Bonita Bianca back with New York-breds in Bay Ridge

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bonita Bianca has won stakes over four different dirt surfaces in New York. On Sunday, she will try to add Aqueduct’s main track to her résumé when she heads a field of nine New York-bred fillies and mares entered in the $100,000 Bay Ridge Stakes.

Bonita Bianca, a 4-year-old daughter of Curlin, has won stakes at Finger Lakes, Belmont (two), and Saratoga, and as a 2-year-old she won the East View over Aqueduct’s now-defunct inner track.

Bonita Bianca is winless in three starts over Aqueduct’s main track, including two at the Bay Ridge’s distance of 1 1/8 miles, but all three losses came in graded stakes. That included a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Go For Wand Handicap four weeks ago.

“The other day, she was head-and-head for the lead,” said Jason Servis, who trains Bonita Bianca for Michael Dubb, Michael Imperio, and Mike Caruso’s Bethlehem Stables. “It was kind of a screwy race; she broke so good.”

Jose Lezcano will ride Bonita Bianca from post 8.

Among Bonita Bianca’s opponents on Sunday is Split Time. Split Time was second to Bonita Bianca in the Empire Distaff before finishing a well-beaten fourth in the Grade 3 Comely going 1 1/8 miles here on Nov. 23. In her previous try at that distance, against New York-breds, Split Time lost by a head when third behind English Soul and Take Charge Aubrey in the Fleet Indian Stakes at Saratoga.

“She was carrying a lot of weight that day,” trainer Linda Rice said. “I don’t think that’s her best distance. She’s probably better at seven [furlongs] to a mile.”

Unbridledadventure is best at 1 1/8 miles, having gone 4 for 4 at the distance. Trained by Bruce Levine, she is taking a step up in class, and this will be just her second stakes attempt in what will be her 33rd career start.

Completing the lineup are Frostie Anne, third in the Bay Ridge run here in January; Held Accountable, a winner of two straight; Pink Twist; Out of Orbit; No Hayne No Gayne; and Pride of Saratoga.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bonita Bianca, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 79-91-78

◗ Has won four of her last six dirt starts against New York-bred competition, including a six-length gallop in the $250,000 Empire Distaff going 1 1/16 miles around one turn at Belmont in October. That was her first time going long on dirt since Servis was given the filly earlier in 2018.

“We had her sprinting, so running her long she was laying closer, which didn’t leave her that much to do,” Servis said. “I didn’t think she’d win that easy.”

Split Time, by Take Charge Indy
Last 3 Beyers: 72-81-72

◗ Returns to New York-bred competition after just missing third in the Comely. Won three straight races against statebreds going a one-turn mile here during the winter and spring.

Unbridledadventure, by Courageous Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 70-74-71

◗ Though she gets tested for class in this spot, she has won four or her last five dirt starts.

◗ Picks up Manny Franco.

:: Want to get the latest news with your past performances? Try DRF’s new digital PPs