Aqueduct: Older horses shine in Man o' War, Nerud, Ruffian

Three-time Grade 1-winner Far Bridge will look to notch his fifth career graded stakes win in Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Man o’ War, a 1 3/8-mile inner turf route for older horses at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Christophe Clement for LSU Stables, the 5-year-old son of English Channel was last seen posting a determined neck score in the 1 1/2-mile Pan American (G3) on March 29 at Gulfstream Park in his seasonal bow.

There, Far Bridge stalked 2 1/2 lengths off the pace in fifth early after being steadied in the first turn, but swiftly improved to third by the mile call under Hall of Famer Joel Rosario. Far Bridge stuck his head in front of pacesetter Corruption at the top of the lane and dueled with his stubborn foe to the wire, narrowly besting him in a final time of 2:23.19.

Miguel Clement, son of and assistant to Christophe Clement, said Far Bridge gained plenty of fitness out of the game effort.

“He had three weeks off after the Pan American with no breezes because it was such a strong effort off the layoff,” said Clement. “He’s coming into this race quite well.”

The win marked Far Bridge’s fourth graded stakes triumph in a turf route, adding to Grade 1 wins in the Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) last year here, and the Belmont Derby Invitational as a sophomore at Belmont Park when trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, who also trained the bay to placings in four additional graded events that year.

Though Far Bridge’s only start at Saturday’s distance yielded a ninth-place finish in the United Nations (G2) last summer at Monmouth Park, Clement said he isn’t concerned about the distance, and noted Far Bridge has been effective both as the pacesetter and with stalking trips.

“I don’t think the distance makes that much of a difference to be completely honest,” Clement said. “He’s a very good horse with tactical speed if you want him to. He’s won Grade 1s from the lead, from last, and he’s got a good turn-of-foot. His versatility makes it fun for Joel.”

Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, the classy Far Bridge boasts a 15: 7-3-2 lifetime record with $1,922,980 in total purse earnings. Out of the winning Kitten’s Joy mare Fitpitcher, Far Bridge’s second dam is the winning A.P. Indy mare Teenage Temper, whose half-sister Pleasant Song produced Grade 2-winning millionaire Long Range Toddy.

“He’s a very good horse and he’s top class,” Clement said. “He’s improving as he gets older and it’s very rewarding for the stable. It’s a great story to be a part of.”

Rosario, aboard for the last four starts, will guide Far Bridge from post 3.

Joseph Allen, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Jonathan Poulin’s graded stakes-winner Capture the Flag, who breaks from post 4 with John Velazquez, will try to turn the tables on Far Bridge after finishing eighth in the Pan American.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Quality Road 5-year-old stalked the pace in third under Irad Ortiz, Jr. before weakening into the lane and finishing 12 lengths behind his returning rival. One race prior, he made the early lead and made every pole a winning one under returning Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez in the Mac Diarmida (G2) going this distance over the Gulfstream turf on March 1.

A Kentucky homebred for Allen out of the Grade 1-winning War Front mare War Flag, Capture the Flag is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Personal Best and is from the family of breed-shaping sire Dynaformer, dual graded stakes-winner Civil Union, and Group 3-winner War Dispatch, among others.

Anglophile, who starts from the rail under Javier Castellano, will attempt to build upon a deep-closing third last out in the Elkhorn (G2) traveling 1 1/2 miles on April 19 at Keeneland.

Trained by Brian Lynch for LFG Racing, the hard-knocking English Channel 5-year-old earned a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form for the 1 1/4-length third behind Utah Beach, rallying from ninth-of-12 and 8 1/2 lengths off the pace early to display a strong turn of foot in the lane and land show honors. The effort marked his best finish since a third in the Listed Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup in August at its namesake course.

A win in this event would push Anglophile over the million-dollar mark in earnings, a bankroll that came thanks in large part to a win in the 2023 Dueling Grounds Derby (G3) at Kentucky Downs and placings in three other graded events as part of a 20: 3-1-5 record.

Full Moon Madness looks to rebound in Nerud

Full Moon Madness looks for his second Grade 3 win of the year in Saturday’s $175,000 John A. Nerud, a six-furlong sprint for older horses, at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Michelle Nevin for owner-breeder Jay Em Ess Stable, Full Moon Madness looks to rebound from a seventh in the seven-furlong Carter (G2) on April 5. There, the 5-year-old Into Mischief gelding dueled with a rival to set fractions of 22.37 seconds and 44.85 on the fast main track and weakened in the event won by the deep-closing Crazy Mason.

