Aqueduct: Princess of Sylmar eyes Busher

Tom Keyser

Princess of Sylmar wins the Busanda by 7 1/2 lengths on Saturday. She could run next in the Busher on Feb. 2.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Having recorded her second straight victory over Aqueduct’s inner track, Princess of Sylmar may stick around New York for her next start, which could come in the $100,000 Busher Stakes here on Feb. 2.

Princess of Sylmar won Saturday’s $100,000 Busanda Stakes by 7 1/2 lengths, her third straight open-lengths victory and her second in a row over the inner track.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said he spoke briefly with the owners of Princess of Sylmar after the race and the first inclination is to leave her in New York.

Princess of Sylmar earned 10 qualifying points to the Kentucky Oaks for her victory in the Busanda. While the Busher does not offer any qualifying points to the Oaks, the Grade 2 Gazelle over Aqueduct’s main track on April 6 offers 100 points to the winner. The Gazelle replaced the Comely on Aqueduct’s schedule.

Pletcher said he was “very impressed” with Princess of Sylmar’s Busanda performance.

“She showed some guts,” Pletcher said. “It was kind of similar to her previous race when she had to wait for running room. Not only did she have to wait but she had to push her way through a small opening and she finished up real strong.”

Princess of Sylmar, a daughter of Majestic Warrior, earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for her Busanda victory.