After Market Steps Up the Level of Competition

After Market certainly has the pedigree to become a quality horse. The dark bay, a son of Storm Cat out of multiple-stakes-winning mare Tranquility Lake, is owned by breeders Pam and Marty Wygod.

So far, After Market has made no mistakes, winning both of his starts for trainer Bill Mott. The 3-year-old will make his stakes debut when he meets five others in the $100,000 Lexington, a Grade III at 1 1/8 miles on turf, today at Belmont Park.

A 9-1 longshot when he made his debut Nov. 4 at Aqueduct, After Market responded with a victory by three-quarters of a length, then didn’t race again until winning an allowance race by 1 3/4 lengths on June 15 at Belmont. Cornelio Velasquez was the rider in the victories and has the call again today.

After Market’s rivals are Darley Stable-owned Habsburg and Carnera, To Sender, Cool Cassanova and Crossword, who will be ridden for the first time by Garrett Gomez.

Trained by Bobby Frankel for owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms, To Sender has won two of his four starts in the U.S. after winning one of two in England. Kent Desormeaux has the ride.

Race of the day: Taikun, who won the Flame Thrower by 2 1/2 lengths as the 9-10 favorite June 16, probably will be a shorter price today when he takes on four opponents in the $65,000 Robert K. Kerlan Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park. Alex Solis will ride the 6-year-old Australian-bred gelding for owner Edward Goldstone and trainer Ron McAnally in the 5 1/2 -furlong turf race. Slew’s Prince, Tomcolee, Golden Arrow and Railroad are also set to run.

One for the road: Megabyte looks like the controlling speed and can go wire-to-wire in the $50,000 Alamedan Handicap, the closing day feature at Pleasanton. Roberto Gonzalez will be aboard the 4-year-old Chief Seattle colt for Mercedes Stable LLC and trainer Angelo Tekos in the 1 1/16 -mile race. The 118-pound high weight in the Alamedan is Sharp Writer, who has only one win in 10 starts on dirt.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the ninth race using El Vic on top, Rateau, Tenga Cat and Via Rodeo in the second spot and all in the third spot.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/129. Money: (previous day/meet total): $3.20/$781. Total money bet: $966.