OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York-bred 2-year-old filly With the Angels won her first two races by more than 20 lengths last year and her connections were understandably excited. There was even some talk about potentially trying the Breeders’ Cup.
The more trainer Linda Rice watched the filly, though, she knew aiming for less ambitious targets was the way to go. So, With the Angels stayed home and beat New York-bred foes in both the Maid of the Mist and Key Cents to complete a perfect 4-for-4 campaign that was rewarded with a New York-bred championship.
Eleven months after her last race, With the Angels hopes to rekindle that form of a year ago when she makes the first start of her 3-year-old season Thursday at Aqueduct in an open-company, first-level allowance going six furlongs that serves as the feature on an eight-race card.
“She was brilliant at Saratoga,” Rice said, referring to when With the Angels won her debut by 11 1/2 lengths on Aug. 22, 2024. “Then, through the fall, she was losing some weight, her hair coat was going the wrong way, her works were a little flat, telltale signs. I said let’s keep things simple. I didn’t want to venture to California, that’s why I stayed local.”
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With the Angels got a little bit of time off but when she started training in the winter, Rice said she needed more time.
Rice has gotten a number of steady works into With the Angels, who had been entered as a main-track only runner in a few spots before this scheduled six-furlong dirt race.
“She’s doing well now,” Rice said. “It’s been a long time since she’s run, hope she doesn’t forget what the goal is here. Obviously, we’re hoping she goes right back to her old form. That isn’t always the case when you get a horse off a long layoff. Sometimes you hold your breath and hope for the best.”
Flavien Prat is named to ride With the Angels on Thursday.
Rice also sends out Sarir. A 4-year-old daughter of American Pharoah, Sarir is just 1 for 15 and has lost her last 12 starts dating back to April 2024.
Wild Mama, like With the Angels, is making the first start of her 3-year-old season for trainer Mark Hennig. She was a two-length winner on debut going six furlongs in September 2024 before being eased when finishing last in the Tempted Stakes last Nov. 2, her most recent start.
In July 2024 and again in January 2025, Hennig won allowance races with horses returning from layoffs of 314 and 240 days, respectively.
Sporting Lady, trained by Keri Brion, returns to dirt after three runs on turf, including a maiden victory sprinting at Colonial Downs. She did run a good second over a sloppy Aqueduct main track in May.
Practical Lov, trained by Bill Mott, was third beaten seven furlongs by Alyeska in this condition going seven furlongs on Sept. 21.
Looks First and Filly Crystal complete the field.
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