Class relief may be key for All in Fun

ELMONT, N.Y. – After facing the likes of Hawksmoor, Grand Jete and Off Limits, All in Fun appears to get some class relief in Thursday’s multi-condition turf allowance feature at Belmont Park.

All in Fun is running under the “have not won a race in 2017” condition of this seven-furlong race carded for the Widener turf course. All in Fun has not won since Aug. 17, 2016, when she captured a third-level allowance at Saratoga. This race also carries a third-level allowance condition.

All in Fun, a daughter of Tapit trained by Shug McGaughey, finished fifth of six in a similar race going six furlongs on Sept. 22. That day, All in Fun pressed Portmagee through quick early fractions and both were adversely impacted, with Portmagee fading to third. Portmagee is back in this field and her early speed may be compromised by that of Judy’s Chance, who ships up from Monmouth for Derek Ryan.

McGaughey is hoping All in Fun “can drop in behind them,” he said Monday.

Two starts back, All in Fun finished second, a half-length behind Off Limits in a two-turn allowance race at Saratoga. Off Limits came back to win the Grade 3 Noble Damsel by 4 3/4 lengths. All in Fun’s previous two starts came against Grand Jete, a filly who ran second in the Grade 1 Beverly D. and third in the Flower Bowl.

“She is getting a bit of class relief,” McGaughey said. “We’ll see what happens. But she is doing good.”

Rumble Doll took advantage of some class relief to win a second-level turf allowance sprint going six furlongs over this turf course on Sept. 15.

Moon River returns from a near-eight-month layoff and may have landed a nice spot for her return.

KEY CONTENDERS

All in Fun, Tapit Last 3 Beyers: 80-95-88

◗ Seven furlongs may not be ideal for her, but there appears to be pace in here and she perhaps could sit a trip.

◗ Has two of her four wins over this turf course.

Judy’s Chance, by First Dude Last 3 Beyers: 67-84-84

◗ Used her speed to reel off five consecutive victories against lesser company from January through July.

◗ Last two starts came in stakes company, one being a fourth in the Grade 3 Matchmaker at Monmouth, the other a sixth in the Steve Pini Memorial at Suffolk Downs.

“She didn’t like the turf at Suffolk Downs,” trainer Derek Ryan said. “It’s a funny turf course. They either like it or they don’t.”

◗ Ryan noted that this is the last horse owner Judy Sessa has, and she doesn’t want to lose the filly at the claim box.

◗ John Velazquez rides.

Moon River, by Exceed and Excel Last 3 Beyers: 77-82-83

◗ Returns from an eight-month layoff for Graham Motion, who is more than capable of getting a horse ready off an extended break.

◗ Has come out of some productive sprints at Gulfstream and was seventh, beaten 4 1/2 lengths by subsequent stakes winner Mississippi Delta, in a two-turn race in her last start.