Amazing Buy extends streak

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The addition of blinkers and a return to the friendly confines of Aqueduct's inner track helped Amazing Buy regain her dominant form.

She was an easy winner Sunday afternoon in the $80,700 Busher Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

With Norberto Arroyo, Jr. aboard, Amazing Buy broke alertly to take charge several jumps out of the gate. Neverlacken offered some mild early pressure and doggedly chased the leader throughout the 1 1/16 miles. Amazing Buy won by one well-measured length.

However, the outcome was never in doubt as Arroyo never asked his filly for run.

"I had so much horse," said Arroyo. "I chirped at her once and she just took off. She had plenty left."

Neverlacken was 5 1/4 lengths clear of Winning Season in third.

The time was 1:44.63 on a clear but chilly afternoon.

Amazing Buy ($5.60), who extended her winning streak to four, will next head to Kentucky. Owner Ernie Paragallo is considering either the $150,000 Bourbonette Stakes at Turfway Park on March 26 or the Grade 1, $500,000 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland on April 9.

The ultimate goal: the Grade 1, $500,000 Kentucky Oaks on May 6 at Churchill Downs.

"We didn't want to take too much out of her," said Paragallo. "There are bigger races ahead."

The decision to add the hood worried trainer Jennifer Pedersen. You never want to tamper with success.

There was reason for concern in the last win, the Wide Country Stakes at Laurel. After a pair of overpowering victories at the Big A, Amazing Buy opened up a four-length lead but was hard-pressed to hold on for a nose win.

"Everyone said you would be a laughing stock if you put on blinkers after three wins and she got beat," said Pedersen. "The filly was running well, but not as well as she could."

With her focus restricted, Amazing Buy was all business.

"Today I saw a real racehorse," said Pedersen. "I knew it was in there."