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Blacktype looks for third straight win in Artie Schiller

by NYRA Press Office

Jump Sucker Stable's Blacktype will look to capitalize on a cutback in distance in going for his third straight victory in Saturday's $150,000 Artie Schiller on Aqueduct Racetrack's inner turf.

The 6-year-old French-bred gelding has registered Beyer Speed Figures of at least 95 in 12 consecutive starts, including back-to-back one-length victories. That winning streak started with an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on September 9 and followed with Blacktype outkicking Mugtaser in the Grade 2 Knickerbocker at 1 1/8 miles on October 9 at Belmont Park.

The Christophe Clement trainee, who rallied from 10th to finish second - just three-quarters of a length behind Macagone - in last year's Artie Schiller will be running again at a mile, where he is 2-2-2 in eight career starts.

Joel Rosario, who was aboard for the last two victories, will have the return call from post 5 on the 3-1 morning line choice. Blacktype will be carrying the co-highweight of 124 pounds.

"He's been training well but he'll be carrying plenty of weight," Clement said. "I think he's OK on softer turf. There's rain in the forecast, so that could be good. Joel is riding, so it's exciting. He ran very well in the race last year and we're looking for another good effort."

Stronach Stables' Delta Price, a 4-year-old half-brother to three-time Eclipse Award winner Royal Delta, who has placed in both of his graded stakes appearances, will look for his first win since capturing an optional claimer on August 5 at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, Delta Price, who was third behind Forge and Heart to Heart in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap on September 4 at the Spa, will carry 120 pounds. Jose Ortiz will ride the 5-2 choice from post 9.

Night Prowler has finished on the board in his last four starts, including a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Poker on June 18 at Belmont. A 5-year-old gelding for trainer Chad Brown, Night Prowler drew the rail carrying 118 pounds with Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano aboard. He is listed at 5-1 on the morning line.

A Lot, also trained by Brown, made his first start in more than 11 months last out, finishing sixth in an optional claimer on October 13. That marked the 5-year-old son of Tapit's first race since running 10th in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in November 2016 at Santa Anita. A Lot, listed at 6-1, will have the services of jockey Junior Alvarado from post 6, carrying 118 pounds.

Rounding out the field is Fire Away, for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, from post 2; Hollywood Hideaway, for trainer Barbara Minshall, from post 3; Marengo Road, trained by Michael Trombetta, from post 7; Wolf Rock, a Kelly Rubley trainee out of post 4; Converge, trained by Naipaul Chatterpaul, will break from post 8 carrying 124 pounds; Monster Ball, for trainer Mark Casse, will exit post 10 and Tizzarunner, under trainer Mike Maker, drew the outside. Kantune, also trained by Casse, is entered for the main track only.

Sunday's card at the Big A will feature a field of six in the $125,000 New York Stallion Series Thunder Rumble as Race 3.

Multiple New York-bred stakes winner Gold for the King will take on his elders as the lone 3-year-old in the field for owner-breeder Francis Paolangeli. Trained by Charlie Baker, the Posse gelding finished eighth while facing older horses for the first time and travelling wide throughout in the Hudson on Empire Showcase Day.

Gold for the King will break from the outside post with Rosario aboard.

Blue Bison Stable's Loki's Vengeance, a seven-length winner of last year's Thunder Rumble, will make his first start since finishing a well-beaten ninth on a sloppy and sealed track in the Commentator for state-breds on May 29. Transferred this summer to Linda Rice from retired trainer Mike Hushion, the 6-year-old progeny of Frost Giant boasts a pair of recent bullet works, including a five-furlong move in 59.94 seconds over Aqueduct's main track on November 9.

Loki's Vengeance will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 5.

Also entered in the Thunder Rumble are last-out winners Cloud Control and Nobody Move; Becker's Galaxy, cutting back in distance following an eighth-place finish in the Empire Classic at 1 1/8 miles; and Sudden Surprise, ninth in the Hudson last time out.