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Neural Network elevated to victory in $100K Gander

by Mary Eddy

Klaravich Stables’ Neural Network scored the first stakes victory of his career when he was elevated to victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Gander, a one-turn mile for New York-bred sophomores, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by four-time Eclipse Award-winner Chad Brown, Neural Network rallied from 2 1/2 lengths off the pace under Manny Franco to pounce on pacesetters D’ont Lose Cruz and Maker’s Candy in deep stretch before the latter drifted out in the late stages and crossed the wire first. Both a steward’s inquiry and an objection from Franco resulted in the disqualification of the Jose Gomez-piloted Maker’s Candy, awarding Neural Network the victory.

“He didn’t pass first in front of the wire, but I was bothered,” Franco said. “I was intimidated by the other horse. He carried me out. He [Gomez] was trying, but his horse was lugging out. He was doing his job and I was doing mine. I was taking care of my business. I feel I had to call and I think they made the right decision.”

Neural Network, who sported blinkers for the first time, broke cleanly from post 5 and stalked the early foot of D’ont Lose Cruz, who put a nose in front of Maker’s Candy exiting the chute and sprinted clear to a half-length advantage through an opening quarter-mile in 23.84 seconds over the fast main track.

Maker’s Candy was asked for more as the field rounded the turn and came to even terms with D’ont Lose Cruz after a half-mile in 47.42 and three-quarters in 1:11.87. Meanwhile, Neural Network, who was kept wide throughout, made up ground with every stride from third position under steady urging from Franco and was within striking distance at the top of the lane. Maker’s Candy put away a stubborn D’ont Lose Cruz at the eighth pole and was left to contend with the charges of Neural Network to his outside and Dr. Kraft, who stumbled at the start and trailed the field throughout, to his inside.

Maker’s Candy had something left at the end to stave off his two challengers, but could not maintain a straight path and impeded on Neural Network’s wide rally. Neural Network held on for second by a neck over Dr. Kraft and finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Maker’s Candy, but was elevated to victory in a final time of 1:38.64.

Dr. Kraft finished 4 3/4 lengths ahead of D’ont Lose Cruz with Starquist completing the order of finish.

Neural Network arrived at the Gander from a distant fourth-place finish against open company in the one-mile Jerome on January 7 here, rallying from last-of-7 to finish 9 1/4 lengths behind the victorious Lugan Knight. His other start was a five-length debut victory sprinting seven furlongs against fellow state-breds in November over a muddy Big A main track.

Franco, who was aboard for the Jerome, said a closer trip and blinkers helped Neural Network improve.

“The blinkers helped me a lot. He put me in a forward position,” said Franco. “I don’t want to be too far away. I think the kickback [in the Jerome] – he doesn’t like it all – so, I used my post to my advantage. The distance is fine for him. I think he can go a mile, mile and an eighth.”

Bred by Milfer Farm, Neural Network is by Spendthrift Farm's Grade 1 Preakness-winning stallion Cloud Computing, who was co-owned by Klaravich and trained by Brown. Neural Network banked $55,000 in victory and improved his lifetime record to 3-2-0-0. The $120,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale purchase is out of the Street Cry mare Lapinski, who is a half-sister to stakes winner Sunset Wish. He returned $4.70 for a $2 win ticket as the post-time favorite.

Gomez said he gave his best effort aboard Maker’s Candy, who entered from a dominant 6 3/4-length state-bred maiden victory on January 28 for trainer Mike Maker.

“My horse was getting out and I tried to correct him,” said Gomez. “Obviously, I didn’t do it enough. We never made any contact. Maybe, something was bothering him, but I was just doing my best to keep him straight.”

Live racing resumes Sunday at the Big A with a nine-race card. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.  

America's Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct winter 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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