Today’s $75,000 Toboggan Handicap at the Big A is New York’s first stakes this year at seven furlongs, and no horse in the field of eight veteran sprinters likes the distance more than Watchman’s Warning.
In nine starts going seven-eighths, the 5-year-old gelding by Carnivalay has three wins, three seconds and three thirds.
In his last start, Feb. 28 at Philadelphia Park, Watchman’s Warning was second after stumbling badly at the start and tearing his right front hoof.
“The race is more a tribute to his running on adrenaline,” trainer Rich Schosberg said. “A good part of his foot was sitting there right near the gate. He’s done great since then. The foot has healed and he breezed :48 under wraps.”
In today’s $200,000 Widener Handicap at the Hialeah-at-Gulfstream meet, last year’s Belmont-Travers winner Lemon Drop Kid makes his seasonal debut.
2ND RACE — Razzberry Beret, 1-for-26 with 10 seconds, looked like Forego coming from off pace over muddy track to break 21-race losing streak dating to Jan. ’99. Nice ground-saving ride by C.C. Lopez. Favored Xmas Snow and second-choice Reality Chic off board after running 1-2 to top of stretch.
3RD RACE — Hard to see horses early through snowstorm driven by stiff wind down backstretch that slowed pace to crawling splits (:24.1, :50.1). Cushina, half of Linda Rice-trained entry favored at even-money, drove through along rail midstretch to win going away in drop from maiden special weights to 50G maiden claimers. Lucy Does the Hula outgamed other half of entry, Brightest, for place.
4TH RACE — Favored Appearing Now saved ground tracking early pace set by Lyre and Proud Creation, swung off rail turning for home, took command midstretch and won third straight in-hand under Mike Luzzi as much the best. New York-bred 3-year-old trained by Juan Ortiz is stakes material.
5TH RACE — Even-money Battle Cry dueled with longshot Gripper Edge to top of stretch, finally put him away but had nothing left to withstand late charge of Jovial Forecast, David Cora up, longest shot on board at 17-1.
6TH RACE — Deputy General, 1-2 in four-horse field, broke on top under Aaron Gryder and the race was over.
7TH RACE — Yet another yawner for the heavy favorite as Wild Palm, at 8-5, dueled early, then drew off under Herbie Castillo Jr.
8TH RACE — Chalk players continued to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day as 8-5 Sejm’s Boogie, Lopez up, went wire to wire, sixth winning favorite on the card.
9TH RACE — Rave Notice, son of Tabasco Cat trainer D. Wayne Lukas paid $240,000 for as a yearling, was entered for a $25,000 tag after losing his first six starts. But gelding flipped in the starting gate and was scratched by the track vet.
PICK SIX
6 winners each receives $4,420
405 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $21.80
No carryover.
