Aveenu Malcainu in softer spot

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Jeremiah Englehart is hoping a drop in class and a better trip will result in a better performance from Aveenu Malcainu in Sunday’s $75,000 first-level allowance feature on an eightrace card on what is deemed closing day of Aqueduct’s fall meet.

Aveenu Malcainu, a New York-bred stakes winner as a 2-year-old, had a laser throat procedure during a break over the summer to help him with an airway issue. The procedure resulted in better races – a neck loss and then a win in the New York-bred secondlevel allowance condition. Confident the horse was on the right path, Englehart shipped him to Churchill Downs for the $200,000 Cherokee Run Stakes on Nov. 3, and he finished eighth, 12 1/4 lengths behind winner Audible.

“He’s a horse that wants to come from off the pace,” Englehart said. “I thought he wasn’t in the best spot. He was a little closer to the pace than we wanted to be because it didn’t seem like the same race that he had run before.”

There does appear to be some speed in this field with Barahin, in post 2, and Bon Raison, in post 7.

“We want to be able to stalk and have something to run at for sure,” Englehart said.

Vincento, another New York-bred, has won his last two starts, both going a oneturn mile at Belmont and both over wet tracks. There was rain in the forecast for Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Business Cycle won his first start since being gelded when he took an off-the-turf maiden race by a half-length for trainer Chad Brown on Nov. 8.

The others entered are Wine Not and Eagle Pass.

There are only eight races Sunday, and first post will be 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

Following four dark days, racing will resume Friday at Aqueduct with what will be considered the start of the winter meet, which runs through March 31, 2019.

KEY CONTENDERS

Aveenu Malcainu, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 76-93-84

◗ Englehart would like to see jockey David Cohen be able to get this colt off the pace.

Vincento, by Include Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-77

◗ Has gotten good trips and caught sloppy tracks winning his last two races, beginning with a $25,000 claimer on Sept. 28.

◗ With Manny Franco at Del Mar Sunday, Luis Reyes picks up the mount. Reyes rode a winner for Rudy Rodriguez, trainer of Vincento, last Sunday.

Bon Raison, by Raison d’Etat Last 3 Beyers: 70-85-92

◗ Won three consecutive races against cheaper company before being overmatched in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler and Grade 3 Discovery.

◗ Outside draw should give jockey Mike Luzzi options on where to be early.