With Genghis ( Arindel ) is looking to find a better hold on this event after a runner-up placing in last seasons $500.000 Great White Way here at AQU, three others from that event are hoping the time away and recent works will get them on track for their sophomore careers.

• The Rego Park- Purse $100.000
• Aqueduct Racetrack- For Three Year olds, Foaled in NY
• Six and a Half Furlongs- Main track
• January 12th, 2020

One of the first stops for New York breds looking to possibly make an effort to challenge future sprint events, The Rego Park has seen the likes of The Grandmaster ( then owned by Team 7 Illusions ) bring home a victory in this event, and then attempted in his past two seasons to capture the BC Sprint title. While those were both unsuccessful with fifth place finishes a length shy, this event worked as a corner stone to his development as he would take home six Graded titles since the Rego, two being topnotch Grade I affairs. So who will win this seasons race and go on to big and better things. Here’s a closer look at the field;

1. Peter E Peat ( Team 7 Illusions ) – Trainer already has his named etched in this trophy twice and is hoping the tradition of winning every other season continues here. Placed fourth just a half length shy after being some eleven lengths out in the opening quarter over a muddy track surface. Some major showers are in the forecast for tomorrows race, and if he is placed slightly closer in the early fractions here, could bring it all home down the stretch.

2. Ballybunion ( Maletto ) – This sophomore found himself on the Auction block in December and made his way to this long time HRP trainer. Closed out the juvenile career finishing four lengths shy against OpClm25 company at TP, and he is still lightly raced with just four starts in his career. While he may not be a Willow Grove ( 2011 KYD winner), you can bet this trainer will take the time to bring out what is best to make him productive. A work in progress.

3.Vanderbiltt ( La Canada Racehorses )- This trainer squeaked out a head victory in last years running of this event with a horse by the name of Black Flags. He has now turned his attention to this gray in hopes that he will be able to give him the repeat. Closed out last season with a victory at the end of November capturing an Alw97 affair by a mere neck. Seems he likes to keep people on the edge of their seats with these snatch away victories, and December works show that this horse should be keen to make this distance work for him. Repeat possibilities.

4.Inject The Venom ( Broken Spoke Stables ) – Competed in four events as a juvenile with his only win coming in a MdSpWt90 affairs across state at SAR. Attacked two non graded events with his best finish being a third in the Bongard over at Belmont. Showed some closing kick last time out going a mile in the $250 Sleepy Hollow event over this oval, so I am quite surprised that he is shorting up once again here. This is one of the best starts to the season in some time for this trainer, so he seems to be concentrating on his placement of runners. Needs to be close to be effective.

5.Sizzla Kalonji ( Night Rider Stables ) – Another entry in this field that is returning from the Great White Way last season. Had to face two adversities last time out in that event with the muddy surface and breaking from the ten hole, so he seemed to be used up early with his efforts to get to front, and the footing was definitely tiring down the stretch. May have to face an off track once again, but hopefully just a sloppy surface where he can still get a nice base underneath him. Aqueduct has not been kind to him, so here’s hoping things get turned around.

6.Local Dude ( D J C Racing Stables ) – Another Great White Way runner of this group. Has only had three starts in his career, and was able to place just three quarters of a length shy in the running of that closing effort last season. Should be stalking the pace for this event, and has two time winner of this title jockey Franco in the irons, so that will definitely work as a plus as well. Only one of this group that has the TC eligible crown next to his name, and his SRF numbers have been on the rise in every event. Could be the sleeper that many may discount.

7.Keanu Storm ( Arindel )- First of two runners for this trainer entered here. After a stellar first season winning 130 races, trainer is off to a struggling start at the time of this article, with nine runner-up finishes and no wins. This three year old colt has spent his past three starts at this oval and he is starting to get a feel for the surface. His most recent was at a mile and he only faded in the late stages, so the return to this shorter sprint event should work in his favor. Should be out and away quickly and as long as the track condition doesn’t effect him, could be off to the races. In the Hunt.

8.Genghis ( Arindel )- Trainer is definitely laying his hopes on this bay colt out of Copper Beast to find the winners enclosure in this event. Was runner-up in the Great White Way behind Graveyard ( Mb Stables) in that event, closing to within a quarter of a length. He was able to break from the rail for that affair, and now will have to make the outside post work to his advantage. While his rider likes to run late and go longer, hopefully the instructions will have him close enough to find the wire in the nick of time. Like his chances.

Duffer

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded