Constellation makes sophomore debut in Ruthless

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Constellation completed her 2-year-old season with a dominant victory in the Furlough Stakes over Aqueduct’s main track. On Sunday, she will be heavily favored to begin her 3-year-old campaign with a victory in the $100,000 Ruthless Stakes over Aqueduct’s inner track.

Eight were entered in the Ruthless, but only six are likely to run. Trainer Todd Pletcher entered three, but both Lost Raven and Mo d’Amour were cross-entered in Saturday’s Marshua River at Laurel, with one expected to run there. Clipthecouponannie, a good-looking debut winner here Dec. 20, was entered back for a first-level New York-bred allowance Monday and likely will run in that spot.

With or without those horses, Constellation is the horse to beat in the Ruthless. A daughter of Bellamy Road who brought $800,000 at the OBS March sale 10 months ago, Constellation was a debut winner at Saratoga in August. She finished third behind Rachel’s Valentina in the Grade 1 Spinaway and second to Pretty N Cool in the Grade 2 Matron before dominating three rivals in the Furlough by 8 1/4 lengths.

“The filly ran exceptional there,” trainer Steve Asmussen said when asked why Furlough stayed in New York. “With that opportunity, we just thought, ‘Let’s not throw a variable into what we had success with last time.’ ”

Constellation, owned by the L N J Foxwoods Stable of Jaime, Nanci, and Larry Roth, breaks from post 6, and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. should have the luxury of seeing what the other potential speed horses in the race – likely Mo d’Amour or Karen’s Silk – do early.

Of the horses expected to run, the key threats to Constellation figure to be Karen’s Silk, an allowance winner over the inner track at 30-1, and Kalabaka, a recent maiden winner over the inner track Dec. 27.

Key contenders

Constellation (Last 3 Beyers: 86-77-72)

Showed the ability to sit and stalk comfortably when overpowering three rivals in the $150,000 Furlough Stakes under a hand ride from Ortiz.

Worked a sharp half-mile in 47.78 seconds Monday over the Belmont training track.

“She has been very impressive training since she got to New York at Saratoga in the summer,” Asmussen said.

Karen’s Silk (Last 3 Beyers: 71-60-44)

Cross-entered in Saturday’s Marshua River at Laurel, this Florida-bred filly has won two in a row, including an allowance win over the inner track Dec. 17.

Kalabaka (Last 3 Beyers: 72-63-56)

Showed good late foot when having to rally wide to win a maiden race over the inner track Dec. 27.