andesine chased Dream On to the wire, finishing a length behind her but 2 1/4 lengths in front of the rest of the field.

Donk is adding blinkers to Andesine’s equipment Friday.

“He felt he had more horse than she’s giving him,” Donk said, referring to Ortiz. “She’s a horse I’m looking forward to trying on the grass, but she’s run quite well” on dirt.

Despite the large number of horses in the field, there isn’t a lot of early-speed types in the race. Play Me a Memory wired a bad field of maidens here Dec. 31 by 10 1/4 lengths. She figures to try those same tactics Friday under C.C. Lopez.

KEY CONTENDERS

Andesine, by Bluegrass Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 65-62-60

◗ She has finished ahead of several of these on two occasions at this condition and gets 40 more yards of ground.

◗ Though she is stuck outside, the inner track has been kinder to outside closers in recent days.

“I guess if the track is playing a lot as it has been, then it doesn’t affect you as much,” Donk said. “You don’t have the gold rail.”

Talkn Til Midnight, by Broken Vow

Last 3 Beyers: 61-70-71

◗ Attempted to follow Andesine and finished 2 1/4 lengths behind that one when third Jan. 1.

“She was running at the end of it,” trainer Linda Rice said. “I think she’ll like the extra distance. She’s got a lot of stamina.”

Play Me a Memory, by D’Funnybone

Last 3 Beyers: 73-71-67

◗ Speed figures says she’s improving, and she did earn the best number of her career first time going two turns in soft field here Dec. 31.

◗ She will be the one to catch.