“He might’ve been going a little too quick to get the seven furlongs,” said Nevin. “We will cut him back and see how it goes.”

Full Moon Madness, who starts from the rail with rider Manny Franco, previously ran a career-best 98 Beyer when winning the local six-furlong Tom Fool (G3) on March 1. That effort was his fifth consecutive on-the-board result at the Big A, including Listed stakes placings in the Gravesend and Toboggan, and a head score over returning rival Surveillance in a six-furlong optional claimer.

“I like the cut back for him,” said Nevin, of the race that was previously run at seven furlongs. “In the Carter, he didn’t break great. I think going seven furlongs was just maybe taking him a little too far. The break will make a big difference for him.”

Full Moon Madness is out of the dual Grade 1-winning Indian Charlie mare By the Moon, who captured the 2014 Frizette and 2017 Ballerina on the NYRA circuit for the same connections.

Silver Slugger, breaking from post 2 while ridden by Junior Alvarado, is an intriguing newcomer to the Big A following six wins among seven consecutive efforts at Tampa Bay Downs. Trained by Juan Carlos Avila for Victoria's Ranch, the 5-year-old Cairo Prince gelding enters from three straight pacesetting scores, including by 6 1/2 lengths in a 6 1/2-furlong starter-optional claimer last out on April 16, which earned a career-best 94 Beyer.

“He has improved every race,” said Avila. “He’s running very nicely right now, and I need to try this stakes. I know he is coming from easier groups, but he is ready for this, I think so, with this group.”

The main question mark for Silver Slugger is the step up in class as his two prior stakes attempts represent his only losses. In his December 2022 debut, he was eased home in the Future Stars at Parx Racing ahead of an over one-year layoff. Silver Slugger was also a 3 1/4-length sixth to Grade 1 winner Nutella Fella in the six-furlong Pelican in February at Tampa.  

“He has only lost one race at Tampa, which was a stakes race. He didn’t break good, he was very bad at the start,” said Avila. “But he finished up three lengths back and I think he is better now.”

Silver Slugger is owned by retired Major League Baseball star Victor Martinez, who was a two-time Silver Slugger Award-recipient during his career as the best offensive player at his position.

“Victor Martinez is the owner, and he’s waited three years for this with this horse,” Avila said. “He only raced twice in 2024 and the rest were ‘25. He’s happy with him right now.”

Martinez and Avila have teamed up for stakes success at the Big A before, capturing the 2023 Tom Fool Handicap (G3) with Little Vic.

New York-bred Whatchatalkinabout, who starts from post 3 under Irad Ortiz Jr., has shown talent over the local dirt including a last-out eight-length state-bred optional claiming romp over course and distance on Jan. 16. Trained by Wesley Ward for Ice Wine Stable, the 4-year-old Dialed In gelding earned a field-best 106 Beyer.

Whatchatalkinabout, bred by Newtown Anner Stud, was purchased for $82,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale. He captured the New York Breeders’ Futurity in October 2023 at Finger Lakes Racetrack to close out his juvenile campaign before a one-year layoff.

Since returning in October, Whatchatalkinabout has posted two close seconds here versus state-breds in addition to his impressive last out victory.

Grade 1-placed Anarchist, who lines up in post 5 with jockey Joel Rosario, has contested three Grade 3 races this year including a last-out three-quarter-length third in the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 12 at Oaklawn Park. Trained by Doug O’Neill for Ilium Stables, the 6-year-old Distorted Humor bay was a head second to The Chosen Vron in the six-furlong Bing Crosby (G1) in July 2023 at Del Mar.

Anarchist exited the Bing Crosby to win the Pat O'Brien (G2) at Del Mar. He has been second seven times, including to 2022-23 champion sprinter Elite Power in the 2023 True North (G2) at Belmont Park.

Anarchist, out of the dual stakes-placed Elusive Quality mare Vicarious Won, was a $75,000 purchase at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He has since earned $623,578 through an 18: 3-7-2 record.

