Aqueduct: Ruthless to Baldomera

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Baldomera completed a sweep of Aqueduct's weekend stakes for Philadelphia Park-based runners by rallying from last to win the $79,875 Ruthless Stakes for 3 year-old fillies by 1 3/4 lengths.

High Peaks, who put away two pace challenges, held second by a half-length over Prudencia. Bikini Wiggle and Highgate Park, the 6-5 favorite, completed the order of finish.

Baldomera is based at Philadelphia Park with trainer Guadalupe Preciado. The Philadelphia Park-based Smarty Jones, trained by John Servis, won Saturday's Count Fleet for 3-year-old males.

Baldomera, owned and bred by Hidden Lane Farms, was last turning for home under Tony Black behind a slow early pace. But Baldomera powered down the center of the inner track to wear down High Peaks inside the 70-yard marker for the win. Baldomera ran the six furlongs in 1:13.93 over a fast track and returned $5.90.

Preciado explained that Baldomera doesn't like getting dirt in her face, and instructed Black to take her back and keep her in the clear.

"She's got speed, she can be in front, but she runs much better this way," Preciado said. "In the beginning, we tried keeping her close, but she never finished that good. When she's by herself, she finishes better."

Preciado said Baldomera would likely return to New York for the $75,000 Dearly Precious Stakes on Feb. 14.