BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Undefeated in his first two races, Stonehedge LLC homebred Sunny Breeze takes his unblemished record to Laurel Park Sunday for the $100,000 Concern for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.
Trained by Edward T. Allard, the gelded son of Stonehedge Farm South stallion Cajun Breeze has been labeled the second choice on the morning line at 5-2 after an impressive second-out victory against first level, $75,000 optional claimers on July 8 at Delaware Park. Sunny Breeze led at every pole of the six-furlong contest before drawing off to a length-and-a-half triumph in 1:11.54—producing a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.
Sunny Breeze was equally notable in his debut at Delaware Park on May 22, winning a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight by seven lengths for an 80 Beyer number.
Out of the Florida-bred mare Love My Sunshine, by Journeyman Stud’s Khozan, Sunny Breeze has earned $48,600 in his two starts.
Allard has given the return mount to Jaime Rodriguez and they have post three.
The 9-5 morning line favorite is El Capri, who was a trouble fourth against allowance horses at Saratoga in his last race.
After breaking his maiden by seven lengths over a muddy seven furlongs at Aqueduct in December, trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. did not start El Capri again until the Saratoga allowance race on June 7.
By Maclean’s Music out of the Flatter mare Nightlife Baby, El Capri was purchased by current owners P & G Stables LLC for $220,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale out of the Classic Bloodstock consignment.
Mychel Sanchez will ride El Capri for the first time and they have drawn post one.
Play Harder is another strong contender after finishing second to Concern-rival Celtic Contender in the $75,000 Star de Naskra at Laurel on June 29.
Play Harder was placed first in the Star de Naskra after Celtic Contender was disqualified by officials and placed third for interference early in the seven-furlong contest for Maryland-breds.
Play Harder is trained by Claudio Gonzalez for Rising Sun Racing Stables Inc. and is 7-2 on the morning line. He has won five of six career starts with one third while banking $171,895.
He is also graduate of OBS, having sold to Barry Dolan as an agent for $25,000 out of the Randy Miles consignment.
Bred by Maria M. Haire of Ocala, Fla., Play Harder is by Outwork out of Miss Manatee, by Smarty Jones and will be ridden from post six by J. G. Torrealba.
Celtic Contender is trained by Hamilton Smith for Lewis Family Racing Stable and has won two of six starts with two thirds and earnings of $75,005.
Celtic Contender is 3-1 in the program and will be ridden from post two by Jorge Ruiz.
Others entered are Barksdale, who will be ridden by Sheldon Russell; and Willy D’s with jockey Julio Hernandez.
Return to the July 27 issue of Wire to Wire