My Mane Squeeze reroutes from Derby City Distaff to Ruffian

New York-bred My Mane Squeeze will return to her home state in pursuit of her third graded stakes victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Ruffian (G2) at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Mike Maker for Buck Butler and WinStar Farm, the 4-year-old dark bay scratched from the Derby City Distaff (G1) last Saturday at Churchill Downs – won by Kopion – in favor of Saturday’s one-turn mile test for older fillies and mares at Aqueduct Racetrack, a track she won three state-bred stakes over as a late juvenile and early sophomore.

“I know the goal is the Breeders’ Cup, but I didn’t expect it so soon,” Butler said of the stacked overflow Derby City Distaff field, with a laugh. “We’ve got Saratoga ahead of us, so let’s see if we can do this one step at a time rather than jumping into the deep end.”

My Mane Squeeze enters the Ruffian from a stalking third-place finish in the seven-furlong Madison (G1) on April 8 at Keeneland, finishing 2 1/4 lengths back of the victorious Positano Sunset. The effort, which garnered a career-high 95 Beyer, marked her second top-level placing after finishing third in the Test (G1) last summer at Saratoga.

“That first start back, I was very impressed with the race,” Butler said. “It’s special to get another good placing. At the top of the stretch I thought she had something, but she just got a little tired. We’re raring to go in New York.”

Last year, My Mane Squeeze posted a robust 9: 4-2-1 record, beginning with the latter two of her trio of stakes victories over the local going with wins in the Franklin Square and Maddie May. She went on to capture the Eight Belles (G2) on the Kentucky Oaks undercard ahead of an off-the-board effort in the Acorn (G1) at the Spa and a five straight placings in graded events, including an additional five-length romp in the Dogwood (G3) at Churchill.

“We’ve been the mile on this track and we’re looking to do it again. God willing, she’s grown up since then,” Butler said. “It was a big fear if she would be the same horse this year as last, but she came back beautifully, and Mike did a hell of a job as usual.”

Bred in the Empire State by Butler, My Mane Squeeze is out of the prolific Speightstown mare In Spite of Mama, who has also produced Grade 3-placed multiple stakes-winner Rotknee, stakes-winner Mama’s Gold and multiple stakes-placed Lookin’ for Trouble.

Manny Franco, aboard for the Madison, returns to the irons from post 10.

Graded-stakes winner Gun Song, who starts from post 9 with jockey John Velazquez, looks to improve off a third-place finish when making her seasonal bow in a one-turn mile optional claimer on March 13 at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Mark Hennig for R. Lee Lewis, the 4-year-old daughter of Gun Runner stalked two lengths back in second under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, and was within 1 1/2 lengths of the lead at the three-quarters call, but faded in the lane and settled for third 6 3/4 lengths back of the victorious Literate.

Hennig said the uncharacteristic effort had a clear excuse post-race.

“She came out of that race with tender feet, and I had to pull her shoes and give her a few days off,” Hennig said. “She’s really rebounded since we got her re-shod and everything is going well. She’s settled back in nicely here (at Belmont Park) and has trained well.”

Gun Song posted a sparkling sophomore campaign that saw her capture the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) in May at Pimlico two starts before a close runner-up effort to Scalable in the Monmouth Oaks (G3) at its namesake course. She closed out the season with two game efforts at Parx Racing to win the Cathryn Sophia in August and finish a neck second to subsequent Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the Cotillion (G1) in September before a head second to Tarifa in the Mother Goose (G2) in October here.

“She’s bigger and stronger,” Hennig said of her development into her 4-year-old season. “With the ship north, she hasn’t missed a note and it seems like she’s really enjoying the springtime. You wish you had 10 of them like her, but they don’t come along often. We’re hoping she gets back on track and that we have a nice year.”

A $400,000 purchase at the 2023 OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in Training, Gun Song is out of the graded stakes-winning Mr. Greeley mare Nicole H. She has banked $733,220 through a 12: 4-4-2 record.

Jody’s Pride, drawn in post 8 with Joel Rosario, seeks a breakthrough graded victory after a distant off-the-board finish in the Azeri (G2) in March at Oaklawn Park where she broke slowly and was never able to find her best stride in the event won by Thorpedo Anna.

“She missed the break a little and she wants to be forwardly-placed, but she came from behind,” trainer Jorge Abreu said. “She’s done very well over the track at Aqueduct, so hopefully she continues on.”

