Aqueduct: Superior Sarah looks sharp for New York-bred sprint

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Superior Sarah, who has run well in both of her starts at the current meet, breaks from the outside post and heads a field of seven New York-bred fillies and mares in Thursday’s six-furlong, $54,000 optional claiming feature, which carries second-level allowance conditions.

Superior Sarah returned from a short layoff with a trainer change to Tom Albertrani and was not fully extended to win her first-level condition Dec. 11.

Nearly seven weeks later, Superior Sarah finished second at this level, when beaten less than a length by front-end winner Funky Munky Mama.

Superior Sarah, whose only non-exacta finish on a fast track was a fourth in the Bouwerie Stakes, will wear blinkers for the first time Thursday.

Eden Is Burning, Bailzee, Life’s Measure, and Those Lion Eyes, who finished behind Superior Sarah in that order on Jan. 26, are back for another try.

Eden Is Burning was out-sprinted by the speedy Funky Munky Mama last time, but appears the speed of this field.

Since beginning her career with back-to-back wins on the inner track two years ago, Bailzee has lost 15 consecutive starts. She finished strongly to be beaten just a half-length two starts back. Bailzee also puts blinkers on, after turning in a bullet half-mile workout last week for trainer Pat Kelly.

Life’s Measure, who has been slow from the gate in her last several starts, picks up double bug Jose Rodriguez and gets seven pounds from all.

Those Lion Eyes looks to get back on track after four consecutive off-the-board finishes, beginning with a pace duel in the Iroquois Stakes on New York Showcase Day.

Rounding out the lineup are Queen’s Harbor and Stellaluce. The latter, a seven-time winner, is in for the $25,000 claim price and gets a switch back to Ramon Dominguez, who was aboard for a big win at Belmont last fall.

◗ Five fillies entered race 2, a $60,000 maiden special weight sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs that is the day’s richest event.

Starr Gate, She’s Ready Made, and Brilliant Autumn, the 2-4-5 finishers in a similar spot Jan. 25, are the experienced runners.

The new shooters are I Love Lassie and Just Joking. The latter is a Distorted Humor filly out of Contrast – a daughter of champion sprinter Safely Kept – who won 4 of 7 career starts, including two sprint stakes.