Highway Star in good order heading into Ruffian

Highway Star looks to be in good order heading into Saturday's Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian, trainer Rodrigo Ubillo said from his barn on Friday morning.

The 4-year-old Chester and Mary Broman homebred won the Grade 3 Distaff Handicap last out on April 9 at Aqueduct Racetrack, marking her fourth win in her last five starts. She worked Tuesday on the Belmont Park training track, going three furlongs in 39.59 seconds with Ubillo serving as the exercise rider.

"It wasn't even a breeze as much as a two-minute lick to just keep her on her toes," Ubillo said. "She's a nice filly and she's been healthy. There's been no issues. We expect her to run a good race."

The Ruffian, for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up, will feature a five-horse field running at one mile on the main track. It also will present a rematch against the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Indulgent, who Highway Star defeated by a half-length in the Distaff despite carrying one additional pound. For the Ruffian, Highway Star will carry 123 pounds, compared to 117 for Indulgent.

"She carries me in the mornings and I'm a big guy, so I don't think she'll mind the added weight," Ubillo said. "Sometimes, it [a small field] is more confusing and it's more of a rider's race, but I'm not concerned. The best horse is going to win no matter what, so we'll see what happens."