OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Phil Gleaves, Steven Crist, Ken deRegt, and Bryan Hillard’s Thin White Duke has settled into the barn of trainer David Donk at Belmont Park.
Previously trained by co-owner Phil Gleaves, the 4-year-old son of Dominus has been away from the races since a well-beaten 12th in a restricted optional claiming race over the turf at Belmont last June.
The dark bay gelding, who wintered at Racing Edge Training Center in Ocala, Florida, posted his second breeze back over the Belmont dirt training track Friday, covering a half-mile in 49.92 seconds.
“He breezed well today and will probably run in an allowance next week,” Donk said. “I’m good friends with Phil and when he retired from training last fall, I took a couple horses for him. The horse trained well over the winter and came to me in good shape.”
Thin White Duke earned two stakes victories against fellow New York-breds as a juvenile, taking the 2020 Funny Cide at Saratoga Race Course and the Aspirant at Finger Lakes Racetrack. He picked up two more stakes placings in the 2020 New York Breeders’ Futurity and the Paradise Creek in May before his nine-month layoff.
“He had a small issue and a bunch of time off,” said Donk. “He was a pretty good 2-year-old. We’ll see where we stand with him.”
Empire Equines’ three-time winner Water’s Edge exited an optional claiming victory at the Big A on February 10 in good order and may step up to stakes company next in the $100,000 Haynesfield, a one-turn mile for older New York-breds on March 20 at Aqueduct.
Water’s Edge, a 4-year-old son of Candy Ride, stretched out to nine furlongs for his 1 1/4-length victory under Jorge Vargas, Jr., taking the lead at the half-mile marker and galloping away to earn a second consecutive 91 Beyer.
“He stepped forward and it was a good effort going two turns,” Donk said. “It gives us some options going forward with him. We felt distance wouldn’t be an issue and he’s put together some good speed figures.
“At some point, we’re going to have to step into deeper waters,” Donk added. “The Haynesfield is under consideration and if we don’t go there, there’s an allowance the following week.”
Sophomore filly Succulent will make her return to the races in Race 4 on Sunday at the Big A for her first start since a fourth in the Seeking the Ante at Saratoga Race Course in August.
Owned by Steven Crist, Ken deRegt, and Phil Gleaves, Succulent was well-beaten by November Rein in her last outing after trailing the field and never firing. The dark bay daughter of Candy Ride will return to the maiden special weight condition for the first time since August.
Succulent worked a half-mile in 49.52 seconds over the Belmont training track on March 6.
“She’s had one breeze here since she’s been back,” said Donk. “We just want to get a race into her with an idea to get her to the grass, but we’ll see. This will just be the starting point for her. Getting back in a maiden race will probably suit her.”
NYRA Press Office
Photo: Under Joel Rosario Thin White Duke, with ears up, takes the Funny Side at Saratoga Sept. 4, 2020. His name is a nod to David Bowie. (NYRA/Coglianese)
