Kantarmaci well represented on Saturday’s lucrative Fall Starter Championships card

Trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci has entered eight horses across Saturday’s lucrative Fall Starter Championships program featuring 10 races offering a combined $970,000 in purse money, at Belmont at the Big A.

A total of 109 horses have entered into the 10 Fall Starter Championships races, which are open to horses that have started for a prescribed claiming price since July 1, 2024. Each race in the series is named after some of the most popular claiming horses to run on the NYRA circuit. The 11-race card, which offers a first post of 12:10 p.m. Eastern is supported by the Grade 2, $200,000 Sands Point in Race 7.

Kantarmaci, whose father Tuncay was an accomplished trainer in their native Türkiye, will be represented by Systemic Change [Lone Rock], Barksdale [Creme de la Fete], Fromanothamutha [Creme de la Fete], Dr. Kraft [Be Bullish], Jackson Heights [Be Bullish], Conman [Voodoo Song], Let It Ride [Silver Timber] and Gatsby [MTO – Silver Timber].

"We claim a lot of horses over the year, and these races create excitement for us. We can see the horses are improving and we can see the results from the work that we do,” Kantarmaci said. “When you claim a horse and improve them, it shows that we can also make it as a trainer. It's a big challenge for someone like myself and when they come to us and we do good, it means a lot. It shows that when we have a good horse, we can get the job done."

Kantarmaci haltered Dr. Kraft for $50,000 here in April and the 5-year-old New York-bred son of The Lieutenant has won twice since in four starts as he looms a strong contender in the $110,000 Be Bullish.

“When I claimed him, he still had the '2-other-than New York-bred' condition and then we won it,” Kantarmaci said. “He was still eligible for an 'a-other-than' that we won at Parx for a good purse. Now, he's eligible for this race and it's like stakes money - it's very good."

Kantarmaci, who oversees a stable of 35 horses, said he tries to treat each of his horses as individuals.

"I go horse by horse. I don't have one schedule. I learned this from my father - every horse is different,” Kantarmaci said. “Some horses need light training and some horses need more. I go by what the horse wants.”

Kantarmaci said he is especially excited to watch Saturday’s $110,000 Evvie Jets, which is named for the popular mare claimed for $80,000 by his brother Mertkan on behalf of the late Robert J. Amendola that went on to win a pair of graded races on the NYRA circuit.

"I wish I had a horse for this race, but I don't have any horses for the turf going long, so I will only be watching but this means a lot to us. It's an honor," said Kantarmaci, who was an assistant to his brother Mertkan during Evvie Jets’ run. "We claimed Evvie Jets and won graded stakes races with her and now it's really nice to see her name on a race over there."

The Fall Starter Championships kicks off in Race 1 as Larry Rabold’s Passage East [post 5, Katie Davis] looks to build upon a five-race win streak leading into the $90,000 Glass Ceiling, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up which have started for a claiming price of $32,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

Trained by Hugh McMahon, the 3-year-old Audible dark bay has started 10 times, placing second five consecutive times before winning five times. Passage East enters from a seven-furlong optional claiming win versus elders on September 11 at Colonial Downs, and her streak includes an eight-length romp sprinting six furlongs in May here.

Also entered are Despo’s Dream [post 1, Flavien Prat], Grammy Girl [post 2, Javier Castellano], Brzina [post 3, Ruben Silvera], Problematica [post 4, Kendrick Carmouche], and The Big Calhouna [post 6, Manny Franco].

Goodasiwonswas [post 1, Flavien Prat] will look to pick up his fourth win this year in the $90,000 Creme de La Fete [Race 2], a six-furlong dirt sprint for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $32,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

The 6-year-old Vancouver gelding has changed hands three times in 2025, including being haltered for $75,000 last out from a fourth-place finish at Saratoga Race Course by trainer Mike Maker for owner Paradise Farms. His wins this campaign include an allowance score in February at Oaklawn Park, a claiming win in June at Churchill Downs and an optional-claiming score in July at Ellis Park. Goodasiwonswas will make his Big A debut while starting at his ninth track overall.

Also entered are River Dog [post 2, Sonny Leon], Acoustic Ave [post 3, Jose Lezcano], Tizmarkus [post 4, Ricardo Santana, Jr.], Breslau [post 5, Dylan Davis], Barksdale [post 6, Manny Franco] and Fromanothamutha [post 7, Jaime Rodriguez].

Jeanine Cumiskey’s Curlin’s Malibu [post 4, Manny Franco] carries a strong performance into the $85,000 Lone Rock [Race 3], a 1 3/16-mile test for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

Trained by Joe Sharp, Curlin’s Malibu enters off a one-length starter allowance win going 1 1/16 miles on August 21 at Colonial Downs which registered a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure. The 6-year-old Curlin gelding is 39-5-7-7 overall with a pair of stakes placings last year for previous trainer William Atkins, including to millionaire Post Time in the one-mile Polynesian last September at Laurel Park.

