Yummy Bear: He works hard for the money

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Yummy Bear is a trainer and racing secretary’s dream.

In an era when horses make fewer starts, Yummy Bear raced 15 times in 2017, finishing in the money 11 times and earning $200,756 in purse money.

The New York-bred Yummy Bear returns Wednesday from a four-month freshening to kick off his 5-year-old campaign in a first-level open-company turf allowance at six furlongs. The event serves as the Aqueduct feature on a nine-race program.

Yummy Bear earned the first of his four wins in 2017 last April over the Aqueduct turf course in a maiden $40,000 claiming event. He won another claiming race and two New York-bred allowance races before finishing his campaign with two second-place finishes in this open condition.

Trainer David Donk said he learned not to be afraid to run a horse often from his years working for the legendary Woody Stephens.

“I’m a little old school, having worked for Woody,” Donk said. “I’m not afraid of getting beat. The money is good in New York. It doesn’t hurt to hit the board.”

Yummy Bear has run from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, but Donk believes “he’s most effective sprinting.”

Donk was pleased that it rained here Monday, as he noted that the outer turf course, over which this race is scheduled, “is ridiculously fast at the moment.”

Manny Franco will ride Yummy Bear.

Donk also will send out The Crocheron Kid, who won over this turf course last December before finishing his campaign with a sixth-place finish in a dirt race.

“It was the owner’s decision to try him on the dirt,” Donk said. “He’s definitely shown to be a better grass horse than a dirt horse.”

While the Donk duo have combined to make 57 starts, American Guru, a 4-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song, is coming off a debut win at Gulfstream Park last month.

As Donk was happy to see the rain come in Monday, Jimmy Jerkens, trainer of American Guru, would have preferred the Aqueduct turf to have remained firm.

“Especially the way he ran on hard turf last time,” Jerkens said.

KEY CONTENDERS

Yummy Bear, by Sidney’s Candy

Last 3 Beyers: 91-87-86

◗ Finished second in a similar spot last Dec. 3. Pocket Change, winner of that race, came back to win his next start, while Runaway Posse, third in that race, won his next two starts.

DRF FORMULATOR fact: Overall, Donk’s numbers off layoffs of 61 to 180 days are poor over the last five years (6 for 93). But, over that time, when bringing a horse back off such a layoff over Aqueduct’s turf with Franco up, Donk is 3 for 7 with a $3.15 ROI.

The Crocheron Kid, by Miracle Man

Last 3 Beyers: 63-85-81

◗ He is only 4 for 32, but two of those wins have come over Aqueduct’s turf.

◗ Eric Cancel, out since late January due to injuries suffered in a training mishap, returns to ride this horse, on whom he won last December.

American Guru, by Unbridled’s Song

Beyer: 83

◗ He shows a solid work tab for his second start.

◗ Gets the services of leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr.