Wishful Tomcat finds softer spot

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - After competing in graded stakes in Southern California and New Orleans this winter, Wishful Tomcat gets some much-appreciated class relief when he returns to New York-bred company in Sunday's $65,000 Kings Point Handicap. The Kings Point, run at 1 1/8 miles, is the featured event on closing day at Aqueduct.

Racing moves to Belmont Park beginning Wednesday for a 64-day stint.

Wishful Tomcat had a very productive 3-year-old season, winning 4 of 5 starts including the Grade 3 Discovery Handicap, also run at 1 1/8 miles over Aqueduct's main track. He was trained by Gary Contessa for Winning Move Stable.

Following the Discovery, Wishful Tomcat was purchased privately by a group headed by the IEAH Stables. Wishful Tomcat was sent to Bobby Frankel in Southern California, where he ran third in the San Fernando and eighth, beaten less than two lengths, in the Strub. He then shipped to New Orleans, where he finished ninth in the New Orleans Handicap run over a sloppy track.

Wishful Tomcat returned to New York and was turned over to Richard Dutrow Jr. in early April. He has worked well three times leading up to this.

"He looks good, he's doing good, he likes the outer, he likes New York-breds," Dutrow said. "He should show up."

Dutrow is hoping Wishful Tomcat has an easy race Sunday because he entered him back in Wednesday's Grade 3 Westchester at Belmont Park.

Wishful Tomcat will break from post 3 under Ramon Dominguez.

Manteca reeled off four consecutive victories against New York-breds before finishing fourth to Barrier Reef in the Stymie Stakes on Feb. 28. Owner Stuart Sobotnick moved the horse from Charlton Baker to Todd Pletcher, who had him at the Palm Meadows training center for six weeks. John Velazquez will ride Manteca from the rail.

Tommasi, who also wintered in south Florida after finishing eighth as the favorite in last October's Empire Classic, makes his 7-year-old debut in this spot. Tommasi is 3 for 5 over Aqueduct's main track and is a proven commodity at 1 1/8 miles. Rajiv Maragh rides for trainer James Bond.

See More Spirit and Alexandros figure to offer value in the Kings Point. See More Spirit beat Alexandros by two lengths in the Smart Coupons Stakes over the main track on April 2. See More Spirit is now 2 for 2 over the main track, while Alexandros is 2-2-0 from 4 starts over the main.

Dr. D.F.C., winless in his last seven starts, completes the field.