OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Given how dominant With the Angels was winning her career debut at Saratoga, it would not have been a reach if her connections had considered running her in the Grade 1 Frizette on Oct. 5 at Aqueduct.
While that race was considered, trainer Linda Rice said she and her owners elected to keep With the Angels with New York-breds for now and run her in Sunday’s $125,000 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes at Aqueduct where she figures a short-priced favorite against four fellow statebreds.
The Gimma, which goes as race 1, and the Bertram F. Bongard for New York-bred males, which goes as race 3, headline Aqueduct’s nine-race card that begins at 1:05 p.m. Both races are at seven furlongs.
A daughter of Omaha Beach who brought $350,000 at April’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s 2-year-olds in training auction, With the Angels debuted Aug. 22 where, under Jose Ortiz, she broke sharply, opened up a clear early advantage, and extended her advantage at will under just a hand ride. With the Angels covered six furlongs in 1:10.40 and earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure.
“She trained really well, so I was expecting a big performance out of her,” said Rice, who trains With the Angels for Winning Move Stable, John Oxley, Lady Sheila Stable, and Rideau Racers LLC. “It was pretty eye-catching – fast time – she certainly legitimized herself. But, it was still a maiden race.”
:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports
Willful Mama, fifth in that race, is the only one to have run back, finishing second in a maiden turf race, running 18 Beyer points faster than she did the day she faced With the Angels.
Of the decision to skip the Frizette, Rice said, “It’s a Grade 1 that usually comes up pretty tough. Take baby steps.”
Ortiz rides With the Angels from the rail on Sunday.
Carmen’s Candy Jar won her debut against statebreds on June 23 and finished fourth behind The Queens M G in the Schuylerville on opening day at Saratoga. Most recently, Carmen’s Candy Jar finished second, four lengths behind Accelerating, in the Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga.
Trainer Todd Pletcher said he would like to run Carmen’s Candy Jar longer than seven furlongs but added this is the most logical spot for her next race.
Valtellina, a daughter of Complexity trained by Ray Handal, was a 10-1 upset winner of her debut going seven furlongs at Saratoga. She sat midpack and raced between horses down the backstretch before making her move entering the far turn and sustaining that bid through the stretch to run down heavily favored Off Script.
Trail of Gold, last of four in the Seeking the Ante, and She’s Our Tiz, who has made both of her starts on turf, complete the field.
Bertram F. Bongard
Unlike the Gimma, Sunday’s $125,000 Bertram F. Bongard for 2-year-old males, appears to be a wide-open affair led by Saratoga debut winners Manhattan Twist and Sacrosanct, and the second-out winner Pay the Juice.
Manhattan Twist, trained by Pletcher, was a 1 3/4-length winner of a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race for which he earned a 70 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He broke sharply and it was a pretty professional debut, I thought,” said Pletcher, who trains Manhattan Twist for MyRacehorse and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing.
Sacrosanct, a son of Honest Mischief trained by Brad Cox for Lady Sheila Stable, Jon Hansen, and Schwing Thoroughbreds, was a 3 1/4-length debut winner as the 8-5 favorite in a field of nine and was doing his best running late.
“I thought he did enough to warrant going in statebred stakes company,” Cox said. “He should handle a little bit more ground. Not sure how far he wants to go, but going seven-eighths, he’s definitely capable of getting it done.”
:: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets.
Pay the Juice won an off-the-turf maiden race Aug. 16 at Saratoga. Trainer Shug McGaughey credited jockey Flavien Prat with putting Pay the Juice into the race in his second start after trying to rally from well off the pace when third in his debut.
“I think that was the difference,” McGaughey said.
McGaughey does believe in the long run Pay the Juice will be better on turf.
Buttah, trained by Gary Sciacca for Eddie F’s Racing, was a 5 1/2-length winner of a seven-furlong maiden race Sept. 2. Oath of Omerta, third in that same race, McDiesel, and Smilensaycheese, complete the field.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.