Good Friends Stable's MGISW Private Zone (Macho Uno) will break from the outside post when attempting to defend his title in a strong seven-horse renewal of Aqueduct's GI Cigar Mile Saturday. Victorious in both the GIII Belmont Sprint Championship S. July 4 and Saratoga's GI Forego S. Aug. 29, the speedy gelding finished second at the hooves of the sensational Runhappy (Super Saver) last time in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint Oct. 31. Previously trained by Jorge Navarro, the 6-year-old is favored at 6-5 on the morning-line in this debut for new trainer Brian Lynch.
“It's not the most orthodox [training regimen],” Lynch said. “I've only had a couple of weeks with him and only seen him this past week, so we're going to do the best we can to get him there. I like to think everything happens for a reason, though, and he's coming out of the Breeders' Cup, so his fitness level was already good. Maybe he didn't even need the work; he's been very happy in his training this week. Hopefully he brings the same hard, tough race he's been running.”
Private Zone's biggest challenge will come from two-time GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Tonalist (Tapit). Exiting a fifth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 31, the “TDN Rising Star” drew post five as the 2-1 second-choice and gets the blinkers back on for this cut back in distance. Trainer Christophe Clement is also represented here by GI Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile third-place finisher Red Vine (Candy Ride {Arg}), who will exit post three at morning-line odds of 8-1.
“He's trained so well and it's the last Grade I of the year [in New York], so why not?” Clement said. “He's stabled here and will get a break after the race. As of now, the plan is for both Red Vine and Tonalist to remain in training next year.”
Al Shaqab Racing's GI Gulfstream Park Turf H. hero Mshawish (Medaglia d'Oro) will break from the two-hole while trying dirt for the first time here after a fourth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile Oct. 31. Other notable runners include GIII Bold Ruler H. winner Matrooh (Distorted Humor), who will exit post four at odds of 6-1; and lightly-raced sophomore and “TDN Rising Star” Marking (Bernardini), who was given a 15-1 shot after drawing the rail.
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