Kimmel hopes Mr. Buff rebounds in Pimlico Special, next target race

After closing out the Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet with a victory from 3-year-old New York-bred Bronx Bomber on the penultimate day of the meet, trainer John Kimmel is looking to propel into the Belmont spring/summer meet in a big way with a bevy of stakes contenders eyeing assignments.

Multiple stakes winner and New York-bred Mr. Buff, eyeing a start in the Grade 3, $300,000 Pimlico Special on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, posted a four-furlong breeze in 48.55 seconds over the Belmont main track on Wednesday.

The 4-year-old homebred son of Friend or Foe for owners Chester and Mary Broman, kicked off his 2019 campaign with a victory in the Jazil on January 26 at Aqueduct before running a disappointing ninth in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds on March 23.

"We're just going to draw line through that race," said Kimmel. "It seemed as if the track really wasn't playing fair that day, or at least that's what it seemed like with a number of runners who were expected to perform well not panning out that day...since that race, he's been training fine and we're going to point for the Pimlico Special."

Multiple graded stakes placed filly Pacific Gale, who in three starts this year has picked up a pair of second-place finishes in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream and most recently last out to Come Dancing in the Grade 3 Distaff at Aqueduct on April 5, will point to the Grade 3, $200,000 Vagrancy on May 11.

"She's doing great," said Kimmel. "She just ran into a real buzz saw last time out, but she's moved forward off that race."

Graded stakes placed Awesome Saturday, a 4-year-old son of Any Given Saturday, will target an allowance race coming off a fourth-place finish in the Danger's Hour on April 7 at Aqueduct.

"We're looking for a 'three-other-than' here at Belmont on May 2," said Kimmel. "If that race doesn't go, then we'll also consider the Cliff Hanger [May 4] at Monmouth Park."

A fixture on the NYRA circuit for over thirty years, Kimmel said he is looking forward to having another productive meet at Belmont.

"I think we have a good chance to have a productive meet," said Kimmel. "We have a number of fine 2-year-olds that we'll look to run as well as our older horses. There's a lot to look forward to and we're hoping to start the meet off strong."