AQUEDUCT Grand Sky returns to winning level

Grand Sky didn’t have the smoothest of journeys in his most recent start, but should bounce back Thursday at Aqueduct when he returns to a level in the statebred ranks at which he already has won.

Trainer Jason Servis claimed Grand Sky for $ 40,000 out of a fi fth-place finish in a New York-bred second-level optional-claiming turf sprint in June. He came back to win a similar race at Saratoga, and then stepped up to win an open fi rst-level allowance.

Grand Sky dropped farther back than usual in his most recent race, an open secondlevel optional claimer, and didn’t find clear sailing until the top of the far turn. He rallied wide through the stretch but came up 3 1/2 lengths short of English Minis- ter, who came running from last to defeat front-running Spring to the Sky.

Servis has entered Grand Sky for the $ 40,000 optional claiming tag in Thursday’s second-level statebred turf sprint.

Linda Rice has entered the complementary duo of Speightful Kitten and Whiskey Seven.

Front-running Speightful Kitten had a two-race winning streak halted in his last race when he weakened late and finished seventh, beaten 2 3/4 lengths. Prior to that start, he had won a maiden race and an allowance over statebreds.

Whiskey Seven rallied from seventh to pass Speightful Kitten and fi nish second, beaten three-quarters of a length.

Things may play out differently between the two this time around. If the quick Change will do ya good doesn’t draw into the six-furlong race from the also- eligible list, Speightful Kitten may have an easier time controlling the pace.

Race 6 on Thursday is a competitive one-mile maiden race for 2- year-old fillies.

Miss Aliphant, Fly So High, and Take Charge Tina will meet again after finishing second, third, and fourth in their respective career debuts. Chad Brown first-time starter South of the Shore also will take some money.

Miss Aliphant, who is trained by Jeremiah Englehart, chased front-running winner Redhair don’t care from start to finish going six furlongs last time out. She surged late when the winner shortened stride and was beaten only a half-length.

Last Friday, Redhair don’t care took on winners but tired to finish a well-beaten fi fth after setting the early pace.

Fly So High, who races for the Phipps Stable and Shug McGaughey, closed well from seventh to be third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, and then galloped out well. She is stuck in the inside post Thursday but will receive Lasix for the first time, and by all indications should enjoy the extra quarter-mile in distance.

Take Charge Tina was in the hunt throughout her debut but finished evenly through a slow final furlong of 13.62 seconds. She will be first-time Lasix for this race and is eligible to improve for trainer Tom Albertrani.