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New York-bred juveniles take center stage in Bertram F. Bongard

by Najja Thompson

A competitive field of eight juveniles will each look to pick up their first career stakes win in the 25th running of the $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard for New York-breds going seven furlongs on Friday at Belmont Park.

Making his fourth career start for owners Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton, Bankit will look to improve off a second-place finish in the Funny Cide on August 24 at Saratoga, in which he led most of the way before being caught late in the stretch to finish second by a nose.

In the care of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, the son of Central Banker made his racing debut on June 27 at Belmont, where he ran second before impressively breaking his maiden by 6 ¾ lengths on July 27 at the Spa prior to running in the Funny Cide.

Bankit will depart from post 5 with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard.

Bustin to Be Loved, who finished third in the Funny Cide after stumbling at the start, will look for a clean trip against his foes for owner Darlene Bilinski and trainer Gary Contessa.

By Bustin Stones, Bustin to Be Loved won his debut on August 6 at Saratoga and will make his third career start in the Bertram F. Bongard.

Bustin to Be Loved will leave from post 7 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons.

Trainer Linda Rice will saddle Poppy's Destiny for Lobdell Family Stables. The son of Orb colt, purchased for $300,000 as a 2-year-old in training, held off a late challenge to break his maiden in his debut on August 20 at Saratoga.

Poppy's Destiny will be ridden by Junior Alvarado and from post 2.

Just Right, an Into Mischief juvenile for owners Barry K. Schwartz and Andrew Rosen is set to make his fourth career start in the Bertram F. Bongard for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Following up a disappointing debut in which he finished seventh, he ran second at Saratoga before breaking his maiden in his third career start to win by 4 ¾ lengths.

Just Right will leave from post 6 with Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard.

Also entered are Frosted Ice for trainer Ron Moquett and Rialto Racing Stables off an impressive 5 ½-length maiden victory on August 17 at Saratoga; Risp for trainer Tom Bush and Sullimar Stable; Bustin Hoffman for trainer Ollie Figgins III and owners Darlene Bilinski, and John Witte and Dalliance for owner and trainer Kevin Rice.