Mandatory eyes third straight

Foot issues prompted trainer John Kimmel to change the type of shoes Mandatory wears in his races and the change has brought about a remarkable reversal of fortune.

A 7-year-old gelding by American Pharaoh who won once in his first 20 starts, Mandatory seeks a third straight win Friday at Aqueduct when he runs in a first-level allowance scheduled for 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track.

Kimmel said in the days following a fifth-place performance in a starter allowance on Jan. 27, Mandatory was having difficulties with his feet. The decision was made to switch from a regular aluminum shoe to glue-on shoes. In his first start in the new shoes,

Mandatory won a $40,000 claiming race by 12 3/4 lengths and earned a 99 Beyer Speed Figure, a huge number for that level.

In his first work back after that race, Mandatory breezed a half-mile in a rapid 46.40 seconds, much quicker than expected. A week later, Mandatory won a starter allowance by 1 3/4 lengths, with an 85 Beyer.

“He won that race but it wasn’t the same way he ran the time before,” Kimmel said, adding that the quick work “was almost like he had a race in between races. This time, I said, ‘We’re not going to work him betwee n races.’ ”

Mandatory drew the outside post in this six-horse field. He will be ridden by Manny Franco, as Dylan Davis, aboard for the two most recent wins, is in Dubai to ride Pandagate in Saturday’s UAE Derby at Meydan.

Trainer Linda Rice brings Chileno back to the races off a near seven-month layoff. Rice claimed Chileno for $50,000 last May at Churchill Downs. After one poor effort on turf, Rice put Chileno back on dirt, where he won a starter allowance before suffering two narrow beats at this first-level allowance condition at Saratoga.

Rice said Chileno had some filling in an ankle last fall and was given ample time off to get over that.

“He’s been breezing really well. He’s c ome back nicely,” Rice said.

Rice also sends out What’s Up Bro, who two back won a New York-bred allowance before finishing third in this condition on March 10.

Magical Express, based in Maryland with Brittany Russell, is taking on winners for the first time in this spot. A 4-year-old son of Good Magic, Magical Express finished second in his debut at Parx, before winning a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race by 4 3/4 lengths at Aqueduct on March 9. In both spots, he raced on the front end. At Parx, he was caught by a closing Respirator, who was making his 18th career start.

Kunshan Bridge, third in this condition last out, and Bezos complete the field.