Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Atras, Rodriguez loaded for Claiming Championships
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – A meeting between open stakes winners American Power and Pete’s Play Call in the $80,000 Caixa Eletronica Stakes headlines Saturday’s New York Claiming Championships at Aqueduct. The 10-race card consists entirely of stakes restricted to horses who have started for a claiming price since the beginning of 2020.
The seven-furlong Caixa Eletronica is the richest of the 10 races, which have total purses of $620,000.
The meeting between American Power and Pete’s Play Call is a fitting matchup for the day because trainers Rob Atras (American Power) and Rudy Rodriguez (Pete’s Play Call) appear to have several top contenders throughout the card.
American Power, claimed by Atras for $40,000 last July, is riding a three-race winning streak that includes a halflength victory over Pete’s Play Call in the Grade 3 Toboggan here on Jan. 30. The three races have coincided with a removal of blinkers and a good amount of spacing between starts. He’s had eight weeks since the Toboggan.
“He seems to run a little better with a little more time,” Atras said.
Atras said American Power took a little while to bounce back off his effort in the Toboggan, but “I was really happy with his last two works so I’m hoping he runs a top effort.”
Pete’s Play Call, whom Rodriguez claimed for $62,500 on Nov. 27, won the Gravesend on Jan. 2 and set the pace before being run down late by American Power in the Toboggan. He is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Tom Fool, in which he broke a step slowly from the inside and had difficulty getting into the race.
Rodriguez said he was happy that Pete’s Play Call drew toward the outside Saturday – post 5 in the field of six – “because he’s a little chicken.”
“Every time he gets on the inside he looks like he’s panicking,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez also sends out Mad Munnys, who is likely to be a forward factor breaking from the rail.
With only six runners, the Caixa Eletronica goes as race 2 on a card that begins at 1:20 p.m.
Here’s a look at the remainder of the stakes in chronological order:
◗ In the $55,000 Videogenic, Rodriguez sends out Malibu Mischief, who has won seven of her last nine starts, with the lone two defeats coming in open stakes at Laurel Park. The 11-time winner is coming off a seven-length starter-allowance win here on March 5. Her outside draw should give jockey Kendrick Carmouche an advantage in a six-furlong race filled with other speed types, such as Fair Regis and Rude Awaking.
◗ After running a respectable fourth against males in a tough third-level allowance, Letmetakethiscall is back with females in the $75,000 Xtra Heat Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs. She is 4 for 4 at 6 1/2 furlongs and figures to get a good stalking trip from post 5 under Pablo Morales.
The 8-year-old mare Jump for Joy, an open allowance winner on Jan. 16, looms the main threat.
◗ Based on his experience working with him in 2017, Atras claimed the 9-year-old Storm Advisory for $12,500 on Jan. 30. The gelding by Weigelia won for $16,000 on March 13 and now wheels back on short rest in the $55,000 Kelly Kip at six furlongs.
Bears Mafia had a six-race losing streak snapped last Nov. 15 when he was pulled up and vanned off in a second-level statebred race here. This is his first start since.
◗ Parx shipper Caramel Cream may offer a good alternative to the inconsistency of the locally based runners in the $45,000 Belle Gallantey for females at seven furlongs. Movie Score is coming off a second to a repeat winner last out here on Feb. 25.
◗ If the Rodriguez-trained Ryan’s Cat runs back anywhere close to his last race, he is the one to beat in the $70,000 Peeping Tom Stakes at seven furlongs. In his first start off the claim, Ryan’s Cat won by 15 3/4 lengths and earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure. Family Biz, Twelfth Labour, and Rejected Again are other contenders.
◗ Rodriguez appears to have a solid one-two punch in the $60,000 More to Tell in Supreme Aura and Malibu Pro. Supreme Aura is coming off a nose defeat for $32,000, while Malibu Pro makes first start off a $40,000 claim.
Another contender in the onemile More to Tell is Dark Storm, who beat Supreme Aura two back for $16,000 before running fourth for $50,000 last out.
◗ Parx-based Scott Lake ships up the in-form Mia Bella Rossa for the $60,000 Sis City for females going a one-turn mile. Mia Bella Rossa, eighth following a bad break in this race in 2019, has won her last three starts.
Trainer Linda Rice has the potent pair of Excess Capacity and Sirenic.
◗ In Musical Heart, Atras looks to have the horse to beat in the $75,000 Stud Muffin Stakes at 1 3/8 miles. Musical Heart has been chasing the likes of Mr. Buff in recent stakes tries. Last May at Gulfstream, he won an off the-turf allowance at 1 1/4 miles. Air Attack, a dominant 8 3/4-length winner last out, was claimed for $25,000 off Atras by John Toscano Jr. and must overcome post 12.
◗ Seven Lillies has been a bit inconsistent this meet, but her wins on Dec. 19 and Jan. 30 would make her the one to beat in the $45,000 Dads Caps going seven furlongs.