If a Grade 1 stakes race is filet mignon, and the average stakes is a sirloin, then today’s $75,000 Fred Capossela at the Big A is chopped liver.
Not one of the eight 3-year-olds entered in the six-furlong “Cappy,” which honors New York’s legendary race-caller of yesteryear, has ever won a stakes. In fact, only one horse – My New Love – has even run in one, finishing third in the New Jersey Futurity last November.
Claimed two starts back by trainer Gary Gullo for $60,000, My New Love exits a five-length score racing for a 75G tag at Aqueduct Dec. 21, when he wore blinkers for the first time.
Of the others in the race, Bianco Appeal and Forest Heir are coming off allowance victories, and Bay Head King, Navajo Code, Brocco Gold Strike and Alex’s Love broke their maidens last out.
Bianco Appeal is the one to fear. He won his last start Dec. 23 at Aqueduct by 2½ lengths.