Anjaz Off the Bench in Orchid

Godolphin Racing’s Anjaz is entered to make her first start since last August in the Orchid. Trained by Albertrani, the 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry was scratched after acting up in the starting gate prior to the Very One (G3) at Gulfstream on Feb. 15.            

Prior to that, she was entered in the Glens Falls (G3) at Saratoga Race Course but withdrawn when rain forced the race off the grass. She bruised her foot and missed a scheduled start at Belmont Park in the fall, and then missed the La Prevoyante (G3) at Calder when the Dec. 28 race was canceled.            

In her most recent start, Anjaz was second in the Waya Stakes at Saratoga on August 5, 2013.           

“It’s been a bit of an unlucky break for her the last few months. Hopefully, we can get her into a race and see where she’s going to be competitive,” Albertrani said. “We did everything we could before her last race. We did some gate schooling with her, and we did a lot more work this time around. She’s been great in the morning; it just depends on what her attitude is going to be in the afternoon. She’s been doing really well; you’ve just got to hope that she behaves herself. I think that if she breaks out running, she’ll give a good account of herself.”           

Pletcher will counter with Viva Rafaela in the Orchid. The Brazilian-bred mare has made five starts since coming to the U.S. including the last three at Gulfstream, where she won a optional claiming allowance in November and was third by 1 ¼ lengths in the Very One after setting the early pace.           

“She has progressed very well,” Pletcher said. “The Very One was the first time for us to go a mile and three-eighths and it seemed llike she handled that well. We’ve kind of been pointing for this since then. She’s coming up to it in good order, and we’re hoping that she can improve a little bit off her last effort. In these types of races, depending on the pace scenario she is going to be forwardly placed.”                       

Rounding out the Orchid field are Very One runner-up Aigue Marine, Antonia Autumn, Lake Placid (G2) winner Caroline Thomas, Clearbrook, Hunter Forward, Very One winner Inimitable Romanee and Stick to Your Guns.