Aireofdistinction new shooter in Interborough

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Aireofdistinction looks to breathe some life into the New York filly-and-mare sprint division when she makes her local debut in Saturday’s $100,000 Interborough Stakes at six furlongs over Aqueduct’s inner track.

A two-time listed stakes winner when owned by Gillian Campbell and trained by Steve Asmussen, Aireofdistinction makes her first start for David Jacobson, who purchased the mare privately after she failed to meet her reserve at auction last November.

“In the beginning, she was tailing off a little bit,” Jacobson said. “It took me a little while to get a handle on her. She’s going to run good. Is she good enough? I don’t know how good she is.”

Aireofdistinction, a daughter of Songandaprayer, will take on a group that includes Willet, a four-time New York-bred stakes winner; Expression, the winner of the Garland of Roses last out; and Cape Cod Carol, a winner against open company last out.

Completing the field are Bridgehampton, who has tailed off after winning the My Juliet Stakes at Parx last summer; Atlantic’s Smile; and Parx shipper Stormy Novel.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Aireofdistinction (Last 3 Beyers: 90-78-77)

◗ She makes her first start for Jacobson and her first since she won the $111,000 Open Mind Stakes at Churchill last September.

◗ In the Open Mind, Aireofdistinction pressed the pace before drawing clear. There is plenty of speed in this spot, which is why Jacobson is happy to have the outside post. Fernando Jara rides.

“I like having the outside. It gives us a good chance to take a look,” Jacobson said. “Fernando is a quality rider, and I’ve had a lot of luck with him.”

Willet (Last 3 Beyers: 73-82-90)

◗ This could be the career finale for the 7-year-old New York-bred mare, who is seeking her first open-company stakes win. She has lost her last five races, including a third as the favorite in the Garland of Roses, run over a sloppy track.

“Now, we’re going to have a fast, fair racetrack,” trainer and part-owner Jimmy Iselin said. “She’s in great shape.”

◗ She does her best running from off the pace and figures to get a good setup in this race.

◗ Irad Ortiz Jr., the leading rider on this circuit in 2014, rides Willet for the first time.

Expression (Last 3 Beyers: 77-78-80)

◗ She comes off a three-quarter-length victory in the Garland of Roses, her sixth win from 10 starts over Aqueduct’s inner track.

◗ She may get some pace help from stablemate Atlantic’s Smile, who was supplemented to this race.

Cape Cod Carol (Last 3 Beyers: 89-55-65)

◗ She bounced back from two poor efforts with a solid second-level allowance win against open company.

◗ She has a record of 3-1-2 from seven starts over the inner track.

◗ This could be her final career start before heading to the breeding shed, according to trainer Jim Ryerson.