Market Alert Seeks Breakthrough in NYSSS Times Square

Two-time stakes-placed Market Alert  capitalized on class relief in his last outing and will look to parlay that confidence into his first stakes score when he competes as part of a seven-horse field in the $200,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Times Square division for 3-year-olds racing 6 1/2 furlongs April 17 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

WellSpring Stables' homebred Market Alert capped his juvenile campaign with back-to-back third-place finishes in stakes company at the Big A, earning black type in the six-furlong Notebook Stakes on a track labeled good in November before running 1 1/4 lengths back to winner Hold the Salsa  in the seven-furlong NYSSS Great White Way division on a fast track in December.

Trainer James Ryerson dropped the D' Funnybone  gelding down in class for his sophomore debut Feb. 21 going six furlongs at Aqueduct, and he responded with a half-length win.

"He's a nice horse and I think he has some limitations distance-wise, but 6 1/2 should be good for him," Ryerson said. "He breezed Saturday and has been training well and looks good. The distance and the fact that it's a stallion race, it made it hard to pass on, so hopefully, everything goes well."

Jose Ortiz will have the call from post 5, with Ryerson saying he hopes Market Alert sustains his recent propensity to put himself in a forward position.

"He has tactical speed to be able to put himself in the race, and he's done that in his last two (starts)," Ryerson said. "I think that's been the biggest difference in him from 2 to 3 years old. He breaks better and puts himself in races. That's what we are hoping for on Saturday."

Eddie F's Racing's Lobsta , bred by Fedwell Farm, will make his second stakes appearance overall and first since running second to Nicky the Vest  in the Feb. 14 Gander Stakes going a one-turn mile at the Big A. The Gary Sciacca trainee made his debut on New Year's Eve at Aqueduct, running fifth, before starting 2021 with a 5 3/4-length maiden breaking win just 16 days later.

After the Gander runner-up, Lobsta bested Schokolade  by a neck over a sloppy tack in a one-mile allowance optional claimer March 28 at Aqueduct. Eric Cancel, aboard for all of the Emcee  colt's previous four starts, will have the return assignment from the outermost post.

"It's a cutback, so we'll see (how he does)," said owner Ed Fazzone. "I know Lobsta loves the one-turn mile at Aqueduct. His first time out was going six furlongs, and he broke bad and it was a sloppy track. He's matured pretty good since and that race did a lot for him.

"Eric says he's very professional and so far has done everything right. We ran into a nice horse in the Gander in Nicky the Vest. When we turned for home there and Nicky the Vest took off, it was pretty amazing just how game Lobsta was to keep fighting on for second that day."

Mr. Amore Stable's It's Gravy  has finished in the money in each of his three previous stakes appearances and will look to break through after running third in the seven-furlong Damon Runyon Stakes last out March 14.

Devious Mo , Papa Smooth , Sinful Dancer , and Writer's Regret  will all make their stakes debuts.