Afleet Alexandra back on short rest

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - In her last start, Afleet Alexandra showed the ability to win off a two-month layoff. For her next trick, Afleet Alexandra will attempt to win coming back in just two weeks.

:: RACE OF THE DAY:

Following a second-level allowance score against New York-breds on Jan. 20, Afleet Alexandra steps back into stakes company Friday when she faces seven statebred fillies and mares in the $60,000 Personal Girl Stakes at Aqueduct.

In her last two starts of 2009, Afleet Alexandra finished fifth in the Iroquois at Belmont and ninth, beaten 33 3/4 lengths, in the Luv Is Eternal Stakes over Aqueduct's main track. Trainer Michael Ferraro said Afleet Alexandra did not come back well from that race and needed time off.

Afleet Alexandra returned from the break with a hard-fought neck victory over Not a Peep on Jan. 20. Though most of her success had come from off the pace, Afleet Alexandra found herself chasing the loose-on-the-lead Not a Peep before collaring her late under Pablo Fragoso.

"I thought she'd lay fourth or fifth," Ferraro said. "When he had her up that close, I thought he was using her too much, but he still had horse. I think she benefited from that race. I'd like to see her run back to that race."

Afleet Alexandra has run well on short rest before. In October 2008 she won an allowance race at Finger Lakes coming back in 15 days.

There appears to be ample speed in the field, which could help Afleet Alexandra but also figures to benefit Silvercup Baby, who makes her second start off a freshening. On Nov. 27, Silvercup Baby finished third in a starter handicap behind Hold That Prospect, who won Saturday's Correction Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths. Super Slash, second in that starter handicap, beat Silvercup Baby by 7 1/2 lengths in a $60,000 claiming race on Jan. 15.

"The last race she needed a little bit, we could only do so much with the weather," said trainer Carl Domino, who has Ramon Dominguez to ride. "But I couldn't be happier. I feel good with the rider, the post position. If that track is fair, I think we'll be right there one-two."

Salt Water Reign, a four-time winner over the inner track, cuts back to six furlongs after finishing a well-beaten fifth going a mile in an optional claiming race here Jan. 8. Meese Rocks returns to statebred company after finishing fourth in a tough open-company allowance race Jan. 24.