Madefromlucky Looks Tough in $125,000 Stymie at Aqueduct

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The lone graded stakes winner in the field, Madefromlucky will get some significant class relief on Sunday when he faces five others as the 8-5 favorite in the $125,000 Stymie at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Most recently seen finishing last of eight in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park after breaking from the rail, Madefromlucky won the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby and the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont Park last year as a 3-year-old. He also owns a pair of second-place finishes, in the Grade 2 Rebel – behind eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah – and the Grade 3 Discovery, in his lone appearance at Aqueduct.

He will leave from post position 2 in Sunday’s 1 1/8-mile contest carrying starting high weight of 123 pounds, including Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Expected to attract support as well are a pair from the barn of Rudy Rodriguez – Dontbetwithbruno, winner of his last two outs, and Our Caravan, beaten a neck as the even-money favorite on January 29.

Dontbetwithbruno, who was claimed by Rodriguez for $35,000 on December 9, will leave from post position 3 as the 5-2 second choice on the morning line under Junior Alvarado, while Our Caravan, 4-1 on the morning line, gets a rider change to Cornelio Velasquez. The pair will leave from post position 4.

Seeking his first win of the year is 6-year-old Stormin Monarco, who was fifth in the Jazil here in January and fourth last time out in an optional claimer. The David Jacobson trainee will leave from the rail with the Big A’s leading rider, Jose Ortiz, aboard.

Indycott has a pair of wins for trainer Danny Gargan since being claimed for $50,000 last August at Saratoga Race Course, including the victory over Our Caravan in January. With Kendrick Carmouche up, he leaves from post position 5.

Completing the field is the Gary Contessa-trained Turco Bravo. The Chilean-bred is seeking his first victory since he upset last year’s Stymie at 9-1.

Source: NYRA