The 4-year-old American Pharoah dark bay, owned by Parkland Thoroughbreds and Sportsmen Stable, began her season with a strong effort in the seven-furlong Inside Information (G2) in January at Gulfstream, pouncing from 1 1/2 lengths off the pace under Luis Saez to take a narrow lead at the top of the lane and just miss in third a head back of Emery and a neck behind the victorious Mystic Lake. The effort garnered a career-best 95 Beyer.

“I was pretty excited with that. I think Luis gave her a perfect ride – he came and breezed her and he liked the way she breezed, and he told me she was going to run big there,” Abreu recalled. “She did, and she’s a filly that likes a challenge. She likes to be forwardly-placed and likes to fight.”

Jody’s Pride captured her first two starts in off-the-turf events as a juvenile in a maiden at Saratoga and the Matron at Belmont at the Big A en route to a neck second to subsequent champion 2-Year-old filly Just F Y I in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita Park. She made just three starts last year, winning the local Listed Busher Invitational at this distance before two off-the-board efforts that included a try on turf in the Pebbles (G3) here to finish the campaign.

Bred by Mr. Steve Weston, Jody’s Pride is out of the Scat Daddy mare Jody’s Song, a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-placed New York-bred Make Mischief and stakes-placed Speightful Lily. Jody’s Pride has banked $644,250 through an 8: 3-1-1 record.

Gary Barber’s multiple graded stakes-placed millionaire Morning Matcha, starting from post 2 with Paco Lopez, will look to improve off an even fourth-place finish in a local April 18 optional claiming event sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs.

Trained by Butch Reid, the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Central Banker looks for her first graded victory after three on-the-board efforts at that level, including a game runner-up finish to Society in the 2022 Cotillion (G1) and thirds in the 2022 Comely (G3) here and 2023 Delaware Handicap (G2).

The consistent 6-year-old boasts five stakes wins from her 30: 8-7-7 record, featuring a 3 3/4-length trouncing of the 2023 seven-furlong NYSSS Staten Island here. Her four other stakes coups came at her home base of Parx.

Millionaire New York-bred Sterling Silver (post 4, Javier Castellano) is in search of her first graded stakes coup on the heels of a 1 3/4-length score in the state-bred Biogio’s Rose over course and distance on April 6.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott – winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Kentucky Derby with Sovereignty – for owner Mark Anderson, the 6-year-old Cupid mare has won five state-bred stakes, led by a 9 3/4-length trouncing of the Johnstone Mile Handicap last summer at the Spa. She crossed the wire four lengths in front in the 2023 Gallant Bloom (G2), but was disqualified and placed second.

Bred by Mallory Mort and Karen Mort, Sterling Silver has banked $1,006,051 through a 29: 9-5-5 record, and was trained by the now-retired Tom Albertrani through her first 21 starts.

Five-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown will send out a pair of formidable contenders in last-out Top Flight Invitational-winner Headline Numbers, who breaks from post 11 under Dylan Davis, and stakes-placed Catherine Wheel, starting from post 3 with Flavien Prat.

Headline Numbers, owned by Klaravich Stables, posted a breakthrough 4 1/2-legnth victory in the nine-furlong Top Flight on April 12 here, improving from a runner-up finish in the 1 1/16-mile Nellie Morse on Feb. 15 at Laurel Park. The Gun Runner 4-year-old was well-regarded last year after an eye-catching debut graduation by 11 3/4 lengths over course and distance.

Catherine Wheel finished third in her stakes debut last out, landing 1 1/2 lengths behind Royal Spa in the one-mile Heavenly Cause on April 12 over muddy and sealed footing at Laurel. The Into Mischief 4-year-old has never been off-the-board in seven outings, including a 2 3/4-length third-out graduation in November 2023 and a nose optional claiming conquest in March, both over this course and distance.

A $725,000 purchase at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, Catherine Wheel is out of the unraced Smart Strike mare Succeeding. Her fourth dam is the graded stakes-winning blue hen mare Better Than Honour, dam of Belmont Stakes winners Jazil and Rags to Riches, and third dam of Belmont Stakes-winner Arcangelo. She is owned by the partnership of Richard Schemerhorn, Team Hanley, Thirty Year Farm, Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Stretch Run Ventures.