Also entered are Love Me Not [post 1, Jaime Rodriguez], Middle Market [post 2, Christopher Elliott], Systemic Change [post 3, Sahin Civaci], Glint [post 5, Luis Rivera, Jr.], Double Your Money [post 6, Melvis Gonzalez] and Waitlist [post 7, Kendrick Carmouche].

Michael Moriarty’s Jackson’s Dixie [post 6, Dylan Davis] has hit the board in 12-of-21 starts over the local main track and seeks to improve her experienced Big A ledger in the $80,000 Battle Bling [Race 4], a one-turn mile for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up which have started for a claiming price of $20,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

Trained by Michael Miceli, the 5-year-old Union Jackson dark bay was haltered for $25,000 out of a fifth two starts back in June here and returned to finish third to Army Gal last out in a local 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer for New York-breds on September 11. Bred in the Empire State by Mr. and Mrs. Andy Beadnell, Jackson’s Dixie is out of the Uncaptured mare Captured My Fancy.

Also entered are Pens Street [post 1, Kendrick Carmouche], Baby Sassicaia [post 2, Luis Rivera, Jr.], Jackie the Joker [post 3, Lane Luzzi], Floge [post 4, Jose Gomez], Mursal [post 5, Jose Lezcano], Champagne Surprise [post 7, Nazario Alvarado] and Lika Rolling Stone [post 8, Christopher Elliott].

Paterpop Racing and John Penn’s Tour Jete [post 2, Jaime Rodriguez] makes her second start off the claim for trainer Fernando Abreu in the $110,000 Evvie Jets [Race 5], a 1 1/16-mile outer turf route for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up that have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

The New York-bred daughter of War Dancer, who was haltered for $45,000 in September here, earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for a last-out 2 1/2-length fifth in an open-company optional claimer on October 2 over course and distance. A three-time winner, Tour Jete took an optional claimer facing open company in June here when stretched out to 1 3/8 miles, and holds a 6-2-0-1 record at Saturday’s distance. She was bred by War Dancer LLC, Team Penney Racing and Carem Stables.

Completing the competitive field are Collaboration [post 1, Flavien Prat], Seat At the Table [post 3, Ricardo Santana, Jr.], Goats On a Tree [post 4, Dylan Davis], Tuck Check [post 5, Manny Franco], Miss Bonnie T [post 6, Jose Gomez], Fantasy Performer [post 7, Jose Lezcano], Temple City Taboo [post 8, Luis Rivera, Jr.] and Bobby Jean [post 9, Kendrick Carmouche]. Fortuna Mia, Khali Magic, Luna Moth, Sweetest Princess and Soundbite are entered for the main track-only.

The $75,000 Royal Posse [Race 6], a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of $16,000 or less since July 1, 2024, is headlined by J D Factor [post 3, Jaime Rodriguez].

The 4-year-old The Factor gelding has not been out of the exacta in six starts for trainer Jamie Ness and has hit the board in 11-of-12 starts overall this year. J D Factor enters from a 1 1/4-length optional-claiming win sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on September 20 at Delaware Park. He is campaigned by Madison Avenue Racing Stable, Morris Kernan, Jr., and Jagger, Inc.

Also entered are Screaming Uncle [post 1, Christopher Elliott], Sin Nombre [post 2, Christian Hiraldo], Master of Arms [post 4, Dylan Davis], Fielding [post 5, Jose Lezcano], No Confession [post 6, Heman Harkie], Sagamore Mischief [post 7, Kendrick Carmouche], Forgiving Spirit [post 8, Manny Franco], Takeschargesmiling [post 9, Ricardo Santana, Jr.] and Great Richie M [post 10, Ruben Silvera].

SEI Thoroughbreds’ Devil in Disguise [post 3, Ricardo Santana, Jr.] returns on short rest from a close third-place finish on October 9 here for the $110,000 Silver Timber [Race 8], a six-furlong outer turf sprint for 3-year-olds and up, which have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

Trained by Rudy Rodriguez, the 4-year-old Bold d’Oro gelding was claimed for $50,000 from a winning effort in a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint on July 10 at Saratoga. He has made two starts since over course and distance, landing a 2 1/2-length fifth on September 11 and a 1 3/4-length third last out under returning rider Ricardo Santana, Jr. The $400,000 purchase from the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale is out of the winning Distorted Humor mare Little Jude – a half-sister to 2012 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf-winner Little Mike.

