Conditions suit Ice Princess more than Timeless Journey

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Timeless Journey finished a neck in front of Ice Princess when the two were second and third, respectively, behind Frost Point in a second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claimer at Aqueduct on Dec. 30.

There are multiple reasons that would seem to favor Ice Princess over Timeless Journey on Thursday, when the two meet again in the same condition at Aqueduct.

The Dec. 30 race was run as a one-turn mile. Thursday, the race is at 1 1/8 miles around two turns, a configuration at which Ice Princess has run well and Timeless Journey has yet to attempt. Second, there is the potential for an off track based on a wet Wednesday forecast, and that would also seem to benefit Ice Princess.

The negative concerning Ice Princess is her penchant for running second, something she’s done in nine of 23 starts with only four wins.

Ice Princess, a New York-bred daughter of Palace Malice, has not won since taking an open first-level allowance at Saratoga in August 2021. At least that race was run at 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track.

Trained by Danny Gargan throughout most of her career, Ice Princess made her first start last out for Linda Rice, Aqueduct’s leading trainer at both the fall and current winter meet.

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“Kendrick [Carmouche] rode her last time, I thought it was a good effort, but I think a mile and an eighth is better for her,” Rice said.

Rice also sends out Mommasgottarun, who finished second but was elevated to first in a first-level allowance going 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 12, her first start off a Rice claim. Rice said she is running her back on short rest “because I didn’t want to shorten the filly up to a flat mile right now.”

With Eric Cancel committed to the Bill Mott-trained Far Away Love, Luis Rodriguez Castro rides Mommasgottarun.

Timeless Journey is trying two turns on dirt for the first time, though she has run – and won – going two turns and 1 1/16 miles on turf in the past. Trainer Ray Handal indicated he’s running here because he didn’t want to wait another three weeks for a one-mile race.

“She’s ready to run, bounced out of that last race in good order,” Handal said. “I would say her pedigree and physicality don’t scream [mile and an eighth], but she’s run well around two turns on turf before so we’ll give it a shot.”

Let Her Inspire U, trained by Todd Pletcher, beat Ice Princess in the Empire Distaff going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct. She finished fourth as the 4-5 favorite in the Bay Ridge, a one-mile race run over a wet track. Let Her Inspire U does get back on Lasix, a medication on which she is 3 for 3.

Sofia’s Secret, trained Brittany Russell, ships in from Maryland coming off an 8 1/2-length allowance win versus Pennsylvania-breds at Parx.

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