OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Light Man may have had the perfect trip when he won the Hudson Stakes last month at Aqueduct, but it’s one of the few times in his career things have gone smoothly for the 4-year-old gelding by Central Banker.
A knee chip. Two cases of bone bruising. An infection that nearly proved fatal. That’s what Light Man had to deal with in the 18 months he was forced to miss between his maiden victory in the summer of 2022 and his second start in January 2024.
Saturday, Light Man will look to continue his comeback story in a very competitive renewal of the $125,000 Thunder Rumble division of the New York Stallion Series at Aqueduct. The Thunder Rumble and the $125,000 Staten Island for females highlight Saturday’s nine-race card that begins at 12:10 p.m.
Light Man has gone 4 for 7 this year, with his victory in the Hudson – when trainer Bruce Levine added blinkers to his equipment – following a third-place finish behind Federal Judge in a Saratoga allowance in August. Federal Judge came out of that race to win the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland.
“He used to run in spots, he’d run, he’d drop back,” Levine said. “With the blinkers, it just gives you a bit more oomph. I was happy with [the Hudson]. It set up real good, 21 and change, 44 and 4, and he got the trip, no doubt. He’s got to duplicate that and then some.”
:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.
Doc Sullivan is likely to go favored in the Thunder Rumble while dropping in company following a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. He is racing at seven furlongs for the first time since he won the Mike Lee at Saratoga in July. In between, Doc Sullivan twice finished second to Pandagate in two-turn stakes at Finger Lakes and Saratoga.
Doc Sullivan ran better than it may appear in the Pennsylvania Derby since he’s a forward-laying horse who was last early on that day.
“He got jostled around a little bit leaving the gate. He’s a horse that’s always in contention. Even going seven-eighths, he’s a length off the lead. Here he is last going to the first turn,” trainer Mike Miceli said. “He did close good, beat half the field, but he had a lot to do.”
The last time Doc Sullivan ran in a Stallion Stakes was in April, when he finished second to Antonio of Venice in the Times Square division going 6 1/2 furlongs. Antonio of Venice has been sidelined since then after suffering a bruised foot at Saratoga preparing for the Mike Lee.
Antonio of Venice could be the primary speed in this field under Ruben Silvera.
Over the last five years, Rudy Rodriguez, trainer of Antonio of Venice, is 0 for 11 with horses returning to the races from layoffs of 210 days or greater.
In December 2022, General Banker won the $500,000 Great White Way division of the NYSS going seven furlongs. He is cutting back to a one-turn race following a fifth-place finish in the Empire Classic at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 27. Prior to that, he won a first-level allowance on Oct. 12 at Aqueduct.
Trainer Jimmy Ferraro said cutting back in distance “I think is a good move. You’ll have some speed in there and he’ll have something to run at. Maybe a mile and an eighth is a little too far for him.”
Dr. Kraft, B D Saints, Cicciobello, and Kaz Sugar Bank complete the field.
Staten Island
Sunday Girl, away from the races since winning a New York-bred allowance in July, returns in Sunday’s $125,000 Staten Island division of the NYSS for fillies and mares at seven furlongs.
A 3-year-old daughter of Central Banker, Sunday Girl has won 3 of 4 starts, including April’s Park Avenue division of the NYSS in just her second career start. Trainer David Duggan said he gave Sunday Girl the summer off following her allowance win because having to move into open company during the summer at Saratoga seemed unnecessary.
“It seemed like a logical time to give her a breather,” Duggan said. “This race fell into a perfect spot. Granted, it’s seven-eighths, but I think she’s more seasoned right now. I think if you’re going to take a chance at seven-eighths this is the place to try.”
Duggan also is running Lisa’s Vision, who on Nov. 14 won an allowance on turf. Lisa’s Vision is winless in five starts on dirt.
:: Subscribe to the DRF Post Time Email Newsletter: Get the news you need to play today's races!
“It’s not a bad spot if she continues her form, she’s not out of place,” Duggan said.
Brown Suga Babe, based at Parx with Jamie Ness, has shipped in twice to win a pair of statebred allowance races going a mile.
My Shea D Lady won the $500,000 Fifth Avenue division of the NYSS last December before finishing second to Sunday Girl in the Park Avenue in April. In July, My Shea D Lady won the off-the-turf Statue of Liberty division of the NYSS.
Golden Rocket, Khali Magic, and Athena Beach complete the field.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.