Blinkers wake up True Sensation

JAMAICA, N.Y. - Many of the 11 fillies entered in Sunday's $75,000-added Busanda at Aqueduct are coming off wins in first-level allowance races. If you're looking for 3-year-old fillies with proven stakes ability, True Sensation and Treasure Coast Gem are the only stakes winners in the wide-open Busanda field.

True Sensation, who is based at Laurel, won the 1 1/8-mile Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship in her last start on Dec. 29. It was True Sensation's second consecutive win since trainer Hamilton Smith put blinkers on his filly.

"The blinkers have really helped her focus," Smith said. "I think she's set for another top effort."

Mike Luzzi, who rides True Sensation, will have to maneuver his filly into good position from post 10 for a short run into the first turn in the mile-and-70-yard Busanda.

Treasure Coast Gem was an easy winner of the Blue Hen Stakes at Delaware Park last September, but was absolutely no factor in her next two starts, including a 17 3/4-length loss in a small Charles Town stakes last month.

Dish It To Me, the runner-up in the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship in only her second start, gets another shot at Treasure Coast Gem.

Madame X Ski, a daughter of Polish Numbers, won a first-level allowance race on Dec. 30 over the inner track in her first start around two turns on the dirt.

"She's bred to go long but when I breezed her long, she worked terrible," trainer Jimmy Jerkens said. "I don't how much [competition] was in her last race, but she ran well."

Lucky Sucre, third behind Madame X Ski, came back and won a first-level allowance on Jan. 12 by 3 1/2 lengths after pressing the pace.

"She always puts you in a good spot," said Shaun Bridgmohan, who has ridden Lucky Sucre in her last four starts.

Trainer Ben Perkins Jr., who won Monday's Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes with Spin Zone, has entered Sideways, who came off the pace to win her only two starts. Last July, Sideways was an easy winner of a maiden race around two turns at Monmouth Park. She didn't run back until December when she won a seven-furlong allowance race over Aqueduct's main track.

Javier Castellano, who rode Spin Zone for Perkins, has the mount on Sideways.

Totally Wild, trained by Tony Dutrow, will try to rebound after finishing fourth as the favorite in the same race Madame X Ski won.

Catalita, Dancing Blues, Short Note, and With a Little Luck complete the field.

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