Palladian Bridge back in familar spot

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After trainer Ray Handal claimed Palladian Bridge for $25,000 last November, he was warned about how difficult the filly could be to train.

Handal said that previous trainer John Toscano Jr. told him, “Be careful, that filly could hurt somebody,” Handal recalled.

“She had a reputation of dropping riders,” Handal said.

Handal spent additional time trying to get Palladian Bridge over some of her quirks. It looks like he now has the 5-year-old mare moving in the right direction. Palladian Bridge won her first start for Handal then ran second in the La Verdad Stakes in her next race.

Friday, Palladian Bridge returns to the same condition she won in on Dec. 15 when she heads a field of seven entered in a second-level/optional $40,000 claiming race for New York-bred fillies and mares that serves as the feature on Friday’s eight-race Aqueduct program. When she won two back, Palladian Bridge was offered for the claiming price. She is in for the allowance condition on Friday.

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Handal has Palladian Bridge nominated to Sunday’s $100,000 Broadway Stakes but felt it a better idea to try and win this condition before going back into stakes company.

“I expect another solid performance,” Handal said.

On paper, it looks like Palladian Bridge could get a nice stalking trip behind speed horses Zealous Scholar and Sandy Belle. However, trainer Rick Schosberg said he plans to enter Sandy Belle in Sunday’s Broadway and evaluate the field before deciding in which race to run.

Sandy Belle has won her last four dirt races and is 2 for 2 over Aqueduct’s main track this winter.

“Our filly’s on a pretty good roll,” Schosberg said Wednesday. “It may be time to get some black type.”

Two starts back, Zealous Scholar finished second to Palladian Bridge. Last out, she finished fourth in this same condition.

KEY CONTENDERS:

Palladian Bridge, by Girolamo
Last 3 Beyers: 77-81-74

◗ Ran a respectable second behind Quezon in the La Verdad Stakes on Jan. 19 and now drops into a condition that she won two starts back, beating two of the rivals she meets in here.

◗ Should get a good trip breaking from the rail under Manny Franco.

Andesine, by Bluegrass Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 75-84-62

◗ Encountered a little traffic trouble at the head of the lane, but was simply second to a much-the-best Startwithsilver in this same condition last out.

◗ Earned career-best figures two back when she won for $35,000 going a mile.

Sandy Belle, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 82-77-48

◗ Has won two straight and four consecutive dirt races overall.

◗ Would be a pace factor if she runs.