FALL HIGHWEIGHT TRADITION

Truth be told, I was more of a Ted Williams man myself, but I do believe that it will be Stan The Man (8-1) who touches all the bases in Thursday’s Fall Highweight Handicap, anachronistic not because horses don’t carry weights like these anymore but the fact it’s one of the few handicaps remaining.

Friday’s Clark Stakes? Just doesn’t sound right, does it?

Anyway, there are two lines that stand out in ‘Stan’s PPs, his win here last November and the one at Belmont in May; both were coming off layups, one short and one lengthy. Ergo, he run well fresh.

So does trainer John Terranova, who is a profitable 22% efficient with returnees coming off 90+ days breaks, and his gelded five year old hasn’t missed a training beat since mid-September.

Want more? He likes it here. In 11 starts in the borough of Queens, he’s had eight exacta finishes, including four wins. He’s nicely drawn, can fire from just off the speed, and gets seven pounds from the classy Firenze Fire (8-5), who totes 134. Might not get 8-1, but 5-1 or more seems fair.

Taking Stan the Man to win and key-boxing exactas with Strike Power (9-2) and Recruiting Ready (7-2), adding the favorite to the super-exotics mix.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

YESTERDAY: Actually, it was Saturday. Sadler’s Joy proved much the best as the favorite, given supremely confident handling from Javier. Tom Albertrani had him ready, indeed.