Busanda to test progress of Lockdown

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Lockdown has the pedigree and connections to be successful. How much talent she has remains a question, and the answer could begin to emerge Sunday, when she runs in the $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct.

Lockdown, a full sister to five-time Grade 1 winner Close Hatches, was among the five 3-year-old fillies entered in the Busanda, scheduled for a mile and 70 yards over the inner track. Each of the fillies has simply a maiden win on her résumé.

Lockdown won her maiden going 1 1/16 miles here on Dec. 17, taking advantage of an inside-speed-favoring surface to pull away from Devine Union and win by 3 1/2 lengths. That race came after a runner-up finish going a one-turn mile in her debut, where she ran a bit spotty.

“She’s still a little bit like that, sort of green,” said Bill Mott, who trains Lockdown for Juddmonte Farms. “She’s learning. She’s a big, strong filly, but mentally it took her a while to get it. Hopefully, there’s still room for improvement. There should be.”

Lockdown will be running on Lasix for the first time in the Busanda. Kendrick Carmouche has the call.

Libby’s Tail is the only member of this field to have run in a stakes race. After winning her debut last July at Belmont, Libby’s Tail ran fourth in the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga; second, beaten a head, in the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont; and fourth, beaten 12 3/4 lengths, in the Grade 2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct. The Demoiselle was run at 1 1/8 miles.

“I don’t think she wants to run that far,” said trainer Rudy Rodriguez. “Seven-eighths to a mile is what she wants to do. I think she just wants to roll free. Drop the reins and let her do her own thing.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher shipped in Sand Shark from Gulfstream off a maiden win. Pletcher also sends out No Sweat, a nose maiden winner at Parx. Frank’s Folly, an off-the-turf maiden winner at Gulfstream, completes the field.

The Busanda offers 17 qualifying points (10-4-2-1) to its top four finishers to the May 5 Kentucky Oaks.

KEY CONTENDERS

Libby’s Tail, by Tiz Wonderful

Last 3 Beyers: 60-77-56

◗ May have an edge in seasoning, but she may prefer one turn.

◗ Was beaten a head by Yellow Agate in the Frizette at a one-turn mile last October.

◗ Likely the horse to catch under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Lockdown, by First Defence

Beyers: 63-62

◗ Showed improvement in polishing off her maiden win, though she may have been aided by being on the best part of the track.

◗ Only member of the field with a win over the inner track.

Sand Shark, by Hard Spun

Beyers: 60-63

◗ Beat 11 rivals in winning a maiden race by a length at Gulfstream on Dec. 7. But nine horses she beat that day have run back, and none has won.

◗ Her career debut, in which she finished second, did produce four next-out winners, albeit two for a claiming tag.