The 8th Running of the Rego Park
January 9, 2022 12:20
AQU Race #1 $100.000 61/2 Furlongs
NY-Bred 3YOs 122 Lbs (Plus Penalties)
Track Record-1:14.57 (Hidden Scroll-2021)
Stakes Record-1:15.66 (Genghis-2020)
The 8th running of the Rego Park highlights the Sunday card at AQU. The 6.5 furlong NY-bred stakes is for newly-minted sophomores competing for a purse of $100.000. We have a field of five signed-on for the Rego Park, so let’s go ahead and meet them:
#1 We Rumble (Kingelleinc/J.L. Ortiz 122): Rail horse will be taking his third crack at NY-bred stakes horses. He almost got the job done in September when only beaten a neck but was an off-the-board 5th in his second try at this level. Looks to be the main speed and should be able to dictate the terms from this draw. If right, he looks dangerous.
#2 Force Of The Shark (Arindel/E. Cancel 122): Visited the vet and added the shadow roll last time and earned his first victory after three losing efforts to begin his career. That win came going a route of ground, but he shortens up for this. Sprint form wasn’t great, but maybe the equipment change unlocked his secrets. Minor placing seems most likely.
#3 Hysterically Funny (La Canada Racing/J. Lezcano 122): Gelding just missed at this level back in November and any improvement off of that effort makes him a threat. He rallied from well back that day, but that style has been hit-or-miss in HRP-world lately. Think he will be running his best late and only has four horses to navigate. Could take the top prize, but hard to endorse with his style.
#4 Tacitus (D J C Racing Stable/M. Franco 122): The only colt in the field has been running in open company to start his career and enters off of a 7th place finish in a $200.000 CD stake. He’s another that looks to settle and get into his rhythm before launching a bid, so at least he and the three-horse can keep each other company early. Another who is capable, but will need a few breaks to get it done.
#5 Model Commander (TwinTowersRacing/D. Davis 124): Lone stakes-winner completes the field and gets the outside gate as well as a two pound weight penalty. Last two efforts were against graded foes so he should relish the drop back to Empire state competition. How he comes out of the gate may be the key to the race; if he engages the rail horse early, it could set up for the closers, but if he settles off of the pace, he may be at the mercy of the pace-setter. Tough call.
Final Analysis: We Rumble looks to have the field at his mercy and someone will need to show a different tactic to make him work early. Model Commander could be that horse, but will that compromise his chances? Going to say they finish 1-5/5-1 in the $100.000 Rego Park from AQU.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
