Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Contact: Jenny Kellner
G3 BOLD RULER, G3 TURNBACK THE ALARM HIGHLIGHT CLOSING WEEKEND
After Sunday’s final card, thoroughbred action moves to Aqueduct Racetrack beginning Friday, November 2, with opening day offering the simulcast of Day 1 of the Breeders’ Cup from Santa Anita Park.
The 5-2 morning-line favorite in the seven-furlong Bold Ruler is Mike Repole’s popular veteran Caixa Eletronica, who gets some class relief after competing in three straight Grade 1 events.
Most recently second to The Lumber Guy in the Vosburgh on September 29 – for which he earned a lifetime best 107 Beyer Speed Figure – the 7-year-old son of Arromanches will be seeking his fourth win of 2012 to go along with victories in the Grade 2 True North Handicap at Belmont, the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic and the Rise Jim overnight stakes at Aqueduct.
“He ran a very credible race last time out in the Vosburgh,” said Whit Beckman, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. “He’s one of those horses who is so versatile, no matter what distance, he seems to show up every time.”
Javier Castellano will ride Caixa Eletronica from post position 8.
Returning as well from the Vosburgh is Howard Queen’s Little Drama, who finished fourth, beaten 3 ½ lengths, after prompting the early pace. The 4-year-old gelding, brother of champion sprinter Big Drama, has one victory in five starts this year, taking an optional claimer at the Bold Ruler distance this past summer at
Rajiv Maragh will ride Little Drama, the second choice at 7-2 on the morning line, from the outside in post position 10.
Spring to the Sky, a 3-year-old Langfuhr colt, faces older stakes horses for the first time as he makes a return to the main track. Victorious on turf in the six-furlong Groovy overnight stakes on September 13, Spring to the Sky was a front-running maiden winner over a muddy Belmont track last year and his connections are hoping a good performance Saturday will open more options for the sophomore.
“If he runs big on the dirt, there are more opportunities,” said Bruce Brown, who trains Spring to the Sky for Anthony McCarthy. “Or, he can go to grass full-time.”
With Irad Ortiz, Jr., in the irons, Spring to the Sky will leave from post position 2 at 30-1 on the morning line.
Rounding out the field, from the rail out, are Buffum, Isn’t He Perfect, Associate, Zero Rate Policy, Private Tale, Gallant Fields, and Golddigger’s Boy.
The Turnback the Alarm drew a field of eight fillies and mares, with Hall of Famer Bill Mott’s Arena Elvira the 5-2 morning-line favorite under high weight of 120 pounds as she seeks to defend her title in the 1 1/16-mile race.
The 5-year-old mare will be making her first start since a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Sixty Sails Handicap in April at
Jose Lezcano rides Arena Elvira from post position 6.
Afleeting Lady has won half of her eight starts at 1 1/16 miles, most recently taking the Lady’s Secret on September 3 at
Joel Rosario will ride Afleeting Lady, the 3-1 second choice on the morning line, from post position 8.
Trainer Todd Pletcher will have two representatives in the Turnback the Alarm with Maristar and R Gypsy Gold, both coming out of Grade 1 races. In her first start for Pletcher, Maristar was fourth in the Beldame Invitational on September 29 at
“Maristar didn’t run a bad race last time out; she was just a little overmatched,” said Pletcher assistant Whit Beckman of the 5-year-old
Maristar, 10-1 on the morning line, drew post position 4 under John Velazquez while R Gypsy Gold drew post position 2 at 4-1 on the morning line. Javier Castellano will ride.
Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens skipped a start on New York Showcase Day for Go Unbridled to await the Turnback the Alarm, in which she was third last year. A 6 ½-length winner of the Saratoga Dew in August – Jerkens’ second stakes win at the Spa this year – Go Unbridled most recently was third behind Royal Delta and It’s Tricky in the Beldame.
“I thought she might have taken third against the boys in the Empire Classic,” said Jerkens of Go Unbridled, who carries the colors of Howard T. Whitbred. “She’s doing fine heading into this race.”
Junior Alvarado will be aboard the 8-1 choice on the morning line from post position 3.
Rounding out the field are All Due Respect, Nefertini, and Catch a Thief.
The field for the Grade 3, $150,000 Bold Ruler:
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | 115 | 4-1 | |||
| 2 | 113 | 30-1 | |||
| 3 | 115 | 12-1 | |||
| 4 | 115 | 8-1 | |||
| 5 | 114 | 20-1 | |||
| 6 | 113 | 15-1 | |||
| 7 | 115 | 12-1 | |||
| 8 | 119 | 5-2 | |||
| 9 | 117 | 6-1 | |||
| 10 | 117 | 7-2 |
The field for the Grade 3, $150,000 Turnback the Alarm:
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | Odds |
| 1 | 117 | 4-1 | |||
| 2 | 117 | 4-1 | |||
| 3 | 116 | 8-1 | |||
| 4 | 115 | 10-1 | |||
| 5 | 115 | 15-1 | |||
| 6 | 120 | 5-2 | |||
| 7 | 114 | 20-1 | |||
| 8 | 117 | 3-1 |
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