Betsy Blue, in quick turnaround, takes Garland of Roses as Rice stays hot

It was a terrific 72 hours for trainer Linda Rice and a productive week for her New York-bred filly Betsy Blue when the former wheeled the latter back in a week to win Saturday’s $120,000 Garland of Roses Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct.

It was the first open-company-stakes win for Betsy Blue and it was the seventh win in three days for Rice, who has now vaulted to the top of the trainer standings at the Aqueduct fall meet with 15 wins.

On Dec. 3, Betsy Blue finished third in the Grade 3 Go for Wand Stakes, her first placing in a graded stakes, which increases the future breeding value of the 4-year-old daughter of Tonalist who was already a New York-bred stakes winner. By rallying from last to first under Jose Lezcano in the Garland of Roses, Betsy Blue won her first open company stakes, increasing her value that much more.

The victory was the ninth from 20 starts for Betsy Blue, whom Rice claimed for $50,000 in March 2021. Betsy Blue pushed her career purse earnings to $604,510. She has earned $546,410 for Rice and owners Cloud Nine Stable.

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Rice is not averse to running horses back on short rest if she feels the risk is worth the reward and the horse is up to it. That was the case with Betsy Blue.

“I thought it was a reasonable spot,” Rice said. “I could wait a month and find a much tougher race. Then, I needed a few days to see how she was training out of the race. We don’t have to ship to Laurel, we’re here on our home court, I decided to go.”

The Garland of Roses drew seven but went to post with five as Hot Peppers, one of the expected speed horses in the field, and Dontletsweetfoolya, scratched. Hot Peppers, runner-up in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga in August, is heading to Southern California for the Grade 1 La Brea at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

Despite that scratch, there proved to still be ample pace in the Garland of Roses to set up Betsy Blue’s late run.

Under Lezcano, Betsy Blue was last but only about five lengths off the pace as Smash Ticket, Disco Ebo and Beguine battled through a quarter in 22.51 seconds and a half-mile in 45.78 with favored Smash Ticket retreating at that point.

Beguine, equipped with blinkers for the first time, put Disco Ebo away, but started tiring and drifting out and had no resistance to the late foot of Betsy Blue.

“I think they went pretty quick in front early on and when they turned for home, she found another gear, went on and won the race,” Lezcano said.

Betsy Blue covered the six furlongs in 1:10.92 and returned $6.60 as the second choice.

Beguine, the 5-2 third choice, finished second by 4 1/4 lengths over Disco Ebo. Snicket and Smash Ticket completed the order of finish.

“I was concerned about coming off the mile if she was going to be within striking distance,” Rice said. “Jose Lezcano did a really nice job hustling her out of there.”

For Rice, the win was the second on the card and seventh over three days from 12 starters at Aqueduct. She won races from the $10,000 claiming level to the Garland of Roses.

“I’ll take it,” Rice said. “It’s been a busy week, but a good week.”

Rice has four runners on Sunday’s card, including two morning-line favorites.

Rice has Betsy Blue nominated to next Saturday’s $100,000 Bay Ridge Stakes for New York breds, but said she won’t run here there. Rice said she will look at the $100,000 Interborough Stakes on Jan. 21 as a potential prep for the Grade 3, $250,000 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park on Feb. 18.

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