By OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Along with the usual satisfaction that goes with winning three races on one card, trainer Linda Rice had further reason to be excited about going 3 for 3 Thursday at Aqueduct. When La Verdad won a $72,000 allowance race, it was Rice’s 100th win of 2013, making this the first time in her 27-year training career she reached that plateau.
“It was kind of fun for us yesterday, my crew and I, because not only did we win three, but this is our first year getting 100 wins,” said Rice, who added victory 101 when Dapper Draper took Thursday’s nightcap. “We were pretty excited about that.”
Rice’s previous high total for wins in a single year was 92 in 2009, the year she won the Saratoga trainer’s title. Eighty-nine of Rice’s 101 wins have come on the New York Racing Association circuit – Aqueduct, Belmont, or Saratoga – tying her for fourth with Rudy Rodriguez entering the final eight racing days. Only David Jacobson, Todd Pletcher, and Chad Brown have won more races at NYRA tracks this year.
Last year, Rice won 63 races at NYRA tracks, placing her sixth overall.
“I’d like to be able to be in the top-five spot year round in New York,” Rice said. “That’s my goal.”
Rice, who has 1,199 career victories, certainly has ample opportunity to improve her 2013 statistics over the weekend as she was scheduled to run probable favorite Palace in Saturday’s $100,000 Gravesend Stakes and the uncoupled entry of Miss Narcissist and Champagne Ruby in Sunday’s $100,000 East View Stakes.
Meanwhile, La Verdad appears headed for stakes company in her next start. The 3-year-old New York-bred filly won her fourth consecutive race Thursday, this time having to run down a horse – Cubicle Queen – who was hell-bent on making the lead. Rice said she spoke with jockey Jose Ortiz Thursday morning about the prospect of having to come from off the pace.
“We were both prepared for that with the idea that this might be the time we have to sit her off the pace,” Rice said. “It turned out that way. I was very relieved that he sat still on her, that he did not go after the other horse.”
Rice said she would nominate La Verdad to the $100,000 Interborough here on New Year’s Day, but the race probably comes back too quickly off Thursday’s win. Another suitable race for La Verdad, the $100,000 Correction, is run on Feb. 1. The ultimate early goal for 2014 is the Grade 2, $200,000 Distaff Handicap on April 19.
Five Star Momma has options
Five Star Momma fired a bullet half-mile breeze in 47.27 seconds Friday morning over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for an upcoming stakes engagement. The move was the fastest of 58 four-furlong workouts at Belmont Friday morning.
Five Star Momma, who has won two straight stakes and three consecutive races, will run next in either the Willa On the Move at Laurel on Dec. 28 or the Interborough here on Jan. 1. Trainer Jena Antonucci said she would enter Five Star Momma in both $100,000 races and then, with her owners Summerwind Farms and Half Hollow Racing, evaluate which is the preferred spot.
“Initially we were leaning heavily toward the Laurel race,” Antonucci said. “But we’ll watch and see who’s running where.”
Five Star Momma was moved to Antonucci in the spring. After three fourth-place finishes and a third, Five Star Momma has reeled off three straight victories, including the Chip Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 6 and the Lady in Waiting Stakes on Nov. 27 at Penn National.
“I feel very blessed she came to me when she did,” Antonucci said. “She’s just getting better and stronger. She gets a little spoiled here. She’s happy and we’re having fun with her.”
Owner’s seminar rescheduled
A new-owner’s seminar, scheduled for Sunday at Aqueduct, has been postponed until Jan. 12 by the New York Racing Association.
The seminar, which begins at 8 a.m. and lasts throughout the racing day, provides a comprehensive introduction and overview of Thoroughbred ownership to those interested in buying a racehorse.
The seminar, hosted by retired jockey Richard Migliore and handicapper Ernie Munick, will include representatives from Drawing Away Stable and Black Swan Stable as well as trainers Jeremiah Englehart and Tom Morley.
The seminar costs $50. To sign up or for more information go to www.nyra.com or call Horsemen’s Relations at Aqueduct, (718) 659-2206.
Holiday schedule changes
Aqueduct and Belmont Park will be closed for simulcasting Monday through Wednesday (Dec. 23-25). The two facilities will also be closed on Monday, Dec. 30. Simulcast wagering on Monday and Dec. 30 will be available only through NYRA Rewards and Telebet.
Live racing will resume at Aqueduct on Thursday and run through Sunday. Following a dark day on Dec. 30, there will be live racing from Dec. 31 through Jan. 5. After three dark days, Aqueduct will begin a Thursday-through-Monday schedule for the remainder of January.
Original Article – http://www.drf.com/news/premium/aqueduct-notes-rice-notches-first-100-win-season