Also entered are Live High Live Low [post 1, Manny Franco], Cousin Ed [post 2, Dylan Davis], Shefflin [post 4, Flavien Prat], Vacation Dance [post 5, Jaime Rodriguez], Vinsanity [post 6, Jose Lezcano], Extraordinary One [post 7, Katie Davis], Seaver [post 8, Fernando Jara], Frank’s Art [post 9, Samuel Marin], Let It Ride [post 10, Sahin Civaci], Java Buzz [post AE11, Ricardo Santana, Jr.], City of Oscars [post AE12, Dylan Davis], Big Hat Willie [post AE13, Kendrick Carmouche], Knockanara [post AE14, Jaime Rodriguez] and Finster [post AE15, Jose Lezcano]. Gatsby is entered for the main-track only.

The aforementioned New York-bred Dr. Kraft [post 3, Jaime Rodriguez] brings a two-race win streak into the $110,000 Be Bullish [Race 9], a one-turn mile over the main track for 3-year-olds and up, which have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

Trained by and co-owned by Ilkay Kantarmaci with Zilla Racing Stables, Black Jack Racing and Steven Forst, the 5-year-old son of The Lieutenant has utilized prominent trips to take a nine-furlong state-bred optional-claimer here in June and a one-mile and 70 yard optional-claimer last out on August 19 at Parx. Kantarmaci haltered the veteran gelding [30-5-8-10, $462,379] here in April for $50,000 out of a runner-up effort sprinting seven furlongs.

To secure the win, Dr. Kraft will have to topple stakes-winning stablemate Jackson Heights [post 7, Dylan Davis]; Light the Way [post 9, Kendrick Carmouche], who enters from a 2 3/4-length fifth in the local Grade 3 Vosburgh on September 27 and Emirates Road [post 6, Manny Franco], who posted a formidable 105 Beyer Speed Figure last out in a local five-length allowance win on February 22.

Also providing opposition are Princetown [post 1, Flavien Prat], Tabeguache [post 2, Jose Gomez], Bramito [post 4, Eric Cancel], Whittington Park [post 5, Jose Lezcano], Twenty Four Mamba [post 8, Ricardo Santana, Jr.], Unclecharliesgift [post 10, Lane Luzzi], Eliminate [post 11, Christopher Elliott] and Treaty Obligation [post 12, Ruben Silvera].

The Elkstone Group’s stakes-winner Clear Conscience [post 8, Javier Castellano] tops a loaded field for the $110,000 Voodoo Song [Race 10], a 1 1/16-mile inner turf route for 3-year-olds and up that have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

The Amelia Green trainee was claimed for $45,000 out of a narrow second last out in a local state-bred optional claimer over course and distance on September 13. Previously trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, the 5-year-old son of Blame registered a lifetime-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure for a nose win in the state-bred Kingston in June at Saratoga Race Course. He was bred by Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable and Wachtel Stable.

Completing the field are Belouni [post 1, Dylan Davis], Tut’s Revenge [post 2, Ricardo Santana, Jr.], Highestdistinction [post 3, Samuel Marin], Ruse [post 4, Fernando Jara], Son of a Birch [post 5, Kendrick Carmouche], Risk Manager [post 6, Flavien Prat], Fuerteventura [post 7, Jaime Rodriguez], Laird of Magnolia [post 9, Luis Rivera, Jr.], Walley World [post 10, Manny Franco], Le Gris [post 11, Ruben Silvera] and Conman [post 12, Sahin Civaci]. Power Seeker, Noted, Wynstock and Dreamlike are entered for the main track-only.

The card closes out in Race 11 with the $110,000 Tiffany’s Taylor as New York-bred Blossoming Erudite [post 10, Ricardo Santana, Jr.] is in search of her fourth win this campaign in the six-furlong outer turf sprint for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, which have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less since July 1, 2024.

Trained by Carlos David for owner Four Tags Stable, who co-bred the sophomore daughter of Solomini with Bruce Grossman, Blossoming Erudite is a three-time winner over course and distance. She took down a $35,000 claiming sprint in April at Gulfstream Park before adding two state-bred scores versus elders here with an allowance win in June and an optional-claiming score last out on September 18.

A loaded field includes Duboff [post 1, Samuel Marin], Linarite [post 2, Kendrick Carmouche], Thiene [post 3, Jose Lezcano, blinkers OFF], Mizoula [post 4, Jaime Rodriguez], Strictly Taboo [post 5, Sahin Civaci], Cynane [post 6, Manny Franco], Peony [post 7, Fernando Jara], Sol Hope [post 8, Flavien Prat, blinkers ON], Kerry [post 9, Dylan Davis], Proud Foot [post AE11, Ruben Silvera] and Top Gun Girl [post AE12, Ruben Silvera]. Ready for Trouble is entered for the main-track only.

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

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