Build to Suit must not bounce

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York-bred Build to Suit had shown enough talent as a 3-year-old to invest an ample amount of time in getting the horse healthy and sound after a mishap in the fall of 2017.

Time and patience were rewarded on Jan. 26 when Build to Suit, in his first start in 470 days, won an open-company allowance by 6 1/4 lengths, earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.

Monday, Build to Suit will step into stakes company for the first time when he runs in the $100,000 Hollie Hughes Stakes, a six-furlong race for New Yorkbreds at Aqueduct.

Chad Brown trains Build to Suit, a son of Dominus, for Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence. Brown said Build to Suit had “a lot of little setbacks.”

“We gave him time and he came back great,” he said.

The big question will be how he’ll handle running back 23 days after earning such a gaudy speed figure off the layoff.

Ten were entered in the Hollie Hughes, but Honor Up and Syndergaard were expected to run in Sunday’s Haynesfield Stakes here at a mile.

Build to Suit has won 4 of 7 starts, and in his last race he took advantage of a strong early pace to get the victory.

There would appear to be ample pace in the Hollie Hughes with Tribecca, Bavaro, and Eye Luv Lulu in the field.

A strong pace would benefit Runaway Lute and Celtic Chaos, both of whom are stakes winners. Runaway Lute, who won the Hudson last October, is described by his trainer Gary Contessa as “a peculiar bastard.”

Contessa said Runaway Lute has to have the right surface – not too wet and not too dry – to perform his best. There is some light rain or snow forecast for Monday, and Contessa said he would scratch if the track is wet.

“He’s training great, he looks fantastic,” Contessa said. “If Mother Nature cooperates, he’ll show up and run his race.”

Eye Luv Lulu, who was second in this race last year, comes off a solid optionalclaiming victory here on Jan. 5 over a sloppy track.

KEY CONTENDERS

Build to Suit, Dominus Last 3 Beyers: 101-87-86

◗ He has finished first in four of five starts against New Yorkbreds, though he was disqualified from a debut victory in April 2017.

◗ He is vulnerable to a bounce off a career-best effort off 470-day layoff.

Celtic Chaos, by Dublin Last 3 Beyers: 88-84-92

◗ Third to Runaway Lute in the Hudson last fall and has disappointed in his two most recent starts.

◗ Should get the pace scenario that brings out his best.

Runaway Lute, by Midnight Lute Last 3 Beyers: 93-68-83

◗ Back with New York breds for the first time since he won the Hudson at Belmont last October.

◗ He was a clear second behind Win With Pride in an open-company allowance last out.