Aqueduct: Expression making another money run for Charlie Baker

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – It’s still winter, but glimmers of light appear as first post reverts back to 12:50 p.m. when the racing week gets under way Thursday.

Expression, who has earned $97,994 since owner-trainer Charlie Baker claimed her from a win over $35,000 maidens here last winter, will try to pad her inner-track r é sum é – and Baker’s bank account – when she goes favored against six other fillies and mares in the featured eighth race, a first-level optional claimer at six furlongs.

Expression was a second-time starter when Baker plucked her from her local bow last January, and the daughter of Invasor returned quick dividends in her next two starts, posting a win and runner-up finish.

Expression was freshened after tailing off last summer and early fall and was a rallying third in her November return on Aqueduct’s main track. Since getting back on the inner track, she has notched two victories against $35,000 “beaten” claimers, with no takers.

In the wake of a career-best performance to win geared down Feb. 18, she is not for sale Thursday.

“That was a huge race for her, a little too big to run her back for a tag,” Baker said of her five-length score with a lifetime top Beyer Speed Figure of 85. “She came out of it super. That’s why I’m bringing her back in 10 days. She’s been training better the last month or so, and looks-wise, she looks better, too. She’s definitely on top of her game. I think the track is part of it.”

The late-running Expression should get ample pace up front due to the presence of Sacred Success and Sing Dixie Sing, a pair of New York-bred fillies that speed-balled their way through restricted conditions.

Sacred Success, favored for former trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. in all eight of her starts, makes her debut for Rudy Rodriguez off a 50-day break.

Sing Dixie Sing, who was never headed with blinkers on last out, is part of an uncoupled Jimmy Jerkens-trained entry along with Thisizsparta, who hasn’t been out since September and wants more ground.

Ann’s Smart Dancer, who tops the group in starts (22), wins (5), and earnings ($272,194), goes first time off a claim for Bruce Levine. She is the only entrant in for the $35,000 claim price.

McCarren Park and We Need V L T’s round out the field.