Sent off the even-money favorite carrying 125 pounds in the General Douglas MacArthur, the 8-year-old son of Personal Flag had no rally and finished sixth of 10. Say Florida Sandy has been assigned 123 pounds for the Hudson and is the highweight, which concerns his connections.
"I don't know about 123 pounds," trainer Victor Cuadra said. "I'm going to talk it over with the owner, Mr. (John) Rotella."
Say Florida Sandy finished fourth in the Forest Hills (gr. II) and did not look like the same horse that chased Orientate around the track in the A.G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga in August.
Well Fancied took advantage of Say Florida Sandy's misfortunes in the MacArthur. The 4-year-old gelding sat second and opened up a clear lead when asked, going on to win by 4 1/4 lengths.
"The way he ran last time is what we've always been looking for," trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said. "As long as he breaks well, the distance should be to our advantage."
Well Fancied will have to shorten up a furlong for the Hudson, but four of his five wins are at six furlongs.
Last year's Hudson winner, Impeachthepro, will attempt to defend his title. The 5-year-old gelding will have an entry mate in Smokieisabandit.
$125,000 Hudson, 6 furlongs, 3 & up
PP. HORSE, JOCKEY, WGT.
1 Le Bourget, Jorge Chavez, 115
2 Well Fancied, John Velazquez, 118
3 Y Two J, Shaun Bridgmohan, 111
4 A One Rocket, Jerry Bailey, 111
5a Impeachthepro, John Grabowski, 117
6 Strike the Brass, Paul Toscano, 114
7a Smokieisabandit, Mike Luzzi, 113
8 Magic and Bird, Norberto Arroyo Jr., 115
9 Say Florida Sandy, Jose Santos, 123
10 As Wicked, Victor Carrero, 113
11 Tom's Thunder, Edgar Prado, 117
12 Vodka, Heberto Castillo Jr., 120
13 Brickens, Javier Castellano, 111
14 Private Enterprise, Aaron Gryder, 114
Strike the Brass will race without blinkers.