Paz the Bourbon looks to earn her diploma in Lynbrook
Paz the Bourbon went from fifth in the stretch to finish second in her first career start and will look to build on that effort as part of a six-horse field in the listed $125,000 Lynbrook on Sunday, closing day, at Belmont Park.
The Lynbrook is the final stakes race of Belmont's spring-summer meet before racing moves to Saratoga for the 40-day meet beginning Friday, July 22.
The Mark Hennig-trained chestnut filly will be looking to go six furlongs for the first time in the race for 2-year-olds foaled in New York. Paz the Bourbon, owned by Bourbon Lane Stable, went five-wide in the upper stretch first out on May 26 at Belmont and made up ground to finish 1 ¼ lengths behind the winner.
"Based on her first performance, I think more ground will help her," Hennig said.
Paz the Bourbon drew post 4 and will again have Joel Rosario in the irons. After going up against a 10-entry field in the maiden special weight start, Hennig said he isn't sure what impact a smaller field will have.
"It could be a help, or not," Hennig said with a laugh. "We'll know for sure after the race. It depends on what kind of trip she gets."
Bob Peterson Stables' Wilburnmoney is the only starter in the field who has won a race after a maiden-breaking victory in her debut on June 16 at Belmont over 5 ½ furlongs. The daughter of 2011 Grade 2 Indiana-winner Wilburn stalked the pace first out before taking the lead at the top of the stretch and winning by two lengths over Zenna on a fast track.
The bay filly, trained by Gary Gullo will exit from the outside post with Luis Saez aboard.
Holy Gold, who has finished second in two of her three career starts, will leave from post 2 with Jackie Davis on the saddle for trainer James Ferraro.
Zenna, who came in second last out on June 16 at Belmont, drew the rail. Saddled by Carlos Martin, Zenna will be looking to break her maiden after staying just off the pace in the 5 ½-furlong race. Jockey Eric Cancel will have the mount.
Miss Freeze will make her first career start out of post 3. Leading meet rider Jose Ortiz will be in the irons.
Ortiz entered Thursday's card with 69 winners and is in a strong position to secure the spring-summer meet title with a 17-win lead on Manny Franco and an 18-win advantage over his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer Chad Brown, who entered Thursday with 37 wins, has clinched the spring-summer meet title.
Source: NYRA Communications