Conditions favorable for Crimson Frost

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Crimson Frost and Face It will be dropping in class, turning back in distance, and returning to what they’ve shown they do best when they square off in Friday’s second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claiming feature at Aqueduct.

Friday’s race is contested as a one-turn mile. Crimson Frost has won three of her four starts in one-turn mile races at Aqueduct. Face It is 2 for 2 in such races.

Crimson Frost won two races in 2018 and both were in this same condition. Last February, she won this kind of race by a length in the slop when not offered for the claiming price. In December, she won it again by three lengths over a fast track when in for the tag, as she is on Friday.

Crimson Frost is coming off a third-place finish, beaten 11 3/4 lengths, in $100,000 Ladies Handicap going 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 20.

“The Ladies was a little farther than she likes to go,” trainer Linda Rice said. “She’ll be better at a mile.”

The potential setup of this race would seem to favor Crimson Frost, who could get pace help from her uncoupled stablemate D J’s Favorite, also trained by Rice. D J’s Favorite is 0 for 2 in one-turn mile races.

Last November, Face It won a pair of one-turn mile races here, including a 10-length maiden score and a 2 1/2-length first-level allowance victory.

In her most recent start, Face It finished last of five as the even-money favorite in the $100,000 Nellie Morse Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Laurel. Timeless Curls stalked the pace-setting Face It early in the Nellie Morse and went on to a 3 3/4-length victory.

“The winner pushed us early, made us go a little quicker than we wanted,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

Unbridledadventure was scratched out of Sunday’s Biogio’s Rose Stakes by trainer Bruce Levine for this spot. While Friday’s race is softer than was the Biogio’s Rose, Levine said the one-turn mile configuration of this race doesn’t play to Unbridledadventure’s strength.

KEY CONTENDERS

Crimson Frost, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 78-71-81

◗ Her lone loss going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct was a second to Divine Miss Grey, who has since become a multiple stakes winner.

◗ Late runner figures to get a favorable pace scenario.

◗ The Rice-Junior Alvarado trainer-jockey combination is 13 for 58 at the Aqueduct winter meet.

Face It, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 59-77-75

◗ She was sharp in two wins going a one-turn mile here last November.

◗ Basically eased in the final sixteenth after failed try in the Nellie Morse Stakes going two turns at Laurel last out.

◗ Gets hot-riding five-pound apprentice Reylu Gutierrrez.

Jump Ruler, by Roman Ruler
Last 3 Beyers: 82-76-64

◗ Has hit the board in six of seven tries at Aqueduct and has tactical speed to be on or just off the lead.

◗ She was a game second to Crimson Frost last Dec. 7, holding off the heavily favored Sunset Ridge for the place after setting a contested pace.