OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bank Frenzy made an auspicious debut for new connections when he overcame a slow start to win the $125,000 Evan Shipman Stakes for New York-breds at Saratoga last month.
With an eye toward the $250,000 Empire Classic versus state-breds next month at Aqueduct, Bank Frenzy will start in an open second-level allowance going a one-turn mile which serves as the feature on Sunday’s nine-race program at Aqueduct.
The last time Bank Frenzy raced at Aqueduct he won a first-level allowance against New York-breds going a one-turn mile. It was out of that race that he was purchased privately by the LSU Stables of Larry, Leslie, and Randy Sarf and turned over to trainer Rudy Rodriguez.
Bank Frenzy was entered in an open allowance at Aqueduct on June 27 but had to scratch because he got sick, according to Rodriguez.
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“He got pretty sick on us. We missed almost three weeks with him,” Rodriguez said.
Thus, Bank Frenzy was off 12 weeks when he went into the Evan Shipman. Though the plan was to be forwardly placed, Bank Frenzy got pinched back soon after the start and had to rally from fifth and along the rail under Flavien Prat to get the win by 1 1/4 lengths. Cicciobello, fourth in the Evan Shipman, came back to win an open allowance at Monmouth Park with a career best-equaling Beyer Speed Figure of 88.
“Going to the gate, we were supposed to break and go but he was squeezed a bit at the gate,” Rodriguez said. “I thought we were in trouble, but the way he showed up, it was very, very impressive to see him come up the rail, especially for him, he’s got an extension blinker on.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Bank Frenzy on Sunday as Prat is serving a suspension this weekend for an infraction dating back to the Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita in May.
The main competition Sunday figures to come from Irish Exit, a winner of two straight at Laurel Park for Jamie Ness. Irish Exit was scratched from an allowance at Laurel on Friday for this spot.
Irish Exit, a winner of 11 of 23 starts, won his lone start at Aqueduct, albeit in a $35,000 claimer run over a sloppy track in February 2023.
Costa Terra has just one win but six seconds from his last 11 starts. Trainer Linda Rice was running the horse in long races last year, but believes he may be better in one-turn races as a 5-year-old. Costa Terra has worn blinkers in his last three starts, including last out when he closed from last to finish second to loose-on-the-lead Arro Smash going a mile at Saratoga.
“They’ve helped make him where he can close at a mile,” Rice said. “Before, I felt he needed two turns.”
Jose Lezcano rides Costa Terra from the rail.
Nelson Avenue, Mistical Curlin, and Lost in Rome complete the field. The feature goes as race 4 on a card that begins at 1:05 p.m.
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