Atras has busy day of stakes races

Up-and-coming trainer Rob Atras has a lot on his plate Friday. He sends out longshot Maracuja in the Kentucky Oaks and will have runners in both stakes at Belmont, including Musical Heart in the $100,000 Flat Out, a 1 3/8-mile dirt route for older runners.

Following a third two back behind the imposing Mr. Buff in the one-mile Stymie Stakes, Musical Heart was a speedy second to Air Attack in a 1 3/8-mile starter stakes on March 27 at Aqueduct. Once again, he’s meeting Air Attack, who was claimed off Atras by trainer John Toscano from a blowout score against $25,000 opposition on March 12.

Rocketry is the most accomplished marathoner in the seven-horse field. The 7-year-old has been idle since taking the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance over 1 5/8 miles on Nov. 6 at Keeneland. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said he believes the long-winded Rocketry wants to go farther than the Flat Out distance.

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“A mile and three-eighths might be a little short for him, which is hard to believe,” Jerkens said. “He looked nice the other day in company with Rift Valley, a New York-bred, on the main track. They worked really well together. Initially, he wasn’t coming along fast enough, I didn’t think, but he’s good enough to get started. First out of the box isn’t always his best, but he has to get going sometime.”

License Fee Stakes

The $100,000 License Fee, a six-furlong sprint for older females on the inner turf, was postponed from last Sunday due to inclement weather. Atras entered Sadie Lady, who has won her last two starts on dirt, including the Correction Stakes. She’s one of several front-runners in the 10-horse race, which could set up for a closer like She’s My Type.

Trained by Christophe Clement, She’s My Type is returning from a 7 1/2-month layoff. The French-bred 4-year-old won two stakes last year, including the 5 1/2-furlong Coronation Cup at Saratoga.

She’s My Type went to the sidelines after a seventh-place finish in the Sept. 15 Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs. She wintered at Payson Park in Florida before breezing a half-mile in 47.80 last Saturday at Belmont.

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“We got very lucky with the race being moved,” Clement said. “She’s been training great. She has always been a lovely filly and has been very consistent. We’re excited to see her run back.”

Sweet Melania was a front-running fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Sand Springs Stakes on March 27 at Gulfstream, her first start in 5 1/2 months.

Jose Lezcano, returning from a three-month break after shoulder and knee surgery, will ride Sweet Melania for trainer Todd Pletcher.

“She’s very consistent,” said Byron Hughes, Pletcher’s assistant. “She ran okay down in Florida last out, but we’re hoping second time off the layoff she shows improvement.”

I’llhandalthecash is winless in four starts since taking last year’s License Fee in early July. She’s coming off a five-month layoff in her first start for trainer Mike Maker.