TurfPublicists: NYRA NOTES: Sunday, March 25, 2012

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Contact: NYRA Press Office

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NYRA NOTES

Alpha on target for Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial
The Lumber Guy limbers up for Wood
Calibrachoa returns to worktab for Carter; tentative Wood Memorial travel plans set for Gemologist
Broadway heroine Risky Rachel “perfect” after giving Coronel first win as a trainer
Free general admission, $3 fee for third-floor access on Wood Memorial Day

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Grade 3 Withers winner Alpha came out of Saturday’s five-furlong breeze at Palm Meadows in great shape, and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he is in the midst of finalizing plans to ship the Bernardini colt to New York for the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial.

“There’s a flight to New York on April 4, but that’s a little close to the [April 7] race,” said the trainer. “There might be another one going up on [March 30]. We’ll figure it out in the next day or two.

“He’s in great shape,” added McLaughlin of Alpha, who covered five furlongs in 1:00.99, second-fastest of 19 at the distance. “He’ll definitely be there.”

McLaughlin also could have a pair of contenders going in the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter on the Wood undercard. Emcee, third to Calibrachoa and Caleb’s Posse in the Grade 3 Tom Fool, and Crossbow, winner of both his 2012 starts, are both under consideration for the seven-furlong race.

“We’re going to get a little closer and see what’s going on,” said Art Magnuson, McLaughlin’s assistant. “There’s also the Westchester [Grade 3, Belmont Park, April 28] to consider. They’re both doing well, so we’ll see.”

In addition, McLaughlin said Godolphin’s It’s Tricky remains on track for the Grade 2 Distaff Handicap on April 14. On Friday, the 4-year-old daughter of Mineshaft breezed four furlongs in 48.45, her first workout since her victory in the Grade 2 Top Flight Handicap.

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Barry Schwartz’s undefeated homebred, The Lumber Guy, recently outfitted with a patch for a quarter crack, zipped five furlongs in 1:01.64 this morning over the training track at Belmont Park in preparation for the Wood, which would be only his third career start. It was the second fastest of 14 moves at the distance.

“He worked well this morning,” said trainer Mike Hushion of the gray New York-bred. “We’re still looking at the Wood. He’s probably going to run.”

Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay repaired the quarter crack earlier this week, said Hushion. The colt sustained a grabbed quarter on his left front hoof during his 4 ¼-length victory in the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park on February 25.

“He had a little glitch, but he’s back on schedule, and right now, we’re going to give [the Wood] a try,” said Hushion.

The 1 1/8-mile Wood would be the first two-turn race for The Lumber Guy, a front-running 9 ¼-length winner of his debut at the Big A on January 28. The Grand Slam colt’s 1:10.20 for the six furlongs earned him a 90 Beyer Speed Figure and a spot on NYRA’s “New York Watch” list, which spotlights promising colts and fillies that have recently cleared the maiden ranks at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

“I’d rather take a mini-step first time two turns, but we’re talking about the Wood so sometimes you do things you wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Hushion. “His race in Maryland was pretty straightforward. He came out of the gate, stumbled, took off, and said goodbye.”

A rider has yet to be determined, said Hushion.

* * *

Carter Handicap hopeful Calibrachoa returned to the worktab on Thursday by posting a 49.12 four-furlong breeze on the Belmont Park training track, his first work since his victory in the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap on March 3.

Calibrachoa, a five-time graded stakes winner for owner Mike Repole, will attempt to capture his first Grade 1 race in the $400,000 Carter, a seven-furlong race that will be contested April 7, Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial Day at Aqueduct.

“He worked here the other day, an easy maintenance work, and his appetite and is attitude is good, so we’re very pleased,” said Michael McCarthy, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.

In addition to Calibrachoa, who in 2012 swept the Grade 3 Toboggan and Tom Fool for the second straight year, and the Godolphin Racing/Darley Stable duo of Emcee and Crossbow, the Carter is expected to attract 2001 Preakness winner Shackleford, 2011 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile hero Caleb’s Posse, 2011 Forego victor Jacksob Bend, and 2009 King’s Bishop victor Capt. Candyman Can.

“I hope [Calibrachoa] likes the outer track as much as he likes the inner track, but it’s going to be a great race, obviously,” said McCarthy. “We’ll have our work cut out for us, for sure.”

The Pletcher barn plans to send out Gemologist in the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial. The WinStar Farm color-bear is expected to fly from Florida to New York on April 4, the Pletcher confirmed via text message. Gemologist is unbeaten in five starts and enters the Wood off victories in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club in November at Churchill Downs and in a Gulfstream Park allowance on March 16.

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Risky Rachel, like her trainer’s career winning percentage, was “perfect” the morning after her victory in Saturday’s Broadway, her conditioner, Juan “Manny” Coronel, reported.

In the Broadway, Risky Rachel became the first starter and winner for her 35-year-old trainer, who had previously assisted trainers Frank Martin, Sr., Angel Penna, Jr., and H. James Bond.

“The owner [Sanford Bacon] was just here, and we checked out everything and we’re really, really happy,” said Coronel.

Born in Argentina, Coronel is the son of trainer Manuel Coronel and rode briefly in his home country before immigrating to the United States. Risky Rachel is currently the lone horse in his barn, although the trainer expects to soon receive four or five additional horses.

“When I stopped riding I moved to this country because I wanted to continue learning, and New York is the best of the best,” said Coronel. “I’m so proud to have spent the past seven to eight years with different trainers like Frank Martin, Angel Penna, Jr., and James Bond. I’ve worked for really, really good people.”

Coronel said Risky Rachel’s victory caught the attention of acquaintances in Argentina and the United States.

“I’m so blessed, so blessed,” said Coronel. “Now I feel relieved. Everything was perfect. Yesterday was very exciting. I got phone calls yesterday from everywhere, from my country, Argentina, from friends here in the United States. Today people have been coming to see me [at the barn].”

The Broadway was the second stakes victory for Risky Rachel, who in 2011 won the Friendly Island Iroquois under Bond’s tutelage. With the mare hitting her best stride at the age of 5, Coronel said he and Bacon want to thoroughly explore their options before they map out a plan for the daughter of Limehouse.

“We have a couple of choices, but we’ll see,” said Coronel. “It’s the first day after the race, and she came out of the race well. Over the next couple of days we’ll see what the best choice is for her. She’s a nice, nice New York-bred, so we want what’s best for her. We have to be smart for the next race. We want to win again.”

* * *

There will be free general admission to the Big A on April 7, Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial Day, with a $3 charge to access the Skyline/Equestris area on the third floor, the same as last year. Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with first race post time at 12:50 p.m.

In addition to the Grade 1 Wood Memorial and Grade 1 Carter, the 11-race card will feature the Grade 3 Comely for 3-year-old fillies and the Grade 3 Bay Shore for 3-year-old sprinters. There will also be a guaranteed $500,000 Late Pick 4.

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