Busanda winner Lockdown eyes Busher

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Lockdown, now 2 for 2 over the inner track following her victory in Sunday’s Busanda Stakes, could stay in New York and point for the Busher Stakes on Feb. 25.

Although there are suitable stakes for Lockdown at Gulfstream, trainer Bill Mott said Sunday that she would have to undergo an acclimation period after moving from cold to hot weather if she shipped there.

“It’s not the greatest time of year to move a horse to Florida,” Mott said.

In the Busanda, Lockdown stalked the pacesetting favorite, Libby’s Tail, until the three-furlong pole before taking command and winning by 2 1/2 lengths. Lockdown, ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, appeared to idle a little bit when she made the lead.

Assistant trainer Leana Willaford said that Carmouche told her, “As soon as she heard [Libby’s Tail] get close again, she went out on her own again.”

Lockdown is a full sister to Close Hatches, a five-time Grade 1 winner who also won the Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct. Lockdown could be pointed to the Gazelle, run over Aqueduct’s main track April 8.