Rail draw doesn't help English Soul in East View

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – English Soul looked like a standout when the $100,000 East View Stakes was originally drawn and scheduled for Dec. 28, an Aqueduct card, like many lately, that was canceled due to the extreme winter weather in the Northeast.

English Soul will still be the favorite in Sunday’s rescheduled East View, but the field came up a bit tougher this time around. Midnight Disguise, winner of both of her starts, and Aunt Babe, winner of a division of the New York Stallion Series on Dec. 16, have joined the field for the one-mile race for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies. Trinni Ninja, a maiden, is another new entrant to the field.

“I still think we’re the horse to beat, but I agree it’s definitely a little bit tougher,” said Ray Handal, trainer of English Soul.

Complicating things further is the fact English Soul is now drawn on the rail, a disadvantage compared to breaking from post 6, which she had originally. Manny Franco has the call.

“I loved our post last time,” Handal said. “I’m never happy with the rail. The horse right to her outside [Cryinthemoonlight] has some early speed. We’re for sure the fastest horse early in the race, and she’s pretty easy to control. If that horse wants to get stupid, she’s pretty rateable. Manny’s got good hands and can get her to settle and do what we need.”

English Soul is 2 for 4, with both of her wins coming in one-turn dirt races that were originally scheduled for the turf but washed off to the main track. On Nov. 22, English Soul rolled to a seven-length, front-running score going a one-turn mile over Aqueduct’s main track.

Though the race has been delayed 18 days, and part of that time there was no training at Belmont Park where English Soul is based, Handal said his filly has gotten her works in as scheduled.

“I was ready to go the other day, but I don’t think the time off affects her at all,” Handal said.

The East View is scheduled as race 8 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:20 p.m.

KEY CONTENDERS

English Soul, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 72-62-63

◗ Her two victories have come in her only two dirt starts and in blowout fashion.

◗ One of just two horses to have won at the one-turn mile distance.

Midnight Disguise, by Midnight Lute
Beyers: 60-66

◗ Won two races in a six-day span (Dec. 15-21) and was not entered when this race was originally scheduled for Dec. 28.

◗ Her off-the-pace style and outside draw should benefit her in this spot.

◗ Though trainer Linda Rice’s main Belmont Park barn is under quarantine, this filly is permitted to run because she is based at Aqueduct.

Purely Lucky, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 61-70-60

◗ Finished second, albeit by seven lengths, to English Soul in a Nov. 22 allowance race, this filly’s first start on dirt.