Gold for Cash dared to match a few strides with Kantharos and paid the price. Now comes a considerably less demanding spot, a first-level allowance, a race that trainer Larry Demeritte is hoping will allow one of his prize 2-year-olds to resume his winning ways.
“That last one was a little tough for him,” Demeritte said, referring to the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs, where Kantharos showed himself to be a potential superstar in a 9 1/2-length triumph. “This race should be a lot better for him.”
Gold for Cash, with Inez Karlsson to ride, drew post 1 in a field of seven 2-year-olds in the sixth of nine Sunday races at Arlington Park. The $41,480 race goes at 5 1/2 furlongs on the Polytrack.
Gold for Cash was good enough to win in maiden special-weight company this spring at Churchill, but then he may have stepped out of his league when finishing fifth of six at 28-1 in the July 3 Bashford Manor. All four of his career starts have come at Churchill, meaning he will be making his synthetics debut Sunday for Demeritte, the Bahamas-born trainer who has been based for years at Keeneland, where the main surface also is Polytrack.
“He trains over the Poly all the time and really seems to like it,” said Demeritte. “He’s been working well over it. I’m looking for him to bounce back this weekend.”
Demeritte, whose primary focus has shifted to 2-year-olds this year, also will run Gaby’s Guy as an uncoupled stablemate in the Sunday feature. The colt won a maiden claiming sprint at Arlington in his only career start.
“We thought we’d get him an easy spot by running him for a tag, and it worked out,” he said. “He seems to be a pretty nice horse.”
The race favorite could well be Jordy Y for the ever-popular Wayne Catalano. Bet down to 8-5 in his only outing, the Florida-bred Jordy Y dominated throughout, drawing off to a clear-cut victory in a promising start to his career.
One other allowance (race 4) also is on tap for Sunday, when first post is 1 p.m. Central. Three dark days follow this card, with live action resuming Thursday.
