Aqueduct: La Verdad back at best distance in Broadway Stakes
The winners of the last two runnings of the Broadway Stakes clash in Saturday’s renewal of the $100,000 race, and although Risky Rachel (2012) and Sunny Desert (2013) won by open lengths as clear favorites, neither will be the public’s choice in this edition of the sprint for New York-bred fillies and mares.
That honor will go to La Verdad, who comes off a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie in her stakes debut for Linda Rice. La Verdad is the likely pacesetter as she shortens up to six furlongs, where she has won five straight by a combined 26 lengths.
“If she were to run well, we would like to bring her back in the Grade 2 Distaff here on April 19,” said Rice, whose useful turf sprinter Ave’s Halo makes her seasonal bow in the Broadway as well.
Risky Rachel and Sunny Desert posted career-best Beyer Speed Figures in winning their respective runnings of the Broadway, but both have seen limited action since then.
Risky Rachel sustained a tendon injury after finishing fifth in the 2012 Iroquois and missed all of 2013. Now 7, Risky Rachel returned at Tampa Bay Downs this winter to win the Minaret and the Manatee stakes decisively for Manny Coronel.
“It will be very emotional for me to see her back in the Broadway, which was such a special moment for me,” said Coronel, who had just embarked on his training career. “We’re very excited about running her. I know Sunny Desert is a nice filly, and with a big field, it will be a very competitive race.”
Sunny Desert was claimed from a $35,000 maiden race in December 2011 and won 8 of 9 races, including six stakes, from March 2012 through April 2013 for the now-retired John Parisella. She was given last summer off due to a pulled muscle and popped a splint when nearing a scheduled return last fall, so she has been away from the races for almost a year.
“On the track, she’s all business and a complete professional,” said new trainer Bruce Levine. “I talk with John almost every day, and he loved her. We do, too. She’s a favorite around our barn, too, almost like a pet. I hope I do as well as John did with her.”
Cape Cod Carol, Here’s Zealicious, Hot Rendezvous, and Make the Moment all come off allowance or optional-claiming wins.
Vicki’s Dancer, a New York Stallion Series winner on the main track last fall, completes a deep field of nine.